Best of 2010 | Lutmer’s List – Director’s Cut
LÃœTMER’S LIST {Director’s Cut} / 2010 Album Reviews
By Brandon Lütmér
I did a proper review for the first ten you’ll see below here and then 20 second reviews for the remaining best of. Just because something got a longer review doesn’t mean it’s better than any others. I just had more to say about it. These are reviews of the BEST albums that I heard from 2010, NOT a top ten list becuse it’s too hard to narrow these down to ten.
Full Reviews
Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me
Beautiful is a pretty good description of this record. The songs kind of just float along with a delicacy that no other record this year has captured. Once again, as in every one of her releases it’s her sense of melody that really keeps you coming back. The songs are lush and big but don’t ever become too weighty. If you’re not familiar with Joanna Newsom then this might be a good starting point. Her voice is a little less frail and harsh as on The Milk Eyed Mender and the songs aren’t epically long like Y’s. If i had to complain i would say it’s a little lengthy… three LP’s can be a little much unless you’re Philip Glass or Sam Cooke.
It’s A King Thing – Buffalo buffalo Buffalo… {FREE!}
I discovered this band when i was trying to figure out why my friend Andrew named his show house It’s A King Thing. Turns out they are an amazing pop band from Philadelphia. Now, there are some bands who can get away with having cheesy lyrics; bands like The Smoking Popes and Weezer seem to have a knack for saying things that I would normally consider lame but sound endearing and clever when sung by these guys. This is a gift I do not have, but It’s A King Thing definitely have this gift and use it well. The melodies are so catchy that I kept listening to every song on repeat. How can a band write a whole album of nothing but hooks?
Hanalei – One Big Night
I’ve been listening to Hanalei since I was in High School. I remember when it was just Brian Moss and a laptop. I also remember when they were a full country-ish indie rock band and now, for their third full length release, Hanalei is back to being just One person. not even a postal-service-y laptop to back him up or anything. That one of my favorite aspects of One Big night: it sounds like it was recorded with a four track in his bedroom. This lo-fi quality really brings out the subtle beauty and grace his songs carry. Straight faced, honest lyrics with not much more than an acoustic and the occasional drum machine makes this album perfect for lazy days or sleepless nights.
Everyone Everywhere – Everyone Everywhere
I first heard these guys when we played A.R.M.s Fest with them in Akron. I was immediately impressed with the song structure – they have a classic early 2000′s emo sound i.e. The Promise Ring, mid era Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World. This is something you don’t see too often in the emo revival scene, most of that scene is super noodly guitars and epic sing-a-longs so it’s a breath of fresh air to hear a good poppy emo band that writes catchy songs.
Belle & Sebastian – Write About Love
My roommate Brian gave me this record for my birthday. Belle & Sebastian have never released an album that wasn’t good and this one doesn’t disappoint either. Another perfect pop record by the aging Stuart Murdoch and company. As with their last few release it lacks a little of the youthful zest and wit that their first few records had, but that’s to be expected. I’d rather their songwriting change over time than hear them say the same shit over and over again. It makes it more believable too – there’s no way they’re going through the same shit now as when they were in their 20′s. Kudo’s to Belle & Sebastian for staying relevant for so long!
Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang – The Wonder Show
Anything Will Oldham puts out is awesome. If you’re not familiar with him or his many monikers than you should grow up and download I See A Darkness. This album with The Cairo Gang is a little more Lo-fi and minimalist than his country-twinged releases of late – and that’s definately a good thing. I appreciate him switching things up a bit. ‘The Wonder Show’ is a slow-moving, beautiful record that deserves a lot of plays when you’re alone in your bedroom.
Superchunk – Majesty Shredding
For a comeback record this was really good. It’s rockin, catchy, and fun as all hell. It’s loaded with ketchup, mustard and all the condiments that make a tasty sandwich great instead of just good. It’s a good place to start for the younger generation who might be unfamiliar with the band. Don’t get me wrong, the old tride and true Superchunk fans will love it too, but where it has stayed on track in the hook department it seems to have failed a little in the lyrical. I’m not saying the lyrics are bad… just not as good as any other Superchunk album. I mean you can’t blame him really, what’s he going to sing about being successful and loving his life as he approaches becoming middle aged? Hey, it’s better than the Smoking Popes comeback record.
The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt
This record took me by surprise. Before this year I had never heard Kristian Matsson before and upon my first few listens I honestly didn’t care for it. The same thing happened to me three or four years ago when I first heard Joanna Newsom. In both cases i didn’t care for their voices at first but their sense of melody and songwriting kept me coming back until I couldn’t stop listening. At this point I consider them to be two of the best songwriters/performers around and to have beautiful and distinct voices. His voice is the main thing that sets him apart from every other Bob Dylan loving songwriter with an acoustic guitar and a flair for surrealistic lyrics. Just start The Wild Hunt from the beginning and take it in. The great lyrics and expert hooks start immediately and dont stop until the record’s over. Absolutely fantastic.
Annabel – Here We Are Tomorrow
I know these dudes from Akron, OH personally so I’ll try and not be too biased on their ep released last month. This was probably the best 7 I heard all year and rules so hard… that’s the truth. Annabel is a poppy indie rock band from the Midwest and this ep is a step up from their already catchy full length that came out last year. Killer melodies and pop sensibility with equally great instrumentation.
The Black Keys – Brothers
I have never really been a fan of The Black Keys. I never hated them or anything, but I just didn’t see what the big deal was about. I’m still not sold on their older records, but Brothers is a superb album. It seems to blend the perfect amount of honest indie rock with 60′s Motown style and flair. This record is so awesome that I might even check out their previous records… maybe not; but I do think Brothers will stand out this year for being not only a fantastic album from beginning to end, but a rousing commercial success as well. Something you don’t see too often these days.
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20 Second Reviews
Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
Just as good as their last record The airing of grievances but standing a little more firmly on it’s own two feet. The Monitor is full of sprawling loud raucous indie rock songs that make you want to throw your fist in the air and sing along.
The Please & Thank Yous – Mind Your P’s And Q’s
TPATY are an amazing pop/punk/emo band from Chicago that obviously love The Ergs. This album is a smart, clever, and well-constructed punk record that deserves far more attention than it got. This may sound lofty, but it’s probably my favorite punk album to come out of Chicago in years. There’s not much I don’t like about this record. Word on the street is that it’s being sent for it’s second pressing… so go buy it
Merchant Ships – For Cameron
Merchant Ships was a spectacular traditional emo/screamo band from south bend Indiana. they broke up this year after recording For Cameron so this never got a proper release. It’s a shame because this is youth angst and honesty backed by noodly guitars with more sing-alongs than you can shake a stick at.
The Ground Is Lava – Freeze Tag
TGIL is and super fun emo band from Ohio with lyrics as quick and witty as their guitar lines. listen to this if you have a heart and enjoy having a good time. Everybody should see these guys live, but make sure you get this album first and memorize every song on it.
Snowing – I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted
Snowing is a wild, smart, and talented band from Philadelphia who play some good classic emo. It reminds me of Woodson by The Get Up Kids but with more balls. This is their debut full length and a step up in songwriting from their 7. I’ve heard some negative opinions of this record from people who liked the 7 and I don’t understand why. oh well.
The Reptilian – Full Health
Full Health is The Reptilians 3rd proper release and by far their best. Traditional Screamo from Kalamazoo, MI with enough honesty to pull in fans of any similar genre. The songs On Full Health are short and sweet and leave the listener wanting more. this is great for me because if a screamo song is too long and epic I get bored. See them live. it’s toally awesome.
The Love Of Everything – Best In Tensions
The Love Of Everything is the moniker of long-time kinsella affiliate Bobby Burg. This record gives you more of the same as all his previous records. Smart, bizarre, and loopy pop songs sung out of tune(and that’s not a band thing).
The Hold Steady – Heaven Is Whenever
The Hold Steady is a great band. This record is great too. Not nearly as good as their first three albums but better than #4, Stay Positive. This album finds them without keyboard play Franz Nicolay- and it shows. It’s more straight forward guitar driven rock-n-roll. ’Heaven is Whenever’ doesn’t have as many stand-out tracks as any other Hold Steady album but stands on its own as a whole.
Coping – Lawndale
Coping is a traditional emo band from Chicago. More emotional than fun, but more fun than sad. Lawndale is full of great sing-a-longs and youthful vigor. This tape only release is too short and needs to be listened to on repeat over and over again.
Sun Kil Moon – Admiral Fell Promises
I will always love anything Mark Kozelek does. His minimalism music and mopey voice just get me. this album is good, but not as good as 2008′s April. AFP is more spacey and full of a meandering acoustic guitar that distracts me from the songwriting. Still a solid album though, worth a listen if you’re down for some down-tempo.
Tigers Jaw – Two Worlds
I didn’t realize this band was as big as they were. Tigers Jaw is a great pop/indie/punk band that sounds like they would be on Vagrant records when I was in High School. Two Worlds is a good record but I don’t think it’s any better than their Self titled album.
Dr. Dog – Shame Shame
Great album from the Philadelphia indie giants. Although it’s not significantly different than their breakthrough 2008 album Fate.
Spoon – Transference
Spoon is a great rock band. They’ve had a long career (in Indie Rock terms) and keep putting out great albums. This one is a little more out-there and experimental compared to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and Gimme Fiction, but that’s not a bad thing at all.
Mountains For Clouds -Some People Buy Scenery Like This
Mountains for clouds is a sometimes instrumental twinkly emo band from Michigan. This is their debut ep and won’t disappoint anyone who loved Low Level Owl. Remember when you were nineteen years old and you went through that stage where you really liked Explosions in the sky? It feels kind of like that but better and you wont get bored as fast.
The National – High Violet
Tha National is awesome. High Violet is as good a all their other albums. If you’re not familiar than that’s too bad.
Rufus Wainwright – All Days Are Nights
All Days Are Nights is an interesting departure from the usual big bombastic orchestral pop that I’m used to with Rufus McGoofus. I have been a fan of his for years. This record is more straight piano and voice, which in turn makes it much more easy to focus on the songwriting. Apparently his mother died right before he started recording this record. I suppose that makes sense considering this album is one of the most heartbreaking of the year.
The Walkmen – Lisbon
The last two months have cemeted The Walkmen’s place as one of my favorite bands ever. After having not listened to this band in at least three years I downloaded the rest of their albums and realized i had been missing out. They’re all great and Lisbon is the cream of the crop. Good reverb-y indie rock that would make Interpol very horny, evil (like they wish they could be) and jealous.
BL
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{About the Author: Brandon Lütmer is the star personality & lead actor of Sock Monkey Sound podcast. He’s also a member of the midwest band, Joie DeVivre. This is his first official written entry for the Monkey bunch but 2011 brings many many new adventures for our ex-Survivor TV show contestant- which may keep us waiting for his next one. Either way we will- with fervor we will wait for Lütmer! – SMS Ed.}
About the Author
Brandon Brandon is the Sock Monkey Sound co-host with the silky smooth voice. Lover of cheap beer, vinyl, emo rock, and competitive ice fishing.
Fun fact about the It's a King Thing album: "Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo," is a grammatically correct sentence.