My 2010 shortlist

This year I ended up choosing not one, nor two but...yes!...three albums, sharing the first position ex aequo!





"Heavy Meadow" is different in "shape" and stylistic compared to previous Anni Rossi's albums and EPs. Minimalism and wayfaring are still present in this one without neglecting the melodic side of songs because, somehow, that characterize Anni Rossi pathway. Now sounds of Robert Smith synthesizers and YMG guitars replaced the dominant violin which was left for a time to rest. Songs like Hatchet, Sandstorm, The Fight or Texan Planes are a good example... a beautiful album. Anyway for those who want to go to one her shows, the case will remain opened and at hand because its the only way a violin get tamed by its owner!

Have you ever thought about hearing to songs where a voice like Beyonce's voice get backgrounded by a sound of an electric guitar penetrating your brain with distortion and noise levels with all the burst? ... I do not ... but the truth is that the debut album of Sleigh Bells "Treats" have all of that and it is addictive, vivid, dark, awesome!

The cover Art of the third and self titled Marnie Stern's album shows us graphically what we can find in their songs, I mean: a colorful, introspective, falsely naif, simple but detailed, an amazing rock album I say. And like usual it's being already underrated by the industry but I'm sure it will influence many aspiring musicians who insist on keeping awake, the others... well, they will continue to debate whether Marnie Stern does shredding or tapping with his guitar!

01. Anni Rossi - Heavy Meadow | Sleigh Bells - Treats | Marnie Stern - Marnie Stern

04. Women - Public Strain
05. Shannon Wright - Secret Blood
06. Blonde Redhead - Penny Sparkle
07. Mão Morta - Pesadelo em peluche
08. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II)
09. Cowboy Racer - LOVE STatiOnaRY


BEST ORIGINAL SONG

01. Treats - Sleigh Bells
02. Rachel - Sleigh Bells
03. Female guitar players are the new black - Marnie Stern
04. Texan Planes - Anni Rossi
05. FM Theme - Stacian
06. China steps - Women
07. Her confidence - Marnie Stern
08. Doe Deer - Crystal Castles
09. Fly my plane - Cowboy Racer
10. Hatchet - Anni Rossi
11. A/B Machines - Sleigh Bells
12. Fractured - Shannon Wright
13. Building a body - Marnie Stern
14. Where my words are - Popinjay
15. Cinema star - Black Francis
16. Scarecrows on a killer slant - Liars
17. Mossie - Bettie Serveert
18. Attack Music - These New Puritans


BEST MUSIC VIDEO

Music video for "Odessa" from the album "Swim" (release date: April 20th, 2010).

Directed by Video Marsh. http://videomarsh.com

honorable mentions:

Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars" from Phil Pinto on Vimeo.

The first single from the debut album WHB (5 April). 'Divisive' is out on the 22nd of March. Directed by Jul&Mat, produced by SoLab