Matt & Kim "Sidewalks" (ADVANCE)

One year after their breakout hit Grand (and it's ridiculously fun single "Daylight"), Matt & Kim are back with another high energy, dance-tastic treat in Sidewalks. It's upbeat, it's fun and it's rocking. Check out lead single "Cameras" below. One of my favorite lines from that song, "My water comes straight from the tap / And those bottles are all just for show" proves that their recent success hasn't exactly gone to their heads.

Must hear: Cameras

(Release Date: 11/2/10)

Belle & Sebastian "Write About Love"

Belle & Sebastian's long awaited follow up to their breakout hit The Life Pursuit. Not a lot of risks here; it's another collection of mid-tempo, old-timey pop songs. Certainly not the game-changer some expected but the formula wasn't broken in the first place. The guitars still jangle and the vocals still harmonize.

Must hear: I Want The World To Stop

(Release Date: 10/12/10)

Marina & the Diamonds "The Family Jewels"

Not to be confused with the similarly named Florence & the Machine, Marina's debut release came just 4 months after Florence's. Marina & the Diamonds is like a dance pop version of Regina Spektor -- similarly known for her piano prowess, soaring vocals and oddball lyrics. I'm only 2 sentences into this review and have already used the word "similarly" twice. Normally the kiss of death but this really is like nothing else out right now. It's easier to describe as a variation of something that already exists. Here's one more -- she's like a warmer, more inviting La Roux. Nevermind, just have a listen.

Must hear: Hollywood

(Release Date: 2/15/10)

Sleigh Bells "Treats"

I'm not late to the hype, just late to the bandwagon. I heard about these guys early this year... probably around SXSW. Except I found their sound to be abrasive and didn't understand how people were classifying them as "pop". The only song I heard that I liked was "Rill Rill" which is sort of the black sheep of the album.

What really turned me onto these guys was a mashup album created by DJ O-Face called Jay Bells. That's right, Jay-Z and Sleigh Bells. I had never considered the "abrasive" beats they sang their "pop" songs over are like hip-hop beats. The best mashup on the record is "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" rapped over "Crown On The Ground". It absolutely owned my soul for a couple weeks.

So I went back to Treats and that's when it all fell into place. The songs made sense and it was a fun listen. Impossible not to get into.

Must hear: Rill Rill (& Dirt Off Your Crown by DJ O-Face [#6])

(Release date: 5/11/10)



DJ O-Face Presents: Jay Bells (Jay​-​Z vs. Sleigh Bells) by Hypetrak

Weezer "Hurley" (ADVANCE)

Ladies and gentlemen, I have good news. Hurley is better than the album cover would make you think. Reports of the forthcoming apocalypse seem to be unfounded, as Hurley takes Weezer back to where they were before the 2 very wrong turns of The Red Album and Raditude.

The Red Album was a challenging concept that didn't lend itself to mainstream acceptance. Raditude was much too sophomoric for the now 40 year old Rivers Cuomo to get away with. As a matter of fact, Rivers seems to be through his mid-life crisis and is finally acknowledging his age; this record is bookended by the songs "Memories" and "Time Flies".

It sounds like Rivers has found his voice again. These new songs harken back to Weezer's heyday. It is a brand of enjoyable, intuitive power pop-rock. Even the 4 bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition (including a cover of Coldplay's "Viva la Vida") are top notch.

Must hear: Ruling Me

(Release Date: 9/14/10)

Brandon Flowers "Flamingo" (ADVANCE)

Much like Julian Casablancas and (to a lesser extent) Dan Auerbach last year, the lead singer of a reputable rock band has decided to release a solo album. Brandon Flowers, if you don't know, is the frontman of The Killers. Flowers is a showman, first and foremost, and with the Killers he usually knocks it out of the park. But without having to listen to input from other band members it can really let an ego run wild and prevent the best possible song from being made.

These were my thoughts going into it. Most lead singers fail solo. It's the Beyonces that are the rare cases. Casablancas' solo turn was a complete 180 from the Strokes. They're garage rock and he went electronic. Flowers also went in the opposite direction of his main band. The Killers are heavy synthpop so Flowers went for a more straightforward rock sound.

It's actually not bad. A little preachy at points but he does well to stay away from anything that would make you think "this is a Killers song." The biggest issue I have is that he buried the lead single "Crossfire" as the 8th track on this 10 song set. You want to grab the listener quickly with something they are familiar with and presumably like. Now, it's a rookie move making it the first track but it needs to fall between songs 2-4. A petty point sure but something that is awkwardly noticeable.

Must hear: Crossfire

(Release Date: 9/14/10)

Ra Ra Riot "The Orchard"

Ra Ra Riot's sophomore release takes the mid-tempo, baroque pop they introduced on their debut and expand it into something more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, The Rhumb Line had its moments but it's mostly downtrodden.

The Orchard opens up with the strings-heavy title track, the lead single, and a possible future single. The middle third loses focus and is uninteresting until the tail end of "You And I Know", which really sets up the rest of the album to go out in a blaze.

Now anyone who discusses Ra Ra Riot is contractually obligated to mention Vampire Weekend so I will make this my final point. I think Contra is one of the best albums this year and was a huge step forward for VW. I am willing to put The Orchard right up there as a gem of 2010 and the most complete album RRR have made.

Must hear: Boy

(Release Date: 8/24/10)