Phil Goldberg
Top 10 Albums
Top 10 Albums
The BooksThe Way Out
Temporary Residence
When the Books first came into the foray, I would have never described their sound as predictable or comforting. I’m glad that’s changed.
Sun Kil MoonAdmiral Fell Promises
Caldo Verde
Mastermind of Sun Kil Moon—as well as the Red House Painters—and all around indie-folk enigma Mark Kozelek has continually championed the sentiment of isolation, longing and loss throughout the decade. On Admiral Fell Promises, he once again succeeds in transforming the excruciating into the immensely palatable.
Local NativesGorilla Manor
Frenchkiss
“If we cannot be Animal Collective, let us be brave in the attempt.” That attempt really is good.
The NationalHigh Violet
4AD
Another awesome break-up record from the National came just in time for another one of my break-ups (not awesome).
YeasayerOdd Blood
Secretly Canadian
While their debut a few years back quietly hinted at dance-punk world-beat brilliance, not unlike Macha in their heyday, 2010 saw Yeasayer catapulted to the forefront with this Secretly Canadian release. The sophomore effort showcases just how far this psych-dance patrol can push the envelope. With numbers that are equal parts Michael Jackson and Culture Club, it’s hard to imagine a more engaging record in the brave new world genre of genre-bending modern indie.
DeerhunterHalcyon Digest
4AD
The sonic hiss on Halcyon Digest would be enough to put most people off of these modern shoegazers if it weren't so perfectly executed. The ebb and flow causes the tracks to fold seamlessly into each other without any trace of overproduction. Yet again, Deerhunter have outdone themselves by delivering a record that feels more organic than their contemporaries can deliver—with better songs to boot.
Ariel Pink’s Haunted GraffitiBefore Today
4AD
Ariel Pink’s latest is like smoking pot without the side effects of drymouth and hunger pangs. Paranoia is still an issue, though.
Surfer BloodAstro Coast
Kanine
To be frank, we’ve been lacking in tunes like lead single “Swim” ever since Guided by Voices threw in the proverbial towel. This one uses sustaining power-chord riffage and simple vocal echoic to mark it as the undeniable and irresistible rocker on an album chock full of gems.
EmeraldsDoes It Look Like I’m Here?
Editions Mego
Seriously. The noise scene here in Cleveland is this good.
PhosphorescentHere&rsquo's to Taking It Easy
Dead Oceans
This one was a simple pick after my re-entry into rootsy Americana now that life is somehow more stressful at the end of my twenties.
Top Singles
LCD Soundsystem, “Home” (DFA)
Phosphorescent, “Mermaid Parade” (Dead Oceans)
Yeasayer, “Madder Rad” (Secretly Canadian)
Surfer Blood, “Swim” (Kanine)
Caribou, “Odessa” (Merge)
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, “Round and Round” (4AD)
Top Reissues
Morrissey, Bona Drag (EMI)
Queens of the Stone Age, Rated R Deluxe Edition (Interscope)
The Cure, Disintegration (Rhino)
Refused, The Shape of Punk to Come (Epitaph)
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Damn the Torpedoes: Deluxe Edition (Geffen)
The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main St. (Universal)