Happy New Year everybody! It’s hard to believe 2011 is already over. I could use another six months to fully digest all the music the year had to offer. I’ll try my best to post my favorite albums and tracks much sooner than that – hopefully by late January. In the meantime, I’ve decided to kick off my year-end coverage with a list that has nothing to do with music released in 2011.

Back in 2006, I decided to post an article about my favorite musical discoveries from the past year regardless of whether the artist had released a new album that year. I called it the “New to Me” list. It gave me a chance to write about those artists that would’ve otherwise been neglected, most likely due to my habitual laziness. I’ve decided to resurrect the “New to Me” list this year to make up for only posting one Artist Spotlight in 2011. Enjoy!

CHAD VANGAALEN

After browsing a fair number of year-end lists, I’m convinced Chad VanGaalen is one of the most underrated musicians today. I discovered him back in May when he released Diaper Island, his fourth studio album. It didn’t take long for his nasally warble and off-kilter melodies to hook me. Yet for some reason Diaper Island has graced very few “Best of” lists this year.

VanGaalen is pretty reclusive so perhaps he doesn’t mind. I, on the other hand, do. After falling in love with Diaper Island, I started exploring some of his older material. With each new album VanGaalen continues to evolve and grow. Soft Airplane, his third album, contains some of his catchiest songs. “Molten Light,” which tells the tale of two brothers haunted by a vengeful woman they tried to murder, is disturbingly infectious. Make sure you’re alone before belting out the song’s refrain (“I’ll find you and I’ll kill you“) or you might frighten those around you.

The two tracks below are pulled from the previously-mentioned albums. “Sara” is from Diaper Island while “Willow Tree” is the opener from Soft Airplane. Each offers a brief glimpse into VanGaalen’s strange little world. If you like what you hear, I recommend starting with Diaper Island and working backwards.

• Chad VanGaalen – Sara
• Chad VanGaalen – Willow Tree

LAURA GIBSON

Technically I discovered Laura Gibson a few years ago. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that I finally came to fully appreciate her music. Let me explain.

One of my favorite things in life is listening to music as I fall asleep. It helps distract my mind from replaying all the embarrassing things I did earlier in the day. I started using music as a sleep aid sometime during high school, but only recently did I realize certain genres are more effective at inducing sleep than others. For example, you probably shouldn’t listen to Girl Talk if you want to fall asleep quickly, or Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon if you want to avoid nightmares.

To help keep track of my favorite nighttime albums, I recently started a playlist in iTunes called “Sleepy.” It’s got Sharon Van Etten, Beach House, South San Gabriel, Sun Kil Moon, and Jason Molina, to name a few. But my all-time favorite has to be Laura Gibson: I put her music on and I’m asleep 10 minutes later.

I realize this might not sound like much of a compliment, but it’s reality. Prior to this year, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate her music because I slept through most of it. Not because it’s boring but because it’s unbelievably soothing. At the center is Laura Gibson’s effortless, beguiling voice. I struggle to find the right words to describe it, you should probably just experience it yourself.

I’ve posted two songs below for your listening pleasure. The first track, appropriately titled “Sleeper,” is from Beasts of Seasons, currently my favorite album and a great place to jump in if you like what you hear. The second song is the title track from her upcoming album La Grande, out on January 24. It’s one of her most upbeat tracks to date and could mark an exciting new direction for an incredibly talented musician.

• Laura Gibson – Sleeper
• Laura Gibson – La Grande

Last year I downloaded Kollaps Tradixionales after learning that Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra (referred to as A Silver Mt. Zion for brevity) contained many of the same musicians as influential Canadian instrumental rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Because of two bands’ close ties, I also expected A Silver Mt. Zion to make instrumental music. Needless to say, my first time through Kollaps Tradixionales was a little jarring. I wasn’t expecting to hear singing, let alone Efrim Menuck’s nasally, off-kilter vocals.

Initially, I did my best to ignore them, treating them as if they were just another instrument. Over time the vocals grew on me, but it took a while. Ironically, they are now my favorite part of A Silver Mt. Zion’s music. They contain so much emotion and complement the mood so well that the music just wouldn’t resonate as strongly if they were absent.

The lyrical content is fairly abstract but often conjures images of consternation, alienation, and frustration. Yet buried beneath all the gloom and despair lie the seeds of hope. Consider, for example, the following lyric from “The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes”: There’s beauty in this land / but I don’t often see it. This lyric can be read countless different ways, but I interpret it to mean that we rarely take time to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds us.

Below I’ve posted three tracks I think serve as a perfect introduction to this amazing but (somewhat) intimidating band. The first is “The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes,” one of the band’s most melodic and accessible songs. It also contains some of their best lyrics (see above). The second track is “Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag),” which grabbed a spot on my Top 15 Songs of 2010 list. And the third is the epic “Mountains Made of Steam” from Horses In the Sky, currently my favorite Silver Mt. Zion album and a great place to start if you like any of the songs posted below. Enjoy!

• A Silver Mt. Zion – The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes
• A Silver Mt. Zion – Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)
• A Silver Mt. Zion – Mountains Made of Steam

PS – If you’ve seen the movie 28 Days Later then you’re probably familiar with Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s music. Their song “East Hastings” provides an incredibly chilling soundtrack to one of the few horror films I like. I highly recommended checking it out!

I’m not trying to justify the four month delay in my year-end coverage, but I’ve always found it slightly disingenuous to talk about the year’s best music in December. A little extra time can provide a lot of perspective, allowing for complete digestion of everything the year had to offer. I probably didn’t need four months to do so but I think you get the point.

So without further delay I present my Top 15 Songs of 2010. Not surprisingly, the list culls a large number of songs from my favorite albums of 2010 (which can be found here), but there are almost an equal number of tracks from albums that didn’t make the list. And it is this latter category of songs that really shines. “Out Go the Lights” might be my favorite Spoon song yet. Joanna Newsom’s “Baby Birch” is epic, gorgeous, and devastating. And the violin on Seabear’s “Cold Summer” practically brings me to tears.

I could go on like this for each song but I think it’s better to let the music do the talking. Trust me when I say they’re all incredible. The playlist below is not ranked in order of preference but instead sequenced in a way I think flows best. Use the links at the end of the post to either stream individual songs or download the entire list.

• 1. Yeasayer – Madder Red
• 2. The National – Sorrow
• 3. Broken Social Scene – Sweetest Kill
• 4. Spoon – Out Go the Lights
• 5. The Walkmen – All My Great Designs
• 6. Joanna Newsom – Baby Birch
• 7. The Love Language – Summer Dust
• 8. Seabear – Cold Summer
• 9. The Tallest Man On Earth – Love Is All
• 10. Surfer Blood – Anchorage
• 11. Titus Andronicus – Theme From “Cheers”
• 12. A Silver Mt. Zion – Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)
• 13. Kanye West – Runaway
• 14. S. Carey – Broken
• 15. Sharon Van Etten – Love More
• Download entire mix

By now, 2010 is a distant memory for most people, but it was a truly amazing year for music. So amazing I had to expand my list of favorite albums from ten to fifteen. I realize it’s almost four months late, but it gives me great pleasure to present my Top 15 Albums of 2010. Better late than never I suppose. Enjoy!

All We Grow, the gorgeous debut album from S. Carey, doesn’t make much of an initial impression. Meticulously arranged, the album meanders quietly from note to note, thought to thought, song to song. It never feels forced or hurried, instead choosing to reveal its beauty slowly with time, which, coincidentally, is my favorite kind of music.

Highlights: Broken, In the Dirt, In the Stream

I normally avoid putting “best of” compilations on year-end lists, but the Carissa’s Wierd retrospective deserves an exception. It made me fall in love with the band all over again. For those of you unfamiliar with their distinctive brand of melancholy, They’ll Only Miss You When You Leave is a fantastic introduction.

Highlights: Die, Phantom Fireworks, Sympathy Bush, Drunk With the Only Saints I Know

Oh Frightened Rabbit, you dug yourself quite a hole. Following up a record like The Midnight Organ Fight was never going to be easy. So instead of trying to climb out, the band decides to dig even deeper on The Winter of Mixed Drinks. The result: another stunning album brimming with heartache and despair.

Highlights: FootShooter, Yes I Would, The Loneliness and the Scream, Swim Until You Can’t See Land

On his sophomore album Pope Killdragon, Strand of Oaks creates an oddly enchanting little world, full of bowling accidents, lost teeth, the plague, and Dan Aykroyd. Despite the absurdity of it all, the album remains relatable and sincere, blending in just enough sentiment to keep everything in balance. It’s quite the accomplishment.

Highlights: Kill Dragon, Sterling, Daniel’s Blues

Dark, melodic, and haunting, Warpaint’s The Fool is a perfect companion for rainy days and sleepless nights. The album has it all: entrancing guitar rhythms, heavy bass lines, frenzied drum beats, and reverb-drenched vocals. After dozens of listens, I’m still unraveling its many layers, captivated by each one as it slowly peels away.

Highlights: Baby, Bees, Shadows, Set Your Arms Down

After what felt like an eternity, Menomena finally released their follow-up to Friend and Foe, one of my all-time favorite albums. It was definitely worth the wait. On Mines, the band sounds a little less defiant and a little more defeated. The album still contains plenty of fiery moments, but I find the quieter ones more compelling. It’s a gorgeous new direction for a band that continues to amaze.

Highlights: Queen Black Acid, INTIL, Tithe, Killemall

Say what you want about Kanye West and his many idiosyncrasies, there’s no denying he’s an incredible musician. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is proof. No other rapper could tackle the range of emotions he does and make it sound so effortless. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride.

Highlights: Runaway, Blame Game, All of the Lights, Power

It may take a few listens, but when the hooks finally dig in (and they will), they dig in deep. On Libraries, The Love Language perfect their infectious, bombastic blend of indie rock and pop. Let this serve as a formal warning: if you want your subconscious free of easily hummable melodies, avoid this album at all costs.

Highlights: Summer Dust, Wilmont, Brittany’s Back

Comprising only seven tracks, Sharon Van Etten’s sophomore album Epic eschews quantity for quality. From the frenetic guitar chords of the opening track “A Crime” to the lulling harmonium notes of the closer “Love More,” the album packs an impressive range of sounds and styles into a mere half hour. However, it is Van Etten’s extraordinary voice that ultimately makes Epic so memorable.

Highlights: Love More, One Day, A Crime

Prior to Teen Dream, I was a casual admirer of Beach House. Their previous albums were intriguing, but I found them to be a little monotonous at times. Teen Dream isn’t a radical change of direction for the band; instead it’s a natural progression to a fuller, more engaging sound. And I’m 100% on board, no longer just a casual admirer but a true fan.

Highlights: Walk In the Park, 10 Mile Stereo, Zebra, Silver Soul

A Silver Mt. Zion makes music that defies categorization. It is simultaneously inspiring and devastating, beautiful and frightening, engrossing and disconcerting. On Kollaps Tradixionales, the band pushes these contradictions to the breaking point. It’s an epic journey, definitely not for the faint of heart.

Highlights: There Is a Light, ‘Piphany Rambler, Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)

Apparently The National can do no wrong. Each successive album brings the band fresh accolades and hordes of adoring fans. Yet through it all they haven’t lost focus on what matters most: the music. Each new album has improved upon what made previous ones so great. High Violet is no exception, expanding the band’s signature gloomy sound to fill both bedrooms and arenas.

Highlights: Sorrow, Conversation 16, Terrible Love, Anyone’s Ghost

Listening to Meursault’s All Creatures Will Make Merry is like trying to look out through a frosted window. Initially the outside world appears cold, uninviting, and slightly out of focus. But if you get a little closer and stare long enough, the frost begins to melt, slowly revealing a pristine, snowy winter scape. To borrow a line from the album: “Some things will take time, some things time will take.”

Highlights: A Fair Exchange, Another, Song For Martin Kippenberger, Weather

Surfer Blood’s debut album Astro Coast, with its amazing lyrics, awesome hooks, and endless supply of energy, is the complete package. After listening to it continuously for the past year, I’ve found it makes a great soundtrack to pretty much anything: beach bonfires, hipster parties, regular parties, long drives, sunny days, and quiet nights. Like I said, pretty much anything.

Highlights: Anchorage, Slow Jabroni, Harmonix, Floating Vibes, Catholic Pagans

An unrelenting and chaotic celebration of self-loathing, regret, and perseverance, Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor is without a doubt my favorite record of 2010. The first few listens can be a little intimidating, but if given proper time and attention, the album’s brilliance will eventually knock you on your ass.

Highlights: Theme From Cheers, To Old Friends and New, The Battle of Hampton Roads, A More Perfect Union, A Pot In Which to Piss

When I first learned The Everybodyfields had broken up, I was pretty bummed. They were one of my favorite bands, largely responsible for opening my eyes (and ears) to the beautiful world of Americana. Sam Quinn’s nasally warble and Jill Andrews’ angelic croon were a perfect match. Together they recorded three amazing albums in the span of four years: Half-Way There: Electricity & The South in 2004, Plague of Dreams in 2005, and Nothing Is Okay in 2007. I was hoping for a few more albums but I’m definitely happy with the three they gave us.

I was even happier when I discovered both Sam and Jill were pursuing solo careers. Mainly because it doubles the output of music from two of my favorite artists. Also, I think the solo format better suits both musicians: their distinctive voices weren’t meant to share the spotlight. New material from both artists proves beyond a doubt that each is comfortable taking center stage.

Earlier this year Sam Quinn released his debut The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships. Musically speaking, the album doesn’t stray too far from the sound The Everybodyfields perfected. In fact, Quinn may have dialed up the twang slightly. Fiddles moan, the lap steel whines, and the upright bass plods and plops. The music is instantly familiar and refreshingly authentic. If you enjoyed The Everybodyfields, you’ll feel right at home.

But as good as Quinn’s album is, Jill Andrews’ self-titled EP is even better. I’ve been listening to it religiously for the past 8 months (sorry for the delay in posting!). Normally I worry about wearing out an album if I listen to it too much, but this has yet to happen. Every time I queue up her EP, I fall in love with a different track. The six songs on her EP capture the full range of emotion during a break-up. There’s anger (“Worth Keeping”), bitterness (“These Words”), regret (“Sweetest In the Morning”), and resignation (“Always Be Sorry”). While still rather twangy, Andrews’ music also has a bluesy feel to it. In other words, it’s completely devastating, but in the best possible way.

I’ve posted three songs below. The first is “I Can’t Sleep,” my all-time favorite track by The Everybodyfields. The second is “Hello,” the opening track from Sam Quinn’s debut album. And the third is “These Words,” one of the many highlights from Jill Andrews’ self-titled EP.

• The Everybodyfields – I Can’t Sleep
• Sam Quinn – Hello
• Jill Andrews – These Words

PS – Jill Andrews is currently working on new full-length album entitled The Mirror. Check out this site for more details and to support her project.

Initially I didn’t think I could write this post. It seemed like an impossible task. How on earth was I supposed to come up with and then rank my favorite albums from the past decade? I have enough trouble doing it for just one year. There’s simply too much good music out there (despite my occasional whining to the contrary).

But when I really started thinking about it, I came to the following conclusion: a decade is a terrible thing to waste. In all reality, I may not get another opportunity like this. After all, who knows what I’ll be doing ten years from now. Also, musically speaking, the past decade was an important one for me. Over the course of ten years, my muted appreciation of music gradually transformed into a full-blown obsession. I now spend most of my free time searching for, writing about, and listening to music.

In the end I guess it was a pretty easy decision. I would’ve been extremely foolish to let the decade pass without weighing in on my favorite albums. It was a lot of work, but I managed to compile a list of my 30 favorite albums from 2000-2009. Not necessarily the best or most important albums, but those that had the greatest impact on me.

With all that said, I proudly present the Top 30 Albums of the Decade.

albums 30 – 21

albums 20 – 11

albums 10 – 1

Like I said, compiling this list was no easy task. In the end, tons of amazing albums got axed. Check the comments to see which ones barely missed the cut. And leave comments to let me know which albums I missed completely!

Throughout most of 2009, I struggled to find inspiration to write on my blog. If not for my monthly Mike Mixes, my site would’ve been rather quiet. So what gives? After some thought, I’ve decided that 2009 just wasn’t that great of a year for music. There was plenty of hype but very few albums actually delivered.

With that said, I’m pleasantly surprised by how my list shaped up this year. Initially I couldn’t even come up with 10 albums worthy of the honor. But after spending several weeks reexamining the year’s output, I’ve assembled a list of 10 truly amazing albums. Normally I would write short blurbs about each one but I’m a little tired after the New Year’s Day tragedy (aka accidentally deleting my entire website and having to rebuild it from scratch).

So without further ado, I present the Top 10 Albums of 2009.

I kick off my year-end coverage with the Top 10 Songs of 2009. Unlike previous years, I assigned a specific order to the songs on the list. Use the links at the end of the post to either stream individual songs or download the entire list. Leave a comment to let me know if I forgot a song or two!

10. The Big Pink – Velvet

A late addition to the list, “Velvet” is big, dramatic, and grabs your attention on first listen. Too bad the rest of The Big Pink’s debut can’t quite measure up to this fantastic song.

• The Big Pink – Velvet

9. Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot

This song pretty much has it all: great lyrics, gorgeous strings, beautiful piano melodies, thunderous drums, and (of course) an epic climax.

• Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot

8. Deer Tick – Smith Hill

What’s the best way to lament losing your true love? There are many options, but on “Smith Hill” Deer Tick choose to sing an incredible, soaring chorus. I think it’s pretty effective.

• Deer Tick – Smith Hill

7. Camera Obscura – Forests and Sands

I’m not the biggest Camera Obscura fan, but something about “Forests and Sands” really gets me. I love how the instrumentation perfectly matches the sorrowful lyrics.

• Camera Obscura – Forests and Sands

6. Hurray For the Riff Raff – Daniella

I’ve said this before but it needs repeating: the intro to “Daniella” is one of the most beautiful and relaxing pieces of music I’ve ever heard. The rest of the song is icing on the cake.

• Hurray For the Riff Raff – Daniella

5. Built to Spill – Things Fall Apart

The song title pretty much says it all. On “Things Fall Apart” Built to Spill temporarily abandon their signature detachment for a more personal (and vulnerable) sound.

• Built to Spill – Things Fall Apart

4. Loney, Dear – Distant Lights

I had a very difficult time picking just one song from Dear John. On an album full of amazing tracks, “Distant Lights” shines slightly brighter than the rest.

• Loney, Dear – Distant Lights

3. Arctic Monkeys – Dance Little Liar

Every time I listen to this song I fall in love with a different part. First it was the hair-raising guitar solo. Then the monstrous drum beat. Now the cryptic lyrics. I can’t wait to see what’ll be next!

• Arctic Monkeys – Dance Little Liar

2. Brand New – Bought a Bride

On “Bought a Bride” Brand New sound almost unhinged. I thought their old material was as intense as it gets. I was wrong. This song is on another level.

• Brand New – Bought a Bride

1. The Antlers – Two

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. I’ve been obsessed with this song since first hearing it back in June. Heartbreaking and epic, “Two” is damn near perfect.

• The Antlers – Two

Download all 10 songs in a zip file below!

• Download entire mix

My site has been pretty quiet for the past week. That’s because I just got back from an 8-day trip to Iceland (as my previous tweet hinted at). It was an incredible experience. The country boasts some of the most unique geologic features on the planet, including volcanos, geysers, glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls.

Before leaving I had no idea what to expect. Luckily, I watched Heima on the flight to Reykjavik. The film chronicles the homecoming tour of Icelandic band Sigur Rós. In 2006, the band toured Iceland, playing free shows in unique settings and tiny villages. The film features breathtaking scenery and, of course, beautiful music. It is a great introduction to Iceland. It also made me kick myself for not seeing them live when I had the chance.

During the trip we did an insane amount of driving. To pass the time, I listened to boatloads of music. Sigur Rós definitely provided the best soundtrack for this journey. The Icelandic landscape is unbelievably gorgeous, but also desolate and unforgiving. The band’s music perfectly captures this duality. “Untitled 8″ is epic and intense, like an endless field of lava. “Andvari” is serene and soothing, like a gorgeous sunset. Because I can’t understand the lyrics, I can assign to the songs whatever meaning I want (which is why I love Sigur Rós so much).

Should you ever get the chance, I highly recommend visiting Iceland. But if you can’t, listening to Sigur Rós is the next best thing.

• Sigur Rós – Untitled 8
• Sigur Rós – Andvari

Sometimes I wish I was still a kid. Life was so much simpler back then — playing catch in the front yard until the last rays of light left the sky, building skateboard ramps in the driveway, cruising aimlessly around the neighborhood on my bike. No worrying about credit card bills, career paths, or social networks. No worrying about financial meltdowns, global warming, or terrorist attacks.

The problems confronting the world today seem unparalleled. But maybe they’ve always been this big; maybe I just never noticed them as a kid. And they’re getting pretty hard to ignore now. It seems like the more I learn, the more serious the problems become.

So how do we respond when faced with such daunting challenges? Barack Obama offered an answer to this question at his inauguration yesterday: stand united and work together towards a better future. It won’t be easy, but it needs to start happening. Soon.

And although I agree with him, I still miss the carefree days of childhood. Oddly enough, I’ve recently discovered two songs that remind me of those simpler times. Which is one of the many reasons I love music: a few well-placed notes can transport you to a different time and place, or even conjure up a long-forgotten memory.

The first song is “Kids” from MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular. In addition to its fitting title, “Kids” features a ridiculously catchy hook and some vague lyrics about growing up. After listening to this song a few times, it’s easy to see why MGMT topped so many lists at the end of 2008.

The second song, “Hands Remember” by Seabear (aka Sindri Már Sigfússon), sounds like a peaceful dream. A gorgeous string section accompanies Sigfússon’s gentle vocals. Again, the lyrics have a nostalgic feel, talking about revisiting and repeating the past. If you like this song, I highly recommend checking out the rest of The Ghost That Carried Us Away. It’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in a while.

• MGMT – Kids
• Seabear – Hands Remember