And... scene!
We complete our year-end wrap-up features with a look at the favorite albums of RFSL staff members Brad Roberts, Kathryn Pinto, Octavius, VFSL Jed, Jane McCarthy, Jackie Lam, and Joe Fielder.
(Next week, we'll have several forward-looking articles focusing on what's next for some of LA's best acts and groups you should keep an eye out for in 2011.)
Kathryn Pinto
No Age - Everything in Between
About two minutes into this record I was in love. I came to No Age a little late in the game. They were signed right before I moved to LA so I can’t claim any indie cred, I just like the way every song is a battle of noise vs. pop. I love that pop comes out a little bit ahead on this album.
The National - High Violet
I’m not really a National fan, but “Bloodbuzz Ohio” has got to be one of the best songs of the year if not the evar. I can never listen to this record without thinking about the time I played it at work, all like, “listen guys I’ve got the new National record (even though I’m not really a big National fan, this is just the coolest thing in my ipod).” On “Sorrow” when the line, “I don’t wanna get over you” played, one of my coworkers--who I suspect had spent a few evenings listening to the song in a sad dark corner of his bedroom--said in response “Get over her, go to Vegas, do what you gotta do, take care of your business.” Every time I hear the song I can’t stop laughing at that line. It made me want to go back and listen to the rest of the album, which is excellent.
The Deadly Syndrome - Nolens Volens
Where do I even begin? This album is so good. It’s a grower, you’re rewarded for repeated listenings as the songs bloom and develop as themes are introduced and return. You have to let these songs sink in before you fully appreciate them. There isn’t a big poppy sound to hook you in or an immediate payoff. The beauty is in the instrumentation. A song like “Armrest” begins quietly beautiful then builds, adding more parts, including trumpet, to a full crescendo by the song’s end.
Shadow Shadow Shade - Shadow Shadow Shade
I first heard this album almost completely cold (I’d heard one or two songs on their myspace page) in a dark room in the company of the band and a small group of Silver Lake music people. I didn’t know what to expect and was a little afraid that I wouldn’t like what I was about to hear. From the opening notes of “Is this a Tempest in the shape of a Bell?” my fears were allayed.
Laura Veirs - July Flame
Tucker Martine’s production makes this album. I would have dismissed the record as NPR-ish lady & guitar singer song writer, pretty but yawn yawn yawn had I not heard a few songs with his subtle, but brilliant arrangements. The songs are beautiful, yet complex. Listen to “July Flame” to hear an excellent example. “Carol Kaye” is about the coolest song ever. Who would write a hero song about a session player? But if you’re going to, then go with a Wrecking Crew member and a badass bass player. It doesn’t hurt that Veirs name checks all your favorite songs while she’s at it.
Brad Roberts
In June when Joe asked for our favorites of the year so far, I included the Avi Buffalo debut album, The Californian Sea of Love EP, On Approach by Everest, and Destroyer of the Void by Blitzen Trapper. Those albums remain four of my 2010 favorites. Now for the rest of the year… There is no order to this, just five great albums.
Film School - Fission (Hi-Speed Soul)
This ever-evolving band came out with an album that is more upbeat, but still awash in the moody, synthy psych/trance atmosphere they're known for. A wonderful range of song styles and, I'll be damned, if they don't even make you want to dance. Love that Lorelei is doing more vocals.
Pepper Rabbit - Beauregard (Kanine Records)
I saw this band in April and bought their CD, Shakes and Clicks which was, in turn, remastered with two additional songs and released as Beauregard in October on Kanine Records. That was when this album surged from behind and the Pepper Rabbit hype began. The beautiful and distinctive songwriting recalls Grizzly Bear and Gangi to me, with that melancholy continental attitude similar to Beirut that employs a wide range of instruments.
Three Mile Pilot - The Inevitable Past Is The Future Forgotten (Temporary Residence)
Back from the past, Three Mile Pilot's former band leaders, Zach Smith and Pall Jenkins reunited last year for a brief concert tour, but fans had to wait till September this year for the new album, the first in 13 years. Tighter and more focused that ever, this is an album full of their propulsive brooding with songs that are so immediately likable they sound inevitable
George Glass - George Glass EP (self release)
This band has been freaking me out all year with their invigorating live shows, and then they go and release one of the best albums of the year. Not only some of the cleverest writing of the year, but also one of the best sounding albums to come out as a self release. Nick Ceglio writes songs that begin simply and then explode out in unexpected directions, sometimes powerful and electric, sometimes with heartbreaking poignancy.
The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (Merge Records)
Surely you didn't expect my list to omit this album. How did an album with this much advance expectation turn out so great? Because Arcade Fire seems to exist outside their own fame, and puts their heads down and just gets the work done with a minimum of fuss. Brilliant songs, perfectly played. And not hurt by two astonishing performances at The Shrine in October.
Jackie Lam
The Deadly Syndrome – Nolens Volens
The Deadly Syndrome’s second LP, Nolens Volens, is heartfelt without being overly sentimental. A meticulously recorded album that is the product of finely honed craft and pure talent, the songs on Nolens Volens takes us to an intimate place that is brilliant yet withering, fleeting yet indelible. (Read the review here.)
No Age – Everything in Between
There are not enough hours in the day to gush about how much we RFSL staffers love LA indie darlings No Age. And their album Everything in Between put out by the noise-rock duo is a foray toward a more structured, deliberate sound while not entirely abandoning their signature thrashing rhythms and fuzzy guitars. These are boys who clearly have a knack for writing sterling songs that never lose their luster. (Read the review here.)
The Spires – Curved Space
The Spires’ Curved Space was an EP with such lush flourishes and a vibrancy that it was almost palpable. A handful of tracks that were stepped in swirly guitar hooks, growly reverb, and touches of whimsy, I look forward to what the Ventura-based trio has in store for us next. My one complaint was that I wish it were an LP—moar songs, please! (Read the review here.)
Male Bonding – Nothing Hurts
Rollicking, loose guitars; gossamer-like vocals; and songs that were both playful and sweet, the debut album Nothing Hurts from Sub Pop’s Male Bonding had just the right amount of kick to it. The pure catchiness of the melodies instantly hook you in. It’s no wonder I had this album on loop for a week straight. (Read the review here.)
Field Music – Measure
Brad’s review posted earlier this year said it all. An album that is ambitious and far-reaching while remaining accessible, Field Music’s complex and heady orchestrations on Measure deserve a requisite listen from any indie music lover. (Read the review here.)
Jane McCarthy
Just in time to slide into the carousel of notables from 2010, Silverlake songstress Liz Pappademas and her crack team The Level put out Television City this month. The concept album follows various characters circling a fictional 1970’s game show, “Who’s Your Neighbor?”. Thanks to Pappademas’ considerable talent at telling whole stories in single songs, the record has a cinematic quality that’s quite unforgettable.
Octavius
Captain Ahab – The End of Irony
The Happy Hollows – Spells
Ariel Pink – Before Today
Foreign Born – Person to Person
Jed
Robyn - Body Talk
I don't even own this album, nor have I actually heard it straight through. What I do own are Body Talk Parts 1-3, from which all of the songs on this "compilation" were originally released. Any album containing all of "Dancing on My Own", "Hang With Me", "Indestructible" and "Fembot", each of which I believe to be one of the best pop songs of the year, is going to be on my favorite album list. I don't think the tracklist of Body Talk necessarily reflects the best songs of the 3 previous releases (and would recommend purchasing all three of those releases), but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
Diamond Rings - Special Affections
Best non-Robyn electropop I've heard in a while. Like Robyn, combines the best of dance beats and synths with grown-up lyrics that tell stories about which I actually care. And a great guy in person: read my interview!
Laurie Anderson - Homeland
The only other Laurie Anderson album I have was her 1980 release "Big Science", so I wasn't so sure of what to expect, and I still can't really explain the album adequately. Storytelling, political and cultural criticism, address of the current financial crisis, and Fenway Bergamot, Anderson's male alter ego (created using an auto-tune-like effect). Standout tracks are "Only an Expert" and the very lengthy "Another Day in America". Very smart, but still very enjoyable artsy album. NOT FOR DANCING THOUGH.
The New Pornographers - Together
More or less everything you'd expect from The New Pornographers (as well as a few covers at the end, for good measure). Light, lyrically confusing "power pop" (that's the term we use, right?). LCD Soundsystem -- This is Happening. Generally, I am not much of a fan of super-long tracks, and even less so of long intros. James Murphy has created an exception for me. This album received universally glowing reviews, so I don't need to say anymore about it.
Honorable Mentions:
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
I've heard James Mercer is a crappy singer live, but that's covered up quite well by the production on this album. I think I like it better than the last few Shins albums.
Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love
MUCH better than Life Pursuit.
Basia Bulat - Heart of My Own
I'm still waiting for her to break through into mainstream singer/songwriter stardom. Great voice, pretty lyrics, and she plays the autoharp. Does a fantastic cover of Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You in the End" (although not on this album, gives a sense of where her priorities lie). This is the only folk album that I've been able to listen to for motivation at the gym.
Shadow Shadow Shade - Shadow Shadow Shade
I've only had it for a month or so, so haven't been able to fully evaluate, but I'm pretty sure I like this a lot. What I really need is a live performance for it all to come together.
Vampire Weekend - Contra
This is the sort of album that I'm probably not "supposed" to like, right? Especially since I find the opening bars of the first song on the album, "Horchata", incredibly annoying. Still, this was one of my favorite albums to listen to on my big European vacation, and after all, I AM a big Paul Simon fan. What is there to complain about?
Girl Talk - All Day
Again, every too seems to love Gregg Gillis's mashups of everything from Black Sabbath, to John Lennon to Arcade Fire to 50 Cent. I brought it along the other day on a long run, and it most definitely did the trick.
Joe Fielder
My favorite albums and EPs from the last year are, big surprise, all from out of LA. Here are my top three...
Shadow Shadow Shade – Shadow Shadow Shade
You may have thought I was being hyperbolic in my review of this album when I said “could be the most important album from a Los Angeles act this year” and “could go toe-to-toe with any release from Montreal's indie powerhouse The Arcade Fire”, but you've heard it since then, right?
The Deadly Syndrome – Nolens Volens
I spent most of the year coming back to this album. Nearly every track on it is ridiculously outstanding and several very nicely break my heart every time I hear them.
Fol Chen – Part II: The New December
This is one of those albums where your favorite song changes every few weeks. It’s a giver like that.
Honorable Mentions:
Radars to the Sky - Supra/Infra, Walking Sleep – Measures, Rabbits Rabbits Rabbits – Self-titled EP, The Californian – Sea of Love EP, The Henry Clay People – Somewhere off the Golden Coast, Le Switch – The Rest of me is in Space, Everest – On Approach, and George Glass self-titled EP.
Photo by Sterling Andrews.
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