I don't do this very often, or ever really, but here's a look at the Top 5 albums that have wowed my pants (so far) this year. I'm happy to say that there's a wide range on here.
1) Spoon- Transference
As a Spoon fan, I was just a teensy bit confused when this record came out (partly because I hadn't expected it so soon). But with tracks like "Written in Reverse", "Is Love Forever", "The Mystery Zone" and "Out Go the Lights", it's easy to see that Spoon are more than just on top of their game, they're ready to take their talent and go elsewhere with their sound. Just as catchy, just as tight, and a clear signal from the band that they are confident in their work, talent, and love the music they make... even if the track ends abruptly. Britt and the boys have done it again, and it rocks, plain and simple.
2) Janelle Monáe- The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)
Where Janelle Monáe's previous work (her Metropolis Suites, to which this album is a successor) got weird and a little to sci-fi for me, The ArchAndroid doesn't just improve, it blows her older work out of the water. Monáe has a great vocal ability to draw from, with all sorts of genres appearing all over the album (see "BabopbyeYa" which is all sorts of jazz, including a nod to Monk, who's masterpiece of a track "Bye Ya" is referenced in the name). But she's R&B, she hip-hop, she's a little bit of everything. "Tightrope", which is the single featuring Outkast's Big Boi is a monstrous track, with a great beat that keeps my feet tapping and hands drumming. I'm hoping this is just the "tip on it" for this young starlet.
3) The Tallest Man on Earth- The Wild Hunt
Talk about heartfelt and special albums. There is no voice in the indie world like Kristian Mattson (aka the Tallest Man on Earth). He has done incredible things with his crooning and lonesome sound, turning this sophomore album into a work of art that hearkens back to Dylan's poetry and visions of our country. Critically praised, but lacking in buzz, the people at Dead Oceans did a really good job releasing this one, and I can only hope that more people give it a listen.
4) The Bewitched Hands on Top of Our Heads- Hard to Cry (EP)
Zooming out of left field and onto my list, this group of Frenchmen are poised to ride the Phoenix train and bring more French indie rock to the States (albeit a very different style). Not only is this the craziest band name I've seen in a long time, it's some of the best new music too. "Hard to Cry" is a great work of songwriting, with very distinct phrasing, great harmony, and fantastic dynamics. Can't wait to see what else happens with these boys.
5) The Roots - How I Got Over
I can't end this post without giving two HUGE shout outs.
Honorable Mentions:
Geographer- Animal Shapes
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way
Cheers to the next 6 months!
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