'Best of' lists kinda suck for me. Too much comes out in a year for me not to feel guilty about leaving something or someone out that I really love, especially if I recently posted it on here. Oh well, I 'spose I'll make the judgement call. I thought 2010 was a pretty great year for releases, there's tons of music that I'll listen to for a long time to come. Here are four that I felt were pretty awesome.
LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change
Released back in May, James Murphy's third album is real cool. This track is nestled right in the middle, usually where cool artists put their good stuff. The sentiment of wanting someone to love you so badly that you would be willing to change who you are for them is one that a lot of people can relate to, and Murphy leaves himself pretty bare making a song about it. I guess you probably would have to for the song to work, and it works for me.
Beach House - Used to Be
Actually a newer version of their 2008 single, this form of 'Used to Be' came out on Teen Dream, which is coincidentally (or not), also their third album. This is my favourite track on the album for some reason, possibly because it is at least somewhat about worrying if someone changes after moving away from home. Teen Dream came out when I was considering transferring from Lakehead to Guelph and that whole leaving home dilemma struck a chord with me. The song doesn't offer a concrete answer, but after I came back to Thunder Bay a few weeks ago, my answer was nothing ever really changes so much that you can't recognize it.
Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill
Hah, continuing with the trend, 'On Melancholy Hill' appears on Plastic Beach, the third studio album by Gorillaz. The tune is pretty chill, I'm a big fan of the whole album. This track sticks out for it's relaxed feel; frontman Damon Albarn sings "you can't get what you want, but you can me" as the song jangles along. Gorillaz use this as a genuine pop moment on their album - as a lighter moment between the heavier stuff - so bop along to it during the new year.
The National - England
Closing out my best of 2010 is one of those heavier songs, coming from The National's fourth album High Violet. I really like High Violet even though it is a bit dark. The build-up in this song is real good, and that the album still rocks out in the second-to-last track is a good sign. I sort of wish I was in a clearer state of mind when I saw these guys last summer, but what I remember was some awesome music.
Enjoy the new year, let's see what it brings.
Andrew
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