Best Albums of 2010: #20-11 (John's Picks)

In the site's more recent, less updated form, we've failed to really cover music the way we have in the past. While that will not be changing for the time being, we still felt compelled to put together some lists to coincide with the end of 2010. Also, just because we haven't been blogging mean we haven't been listening to this year's slate of new releases. On the contrary, writing less about what's new has allowed us to better enjoy it. And now, we'd like to invite you to enjoy our much scaled-down 2010 end-of-year coverage.

John's Top Albums of 2010: #20-11

20. Transference -- Spoon

Top Track: "Written In Reverse"

19. Down There -- Avey Tare

Top Track: "Lucky 1"

18. Fang Island -- Fang Island

Top Track: "Daisy"

17. Thank Me Later -- Drake

Top Track: "Over"

16. Everything In Between -- No Age

Top Track: "Fever Dreaming"

15. Lisbon -- The Walkmen

Top Track: "Angela Surf City"

14. Pilot Talk -- Curren$y

Top Track: "The Day" (Feat. Mos Def & Jay Electronica)

13. Astro Coast -- Surfer Blood

Top Track: "Swim"

12. Love King -- The-Dream

Top Track: "Yamaha"

11. The Age of Adz -- Sufjan Stevens

Top Track: "I Want to Be Well"

Weekly Top 10: SXSW Acts (Part 1)

With one of the country's largest festival events just a week or so away, we figured this would be as good a time as any to feature some of our picks from our favorite artists in attendance down in Austin, TX. Today's playlist is only for artists who perform at SXSW on either Wednesday, March 17 or Thursday, March 18. Next week's will feature those who play on either Friday or Saturday. So without further ado, check out this entertaining collection of great acts-- all of whom will be appearing at SXSW.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Brooklyn Bands]

Best of 2009: Most Anticipated Albums of 2010

Once again, another list that's not necessarily the best of 2009, but in this case, we're looking at the most anticipated of 2010's releases. Obviously, none of these are completely guaranteed to come out next year. However, they've been at least hinted at, if not confirmed by the artists or labels, so I'd say that's about as reliable a source as we can get at this point. Enjoy the list below.

10. TBA, Interpol (Early 2010)

9. Congratulations, MGMT (Spring 2010)

8. Transference, Spoon (January 26, 2010)

7. TBA, The Strokes (Late 2010)

6. TBA, Arcade Fire (May 2010)

5. TBA, Bright Eyes (Fall 2010)

4. TBA, OutKast (Late 2010)

3. TBA, The Walkmen (Spring 2010)

2. Contra, Vampire Weekend (January 12, 2010)

1. Thank Me Later, Drake (March 2010)

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best of 2009: Biggest Disappointments]

Best Albums of the Decade: #11-20

We've nearly reached the end of our countdown of the best albums of the decade. As difficult as compiling this list was to compile, I think it was worth it. Hopefully you do too. Check out #11-20 below-- all album streams are courtesy of Lala.com

20. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, The Flaming Lips (2002)

19. Deja Entendu, Brand New (2003)

18. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, OutKast (2003)

17. Get Rich Or Die Tryin', 50 Cent (2003)

16. Silent Alarm, Bloc Party (2005)

15. Apologies to the Queen Mary, Wolf Parade (2005)

14. Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, Bright Eyes (2002)

13. White Blood Cells, The White Stripes (2002)

12. You & Me, The Walkmen (2008)

11. Hail to the Thief, Radiohead (2003)

[Previously on Animal Noises: Best Albums of the Decade: #21-30]

Weekly Top 10: Title Tracks

This week's idea for the playlist comes courtesy of Matt, so he should receive all credit for any popularity the idea may end up having. Many times, artists name an album after an overwhelming idea presented forth, a lyric that had substantial meaning, or in other cases, a certain track on the album. Though it shouldn't inflate standards that the song shares a name with the album, it can at times-- if a track is important enough to have the same name as the record, then some feel it should be the one most indicative, or just best, in general. For the tracks below, we felt that each of the ones we chose fell into one, or both of those two categories. Maybe you agree. In any case, check it out below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Songs Without Choruses]

Weekly Top 10: Album Closers

Nothing seems to make, or ruin, a great album like the last song. Something otherwise great can be sullied in your eyes (ears) if that final glimpse leaves much to be desired, and something a little above average can gain a much higher evaluation solely off of that last collection of notes. Here, we list our favorites of the ladder category-- our favorite album closers. Though Imeem does not have one of my top picks, Grizzly Bear's "Foreground," I'll forgive them for the most part, as the rest of the list is pretty solid. Enjoy below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Songs Featured on How I Met Your Mother]

Music Video Monday: "On the Water"

Track: On the Water

Artist: The Walkmen

Album: You & Me

Year: 2009

On an album full of standout songs, sometimes a few can get lost in the shuffle. Appearing right before You & Me's signature track, "In the New Year," The Walkmen's "On the Water" may be a prime example of this disappearing act. As a stand-alone song, it howls, eerily pacing through its progressions, and careening off the walls as it bounds. However, by the end of the 14-track effort, it ends up melting into the scenery somewhat, with so many staggering, single-material submissions.

But the video for "On the Water" works in many ways to set it apart. Utilizing some mesmerizing computer animation, it takes a simple story of two rabbits, and splashes it onto a sensational canvas. The constantly-panning camera takes us through the perils of their existence, with dogs, guns and hawks close by. Finally, one of our main characters meets his unfortunate demise in a colorful display of confetti, from the gun of a farmer. His cohort stops back quick, before running off-- leaving us a mystery as to what may happen next, if anything. Check it out below.

[Previously on Animal Noises: John's Track of the Week: "New Year's Eve"]

John's Track of the Week: "New Year's Eve"

Song: New Year's Eve

Artist: The Walkmen

Album: Bows + Arrows

Year: 2004

Before their 2008 hit album, You & Me, and 2006's A Hundred Miles Off, The Walkmen were just a little-known member of the New York City rock scene.  On 2004's Bows + Arrows, you notice the more gruff, and less polished, nature of the band. Lead vocalist Hamilton Leithauser seems to growl more than shout, as compared to his penchant for shouting on later records.  Perhaps a sign of more angst and vulnerability for the then-younger singer, but effective nonetheless, as it provided a retro sound, to go with the band's vintage instrumentation, to stand out in a crowded music scene.  Today, this vintage appeal is central to the group's success, and one of the reasons I enjoy their records.

"New Year's Eve", like most Walkmen songs, involves Leithauser collecting his thoughts about a female.  Here, she's of the one-night stand variety, as he briefly discusses what they're doing and the conversation they should probably be having.  Like many of their other songs, you're left wondering about the outcome- see "Canadian Girl" as another great example.  This simple melody, worked through on piano, is a short one, but something that a lot of listeners can probably relate to.  It also captures the mood of New Year's Eve very nicely, as its stripped down nature and quiet and timid vocals can lend to a variety of feelings normally associated with that night.  Check it out below.

New Walkmen Video, "Four Provinces"

As anyone who's read this blog in the past couple of months knows, we love The Walkmen's most recent album, You & Me, which came out in the latter half of last year.  Below is a video from said album, for the song "Four Provinces".  It, like all of the tracks on the album, is fantastic, and the shots of the Himalayas, etc. also make for a nice touch here.  Enjoy.

Video via Pitchfork.TV

Best of 2008: #2, The Walkmen

Rank: #2

Album: You & Me

Artist: The Walkmen

Label: Gigantic Records

We've got just two albums left to go on our countdown.  At #2, The Walkmen's You & Me.  The band's fourth original studio album to-date, You & Me is different from previous recordings, as is usually the case.  However, what remains a constant for The Walkmen is their established sense of nostalgia, enhanced by their use of vintage instrumentation.  This album in particular sounds so distant, so entrenched in the past, you can't help but feel it is actually a less recent batch of recordings.  Each track seems to be enveloped in a haze of good times gone by and regret, the epitome of the "smokey bar" sound which my brother and I will often discuss.  Admittedly, you may not get it on the first listen.  In fact, it may even seem to crawl during that first impression.  However, each successive listen brings you closer and closer to the record, closer and closer to getting it.  Every time I hear You & Me, it just gets better.

Does lead singer Hamilton Leithauser hate December or Christmas?  He's got a solid collection of songs showing some angst against the month and holiday, and this album adds to that group with opener "Donde Esta la Playa".  Leithauser wails through this one, as he does with many of the tracks on You & Me, setting the scene for the struggle with his past and future that ensues.  This record is all about realization, a coming of age album if you will.  To wake up one day and suddenly realize that everyone around you has grown up and moved on, or perhaps you have, is unsettling, for anyone.  The Walkmen try to use these tracks here to put those feelings into motion, and really exemplify how hopeless the situation really is.  The songs blend seamlessly, each becoming a chapter in the longer book.  From the lamenting of standout, "In the New Year," to my personal favorite, "Canadian Girl," to the very appropriate closer, "If Only It Were True," you can feel what they're feeling, and maybe even relate a bit yourself.  The visual created by this record is something which I have rarely seen recently, but is definitely welcome.  For comparisons, check out Department of Eagles, Wolf Parade and The Dodos.

Best Track: "Canadian Girl"