MGMT - Congratulations [Columbia]
These psyched out boys don't reminice MGMT's previous radio hits like "Time To Pretend" or "Electric Feel". Instead trippy, progressive tunes like "Siberian Breaks" come across. Maybe not as enjoyable as their previous debut Oracular Spectacular, it sure is a fun trip across psychedelic landscapes that the very promising MGMT.
Key Tracks: "Siberian Breaks", "Congratulations", "Song For Dan Treacy"
Fang Island - Fang Island [Sargent House]
Blasting off with the crackle of fireworks, buzz of highly distorted guitars, and the silent churn of an organ, which builds into the intense geometric metal-like "Careful Crossers". The highlights of excellent math rock rhythmns from drummer Marc Sauveur and glorious guitar solos. The thrill of Fang Island is just the intensity and rush the sound gives you with layers up layers of an electric sound wall.
Key Tracks: "Daisy", "Careful Crossers", "Dream of Dreams"
Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty [Purple Ribbon/Def Jam]
Big Boi doesn't slow down. His rapping is lightning fast and earns with true hip-hop pride. "It is I, the B. I. G. the B. O. I./ Me oh my, ears to the streets and eyes to the sky" raps Big Boi on the opening lines of "Daddy Fat Sax" with tremendous speed that will blast past you without being able to transcribe what he just said. Sir Lucious Left Foot is a true party album, the beats are stellar and the lyrics even better.
Key Tracks: "Daddy Fat Sax", "Shutterbug", "Shine Blockas"
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today [4AD]
Ariel Pink's first mainstream release sounds like it was purely from the '70s. Every song pays some kind of homage to a vintage '70s song that is long forgotten. From the superb "Round and Round" to the surf-rock "Bright Lit Blue Skies", Before Today is a true nostalgic trip. Expect more oddities and vintage sounding hits from Ariel Pink in the future.
Key Tracks: "Round and Round", "Bright Lit Blue Skies", "Fright Night (Nevermore)"
Weezer - Hurley [Epitaph]
Weezer has truly lost it. Putting "that guy from Lost" as the cover of their latest album. Maybe, they've lost it past the point where it is good. In fact, Weezer comes back to the basics of their sounds from Pinkerton and Weezer (Blue Album) with the exceptional "Time Flies". Hurley is a just another fun pop album.
Key Tracks: "Time Flies", "Trainwrecks", "Memories"
Best Coast - Crazy For You [Mexican Summer]
Straight out of Los Angeles, these indie poppers, create a lo-fi, fuzzy, surf-rock sound that is full out just fun. From the intro "Boyfriend" to the hazy "Our Deal", Crazy For You is one of the most relaxing and atmospheric albums of 2010.
Key Tracks: "Boyfriend", "Crazy For You", "Our Deal"
Laurie Anderson - Homeland [Nonesuch/Elektra]
Laurie Anderson's haunting artsy poetry mixes over experimental instrumentation to create a very entertaining and exciting listen. Anderson's delicate, robotic voice floats so mysteriously and create such resonance within the music.
Key Tracks: "Another Day In America", "My Right Eye", "Transitory Life"
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record [Arts & Crafts]
The indie supergroup, crank out another very superb record that spans a great amount of indie genres. Led by the fast paced instrumental track "Meet Me In the Basement" and the delicate "Sweetest Kill", Forgiveness Rock Record sounds like a bunch of indie artist having a good time creating quality music.
Key Tracks: "Meet Me In the Basement", "Sweetest Kill", "Art House Director"
The Radio Dept. - Clinging To a Scheme [Labrador]
Churning out their third LP, The Radio Dept. create a jangly, shoegazey LP that create a strong reminiscence of The Smiths of the '80s and My Bloody Valentine. The highly addictive "Heaven's On Fire" and hazy "Memory Loss" lead The Radio Dept. to a very strong effort that carries on the legacy of shoegaze of the '80s.
Key Tracks: "Heaven's On Fire", "Domestic Scene", "David"
Gonjasufi - A Sufi and a Killer [Warp]
The San Diego based hip hop artist Gonjasufi's debut is one of the most bizarre and far-out psychedelic-like hip-hop that spins in so many different directions that it will literally make your head spin. With a raspy, spasmodic voice that will grasp your attention immediately, Gonjasufi definitely gets the award for most weird and visionary album of the year.
Key Tracks: "Sheep", "Klowds", "Ancestors"
Watch for the next few days for the top twenty albums of the year from The Lavin Rant!
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