The Jezabels

The Jezabels

Dark Storm

101 Distribution, 2010

http://www.thejezabels.com/

http://www.101distribution.com/

I may be slightly biased on this one. I really like Australia and most things from Australia. It's just a quirk of mine I guess. The Jezabels are, as you may have guessed, from Australia. Sydney to be exact. And if you're not Australian or weren't just at SXSW, chances are you've probably never heard of them. That's a shame.

To me, The Jezabels sound like The National with Marie Fredriksson of Roxette fronting. I know what you're thinking: "Impossible. Brilliance such as what you describe is unfathomable." Fathom it.

This band hits every one of my musical pressure points and cripples my cynicism like an Aussie Tony Jaa. Echoey, Coldplay-like guitars? Yup. Dark, sulking atmosphere? Believe it. Female vocals? Of course. Bedroom music? Absolutely. You honestly can't lose here.

The standout track hear is without a doubt "A Little Piece". Seriously, it would be worth paying the $4.45 it costs to download this entire EP from Amazon just to have this one song. The rest of the tracks are solid, but "A Little Piece" is on another level. And that level is like sweet ambrosia for my ears.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that any of these songs could easily play during the ending montage of an MTV reality show of your choice. But don't write them off because they're marketable to the mainstream. The Jezabels are way better than 95% of the dreck that's passed off as music here in the States.

If you have a hankerin' for music that's well-crafted, melodic, conducive to sexual encounters and largely non-offensive, then I give you The Jezabels.

Daughters

Daughters

Daughters

Hydra Head, 2010

www.myspace.com/daughters1

http://www.hydrahead.com/

Sometimes certain albums just give me.. an uneasy feeling. I remember when I was young, it was In Utero and The Downward Spiral. More recently, it was Lustmord's [O T H E R]. Looking back now, being creeped out by In Utero is laughable, The Downward Spiral is questionable and the Lustmord record is completely understandable. It's horrifying.

When music can affect me the way all these records did, I know they're really good. Daughters is really good.

I think I know why this record in particular gives me such an uncomfortable feeling. It's because this is what it sounds like to lose your mind. Seriously. These guys from Rhode Island have successfully recorded insanity. The pounding double-bass drums, the frantic guitars. It's nuts. And the great thing is that this is their most accessible album. This is, like, mainstream Daughters. Check out Hell Songs or Canada Songs. They will ruin your life.

On Daughters, Alexis Marshall drops the screaming and actually sings, but he's got some kind of terrifying rockabilly/David Yow/Coney Island carnie voice going on. The songs are more structured than their previous work, but just as brutal.

All that having been said, this is a really enjoyable record. I've tried and I can't think of any one else out there that sound like these guys. Unfortunately their future is uncertain at best with the departure of Nicholas Sadler (Fang Island) and Samuel Walker. But hey, they left us with a truly disturbing and original record. Salud.

Rosetta

Rosetta

A Determinism of Morality

Translation Loss, 2010

http://www.rosettaband.com/

http://www.translationloss.com/

These guys just continue to amaze me. Just when I thought they couldn't top The Galilean Satellites and Wake/Lift, SNAP! They drop some science like this on me. Now, both of the previously mentioned records are amazing, but this is just more straightforward. You can't mention Rosetta without drawing comparisons to Isis. But these guys are WAY more interesting than Isis. They're like one part Explosions in the Sky, one part Old Man Gloom (yes, I know, another Aaron Turner reference), and all f**king rock. Plus, it always amazed me that they're only a four-piece. Their sound is so dense and layered that it seems like it would be impossible to recreate live. But they do it, and if you've ever seen their live setup you could probably see how. They tour with their own Guitar Center.

This whole record is phenomenal, but I find myself drawn to "Release" and "Revolve". Bassist David Grossman's vocals on "Release" are ridiculous. You know a band is serious when their bass player can out-sing pretty much any other band's frontman. "Revolve" is just spacey and (I hesitate to say it) "cinematic" splendor. Yes. Splendor. Trust me.

Rosetta have always been ahead of the curve and this is less experimental than there other stuff. But that's not a bad thing at all. Post-Metal, Progressive-Metal, whatever you want to call it. These guys kill it.

Whatever Brains

Whatever Brains

Rapper's Delight II 7"

Funny/Not Funny Records, 2010

www.myspace.com/whateverbrains

http://www.funnynotfunnyrecords.com/

So, admittedly, I'm fairly behind the curve on this one. As I searched for great music from all over the country, I slept on what was slowly festering in my own backyard. I'm ashamed to admit that for a long time I thought Whatever Brains was a f**king reggae band. I don't know why, it was just an assumption. Perhaps it had something to do with the peace frog logo. I don't know. I thought they were like a Toots and the Maytals cover band or something. Lame. Whoops. But what I do know now after doing myself the favor of actually giving these fellas a proper listen is that I haven't been as excited about a local band since Superchunk. I'll keep this short. Whatever Brains f**king slay. Their songs are more infectious than that guy with the cough at work in the cubicle next to yours. It's actually ridiculous. I know these guys are kind of billed as punk or whatever, but I honestly think they're more in the tradition of the indie guitar rock of the 90's but with the snotiness of 70's brit punk. Whether they like it or not, they write some extremely catchy s**t. Everyone in the Triangle area and beyond would be well advised to follow these guys. They're for real, and I have a new favorite local band. Cheers boys, we are here to do your bidding.

The Thermals

The Thermals

Personal Life

Kill Rock Stars, 2010

http://www.thethermals.com/

http://www.killrockstars.com/

My brother actually introduced me to these guys a few years ago. He gave me The Body The Blood The Machine, and for the most part I really liked it. I felt like it started off really strong, but kind of lost my attention towards the end. I enjoyed the whole anti-religion thing and what not, heavy-handed as it was. Then I obtained a copy of Now We Can See, and, well.. eh. So my expectations weren't exactly high when I decided to pick up Personal Life. Holy s**t. I was blown away. This record is everything that I always felt like this band could be but were either holding back on or felt like they were too cool to make. It's not blasphemous and aggressive like Machine. It's about love. All about love. And it f***ing rocks. It's definitely poppy, but it works for these guys. Seriously, there's a song on here that reminds me of Television's "Marquee Moon". Yeah. This is definitely going on my favorites of 2010 list.

The Black Angels

The Black Angels

Phosphene Dream

Blue Horizon, 2010

www.theblackangels.com

www.bluehorizonrecords.com

The thing about a lot of these neo-psychedelic bands is that they're f***ing boring. There's a reason that this genre of music died out. Every once in a while you'll get a decent one, like Dead Meadow or BJTM, but even they begin to sound the same.

Enter The Black Angels. This is a breath of fresh air when compared with the stale, second hand THC haze of The Warlocks and the like. There's enough rock to keep me happy and just enough trippiness to make me think that hippies may be on to something. For like a nanosecond. Don't get me wrong, The Black Angels are not a jam band. Phosphene Dream is a rock album. Mostly, this record is just good riffs, good rock, good lyrics. Good times.

First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit

The Big Black & The Blue

Wichita, 2010

http://www.thisisfirstaidkit.com/

http://www.wichita-recordings.com/

Finally, after being thoroughly disappointed by The Tallest Man on Earth, my mother country of Sweden has redeemed herself and produced genuinely great folk music. First Aid Kit, aka teenage sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, bring harmonies upon harmonies and, well, really good songs. After gaining attention on You Tube for their cover of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song", they released an outstanding EP on The Knife's Rabid Records and now The Big Black & The Blue. I promise I don't like them just because they're Swedish, tempting as that may be. This is what folk music should sound like. Just give "I Met Up With The King" a listen and you'll see what I mean. Thank you Scandinavia.

Big Boi

Big Boi

Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Def Jam, 2010

http://www.bigboi.com/

http://www.defjam.com/

I ran into the same problem listening to this record as I did with Speakerboxxx. Inevitably, I end up comparing anything Big Boi does with Outkast. It's the same as Wyclef and The Fugees. Although Wyclef is a complete hack and The Fugees were by far the best thing that ever happened to him. Big Boi certainly is no hack, but like Wyclef, I have the sneaking suspicion that nothing he does on his own will ever be as good as what he did with Outkast.

But this isn't ATLiens or Aquemini or even Stankonia. This is Big Boi solo, and this is good. The beats are original for the most part, and as always, Big Boi is a more than competent MC. And with appearances by Yelawolf, Too Short, Janelle Monáe and George Clinton, it's funky as s**t. Even Jamie Foxx can't sink this record. The song he's on is even one of the better tracks.

All in all, as far as mainstream hip hop goes, this is about as good as it gets.

LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem
This is Happening
DFA, 2010
http://www.lcdsoundsystem.com/
http://www.dfarecords.com/

There's really no point in even posting this. But I will anyway. This record is on pretty much everyone's "Best of 2010" list already, and for good reason. It's really, really good. I'm a big fan of James Murphy. I personally think he is my generation's David Byrne. Yep. This record, even more than his previous ones, shifts effortlessly between post-punk (for lack of a better description) and electro (again, for lack of a better description) and my ears love it. So yes, I agree that so far this is one of the best records of the year. Mr. Murphy has single-handedly redeemed Williamsburg, Brooklyn for heaving up Sleigh Bells on the masses.
Oh, and the video for "Drunk Girls" is f**king fantastic. James Murphy and Spike Jonze were destined to go together. Like Miller High Life and Vodka. Great record.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monàe

The ArchAndroid

Atlantic, 2010

www.jmonae.com

www.atlanticrecords.com

I resisted buying this for a while. First of all, I didn't like the cover art. Second, Pitchfork liked it which totally puts me off to a record now. However, I finally broke down and I must admit, it was worth it. It's funky, it's sexy and it is literally all over the place as far as genres go. From the James Brown-ish "Tight Rope" to "Neon Valley Street" which could have easily have found it's way onto an Erykah Badu record, this record really defies categorization. Out of the 18 tracks I would say that there are about nine totally solid songs and the rest I could take or leave. But her originality can't be denied. Ms. Janelle is here to stay, and that's totally cool with me.

Delorean

Delorean - "Stay Close"

Subiza, 2010

I have a soft spot for house music. Actually, let me rephrase that. At times, I go against all of my better judgment and my guilty pleasures take over. Some house-esque music being among them. It's totally the musical equivalent of Skittles. It's sweet and delicious in small doses, but too much can be nausea inducing and lead to self-loathing.

I've been known to enjoy The Field and even some Felix da Housecat from time to time. Delorean is the same deal. I really don't care for the rest of this record, but this song is just too good to say no to. It's everything a good hipster dance track should be. Clicks, beeps, kicks, echoing female vocals and all. I just can't stop listening to it. I'll get over it soon. I mean, even the name Delorean brings to mind temporary material indulgence and excess. But for now, I'll be subtly nodding my head along to this. When no one else is watching, of course.

Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr.

Farm

Jagjaguwar, 2009

www.dinosaurjr.com

www.jagjaguwar.com

I never really listened to Dinosaur Jr. growing up. I was too young to to be turned on to them when they were at their peak, and when I did really get into music I never really payed them much attention. I understood how influential they were on other very influential bands, but that was about it. At one point when I was in middle school I bought Without a Sound because I liked the Spike Jonze video for "Feel the Pain." Yes, that was back when music videos were an art form. I wasn't impressed with the rest of the record and figured this Dinosaur Jr. band wasn't for me.

It wasn't until I was older that I began to fully appreciate the band, their members, and the music. If I had heard Farm when I was younger, I would have hated it. Probably because it doesn't sound like Fugazi. But now that I'm older and questionably wiser, I take great satisfaction in listening to this. This is truly "alternative" rock in all the best ways possible.

Mascis' guitar work is as on point as ever and the record seems to be kind of a throwback to their heavier sound (which I love). Pretty much all of the songs are winners to me, but "Said the People" stands out. It's got a Built to Spill feel but has a chorus that would make even Doug Martsch envious.

All in all, I like this record a lot. If only I could go back in time and buy You're Living All Over Me instead..

Dum Dum Girls

Dum Dum Girls

I Will Be

Sub Pop, 2010

http://www.wearedumdumgirls.com/

http://www.subpop.com/

This is what I wish the whole Riot Grrrl thing had sounded like. I feel like that movement gave girl bands a bad name. Like all girl bands were feminist and scary and unwashed. Which isn't true at all. Girl bands are awesome and plentiful. Like Sleater-Kinney and.. uh, the Bangles. Speaking of the Bangles, did you know they're still together? Yeah, I'm relieved too.

Anyway, thank god we made it through the Doc Marten and ripped baby doll dress scene.There really are some great girl bands out there, they just don't get the same recognition. It's usually the rancid ones that do, like the Donnas.

Lucky for me, Dum Dum Girls have more in common with The Groovie Ghoulies than L7. I have to admit, I already like this album a lot. This album is 28 minutes of catchy, relatively lo-fi, 60's pop-inspired punk. It's like mainlining Kool-Aid. My wife hates it, but I think it's great. Go figure. Women.

The Soft Pack

The Soft Pack

The Soft Pack

Kemado, 2010

www.myspace.com/thesoftpack

http://www.kemado.com/

Man, I love San Diego. The weather. The women. It's laid-back beach vibe. And of course its geographical proximity to Tijuana and non-prescription pharmaceuticals. Of course, I've never been there. But it sounds fantastic. San Diego is also known for producing a lot of great bands. Pitchfork, Rocket from the Crypt, Pinback, Drive Like Jehu and of course Ratt just to name a few. Now welcome The Soft Pack.
I would now like to take the time to thank these guys for making the kind of music I want to hear. It's upbeat and melodic but with a definite punk undertone that can be found in a lot of the music from that area. Matt Lamkin even kind of sounds like Rick Froberg sometimes.
It seems almost too easy to like these guys. Seriously, after the first track I knew this was for me. I had heard about them when they were at SXSW, but didn't pay a whole lot of attention to them. What a mistake on my part. Not quite the same level of mistake as getting into a habanero sauce drinking contest with my brother, but more like when I went to see Kool Keith at the Cat's Cradle and thought it would be awesome. Just a misinformed mistake. But no more sleeping on this band. If SoCal keeps putting out records like this, I'm packing my bags for San Diego.

You know, I hear "San Diego" is German for..

Medications

Medications

Completely Removed

Dischord, 2010

www.medicationsband.com

www.dischord.com

These guys are all over the place. They go from quirky, sunny lead guitar lines and harmonies to jams that sound like they were left off of Dark Side of the Moon or even End Hits. This is definitely indie rock, but it's indie rock with balls. And it's no secret that indie rock usually lacks said balls. This is a topic I will elaborate on at a later date. Back to Medications. This music is complicated enough to be interesting and slightly difficult, but melodic enough not to be boring or inaccessible. I hope that helps. This is a record that I am enjoying more and more with every listen and it's quickly becoming a favorite. Once again, thank you Dischord.

Catch Medications at The Pinhook in Durham on 7/21.

Shortstack

Shortstack

Please Leave My Mind

Free Dirt Records, 2010

www.myspace.com/shortstackmusic

www.traderootsmusic.com

Now this is rock and roll. To me it sounds like a warped mix of The Blasters and 16 Horsepower. That means that it's fantastic. It's described as Post-Americana, but whatever. It's just good. Adrian Carroll kind of sounds like Chris Isaak, but way darker. Like the troubled guy you can't help but respect and envy but who then walks off with your girlfriend. These are the guys that showed up on M.I.A.'s corner and had way more swagger. I haven't stopped listening to this album since I got it. This will appeal to anyone who appreciates true American rock. Not that "Jersey Sound" s**t..

Catch Shorstack at Nightlight in Chapel Hill on 8/21.

The Weakerthans

The Weakerthans
Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre
Epitaph, 2010
www.theweakerthans.org

http://www.epitaph.com

This album reaffirms two things that I already knew about The Weakerthans. But it also surprised me too:

1. They are one of the best bands around right now.

2. John K. Samson is the best lyricist alive.

3. They're an inhumanly good live band.

This is probably the best live recording I've ever heard, which is good. There are few things that I hate more than bad live recordings (like drinking straws, for instance). These guys have their set down. This show was recorded in April of 2009 in their hometown of Winnipeg, which is always extra incentive not to f**k up. But besides that, they are just incredibly tight. There are a few songs that I wish had been included, but overall they play everything a fan would want to hear. If you're not familiar with the band, this would actually be a great introduction. If you buy the CD, it also comes with a DVD of the show which is a pleasant bonus (except that it costs more. So, maybe not so much of a bonus then).

The one thing that has always bothered me a little is that Samson's singing voice is identical to the voice that every single black comedian makes when impersonating white people. You know what I'm talking about. But hey, he's Canadian and I'm never satisfied. We both have our faults.

This is an amazing band. I mean, any band that name-drops Michel Foucault in a song title is ace as far as I'm concerned. Live at the Barton Cummings Theatre is an incredible live album and I'll be listening to it for a long time to come. Highly recommended.

Nada Surf

Nada Surf

If I Had a Hi-Fi

Barsuk, 2010
http://www.nadasurf.com/
http://www.barsuk.com/

You're joking. A covers album? From Nada Surf? But they're still putting out decent records. Why would they do this? And the covers they chose.. Spoon, Kate Bush, Arthur Russell, The Go-Betweens, Depeche Mode.. It's too ambitious. This is going to be a trainwreck.

But wait.. As the first track, Bill Fox's "Electrocution", gently floats from my speakers my thin mask of cynicism begins to crack. This is.. fantastic... and each track is equally good... It's like one of those machines you find at tourist traps, that you feed a penny into and it stamps a shiny new picture on it. Like a picture of the Grand Canyon or something... Each song that is fed into this Nada Surf machine emerges through their pop filter as an irresistable bubblegum gem .. I even like the Moody Blues cover...Oh my God.. Their take on Soft Pack's "Bright Side" is a distorted slice of guitar heaven worthy of, dare I say, Superchunk?

It's just too much.. This record is so catchy it's contagious. More contagious than a cold sore... And it's not like the songs are better than they were before.. they're just... Nada Surf. They make good songs, uh.. gooder...

Male Bonding

Male Bonding
Nothing Hurts
Sub Pop, 2010
www.myspace.com/malebonding
http://www.subpop.com/

Those limey bastards.. With an underhanded strategy worthy of the British Empire of old, The Crown has sought to distract us from the recent environmental "unpleasantness" by exporting the best new music this year.

This is undeniably good. When the first song played, I knew I would like it because it's fast. Fast usually equals good in my book. It's got sort of a punk sound, but it's not punk. The vocals sound kind of like Kevin Shields, which is interesting because bassist/singer Kevin Hendrick cites Ride and My Bloody Valentine as some of his favorite bands. But the music sounds alternately like Les Savy Fav, Pink Flag era Wire and sometimes The Horrors (these are just points of reference). Other times it sounds nothing like any of those bands.
What it does sound like is something I will listen to a lot. It's loud, fast, noisy and smart. I would have to say that of all the music I have heard so far this year, Nothing Hurts is by far my favorite. Leave it to the Brits to show us how music should be done, again. Now if they could just clean up The Gulf...

E says: Cheers.

L says: I don't remember.

Harlem

Harlem
Hippies

Matador, 2010

www.myspace.com/harlemduh

www.matadorrecords.com

I like these guys. I liked them right off the bat. That's saying a lot, because there aren't many things (or people) from Texas that I like. But they're originally from Arizona, so they don't count.

They play catchy, poppy songs that may actually leave you with a sugar headache. I would liken them to The Monkees, if The Monkees had been up for two weeks spun out on meth and peyote. If I ever have a nightmare about being in one of those 60's B-movies with homicidal teenagers or pot smoking motorcycle gangs, this will surely be the soundtrack. It's pretty awesome. Just about every track on this album is capable of sticking in your head like Gorilla Glue. The songwriting is that good. I don't know if I could listen to them all the time or anything, but I like 'em. Yup. That about sums it up.

E says: Well done boys.

L says: Cute and fun.

Catch Harlem at the Hopsctoch Festival in Raleigh on 9/8