Top 10 Musical Discoveries of 2010

Top 10 Musical Discoveries of 2010
~ So Far ~



1. La Dispute

Addiction: Hear, Hear II & III
Discovered: Touring with Alexisonfire
Post-Hardcore, Experimental, Indie

2. Good Health

Addiction: Son, Shine; Are You Excited About Me As I Am
Discovered: Ex-guitarist of Dance Gavin Dance, Zac Garren, side-project
Indie, Folk


3. City and Colour

Addiction: Bring Me Your Love; Sometimes
Discovered: Vocalist of Alexisonfire, Dallas Green, side-project
Acoustic, Indie, Folk

4. The Almost

Addiction: Southern Weather; Monster Monster
Discovered: Ex-drummer of Underoath, Aaron Gillespie, side-project
Rock, Post-Hardcore, Alternative

5. From First to Last

Addiction: Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has A Body Count; Throne to the Wolves
Discovered: Throne to the Wolves release
Screamo, Post-Hardcore

6. Pierce the Veil

Addiction: A Flair For The Dramatic
Discovered: Part of the Warped Tour 2010 Line-Up
Post-Hardcore, Experimental

7. HEALTH

Addiction: Get Color; HEALTH
Discovered: Shirogetsu's Request
Experimental, Noise Rock

8. Isles & Glaciers

Addiction: The Hearts of Lonely People EP
Discovered: Supergroup featuring features Craig Owens (Ex-Chiodos), Vic and Mike Fuentes (Pierce The Veil), Jonny Craig (Emarosa), Matt Goddard (Chiodos), Brian Southall (The Receiving End Of Sirens, Boys Night Out), and Nick Martin (Underminded).
Post-Hardcore, Experimental

9. Lights

Addiction: The Listening
Discovered: On tour with Owl City
Pop, Indie, Electronic

10. Abandon All Ships!

Addiction: Abandon All Ships! EP
Discovered: The Freak Out Transmissions Blog
Post-Hardcore, Trancecore, Electronic

Metallica

"Ride the Lightning"



You guys should know who Metallica is by now, I mean c'mon, they are living legends of Metal! \m/

Metallica are an American metal band formed in 1981 in Los Angeles when drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement in The Recycler. Metallica’s line-up originally consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, and lead guitarist Dave Mustaine. Mustaine was later fired due to problems with alcoholism and drug addiction - he went on to form the band Megadeth. Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammett took his place. Metallica has been through several bassists, including Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton (who died in a bus crash while the band was on tour), and Jason Newsted. The current bassist is Robert Trujillo, who joined in 2003.

This is Metallica Prime, post Kill 'Em All; pre Master of Puppets. Pretty much the beginning of the Metallica mainstream fuckfest, where they dominate the airwaves with there metal. Ride the Lightning includes the legendary "For Whom The Bell Tolls", the song you hear at hockey and football games constantly. I had the priveledge meeting these guys before, off-stage.

If you want epic guitar solos, a great metal band, and music that stands the test of time; then you already have Metallica in your music library. With guitars handled by Hetfield and Hammett, Cliff Burton's (RIP) bass, and Lars Ulrich's epic drumming, it was the reason that they synced together to create a 5x platinum selling masterpiece. Classics like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Fade to Black" reside inside this album. Sometimes I forget how amazing the "Fade to Black" guitar solo is...

The only way you'll dislike this album is that if you don't like Metal period, or even rock. It ranges to some very metal stuff to some hard rock, so you'll be bond to find something you like. The vocals are definitely repetitive though, but alas, I only had problems with one song and that was "Creeping Death".

If you like Disturbed, Apocalyptica, Korn, or Gojira, then you'll like Metallica besides those bands listened were influenced by the iconic metal band.

Favored Tracks: For Whom The Bell Tolls, Fade to Black, Trapped Under Ice

Disliked Tracks: Creeping Death

Rating: 8.75/10

James

"The Best of James"

James (formed 1981 in Manchester, England) are a popular band that were at the forefront of the indie rock movement, releasing a string of hit singles and maintaining popularity through the 90’s.

The band’s sound is mostly defined by their lead singer Tim Booth’s resonating vocals and emotional lyrics, as well as a spirit of experimentation that they held onto throughout their active career. The band’s most well-known songs include the hits Sit Down and Laid, the former marking the band’s rise to popularity.

Well, I thought James would've been one of those Rick Astley-type solo artists to come to find out they are a indie rock band and they're are alright, in my opinion. They definitely have a replay value, and had minimal problems listening to it through and through. The only problem is that it sounds similar to other indie artists you listen to these days. One of the few problems I had with the genre in the long run.

In listening to this, I found one of my past loves; a song called "Laid". It is a catchy tune if you ever come across it before, but I find it lulzworthy. Many of the album's tracks are very enjoyable; for example opening track, "Coming Home". I don't think I could name a similar artist for it yet because some songs are very distinct. I know of one that has a Bob Dylan-ish tune to it, and another that resembles something done by The Killers.

Overall, the album had one bad song. ONE. UNO. And that was "Seven" which was not really that bad, but it had nice rhythm matched with some dull vocals which didn't please me all to much. Alas, that was not that bad of a flaw but most of the CD was repititive with come explosive songs here and there.

Favored Tracks: Coming Home, Laid.

Disliked Tracks: Seven

Rating: 7/10
lol

Dream Theater

"Images and Words"

Dream Theater is a progressive metal band originally from Long Island, NY. Although a number of lineup changes have occurred, the three original members remain today, along with James LaBrie and Jordan Rudess.

The band has had moderate mainstream success, notably with Pull Me Under in the early 1990s, which received extensive MTV rotation. Dream Theater’s (commonly abbreviated ‘DT’) two highest selling albums are the gold selling Images and Words (1992), despite it reaching only #61 on the Billboard 200 charts, and Awake (1994) which reached #32 on the Billboard 200. Recently Systematic Chaos entered US Billboard 200 at #19. Dream Theater has sold over two million albums in the U.S., and over 8 million albums and DVDs worldwide.

Dream Theater definitely sounds like Iron Maiden to me, another on of those classy metals bands of way back when but was surprised to find out other hidden gems within there songs in the Images and Words album. Sadly, this is the first time I actually listened to Dream Theater, and I know they've been around for awhile but with The Rev gone of A7X and Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater) replacing; I figured I'd give them a shot.

They were totally what I expected them to be, similar vocals to 'Maiden but had wicked 8 minute jams that flourished throughout the album. "Another Day" is one of those hidden gems that had a jazzy influence mixed into their progressive metal; sadly it was one of the shortest tracks on the album (4:54....lol). I thought the long tracks were going to be hassle to go through, but nevertheless, I didn't have one single problem with any of it...and damn how 'bout the guitar solos.

The only problems I had were some of the vocals were too whiny and too familiar to other bands of the decade. I can't stress enough, that I really thought I was listening to a 'Maiden knock-off, even though that is generally not a bad thing, it's just I never was that much of a 'Maiden fan to begin with. It had uniqueness, great jams, and all in all, it was a pretty great album. I'll gladly give it a home within my vast music library because hell...who wouldn't.

Favorite Tracks - Another Day, Take the Time, Under A Glass Moon

Disliked Tracks - N/A

RATING - 8.75/10

The Velvet Underground

"The Velvet Underground & Nico"

The Velvet Underground was a pioneering experimental rock band from New York City first active from 1965 to 1973. Its best-known lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Lou Reed, bassist/violist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker. The band also collaborated with Nico for their debut album in 1967, under the supervision of producer and pop artist Andy Warhol.

The Velvet Underground definitely adds to my ever building 'psychadelic rock' collection. I heard of it prior from a couple buddies during a jam session but never had the mind to listen to it. It is definitely distinct, musically. My mind was blown when I heard Andy Warhol was their producer. Never knew he had any involvement in the music business...shows how much I know.

The Velvet Underground & Nico definitely has some replay value to it. It is really mesmerizing though; I was able to sit through the whole CD without a problem. The first track really drew me in; 100% reminded me of Bob Dylan's poetic music. Most of the CD was really psychedelic, especially "European Son", a 7 minute guitar solo in essence and was a 'trip'. "Run Run Run" reminded me of "Little Saint Nick" by the Beach Boys though. They were singing 'run run run', I was expecting a 'reindeer' to follow.

Few of the tracks were dry, and I was surprised that there were going to be any but sadly there were. "All Tomorrow's Parties" was one of those and so is "Heroin". It picks after that [thank god], and just finishes beautifully. A superb album, with some flaws here and there, but I enjoyed and you will too if you liked the 'stoner rock' of the '60s.

Favorite Tracks - Sunday Morning, There She Goes Again, European Son

Disliked Tracks - All Tomorrow's Parties, Heroin

Rating: 8.25/10

Incubus

"Make Yourself"

Incubus is a five-man alternative rock band based in Calabasas, California. Members include Brandon Boyd (vocals and percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Ben Kenney (bass), Jose Pasillas II (drums) and DJ Chris Kilmore (turntables). Former members of the band include Gavin Koppel (a.k.a. DJ Lyfe) (turntables) and Alex Katunich (a.k.a. Dirk Lance) (bass).

Incubus is one of those bands that baffles me to see how big they made it. I never was a fan of them, and never cared for their music. I don't what the attraction is, the music seems like it's mismatched and the vocals are dull. It's one of those bands that could put me to sleep.

Make Yourself is the follow up of S.C.I.E.N.C.E., released in 1999 to Epic Records. It wasn't a special album for me, nor was it a pleasing one to listen too, which makes me wonder if I'm listening to the right Incubus that was able to sell 3.1 millions albums to date. A lot of tracks were dull, however, some were pretty great. I've been able to find my old love "Drive" once again, and is definitely my favorite off the album. I had some good times with that song, but pretty much left my mind after exploring onward to newer music. Two other tracks were outstanding, "Stellar" and "Battlestar Scralatchtica". "Battlestar Scralatchtica" had a funky jazz style to it and was truely unique in its own sense.

The rest of the album ran together, maybe with my ear catching a good song hear and there. Incubus never made it to my library because it reached no emotional peak for me, never had a good breakdown (not like it needed one) and it maintained the same tempo with the vocals almost throughout the whole song. Nevertheless, it was half good/half average and below for me.

Favorite Tracks: Drive, Stellar, Make Yourself

Disliked Tracks: Clean

Rating: 7/10

N-Dubz

"Against All Odds"

N-Dubz are a British MOBO-award-winning hip hop group from London, based around Camden Town. They were previously signed to Polydor Records before joining All Around the World Records. They have had six top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart, the most successful being “I Need You” which charted at #5.

Not really into hip-hop/rap, but gave it a try for GOAT. I thought it would be at least okay and replayable in my library…

…But it wasn’t. So could’ve passed on Dappy’s rapping, pretty much the main factor why I didn’t like this CD. His voice is quite annoying, but the rest of the group was alright. The only thing I favored was the songs that barely had him (pretty much none) and the trance influence in some of the songs. If they had an instrumental CD, then I would definitely get it because they beats were superb. No really stand-out tracks for besides “Shoulda Put Something On”. Other than that, the rest of it sadly was on the barrier of suckish.

I compare it to Black Eyed Peas (whom I don’t like) but worse. Sounds like I’m completely bashing the album, but if you’re into hip-hop, go ahead and pick this up because you probably would like it.

Favored: Shoulda put something on

Disliked: Everything else. :/

Rating: 3.75/10