Best Of/ Top Singles/Albums of 2010

01.   Mark Ronson & The Business Intl ft. MNDR and Q-Tip – “Bang Bang Bang” This is taken from my blog, because I am that lazy. This song is genius! “Bang Bang Bang” gives tribute to an old French nursery rhyme called Alouette in a fun way. We’ve got Amanda Warner (MNDR) and Q-Tip contributing their fantastic vocals. Now I never knew the nursery rhyme as much as I knew Frère Jacques but this still created an interesting concept for the song verses and video. The video started off with a cute commercial (with a little girl singing the Alouette nursery rhyme), an introduction-based interview of some sort, and then an almost futuristic action-related video. It’s clearly better to see this for yourselves. In addition to being a unique and catchy song, it introduced me to MNDR and re-confirmed my disappointment in not checking out Q-Tip as much as I wish I did. At first I thought it was just Amanda on her own but she works with Peter Wade to form an electronc duo, but we’re getting off-tipic here. All that needs to be known is that this song, video, and the guests on this song should all be checked out!

Best Of/ Singles of 2010 (cont.)

03. Kanye West “Power” Kanye is such a genius. I know that it’s pretty sad that he’s on this list and not my albums list but that’s because I took forever listening to his album and I need to be in the mood for it. I still do recognize how great it was though because I liked hearing it whenever my friends played it. It was this song that got me mostly interested in the album though and that is why I figured I’d rather write about this song than the album. The video was amazing and the Saturday Night Live performance was somehow even better… and I’m not sure how Kanye continues to crank out such amazing performances but whatever he is on that makes him not seem personable, he should continue just for his musical geniusness. This needs to be heard and seen, especially the saturday night live performance.

Best Of/ Albums of 2010 (cont.)

brought to you by delicious bread w/ spinach + artichoke dip from Olive Garden!

03.Alphabeat – The Spell | release date (UK):March 01, 2010

top five pecks: Hole in my Heart / The Spell / The Beat Is / DJ / Chess
Not going to lie, I have been waiting so long to put this on my list. I was going to put this on my list last year but then I realized it would not technically be released here until 2010… It still has yet to be released here… regardless, I knew I had to put it on my list and I knew it was going to be one of my top five albums. It’s somewhat funny because I didn’t hear the big deal when my friend first introduced me to Alphabeat. Then, when I really did get into them, he was not that much into them. I think he’s started to slightly come around, especially after their AlphaMonsterMash, which is a mash-up/cover of Lady Gaga’s Telephone and Bad Romance :p If you’re into fun, electronic pop, and have yet to check Alphabeat out… do it nauwww! /arnoldschwartznegger

Best Of/ Singles of 2010 (continued)

Ravenous tourist brings you

11. The Sea of Bees “Willis”* I heard this song way too late. It reminds me of when I first heard of Headlights – “Cherry Tulips” and it just had me feeling good for a while. This may be the highest song that I am not certain if it is a single or not. I don’t even know if this is the actual video for the song. Disregarding all of that, it’s been a fun song and I’m glad NPR had it featured on their all songs considered podcast. This song seems to be more about recovering after learning to not trust… and I love when you can’t really tell what the song is about because the music somewhat contradicts the lyrics. Then again, this could all be my odd interpretation.

Best Of/ Albums of 2010 (continued)

brought to you by the 100% accurate TiMER, which takes the guesswork out of love.

11.The Morning Benders – Big Echo
release date: March 9, 2010 | top two pecks: Excuses / All Day Day Light

How was this not their debut album because I just can’t believe I didn’t hear about them before.

Best Of/ more Singles of 2010

brought to you by the black swan.

21. Black Keys - Tighten Up
Why did I never check out the album when this song is so great?! Then again, this is the only single I heard.
22. Brown Eyed Girls - Abracadabra*
I know this is from 2009 but I did not know that originally. Another korean pop song is to show up higher.
23. NIVA - Ghost in my Head*
Someone introduced me to this sometime early 2010 and ever since then it gets randomly stuck in my head.
24. The Hundred in the Hands - Ghosts*
Hey, remember them from close calls last year? They’re a lot higher now! If only this was an official single.
25. Charlotte Gainsbourg ft. Beck - Heaven Can Wait
I don’t know how I really love hearing this song and yet never really checked out Charlotte’s album.
26. Mike Tompkins - Only Girl / Ellie Goulding - Only Girl
These covers sound much better than original while still sounding much different. Another tie is yet to come.
27. Wisin Y Yandel - Irrestible
Every year, there has to be at least one reggaeton song, haha. I’m just really lazy at finding such.
28. Pink - Raise Your Glass
My friend told me about this song a little too late. You can’t go wrong with Pink.
29. Selena Gomez - Round and Round
I sort of wish I listened to her more last year. She’s quite great, one of my favorites from Disney.
30. Skyway Flyer - California Dorks
For the longest time, I refused to get the original and just listened to this. I still prefer this to some degree.
31. Darkstar – Automating*
I loved having this on repeat the last few months. I don’t believe this is a single but who cares?
32. Massive Attack – Paradise Circus
This is a single but the original video for this seems like it doesn’t do it justice, so I linked generic audio.
33. Roisin Murphy – Momma’s Place*
I thought this was a single but turns out there was no video for this  Roisin, make more music!
34. Washed Out – Feel it All Around
Chillwave? Regardless, good relaxing music… that apparently does not have an official video?
35. Sharon Van Etten – Don’t Do It
Another example of where there may have been a single but I liked another song a bit more.
36. Mux Mool – Night Court *
This is a great song to drive to… and another example of “is this a single or not?!”
37. BT – Always
Listening parties amongst friends always helps introduce new songs… here’s one of them.
38. Mike Posner – Please Don’t Go
I don’t know why I find this song so addictive. It was probably my most played song in the last few months.
39. Far East Movement ft. The Cataracs – Like a G6
Speaking of overplayed songs… this song is like my song when it comes to my friends. Ridiculous lyrics.
40. Down with Webster – Your Man
I don’t know why this song makes me feel so good when the lyrics are so bad. Still, great song.

Note: An asterisk (*) could signify a song that may have not been a single.

Best Of/ Albums of 2010

This has been one insane year. While music has played less of a role than previously, there are still albums and singles that remind me of certain moments, good and bad. This year’s title references a song that I really liked last year, “Embrace” by PNAU, because I think that best defines 2010 for me. Anyway, enough of the heartfelt introduction, time to start off the albums (both LPs and EPs are allowed) list!

cat who farts and hiccups at the same time presents

So I gave these albums an actual shot but my perception could not meet the actual talent that was presented.

Best Of/ Singles of 2010

brought to you by a saint or the most boring action figure you have ever seen

41. Blur – “Fool’s Day”
Blur = Awesome. I don’t know what else to say, other than that this song was a nice surprise.
42. Chemical Brothers – “Swoon”
Chemical Brothers are always a delight to listen to.
43. Best Coast – “When I’m with You”
The world is lazy but you and me, we’re just crazy. This song just makes me feel good, haha.
44. Matt & Kim – “Cameras”*
I almost had a chance to see them… and yet I failed
45. Steel Train – “Turnpike Ghost”*
I got to see them but I didn’t appreciate them as much as I should have.
46. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – “The Drop”*
Also another artist that is great and better live.
47. Beach House – “Zebra”
Surprisingly, Gossip Girl had this and it was just a nice feeling song.
48. The Walkmen – “Woe is Me”*
I know this is not a single but this was my favorite song from them, so I had to include it.
49. Uffie ft. Pharrell Williams – “ADD SUV”
This is probably the only song I heard a lot by Uffie that I actually did like a lot.
50. Real Estate – “Beach Comber”*
Thanks to someone’s obsession, I came to appreciate this.
51. The Pipettes – Call Me
I’m so glad I knew they had newer stuff out but other stuff overpowered them.
52. Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – Stereo Love
Horrible ringback since it gets stuck in my head after each call. The accordion is beautiful though.
53. Sade – Soldier of Love
I like whenever I heard this randomly but that’s about it. Never could get into it on my own.
54. Toro Y Moi – Talamak
This made me think of Passion Pit and Animal Collective.
55. Pharrell Williams – Despicable Me*
Great movie with a very interesting/creative song that may or may not be a single.
56. B.o.B. ft. Rivers Cuomo – Magic
It’s magic, magic, maaggiic!
57. Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull – I Like it
The club is on fire. I like it. Tonight (I’m Loving You) should have came out sooner.
58. Gucci Mane – Lemonade
Oh man, so many memories associated with this song. This song/video worries me. GUCCI!
59. Timbaland ft. Justin Timberlake – Carry Out
I wish Justin would stop collaborating for other artists and make another album!
60. Sam Adams – Driving me Crazy
Super catchy, that’s really about it.
61. Cake – “Sick Of You”
I meant to check out the actual album but I checked out this song a bit too late.
62. New Young Pony Club – “Chaos!”
I had no idea NYPC had new material when I heard this… then I forgot about their new material.
63. Corinne Bailey Rae – “I’d Do It All Again”
As would I, Corinne.
64. Oliver North Boy Choir – “Teenage Lust”*
I’m not sure if this was a single but I loved this too much from Gossip Girl.
65. Christian Rich – “Hello Virgin”
Oh, my, goodness. Creepy/WTF song and video. I’m slightly annoyed but intrigued.
66. Hot Hot Heat – “21@12″
It’s pretty much the same deal as NYPC, except I was less excited here.
67. Broken Social Scene – “Texico Bitches”
Texico bitches, i hope you stick around.
68. Leighton Meester ft. Robin Thicke – “Somebody to Love”
I wish I heard more from Leighton Meester, outside of Gossip Girl.
69. Bruno Mars – “Grenade”
I’d take grenades for yaaaa! My friend first heard “fuck yeah” instead. Hilarious.
70. Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
I was so close to being able to shove my way through a group screaming “I came to move, move, move!”
71. Kisses – “Bermuda”
72. TOBACCO ft. Beck – “Fresh Hex”
73. Wild Nothing – “Chinatown”
74. Frightened Rabbit – “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”
75. Band of Horses – “Laredo”
76. Adele – “Rolling in the Deep”
77. Local Natives – “Airplanes”
78. Samuel – “I Heart NY”
79. Maroon 5 – “Misery”
80. Sky Ferreira – “One”

Note: An asterisk (*) could signify a song that may have not been a single.

102710: Metric w/ Muse at John Paul Jones Arena (and other bits)

It’s somewhat weird to think that I never wrote about my experience seeing Nine Inch Nails at JPJ two years ago. They were pretty much incredible live, with Health opening for them. They were the only concert where I experienced the actual crazy moshing, but that’s probably because they are the only outlying artist (other than Deftones) that I have seen live. It could also be because of the venue.

When looking at the venue, I got to visit it again for Metric with Muse. Just a few days before the concert in Charlottesville, I got to see Metric on their own (with an opening band from Richmond) at the National and that was quite a treat. Not only was their set longer, obviously, but they ended their encore with acoustic Combat Baby.

Enough about that though, since this entry is more about Muse and Metric, making it a very special concert. Last year, around the same time actually, Muse came to Charlottesville to open for U2. My friend and I went to that mostly because it was Muse and because it was Muse and U2 so close to us. Well, we ended up taking a very long unintended detour which cost us not being able to actually see Muse perform. While we were getting there, we heard the music, but when we got into our seats, that’s when they went off stage. It was quite sad, seeing U2 was able to have 3 amazing encores (not complaining at all about that, just wish we could have seen Muse do their songs at some point too). So, when we heard they were coming back, we knew we had to go.

With the fact that I saw Metric earlier that week and heard (and wanted to see) Muse the previous year, this was going to be one exciting concert… and it was! Metric did most of the same songs, in almost the same order but much like with both concerts, they had more energy in their songs than actually trying to have a conversation with the audience. That might be the only thing I wanted more out of their performances, more things said by them. Still, they were both great as a main act and as an opening band.

Muse, on the other hand, was amazing. I remember somewhat seeing how their performance was last year, and how great it was, but it was truly nice to see how they set the stage this year. They definitely made the most of JPJ, much like Nine Inch Nails did two years ago, and it somewhat reminded me of how crazy U2 had their set up. All-in-all, all the essential senses were thought of when it came to this concert.

Live Concerts

This year has been pretty good when it comes to live concerts that I have been able to catch. It started off with Drake, who was not completely worth the money but still good to catch, and then Tegan and Sara with Holly Miranda, who was absolutely adorable. After a summer of silence, came another storm of concerts.

Deftones

Last month (September 1st), I was able to catch Deftones, who were way better than I expected. The crowd was actually tame, since after seeing Nine Inch Nails, I had come to expect a lot of moshing. I assume the venue here just does not allow moshing, haha. Either way, they had Baroness open for them, who were actually pretty good. When Deftones came out, they started with Diamond Eyes. Some of the songs from their setlist included: My Own Summer (Shove It), Be Quiet and Drive Away (Far Away), CMND/CTRL, and Nosebleed. Of course, there was an encore but they only did two songs: Engine #9 and 7 Words. I think my favorite performances were Change (In The House of Flies) and 7 Words. Seriously great way to end the show.

Opener for New Pronographers

Earlier this week, I was able to catch Tokyo Police Club and New Pornographers. Talk about an amazing tour! The opening band was Tokyo Police Club and they definitely brought energy to the concert. They exceeded whatever expectations I had for them. They actually made me think of the energy I had seen from Kaiser Chiefs at the Weezer/Foo Fighters tour, which definitely had me psyched for the rest of the concert. They were also pretty interactive. They actually incorporated clapping in 1/3 of their songs (Citizens of Tomorrow, Wait Up (Boots of Danger), Bambi), which made me really get into the mood. There was also some singing done along to “Wait Up”! I’d honestly love to see them again, but they’ll be in DC (October 30) when I won’t be! I also wish I got their autographs but I wasn’t thinking after the concert. It’s fine though, the experience was well worth it.

Now, the main feature of this post… New Pornographers! I’ve always liked them when I randomly heard them but I never completely got into them. I finally got around to getting some albums this year and I’ve still mostly had to be in the mood to listen to them. Well, this concert changed them. They were AMAZING live. It actually made me like them a lot more! Much like Tokyo Police Club, they tried to be interactive and were pretty funny with their stories. They reminded me a tad of Tegan and Sara in that respect… not too crazy but something adorable is said whenever they do talk. I originally heard of them when I heard Sing Me Spanish Techno on Woxy.com (which they performed live in this concert too!). The reason this concert is what got me more into them was being able to see how much was involved in their music. They had so many glorious instruments used and such catchy hooks… you could actually see the excitement and fun they had while they performed the music. It was an amazing experience I will never forget.