2010 Sucked! And Here's Why... (A "Best-Of's" Mix) [2010]

2010 has come and gone quickly, but in that seemingly small amount of time a large amount of good music has been put out. So now is the time when we celebrate. Here's 23 of my favorite songs this year. It's 22 completely different artists with only 1 group having more than one song (I'm sorry, I just loved Settler's album so much). So hopefully you'll give it a listen, find some new music, and discover why 2010 was really that good. Some albums I've reviewed, some I haven't (shame on me) so some will have links to the full album set up. Hopefully 2011 will be half as good as 2010.

Tracklisting:
1. Gypsyblood - Take Your Picture (From the EP GYSPYBLOOD)
2. Circa Survive - Get Out (From the album Blue Sky Noise)
3. Portugal. The Man - 1000 Years (From the album American Ghetto)
4. Tides Of Man - Home (From the album Dreamhouse)
5. Zach Hill - Face Tat (From the album Face Tat)
6. Motion City Soundtrack - Disappear (From the album My Dinosaur Life)
7. What's Left Of The Trees - Wake Me! You're Not Waking Me! (From the EP Where There's Water, There Must Be Shore)
8. Foxy Shazam - Wanna-Be Angel (From the album Foxy Shazam)
9. The Black Keys - Sinister Kid (From the album Brothers)
10. Native - Ponyboy (From the album Wrestling Moves)
11. Maps And Atlases - Solid Ground (From the album Perch Patchwork)
12. The Xcerts - Slackerpop (From the album Scatterbrain)
13. Look Mexico - They Offered Me A Deal (I Said No, Naturally) (From the album To Bed To Battle)
14. Fang Island - Sideswiper (From the album Fang Island)
15. Lost Apparitions - Hey Zeus (From the album Old Friends On New Planets)
16. Tera Melos - Frozen Zoo (From the album Patagonian Rats)
17. Settler - * (From the album War Wolves)
18. Minus The Bear - The Thief (From the album OMNI)
19. Settler - War Wolves (From the album War Wolves)
20. Options - Static (From the album Some Light)
21. Snowing - Mark Z. Danielewski (From the album I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted)
22. The Dear Hunter -B. Linus (From the EP The Branches EP)
23. Tubelord - Night Of The Pencils (From the album One For The Grandparents)


- A

Portugal. The Man Concert

Last night I went to see a Portugal. The Man concert. Needless to say, it was amazing. I expected them to be good, but their show completely exceeded my expectations. It started out with a great opening performance by Morning Teleportation. I had never heard of them previous to the show, but they were very enjoyable with both good music and an entertaining performance. Next was The Builders And The Butchers, who were alright, but not as good as the other two bands.

Then the moment I had been anticipating all evening. The stage filled with fog and then, in the midst of it, Portugal. The Man started their set. They sounded just as good, possibly even better, than on their albums. Their live performance had so much energy, which really brought the music to life. It was accompanied by a dope light show, which matched their music perfectly, and was one of the best light shows I have seen. They played a good variety of songs, both newer (The Sun, Do You, People Say) and older (Chicago,) and they even played an epic version of my favorite song of theirs, AKA M80 The Wolf complete with an improvised jam session in the middle. They played this song last, and when they finished the last crowd assisted, "I am but a man, but a proud, proud man," the place erupted in applause and then chanting for one more song. Portugal. The Man was happy to return to stage to play the beautiful acousic song Created, and then 1989, which was a great closer for the night. I'd recommend definitely attending Portugal. The Man when they play near you; I know I'll be going back to their next show.

-T

Portugal. The Man - Waiter: "You Vultures!" [2006]

I will hopefully be going to see Portugal. The Man, my favorite Alaskan quartet, tomorrow, so I decided to put up my favorite release from the band for ya'll to enjoy. This album is definitely one of my favorite albums ever created; there is just so much to love about it.

From the first opening notes of How The Leopard Got Its Spots until the final mechanical dissonance of Guns. Guns... Guns, and throughout all the songs in between, there is such a cool feeling projected by the music. It is laid back, yet so complex and technical sounding. You can hear so many layers to this music, from the guitar hooks, to the melodic keyboards, to the electronic backbeat, to the perfectly fitting vocals, and it all comes together beautifully.

Not only is the music amazing, the lyrics are just as profound and talented. Lines like "If I were a god I'd be the greatest of all, With a speech so soft that loud it would kill you, Standing up tall from the top of that hill, I'd shout out commands to down below," and "We'll take steps to make sure our failures are hidden" show that talent. Other lyrics on the album are not nearly as serious, but more trippy and humerous, like "Shout at pavement that's sprouting up turnips, Who are shouting right back, "We don't need your lectures!" Also, the album art is one of my favorite covers, and the image matches the music exactly.

This album is without a doubt a solid listen; if you haven't heard it yet definitely check it out. It is classy, soulful, and unique and would be at home playing in the background at a coffee shop, in the car with the windows rolled down on a hot summer day, or on your record player in your house. Its mellow goodness is like soul food.

Genre: Indie, Experimental, Progressive

For Fans Of: Minus The Bear, Circa Survive, The Dear Hunter

Contact: Website
Tracklisting:

1. How the Leopard Got Its Spots
2. Gold Fronts
3. Stables & Chairs
4. AKA M80 The Wolf
5. Marching With 6
6. Elephants
7. Waiter
8. Chicago
9. Bad, Bad Levi Brown

10. Kill Me. The King
11. Tommy

12. Horse Warming Party

13. Guns.Guns...Guns

-T

Portugal. The Man - American Ghetto [2010]

Portugal. The Man released their new album American Ghetto and it is amazing! It is available for purchase on their website, or on iTunes. Only a digital copy has been released so far, the actual physical CD and vinyl will be released sometime in May.

I've been bumpin American Ghetto almost non-stop since it came out. The album has a great feeling to it, with experimental instrumentals and John Gourley's mellow vocals laid over some beats that at some parts of the album almost seem suited for electronica or rap. It is wonderful to listen to all the way through, but some standout tracks are Fantastic Pace (I love the intro to this song), 1000 Years, When The War Ends (sounds like an 80's dance song, full of groovy goodness), and the single from the album The Dead Dog.

For those of you who are already Portugal. The Man fans, American Ghetto seemed to me like It's Complicated Being A Wizard style music with Satanic Satanist style vocals, which is a beautiful combination. For those of you who aren't already Portugal. The Man fans, why aren't you? Go listen to some of their music and you will be hooked. This is my favorite album release of 2010 so far! So go support the band and buy their new music, it is worth every cent. After all, this is Portugal. The Man so it is just as EPIC as expected.

Genre: Indie, Experimental, Progressive
For Fans Of: Circa Survive, As Tall As Lions, The Dear Hunter
Contact: Website
Tracklisting:
1. The Dead Dog
2. Break
3. 60 Years
4. All My People
5. 1000 Years
6. Fantastic Pace
7. The Pushers Party
8. Do What We Do
9. Just a Fool
10. Some Men
11. When the War Ends

-T

New Portugal. The Man Song

The first new song from Portugal. The Man's upcoming album American Ghetto has been released and it is sick! Another super chill track from these musical geniuses. And you can download if for free from a link on their facebook page. Check it out fo sho.

-T