TOP 1O OF 2O1O

You have probably noticed that I've been pretty inactive on this blog. Nonetheless, I would be remiss to not announce Weekly Record Review's TOP 10 Albums of 2010.

But first...

Stinkers of 2010

MGMT - Congratulations
Another middle finger to the fans like this could cost them what was a promising career.

Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown
In three albums they've gone from excellent to middling to execrable. 

The New Pornographers - Together
Much as I hate to put them here, it's been quite a while since they've done anything worth repeated listening.

The Hold Steady
Who would have thought losing a keyboard player would be such a major loss?

Runners Uppers of 2010

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Strong songs (except "Chase Scene." Ugh.) but lacks the cohesive feel of previous albums.

The Walkmen - Lisbon
Just started listening to this one so it's not fully digested, but I really like it. (how's that for honest?)

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
A little bloated and lacking the killer songs that make "Funeral" essential, but solid nonetheless.

Girl Talk - All Day
Doesn't quite have the same punch as the previous two smush-ups. Switched up the formula a little bit not for the betterment, imo.

OK Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
Crazycool vidoes overshadowed a very solid album.

The Roots - How I Got Over
The Roots leave the angsty paranoid sounds of their last two albums for much more placid waters.

TOP 10 of 2010

10. Drummer - Feel Good Together

Five drummers form a band. No it's not a joke, it's Drummer featuring five skin-beaters who decided to form a band. The most prominent is from The Black Keys and here his side gig outshines his main one. Though it seems like no one else is paying attention.

09. Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Still looking for your fix of hipster rock/dance/pop after MGMT's middling 'Congratulations?' Fellow Brooklynites deliver big time on their sophomore release with rhythm-heavy, synth-soaked songs. 

08. Janelle Monae - The ArchAndriod

Songstress mixes every musical spice in the cupboard on her debut album. Blending classical, jazz, soul, r&b, funk, psych-rock with sheer talent, she could be poised for big things in the future.

07. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt

The newest "new Dylan," The Tallest Man On Earth writes sometimes sober, sometimes jaunty acoustic songs. Nasally voice can take some getting used to, but they probably said the same thing about Dylan.

06. The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting the Masters Vol. 1 - A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates

I wouldn't count myself as a fan of 80's stalwarts Hall & Oates, but The Bird and The Bee update these 80's pop gems for the 20th century without any schlock. Eminently listenable with a Zero 7-type feel.

05. Hot Chip - One Life Stand

English electropopers/nerds drop another round of great dance songs. Not much of a depart from 2008's terrific "One Life Stand," but maybe a tad more upbeat and cleaner in sound.

04. Toro Y Moi - Causers of This

Part of the recent "Chillwave" movement that I've mostly ignored (maybe to my detriment), Toro creates reverb laden soundscapes as much as he writes songs. Bonus points for sporting this throwback nearly identical to mine.

 03. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

As lyrically on point as ever, "one half of the Outkast" dropped a funk soaked rap album sure to keep the heads bobbing and trunks rattling.Bonus points for using the talkbox instead of autotune.

 02. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

The years most talked about album, Kanye's opus is musically soaring and lyrically intimate. While it's really not leaps and bounds better than his previous work, the emotive force behind it is really what has everyone talking and listening.

 01. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

Without messing with the formula, James Murphy reunites the  soundsystem to deliver another stellar album full of revealing lyrics and groovable, uh, grooves. Mixes 90's quiet/loud dynamics with clinical disco beats. Sadly, Murphy says that this will probably be their last studio album. Sad, sad news but at least they go out being number 1.

My Two Cent(ence Reviews)

MGMT's album 'Congratulations' lacks anything approaching the holy triumvirate of Kids, Time to Pretend and Electric Feel. Is it the big middle finger we all should have seen coming when their followup to Oracular Specatular was Metanoia?

'Together' lacks the "power" in the power-pop that The New Pornographers previously excelled at. Nico Case is great, but in the context of the N.P.'s she's better utilized as a foil for A.C. Newman than as the centerpiece.

While 'World Sick' is world class, I'm not sure the rest of Broken Social Scene's new 'Forgiveness Rock Record' measures up to that song or their previous two l.p.'s. This one still needs some time to grow on me.

Lost in all the hubbub of owning the internet earlier this year, OK Go released a really good album in 'Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky.' I also had to miss this show when they came to D.C. but at least I got to see them on Colbert. (Ok, three versions of the same song may be excessive, but just check out the rest of the album.)

I have no idea how I heard of them but somehow but I ended up with Drummer's 'Feel Good Together' in my digital music library. Made up of all Ohio musicians, including the Black Key's drummer (bah-dum) on bass, the album is definitely a rhythm driven rock record, punctuated equally by guitars and synths.

Under New MGMT

On Sunday night, I was one of the lucky few 500 people to get tickets to the Kia-sponsored free MGMT show. It was my third time seeing the band and, once again, they did not disappoint. In a tight, hourlong set they managed to squeeze in all of the best songs from Oracular Spectacular along with four new songs from the upcoming album 'Congratulations.' This rumor mill provides more detail on that, and the youtube dot com has some medium quality live footage of the new jams which I shall lank below.

The band opened with a what I think is Flash Delirium (no youtube video), one of my favorites from the new songs. I could have sworn that the steady wall of noise opening was going to lead into this classic. 'Song For Dan Treacy' has a strong Smiths feel to it. My least favorite was the progish 'It's Working.' It doesn't really come through in the clip, but I kind of felt a weird Charlie Daniels inspired by Kashmir/early Beatles vibe. They encored with the title track 'Congratulations.' As you can hear, it's a bit of a departure for the band. I felt it's pacing and melody to be kind of Lennon-esque. The final song of the encore was 'The Handshake' which is absolutely stunning live. Their guitar player adds so much to this band live and really puts on a show when it's his turn. If you haven't yet seen the MGMT, be sure to nab some tickets the next time they come through. Even if it's not free.

P.S. As promised in my last entry, I promise to post some new reviews soon. And as always, commentary is strongly encouraged.

Blast From The Past

Man Man – Rabbit Habits

By Jason C.

Two thousand nine is still pretty fresh, so while we give it a little time to bloom, I felt we should look back on another album from ought-eight. This hidden jewel comes from the strange audio-scribblings of Philadelphia's Man Man. Their latest album, Rabbit Habits, puts the band in a very good light, as it is their catchiest and most pop-sensible one to date, but showcases the qualities that make their live shows so enthralling. This is a surprising dichotomy for a band with such an unclassifiable style. The most accurate description of these guys that I've read was "gypsy-swamp-rock-carny-soul- viking-vaudeville-punk." Quite a mouthful, I know.

These experimenters have a penchant for using a wide variety of instruments, along with many non-instruments (such as kitchenware and toys), to conjure up a sound that truly puts them in a genre of their own. While this record seems to be the logical continuation of their last release, Six Demon Bag, it displays more mature song writing and is, on the whole, much more accessible (God, I hate using the word "accessible" but there was really no other way).

The album kicks off with the spastic dance-a-thons of "Mister Jung Stuffed" and my personal favorite, "Hurly/Burly." It then veers into piano ballads such as "Doo Right" and the title track, sails the chaotic seas of live-show dynamite with "Harpoon Fever" and "Top Drawer, " and closes with the lounge-act magnificence of "Whalebones." All in all, this is a thoroughly entertaining album, but it requires the proper mood and mindset. So, picture a world where Frank Zappa is president and Tom Waits is VP. In that world, Man Man's Rabbit Habits would be like Nirvana's Nevermind.

Chad VanGaalen – Soft Airplane
By Sean B.

Not unlike many retro sounding bands like MGMT, Chad VanGaalen rehashes and updates older music - however, C.V. seems to channel one artists' nuances rather than a whole genre or era. It’s hard to listen to Chad VanGaalen’s Soft Airplane and not hear Neil Young throughout. From the warbly nasal voice, the melancholy ballads and the crunchy garage rockers it seems as if Chad is a modern channel for Neil.

VanGaalen peppers his songs with loops, blips and keyboards but nowhere enough to consider this an “electronic” album. Death is a common theme throughout, from the plucky banjo opener “Willow Tree” (in which VanGaalen requests a Viking funeral), the surprisingly upbeat “Cries of the Dead" (nuff said), and the eery “Molten Light” (a story about a girl who is either a ghost or was nearly murdered and… okay, it’s getting morbid). The album isn’t nearly as depressing as I’m making it sound, but that’s not to say its all puppies and rainbows either.

I prefer the more garage rocky tunes like “Bones of Man” and “Bare Feet On Wet Griptape” along with the most “produced” song, “Phantom Anthills,” but I enjoy many of the folksier ones as well. Since I've never heard of Chad VanGaalen, I decided to do some in depth investigation. He’s a Canadien who has been signed to Sub-Pop since 2005 and has released one previous album called Skelliconnection along with a few EPs. I have no idea where I found this album, or how it got onto my computer, but I do know that Soft Airplane is damn good enough that now I’m going to track down this Skelliconnection.

TOP 20 YEAR END LIST-O-RAMA!!!

The other day while showering (where I do my best thinking...) I had a novel idea: Since the end of 2008 is almost here, why not recap the year in music with a 'Best Of' list? Now, I'm pretty sure this is a %100 original WRR idea, but I think it's so good that you can probably expect to see other music sites quickly copying us (possibly even preemptively).

Our brand new staff of five engaged in an intricate voting process to bring you the TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2008. This list is purely objective, authoritative and definitive. Without further ado...

20. Thao and The Get Down, Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Debut album is full of whimsical songs that recall carefree summer days. A unique voice, plucky guitar playing and a romping band have a playfulness that make this album pure fun.

19. She & Him - Vol. 1
Adorable movie star and veteran rocker combine to make folksy/country/motowny throwback songs. Actress Zooey Deschanel runs the gamet from Patsy Cline to Diana Ross (and never sounds forced) while M. Ward provides just the right backdrop.

18. Deerhunter - Microcastle
If My Bloody Valentine attempted to cover Brian Wilson songs, it might sound like the first third of Deerhunter's unique new release. It navigates itself into an ambient hole, only to emerge on the other side with more energy and intensity than the band has ever displayed.

17. Estelle – Shine
British songstress delivered the summer hit 'American Boy,' but this album goes much deeper than that. She's not the new Lauryn Hill, but with lyrical skills and a voice to kill shes about as close as anybody can get.

16. Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
Ephemeral and restrained songs replace the big sounds of their earlier releases. So warm and blissful it can't but help evoke a dazzling sunset over a golden field in the countryside. This album is a joy despite what some doosh bags may say.

15. Bloc Party – Intimacy
Post-punk Brit rockers are back, and this time they brought the horns. Intimate lyrics, indeed, along with pounding rhythms that will make you want to find your dancing shoes and hope that they fit.

14. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
The Portland, Oregon duo are hard to genre-fy, but let’s just say they fit in the Northwest sound many of us have come to know and love. The lyrical flow and layers of driving drums, guitar strums and keys to please will leave your eyes wide and wandering.

13. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
As a genre, rap artists have the shortest shelf life, but this old school rapper delivers a breath of fresh air. The Abstract kicks it with fresh lyrics and soulful production to make this the years best hip-hop album.

12. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster
Debut from these Welsh youngsters is filled with even more energy than the ! at the end of their name. Full of instrumentation, but led by jangly guitars and shared male/female vocals, these guys and gals have more hooks than Dustin Hoffman.

11. Black Keys - Attack and Release
Garage bluester/rockers head into the studio with Danger Mouse. A slight departure from their typical sound, but the lusty atmospherics here will make your mind drift away to some hot and humid place with Spanish moss dangling from trees.

10. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
British electro-pop outfit return with their third and most fun album to date. Full of bouncy bassy beats and quirky computer chirps, this album will have you ready for the floor from start to finish.

9. Sigur Rós - Me_ su_ í eyrum vi_ spilum endalaust
Songs with English? Radio play? Underproduced? Acoustic Guitars!?! Don't fret long-time fans. Stripped down production and accessibility didn't compromise the typical haunting beauty, or the transcendence of your favorite Icelandic mood setters.

8. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Talking Heads head and ambient genius reunite after a 27 year hiatus. It’s not surprising this dynamic duo made such a great record, but it is a shock to hear such optimism out of these chronicled old grumps.

7. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Third album veers slightly towards the center with smoky grooves and catchy licks, but it's the emergence of Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe's vocals that will make this album a fixture well into 2009.

6. Fleet Foxes - self titled
These youthful folksters have been compared to the Beach Boys for their multi-layered harmonies, but Crosby, Stills & Nash with a touch of Devandra Banhart would be a more apt description. Either way, these songs fly epic over sonic forests and fields, moors and mountains.

5. Vampire Weekend - self titled
Similar to Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon two decades ago, this foursome melded catchy rock with just enough African rhythms and melodies to avoid the "world music" label. The big question is did they catch lightening in a bottle or are they here to stay?

4. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Aided by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John, Lykki Li delivers the pop gem of the year. This album will make you want to do everything from Dance, Dance, Dance to hold your teddy bear while rocking back and forth.

3. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Second album from the Australian foursome is full of steely, glittery dance music, but it's not as superficial as that sounds. There's a depth of song writing here that is immediately evident and hints at more good music to come. You'll want to save your best dance moves for these guys.

2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
In case you hadn't heard, Justin Vernon (stage name Bon Iver) moved into a remote cabin in Wisconsin after breaking up with his band and girlfriend, where he spent three months recording this beautiful, haunting album. The music reflects that setting so strongly that you can almost see the stark winter landscape. Since there's inexplicably no video for this song, that's what I recommend you do right now.

1. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Two young kids mix your parents (if they were hippies) psych, folk and prog with dance grooves and synths to create infectious hipster anthems. Just because it was released 11.5 months ago and you've heard it 800 times shouldn't diminish its greatness. Give it a few more months rest-- but don't deny that Oracular Spectacular occupied a good part of your '08.

There you have it. Disagree? Feel your favorite got snubbed? Well there's no accounting for poor taste... Kidding! Feel free to leave your accolades, snubs or own list in the comments section.

Also, be on the lookout next week for our Top 54 Songs of 2008 with some freebies!

Happy Holidays,

The folks at Weekly Record Review
(Sean, Andrew, Sarah, Gaurav & Jason)

MGMT in NYC

Hi there, WRRheads. I know it's been a while, but I promise we will get things back up to speed. For now, here's a concert reviewish from a recent MGMT in Brooklyn on Halloween night. Big thanks to Jess who got us tickets to the biggest in the Big Apple that night.

The show took place at the Williamsburg Theatre in Brooklyn, the mecca of hipsterdom. The pretension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. My least favorite of these coolest of cool kids was glow stick man who wouldn't stop pogoing right in front of me. But onto the show...

We caught the tail end of the final opener, Amazing Baby. I liked what I heard, especiall the closer Pump Your Brakes, which is available as part of a free ep download. The exact details of the show are a little hazy, thanks to the RBV's, but I'm fairly certain that MGMT opened with Weekend Wars. The show didn't deviate too much from the last time I saw them. The big difference was the encores. Last time they came out to play the 13 minute freaky/prog jam Metanoia (free d/l) which transitioned into Kids. This time they played both of those songs earlier and played some seemingly very old electro songs for the closer, which I was not feeling. For me, the highlight was The Youth, with its chorus of:

The youth is starting to change
Are you starting to change
Are you together, together, together, together....

As change was in the air, I felt it to be a very poignant moment. Overall, it was a solid show and the crowd was fully into it. We had to leave a bit early, as to not end up trapped in Brooklyn, but I've heard rumors that at the very end they jammed out to the Ghostbusters song. I, for one, was really hoping they would play Thriller.

MGMT LIVE

Aloha,

Last night, I saw MGMT (pronounced Management) at the 9:30 Club. Wow, what a show. Based on their album, I wasn't a huge fan, mostly being down for the singles Electric Feel and Time To Pretend, but Oracular Spectacular slowly started to grow on me. After last night, however, I am fully in support. The electro sound that seems to be the staple of their album was a part of the show, but elements that are only hinted at on wax (or plastic... or computer file) were on full display in their live set. Prog-rock jams, wailing guitars, and hippyish overtones in both lyrics and songs writing combined with their electro vibe and a dose of high energy to keep the whole club rocking. After their short set ended, they came back out for the inevitable encore, but ended up doing a 20 minute medley/jam session. I think these fellas have big things in store for them. I heard they are touring with Beck soon, so keep an eye out...

I've got a busy week, but I'll try to post up about an album or two.

Aloha