And the countdown continues with this fairly interesting set of picks, enjoy.
40. The Dust of Retreat - Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos (Artemis) [buy it here]
Technically a 2005 release, this superb album saw wider release this year on the Artemis label and deservedly so - this orchestral indie rock enhanced with strings and brass is a refreshing breath of fresh air.
Check Out: "On A Freezing Chicago Street", "Quiet As A Mouse"
39. The Warning - Hot Chip (DFA/Astralwerks) [buy it here]
This was one of those little albums that underwhelmed me at first, but eventually burrowed its way into my heart and brain with its nerdy yet totally accessible dance tunes.
Check Out: "Over and Over", "(Just Like We) Breakdown"
38. Patent Pending - Heavens (Epitaph) [buy it here]
Matt Skiba brances out from Alkaline Trio into (believe it or not) darker territory inspired by some post-punk favorites with tremendous results.
Check Out: "Dead End Girl", "Heather"
37. Fear Is On Our Side - I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness (Secretly Canadian) [buy it here]
The best named band in indie rock ditches much of the Spoon-fed indie pop of the debut EP, stretching things out into slightly more dissonant, ambient territory without losing the lushness.
Check Out: "According To Plan", "The Ghost"
36. So This Is Goodbye - Junior Boys (Domino) [buy it here]
Fragile indie-poppers tone down the twitchiness of Last Exit to create a more organic follow-up that retains every bit of the melodic genius that made the debut such a treat.
Check Out: "In the Morning", "The Equalizer"
35. I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass - Yo La Tengo (Matador) [buy it here]
Indie mainstays bounce back after the slightly disappointing Summer Sun with an album that reads like a career-spanning compilation that touches on every aspect of what makes this band so great.
Check Out: "Black Flowers", "Daphnia"
34. King - T.I. (Atlantic) [buy it here]
Southern kingpin builds upon the brief flashes of potential from his first three albums and crafts a magnificent disc that will cement him as one of the top rhyme-spitters in the game today.
Check Out: "What You Know", "Live in the Sky"
33. The Trials of Van Occupanther - Midlake (Bella Union) [buy it here]
Who knew that a couple young upstarts resurrecting mid-70's singer-songwriter pop-rock could sound so damn good? Think Fleetwood Mac album tracks, only better.
Check Out: "Roscoe", "Young Bride"
32. 120 Days - 120 Days (Vice) [buy it here]
Dark, bombastic Swedish pop driven by Kraftwerk sounding synths and drum machines, what more could you ask for?
Check Out: "Get Away", "Be Mine"
31. Putting The Days To Bed - The Long Winters (Barsuk) [buy it here]
John Roderick sprinkles his earnest lyrics all over this collection of impeccably produced indie pop, something fans of Nada Surf and Spoon would do well to pick up.
Check Out: "Pushover", "Sky Is Open"
No comments:
Post a Comment