USE THE FINGERS ABOVE TO COUNT DOWN
10. Dark Was The Night
All in one place, all at one time, not for headlines, but instead for a good reason. Does indie rock shine any brighter than this? In 20 years future music fans can spend time with this music to discover indie rock.
9. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
It was pretty much impossible to avoid the gravity's pull from this record. The songs resonated blissfully in a way that no other music had before or has since. I know that this cd has ranked really high everywhere, but I don't really like Animal Collective and it still made my top 10! It all sounds so new.
8. M. Ward - Hold Time
Matt Ward is like a magnet for all things good. There are no moments of a musician trying to figure out what everyone else will like, or who may be hip to work with. All too often when discussing M. Ward, the focus is placed upon the "old timey" sound of his music. What goes unnoticed are the beautiful pop nuances of his stylish songs.
7. Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
There is nothing flashy about these guys. They don't do things that cause them to end up on the pages of Perez Hilton. The only youtubes you will find of them online will be when something amazing happens at a live performance. And that is often. This is the record that you can and should listen to over and over again to allow it to reveal its beauty.
6. The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
Is this the same band from song to song? This album is incredibly diverse and schizophrenic in a beautiful and eerie way. The songs are are magical.
5. Pearl Jam - Backspacer
While U2 works really hard to be THE BIGGEST BAND IN THE WORLD, Pearl Jam kicks their ass with every single new release and live performance. This band does not need a 10 million pound stage to power the incredible energy they deliver night after night and the same can be said of their recorded music. With every studio release they get closer and closer to the power and the energy of their live show.
4. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Jeff Tweedy and band have grown to become incredible song craftsmen. And they now also have zillions of fans who all think that they know what the next record should sound like. Given that they have been running from the obvious their entire career, I believe in them and I believe in the journey that they are on. I can't wait for the next new recording.
3. Noah And The Whale - The First Days Of Spring
This is a beautiful album. Like a journey filled with atmospheric storytelling. While I am sad that somebody obviously got their heart broke to be able to make this music, the reward for me is this cd. I found myself listening to this cd a lot.
2. Girls - Album
It was hard to avoid the hype that surrounded the debut by Girls. That hype may be more of a reflection of the instant online journalism world that we now live in, than anything to do with the band or the cd. Yeah, the backstory was BIG, but the music was bigger and better. Poppy, but in a very Jane's kinda way. I hope that these guys get a chance to grow. No matter what happens, this cd is the real deal.
and oh, say it into the mic, please..
1. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Holy heck do I like this cd! I really felt like it was gonna be tough to top "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.", but Neko did it. Neko has evolved from an alt-country siren to a songwriter who is at the top of her game. She's a first-rate storyteller, with an incredible band and a voice that will turn your head, close your eyes and make you feel every note. And oh, she loves dogs. Matt and I had a dog heaven experience with Neko and the band.
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