Best Of 2010 12-9

12) Wild Nothing - Live In Dreams

Wild Nothing is the solo project of a young chap from Virginia called Jack Tatum.  Live In Dreams is the opening track of his well received debut album Gemini, which was released earlier in the year.  Tatum has a knack of crafting sincere and melodic pop songs and Live In Dreams is a perfect example of this.  Dreamy vocals over soft electronics and guitars, all of which are soaked in nostalgia.  Lyrically he displays maturity beyond his years.   Lines like “Our lips won’t last forever and that’s exactly why, I’d rather live in dreams and I’d rather die” manage to convey a great deal of emotion while remaining genuine and heartfelt.

11) How To Dress Well - You Won’t Need Me Where I’m Goin’

How To Dress Well AKA Tom Krell is somewhat of an interesting gentleman.  Currently a research fellow translating a book of post-Kantian philosophy in Germany but also, more importantly the creator of one of the very finest debut records in years.  His album Love Remains is a masterpiece, full of his lo-fi take on R&B.  You Won’t Need Me Where I’m Goin’ is my personal favourite track from the record, it showcases his beautiful, fragile voice perfectly over crackly electronics and static.  Strangely beautiful. 

10) Salem - King Night

If I happen to be around when the apocalypse arrives, this is what I want it to sound like.  King Night is the sound of the world ending.  The angelic, haunting chorus at the heart of this apocalypse anthem is basically an utterly fucked up version of “O Holy Night”, distorted to within an inch of it’s life via a completely brutal drum beat and some massive, terrifying synths.  Original, exhilarating, distinctive and yes quite terrifying but undeniably brilliant. 

9) Battles - The Line

Despite their rather questionable choice of movies to soundtrack (The Line is a bonus track on the soundtrack for the third Twilight film) it was with open arms I welcomed back Battles.  The song starts fairly calmly (at least by Battles manic standards) with a strong vocal which get this, is actually distinctly audible and without a drop of helium in sight!  Being Battles, this feeling of calm of course cannot last long and the track begins to progress rapidly building momentum as drums and chord progressions become quicker before really bursting into life about half way through.  Incredible energy, bizarre chanting, a ridiculously fast drum beat, frequent key changes and we are very much back into familiar territory.  Magnificent.  New record now please.