Metric - Fantasies
This album just fit my life this year. Questions of art, money, and happiness are all there. Check out this beautifully shot interview with singer Emily Haines if you haven’t already. She talks about moving to Buenos Aires to escape the pressure of making music in North America. I got to see a special acoustic duo version of Metric this summer in Boston, but missed seeing them as a full band, which I’ve heard is amazing.
Japandroids - Post-Nothing
I originally didn’t take Japandroids seriously because of the similarly hyped duo of No Age, but these guys are from Canada and just rock without pretension. A quick 35 raucous romp and certainly my favorite rocking out record of the year.
Art Brut - Art Brut vs. Satan
I’m almost as much of a sucker for Art Brut as I am for The Hold Steady. This album is full of anthems for things you knew you liked (drinking, middle school crushes) and things maybe you didn’t know you liked (riding the bus, extended adolescence). This also led into my re-discovery of The Replacements, which is always an amazing thing.
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Every year critics say that hip-hop is dead, but it’s definitely not this year. Mos Def is back after a 3 year hiatus and kills it. If you are tired of Kayne and the endless parade of shitty rappers, take a listen. Other notable great hip-hop records this year were Finale’s A Pipe Dream And A Promise and Mr. Lif’s I Heard it Today.
Micachu & the Shapes - Jewellery
I was hooked after I saw this video shot during CMJ last year. You can’t tell if Micachu is melodic or cacophonous, but you’ll definitely hear Matthew Herbert’s influence. If the album isn’t enough for you, check out the free Filthy Friends mixtape.
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - s/t
The songs on this album are old news if you’ve seen Dearland in the last few years, but it’s good to finally be able to hear them at home. You should also go see them live if you car because they are a great stage show.
Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us
Sure, the solo album of the vocoder/songwriter TOBACCO was on my 2008 list, but this is another great album. It’s a great snowy day chill-out album. My brain thinks this album is instrumental even though there is some “singing.” Ashe-villian was at BMSR’s show at Club 828 (what?) this summer.
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
The New Pornographers may have passed their expiration date, but it feels like Neko Case is still in her prime. With the exception the awkward enviro-ballad of Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth, pretty much every track is great. However, like the Pornographer’s, she gives a fairly lackluster live show.
Those Darlins - s/t
I’ve heard that this album pales in comparison to seeing these Tennessee girls live…which you can do this Thursday (January 7) at The Grey Eagle. They spent the fall opening for King Khan and BBQ Show (who also had a new album this fall) and isn’t that enough to make you curious.
Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall
Let’s be honest, Jay Reatard is an asshole. His antics make me hate him and never want to see him, but then I put on his records. Saying this record shows a more vulnerable side of Jay would sound totally emo so I’ll just say it’s just a great garage rock record.
Bonus Picks:
One of the things I’ve missed most about being away from Asheville has been seeing Reigning Sound as often as I want. The new record, Love and Curses, features a lot of songs you’ve probably heard them playing around. And then Greg Cartwright released the live solo acoustic LP, Live At the Circle A. I know you are suspect, but the man is dry, funny, and rocking.
