22E.Thursday, December 30, 2010________________________________________ CHARLESTONSCENE.COM __________________________________________________ The Post and Courier
NICK BOWMAN: music lover, movie lover, writer, guitarist. 1. BEACH HOUSE, “TEEN DREAM”: I loved Beach House’s first two albums, but they blew me away with this one. Even on the first listen, the songs sound classic and timeless. If it weren’t for the drum machines, this album could have been released 50 years ago. If you like dreamy pop such as Mazzy Star, Mercury Rev and the Cocteau Twins or anything produced by Phil Spector, this album is
JASON ALAN LAYNE: photographer, graphic designer, road tripper, coffee addict, music junkie, converted Charlestonian 1. AUTECHRE, “OVERSTEPS”: Rob Brown and Sean Booth return this year with sounds stemming back to their roots. More ambient filled and not as chaotic as previous releases; however, it still packs a punch for the firsttime listener or the longtime fan. 2. NO AGE, “EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN”: It’s a recipe of sonic youth-like experimentation, ’70s punk rock, electronic ambience and distortion ... add a dash of acoustics and set to bake on 250 degrees for 38:01. Enjoy. 3. SLEIGH BELLS, “TREATS”: Move over White Stripes, the Kills, Crystal Castles and all you other girl/boy duos. Sleigh Bells will melt your face off. I had a chance to see them live at MoogFest and still had tinnitus afterward, even while wearing ear plugs. 4. ZOLA JESUS, “STRIDULUM” EP: This gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it, and I love that. Enough said. 5. AUTECHRE, “MOVE OF TEN”: Released as a remix album to “oversteps,” it’s equally as good, if not better and still in the same vein. More BPM’s this time around as well. HONORABLE MENTIONS: Kylesa “Spiral Shadows”; Caribou, “Swim”; Maserati, “Pyramid of the Sun”; Flying Lotus, “Cosmogramma”; Phantogram “Eyelid Movies” BEST SONG OF THE YEAR: Cee Lo Green, “F You”: Thank you, Mr. Green, for putting a smile on my face every time I hear this song. WORST SONG OF THE YEAR: Willow Smith, “Hip my hair.” The only thing more annoying than this music is a little kid singing it. And her dad’s acting.
for you. 2. SHEARWATER, “THE GOLDEN ARCHIPELAGO”: I think this is Shearwater’s best album yet. I love bands that can make new and unique music using traditional instrumentation. Shearwater does that on this album. With just guitar, bass, drums, a little keyboard, and Jonanthan Meiburg’s haunting voice, Shearwater has made an album that strikes the perfect balance of traditional and progressive. For the full effect, listen to this album and “Teen Dream” together late at night, preferably by candlelight.
MELANIE CADUHADA: noncollecting admirer of gnomes, wine enthusiast, hopeless cause
3. WOLF PARADE, “EXPO 86”: Wolf Parade never disappoint. Over the course of three albums, they have crafted their own style of fun but serious indie rock. Their songs are off-kilter but catchy; smart but accessible. They don’t change their formula very much on this album. But that’s not a bad thing. If you liked the first two albums, you’ll definitely like this one. 4. JONSI, “GO”: This is the first solo album from Sigur Ros lead singer, Jonsi Birgisson. I don’t care that I don’t know what he’s singing about, Jonsi has the voice of an angel. Unlike Sigur Ros’ music, which tends to be sort of monolithic, this album draws from a broader palette. Instead of Sigur Ros’ dreamlike dirges, this album is full of life. 5. THE SHANIQUA BROWN, “MORE SONGS ABOUT PEOPLE”: I don’t care what anyone says, The Shaniqua Brown is hands-down the best band in Charleston. They put on a great show. If you don’t like this album, you should see a doctor. HONORABLE MENTIONS: Midlake, “The Courage of Others”; Antony and the Johnsons, “Swanlights”; Sufjan Stevens, “The Age of Adz”; The National, “High Violet”; Big Boi, “Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty.” BEST SONG OF THE YEAR: Clem Snide, “Wal-Mart Parking Lot.” WORST SONG OF THE YEAR: Anything by Justin Bieber. That kid is the worst.
record player with this debut album. Its simplicity, originality and Cosentino’s sheer talent ensured this fuzzy, low-fi, surf-rock album stayed on repeat all summer ... and thereafter. 1. BEACH HOUSE, “TEEN 4. DRUMS, “THE DRUMS”: Their “Summertime” EP in DREAM”: This time, Beach 2009 put The Drums high on my radar for 2010, and their House adds something first full-length album surpassed those expectations. The extra to the slow, atmorecord is 43 minutes of poppy, reverberated surf tunes spheric rhythms that char- with an ironic lyrical subject matter of loss and regret, acterized its two previous echoing the influence of The Smiths and Joy Division. studio albums. The lyrics “The Drums” marriage of the familiar with the fresh, are more visceral, the veiled with a consistent, muted perkiness throughout, notes higher and the emo- make it one of the most listenable albums of the year by tions and melodies create far. a textural listening experi- 5. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM, “THIS IS HAPPENING”: James Murphy, by now, is an established veteran at creating ence the ears never want music people love. It’s no surprise that “This Is Happento escape. “Teen Dream” is 3-D listening if it were possible. And if it were possible, based on this album, Beach ing,” the record suggested to be the last, is among the year’s most-loved. This time, Murphy’s success can be atHouse would be the James Cameron of it. 2. SURFER BLOOD, “ASTRO COAST”: One of the most tributed to the vulnerability he’s never shown before. We buzzed-about bands following a memorable College get a staggering intro to “Dance Yourself Clean” before Music Journal debut in 2009, Surfer Blood’s highly antici- Murphy breaks into the electronic dance beats he does pated debut fell nothing short of stunning. This record best. Then “All I Want” is a fuzz-infused cry for empathy. sails with a catchy-yet-contemplative emotional wind, “I Can Change,” my personal favorite, bleeds with moreminiscent of Peter, Bjorn and John’s 2006 “Writers ments of insecurity and happiness, sometimes within a Block.” However, it’s paced throughout with moments single line. But what I love most about this album is that of catharsis when least expected, best demonstrated in while Murphy has clearly matured, he still hasn’t forgot“Slow Jabroni” and “Anchorage.” “Astro Coast” proves ten how to have fun. HONORABLE MENTIONS: Wavves, “King of the Beach”; Surfer Blood is one band capable of an even stronger Local Natives, “Gorilla Manor”; Girls, “Broken Dreams presence on record than they’ve had in the blogs. 3. BEST COAST, “CRAZY FOR YOU”: The indie trio com- Club” EP; The Morning Benders, “Big Echo”’ Ariel Pink’s posed of frontwoman Bethany Cosentino, multi-instruHaunted Graffiti, “Before Today.” mentalist Bob Bruno and former Vivian Girls drummer Ali BEST SONG OF THE YEAR: Girls, “Carolina.” WORST SONG OF THE YEAR: M.I.A., “Born Free.” Koehler left a permanently impressed sun tattoo on my