don't be a coconut: 2010 Favourites

It's confirmed, 2010 marks the year that I've paid the least attention to music; listening to full albums in particular. I can promise to pay much closer attention this year, but in the grand scheme of things, these plans are easily pushed aside as real life begins to take a toll. But what better way could there be to take a momentary pause whilst trying to reflect on the year that was.

Music still plays a rather important role in my day to day life in 2010 (as it will continue to be no matter what the year), yet I still wish I had listen to more albums as they were quite a number of stellar releases. But if this list isn't evident enough of me only listening to albums that were released in the first half of 2010, then I don't know what is. And remember, this list is by no means reflective of what truly were the best offerings in 2010, they are merely albums I've kept close to my side (granted they were the ones that I actually took the time to listen to) and which have been a great company of mine all through the months.

As usual, songs are up for a limited period only. So get them while they're still available.

Beach Fossils - Beach Fossils

As bands of the indie lo-fi jangle pop clan continues to sprout more and more each day, it's good knowing that there are still quality bands you can continue to rely on. Comfort is the first word that pops to my mind when listening to their warm jangly guitar strokes. Easy and non-overbearing, the record serves as that perfect piece for escapism.
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|mp3| Beach Fossils - Daydream

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++ MySpace | Buy

Beach House - Teen Dream

When has Beach House ever let us down? The music that has been spun out by the duo is also warm and cozy, but also most importantly, haunting. Beautifully haunting that is.

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|mp3| Beach House - Walk In The Park

The Black Keys - Brothers

I'm surprised by how much I've grown to love this album by each passing instance that I've listened to this album. The tracks in Brothers keeps unfolding itself, revealing a side I never realized was there in the first place. The music of Black Keys may be bold and brash, but comes amply stocked with such infectious soul and swagger.

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|mp3| The Black Keys - Tighten Up

Club 8 - The People's Record

It's rather charming the way Club 8 juxtaposes their buoyant pop music against somber, pessimistic words. But with Afro-pop percussion and guitar melodies this joyous, it's easy to overlook the whole grievous outlook and take in each tunes as if they were antidotes made to drown out all your troubles.

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|mp3| Club 8 - Shape Up!

Darwin Deez - Darwin Deez

Where do I even begin to talk about Darwin Deez. Not sure whether this was released in 2009 or 2010, but that doesn't matter, because the amount of times I've had this record on rotation is just ridiculous. His raspy yet smooth vocals is enough to make you swoon, if not the absurdly catchy pop tunes. These are what simple pleasures are all about.

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|mp3| Darwin Deez - Constellation

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

The songs may not stand out or appeal as much individually, but I love how it works as a whole album. I love how 'Empire Ants' is placed as a centerpiece, giving the record some depth and dimension. 'Empire Ants' is a soothing, dreamy number which half-way through turns into a groovy 80s jam. A single track that had me repeating the whole 16 track compilation again and again.

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|mp3| Gorillaz - Melancholy Hill

The Morning Benders - Big Echo

What's not to love about the Morning Benders? I would go into details, but surely you've already heard of all the sung praises? Let's just say that after a glorious album like this, the awesome foursome is only going on to even better and greater things.

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|mp3| The Morning Benders - Excuses

The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme

I was thrilled, overjoyed even, as soon as I managed to get my hands on the most anticipated album of 2010 (heck, 2009 too!). I was even more thrilled to find out that it didn't disappoint. There is nothing that this band can release that I won't love to my very core. It's music like this that helps to instantly calm down my nerves, music that's so comforting it feels like home.

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|mp3| The Radio Dept. -This Time Around

Ratatat - LP4

Although Ratatat's modification to their songs are minimal - with tunes that are still underscored by the same sonic pallette and derived from the same formula - it is this exact formula that has worked successfully throughout the years, having managed to create a sound that's truly and uniquely their own. With tracks that are as addictive as they are hard-hitting, it's best to stick to what most listeners have recognized them for.

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|mp3| Ratatat - Bob Ghandi

Stornoway - Beachcombers Windowsill

We've been long acquainted, Stornoway and I, and the thing is I was already accustomed to most of their songs in this album way before it was even released. So for it to seamlessly merge into my daily playlist only seemed natural.

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|mp3| Stornoway - Zorbing

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker

Tame Impala's Innerspeaker is the answer to that perfect combination of gritty retro garage-rock and psychedelic pop. This deliciously scrumptious album is indeed something that I'm highly grateful for, for the past year.

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|mp3| Tame Impala - Alter Ego

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History

There's something perfectly iridescent about the spirit carried out through their sparkling guitar pop melodies. Their exuberant electro-pop goodness feels so simple yet so satisfying. This album, I find, is that perfect counter-balance to all the brooding melancholic music I've listened to all year.

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|mp3| Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Of course it wouldn't be complete with Vampire Weekend showing some presence in the list. In their sophomore release, they managed to maintain the same level of enthusiasm, the same level of 'interestingness'. It's the less catchy ones that truly stands out in this album, as they begin to embrace the 80s side of their musical potential.

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|mp3| Vampire Weekend - Diplomat's Son

Sunday, January 02, 2011

2010 Favourites

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