Music in 2010.

Sorry it has been so long since my last entry, but I am actually working on something that's taking up more time than I figured (but I promise it'll appear on here soon!). But, in the meantime, I thought that it might be a good time to post some end-of-the-year lists, musically related ones that is. Although I don't think I will surprise anyone.

FAVOURITE ALBUMS

1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat the Devil's Tattoo
What a surprise! I really don't think I need to explain just how much I love this band, but I will say that I don't understand why this album doesn't appear in any end of the year lists (then again, I don't think I've ever agreed with any end-of-year lists by music journalists), because it really is a FANTASTIC album. I think it's their best, and that's saying something. It has some of my absolute favourite songs of the year and only one song I don't particularely like (Bad Blood just bores me), it's nice and loud (sorry neighbours) and just so good. Words always fail me when talking about this band. Favourite song: "Half State" is pretty EPIC.



2. Wovenhand - The Threshingfloor
I will never love Wovenhand as much as I love 16 Horsepower. Really, I won't, probably because Wovenhand are just a bit more polished. But this album is wonderful, it's bleak, gloomy but strangely reassuring and warm. Nobody does creepy-and-depressing-yet-comforting as well as David Eugene Edwards, that's for sure.
Favourite song: "The Threshingfloor"

"The Threshingfloor"

3. Foals - Total Life Forever
I love Foals. I find them exciting and inspiring and intriguing and they just make me want to dance. This album is quite different from their first, in that it seems to have more layers and is more complex, yet it also has some of the most poppy songs (Miami, This Orient) they've written. (Un)surprisingly enough, those are really the only two songs I don't love (Miami has grown on me though), all the others are so good and perhaps even beautiful. They also translate so well live, which is always a plus! Favourite song: "What Remains" but I can't seem to find that on youtube, so have my second favourite, "Total Life Forever".



4.Hot Hot Heat - Future Breeds
Not gonna lie, their last album Happines Ltd wasn't so good. I mean, strings that sound like a crappy synthesizer are never a good idea. Ever. Happiness Ltd had some amazing tracks but just less than stellar recordings. But Future Breeds is like good old-fashioned Hot Hot Heat again!! Only.. more mature and maybe even a bit better. It's still happy danceable ridiculously-catchy indie-pop with the familiar vocals of Steve Bays, and sometimes there is really nothing better to listen to. Definitely their best effort since Make up the Breakdown. Favourite song: "Future Breeds"



5. She and Him - Volume Two.
I can't help it, I love Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward's beautiful pop songs. There's a certain innocence about them, and listening to this album feels like putting a warm blanket around me, it's comforting and uplifting and relaxing. Favourite song: "Over it Over Again"




FAVOURITE SONGS NOT ON THESE ALBUMS
(Otherwise top 5 would be just BRMC...)
1. Janelle Monáe - Tightrope
C'mon, JUST LOOK AT THIS. SHE IS THE MOST BADASS PERSON IN THE WORLD:



2. Micah P. Hinson - The Striking Before the Storm
This is such an incredibly lovely song, reminds me of why I love Micah's music so much. Micah P. Hinson and the Pioneer Saboteurs (it's my #6 album of the year) has some amazing songs, like "2's and 3's" and "My God, My God" and "Watchers, Tell Us of the Night", but none of them are as good as "The Striking Before the Storm".


3. Sarah Blasko - No Turning Back
I know that officially this album was released in 2009, but it wasn't released here till 2010 so I think I can count one of her songs! There's a bunch I love on As Day Follows Night like "All I Want", "Bird on a Wire", "Hold on My Heart" and "Lost and Defeated", but "No Turning Back" is my favourite, I think.


4. Sia - Stop Trying
What can I say, I'm just a sucker for a good pop song. And for Sia's voice.


5. Gogol Bordello - Sun is On My Side
Usually my favourite Gogol Bordello songs are the hyperactive ones you can jump to like a manic (especially Mishto!) but this song is just so simple and lovely.



FAVOURITE SHOWS
1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Batschkapp Frankfurt [22-11-2010]
2. Shostakovich's Eleventh Symphony, De Doelen Rotterdam [19-11-2010]
3. Raskatov's "A Dog's Heart", Stopera Amsterdam [18-06-2010]
4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Batschkapp, Frankfurt [23-11-2010]
5. Foals, Melkweg Amsterdam [29-11-2010]