Kasabian - Kasabian

The album whose every track I adore is extremely rare (even on this list), but this album is one of them. Kasabian writes a delicious blend of hipster-friendly electronic rock and post-punk grunge (without the ‘grungy’ sound) - except for the “(Interlude)” tracks, which are pure Vangelis.

I can’t wait for more, but I’d really like to see Kasabian push their sound over fresh ground on their next album, because this band has the rare talent of making ‘daring’ (as compared to most radio artists, not as compared to DAAU or something) music remarkably accessible and radio-friendly.

Track Listing:
1. Club Foot*
2. Processed Beats*
3. Reason Is Treason*
4. I.D.*
5. L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)*
6. Running Battle
7. Test Transmission
8. Cutt Off*
9. Butcher Blues*
10. U Boat
11. Reason in Treason [Jacknife Lee Version]

The Arcade Fire - Funeral

So much has already been written about this acknowledged masterpiece of modern rock that I could hardly add anything meaningful. Heartfelt, refreshing, gorgeous. There are no excuses for missing this one.

Track Listing:
1. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)*
2. Neighborhood #2 (Laika)*
3. Une Annee Sans Lumiere
4. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)*
5. Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)*
6. Crown Of Love*
7. Wake Up
8. Haiti
9. Rebellion (Lies)*
10. The Backseat

Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand

Oh, and I don’t usually watch music videos, but I could watch that one boxer punch that other guy in the video for ‘Take Me Out’ all day long.

Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung - Tub Gurnard Goodness

I only discovered this Belgian group (usually abbreviated as ‘DAAU’) because of their recent cover of Radiohead’s “2+2=5.” And what a discovery! Little did I know that DAAU had been creating innovative, groundbreaking music for nearly a decade.

Their style evades description, but I’ll try: they play a mixture of modern improvisational composition, Balkan-folk, Klezmer, psychedelic, tango, and reggae. Better put, they play improvised contemporary classical music with a rock drive and Klezmer instruments. Of course, the best way to understand their music is to…

Track Listing:
1. My Goodness! Poetry*
2. Off The Record*
3. Is This It?*
4. Raw Like Milk*
5. The Guts
6. Of R%d%h%d (2+2=5)
7. A Funny Little Feeling
8. Catfish Blues*
9. A Shortcut In The Edge*
10. Even More Lost Souls
11. In My Midnight Skies
12. Two Fast Dreams

The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat

Whenever I want to hear my friends say, “Luke, what the hell is this? You’re crazy, Put The Killers on.” I play the title track on this album. Blueberry Boat is challenging, but rewarding. The title track, in particular, is conceived with a number of brilliant and varied sequences. And, I’ve been known to sing ‘My Dog Was Lost But Now He’s Found’ at the top of my lungs in the shower, in the car, and around the house.

Phantom Planet - Phantom Planet

I never cared for ‘California’ (now used as O.C.’s theme song), but Phantom Planet’s next album was a radical and welcome departure from their previous work. Great licks, great textures, great vocals. The chorus to ‘Knowitall’ virtually throws me to the floor every time I blast it from my speakers (and really, there’s no other way to hear it). Probably the biggest surprise from someone whose previous I was familiar with, and a infinitely more pleasant one than Metallica’s St. Anger of last year.

Futureheads - Futureheads

New rule: If I hear music and don’t care for it, I listen to it at least once more. I heard this album when it arrived in October and didn’t care for it. When it turned up on almost every ‘best of the year’ list, I figured I’d better give it another try. Surprise! I loved it! I hope this habit hasn’t cost me too much great music in the past, but one thing’s for sure: I won’t let it happen in the future.

Breathless, energetic, and, well… fun power pop. I dare you to remain completely still while listening.

Secret Machines - Now Here is Nowhere

First of all, I’m baffled by comparisons to Pink Floyd. Now, about the music: this is a depressing album that washes wave after wave of emptiness over you. You’d be pummeled into a weeping, prostrate sack of sadness if it weren’t for the bass and rhythm sections, which are just strong and consistent enough to carry you through. And on the other side, you’re surprised to find you fondly recall your harrowing journey and how its familiarity and sense of community struggle uplifted you. For a great example of powerful songwriting, pay attention to how the slowly consuming, uncertain sorrow of the line “As leaves from modern trees…” in ‘First Wave Intact’ is followed by the quietly rising hope of “…Rest on walls like these.”

TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

It is with great pleasure that I find much of this year’s music difficult to describe. I’ll say that TV on the Radio plays ‘post-punk blues/gospel’ and let you discover what that means:

Track Listing:
1. The Wrong Way*
2. Staring At The Sun*
3. Dreams*
4. King Eternal*
5. Ambulance
6. Poppy
7. Don’t Love You
8. Bomb Yourself
9. Wear You Out

Megadeth - System Has Failed

80s metal is dead. Nirvana killed it. That makes me very sad. Recent releases by ex-80s-rockers like Skid Row are horrible grunge or Nu-Metal offerings. But, what’s this? Megadeth returns with more menacing thrash/speed metal, complete with killer riffage and blistering solos? I’m so there. Surprisingly, their best album in 15 years! Now, if only Metallica would follow up Master of Puppets, I might grow my mullet back.

Air - Talkie Walkie

Air, masters of pop electronica ala Goldfrapp, triumphantly return with their best since Moon Safari. From the gorgeous ‘Cherry Blossom Girl’ to the shiver-inducing ‘Run’ to the head-swaying ‘Surfing on a Rocket,’ this is lusher than Lush. Still, there’s no ‘Talisman’ here, and it’s pretty similar to the rest of their albums.

John Debney - The Passion of The Christ

I still haven’t seen the film, but John Debney’s soundtrack is a remarkable feat of ancient instruments and choral arrangements. It’s as powerful as anything written by Howard Shore for Lord of the Rings, even without the images. The first 1:15 of ‘Jesus is Carried Down’ sound like the Diablo II soundtrack by Matt Uelmen (’Mesa’ in particular). Sure, it’s not as interesting as, say, Amelie’s soundtrack, but I’m a sucker for poignant, powerful vocal pieces.

The Walkmen - Bows & Arrows

To a huge Sigur Ros fan (maybe I’m looking through Ros-colored glasses), The Walkmen sound like a sparse Sigur Ros at times, but instead of Hopelandish they sing in English. Other times, The Walkmen sound a bit like Phantom Planet. Both these claims are totally incorrect to someone who listens to more music than I do and can make better comparisons. Whatever it is, it’s good stuff. (What a cop out!)