LSD Best Music Of 2010: Maartenp
Here you go, my top 10 of 2010. It has definitely been a good year in quality pop music!
(Nice list btw Adriejan. Though I must say I was a bit surprised by it as well, because the only tune I’ve heard you playing all year is this one. Oh well, gotta keep up the hipster appearence I guess.)
1. Teengirl Fantasy – Cheaters
For me this has been the year of the revival of acid and rave. In dance music, artists like Boys Noize, Housemeister, Fake Blood (and in a way, Richie Hawtin) dusted off the old 303′s and 808′s and fully embraced this part of dance music history. But who would have thought that the smiley faces would also turn up in indie? Artists like Delorean, Pictureplane and Teengirl Fantasy took all the happy vocals, house piano’s and acid synths and poured some hipster sauce on it. This track by Teengirl Fantasy is the epitome of this resurgence of house. The old soul vocals are mixed brilliantly with the uplifting rave vocals and a slow but strong beat is the icing on the cake. The result is an extremely powerful track, which works great on the dancefloor in the early hours.
2. Beach House – Walk in the Park
Beach House is a very good young band. This song from their debut album Teen Dream especially caught my attention. After I heard them playing an amazing live version it became my absolute favorite. The high position of this song on the list is also based on my iTunes “played” count of this song. Be sure to also check out other tracks from Teen Dream!
This was the perfect summer track for me. A rave/chillwave banger. Mixing happy hardcore and indie, why not?
Crystal Castles (II) is a great album and I like most of its songs. Vietnam, Suffocation and Violent Dreams, I all love them. Empathy is just a tad better than these songs in my opinion. That’s why this is the one that made the list.
5. Pantha Du Prince – The Splendour
Pantha Du Prince spent months in the Austrian Alps to work on the Black Noise album. The result was fantastic and this song is the best of the lot. I love the way it swells up in the beginning. Worked well on the “Big Wheel” stage at Melt!
6. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
One of the best tracks “chillwave” had to offer this year.
At first I was pretty negative about MGMT’s second album. Months after its release I gave it another good listen and it turns out that there are actually quite a few good songs on it. The title track is my favorite. It’s very relaxed and soothing.
The masters of electronica were back in 2010 with Oversteps. This is the best track from the album in my opinion. It takes many unexpected turns and you need to listen to it at least five times to fully appreciate its richness.
9. The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
It was a must to see The National live in 2010. About this song, what can I say? It’s both uplifting and melancholic, which is true for many great songs. When you look back in ten years at 2010, this will be one of the songs you remember.
10. Real Estate – Beach Comber
It was hard to pick the best song from Real Estate’s debut album, because there are many great tracks on it. Suburbaban Beverage and Green River could easily have occupied this spot on my list. I finally went with Beach Comber though because it’s the most catchy and it’s still fresh after listening to it dozens of times. (I know, this album is from November 2009. I put it on this list anyway, because I can)
——————————————————————————————-
Below is my bonus list. These are the tracks that just didn’t make it to my top 10, but are worth your while nonetheless.
11. Caribou – Odessa
It didn’t make the list, because I thought Caribou was a dissapointment live. A good and innovative track though.
This track is actually from 1994, but because it was featured in Richie Hawtin’s Plastikman Kompilation I sneaked it onto the bonus list. Extremely good techno/acid track.
13. Krystal Klear – Tried For Your Love (Hudson Mohawke Remix)
Acid also influenced dubstep this year, which is shown by Krystal Klear’s Tried For Your Love. The Hudson Mohawke remix is even stronger than the original.
14. Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You (Eat More Cake Remix)
Best remix of the year for me. It makes you wanna go back to the late 90′s and listen to French electro tracks on your portable cd-player.
15. Surgeon – The Crawling Frog Is Torn And Smiles
The best “rolling train” techno track of the year. It just keeps on pounding. A good track to close this list. Hope you enjoyed it!
