Where does the time go. It was only 13 weeks ago that I weaseled my way back on to the airwaves and now it is time to take an extended break. This was a hell of a season though! A big thanks to Chris Goss and Pete Stahl for coming on the show. But the biggest thanks goes out to you guys who keep clicking on the links, watching the videos, and most of all, tuning in Sunday nights. The support I get from you guys makes every blog post, review, and interview worth it. Some people go to church on Sunday, I spend two hours closing out the weekend to the best music no one has heard of.
2010 was a decent year for music. A lot of the "old guard" posted new releases as well as new bands trying to break through into an over populated niche genre where everyone either puts their own spin on the music or tunes down 3 steps in hopes of being the heaviest band in the planet while sacrificing originality, melody, and soul.
With the death of Stonerrock.com, the community spin further into the spiral of being a web ring of dozens of blogs (mine included) and enthusiastic Europeans who get to enjoy what many people in the States cannot. With reverby, echoey, folky pretentious music over saturating music sites and alternative radio (VMFM included) It seems that heavy music won't break out anytime soon. As a matter of fact, that is ideal for those who believe that this music is "theirs" because there is nothing worse than your secret getting out. However, the hard working bands out there who need to feed babies and stuff might have a different opinon. So get the word out on your favorite bands, they'll appreciate it.
Here are my top 10 albums of 2010.
10: Brant Bjork - Gods and Goddesses
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Brant Bjork returns with probably his best solo outing since Jalamanta. Super laid back and a little less monotonous and forced. This is a little breath of fresh air for those who have wanted something different from Brant. If you haven't heard this yet, give it a listen.
9: Kylesa - Spiral Shadow
If you're piss off and want to beat shit up, this is for you. Kylesa screams their way into the count down with a new sound that fans are split on. More "Hardcore" than, well, anything I've featured on the show, those who are used to growling vocals might be thrown for a loop. Great tones and production but the vocals are sooo 2003.
8: Yawning Man - Nomadic Pursuits
The gang is back together for another trip down trippy lane. Yawning Man seems to lose itself in jam sections and thunderous reverb. Mario Lalli's bass chords are so warm you can heat your house with them. It's no Rock Formations but it'll do.
7: Masters of Reality - Pine/Cross Dover
Released in October in the states, Pine/Cross Dover is nothing new to the hardcore fans who bought the import last year, but it hit U.S. store shelves and the list this year. Not a starter Masters album but a solid release none the less. If you were a fan of Goss' acoustic tracks, adjust your eardrums and expect nothing but heavy rock and floating melodies.
6: Fatso Jetson - Archaic Volumes
It's been 8 years since the release of Cruel and Delicious but it seems that Fatso Jetson didn't take a day off. With the addition of Vince Meghrouni, Fatso Jetson is a little more Saxy but not overpoweringly jazzy. Songs like Play Dead will take you back to when heard your first Fatso album. Precision riffage never sounded so good.
5: The Sword - Warp Riders
A concept album about space and... The Elders, The Sword cleans up their tone and goes more metal than their previous releases. It's all good because the album encompasses all the facets of the band while making for a killer pump up album. Look out for The Sword, you'll be seeing a lot of them soon.
4: Valkyrie - Man of Two Visions
Or better yet "Two Men with a guitar each". The guitar harmonization is the focal point of this riff-fest. After a few listens this album stealthy made its way into my regular listening rotation. With fantastic guitar work and catchy songs, this is the dark horse of the countdown.
3: Alain Johannes - Spark
A beautiful ode to Natasha Shneider, Spark is a proverbial "Yeah... but I can do this" message from Alain to every guitarist out there today. While being a total bummer album, it sets to mood for a dreary Autumn day or when you're in depression mode. Albums don't get more personal than this, if you want to look inside Alain's soul, throw this on.
2: Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart
#2 on the countdown but #1 for best album cover, Black Mountain strays from their familiar Floydian jams to a focus on rock/blues. The harmonies and keys are all still there but the music goes in a different direction. It's all in there; from introspective acoustic bummer beats to 80's power rock, your mom, hipster cousin, and cool uncle will enjoy this album, all for different reasons.
Honorable Mentions
Slut Machine - If they get away from the Buck Cherry style vocals, you'll be hearing them quite a bit on the show.
Megachurch - I have a soft spot in my heart for any band that has the word "Mega" in them, especially when they're a heavy trio consisting of 2 bass players. The Megachurch of Cleveland will be spreading the good word on shows to come.
Heliotropes - Out of Brooklyn, this psyche trio will be receiving more airtime next season if I can find more than three songs. Check out their EP III consisting of the 3 songs I have. Fresh psyche is always a blessing.
Olde Growth - Boston 2 piece that's so dirty and pissed you can't help but love 'em. Perfect soundtrack to a fat truck driver smoking meth on the freeway.
Porch Castle - My radio show is also a stage for shameless self promotion. Watch the video on this blog, it's the awesome looking one.
1: Torche - Songs for Singles
I love me some Torche and Songs for Singles is no exception. Expanding on their signature sludge/doom/pop formula while adding in some bits of expansive heavy jams excellent for zoning out, Songs for Singles has been played to death on my show and on my mp3 player. Torche is like an ice cream cone filled with mud and gravel and topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. After taking a bite, you'll want to spit it out but the sweetness makes you want more. Torche will hopefully lead heavy music into the next decade.
Well that's it. Keep up with the blog, I'll be posting some stuff over the holiday season and early next year and stay tuned for the next season of It Came from the Desert starting Janurary 16th on VMFM 91.7.
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