Best of 2010 | Reader Selects: Beach House

By Shoegazer Jon
{Shoegazer Jon is a first time contributor to Sock Monkey Sound.  We asked for reader and listener input, he complied perfectly. Thank you.  To the rest, continue to send your hate mail & best of lists to andy@andywhorehall.com.  We welcome SJ to contribute further if time permits in 2011!}

5 Favorite Records/Cds Of 2010

5. She & Him – Volume Two. The second outing from duo Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward giving you more quirky 60′s pop to put a smile on your face along with two covers. A bit more going on in each song thanks to stronger writing from Zooey and wonderful arrangements by M. Ward.

4. Sleigh Bells – Treats. It’s loud as hell and over before you know it. What just happened? Sleigh Bells deliver on the concept of “Treats” by serving you tasty catchy simple songs with bursting filling that you get all over your favorite outfit. Mission accomplished.

3. The Radio Dept. – Clinging To A Scheme. Another infectious album from the Sweden group that has you wait a couple years for each new release just to prove you that they are still on top of their game and it was well worth the wait.  I thank you The Radio Dept.

2. The Walkmen – Lisbon. Once again there is no stopping The Walkmen from making good album after good album. I haven’t heard a dud yet. Light up the fireplace, pour some cheap wine, and you can already see the cigarette smoke filling up the room during conversation between friends. This is what it’s all about memories.

1. Beach House – Teen Dream. It came out in the beginning of 2010 and became my favorite album right away. Nothing has changed my mind since then and has been on heavy rotation ever since. It’s what the soundtrack of your dreams would sound like.

5 Favorite Songs I Couldn’t Get Enough Of In 2010

5. Crystal Stilts – Shake The Shackles. It’s good from start to finish from the opening organ to the organ’s last key fading out at the end it makes you want to move side to side while your friend is trying to tell you this is a Walkmen’s b-side, but your too busy with your headphones on.

4. Tennis – Cape Dory. It’s short and sweet. With you waiting for the song to kick off from the guitar strumming away and a pretty voice to take you along for the journey you know the drums aren’t far behind, but the journey ends too soon. So, you play it again and again to take you back.

3. Ceremony – Stars Fall. If The Jesus & Mary Chain and New Order had sex this would be their bastard child. The buzz-saw guitar fuzz is turned up to 11 on this track. One of the better shoegaze acts around since shoegaze rose from it’s ashes.

2. Male Bonding – Years Not Long. This dirty fast lo-fi track will have you spilling beer all over your friends apartment while you snag their beer to keep singing along only to spill that beer all over yourself to keep cool from all the sweating.

1. Beach House – Norway. A hazy dream pop track that is of perfection and the best I’ve heard in along time. This track sends a chill down my spine along with getting goose bumps with every listen like it’s the first time all over again. This track is what dreams are made of.

SJ