1. Various Artist
After DarkChromatics
Night Drive (IV)Glass Candy
B/E/A/T/B/O/X Italians Do It BetterI always hated when rock'n'roll history shows showed stock footage of rock fans with "Death to Disco" signs. If they only knew that in 2007 disco is what's keeping rock alive. Joy Division Baselines + Italo Disco Flair + Bored-by-Rioting Grrl Vocals = Italians. Johnny Jewel have my babies.
2. Panda Bear
Person Pitch Paw TracksI remember I accidentally took two different otc pain relievers. It made me feel weird, and I sat in the car listening to this album while the rain dripped down my windshield, distorting the straight lines on the other side of it. I was so transfixed that I even started videotaping my windshield thinking it was something I needed to share. The point is: even with the weakest drugs this album makes you feel amazing.
3. Burial
Untrue HyperdubThe first album snuck by me somehow last year, but it made finding his even-better follow up that much better. Sorta stunning. I'm also "tickled" by the fact that this seems to be a break-up record.
4. M.I.A.
Kala InterscopeI just heard this album playing in Urban Outfitters an hour ago, and yet the subject matter is supposed to be about third world rebellion or something of that nature. I don't know how anyone is supposed to rebel when they're caught off guard with beats this bonkers. Makes you wanna grab the lattest Henry Holland rip-off tee and head to the club.
5. Various Artists
Milky Disco LoThere's room enough for two disco comps on this list. Milky Disco sums up nicely the current cosmic-disco scene on one disc even when it's made up so far of limited 12" and mp3 blog remixes. Black Leotard Front's "Casual Friday" is one of my favorite songs, and thank god it begot an entire genre.
6. LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver DFAIrony is dead. Blame blogs and trucker hats. Sorry James Murphey, I guess you'll have to find something else to tinge your lyrics with. How about actual emotion? Oh you did, and you say the music is actually better because of it?
7. Von Südenfed
Tromatic Reflexxions DominoElectro is the new punk. exhibit a: kids can get a hold of cracked ableton software easier than they can a guitar. exhibit b: Mark E. Smith got together with Mouse on Mars and made a record that blew his latest Fall album, and most other albums, out of the water.
8. Soft Circle
Full Bloom Eastern Development9. Pantha Du Prince
This Bliss DialTwo albums full or gorgeous sound scapes. They don't inspire much cute writing, but they're marvelous for studying or other quiet moments. Pump up the volume and they become all consuming.
10. Justice
† Ed Banger/ViceLife is too short for just one Daft Punk.
13 Honorable Mentions:
Akron/Family
Love is Simple Young GodAngels of Light
We Are Him Young GodAnimal Collective
Strawberry Jam DominoBattles
Mirrored WarpGui Boratto
Chromophobia KompactCocorosie
The Adventures of Ghost Horse and Stillborn Touch & GoEric Copeland
Hermaphrodite Paw TracksMatthew Dear
Asa Bread Ghostly InternationalDirty Projectors
Rise Above Dead OceansMap of Africa
Map of Africa Whatever We WantOdd Nosdam
Level Live Wire AnticonThe Shocking Pinks
The Shocking Pinks DFAWhite Williams
Smoke TigerBeat6Labels: music
