In January, I listened to some good 2010 releases, as well as others, released at the end of the previous year and have probably been damnified in 2009 reviews,
since we did not have the time to listen to them as much as they deserved.
Contra by the Vampire Weekend is one of the first significant releases of 2010 and in it, the influence of modern African rhythms are more intense, compared to their first release. The synths - which are at certain points reminiscent of the New Order - have become more apparent and Ezra Koening often sounds like Paul Simon. I have distinguished Horchata, which has been distributed as a free download since last year, the ska rhythms of Holiday, Run and Cousins, probably the most speedy song of the album, and at the same time the first single. A detailed review can be found here.
The fifth official album by the Massive Attack, after the EP Splitting the atom which introduced it, entitled Heligoland - after the German archipelago – will bereleased on February 8th and is clearly superior to its predecessor, 100th Window. The featuring are elite in this release too: In Pray for rain, Tunde Adebimpe from the TV on the radio, in Splitting the atom their permanent guest Horace Andy, in the dark Psyche, Martina - ex muse of Tricky - in Paradise Circus the social Hope Sandoval and in Saturday comes slow, Damon Albarn. It is said that several artists performed test sessions γfor the album in 2009, such as Terry Callier, Elizabeth Fraser, Mike Patton etc.
The third album by the Beach House, their first release in Sub Pop, is entitled Teen Dream and was recorded in the temple Dreamland in New York! The band from Baltimore's music has been characterized as dream pop and the production of this specific album was realized by Chris Coady who has previously collaborated with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the radio and Grizzly Bear. It can be said that in Teen Dream, Sigur Ros meet Mercury Rev of All is dream and My Bloody Valentine. I have distinguished Zebra, Norway, Walk in the park and 10 mile stereo.
Vintage – Songs I wish I’d written vol. 1 is the first solo album by Vassilikos. In this album, he covers his favorite songs from the past. Famous blue raincoat, which Leonard Cohen should listen to, clearly stands out, as well as The windmills of your mind, You are my destiny which we have enjoyed for several years in live performances by the Raining Pleasure and I (who have nothing). Vassilikos, who once again proves that he is one pf the best Greek perfomers, has worked on a total of 50 songs along with his producer Clive Martin, to decide on the 13 ones included in Vintage. Which means that maybe we will have vol. 2 sometime in the future.
Konstantinos V. released his sixth solo album entitled Enosi at the end of 2009, and is reminiscent of Stereo Nova recordings in many songs, with some instrumental parts referring to those in Asyrmatos Kosmos. I mostly enjoyed Mia zesti imera (One hot day), To pagkaki (The bench), To chroma tou iliou (The colour of sun) and To akro (The edge). Domatio (Room) is featured by Vassilikos.
In Welcome to Greece, Maraveyas Ilegal transmit the energy of their live performances. The songs are already well known from their numerous and successful concerts, since I could not believe there is anyone who has watched them and left anything less than excited! The music is a combination of several cosmopolitan elements and the amazing result is not only due to the talented Kostis Maraveyas, but also to the unbelievable musicians of the band. Watch the video from the pop up show here.
The Cold War Kids, after Loyalty to loyalty released the very good EP Behave yourself just last week, while the Walsh Los Compesinos will release their third album early February. The third album by the exceptional Charlotte Gainsbourg has been produced by Beck while they wrote the music together.
The Drums come from Brooklyn and their story starts somehow like this: Joanthan and Jacob were two childhood buddies that formed the electro pop band Goat Explosion a few years ago, while later theiw paths and their musical pursuits were separated. They reunited musically at the end of 2008 and after the addition of two more members they formed the Drums in the summer of 2009. Their music can be characterized as an explosive mixture of surf-electro-post-punk-rock. Last September they released their first EP Summertime! which is amazing! It is said that they are explosive in their live performances, while they have already gotten triumphant reviews by the Rolling Stone and NME!
ALBUMS
BEACH HOUSE – Teen dream
MASSIVE ATTACK - Heligoland
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Contra
DRUMS – Summertime (EP)
MARAVEYAS – Welcome to Greece
VASSILIKOS – Vintage
K VITA – Enosi
COLD WAR KIDS – Behave yourself (EP)
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG – IRM
LOS COMPESINOS! – Romance is boring
SINGLES
GORILLAZ – Stylo
BEACH HOUSE - Norway
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Cousins
LOS COMPESINOS! – These are listed buildings
COLD WAR KIDS – Audience
EELS – A line in the dirt little bird
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG – Heaven can wait
THESE NEW PURITANS - We want war
Contra by the Vampire Weekend is one of the first significant releases of 2010 and in it, the influence of modern African rhythms are more intense, compared to their first release. The synths - which are at certain points reminiscent of the New Order - have become more apparent and Ezra Koening often sounds like Paul Simon. I have distinguished Horchata, which has been distributed as a free download since last year, the ska rhythms of Holiday, Run and Cousins, probably the most speedy song of the album, and at the same time the first single. A detailed review can be found here.
The fifth official album by the Massive Attack, after the EP Splitting the atom which introduced it, entitled Heligoland - after the German archipelago – will bereleased on February 8th and is clearly superior to its predecessor, 100th Window. The featuring are elite in this release too: In Pray for rain, Tunde Adebimpe from the TV on the radio, in Splitting the atom their permanent guest Horace Andy, in the dark Psyche, Martina - ex muse of Tricky - in Paradise Circus the social Hope Sandoval and in Saturday comes slow, Damon Albarn. It is said that several artists performed test sessions γfor the album in 2009, such as Terry Callier, Elizabeth Fraser, Mike Patton etc.
The third album by the Beach House, their first release in Sub Pop, is entitled Teen Dream and was recorded in the temple Dreamland in New York! The band from Baltimore's music has been characterized as dream pop and the production of this specific album was realized by Chris Coady who has previously collaborated with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the radio and Grizzly Bear. It can be said that in Teen Dream, Sigur Ros meet Mercury Rev of All is dream and My Bloody Valentine. I have distinguished Zebra, Norway, Walk in the park and 10 mile stereo.
Vintage – Songs I wish I’d written vol. 1 is the first solo album by Vassilikos. In this album, he covers his favorite songs from the past. Famous blue raincoat, which Leonard Cohen should listen to, clearly stands out, as well as The windmills of your mind, You are my destiny which we have enjoyed for several years in live performances by the Raining Pleasure and I (who have nothing). Vassilikos, who once again proves that he is one pf the best Greek perfomers, has worked on a total of 50 songs along with his producer Clive Martin, to decide on the 13 ones included in Vintage. Which means that maybe we will have vol. 2 sometime in the future.
Konstantinos V. released his sixth solo album entitled Enosi at the end of 2009, and is reminiscent of Stereo Nova recordings in many songs, with some instrumental parts referring to those in Asyrmatos Kosmos. I mostly enjoyed Mia zesti imera (One hot day), To pagkaki (The bench), To chroma tou iliou (The colour of sun) and To akro (The edge). Domatio (Room) is featured by Vassilikos.
In Welcome to Greece, Maraveyas Ilegal transmit the energy of their live performances. The songs are already well known from their numerous and successful concerts, since I could not believe there is anyone who has watched them and left anything less than excited! The music is a combination of several cosmopolitan elements and the amazing result is not only due to the talented Kostis Maraveyas, but also to the unbelievable musicians of the band. Watch the video from the pop up show here.
The Cold War Kids, after Loyalty to loyalty released the very good EP Behave yourself just last week, while the Walsh Los Compesinos will release their third album early February. The third album by the exceptional Charlotte Gainsbourg has been produced by Beck while they wrote the music together.
The Drums come from Brooklyn and their story starts somehow like this: Joanthan and Jacob were two childhood buddies that formed the electro pop band Goat Explosion a few years ago, while later theiw paths and their musical pursuits were separated. They reunited musically at the end of 2008 and after the addition of two more members they formed the Drums in the summer of 2009. Their music can be characterized as an explosive mixture of surf-electro-post-punk-rock. Last September they released their first EP Summertime! which is amazing! It is said that they are explosive in their live performances, while they have already gotten triumphant reviews by the Rolling Stone and NME!
ALBUMS
BEACH HOUSE – Teen dream
MASSIVE ATTACK - Heligoland
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Contra
DRUMS – Summertime (EP)
MARAVEYAS – Welcome to Greece
VASSILIKOS – Vintage
K VITA – Enosi
COLD WAR KIDS – Behave yourself (EP)
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG – IRM
LOS COMPESINOS! – Romance is boring
SINGLES
GORILLAZ – Stylo
BEACH HOUSE - Norway
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Cousins
LOS COMPESINOS! – These are listed buildings
COLD WAR KIDS – Audience
EELS – A line in the dirt little bird
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG – Heaven can wait
THESE NEW PURITANS - We want war
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