2010 Best List

Das Racist- Sit Down, Man

If you've heard of Das Racist it's probably because of their one hit song, Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. They are a duo from brooklyn. They love rap and their two mixtapes this year (Shut Up, Dude & Sit Down, Man) have been homages to rap. Kool A-D and Hims make smart, smirky rap that is laced with so many literary and social references that I just plain got tired of googleing the constant stream of things i probably should know.

The first mixtape is decent, but Sit Down, Man is much better. It has so many different producers and guest MCs that the flow is somewhat hurt. But overall it absolutely belongs on my Best of List.

Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

It's his masterpiece. Nicki Manaj kills it on monster. It's fun to hear Bon Iver all over the album. Jay-Z decided he hates rapping and doesn't want to do it anymore (this is what i read into his verse on Monster). Kanye's 4-minute humming solo on Runway shows his awesomeness.

Vampire Weekend- Contra

I like Vampire Weekend. This CD came out early this year so i don't really remember why i like it. I do though.

LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening

Favorite of the year. Please listen to it. Listen to I Can Change, then Dance Yrself Clean. There is no reason for you not to love this album.

Girl Talk- All Day

I am an amateur electrician, i like building clocks and lights, I play a couple instruments decently, I'm pretty good on the turntables, I can code in a couple different computer languages. Point being I have a little talent spread out in different areas. My ability isn't focused on one particular skill. But Greg Gillis is different. He was put on this earth of create the most head boppable concosions possible out of 30 years of pop music. I feel Gillis could be forgiven for all other personal shortcomings. I feel like he's a guy that gets lost easily, can't start a fire, and forgets people's names the minute after he meets them. All of which are forgivable because he's so so good at musical collages. His latest album On and On solidifies his place as master of whatever it is he does.

Halo- Major Lazer (feat. Elephant Man)

Is my new favorite. For your reference Major Lazer is Diplo's dancehall alter ego.

JJ- KILL (new mixtape)

If you love hip hop like I love hip hop then you should really love the new JJ mixtape.

Crystal Castles- Air War

I've found a love for this electronica duo recently. My initial opinion of them hasn't changed much since I heard their second CD for the first time a few months ago. This track is from the first self titled CD. I really like the vaguely british voice sample of inaudible words. While I think the early 90's video game synths are great they aren't what draw me to this band. Listen to this song as it builds and, 20 seconds or so before the end, peaks in a very dreamy moment. It's that kind of craftsmanship that makes this band a great listen that will grow on you.

Local Natives- World News

I really like Grizzly Bear. I really like Fleet Foxes. I really like Local Natives.

I really like LCD Soundsystem

The new album is awesome. I might have more to say about it but for now it's rad. A real departure from previous albums.

For now his is my favorite track.

JJ- From Arica to Malada

So there was a time when I was 17 and so heavily influenced by Lagwagon and other punk staples that I used to heckle yuppies on the subway and in other places around Hong Kong. I thought I had it all figured out. I saw them as incredibly lame with their suits, cell phones and presumably dull music.
Looks like things have come full circle. My closet is full of slacks and Brooks Brothers dress shirts. I have a phone that gets work email. And now I think I like world music.

JJ is a mysterious Swedish band that has put out an EP and full length with another promised this spring. It sounds a lot like Enya. But there is something very slippery about them. The song From Africa to Malaga sounds like it could be the score of a cruise ship commercial but on a deeper lyrics there is a darkness that could draw in the 17 yr old punk that is still hanging on inside of me. Yet on a surface level it's pleasant enough that I played it without hesitation while driving around an out-of-state upper management at work.

The third track is very hip-hop. Much like Discovery this band has a fascination with rap. Thankfully they don't actually try it. The song Ecstasy is about as urban you can get without actually spitting raps. It's an ambient cover of Lil' Wayne's Lollipop, sung about a drug fueled club night out in Miami. Before you write this off as trash please note that they pay homage to the ultra clean rapping Will Smith.

Enjoy it because it's great and don't care what the guys in your high school band would say if they knew you listened to world music.