Detail of the cover illustration of Fantastic Universe magazine #2, 1956
Part three of my list of 2010's best new releases...
#15 Astro Coast by Surfer Blood (Kanine Records)
I have trouble remembering that Astro Coast really came out in 2010 - the buzz around the excellent "Swim" single goes back to late 2009. My two main comparisons for Surfer Blood are apt, I think, but also misleading and unappetizing for a lot of people - this band is really a combination of the best qualities found in the first two albums by Weezer and the Shins. It's true - deal with it. (here.)
"Swim" by Surfer Blood
#14 Personal Life by the Thermals (Sub Pop)
The Thermals are a more "punk rock" version of Spoon. They strip their music down to a few elemental, raw sounds - as a result, their songs can make an immediate connection with me the first time I hear them when the reduction process works just right. Personal Life's existentialist couples-therapy theme is one that hits home for me as well, elevating this record above its "treading water" reputation. (Original review here.)
"Never Listen to Me" by the Thermals
#13 Accept the Mystery by Graham Smith (Reesonable Records)
Smith once again drops his Kleenex Girl Wonder pseudonym to make a "songwriterly" album. A tidier piece of work, Accept the Myster lacks some of the manic energy and sprawl of the last two KGW records, but the music hits harder in its best moments because of the more fleshed-out and thoughtful arrangements. As usual, though, Smith's lyrics are the big deal here. (Original review here.)
"These Things Are Nice..." by Graham Smith
#12 The Winter of Mixed Drinks by Frightened Rabbit (Fat Cat Records)
The Winter of Mixed Drinks is the sound of a bedroom-project-turned-actual-band completely leaving its roots behind without being entirely sure where to go next. As a result, certain stretches of the record seem tentative or repetitive, but Scott Hutchison's emotive writing still packs a wallop on the album's best tracks ("Nothing Like You", "Swim Until You Can't See Land", "Living in Colour".) (Original review here.)
"Nothing Like You" by Frightened Rabbit
#11 Before Today by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (4AD)
Ariel Pink hasn't sold out - there is enough intentional clumsiness and ugliness on Before Today to drive away most people with "mainstream" tastes (e.g. "Butt-House Blondies"), but there are also plenty of moments that show Ariel Pink's ability to write a killer pop song when he's in the moood. "Round and Round" single-handedly got this album to the outskirts of my Top 10, but songs like "Can't Hear My Eyes" and "Menopause Man" make this more than a one-hit-and-filler record. (Original review here.)
"Round and Round" by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
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