David Byrne & St. Vincent - Love This Giant (4AD/Todo Mundo)They sound good together, like a band, and bring out one another's strengths. Simply put, I like this. They use a lot of horns. Seems like a clever way to get their audiences to overlap, as well as stimulate the creativity of 2 solid songwriters. That being said, I do prefer the cuts Byrne sings.
Favorite track: "I Am An Ape"
California Wives - Art History (Vagrant)
Chicago has pop bands! Initially I thought it was all math rock and explorations of Afropop around here, but it turns out we have some chimey, harmonizing, funtime shiz too. These kids push my happy buttons.
Favorite track: "Marianne"
Cat Power - Sun (Matador)
Collaborating with a French producer known for his work with Phoenix, there's an electrodance sheen to her contemplative music this time out. Yes I was dubious at first, but it's clear she's pushing herself to try new sounds. Ultimately a woman as talented as Chan Marshall knows how to make good art.
Favorite track: "Ruin"
Dark Time Sunshine - ANX (Fake Four, Inc.)
Onry Ozzborn is the MC, Zavala the producer. Ozzborn is known as part of Pac NW badass collective Oldominion, and the gothy Grayskul. Zavala is a Chicago beatmaker who builds dark, stark soundscapes for Ozzborn to rhyme over. The combination is an underground post-hip-hop gem.Favorite track: "Take My Hand"
Deep Sea Diver - History Speaks (self-released)
Jessica Dobson, a sometime member of The Shins, is the primary creative force behind this sharp pop trio from Seattle. On their debut full-length they show off a knack for catchy piano plinks, singalong choruses, tribal percussion and soulful melodies, alongside big drums with equally big production effects and reverb.Favorite track: "Keep It Moving"
The Helio Sequence - Negotiations (Sub Pop)
Hard to believe it's just two people, but they've always been deceptively simple. The essential elements persist: overjoyed drummer, effects-laden guitar, spaced-out synths, songs about relationships. Five albums in, after the lead singer lost his voice and had to relearn how to sing, these guys have smoothed out the edges. The result is a more haunting, lyrically heavy effort.Favorite track: "Downward Spiral"
Eleni Mandell - I Can See the Future (Yep Roc)
I've been a fan of Ms. Mandell since her 2000 sophomore album, and watched her evolve from a dark Tom Waitsian chanteuse to a softer, summery torch pop singer. Seeing her live recently for the first time in many years was terrific. Fun Fact: She decided to go ahead and have kids on her own, artificial insemination style, and ended up with twins!Favorite track: "I'm Lucky"
Mind Spiders - Meltdown (Dirtnap)
Totally catchy, visceral, jump-around-the-bus-stop-with-headphones-on punk rock. I can't resist the awesome. Initially a solo project from a dude named Mark Ryan in Denton TX, this is the 2nd album, which features the band members he assembled for touring after the first LP.
Favorite track: "Fall in Line"
Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (Barsuk)
Soaring indie rock just gets me every time, and Nada Surf are among the finest purveyors around. I admire their dynamics, harmonies, and melancholy vibe. Lovely.
Also, maybe there was gonna be a completely different artist/album here, and maybe that artist/label decided to make it really really difficult for people like me to link to their music, and maybe I decided "well fuck em then."
Favorite track: "When I Was Young"
Nneka - Soul Is Heavy (Decon)
Dad is Nigerian, Mom is German. Raised in Nigeria and then relocated to Hamburg, Nneka's music is an understandably expansive approach to soul + R&B, with a dash of hip-hop. Political lyrics abound. Nneka is not playin around, folks.
Favorite track: "Soul is Heavy"
** I will post #11-20 next week, and the Top Ten in 2 weeks! And if you missed it, here's entries #31-40. **
