What I've been listening to ...

Essentially, I've spent the last month or so of the new year catching up on everything I missed from 2010--whether it be an album I've been meaning to get since the summer (High Violet by The National), or some band I'd only recently heard about while skimming end-of-the-year lists (Buke & Gass ... who I finally saw in concert in January--for free!).  Also, there's been a bit of catching up with old favorites (Modest Mouse's Good News For People Who Love Bad News, for example), or obsessing over others (Animal Collective's Merriwether Post Pavilion, an obsession you'd understand if you've ever listened to it--as you should.) However, it is my intention here to give you a taste of the latest music. So, here are some recommended albums, with a featured song; and if you enjoy that, I encourage you to seek out the entire album.


High Violet, The National

“Bloodbuzz Ohio”

Riposte, Buke & Gass
            “Medulla Oblangata”

The Lady Killer, Cee-Lo (whom I saw sing “Crazy” with Prince the other night. Yeah, that Prince.)
            “No One’s Gonna Love You” (a Band of Horses cover)

This Is Happening, LCD Soundsystem
            “Dance Yrself Clean”

The ArchAndroid, Janelle Monae
            “Tightrope” (featuring Big Boi)

So Runs the World Away, Josh Ritter (I’ve been meaning to this album get since the concert in May)
            “The Curse”

Gorilla Manor, Local Natives (my new favorite band)
            “Shape Shifter”

 History From Below, Delta Spirit
            “Bushwick Blues”

Personal Life, The Thermals (who I saw at dinner at The Breslin!)
            “Never Listen to Me”

Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, My Chemical Romance
            “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)”

The King Is Dead, The Decemberists
            “Down by the Water”

Because I Was in Love, Sharon Van Etten
            “For You”

 Dye It Blonde, Smith Westerns
            “Weekend”

Everything Under the Sun, Jukebox the Ghost
            “Empire”

Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
            “Workin’ for the MTA”

Mines, Menomena
            “TAOS”

Congratulations, MGMT
            “Flash Delirium”

All Day, Girl Talk
            “Oh No” (with this perfectly complimentary visual mash-up)

 Halcyon Digest, Deerhunter
            “Helicopter”

 

Wow … I’ve had quite an earful since Christmas, although this really is mostly 2010 music. But with the new Decemberists and Smith Westerns albums—and more to come from Rise Against and TV on the Radio—I’m  looking forward to the new year’s new music.

Also, ‘cause it’s good:
“My Girls,” Merriwether Post Pavilion, Animal Collective