James Vest writesJames Vest’s Best of 2010

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

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

1. Tame Impala – Innerspeaker (Modular)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   When describing a good music review, CHIRP music director, Billy Kalb, once noted, "Be specific. Don't use a word like, 'Beatles-esque'." With Tame Impala, it's rather complicated to move beyond the label, but imagine an alternate universe where The Beatles played "Tomorrow Never Knows" on Ed Sullivan. Moving on for there, the band exchanged flutes for synths, Yoko Ono for psychotropic soundscapes that spilt over the event horizon, arriving in our reality through the black hole we call a speaker.
2. Broken Bells – Broken Bells (Columbia)
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   One thing I will add about The Broken Bell's self-titled, is that when I listen to it, I'm aware I'm listening an ALBUM. I've yet to start a track without finishing every remaining tracks. For that, Broken Bells is a lot like CHIRP Radio. Expression lives in the tracks, Mood connects songs, and a good program captivates collectively. I listen while I get stuff done, I listen to sit and drift away, but don't interrupt me. When this album is on, I'm listening.
3. Qwel & Maker – Owl (Galapagos)
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   Local hip hop duo Qwel and Maker drop another fat cut of boom-bap into some old fashioned soul stew. Their third album is indeed charmed, showing both maturity and forward thinking of bigger acts, while keeping it old school with some classic soul samples that'll make you want to dance on your kitchen table. This album represents everything I love about Hip Hop–the past, present and future
4. GAYNGS – Relayted (Jagjaguwar)
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   Gayngs, the two-dozen-plus-member supergroup, reenacts an important time in rock history when all the awesome acts from the 1970s end up washed up 10 years later, playing sappy slow jams to stay on the FM dial. But stay tuned, the album quickly breaks character and goes all over the 80's and 90's road map, while keeping each song at the firm speed of 69 BPM. If you are looking for an album to play while you drive your Delorian in the slow lane, look no further.
5. Beach House – Teen Dream (Sub Pop)
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   After attending my younger cousin's funeral earlier that day, it didn't really hit me what the world had lost until later that night, when I went to see Beach House in concert. Teen Dream is a consistent reminder of life's gains and losses, whose voice lifts you up and let's you go, in an ocean of organ waves and crashing bass.
6. The Budos Band – The Budos Band III (Daptone)
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   Each album is a reminder: Don't mess with the Budos Band. No guest vocalists, no break beats, no retooling, just some god-foresaken, evil-hearted Doc Severinsen VooDoo horns, replacing Carson with a sack full of funk, and the guest's chair with a pit full of vipers.
7. The Flaming Lips – The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches Doing The Dark Side of the Moon (Warner Bros.)
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   Like a Christmas Carol on LSD, the most important psychedelic band of our time came face-to-face this year with the most important psychedelic band of all-time, but alas, no one but me and a bunch of Ebenezer Scrooges noticed. I couldn't find one review that praised The Lips for having a blast creating a demented tribute to one of the greatest albums ever made, but this one is will be remembered for historically if for nothing more than it's good cheer.
8. The Limiñanas – The Limiñanas (Trouble in Mind)
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   Simple songs channeling 60's California surf rock, sung in French and released by Chicago's own Trouble in Mind. If this album doesn't get you to look up from your computer when it comes on the rotation, then what's the point of good music?
9. Ty Segall – Melted (Goner)
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   I never tire of one-man bands. What they lack in polish, I fill in with dreams of myself, playing on stage with a space helmet on, half full of fuzzy bass lines, massive delay switches, effortless ivory ticklers, and a spy glass to watch the beautiful women smiling in the front row. Until that helmet exists, here's to the one-man bands.
10. The Magnetic Fields – Realism (Nonesuch)
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    If fishing is about being bored with a purpose, The Magnetic Fields is my musical equivalent of sitting on a rocky bank. The smoothness of the surroundings are only broken when I recall that I haven't moved in an hour. The is something peaceful and freeing about Realism, you'll love the extra time off from the work that is other albums.

Psychotic Distraction writesChesney’s Best of 2010

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2010. The next list is from CHIRP Radio DJ Chesney.

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

In alphabetical order…

• Backyard Babies – Them XX (Versity Rights)
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  Sweden’s long-running glam/punk staalwarts commemorate their 20th anniversary with an extravagantly packaged 3CD/1DVD/120 page 10X10 hard-covered collection, spanning the band’s entire career from their 1994 debut Diesel and Power to their excellent 2009 self-titled release. A massive collection of hard-to-find B-sides/live tracks/remixes, a complete video anthology, an excellent 80 minute documentary, and over 300 photos from this Swedish Grammy-winning band that just can’t seem to make a dent in the American market.
• Blessure Grave – Judged by Twelve, Carried by Six (Alien8)
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  Bizarre and menacing electro/gothic rock from California that could’ve just as easily been released in 1983 as 2010. A release that would fit comfortably between your Bauhaus, Joy Division and early Sisters of Mercy albums. Sadly, it appears the band called it quits in November after only two years.
• Grinderman – Grinderman 2 (Mute)
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  Mr. Nick Cave steps away from the piano, picks up the guitar, and lets loose some of the gnarliest punk-infused blues (blues-infused punk?) since…well, Grinderman’s 2007 debut. Cave and three fellow Bad Seeds prove that their first album was no fluke, and that Grinderman can indeed stand on it’s own four legs. Also of note: Nick Cave’s excellent novel ‘The Death of Bunny Munro’, released in 2009.
• The Jim Jones Review – Burning Your House Down (Punk Rock Blues)
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  The 2nd full-length release by former Thee Hypnotics frontman/lunatic Jim Jones is (somewhat) more controlled than their 2008 self-titled debut, but no less visceral. A howling slab of raging garage punk & soul, delivered with the intensity of a young Jerry Lee Lewis jamming with members of the New Bomb Turks and Zen Guerilla. One of most blazing live acts on the circuit, to boot.
• Killing Joke – Absolute Dissent (Spinefarm)
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  Killing Joke’s fourteenth album (!) and their first since 1982’s Revelations to feature the original line-up (Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Youth, and Paul Ferguson) is the perfect mix of 2006’s Hosannas from the Basement of Hell and 1996’s Democracy (and maybe a touch of 1994’s Pandemonium), along with the cerebral lashings one has come to expect from the band. Truly a band that has not only refused to mellow with age, but have become more agitated and outspoken over their 30+ year career.
• Kylesa – Spiral Shadow (Season of Mist)
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  If one were to pinpoint the exact location bewteen Neurosis, The Melvins, Sonic Youth, and Baroness, that area would likely be Savannah GA’s Kylesa. Their fifth full-length release is the band’s third to utilize their thunderous two-drummer attack, and guitaris Phillip Cope’s production is absolutely top-notch and leaves no riff unappreciated.
• Negative Approach – Live at the Double Door (Chicago IL); Sunday, October 10, 2010.
  Every so often a show comes along that reminds me of why I do this. I had been waiting upwards 20 years to see Detroit’s hardcore legends; not only did they not disappoint, they blew my expectations clear out of the water. Frontman John Brannon is still one of the most ferocious and maniacal frontmen of the past 25 years, and the band as a whole did everything absolutely note-perfect: no talk, all action. Inspiring.
• Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to The Sky (Young God)
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  After a 12 year hiatus and a half-dozen albums with Angels of Light (among other countless projects), Swans mainman Michael Gira brings one of the most groundbreaking and influencial bands of the past 30 years back in full force (don’t you dare call it a ‘reunion’, Gira warns), and the results are predictably levelling. Gira’s creative output over the past 3 decades is absolutely mind-blowing in its consistency, and this album ranks with some of his finest work. Also of note: if you haven’t yet read Gira’s hard-o-find 1995 collection The Consumer, hunt down a copy ASAP.
• Triptykon – Eparistera Daimones (Century Media)
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  The debut full-length from former Celtic Frost mainman Thomas G. Warrior’s latest musical endeavor is a logical extension of CF’s 2006 epic Monotheist: a monsterous wall of all-encompassing, cavernous noise that stretches out over 9 songs and 80+ minutes. A dense, sprawling album that rewards heavily with repeated listenings.
• Umberto – From the Grave (Permanent)
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  The debut release from sometime Expo-70 collaborator Matt Hill is the classic ‘soundtrack for a film that doesn’t exist’, and that film happens to be a late 70’s Italian zombie gorefest. Sinister analog synth grooves that call to mind Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci’s darkest moments. The soundtrack to the greatest horror movie I’ve never seen.

Mike Pakowski writesMike Pakowski’s Best of 2010

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

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

1. Beach House – Teen Dream (Sub Pop)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   This in my opinion was not only the best album of 2010 but could also be considered one of the best albums of the past decade. I think a true testament to what makes an album great is an ability to still move you months after it has been released. Teen Dream came out in January and it's been nearly a full year and I still absolutely adore it just as much, if not more, then when I first heard it. Just a beautiful record from start to finish and also one of the most romantic albums to come out in quite some time.
2. The National – High Violet (4AD)
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   An amazing album from a group whose sound and depth has gotten better with age. Matt Berninger's songwriting has always been a fantastic combination of angst, dark humor and reflection, and those elements remain on High Violet, however they are bit more mature as many members of the band have transitioned nicely into a new phase of adulthood. By no means has this softened the band, in fact it's made them better musicians. It's a very powerful piece of music.
3. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening (DFA)
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   A fantastic dance-rock album that showcases the absolute genius of James Murphy & Co. The man is a rock star whether he wants to be or not. "Dance Yrself Clean" is just a flat out brilliant song. One of the most entertaining albums of the year hands down. And seeing them live was one of the highlights of my year. Bravo sir!
4. Four Tet – There Is Love In In You (Domino)
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   I am amazed by this album. It's such an incredible blend of hypnotic beats and rhythms that one minute will have you dancing and the next will have you lost in deep thought. Every time I listened to There Is Love In You I discovered something new. Just a great album from start to finish.
5. How to Dress Well – Love Remains (Lefse)
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   This was an album that completely blew my mind. I've been struggling on how to describe what it is about Love Remains that is so amazing and I think that is one of the things I love about it. It is hauntingly beautiful, stunning, and sounds like nothing else I've heard this year. I guess I'm better at describing it than I thought!
6. Twin Shadow – Forget (4AD)
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   There are plenty of albums released this year that harken back to new wave days of the 1980's. However George Lewis Jr. (AKA Twin Shadow) just did it so much better on Forget, somehow even making the album sound modern. Dreamy, catchy beats along with heartfelt, achingly romantic lyrics ("As If It Wasn't Enough Just To Hear You Speak They Had To Give You Lips Like That" from the incredible track "Tyrant Destroyed") made this one of my favorites. In a year filled with many an 80's pop revival record, Twin Shadow's Forget stands alone.
7. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Def Jam)
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   Thank you Mr. West for being an egomaniac with a sense of humor and a bit of a sensitive side. Thank you for name dropping pretty much every possible luxury brand in the universe (I had no idea Versace made sofas) in a way that made me laugh instead of gag. Thank you for "Monster", thank you for "Runaway", and thank you for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. I'm With Team Kanye!
8. Love Is All – Two Thousand and Ten Injuries (Polyvinyl)
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   I had very little exposure to Love Is All until hearing Two Thousand and Ten Injuries. After listening to this album I couldn't wait to hear more. I love this band and I love this album. Lead singer Josephine Olausson's voice is adorable and her lyrics are sassy, sweet, angry and honest. What amazed me most was the bands ability to compliment her lyrics with such insanely fun and energetic music. It's pure Swedish punk-bubblegum bliss.
9. Dissapears – Lux (Kranky)
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   A garage-rock album that just takes off and is unapologetic and gritty. Lux is fuzzy, fast and loud. I can think of much worst things than to be compared to the Velvet Underground. It's only a matter of time before another band is compared to Disappears.
10. Candy Claws – Hidden Lands (Twosyllable)
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    Hidden Lands is a gorgeous album that is dream-pop unlike anything I've heard before. It's a sound that is smart, mesmerizing, and the fact that the band had no prior experience with keyboards and synthesizers blows my mind. This album doesn't have songs or singles instead it has mini-symphonies. Absolutely addictive.

2010 Honorable Mentions:
Jason Adasiewicz - Sun Rooms (Delmark)
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (Merge)
Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner (Ghostly International)
Foals - Total Life Forever (Sub Pop/Warner Bros./Transgressive)
Janelle Monáe - Archandroid (Atlantic)

CHIRP DJ writesCarolyna Wheat’s Best of 2010

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members' top albums of 2010. The next list is from CHIRP Radio DJ Lina Mas Fina (aka Carolyna Wheat).

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

1. Actress – Splazsh (Honest Jon's)
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   There isn’t an album that I’ve played more according to my semi-accurate i-tunes counter. Headphones locked on my ears, racing down LakeShoreTrail on my bike, Fiona, I move faster than I would with out these beats: deep, penetrating, electro-grooves. The track “Lost” puts me into ecstatic meditation and keeps me positive living in the urban environment, surrounded by so many personalities.
2. Salem – King Night (IAMSOUND)
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   This entire album crushes my nightmares and brings greater purpose to my subwoofer. Long live grinding vibrations spooking my inner ear enough to dizzy me with wicked wonder.
3. Best Coast – Crazy for You (Mexican Summer)
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   For those moments when you just can’t get that special someone out of your mind, here is a cutie lady, unlucky in love. Lyrics born from her break-up dangle with a lo-fi yet realistic teen-angsty pop. She wrote a letter, in twelve tracks, each under or at 3 minutes highlighting the ups and downs of a sensitive yet passionately adorable galpal lost in her mind about a boy. It’s just too too, opposed to so so!
4. Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner (Ghostly International)
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   This album takes me on a trip to China, the basement house party and into the caverns of my imaginative mind. Every track has a little something special and the expressions vary like all the musicians Ghostly represent. It’s happy, it’s calming, it’s fun...it’s a must have for 2010.
5. Shawn Lee – Sing a Song (Ubiquity)
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   This album can break through pessimism like a cat can spring onto the kitchen counter. Longtime lover of soul/r&b/jazz and all things groovy, Shawn Lee represents the ultimate “Come up to my room, I’ll play you some tracks” guy. Oh, no, really, cup my face in your hands and kiss me, gently. Yes, thank you Sing a Song album, your tunes turn me on.
6. Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz (Asthmatic Kitty)
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   Wait, I though he was going to make an album about every state? Uh, next plan, here is definitely a new state of mind. Once again, his lyrics can bring me to tears as they relate to every moment of my life. So, it’s thoughtful that the words Sufjan’s angels whisper nightly in his dreams can be presented on this delicate yet experimental tender album.
7. Yeasayer – Odd Blood (Secretly Canadian)
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   “Speak up for yourself, son, no matter what anybody else does.” These lyrics, and then some, have been my 13 year old son’s mantra this year. The tracks on Odd Blood are an inventive example of first-wave vibes alongside peppy, self-help lyrics. When listening, I feel like I’m wrapped up in my wool blanky, lying on my teenage bed writing in my diary circa ’88 while shouting lyrics like “Don’t give up on me.” Or “ No, you don’t move me anymore, and I’m glad that you don’t because I can’t take it anymore.” Aw, adolescent crushes empowered by kick-ass dance inspired optimism, right here. It came out in the early 2010, and it still feels so good to jam.
8. Alex B. – Moments (Elm & Oak)
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   Variable moments of un-quantized beats bring this electronic musician to a pleasurably novel place. Tracks aren’t too long and they are playfully in a sequence that flow together giving this album listener a little fuel for the long car ride or jog. It’s raw, it’s funky, it’s rightly representin’.
9. Indian Jewelry – Totaled (We Are Free)
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   This album is a phenomenal background soundtrack ripe for the art meets music world. I know because I’ve played it start to finish enough to enjoy it’s raucous misbehavior among melodies. There is a hidden sense of order that feels so rough and improvisational. The quality of the lyrics and instrumentation fits into a category all by itself. It’s creative, innovative and thus earns itself a place in an Avante Garde of 2010.
10. Greie Gut Fraktion – Baustelle (Monika Enterprise)
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    Yet another one of these unique examples of found sound meets kraut-rock-electronica meets social activism. I was rocking out to Mischmaschine this summer when an SUV of boys rolled their tinted windows down and said “Damn girl, you seem deep into those beats.” It was true, I was almost riding my bike with my eyes closed taking in every nuance of the environment in my head phones coupled with the sonic space of the city. This album is like an assembly plant where every unusual part has an incredible opportunity to be built into the inspired whole.

Honorable Mentions:

Brian Eno - Small Craft On A Milk Sea (Warp)
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti - Before Today (4AD)
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening (DFA)
Eskmo - Eskmo (Ninjatune)
Allo Darlin’ - Allo Darlin’ (Fortuna Pop)

Re-release:
Dara Puspita (1966-1968) (Sublime Frequencies)

Mike Bennett writesMike Bennett’s Best of 2010

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

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

Since CHIRP went live this past January, I’ve been exposed to more great new music than ever. As a result, there are roughly 50 or so albums that I considered for this list, and many of them I never would have been exposed to had I not been doing a show on CHIRP. So much good stuff this year. These are my favorites:

1. Janelle Monáe – The Archandroid (Atlantic)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   This stunning debut album is a showcase for the multi-faceted talents of Ms. Monae. Not only is she an amazingly rangy and emotive singer, she effortlessly blends together many types of pop and R & B music on this album. Monae touches upon everything from Stevie Wonder to James Brown to Prince to torch singers to George Clinton and beyond, reaching back to move forward. This concept album is arty as hell, but it also had some of the catchiest and well-composed songs of the year.
2. Superchunk – Majesty Shredding (Merge)
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   Superchunk has never made a bad record, but in expanding their sound over the years, they brought the rock a lot less. Coming off a long hiatus, the band gets back to its reason for being -- tight melodic burst of power pop laced punk, with intelligent lyrics and passion to spare. This sounds like a bunch of songs designed either to open or close shows, playing almost like a greatest hits album.
3. Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (Def Jam)
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   Because he’s not as flashy as Andre 3000, folks may have overlooked the talents of Big Boi. His first true solo album (some may count Speakerboxxx) proves how he may have actually defined Outkast’s sound, embracing a wide array of funk and R & B sounds. His flow is as good as ever, and the variety of the music and plentiful hooks make this a joy.
4. Jason & The Scorchers – Halcyon Times (Courageous Chicken)
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   The first Scorchers album in over a decade is perhaps a tad slicker than in band’s mid-’80s cowpunk glory days, but Jason Ringenberg is still a great hillbilly singer and Warner Hodges is a masterful guitarist, and the energy and spirit is there. Even better, they cooked up their best batch of songs since their debut album, with great lines like “tonight he’ll kill a six pack/just to watch it die.”
5. The National – High Violet (4AD)
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   The essential National style did not change on this album. But they found a way to make their subtly anthemic rock sound even fuller without overwhelming their center, singer Matt Berninger. Combined with wise lyrics tackling adult themes, the band proves that you can be a grown up without making Dad Rock.
6. Rose Elinor Dougall – Without Why (Scarlett)
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   After making fizzy retro-’60s pop with The Pipettes, Dougall struck out on her own to make moodier music with a ‘60s flavor. The result is reminiscent of Nicole Atkins and Richard Hawley, but on a slightly smaller scale with equal emotional intensity.
7. Judson Claiborne – Time and Temperature (La Société Expéditionnaire)
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   This is one of those albums that sounds like it could have been made 40 years ago, yet it has a 2010 feel. Christopher Salveter’s folky constructions bridge the gap between The Band and Midlake, with his strong compositions benefiting from great arrangements and terrific production.
8. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today (4AD)
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   Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti -- Before Today (4AD): There are a lot of low and mid-fi artists, but most seem that way out of laziness. Not Ariel Pink. By marrying hazy production to R & B tinged pop hooks, he has created an alternative AM gold universe, where everything sounds like a quirky hit blasting through a transistor radio.
9. Roky Erickson with Okkervil River – True Love Cast Out All Evil (Anti)
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   Roky still has that haunted, weathered voice and his concerns are primarily spiritual on this extremely resonant effort. Okkervil’s Will Sheff not only weeded through hundreds of Roky’s demos to come up with these dozen recordings, he and his band then found the right musical settings for every song.
10. Jason Moran – Ten (Blue Note)
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    Moran follows in the tradition of great pianists like Thelonious Monk, but he’s never been afraid to experiment, incorporating hip-hop, blues, classical and other genres into his music. Never has he so expertly balanced his traditional and experimental sides, creating an album that is formally precise yet still romantic, playful and even a bit funky at times.

Honorable Mentions:
Rumer – Seasons Of My Soul
Adam Franklin & Bolts of Melody – I Could Sleep For A Thousand Years
Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago
Mose Allison – The Way Of The World
John Mellencamp – No Better Than This
Christian Scott – Yesterday You Said Tomorrow
The Bees – Every Step’s A Yes
Archie Bronson Outfit – Coconut
Kelley Stoltz – To Dreamers
The Streets On Fire – This Is Fancy

Best Live Show:
The Joy Formidable, Schubas

Five Novels You Should Read:
David Mitchell, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
Chang-Rae Lee, The Surrendered
Jonathan Franzen, Freedom
Boris Akunin, He Lover Of Death
Adam Levin, The Instructions