20 -> 16 10 -> 6
15. Nada Surf – You Know Who You Are
Out Of The Dark
Cold To See Clear
I think for some – the overly slick, up-lifting tunes may be somewhat too mundane to enjoy thoroughly. Call it nostalgia. Call it circumstantial listening. I need more of these slick, up-lifting tunes in my life – as long as the performances are this good. Matthew Caws and company have so effortlessly cranked out sparkling pop-rock for 20 years, and I found myself drawn to it repeatedly this year. “Cold To See Clear” presents the classic breezy jangle of college radio rock with a captivating chorus and triumphant tenor vocals. There is something familiar in the delivery of lines like “One day, I’ll love somebody else” in “Believe You’re Mine”. The tried-and-true commentary on relationships and love loss permeates the album – but it never sounds trite or disinterested. Some atmospheric textures swirl around “Gold Sounds” while distant-sounding guitar lines lend to the 80’s-ish hazy jam. “New Bird” and the title track are the most raucous selections with classic power chord crunch, while the wonderfully written and horn-heavy “Out Of The Dark” is a highlight. The soaring chorus and backing vocals bristle with energy – as is the case throughout this cohesive and wistful power-pop achievement.
14. Wilco – Schmilco
Cry All Day
Someone To Lose
I contend that music imitates life, and Wilco is all of it’s eccentricities. A total surprise album dropped just a little over a year after the also-surprise Star Wars. I wouldn’t be the first to mention that Schmilco, a nod to Harry Nilsson’s Nilsson Schmilsson, feels like the B-side to last year’s album. Just as jarring, but more delicate, and more personal. In all these years, Jeff Tweedy has never been more direct on the plight of a midwest loner kid with direct grievances on society than the openers “Normal American Kids” and “If I Ever Was a Child”. I had a few weeks this year when the message of “Cry All Day” meant more than just the gently wonderful gallop of this awesome tune. Things get sonically weird on “Common Sense” and the driving “Locator” to great satisfaction. “Someone to Lose” alternates between a grinding churn and a lifting electric guitar line while describing love’s awkward commitment. I think it’s Wilco’s ability to represent both sides of a relationship or the ills of society with passion but with subdued anger that has always drawn me to them. Although there is what I would call some filler material here, Schmilco is another fabulous listen from a band cemented in my world.
13. A. Sinclair – Get Out of the City
You Got A Heart
I’m On An Ocean
From what I’ve read, Aaron Sinclair is an active force in the Austin indie rock scene. From what I know, his awesome album Get Out of the City is a blend of nervy post-punk and muscular guitar riffs – with tastefully hip detours. The commencing, new wave-ish title track, “Get Out of the City”, introduces the sharp guitar tones and Sinclair’s expressive voice that lies ahead. It’s a fantastic track full of interesting layered passages. The pounding bass and drum assault propels the dramatic “Liars in the State of New York” and eager “You Got a Heart” – the latter featuring a phenomenal bridge and subsequent re-emerging meld of themes. Lively atmospherics slink in and out of the soaring “I’m On An Ocean” giving counterpoint to the aggressive energy. “Green Leaves” is the standout mellow departure with harmonica and pedal steel creating an impressive haunting effect. The biggest compliment for this album is it sounds fresh and inspiring after many repeated listens. This is tight rock and roll with hooks, sharp arrangements, and ideal amounts of delay and reverb effects. I dig that the intertwining guitar lines and dynamic pace changes build tension while moving furiously along.
12. White Denim – Stiff
Holda You (I’m Psycho)
Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)
Not many bands are simultaneously progressive rock, fractured indie, and blue-eyed soul. White Denim are exactly that and pull it off with staggering confidence on Stiff, their sixth album, which rocks with an animated groove from beginning to end. There are no massive detours throughout the album, but each track has an abundance of intertwining lead riffs and thrilling break-downs. “Had 2 Know (Personal)” kicks the album into high gear with a nimble and brisk guitar assault, while “Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)” is the first of multiple tracks with a funky R&B vibe. The fuzzed-out bass line and furious lead riffs propel “Holda You (I’m Psycho)” into and out of an amazing bridge section and a sublime closing jam. While lead singer and guitarist James Petralli has established White Denim as guitar-oriented and jammy, his voice takes a larger role on this album. That is especially true on slow-burning R&B tunes “Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love)” and “(I’m the One) Big Big Fun” with a leisurely vocal quiver that works surprisingly well. Stiff is an entertaining listen of tight rock and roll with just enough loose swing and crazed delivery.
11. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals – Call It What It Is
Call It What It Is
Shine
Call It What It Is is Ben Harper’s first album with The Innocent Criminals since 2007’s phenomenal Lifeline and finds the band exhibiting every style of their soulful rock. While Lifeline has a special place in my heart and mind, the reunion with the same lineup continues the funky R&B and reggae-dashed roots rock familiar to this listener. Opener “When Sex Was Dirty” is sparse and facile until the ripping electric guitar in that last minute. It’s also extremely catchy. Title track “Call It What It Is” tackles racial tension, police brutality, and “murder” in America. As expected, Harper covers these heavy subjects with a balanced elegance while still invoking Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown directly. More prominently, it is musically a dense, layered Blues stunner. The highlight track for me is “How Dark Is Gone” with its massive percussion attack, tension building dynamics, and soaring vocals – one of the few times on the album where Ben really lets it go. He also exhibits his expressive wail on “Shine”, a particularly sunny moment with a groovy rhythm and tasteful guitar flourishes, and one of those tunes that will stick in your head for hours after. Harper’s mellow vibe and delicate vocals glow on the piano-laden “Deeper and Deeper” and soothe poetically on “Dance Like Fire”. Ben has released multiple albums of various styles since the last BHIC album – perhaps some of his best – but here his band’s sound feels effortless and right at home.
20 -> 16 10 -> 6