Jonny writesJon Schech’s Best of 2010

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members' top albums of 2010. The next list is from CHIRP Radio DJ Jon Schech.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members' picks.)

These are in chronological order by release date...

• Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM (Elektra)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: “Le Chat du Café des Artistes”, “In The End” b/w “Time Of The Assassins” - Even when these two get ambitious for a “get you later” hit (Heaven Can Wait) or a striptease anthem (Trick Pony) the results are all fine and good. Half are great, most are really good. Thanks, Beck!
• Beach House – Teen Dream (Sub Pop)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: (side one/A) and “Lover of Mine” - This surprised me – I’m not the indie hype type. This is just brilliant music that even overrides the few times Alex goes all Chris Martin. Too much to love about this. It’s just a beautiful record.
• Kings Go Forth – The Outsiders Are Back (Luaka Bop, Inc.)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: (every track on the record!) - Okay I’m a bit impartial because they’re from Milwaukee, but why not? As long as they stay away from jazz, I’m on board.
• The Poison Contol Center – Sad Sour Future (Afternoon)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Track: “Stay Golden” - This is the aural equivalent of having the finest slice of whatever you have been fancying the most. I just don’t know what to do because I’m not this indie, unless I’m listening to this. It’s like the White Album of indie. A delectable slice of almost perfect indie pie, disguised as genius off center pop music from Iowans!
• The Black Keys – Brothers (Nonesuch)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: “The Only One” b/w “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Tighten Up” - This is no ‘solid album’, but what is these days? These guys are so proper with everyone their record registered on the corporate charts. What they do is great, and somehow it makes no difference as long as they keep doing good things. Also: “Everlasting Light” jams so good it needs no hook. Modern day greatness...
• Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today (4AD)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: “Hot Body Rub”, “Round And Round” b/w “Little Wig” - At first you think this is a joke but then the massive genius ambition grabs you. I never thought or I forgot how making this kind of music could be possible. Thanks to this record, I hope more of this kind of music begins to exist. Amazing harmonies and awesome hooks abound. Refrain from ignoring “Butt-House Blondies”. The song has substantial meritas actioni!
• Jaill – That's How We Burn (Sup Pop)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: “Demon” b/w “Thank Us Later” and “That’s How We Burn” - I’m not a-gonna try to convince you this is good. Either you dig it or not. I personally even like the album cover. That has to be none other than the west coast of Lake Michigan. Green.
• Orgone – Killion Vaults (Ubiquity)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: (Every track on the record! Again!) - This band released two records this year. This is the instrumental one that blew me away. Now they have to get that star vocalist to step up (or add another one?) because they’ve got it. West coast sh’ comin’atcha!
• Aeroplane – We Can't Fly (Eskimo)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: “London Bridge” b/w “My Enemy”, “Superstar” b/w “Caramellas” - I’ve been waiting to get sick of this record. I haven’t. This is true continental music as implied by the title, and this is, at this point, still a good thing. They can always come to America and infuse their already genius music with some deeper soul, and that would blow me away.
• Violens – Amoral (Friendly Fire)
  BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
  Best Tracks: “Violent Sensation Descends” b/w “It Couldn’t Be Perceived” - This record deserves high marks for just plain being ambitious. With so many strong influences vying for a ‘sound’ makes listening more challenging. I wouldn’t want to be laughed at for overlooking the amazing potential here.

The Suburban Wives Fantasy Singles! (honorable mention songs, records…)
Broken Bells
Affair EP
“Traxx” b/w “Frozen” by Salem
“Hang On In There” by John Legend/The Roots
“Rollercoaster” by Black Mountain
“Wings Away” b/w “Dance Floor” by The Apples In Stereo
“Lines” by Elsinore
“Bellringer Blues” b/w “When My Baby Comes” by Grinderman
“I’m Aware” by Clinic
“Tarmac City” b/w “Mighty Fine Pie” by Endless Boogie
“Come On Sister” b/w “Suicide Girl” by Belle & Sebastian
“Search Party” b/w “Photojournalist” by Small Black
“Horophones” by The Love Language