This was an exceedingly difficult year. There was nothing that was clear cut, some friends got more famous and as such a little more disconnected, a local boy made good on the talent he possesses. And iloveghosts came out with a record. So, over all it was a surprising year. I am still of the ilk that buys CD’s, almost 100% of my CD’s came from Inner Sleeve in Wausau, Wi. If I downloaded a record, it was the full album. Like I said though, it was a strange year.
1. Blakroc, “Self Titled”. This was one of those that slept on me a bit. I had forgotten about it until about a day ago, when I had started to think about this list. But, a record made by The Black Keys and the NYC hip hop families that I care for makes it obviously the best record. The guitar ton of Dan Auerbach and the drumming of Patrick Karney, combined with the likes of RZA, ODB, Mos Def, Jim Jones and a ton of others, make it perfect. When you look at the output of Dan Auerbach in this year, it is sort of amazing. Check out this clip.
2. Street Sweeper Social Club “Self Titled”. I found these guys when they backed up Public Enemy at the Def Jam Hip Hop Honors this year. I noticed Tom Morello, and then Boots Riley was unavoidable, just a movement about him. It was great. Then I happened to be out west for the NIN/Jane’s Addiction (Janes might be the greatest live band I have ever seen) and SSSC was opening. This was a night that was magic.
3. Mandy Moore, “Amanda Leigh”. So, as most of you know I am not one for the singer songerwriter vibe. It is just not my thing. But, I am a big fan of the pop women, and great pop songs. I also think that few people write songs like Ryan Adams, and I absolutely loved the movie ‘Dedication’ this year. Lets put it all together. Ryan Adams got married to Mandy Moore. Mandy Moore starred with Billy Crudup in above said movie. So, I was paying attention when I heard Mandy put out a new record. For a good part of the year the first single off the record was my song of the year. I played it constantly. Then other great songs came along, and I was clear. But, this is one of those singer songwriter records, and it was absolutely magic. It had a confidence and a swagger about it that I just loved. Check this out.
And now we fall off a little bit.
4. Jay-Z, “The Blueprint 3″. You heard our entire podcast devoted to this record. It really was a great record, and it contained my song of the year. So, it has to be in the top 5. My song of the year.
5. Lady Gaga, “The Fame Monster”. This was one of those records that sort of just explodes. It is like a movement all to itself, and you cannot stop it no matter how hard you try. It gets inside you with this amazing vision of the world, and it never lets you go.
6. Rawkwon, “Only Built for Cuban Linx, Part II”. This I just got. Like a week ago. And it has not stopped being played, it just is a return to emceeing, and beats like the world needs. I hope hip hop follows Raekwon. He knows the way.
7. The Pains of being Pure at Heart, “The Pains of being Pure at Heart”. I do not never know what to say about this band, other than I love them.
8. Japandroids, “Post Nothing”. Again I just simply fell in love with the guitar sound. Like The Black Keys before them, it was a tone thing.
9. Lucero, “1372 Overton Park”. I think Ben Nichols is the best songwriter in the world right now. He is my Bob Dylan. He write lyrics that change my life. I have been lucky enough to see them with friends, and they are a popular band here in Wausau, and maybe they make it here for a festival or something next year. One can hope right. Lucero live is Special. Really special.
10 Meantooth Grin, “Before the Devil Knows Your Dead”. I got to witness ever part of this production. From the birth of Toms blues love, to the cancer, to the song writing, to the art, to it all. Tom is a blessed talent, and I am proud he is my friend. We sat at his house tonight, and talked about how he wants to move music forward in Wausau. I just thought, play your guitar man. Just rip.
I hope that list makes some sense to you. It was a strange year. The ipod got more dominate in my life, and I am not sure if that is a good thing.
