MV’S TOP ALBUMS OF 2010 // #41-50

It’s that time of year, Vagabonds. In the next series of posts, we reflect on the 50 awesomest albums from 2010 (in no particular order) and look forward to another awesome year of music in 2011. Enjoy the video montage of the list below and without further adieu, albums 41-50:

50. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs- Enjoy the video above, read our past posts and hear from Matt on why this is one of the best for 2010…

“Arcade Fire resurfaced after a long break with this album about growing up in the suburbs, something that presumably many of their fans can relate to. One major highlight of the album is Régine Chassagne’s The Sprawl II, which sounds unlike anything the band had ever put out previously.” 

49. J.Roddy Walston and the Business-  Self Titled - L.Sizzle says… watch this video 

“Hailing from Baltimore by way of somewhere in Tennessee, Rod and company give us what this whacked out hipster/electronic world is lacking, some feel good rock n’ roll. Rod’s gritty voice coupled with some dirty keys reminds me why I fell in love with rock n’ roll in the first place when I was a kid. Their sophomore album was recorded on tape (yes you heard me right) the old fashioned way, it’s proof that there are some things a sample machine and Macintosh computer just can’t do or replicate. I respect the shit out of that. Take that nerds! «crushes beer on head»”

48. The Morning Benders- Big Echo - L.Sizzle says…

“Simply gorgeous, I don’t think there’s anything else to say. Listen to the full album in Jess’ post from earlier this year”

47. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Matt says…

“Even after weekly G.O.O.D. Friday leaks and several major live TV performances, the release of Kanye’s best album to date was a massive event.  As much as you might not want to love this album, it’s close to impossible.  Special shout-out to Bon Iver for being Kanye’s not-so-secret weapon.”

46. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More - L.Sizzle says…

“Proving their worth at Telluride Bluegrass Festival this year, it’s no secret I just plain love this album. I love banjos, stand up bass, dobros and well, i love bluegrass! If you aren’t sure how much you like the twine and twang of bluegrass music, Mumford and Sons is a great place to explore your courtship. Fused with traditional folk style, the boys from Britain give us an easily relate able sound that pays homage to the roots of folk and bluegrass. All in one album you could feel like you are pleasantly lost in Kentucky, Alabama or on the Scottish countryside.”

45. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening- Matt says…

“Like the first track on the album, “Dance Yrself Clean,” the latest (and final?) album from LCD Soundsystem is a slow build, growing on you with every listen until it ranks up with the best of their previous work.  Just try not to dance while watching this video.”

44. Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty- Matt says…

“After listening to this album, it’s impossible to imagine why the decidedly more gangster half of Outkast had so much trouble getting it produced and distributed.  This is Big Boi back in Speakerboxxx mode with bouncing hip hop tracks like Shutterbug and Follow Us.”

43. Erykah Badu- New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) - L.Sizzle says…

“One of my favorite artists of all time, Ms. Erykah Badu fails to dissapoint in 2010’s Part 2 Return of the Ankh. Opposed to the social and politically themed Part 1, 4th World War, Part 2 is intimate and carries themes about self respect, relationships and longing, showcasing her titanic voice and charismatic yet vulnerable thoughts. This album reflects the soulful jazz and R&B that made Baduizm an amazing album but brings the modern Erykah to life. We brought you the video for Window Seat when it came out, we hope you checked out the rest of the album.” 

42. Sleigh Bells- Treats - L.Sizzle says…

“When I first heard this album I couldn’t put words to it. Critics write it off as noise, but those listening a little deeper discovered melodies and a sound that pushes the envelope. The purely heavy sound of Sleigh Bells were a welcome change at a time when I felt that I hadn’t heard anything new and truly creative in a while. Definitely worth checking out and not for the faint of heart!”

41. The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards - KyKy says…

“White and Mosshart et, al. continued to deliver their seductively demonic, sweat-soaked blues. MV caught their collection of carcasses at Prospect Park this Summer, restoring our faith in rock.”

The Dead Weather//Prospect Park – Brooklyn

On our way back down from The Newport Folk Festival Kylie and I threw The Dead Weather on repeat for the three and a half hour ride down to catch them in Prospect Park that Tuesday evening.  Adding fuel to the fire a new friend of ours e-mailed us with an invite to the VIP area of the show, as if we weren’t excited enough.  If you know this blog then you know we are gaga over Jack White and Allison Mosshart.  Saying that we are huge fans of everything they do is an understatement.  We stormed in to NYC blaring “Hang You From The Heavens” shaking her little Jeep Wrangler violently that the garage attendants look stunned to see two chicks hop out and hand them the keys.  They stared at us, jaws on the ground, setting the tone for the night to come.

Around 8:30 pm Jack White entered stage right making only an entrance that he could make.  Blow torch in hand graciously lighting Ms. Mossharts cigarette for her and then later exclaiming of Mosshart, “She’s so white, star tattoo on her wrist and smoking parliaments all the time.”  They quickly went into their first song “60 Feet Tall” with White absolutely killing it on drums and Mosshart dominating the stage, although she was missing her signature gold Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme boots.  I immediately stood on the gate to get a better view and rock out as hard as possible.  This brings me to a more pressing point and my only complaint about this show.  What the f*ck is up with rock and roll fans, have the all turned soft on us?  The guy in back of me was like, “umm can you get down from there” It’s a rock concert for Christ sakes!  Did he not notice the stuffed animal carcasses on stage, Mosshart smoking p-funks and downing whiskey, Jack with a blow torch?!  Call me an asshole, but I didn’t move, poor guy had to shuffle a few steps to his right.

The show carried on, Jack raged drums and strapped on his six string for the closing song “Will There Be Enough Water” which they extended with an extra long jam session carried out between versus.  (If you haven’t seen It Might Get Loud and you’re a Jack White fan do yourself a favor and get on that) Mosshart and White wailed in to the same microphone and when White was focusing on guitar Mosshart belted and screeched the lyrics falling backwards on the stage playing dead and then thrusting about wildly coming back to life, jumping back into the duet with White on a shared microphone.  Their chemistry was undeniable.

After the crowd begged for an encore they coolly walked back on stage.  Jack saying, “Allison doesn’t think you liked the set.  What do you have to say about that?  Show us that you did.” And of course the crowd obliged.  They played through four more songs, “Forever My Queen,” “Blue Blood Blues,” I Can’t Hear You” and “Treat Me Like Your Mother.”  For me this was one of the best encores and shows I’ve ever seen.  If this is pure blooded rock and roll then I don’t know what is.  I think myself and many others in the crowd were wondering the same thing when is that next Kills album coming out and what band will White be working with next, The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather or some other amazing new project?

video courtesy of Kylie

pics courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan

-music from my ears. to yours. with love. jp

Festy Fun 2010 - Best of Bonnaroo: Re-living the Dream Part 3.

Welcome to the third and final post-roo installment. Yes, it’s been over a week later, and I’m still riding the high – figuratively speaking.

Highlights from Saturday, June 12:

Dead Weather - 10 mins of sheer neo-blues, rock, glory and sin:           Will There Be Enough Water…            watch and salivate.

Shortly before this number, White declared “I want you to remember which band on stage brought the rain   to Bonnaroo, all right?” Oh yes. The rains are here.

‘Roo Sideshow Alert- In other news regarding the Jack White + Conan O’Brien + Tennessee combo, the two entertainment giants collaborated at  White’s Third Man Records home on June 10. A simple jam session ensued, followed closely an LP.

Stevie Wonder – Two words: Stevie Wonder.

Photo credit: Samuel M. Simpkins

Who needs to see, when you have vision. This legend banged out decades of funk and dance tunes. What a soul. What a smile. What a man.

Jay-Z – He was allotted a 2hr performance. He played for 45 mins. Personally, I think the audience was kind of jibbed. Albeit, it was an amazingly intense 45 minutes ending with a “forever young” encore.

Yes, that photo just happened.

GWAR - This one goes out to fellow vag Jeff who recommended you all go see this “troupe of sadomasochistic chaos warriors” from 2.30 – 3.45 am. For those of you who made it out that long, I salute you!

Sunday, June 13. Day 4. 

John Butler Trio – Listen to the whole LIVE show here  (thanks to NPR). Keep your ears peeled for the ‘pots-and-pans’ style percussion breakdown amidst the 15-minute ‘Funky Tonight’ closing jam – The song starts at 01:04:50 in the live recording above, drum jam starts at about 01:09:40 – definitely worth a listen.

Blues traveller aided my Sunday afternoon recovery session covering radiohead’s creep ..check out this fan footage.

John Fogerty is a highlight for multiple reasons. Check out this pre-gig interview by Fader. Watch him talk covers. Then watch the legend himself cover..Pretty Woman.

DMB - I must be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of Dave Matthews Band. Not for any particular reason, I’ve just always felt somewhat indifferent toward them. That said, their electrifying performance managed to give me an umpteenth wind after 96 hours of physically demanding rocking out – and that’s got to count for something. They closed out the festival with a cover of Bob Dylan’s  “All Along the Watchtower” – a climactic choice but not original – Pearl Jam finished up the same way in 2008. Never the less, with the couple of extra horns that Mr. Matthews employed “to make the sound “a little bit fatter,” and the galaxy of sky lanterns balloons floating off into the infinite Tennessee atmosphere, all in all,

Until next year. Happy Roo! From my ears. To yours. With Love -k