Drumroll... 5-1 Top Albums of 2010!!!

Thus ends this ridiculous charade. Bring it on, 2011. I like many of your jams already.

5.) Jukebox the Ghost- Everything Under the Sun

A fine sophomore follow-up release by the DC locals in Jukebox the Ghost, “Everything Under the Sun” presents how sensational pop albums could be. With catchy hooks and even catchier lyrics, Jukebox crafts ditties that should flow out of radios everywhere and will keep your head bobbing and toe tapping for months to come. They hit a frenetic high early with two fast jams about the dual lives in “Schizophrenia” and then about going “Half Crazy.” The keyboards and drums keep the beats coming with classy guitar work to round out their sound. “My heart is my keep, and you are threatening me!” sings Ben Thornewill on the single “Empire” over off-time syncopated rhythms. Some of their songs sound like they take a page out of Queen’s playbook, with the high vocals, bipolar time signature, and overall bipolar musicianship. Let Jukebox the Ghost give you many earworms! (Look it up. It isn’t as gross as it sounds!) 

4.) Gungor- Beautiful Things

I love it when a band comes along and shows me something completely new about worshiping God. Gungor hit me like a ton of bricks in 2010. I found out about them from John Mark McMillan’s blog. I checked them out and couldn’t believe the stark contrast between the scope and complexities of their style of praise and, say, the same four-chorded songs of Chris Tomlin. Don’t get me wrong. Tomlin and others like him have their place in their simplicity, but when I want something more dense and varied, I find the current scene of modern worship to be lacking. Enter Gungor. The opening track “Dry Bones” had me in tears at the first listen, as Michael Gungor shouts how God “will make ALL THINGS NEW!” There is passion in beauty, ugliness in confession, and exquisite musicianship to top it off. Gungor harnesses sound dynamics to build songs from quiet whispers into epic prayers. Praise never sounded so good. Please listen to this album, and let its loveliness sweep over you, as hope for this dark old world. 

3.) Sufjan Stevens- The Age of Adz

What can be said about Sufjan Stevens that has not already been said in every magazine, newspaper, blog, and coffee shop this past year? Everyone had an opinion to toss in the ring about his resurgence and stylistic change. Well here are my two cents. Whoever Sufjan wants to be, I will let him be it. 2010 was a HUGE year for him. The end. After several years of silence (more or less), he comes out with a double slam dunk with the “All Delighted People EP” and “The Age of Adz.” Long from his days of banjo-laden folk rock and whisper voice sensibility, Adz presents a whole new look at Sufjan with electronic noises and synth interference, yet the same backbone of lyrical craftsmanship and multi-instrumentation that I love about him. There are so many layers in his dense orchestration, and whenever I came back to this album, I found something new to enjoy (plus there is a 25 minute opus to close the disc). Yes, it is different, quirky, and grandiose. But, did you expect anything less from Sufjan?

2.) Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Say what you want about Kanye's character and general egotism, the man can craft some amazing beats and rhymes. Now, I don't have the know-how to adequately critique a rap album, but I know what I like, what makes me groove, what is catchy and complete in the care put into making it. And "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is just as the title implies, full of smart and crude poetry, inspired and ingenious samples, and guest vocalists by the tons. I imagine the production credits in the CD booklet to be GIGANTIC. Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Kid Cudi, Rihanna, and even Bon Iver make an appearance on this collaborative ensemble disc. And I think that's what makes it shine. The extravagance of it all makes it something magnificent and powerful. There are classic rap songs (“Power”), there are clever puns and wordplay (“Monster”), and there are ballads with Kayne belting his heart out (“Runaway”). Only complaint: Chris Rock’s unnecessary appearance in “Blame Game.”

1.) Listener- Wooden Heart

In 2010, I found a like-minded soul in Dan Smith, lead singer/shouter/poet/lyricist of Listener. I love when I can connect with words and music perfectly and brilliantly, knowing the emotions behind them so well and wishing that I had written the same words in the same fashion. Luckily, Smith did it for me. All Aaron Weiss comparisons aside, Smith brings his own heart and soul to the table and cuts them wide open with words, displaying truth rarely seen in music nowadays. Occasionally he shouts, oftentimes he talks, sometimes he sings, but it is all raw and personal. Listener’s songs are stories and dreams strung together with profound similes and metaphors. With light touches of acoustic and electric guitar, horn, and drums, the instruments delicately hold these songs together to give them added vigor, strength, and substance to turn the commanding poetry into music. Themes of hope despite failure, uncertainty, and pain dance their way throughout “Wooden Heart,” making the album a surprisingly uplifting listen to me.

I don’t know how many time I returned to these lyrics for peace and encouragement, “So come on, let’s wash each other with tears of joy and tears of grief, and fold our lives like crashing waves and run up on this beach. Come on and sew us together. We’re just some tattered rags stained forever. We only have what we remember.”

And that's all she wrote.

Here are 2 songs from each of the top 10 albums. Cheers.

FINALLY, 10-6 Top Albums of 2010!!!

OK so, I know it is almost March, but I couldn't just forget about my top 10 of 2010! So without further ado, here we go...

10.) The Chariot- Long Live

  

Haven’t had your ears bleed in awhile? Has your face not been melted in a long time? Do yourself a favor and throw the new Chariot release into heavy rotation. It is a terrifyingly horrendous onslaught of noise, crunching and distorted guitars, ripping screams, and drums that will wreck your natural heart rate. That being said, the chaos of “Long Live” is unflinching in its beauty, and surprisingly, its diversity. From hand claps, horns, cuts to old-timey recordings, and guest vocals from Dan Smith from Listener, there is plenty to keep each song sounding unique and interesting. Josh Scogin presents some of his most powerful lyrics to date, especially in “The City” when he bellows, “If I leave this earth tonight may it be said that I spoke my peace, I spoke with the wrath of His grace.” When the final track ends, don’t forget to come up to breathe!

9.) Showbread- Who Can Know It?

 

The story behind the album is almost as good as the album itself. “Who Can Know It?” is only a reality because fans donated to Showbread’s Kickstarter event! “Who Can Know It?” is a strong release to add to the Showbread catalog. Somewhere during their years together, they toned down the screaming, stopping singing about zombies and vomiting, rearranged their lineup a bunch, and started being explicitly passionate about pacifism, false Christianity, and the pitfalls of music. But unlike their obnoxiously self-aware 2009 release “The Fear of God,” WCKI is lush with harmonies, honest and subtle truths, and pertinent vignettes of faith. Even when touching on topics of rape, abortion, and warfare, they do it with grace and peace. Did I mention that the whole album is available completely FREE to anyone anywhere? Don’t miss the next step in Showbread’s evolution.

 

8.) Band of Horses- Infinite Arms

Band of Horses is one of those bands that just puts me in a good mood. With their dreamy folk rock and Americana styling, I just love them. For “Infinite Arms,” the band finally settled down with a secure lineup of members and put pen to paper as a group to write an extremely solid set of a dozen songs. From the first strums of the opening track “Factory” to the last organ outro on “Neighbor,” this album pumps out songs that put you back in the good old days. The vocals are delicately laced over top of piano, guitar, organ, and drums, with layers of backing harmonies, oohs, and ahhs. “On My Way Back Home” channels their inner Shins, while the title track croons love… “when my thoughts drift to you.” The feel of the album bounces nicely between rocking out to ethereal ballads. Kudos, Band of Horses.

7.) Cloud Cult- Light Chasers

If you know me, you know I enjoy Cloud Cult. Many of their songs have been soundtracks to memories of my life. So it comes as no surprise that their new jam “Light Chasers” cracked my top 10 with ease this year. It is very clearly a concept album about pursuing light and dispelling the dark things of this world. It is vaguely spiritual in that sense, saying how we are “born to make this right, born to chase the light.” But don’t expect Craig Minowa and company to get too preachy! The songs are so diverse and fascinating, with layers of meaning, including an inner dialogue between different personified emotions in the singer’s head. The album is complete in its craft, not overly produced but with just enough synth beats, elegant violin, cello, and horn compositions. Standout tracks include “Unexplainable Stories,” “Forces of the Unseen,” and the epically emotional closer “There’s So Much Energy In Us.”

6.) Janelle Monáe- The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monáe was a breath of fresh air to my musical palate this past year! I was first entranced with her performance that I saw on Letterman one night (check it here). Her sassy dance moves, smooth tuxedo attire, hair poof, booming vocals, and banging band riveted my eyes, and I had to find out more about her. Her full length “The ArchAndroid” does not disappoint in the slightest, being so ridiculously ambitious to delve into musical genres like R&B, rap, rock, jazz, and funk. Now, you might be thinking, “Sheesh, that lady ought to calm down and just pick a musical focus!” NO. She is way too talented to be pinned down! Her voice is full of soul and emotion, and she writes with pizazz and originality. I mean, it is a freaking sci-fi futuristic conceptual album with two suites of music! Monáe is the full package, a true Renaissance woman, and I see her career going very far 

Top Albums 5-1 COMING SOON! (Probably August...)

Best Albums of 2010: Prelude

YAY! 2010 ALBUM RECAP TIME!
As always, this is my opinion. I'm entitled to it, and you must be interested or something similar, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this internet weblog.

Anyshways, this is the prelude to my TOP 10 OF 2010!
These are the the EPs that can't count as full albums, albums that aren't technically original, and the WTFs... Enjoy.

Five EPs worth listening to.

1.) Sufjan Stevens - "All Delighted People EP" - I don't care what anyone else says. This EP is better than his full length release, "The Age of Adz." Both are fantastic musically, lyrically, vocally, everything, but this album is more of the Sufjan that I personally want to hear more of. I'm not big on synthetic sounds, and when I think Sufjan Stevens, I don't think of dance music. Ergo, this hour-long EP (!!!) is epic and beautiful, lush and intricate with emotion. The best song is the EP opener, "All Delighted People (Original Version)."

2.) A Billion Ernies - "A Billion Ernies/ Informant Split" - Only really a fan of A Billion Ernies, so I only rotate their side of the EP (not fair, I know). From these few songs, I am reminded why I came to love them. This band puts out sonically charged and pounding songs of revolution, hope, and God's love...like a Jesus-loving RX Bandits. Crashing drums, strange twists in time signatures, on-point brass, and scathing vocals bring it all together to make ABE one of Community Records's best. "Won't Take Sides" is my favorite, criticizing the hurt and division throughout humanity and the church when Jesus taught unity and peace.

3.) Mae - "(e)vening" - The final release from the series of three EPs from Mae, "(e)vening" is breathtakingly beautiful. While the songs are fairly classic Mae in their piano driven rock, this EP grabs my attention because of the solo piano tracks, "Season i, ii, and iii." No vocals here, just heartfelt piano playing, telling a story without saying a word. When my day ends in stress, these three songs bring peace to my soul. "Bloom" is also very good, ending with the lines, "Love will find a way to bloom!" After their uninspired album "Singularity," I'm glad Mae went back to the drawing board to find some passion all over again.

4.) Bradley Hathaway - "A Thousand Angry Panthers" - Hathaway comes off 2009's "A Mouth Full of Dust" with some stamina to record a sweet little four track EP. And it is packed. In these four songs, he refines the best parts of "AMFOD" into something solid and lovely. From the opening folk guitar and violin of "She was Raised by a Man with a Sickness," I get wrapped into his verses, rhyming the heartbreaking stories of broken people seeking salvation and love and belonging. EP closer "The World Is Screaming" is the icing on the cake, and Hathaway gets angsty and frustrated with a marching rhythm and pulsing strings.

5.) Geology - "Three Birds EP" - Greg Jehanian comes back on the scene with his bedroom recordings on this five song EP. Known mostly for his bass playing for the rock outfit mewithoutYou, Jehanian holds his own on this his second solo release under the Geology moniker. And like his self-titled debut, this EP brims with folk indie ditties and lyrics about nature, living things, and God. It is simple and meaningful and quaint. The recording quality isn't top-notch, but for me, that adds to the pastoral appeal of Geology. I particularly enjoy the retelling of the biblical Road to Emmaus story found in "Why Look For The Living Among The Dead?"

Duds

Brandon Boyd - "The Wild Trapeze" - Sorry to say it, but this disjointed solo album by Incubus front man Brandon Boyd is weak and unappealing. The musical talent of the one man leaves something much to be desired while the lyrics are rather dull and unoriginal. Maybe my expectations were too high, as I revel in most of Incubus's discography. But, stick with Incubus, my friend. Mike, Jose, Ben, and Kil won't steer you wrong.

Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs" - 11th on Pitchfork's Albums of 2010?! Topping or ranking highly on MANY other music bloggers' lists for best music of the year?! WTF. I know I'll get plenty of guff for this, but are we listening to the same record??? I feel like this is one of those bandwagon records where someone says it's awesome and then other critics buy into it and become sheep to the music. Secretly no one really likes it, but just says it at risk of being shunned into the sixth realm of hipster hell. And yes, I have listened to it several times through, giving it time to seep in, hoping it would change my mind. It hasn't. It's boring. I'm gonna go listen to "The Funeral" when Arcade Fire made me happy and not sleepy.

Not TRULY Original Albums but Worth Noting

Girl Talk - All Day - Sick mixing, clean transitions, and superbly fantastic mash-ups for Gregg Gillis. It is fun, danceable as hell, and just GOOD from start to finish! It is all one track by the way. Who does that??? While it can be argued as to whether this is "original" music or not, I am putting it here solely based on the fact that he technically wrote nothing on the album and could not have made it without The Jackson Five, Jay-Z, 2Pac, B.o.B., Beastie Boys, Lil Jon, MGMT, Third Eye Blind... Anyway, thank you Girl Talk, for keeping my toes tapping and head bobbing.

Streetlight Manifesto - 99 Songs of Revolution: Volume 1 - Again, nothing on this album was officially written by Tomas Kalnoky and his band of ska miscreants, except maybe some horn lines and arrangement. And they are wonderful. This album of all covers is very catchy. I love hearing songs that I already know transformed into something completely new, or redone in a different style. And what better than a ska-punk rendition of The Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" (with an awesome trumpet intro) or Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." Oh what fun!

The frog

I cannot put pen to paper without writing something false.
My innermost being
my deepest woven fibers are ingrained with
Simple Utter Wrongness.
So what do I do to rise above?

What security do I cling to pull higher, to gain clarity?

I slam my body to the ground
prostrate and vulnerable.
In opposite of what I my intentions seem to say
In need of truth and wholeness.

But I cannot write about it.

Untouchable You are.
To define You is to undefine You
To write You down, a disservice,
a claim of haughty and righteous proportions

A dissected frog, push pinned in the pan,
labeled and hindered cannot stand.
We scalpel you open and name the parts with words
words word words
But nothing true.
Jump free and mend yourself from the broken splayed ribs and spilled intestines

Can we ever know everything there is to know?
To try is to fail, but do we persist?

You are only good.

But even that is only attributed from my blurry blindness,
when positivity suits the character of God like a glove.
Otherwise, forget it.

Because
Vengeful, accursing, jealous
just, far, and other You are.
But what can I say about You?
Everything I know just is not true.

My claims are weak, accusations amiss.
Show me something completely and wholly different.

On Seeing

You part my lips like the seas and make melodies spill forth
A deluge of notes, strung together with plan and purpose
Not my own but something other and beyond

Far out past the gaze of telescopes
You take me there.
Showing me creation
From a place of love and gaze of holiness

I sing of the greatest story ever told, with betrayal, sacrifice, and hope
Ever so much hope

And when that time comes of Your choosing that I sing no more
You close my mouth with soft fingers and gently envelop me into You
Your embrace overcomes my fears
and we are finally together

Panoramania!

So Facebook does a major disservice to picture viewing, especially when it comes to the hi-res panorama shots that I put together. Here they are in all their megapixel glory! From the past several years...

Literary "To-Do" List: Summer 2010 Edition

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson*
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

What is the What by Dave Eggers

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold*

Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis

Perelandra by C.S. Lewis

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

Green Revolution by Ben Lowe

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy

Memoirs by Elie Weisel

*Have previously read completely or portions.

Looks like I have some work to do...