5. Astro Coast - Surfer Blood[Kanine]
Not every track is fast, and not every track is an instant hit. But most definitely, Florida’s Surfer Blood is always catchy. “Floating Vibes” grooves easier than the waves that John Paul Pitts sings about. But the up-and-coming band’s most notable characteristic — aside from sounding like they record exclusively in absurdly large, hollow corridors — has to be their ability to just have fun. Songs like “Take It Easy” and “Neighbour Riffs” are just what you need to hear before waxing down and cruising through some heavy barrels.
TOP PICKS: "Swim" | "Slow Jabroni"
4. Year of the Black Rainbow - Coheed & Cambria[Columbia]
First things first: Coheed and Cambria is my favorite band in the entire world — hands down, period. But even I can say that parts of 2007’s Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow can be just as difficult to get through as reading the album title. But the prequel to the Amory Wars saga — you see, it tells the story of ... hell, you’ll figure it out someday — improves on several things. Singer Claudio Sanchez has exponentially improved his vocal work, switching from disgruntled growls to belting out virtuosity in a matter of half-seconds. Second, the inclusion of new drummer Chris Pennie allowed the prog-punk-etc. group to branch out, performing a well-blended, seemingly impossible concoction ranging from speed metal to acoustic ballads.
TOP PICKS: "Here We Are Juggernaut" | "In the Flame of Error"
[XL]
There are few things in this world that could have turned into a sloppy mess but turned out a masterpiece (Imagine if Orson Welles made Citizen Kane in a basement with house lamps as backlights). But Titus Andronicus’ incredibly bold concept album links the present with seven score and seven years ago. Using the Civil War as a backdrop, these New Jersey punks describe the ailments in America’s political climate. The exuberant “Titus Andronicus Forever” and “Theme from ‘Cheers’ ” are perpetual rally cries and fight-starters that would make an oi punk blush. But moreover, Titus Andronicus has been at the forefront of many bands this year that challenged the notion that punk can’t be ambitious.
TOP PICKS: "A More Perfect Union" | "A Pot in Which to Piss"
2. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire[Merge]
Evidently, Arcade Fire didn’t deserve the 9.1 I gave them. I say I “gave” it to them, because it’s not the grade they earned.
Two parts eulogy and one part biting social commentary on treating music as a commodity, The Suburbs not only serves as a comment on the hidden traumas of suburban life, but also as a remembrance to youthful exuberance. Frontman Win Butler’s voice aches for past experiences, both real and also the ones he felt he should have had. It’s an anthem of exploration for today’s youth, as well as a call to take heed. But Butler doesn’t have all the answers to urban sprawl, and he doesn’t pretend that he does. Instead, The Suburbs is merely a mirror, allowing us to decide what we would do if we “could have it back, all the time that we wasted.” Hopefully Butler won’t think I’m wasting time if I’m listening to this.
TOP PICKS: "Ready to Start" | "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"
1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West[Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam]
It’s almost impossible to think of Kanye West without his ego. The rapper hasn’t explained his self-consciousness and shortcomings since The College Dropout back in 2004. And while West still hasn’t been able to get a grip on how ridiculous his lifestyle is, he is finally criticizing himself, along with the rest of the world. In doing so, he’s created his best album.
West’s ambition is only surpassed by his superb production, creating some of the best, most emotional beats not only in his career, but also out of all of the current rap game. Tracks flow seamlessly together, creating an artwork with layers of musical texture dripped on top of each other like a Jackson Pollock. But the music is only as powerful as its message; West’s time away from the limelight was transcendental, but also necessary for him to compile his torment into one dark, truly beautiful — and certainly twisted — fantasy.
TOP PICKS: "All of the Lights" | "Monster"
Did I miss anything? Let me know!
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