Steve's Top of 2011

Disclaimer - I didn't purchase a ridiculous amount of music this year as I have in years past.  That being said, I felt that there were some great albums this year.  I'm sure there are plenty that I missed, but here's what I dug from this year.

13 & God - Own Your Ghost

Antonionian - Antonionian

Atmosphere - The Family Sign

Beans - End It All

Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4eva

Blue Sky Black Death - Noir

Boom Bip - Zig Zaj

Buck 65 - 20 Odd Years

Daedelus - Bespoke

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Game - The Red Album

Grieves - Together/Apart

Insane Warrior - We are the Doorways

Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne

Lonely Island - Turtleneck and Chain

Prefuse 73 - The Only She Chapters

Serengeti - Family and Friends

Turtleneck & Chain

If you haven't listened to the new Lonely Island album I suggest you purchase it now!

Here are some of my favorites

First Song of the Month

Josh T. Pearson
Album: Last of the Country Gentlemen
Song: Sweetheart I ain't Your Christ

This is the first post for April. There are 4 more songs to be added during the month. So don't get your panties in a twist. I picked this song to share because of how under produced it feels. Here is a man who is pouring out his soul over the eleven minute long song(Album Version), and its beautiful. No gimmicks, no flashy guitar solos, just a man and his demon.

Top Fifteen Songs from January to March

Going about this in a different direction. I would like to keep doing album reviews but I thought I'd inform you all about the songs that I cant get out of my head during the year. I'm hoping I can do a top 5 songs of the month eventually. Anyway these are the songs I cant stop listening too. Check them out if you have a chance.

Top 15 Songs from January 2011 to March 2011-
(These are songs that were released during 2011 and are in no particular order)
1 - Radiohead- Album: King of Limbs - Song: Morning Mister Magpie

2 - Tyler the Creator - Single released this year - Song: Yonkers

3 - 13 And God - New Album Coming out Soon!- Song: Old Age

4 - Nicolas Jaar - Album: Space is Only Noise - Song: Space is Only Noise if You can See

5 - Iron and Wine - Album: Kiss Each Other Clean - Song: Walking far From Home

6 - Cage the Elephant - Album: Thank You Happy Birthday - Song: Aberdeen (reminds me of a pixies song)

7 - Bright Eyes - Album: The People's Key - Song: Shell Games (Sometimes Bright Eyes reminds me of The Cure, and this song does just that for me)

8 - The Twilight Singers - Album: Dynamite Step - Song: Never Seen No Devil

9 - Wanda Jackson - Album:The Party Ain't Over - Song: Shakin' All Over (listen to the Guitar!)

10 - Lykke Li - Album: Wounded Song: Silent My Song

11 - Anna Calvi - Album: Anna Calvi Song: Blackout

12 - Mogwai - Album: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will Song: Rano Pano

13 - Antonionian - Album: Antonionian Song: Into The Night
(because I couldn't find a video :( here is the MP3: http://www.anticon.com/anthill/Antonionian_-_Into_The_Night.mp3)
14 - Atmosphere - Album: The Family Sign (out 4/12/11) Song: Just For Show

15 - Feel Good Music Coalition - Album: Teach me how to Jimmer - Song: Teach me how to Jimmer(Why not catch the fever? Dont take this literally though)


("With a little help from a friend")Written by: Cameron Christensen and Stephan Stuart

Cam's Top 50 songs of 2010

My Favorite 50 Songs of 2010
(This was done without using the same album twice, or there wouldn't have been a whole lot of variety)

1-LCD Soundsystem – Album: This Is Happening – Song: Dance Yourself Clean
2- Jonsi –Album : Go – Song: Boy Lilikoi
3- Kanye West – Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Song: Runaway
4- Sufjan Stevens- Album: All Delighted People EP- Song: All Delighted People (Original Version)
5- Arcade Fire – Album: The Suburbs – Song: Rococo
6- The Black Keys – Album: Brothers – Song: Howlin’ For You
7-Tobacco – Album: Maniac Meat – Song: Fresh Hex (Featuring Beck)
8-Deerhunter- Album: Halcyon Digest- Song: Desire Lines
9- Dead Weather- Album: Sea of Cowards – Song: Die By the Drop
10-Yeasayer – Album: Odd Blood – Song: Ambling Alp
11-Eminem – Album: Recovery – Song: 25 to life
12-Laura Marling- Album: I Speak Because I Can- Song: Rambling man
13-Gorillaz- Album: the Fall – Song: Phoner to Arizona
14-Forest Swords – Album: Dagger Paths – Song: Miarches
15-Deer Tick – Album: The Black Dirt Sessions - Song: Twenty Miles
16-Johnny Cash – Album: American VI- Song: Aint No Grave
17-The Dead Weather – Album: Twilight Eclipse Sound Track – Song: Rolling in on a Burning Tire
18-Sufjan Stevens- Album: Age of Adz- Song: Futile Devices
19-Josh Ritter- Album: So Runs the World Away – Song: Long Shadows
20-Gorillaz – Album: Plastic Beach – Song: Superfast Jellyfish
21-M.I.A. – Album: MAYA – Song: It Takes A Muscle
22-Nas/Damien Marley – Album: Distant Relatives – Song: Strong will Continue
23-Spoon – Album: Transference – Song: Who Makes Your Money
24-Murder By Death – Album: Good Morning, Magpie – Song: Foxglove
25-Lil Wayne – Album: Rebirth – Song: Drop the World (Featuring Eminem)
26-Cee Lo Green – Album: The Lady Killer – Song: Fuck You
27-Portugal The Man – Album: American Ghetto – Song: The Dead Dog
28-Baths – Album: Cerulean – Song: Maximalist
29-Big Boi – Album: Sir Lucious Left Foot – Song: Shutterbug
30-Robyn – Album: Body Talk – Song: Dancing on My Own
31-Menoma – Album : Mines - Song: INTIL
32-Mark Ronson and the Business Intl. - Album: Record Collection – Song: Bang Bang Bang (Feat. Q-tip)
33-Broken Bells- Album: Broken Bells – Song: The High Road
34-Freelance Wales- Album: Weathervanes – Song: Generator 1st Floor
35-Tim Kasher – Album: The Game of Monogamy- Song: Strays
36-Gil Scott Heron – Album: I’m New Here – Song: Me and the Devil
37- Sleigh Bells – Album: Treats -Song: Rill Rill
38-Los Campesinos! – Album: Romance is Boring- Song: We’ve Got Your Back
39- Sam Amidon- Album: I See the Sign – Song: You Better Mind
40-Kid Cudi – Album: Man on the Moon II- Song: Erase Me
41-Ray Lamontagne-Album: God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise- Song: Old Before Your Time
42-Josiah Wolf- Album: Jet Lag – Song: The Trailer and the Truck
43-Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Album: Before Today- Song: Round and Round
44-Murs/9th Wonder- Album: Fornever- Song: Cigarettes and Liquor
45-Janelle Monae – Album: The ArchAndroid – Song: Oh, Maker
46-Ratatat- Album: LP4- Song: Drugs
47-Villagers- Album: Becoming a Jackal –Song: Twenty-Seven Strangers
48- Kylesa- Album: Spiral Shadow – Song: Tired Climb
49-Karen Elson- Album: The Ghost Who Walks- Song: Stolen Roses
50-Titus Andronicus – Album: The Monitor – Song: Four Score and Seven

Cam's Top 25 Albums of 2010

Top 25 Albums of 2010
By: Cameron Christensen
1-Kanye West-Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy(This album will go down as his Greatest, but I thought that about Graduation as well.)
2-LCD Soundsystem- Album: This is Happening(The only thing that holds this album down is the song Drunk Girls or it’d be the number one album of the year.)
3-The Black Keys- Album: Brothers(Dan’s guitar playing is why it toped the Arcade Fire album. )
4-Arcade Fire- Album: The Suburbs (I’m beginning to think Arcade Fire can’t make a bad album.)
5-Deerhunter- Album: Halcyon Digest (I’d be surprised if these guys don’t have a #1 album during this decade.)
6-Tobacco- Album: Maniac Meat(An album where all of your senses can be unlocked.)
7-Laura Marling- Album: I Speak Because I Can(The best folk album of the year.)
8-Eminiem- Recovery (He’s back!)
9-Baths- Cerulean(This album snuck up on me, I didn’t like it at first. Then I listened to it a few more times…WOW!)
10-Yeasayer- Album: Odd Blood(Different and Odd)
11-Ratatat- Album: LP4 (Ratatat makes me want to dance. That’s a tough thing to do)
12-Sufjan Stevens- Album: The Age of Adz(Sufjan tried something new. It’d worked for a few songs, and those songs are great)
13-Jonsi-Album: Go(Jonsi is such a great song maker.)
14-Dead Weather-Album: Sea of Cowards (How could I leave a Jack White band of this list?)
15-M.I.A. – Album: Maya (My favorite album she has released so far.)
16-Spoon-Album: Transference (This group is so talented, but never seem to break the top ten for me)
17- Emeralds-Album: Does it Look Like I’m Here?(This album is so spacey! Like Kevin)
18-Broken Bells- Album: Broken Bells (Danger mouse…What else is there to say?)
19-Sam Amidon- Album: I See the Sign(Reminds me of Nick Drake)
20-Gil Scott-Heron- Album: I’m New Here(This man has a haunting voice. Welcome back Gil)
21-Gorillaz- Album: The Fall (The beats are great!)
22-Atmosphere- Album: To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy(Just started listening to this and it blew me away. Slug and Ant don’t really disappoint)
23-Josh Ritter- Album: So Runs The World Away(Pretty good folk album from someone from Idaho)
24-Kylesa-Album: Spiral Shadow(The best heavy metal album I’ve heard in years. Also I don’t like heavy metal)
25-Nas/Damien Marley- Album: Distant Relatives (Nasty Nas tears it up throughout the entire album)

Runner ups- Forest Sword-Album: Dagger Paths, Caribou-Album: Swim, Massive Attack-Album: Heligoland, Gorillaz-Album: Plastic Beach, Grinderman – Album: Grinderman 2, Mark Ronson and The Buisness Intl. – Album: Record Collection, Band of Horses-Album: Infinite Arms, Portugal the man-Album: American Ghetto, Menomena -Album: Mines,Robyn-Album: Body Talk, Xui Xui-Album: Dear God I hate Myself and Neal Young-Album Le Noise.

Steve's Top of 2010

The list is a bit delayed this year.  I was thinking it had been an awful year for music.  I wanted to give some albums a chance that I wasn't able to get to.  Turned out there were quite a few gems last year.  

1 Baths - Cerulean (Can't get enough of this album!)

2 Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs - God Willin'& The Creek Don't Rise (Wasn't too keen on it at first, now it may be my favorite of his)

3 Dark Dark Dark - Wild Go (Absolutely beauitful album)

4 Tobacco - Maniac Meat (For when words don't seem to cut it)

5 Kanye - My Beautful Dark Twisted Fantasy (What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said?)

6 Blue Sky Black Death - Third Party (Production geniuses team up with vocalist from Boy in Static)

7 Eminem - Recovery (Finally, a return to true form)

8 MGMT - Congratulations (One of my favorites from early in the year, got passed over as the year progressed)

9 Saroos - See Me Not (Will have staying power for me and the plays will only increase)

10 Josiah Wolf - Jet Lag (A solid start, but don't forget about Why?)

11 Sage Francis - Li(f)e (Catchy hooks and smart rapping from one of the greatest)

12 Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles II (Not as solid as the first, but still extremely fun to listen too)

13 Atmosphere - To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy (Some great tracks, but some filler too)

14 Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma (Was so hyped for this, have to say it did disappoint, but only a little)

15 Four Tet - There is Love in You (Solid throughout)

16 The Black Keys - Brothers (This is my first exposure to The Black Keys, and I have to say I'm ready to start exploring the catalog)

17 Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns (A huge change of pace from one of my favorites, still very solid)

18 Daedelus - Righteous Fists of Harmony (Not quite sure I get this one yet, but I do need a bit more time)

19 Robyn - Body Talk (One of the BEST pop albums)

20 36 Crazyfists - Collisions and Castaways (Totally missed this, but glad I waited as ever time I listen to this album I get a huge smile)

21 Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest (Another first exposure and also intrigued by the catalog)

There were a few other albums that I dug, but didn't feel were worthy of being considered a TOP album.  In no particular order:

Broken Social Scene Forgiveness Rock Record

Nas/Damian Marley Distant Relatives

Post-Foetus The Fabric

LCD Soundsystem This is Happening

65daysofstatic We Were Exploding Anyway

Big Boi Sir Lucious Left Foot…The Son of Chico Dusty

Gonjasufi A Sufi and a Kiler

RJD2 - The Colossus

Broken Bells - Broken Bells

Trapt - No Apologies

Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

You Listen to What?

I found an interesting article that talks about correlations between what kind of music you listen to and personality traits. So where do you fit?


Musical Genre - Personality Traits
Blues - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease
Jazz - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, at ease
Classical - High self-esteem, creative, introverted, at ease
Rap - High self-esteem, outgoing
Opera - High self-esteem, creative, gentle
Country - Hard-working, outgoing
Reggae - High self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, outgoing, gentle, at ease
Dance - Creative, outgoing, not gentle
Indie - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not gentle
Bollywood - Creative, outgoing
Rock/Heavy Metal - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, introverted, gentle, at ease
Pop - High self-esteem, not creative, hard-working, outgoing, gentle, not at ease
Soul - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease

Tobacco - Maniac Meat

As a member of the group Black Moth Super Rainbow, Tom Fec has been working on a side project called Tobacco for a few years now. With his soft-more release under the great Anticon label, Maniac Meat is a low down electronic hip-hop sound that flows through your speakers as if you were dancing and grooving to an old 90's video game sound track. Tom Fec succeeds this summer where the Gorillaz album couldn't.

This album is strung together on smooth synths and bouncing drums, and with help on a few tracks from Beck. The first track worth mentioning is called Fresh Hex. Indeed what a proper title for this infectious beat and sound. Becks vocals shine softly through the ever exciting feel of a hex being placed over you. Feel free to let it flow through you as each song does just that. Flowing through track by track you feel obligated to keep going just to see what the end is like. This album is truly a step forward for Tom Fec. Each song is beautifully put together and interestingly sinks into your skin having you up and dancing to the rhythm. while each song on the album adds its own different feel dont forget to stop and listen to the track Creepy Phone Calls. This well produced track is worth a listen too. It makes you swell up like a balloon and fills you with tiny electroids bouncing up and down your balloon shaped body.

Synopsis: A land-mine filled to the brim with psychedelic beats and pleasures. Does anyone read these?

Score: 83
1- Listen from start to finish: 17
2- Listen again within a week: 17
3- Originality: 17
4- Advancement:15
5- Buyers Remorse: 17

How To Destroy Angels - How To Destroy Angels

Industrial-star Trent Reznor's (NIN) new band with Mariqueen Maandig (West Indian Girl), and Atticus Ross (Soundtrack to Book of Eli) bring you their first Ep. Maandig (the wife of Reznor) adds a subtle change too the artists new band. Not a whole lot of progression going on in this quick 6 song ep, however does Trent Reznor really need to change his way of music? You'd think that Maandig coming from the band would change the sound just a bit but its not like your going to tell Trent no. Luckily Reznor knows what he wants and just how to get it.

How To Destroy Angels is just another Nine Inch Nails album with a little dash of woman sprinkled on top. Really though there isnt a bad song on the Ep which excites me for their 2011 full-length release. There are only two songs though that should be mentioned BBB was one of them. The fourth song on the free ep has a catchy hook where Mariqueen repeats "listen to the sound of my big black boots." In the back ground you here a vague marching sound that adds to the three minute track. As for the other song A Drowning, the last track on the album shows you that the band has potential to become what we all hope they will, amazing. Though in the song you can hear the distinct touch of Reznor through out, the way Maandig's voice hauntingly creeps through the song adding that edge to push them into the much anticipated albums of 2011.

Synopsis: The bands first ep sounds like the b-sides to the NIN's With Teeth album.
Here is a link to get their ep for free http://howtodestroyangels.com/

Score: 61
1- Listen from start to finish: 15
2- Listen again within a week: 15
3- Originality: 6
4- Advancement:5
5- Buyers Remorse:20 (its free)

M.I.A. - MAYA (/\/\ /\ Y /\)

M.I.A. is a producer, a singer, rapper, fashion designer, and a politcal activist. She really is never to far from a hit song on the top 20 list. Now ruba-dubba dub-dub may be the worst thing you could sing in a song let alone a bath-tub. Unless your M.I.A. Steppin Up to the plate to try and hit another home run. Rapping never has been easy, trying to keep everything simplistic and flowing freely. On top of that she was prego and had a baby during the making of this cd.

For me nothing really took flight like her last albums single paper plans did, but there are some hits that we can at least run with. The beat to Steppin Up is strange and never too mundane. The constant use of power tools and repetition of words make you feel a little insane. As for the vocals they go hand in hand with the track. In-fact, she always puts thought and tact to the way she raps. On the song Lovalot she makes a political statement saying "they told me this is a free country, now it feels like a chicken factory." and also adding the hook "i fight the ones that fight me." Lovalot is one of the highlights to this cd. Next up to the plate and one of my favorite songs of hers to date is It Takes a Muscle. With a chilled drink and a relaxed beat you dont feel that you have to hustle through this one. Back to the care-free summer loving type fun the song leaves you with a great feeling and a chorus worth singing. The song Tell Me Why and Space is the next couple of tracks worthy of a good listen. Its as if M.I.A. is on a mission to keep her status as one of the biggest international pop-sensations. Wither she has failed or succeed is another question.

Out with the good, and in with the bad. Meds and Feds is a waste of time and sad. The fillers on the album make it hard for this to be a winner. While Taqkilla makes you scream for a shot of whatever. I understand that she wants to be well rounded but in her attempt it falls short and hurts the album.

Synopsis: M.I.A. is rarely missing in action in her new album. Lets hope the next one will be a little more grounded.

Score: 68
1- Listen from start to finish: 13
2- Listen again within a week: 10
3- Originality: 16
4- Advancement:16
5- Buyers Remorse:13

The Black Keys - Brothers

Auerbach(Guitar/Singer) and Carney (Drummer/Producer) are back at it again. Almost like Batman and Robin but in a lot less spandex. They haven't changed the technique to the way they write in the new album "Brothers" but they have most certainly upgraded the formula. The two are always progressing and trying to reach the top of their field. And with Blues/Rock you have to be at the top of your game to get noticed. In this case they both bring their so called "A game" to this epic release.

The start of the album is already knocked out of the park with a catchy pop song that will tap your toes and have you singing the chorus for days. Everlasting light shines (pun intended) from start to finish. If this song doesn't get played on the radio Next Girl (the next song) should be. With a beat like a heart and the desire to find someone new Auerbach and Carney bring out one of their greatest songs yet. You can feel the emotion in the way the song progresses. And for all of those who just got out of a vicious and god awful relationship dont feel guilty blasting this song from your rooftop. As for the rest of the album Tighten Up, Howlin For you, and Sinister Child all keep you dancing and never take you away from the album as a full. The slower r&b and soul type songs the album offers rarely hit a boring stage, Never Give You Up and Too Afraid to Love dont ever let you down. This album is sure to be one of the best of the year.

For not being brothers, Dan and Patrick are on the exact same page as siblings would be. and as for a band with now 6 albums behind them, several ep's, and produced one of the best rap albums of last year they should be considered some of the best musicians of our age.

Tighten Up Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc&feature=channel

Synopsis: One of the best blues/rock adventures for your ears. Go get it.

Score: 86
1- Listen from start to finish:17
2- Listen again within a week: 17
3- Originality: 17
4- Advancement:16
5- Buyers Remorse:19

Deer Tick - The Black Dirt Sessions

After taking a hike in the wonderful outdoors, John McCauley discovered a deer tick on his scalp later that night. And ever since then his band has been named Deer Tick. Not to be confused with Deer Hunter or Deerhoof of coarse. John McCauley has a distinct voice in which you need for any folk-rock group to succeed. Almost sounding like a rough and tumble old cowboy he sings with heart and has the talent to become the next big folk singer/songwriter. Even if his voice is something to get used too. After you do get hooked there is no looking back.

The Black Dirt Sessions is an album that the broken can relate too. Always being down on your luck and never finding the path that your supposed to be on. Deer Tick soothes your broken heart with the single and best song on the album Twenty Miles. The single is a statement that Deer Tick has something more to offer then the average folk band. With the rough almost punk sounding voice of John McCauley this band can really go places along as they keep an eye on advancing. This album is a great step forward for the band. Though their earlier releases have had their moments The Black Dirt Sessions has the feel of an album almost reaching for a spot in the lime light. "Christ Jesus" the last song on the album is a song that those who reside in the dust can take to heart. The melodramatic tune makes your spine shiver with belief. As for the song "Mange" it brings you back to the country roots of such bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, but has enough individuality to make it its own song. As the piano and guitars clash on the song it shows the band has potential to be more then just another dusty old folk band. Almost more of a Grateful Dead jam band feel to it. the album is consistence and worth a listen too if your into the genre. However it never really leaves the genre or bends its limits which is the only down fall to it.

Synopsis: Deer Tick crash into the music seen with a great album that almost reaches the bands full potential. As long as they keep this up they will be a folk band with a punk singer worth listening too. Check the single out and let me know what you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK1GUVzVxOM

Score: 69
1- Listen from start to finish:14
2- Listen again within a week: 18
3- Originality: 10
4- Advancement:13
5- Buyers Remorse:14

Eminem - Recovery

Eminem is one of the most talented rappers of all time. He is exciting, strange, angry, innovative and had completely lost his way. Encore was terrible, Relapse was a disappointment and frankly I was taking him off my top 5 greatest rappers of all time lists. Thinking that he was washed up and regular. And as a fan of his, it felt like Cleveland when Lebron said PEACE! (too soon?) Well maybe not that bad. Though when i listened to Recovery, all i could think of was that it's properly named.

With every Eminem album you have got to expect vulgarity and some anger. The first track covers that perfectly. But as you progress through the song you realize there is something different or a hint of remembrance in his voice. Thank the lord. Something was back and flowing in his blood, putting a pulse in his lyrics and finally back to his normality. By the end of the second song i forgot about encore, and relapse and got up and cheered. There are only a few down points in the album and is a solid release for the veteran. It reminded me of the excitement that I felt when the Eminem Show came out. Its not as good as the Eminem Show but its good. The best song on the album is 25 to life. At least thats the song I relate to most. The singles off of it "Wont Back Down" and "Love the Way you Lie" are just the beginning. As with every Eminem record its the songs that don't get radio play that are his bests. But no way am i saying his singles arent great. The album is named Recovery because he is healthy and coming down the war path for the crown again. Do we really want to get in his way? not me.

Synopsis: Eminem is back! Listen to it.

Score: 86
1- Listen from start to finish:18
2- Listen again within a week: 20
3- Originality: 13
4- Advancement:15
5- Buyers Remorse:20

Marina and the Diamonds - The Family Jewels

Grab a backpack, a paisley soaked head band, pierce your ears, die your hair and head off to Europe. Hike your way up the grassy hillsides and take a drag out of your cigarette, stop to put your head phones on and press play! What you hear is The Family Jewels of Marina and the Diamonds.

Marina's voice is what holds this album together. It pops up and down at unexpected moments that keep you listening and for the most part interested.There are a few groovy highlights that should be recognized like the first track Are You Satisfied? and to answer, Yes. The song pulls you into the album excited for more and not knowing what to expect. Next stop should be the song I Am Not A Robot. The voice is the greatest part of the song. She rings "never committed to anything, pick up the phone let it ring ring ring." She doesn't seem to miss a beat of creativity with the way she uses her voice. The last spark of light on the album before you find out that you just listened to an Enya/Katy Perry album is the song Hermit the Frog. The European electronica fashioned beat gets you up and makes you move. Its fun, but like all family jewels they should never be bounced for too long. I know it was awful but i couldn't resist.

Synopsis: She could be destined to be the next wave of 80's music leaders. Wither thats a good thing or not I wont say. But i will say this I hate U2. I had to pepper that in somewhere.

Score: 63
1- Listen from start to finish: 9
2- Listen again within a week: 9
3- Originality: 15
4- Advancement:15
5- Buyers Remorse: 15

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

The third full-length album from the Gorillaz is quite a potpourri of genre and style-Plastic Beach plays more like a mix tape than a band’s tight concept. What else could we expect from a duo made up of a comic book creator (Jamie Hewlett) and a brit pop superstar (Damon Albarn), whose brand new album features twenty artists (ranging from Mos Def to Lou Reed) on fifteen of the nineteen tracks? Unfortunately, for that very reason, Plastic Beach really is kind of a mess, but where it lacks in unity it makes up for with emotion. In fact, if there is a common thread throughout the album it is the gloomy soundscapes that have become synonymous with Hewlett and Albarn’s work. Another positive note about Plastic Beach is that there are more decent tracks than bad and the ambient muzakesque hum that makes some of the tracks forgettable work together to create a moody electro-pop atmosphere. Obviously, Plastic Beach is not for everybody. If you find more solace in the catchy hooks of top fourty pop music you may want to stay away. However, Gorillaz enthusiasts and fans of experimental electro-hop are sure to enjoy this moody hodgepodge of new wave art.

Cheers:

1. Glitter Freeze – Catchy Fischerspooner beat outlined with the echo of laser beams. Momentum carries this tune with the only words being scattered sound bites.

2. Stylo – By far my favorite. Hard driving Kraftwerkesque beat with Mos def and Booby Womack helping out on vocals.

3. To Binge – Think Yoshi robotically swaying to the menu of a Super Mario Bros. island world. Damon’s sleepy vocals and high-pitched synth create a dreamy tropical atmosphere - A Plastic Beach perhaps?

4. Some Kind of Nature – Lou Reed’s grizzled voice gives this tune character while Damon sings the most memorable chorus of the album. Finally something we can sing along to.

Jeers:

1. On Melancholy Hill –Boring 80’s synth beat. This is a song where the words may be more important than the music. Cher-like auto tune sound effects make for a huge turnoff and this tune really turns into a melancholy disappointment.

2. Cloud of Unknowing – If you are a fan of Bobby Womack’s silky voice you might like this slow jam. The rest of us, however, will be rolling our eyes and looking at the clock.

3. Empire Ants – Let the momentum build before you completely write this track off. Unfortunately, this tune never quite hits the bulls-eye and quickly becomes forgettable.

By Jacob day

Cam's illustrious Decade List 00-09

This decade has been one of the most inspirational ten years of my life. Granted I am still young, I just cant wait for what the next ten years will bring. Music will never be the same and the past decade has set a new bar for us to overcome. I have decided to not choose one album as my number one album of the decade. As I looked over my choices I decided that I love each album for different reasons. Some just didn't out weigh the others. So complain if you want but here it is, my top 50 albums of the decade.

Top 10-

Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker (2000)















The White Stripes - Icky Thump (2007)















Sigur Ros - Ágætis Byrjun (2001)















Beck - Guero(2005)















Why? - Alopecia (2008)















Bright Eyes-I’m Wide Awake Its Morning (2005)















Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (2007)















Devendra Banhart – Cripple Crow (2005)















Eddie Vedder – Into the Wild Soundtrack (2007)















Johnny Cash- American IV (2002)
















11-20

Subtle – Exiting Arm (2008)
















Brand New –The Devil and God Are Raging inside me (2006)
















Eminem-The Eminem Show (2002)















Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005)















The White Stripes– White Blood Cells (2001)
















Tool – Lateralus (2001)
















M. Ward- Transfiguration of Vincent(2003)
















Sufjan Stevens – Seven Swans (2004)
















Nas –Stillmatic (2001)
















Wilco-Yankee hotel foxtrot (2002)














21-30

Bright Eyes- Lifted or the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (2002)













Beck-Sea Change (2002)











Deltron 3030 – Deltron 3030 (2000)













Why?- Eskimo Snow (2009)














Rilo Kiley – More Adventurous (2004)













Atmosphere- God Loves Ugly (2002)













Tom Waits – Blood Money (2002)













Sufjan Stevens- Illinois (2005)













Modest Mouse – The Moon and Antarctica (2000)













Sigur Ros- Takk…(2005)














31-40

Ryan Adams- Gold (2001)













13 & God – 13 & God (2005)













Counting Crows – Hard Candy (2002)













Explosions in the Sky- The Earth is not a Cold Dead Place (2003)













Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)













Ghostface Killah – Supreme Clientele (2000)













Will Mason - If the Ocean Gets Rough (2007)













Radiohead-In Rainbows (2007-2008)













Ryan Adams- Easy Tiger (2007)













Dead Weather- HoreHound (2009)














41-50

Elliott Smith – From a Basement on a Hill (2004)













Themselves - Crownsdown (2009)













Madvillian - Madvilliany (2004)













Kanye West – Graduation (2007)













Iron and Wine – Sheppard’s Dog (2007)













Black Keys - Rubber Factory (2004)













CloudDead - Ten (2004)













Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to the Heavens(2000)













Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors (2008)













Lil Wayne - The Carter 3 (2008)