en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal The Last.fm journal for StalinSays. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal/2010/12/10/43gu29_bo%27s_best_of_2010 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 23:16:53 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal/2010/12/10/43gu29_bo%27s_best_of_2010 I do try and keep my music snobbery in the closet, but seeing some of the year end album lists floating around, I'm compelled to out myself as the choosy hipster I am. My 'response' is largely based on the following list:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-music-of-2010,48635/

I highly enjoy Vampire Weekend, Sufjan Stevens, Kanye West, Flying Lotus, The National, Kid Cudi, Spoon, and Frightened Rabbit, but am leaving them off my list completely. In all 7 cases their 2010 release represents a step back from their previous work. So yes, they put "good" product out there, but to my mind sliding backwards should preclude 'best of' type accolades. Especially when it comes at the expense of lesser known artists. There is no reason to name check an artist on a list like this out of respect for their overall career or to recognize their relative importance to 'the scene.' For example, I'm truly glad Sufjan has a new pop album out, but it is his worst to date, so the soapbox is all wrong. Born Ruffians, Eels and Ben Folds ditto.

Oh, and the lovin' poured on Daft Punk / Cee Lo / Kanye West to me demonstrates a regrettable recency bias. Lot of strong stuff hit in the spring, far outweighing this winter, despite the hype. Anyway, my list:

1. Tokyo Police Club - Champ
2. Josh Ritter - So Runs the World
3. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
4. Jukebox the Ghost - Everything Under the Sun
5. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
6. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
7. Girl Talk - All Day
8. Yeasayer - Odd Blood
9. Fang Island - Fang Island
10. Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back

Honorable Mention (in order): Dr. Dog, Of Montreal, Menomena, Surfer Blood, The Avett Brothers, Lost in Trees, Fake Problems, The Love Language, Speech Debelle, and Hot Panda.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal/2009/06/20/2ta4zl_grizzly_bear_with_here_we_go_magic,_the_wiltern,_june_2009 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:06:24 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal/2009/06/20/2ta4zl_grizzly_bear_with_here_we_go_magic,_the_wiltern,_june_2009 An enjoyable outing, packed house. Very subdued atmosphere, lots of plaid. Droste's vocals are hypnotic, a whole different grandeur heard live. One of those bands that sounds better than their record, with no loss in vocal strength or band chemistry. One I'd recommend. Thumbs in the middle for Here We Go Magic - decent energy, but all I could think of as they played is all the other bands they sound just like. They need to carve out more of an identity.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal/2008/07/01/21sigx_matt_&_kim_june_30th_2008_in_hollywood_at_the_king_king Tue, 1 Jul 2008 16:40:20 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/StalinSays/journal/2008/07/01/21sigx_matt_&_kim_june_30th_2008_in_hollywood_at_the_king_king Mon 30 Jun – Matt and Kim, The Death Set, Cheeseburger, Franki Chan A decent show, I could tell the collected fans were in to the performance. Matt & Kim were great, and fun to talk to before things started up. They said they're working on some new recordings between tour stops, which is really good to hear.

Little too long between acts - Death Set was going on well past 0ne AM, and that's just deadly on a random Monday. Having drank it again for the first time since high school, I hope Colt 45 stays free - blech. I'm an alcoholic and I can tell that stuff is funky.]]>