Once again I’m going to touch briefly upon some of the year’s biggest releases with quick-hit thoughts on the albums. In doing so I will also be putting up a song I enjoyed, though not necessarily my favorite, off the album. In other news, today is the beginning of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. I am displeased because I like to sit and watch endless basketball on the first weekend, and my chance to do that this year has essentially been denied because of work. That being because my schedule is close to awful. Enough of my complaints.
Surfer Blood – Take It Easy (mp3) from Astro Coast
I’ve listened to this album more than any other besides Local Natives and Vampire Weekend thus far in 2010. There isn’t a track I dislike and several I adore greatly. Not certain where it will end up on my year end list, but it will be there somewhere.
Hot Chip – I Feel Better (mp3) from One Life Stand
I really enjoy One Life Stand but there are moments I need to skip out of ear discomfort. In particular I need to skip “Slush” because I truly dislike the song. Then there are others I could repeat. How does loathing one song off an album affect its entire rating?
The Besnard Lakes – And This Is What We Call Progress (mp3) from The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
This album is my second experience with The Besnard Lakes. I can’t decide which of the two I own is better, and that is a good thing. The band’s style fits my tastes at certain moments of my day quite symbiotically; When I’m looking to be absorbed into thought with a soundtrack to enhance my thinking power.
I don’t live on the Left Coast, but if I had grown up on that side of the country I think I would probably enjoy surfing. As it is, I’ve never even attempted to surf. I say that I would enjoy surfing because I used to swim in what ever body of water I could submerge myself in as a youngster. Surfing would have been the natural extension if the means to do so had been available. Which brings us to this song. The aesthetic of the surfer lifestyle is captured quite nicely on this track. I have a tendency to enjoy anthemic rock tunes and this band’s style fits me well, so it’s no surprise I enjoy it. I’m expecting some big things in the future from the fellers of this young band. 