Evidence of This.: Favourite Muses of 2010

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Favourite Muses of 2010

This year-- has been my favourite, and I think it may have to do with the music that was released. The music released this year was bold, brave and interesting. All the artists that I have listened to this year have had in their own way manifested themselves into my 2010 memories. I made an effort to expand my music collection and pleasantly found new artists to become utterly obsessed with.

My most cherished memories of the music in 2010 are associated with the shows that I attended.
- Having blindly bought a ticket to CocoRosie's show in Vancouver, it has made me an avid and hopefully permanent admirer.
- Seeing Matt and Kim live made me so appreciative of their efforts to keep in touch with fans.
- Having witnessed the magic that is Sufjan Stevens in a seated theatre, I can safely say that I want to steal his dance moves.
- Dancing at the Scissor Sisters outdoors show in the rain brought new definition to "Skin Tight"
The shows I attended this year were by far the most exciting and musically moving -- they also include
Pheonix, You Say Party, City and Colour, Tegan and Sara, Coeur de Pirate, Stars, Joanna Newsom, The National, Metric and I also have to include --- The incredibly funny Margaret Cho.
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I thought about doing a "Top 10 Albums of the Year" type of list... But that seems to leave out so many albums. So I decided to mention albums which have helped me through hours of transit travel, walks to and from school, and down time where the only sounds I would allow myself to hear were the noises from my headphones. Music.
Here are some records I kept on heavy rotation in my headphones and in some respects, I can safely say have helped me through stressful periods between and during College classes.

1. ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS - SWANLIGHTS
FAVOURITE TRACK: GHOST

I was so excited to hear Antony's album Swanlights. Antony's vocals has always had a profound effect on me. I turn into an emotional bubble and find it difficult to comprehend how such beautiful sounds can come from this one man. His piano melodies and powerfully unique vocals bring a persuasion in which I can only attempt to dissect. This album was one of the highlights for me this year, the album as a whole was a great record to listen to while traveling. The added scenery to this epic music is recommended-- Antony takes you on a journey. Where you will end up is entirely dependent on your own personal experience with Swanlights.

Antony and the Johnsons - Swanlights

2. BEACH HOUSE - TEEN DREAM
FAVOURITE TRACK: ZEBRA

Brilliant. Great new discovery for me, I thoroughly enjoy this album. The raspy vocals and melodic instrumentation make for a feel good album full of sentimental songs about love, loss and life. Reminds me of the 90's, nostalgic.
Beach House

Beach House - Zebra

lk3. BEST COAST - CRAZY FOR YOU
FAVOURITE TRACK: HONEY

A friend of mine recommended I listen to Best Coast, I took her advice--- and I am so glad I did. I was ranting about the lack of current female fronted rock bands and here is a band that gives me hope. Entering the indie pop/rock music scene in 2009, their lo-fi sound and fuzzy yet raw vocals clash with electric riffs and drum beats. Their first full-length Crazy For You makes me excited to hear more. They remind me of Hole or Garbage, they're reminiscent of that spirit of strong female leads-- and it makes me like them all the more.

Best Coast - Honey

4. COSOROSIE - GREY OCEANS
FAVOURITE TRACK: SMOKEY TABOO

I was a casual listener of CocoRosie before their album Grey Oceans was released. Having seen them live, I see the appeal. What attracts me to their music is not so much their musical skill. They are not fantastic singers. It's who they present themselves to be that attracts me to their work. Their persona's are what draws me in, their stories are what I attach myself to, their performances are what I try to grasp. They are anti-conservative, radical, non-conventional thinkers, the perfect traits of artists. Their first three records pulled at my heart strings in ways I can't explain, their songs are full of fantastic stories about fairies, animals and obviously, their experiences. I will always associate the year 2010 with the re-introduction of CocoRosie into my music collection. I became an avid music listener of their experimental instrumentation which melts imperfectly into Bianca's sing-speak raps and Sierra's operatic vocals.

CocoRosie - Smokey Taboo

5. LISSIE - CATCHING A TIGER
FAVOURITE TRACK: IN SLEEP
Her vocals are killer, so good--- I like to describe it as dirty country.
Melting classic-rock-blues-country.

Lissie - When I'm Alone

6. FENCES - FENCES
FAVOURITE TRACK: MY GIRL THE HORSE

Chris Mansfield's music makes me so sad most of the time. Sometimes though, the sadness in his voice and music brings across a sweet disposition of tender loving lyrics and self-deprecation. You need an even amount of both those binaries to function properly--- or else, you'll be so damn sad, you'll find yourself lying on your floor curled up in the fetal position crying silently to yourself with Fences' music coming from your headphones.

Fences - Girls With Accents

7. FOUR TET - THERE IS LOVE IN YOU
FAVOURITE TRACK: ANGEL ECHOES

His latest release brings about sounds of electronic beats mixed with delicate hums and mutters.
The first song on There Is Love In You titled "Angel Echoes" left me speechless. I was in a place of tranquil and stillness. It's euphoric, and brings my imagination to places where only hope, happiness and Utopian ideals exist.
Is that crazy, that this one song can make me feel this way?
Four Tet continues to create music that moves listeners and brings across a calm. This is an ideal album for running, if you're going someplace and need a soundtrack, There Is Love In You is perfect.

Four Tet - Angel Echoes

8. LIGHT ASYLUM - IN TENSION EP
FAVOURITE TRACK: DARK ALLIES

I first heard Shannon Funchess' vocals in another Brooklyn band called Durty Nanas. They embody block parties and community celebration. Light Asylum is her project with another musical partner her electronic yet eerie songs are translated into this EP. Although it is only four-tracks long, the songs themselves have feel good beats, mixed with dark and subversive lyrics. I remember listening to this on long transit rides, the songs are so upbeat yet lyrically dark.

Light Asylum - Dark Allies

9. MELISSA AUF DER MAUR - OUT OF OUR MINDS
FAVOURITE TRACK: 1000 YEARS
I think I would describe her sound as strong, catastrophic and chaotically unique.

Melissa Auf Der Maur - Out of Our Minds

10. THE NATIONAL - HIGH VIOLET
FAVOURITE TRACK: CONVERSATION 16

I finally had the opportunity to see The National live this year. They certainly delivered a show full of their antics, Matt wringing his fingers--walking awkwardly on stage alongside a full band with perfect musicality. Did I forget to mention that his baritone vocals carried out across the entire audience-- it gave me goosebumps. This album was one of my favourites this year and I played High Violet on rotation for months.

The National - Lemonworld

11. PERFUME GENIUS - LEARNING
FAVOURITE TRACK: LEARNING

Delicate piano melodies -- muttered vocals reminding me of Sigur Ros -- lyrics are quirky and sentimental. What is there not to like about a debut album full of personal tragedies, loves and ultimately - sentiments.

Perfume Genius - Learning

12. SHARON VAN ETTEN - EPIC
FAVOURITE TRACK: PEACE SIGN

I fell in love with her 2009 release Because I Was In Love and was so excited to hear she would release this album this year. What drew me to her music was ultimately her songwriting. They are heart-felt and full of emotion, this is carried across in her whispered-vocals. I can't even bring myself to try and describe her music. You can listen to her DAYTROTTER SESSION, it's almost perfect.

Sharon Van Etten - NPR Tiny Desk Concert

13. JOANNA NEWSOM - HAVE ONE ON ME
FAVOURITE TRACK: GO LONG

I saw her play live for the first time this year.
I sat in my chair on edge for most of the show.
I listened to the delicate and profound sounds coming from the musicians on stage.
I loved her music even more after I saw her live.

Joanna Newsom - '81

14. THE JEZABELS - DARK STORM EP
FAVOURITE TRACK: A LITTLE PIECE
From Australia - With Love

The Jezabels - Dark Storm

15. JONSI - GO
FAVOURITE TRACK: BOY LILIKOI
For all things Jonsi, you must visit his website - and perhaps browse his Media section

Jonsi - Go Do

Some other great records I loved this year-- not all were released in 2010:
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can