Omar's highlights of 2010

It's the last day of 2010 and I'm in a Melbourne internet cafe sucking a bottle of orange juice with the nipple unscrewed. Over my shoulder a lady is reading academic literature and next to her is a guy watching porn.

Unusual situations will be remembered. So will great songs. Here are a few.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Fright Night (removed by request)

I'm a big fan of new wave and glo-fi, so Ariel Pink wasn't hard to like. The under-produced yet smooth textures give this track a timeless veneer. Music critics have celebrated this band's work and Pitchfork selected 'Round and Round' as its top track of the year.

 Beach House - Walk in the Park (removed by request)

I've had a love affair with Beach House for more than two years. I can't sleep without listening to 45 minutes of this band's music each night. I've churned through earphones on it. If you read stuff you've probably heard that their third album Teen Dream is probably the best album of the year. Lauded. The Baltimore duo has signed to Sub Pop, has toured all year and is coming to Sydney next month. See you there.

Best Coast - Bratty B (removed by request)

Reading about Best Coast way too much (fuck you Hipster Runoff) before getting into the music was a bad idea. I'm glad I switched my game and swung into the dripping '60s summer imagery Crazy for You is filled with. However, this mightn't be for everyone. The intentionally cheesy lyrics could get on your nerves. But if you're sipping Corona on a warm balcony, put this album on and whip out the lotion.

Crystal Castles - Doe Deer (removed by request)

Crystal Castles' second self-titled album is nothing short of great. It's most abrasive track 'Doe Deer' sounds like a pop song with cancer, and that's being gentle. Gone is the blippy 8-bit angst of their earlier work - this is a kick in the teeth and it gets my jaw grinding every time I play it. I hope yours do too.

Here We Go Magic - Land of Feeling (removed by request)

Here We Go Magic does hazy psychedelic sounds that are fresh every time I put them on. If you haven't heard Pigeons yet, I recommend you do. Steve put me onto them earlier this year and now I'm stuck trying to better him. I know; I probably won't.

Kanye West - Monster (removed by request)

For all his failings, Kanye West knows how to arrange beats and melodies. 'Monster' is one of the least artistic tracks on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, however, it has some of the most aurally intense moments of the whole album. It begins to wear after 50 plays; but even still, this is a slayer of a song and you should play it at least 50 times.

Neon Canyon - Bikepath (removed by request)

'Bikepath' is like a song within a dream located in a forest. This forest is buried deep in a canyon where all that matters is how sunny it is and how fast you can meet your friends for a dip in the river. This is easily one of the best songs on Bricoleur - one of the best EPs I've heard this year.

Pikelet - Red Pleather (removed by request)

On her sophomore album Stem, Pikelet has upped the ante with more melody, harmony and just about everything else. She's maturing as an artist, and quite quickly. Check out this interview I did with her a while back to find out more from one of Melbourne's best indie artists.

PVT - Crimson Swan (removed by request)

PVT's Church With No Magic shows a departure from the old Pivot. Gone is the purely instrumental music they made, although the tough experimental rock remains. Now the band includes vocals in every track and DAMN it's good.

Toro Y Moi - Imprint After (removed by request)

All the blog buzz aside, Toro Y Moi has grown on me like a mole this year. I liked his lo-fi pop aesthetic, with R&B overtones, straight away. More than any song on Causers of This, 'Imprint After' makes me nostalgic for the early 90s, Nike Air Max, Michael Jordan dunks and an active pre-web lifestyle. If you're a Gen-Yer you would probably feel the same way.

Grab all these songs right here (removed by request).

Happy New Year. See you all in 2011!

Rachel's Highlights of 2010

I am suffering end of year blues. No, I think I am suffering severe post-holiday blues. Going back to work this week after three weeks in Thailand has not helped this. Making a list of my favourite songs of the year has helped this marginally - trawling my ipod and listening to so much amazing music - but somehow made it worse too. How the fuck am I supposed to narrow this year down to ten songs, so overwhelming, what happened to the year, who am i, where am i, why am i sitting at a desk at work, what day is it, what am i supposed to do when a new year starts, oh god.


1. It seems that Steve and I concur that Twin Shadow was one of the best artists to come out of 2010. Have you googled a picture of him? He is also the best things to come out of 2010 aesthetically.

Twin Shadow - At My Heels


2. Kisses were also another 2010 love affair for me. I thought the dreampop shoegazey year of 2009 would blissfully float away to another glo-fi time and space continuum in 2010 but I was wrong and it was very much here to stay. The Hot Chip remix of this track is amazeballs as well.

Kisses - Kisses

Kisses - Kisses (Hot Chip Remix)


3. I do not care for indie street cred and love this next song to bits. The number of strange corners of the world in which I heard this song this year only made me love it more. The fact that Dcup is a blouse man only makes it better even though it needed no extra levels of betterness. This song is going to do down in dance music history like Drop the Pressure.

DCup and Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano


4. Tame Impala's album Innerspeaker was Australia's 2010 obsession apparently. There is something annoyingly good about their music. It's like, I don't like the fact that I like it. Is that weird? I think it's because every time I've seen them live they've been poo. And they're young and blaze and seem to not give a shit. But then their music is the shit. So confused. Lucidity was a fave but I am a sucker for a sick instrumental and this is the instrumental of the year.

Tame Impala - Jeremy's Storm


5. Delorean was my live music experience of the year and therefore deserves a spot. I saw them play at a club in Shibuya in Tokyo which was surreal in itself but complete with dancing Japanese hipsters and that guy who goes nuts on the keyboard and Ibiza-stylez electronic music in the middle of downtown Nippon, it was too good. This is the standout from their 2010 album Subiza I think.

Delorean - Stay Close


6. 7. 8. and 9. Sydney pumped out so much good music this year! Not that it ever doesn't but Jinja Safari, Bag Raiders, Flight Facilities and Boy and Bear stole my attention this year. These four tracks were on high rotation on the local dial. Have you heard tropical house done as good as Snake Chalmers? Or carefree summertime disco-pop as good as Crave You? And Jinja Safari even had their own genre made up for them - "forest rock" or some shit like that. As for Boy and Bear, you make my heart melt.

Bag Raiders - Snake Chalmers

Jinja Safari - Peter Pan

Boy and Bear - Mexican Mavis

Flight Facilities - Crave You

Flight Facilities - Crave You (C90 Remix)


10. And if you want to know who will be at the top of the Australian music scene in a couple of years time it is this dude. This is the first taste we have had of Joyride & The Accidents and it made my year. Feeling a little excitable for what is to come.

Joyride & The Accidents - This Is It


11. Kanye (another one you hate to love) really sucked me in this year and it seems the rest of the world too. This song is bananas. So beautiful, so effortlessly cool and something that just makes you shake your head and think how does he keep on doing it?

Kanye West - Lost in the World


12. I know I'm now up to number 12 in my top 10 and being self indulgent with what the above average music lover will deem a below average list of favourites but whatevs. Yeasayer are my all timers. It'd be easy to choose One as the standout from Odd Blood but Madder Red is so sick, it gives me chills down my spine. My sister has declared that she wants this song played at her funeral procession as her body is slowly paraded through the crowds on the shoulders of red indians.

Yeasayer - Madder Red

And here are all the tracks in a zip file via mediafire


Love you 2010 and love you blouse readers. Sending much love over the seas and cities and the radio waves xxxxxx

steve's highlights of 2010

i usually hate looking back on years of things. the illusion of how fast a year went is shattered when you realise how much happened.
2010 is slightly different though.. when i look back on its music, i actually feel really happy. so, so many outrageously good albums and singles have kicked in the door this year. i cant remember what it was like in previous years, but this year seemed to have one highly anticipated release after another.
these next seven tracks are, to me, the songs that most defined 2010. and what a year it was:

i think a lot of people have lcd soundsystem's 'this is happening' as the crowning album of the year in their books. its easy to see why with so many genius dance-punk jams (and a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek spunk) squeezed in there. 'home' was my favourite on the album, and seeing it live really made me smile.

LCD Soundsystem - Home (alt)

i feel like hot chip's "one life stand" is sometimes forgotten when people put together their top lists for 2010. solid without being incredible, it was an album that got a lot of airplay from me throughout the year. "take it in" is a far cry from what many people love hot chip for, but the wholesome, happy vibe of the song really stood out for me.. one of my faves:

Hot Chip - Take It In (alt)

i seriously went off kanye after all of his antics. however, after reluctantly watching his mini movie promo for "my beautiful dark twisted fantasy" i had to get back in the action. and im glad i did. i dont think that ive heard a hip hop album that captured my imagination quite as much for a long time. the guy is a perfectionist, and it shows.
its hard to pick a favourite, but one of them would have to be 'so appalled'. epic strings, solemn vibe and a list rappers longer than your arm:

Kanye West - So Appalled (alt)

twin shadow's 80s inspired pop came too late for some, but right on time for me. i think this album was on repeat for longer than any other for me this year. addictive hooks, pleading vocals and reminiscent charm had me sold. my only criticism was that it wasnt long enough. 'tether beat' was my pick of the bunch.. a closet stormer with a dark, brooding feel.

Twin Shadow - Tether Beat (alt)

caribou and four tet really owned s*&t this year. thanks to 'swim' and 'there is love in you', i believe they finally got the attention they deserved. although both of these albums got significant plays, it was 'odessa' that really got flogged. the muttered vocals and off-kilter melody really won me over - and when i started to get sick of it, i watched the video and fell in love all over again.

Caribou - Odessa (alt)

the sweaty fun of el guincho's "pop negro" was a highlight for me this year as well. i might have enjoyed it a little more than i should have cos i was learning spanish, but probably not. his brand of latin pop was a fresh sound for me this year, and i look forward to listening to plenty over the summer break as well.

El Guincho - Ghetto Facil (alt)

disco/house had a solid year as well, but the clear stand out in my book was tensnake's coma cat. the first time i heard it, i couldnt quite believe that something that sounded this good existed. steel drums, a driving 90's warehouse bassline and pianos. i couldnt imagine that combination sounding any better than this. a stone cold classic.

Tensnake - Coma Cat (alt)

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on a personal level, i feel that the amazing quality of diverse music released this year forced me to broaden my horizons and enjoy music ive never listened to before - or have not listened to for a long time. in recent years, my obsession with electronica, chillwave, disco and house has meant i havent had the opportunity to listen to as much "real" music (with guitars and drums according to some haha) as i should. with psychedelic rock having such a fine resurgence in '10 it was hard to continue this trend.

these are few of my psychedelia based picks of the year:

tame impala kicked off my interest in this whole psychedelia shebang. 'innerspeaker' was easily one of my favourite albums of the year.

Tame Impala - Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind? (alt)

women have been on my radar for quite a while, but 2010's 'public strain' was an absolute winner. and when i first heard 'eyesore' and its staggering final couple of minutes, i instantly thought this would be a song id want to show my future children.

Women - Eyesore (alt)

no joy's "ghost blonde" was one of those albums that crept into my itunes without me realising. as a whole, it was one of the stand-out psychedelic releases of the year for me. but because the songs work so well together, it is tricky to pick a favourite. but one of the highlights was definitely "pacific pride". its breezy, drive time fun stuck its hand up for me.

No Joy - Pacific Pride (alt)

the ruby suns are an nz band that i cant believe i only just heard about. with three excellent albums under their belt, i hope they get plenty more exposure. 2010's "fight softly" got a little more electronic-y than the others and channelled the best of animal collective and yeasayer. if you havent yet, check this band out.

The Ruby Suns - Mingus and Pike (alt)

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after skirting it for several years, 2010 was the year that i finally got really into minimal techno and idm. the craft that goes into this music and the passion of the fans really got me excited.
i also feel like it was a good year of crossover, with several tech-based artists releasing tracks that really gained some widespread attention.

i think matthew dear might have been the most notable of these, with his album and single 'black city' popping up all over the place.
the song that stayed with me the most wasn't the lead single (even though i loved that as well), but this song, "slowdance". the "bum-bum-bumpadumm's" and bouncy, yet serious beat were true winners for me and got a serious workout throughout the year.

Matthew Dear - Slowdance (alt)

scuba also made waves this year with 'triangulation'. his brand of minimal dubstep saw him feature on numerous high profile dj mixes including ones by surgeon and modeselektor. i really loved the industrial, and sometimes creepy vibe of the album. his fine, subtle touch really exemplified what i dug about minimal tech. "glance" is just one of a host of highlights from the album.

Scuba - Glance (alt)

the name "nicolas jaar" seemed to be on everybody's lips in 2010. every release and mix was eagerly awaited.. this kid seems to destined for great things. "a time for us" was the first cut i heard from him, and the chunky-yet-understated tone of the track really caught my ear. can't wait to see how he goes in '11.

Nicolas Jaar - A Time For Us (alt)

2010 was the year of massive attack's "heliogland". im really amused by the hysteria that is caused when seminal artists like these guys decide to release an album. the "closet fans" that come out of the woodwork are the best.
i really enjoyed the album, but also gui boratto's take on "paradise circus". remixes that remain faithful to the original, whilst also extending it into new and interesting areas, seem to come along rarely. im glad that one came around for this song.

Massive Attack - Paradise Circus (Gui Boratto Remix) (alt)

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so thats it! what do you think of my 2010 highlights? were there any big things i missed? any inclusions that you think are a bit questionable? what were your highlights?
hope to hear from you guys! and sorry about the ridiculous length.

if you are into it, you can grab up my 'best of 2010' tracklist in a zip file (176mb) here.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

look forward to speaking to you next year!

radwoman

Years of toiling with synthesizers and recording devices + weird 1980's children's films = Pilotpriest. The best banger factory to come out of Canada since Avril Lavigne and Celine Dion? Not sure about Alanis Morissette.

His remix of Run DMCs classic My Adidas sat quietly on my puter for almost a year, did it get DJs laid? It's only now that I'm seeing him pop up everywhere including a remix of True Pseudo's monster track Freaking Me Out Pt 2 that pairs the intense vocals with airy pads and moody bass guitar. He's creative, diverse and knows how to find the best parts of electrotech, I wonder if he's hot...

True Pseudo - Freaking Me Out (Pilotpriest Journey Mix)

Run DMC - My Adidas (Pilotpriest Remix)

Kanye West - Love Lockdown 1994 (Pilotpriest Remix)

My fave-

Pilotpriest - Shuffle Bored

My theme song-

Pilotpriest - Rad Woman

The Videodrome mk XXIV

i feel kind of weird posting a kanye west song but i feel like its justified this time around.


Kanye West - Welcome to Heartbreak by Nabil

seriously, this video is really farking good. i dont really know much about 'data moshing' or how to make data 'mosh' (judging by this clip, i would say data likes to mosh to smooth hip-pop beats w/extra vocoder) but i sure think it looks nice.

on top of the the aesthetic appeal, i have to say that this type of clip makes me feel happy 'cos i am reminded that there are still people out there pushing boundaries and experimenting with things other than drugs or their sexuality.

The Videodrome mk II

ok. look.

we ALL know kanye is a tool pot. but recent reports report that he is in fact a good performer. and it has been known for him to make good beats.

normally i dont feel any need to listen to his music at all but CHECK OUT HIS NEW VIDEO. DAMN GIRL. DAMN SON.



Kanye West - Good Life

They really have done some good works here. mayhaps he WILL actually win the MTV music video award this year (even if pamela wasn't in the clip).

Amazing any which ways - but i think that his name shall now officially be amended to include 'Ed Banger'.

KANYE 'ED BANGER' WEST.

or if the man himself doesn't enjoy that intermediate moniker then perhaps "So Me' (Ed Banger designer) would be a more fitting middle name.

KANYE 'SO ME' WEST. hmmm has a nice rrrrrrriing to it.

apologies for my use of caps- it is fri afternoon and iam somewhat excited.

before i sign off, check out this piece of motion graphic wizardry i used to enjoy in my uni days. a bit different but what the hey.



Have a nice evening and weekend chappies and chappettes- hope to see y'all at bamboozled/alive on the other side.