Their Kids Are Gonna Be Talented

Jack White remarkably didn’t make it onto my list this year. His latest Dead Weather release made him a contender, but ultimately it didn’t make the cut. That’s not to say, however, that his influence isn’t still felt. Number nine this year is the first of two members of the ever-present Jack White musical cadre. In fact, Karen Elson, despite being a newcomer and releasing only her debut album in 2010, is a member of the JW inner circle. Now, some might consider her releasing The Ghost Who Walks an act of nepotism, considering her other name is Mrs. Jack White and she is mother to his children. Some might also suggest I’m playing favorites on this year’s list because of the association. There may be some validity to this argument. After all JW did produce the album and his Raconteurs-style country/folk is pervasive throughout the album. That being said, she has a lovely voice and is a very talented songwriter and not only does this album belong among the best of the year, but she deserves all the accolades for it. (On a side note, I can't help but wonder if he didn't pair up with her due at least in part to the fact that her red hair and white skin fit with his strictly enforced color code.)

The album kicks off with two slow seductive tracks, the title cut and The Truth Is In The Dirt, both of which start out with eerie keyboard lines and the latter of which builds to a very White Stripes-esque steel guitar and electric guitar call-and-response. The fourth track, Lunasa, is possibly my favorite song of the year (depending on the day and my mood). It’s a beautiful, delicate three-part reflection on the end of summer and the heartbreak that comes with the changing of the seasons. The three parts play perfectly together and this track really showcases Karen’s beautiful voice. The next track, 100 Years From Now, is a vaudevillian romp which isn’t my favorite track, but one that I value as part of the collection as a whole because perfectly exemplifies the album’s richness and diversity. Cruel Summer is another very light-hearted and countrified tale of said season and speaking of country, The Last Laugh is a tender love song that sounds like it could easily be in the CMT Top 20. The album definitely starts stronger than it finishes, but among many great folk genre contributions this year, including strong releases by Ray LaMontagne and Robert Plant, this was the one that stuck with me most. With Karen Elson’s ability and her position as a member of pop music royalty, I suspect the best is yet to come.

Happy New Year to one and all! I can think of no better way to ring in the 2011 than with a review of the latest from one of my music idols. Log on next year to hear all about my eighth favorite album of this year.

Battle of the Bells

It was the year of the Bells. March gave us Broken Bells, the highly anticipated collaboration between Danger Mouse and Portland’s own James Mercer. The self-titled album exploded out of the gates with the wildly popular and constantly-radio-played single The High Road. This track comes replete with DM’s signature bloops and bleeps, a deeply satisfying tempo change and a hook more infectious than your annual Christmas cold sore. The rest of the album offers more of the same and I find myself returning to it on regular occasion. However, I must admit
that Danger Mouse fatigue is setting in. Actually it’s past setting in; that happened after The Black Keys’ Magic Potion was released. It’s become a low-grade fever at this point and will have likely progressed to a full systemic illness by the time his recently-announced plans to produce the next U2 album come to fruition. It’s pretty much become a rule for me at this point that as soon as any musician becomes associated with Bono and company they immediately cease to be cool or relevant (see Kings of Leon). That being said, I reserve the right to eat my own words as I recently learned of a forthcoming album inspired by Ennio Morricone with guest vocals by Jack White (more on that soon). Furthermore, The Grey Album alone earns him some supply of lifetime credibility in my book.

July saw the release of School of Seven Bells’ sophomore effort, Disconnect From Desire. This band doesn’t have the sound I typically go for, but they’re kind of the sentimental favorite. I was introduced to them by chance at a Thanksgiving night show two years ago when they opened for M83. My wife, sister-in-law and I ended up at the Doug Fir that rainy Portland

holiday night for lack of anything better to do and ended up seeing a great show. The sisters Schoen took a particular shine to the band comprised of the sisters Deheza and Ben Curtis of the Secret Machines. They’re typically pigeonholed in the “shoegaze” genre, but they’re much more than that in my opinion. The centerpiece of the band is the strong vocal harmonies created by the identical twin singers. Their second release builds on their first, the excellent Alpinisms. The vocal arpeggios are back and the 80’s synths are in full force. While Disconnect probably doesn’t quite reach the heights of Alpinisms, it is well-constructed with standout tracks like Windstorm and Babelonia. Expect more awesomeness from SVIIB in years to come.

Situated right between the above albums with a June release was Sleigh Bells’ debut album, Treats. I’ll just cut right to the chase and say that this one claimed the spot on my list. Early on I was calling it a guilty pleasure as I felt it was a bit gimmicky and didn’t break any new ground. These days I’ve shed the guilt and embraced the raw power that is Sleigh Bells. Bottom line: this band is all catchy hooks and all big fat beats. A June release was perfect for this album because it’s one of those ones you turn up really loud and play over and over again and it inevitably becomes a soundtrack for summer. Premium tracks are Run the Heart with an absolutely punishing bass line and the concluding Treats which features an epic guitar riff that would make even the CDMC’s resident metal head stand up and take notice. I had the pleasure of seeing this band open for The Black Keys a couple of weeks ago and let me tell you, that bass is indeed punishing. These guys are in close contention with the lady singer who claimed ninth best album on this list for new artist of the year. Stay tuned as her identity will be revealed tomorrow.

Best of 2010 - ZH version

What a difference a year makes. Last December I was scrounging to throw together a top 5 albums list of 2009. This year, on the other hand, the cup runneth over as I’m once again putting forth a list of ten phenomenal releases from the past twelve months. This year’s list still has a strong indie rock representation, but 2010 brings a little more diversity to the table with a good amount of contemplative folk, a dash of dependable blues and even a set of live covers of Italian film score songs (!)

Yes, it was a great year in music, though not exactly the year I was expecting. Many of the artists making appearances on my best of the year lists in the recent past released new albums this year that surprisingly fell short. Bands like Spoon, Dr. Dog, and Blitzen Trapper released solid but ultimately forgettable new music and didn’t make the cut. Other artists were involved with side projects that were high priority when I heard news of their upcoming releases, but lower priority after I actually heard the material. Maximum Balloon, side project of TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek missed the mark for me as did, with much regret, the second Dead Weather album.

This year I was also reminded that beauty is in the ear of the beholder. I may have spent too much time seeking out critically lauded albums instead of focusing my efforts on my specific tastes. I tend to do this because I like to be exposed to new and exciting sounds and am always interested in broadening my horizons. To some degree it works and a few of them did end up on my list. In other instances I’m left scratching my head. A prime example is the new release from Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. Am I the only who feels like I’m the butt of a huge universal joke, perpetrated by every critic, music blogger and iTunes user in the country? What is redeeming about this music? The craziest part is that most reviews say this is his most accessible album to date. At any rate, this is the last bit of energy and attention I’ll be devoting to Ariel Pink and I advise anyone who reads this to follow my lead.

On to more worthwhile topics. Tomorrow I’ll kick off my best of 2010 list with number ten. In a year packed with so much quality, it’s only fitting that the final spot on my list comes down to a photo finish. Much like the NCAA’s added a play-in 65^th team to the bracket, I’ve expanded my list to include a three-band playoff. As the Christmas season concludes and we’ve been inundated with Jingle Bells, Silver Bells and Carol of the Bells I felt it only appropriate to stick with the theme. Check back here tomorrow for the Battle of the Bells.

Shameless Music Plug

iMainGo: Best portable music player on the market. Among USA Today's top tech gifts for 2010.
(I have no disclosure statements to make about this product, it is just awesome)

iMainGo X product review