HT 25 Best Albums of 2010: Numbers 16-20

19) Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsI Learned The Hard Way

Key Tracks: Better Things, Without a Heart

Sounds Like: The rain is gone

The Skinny: Some things never go out of style: an old pair of Chuck Taylors, a Mustang convertible, and good soul music. On I Learned the Hard Way, the sultry Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings concoct a masterful revival of a timeless 50s and 60s rhythm and blues sound that’s packed with soul. Interestingly, for a band known for their brassy horns, funky back beats, and generally big sound, the Daps play a reserved role this time around. None of the instrumentation jumps out front, but rather, the crack-shot backing band gels together their minimalist parts for a loping, relaxing groove from start to finish.

18) Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah DogsGod Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Key Tracks: New York City’s Killing Me, Beg Steal Or Borrow, Like Rock & Roll Radio

Sounds Like: Dusty front porch Americana

The Skinny: The old adage says “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but when it came to recording his new studio album, Ray LaMontagne decided to go against conventional wisdom parting ways with Ethan Johns, who produced his first three albums. LaMontagne opted instead to ditch outside help all together, deciding to produce the LP himself, and record at his newly restored historic house in Western Massachusetts. The 11-track effort sounds more inline with his live shows of the last few years, mixing country and folk with a double dose of pedal steel guitars, coupled with LaMontagne’s now unmistakable raspy vocals, and plaintive songwriting.

17) She & HimVolume Two

Key Tracks: In The Sun, Ridin’ In My Car, Thieves

Sounds Like: 1960s girl groups with a modern sheen

The Skinny: M. Ward must have the Midas Touch – between his solo work, as a member of Monsters Of Folk and his unexpected paring with doe-eyed actress Zooey Deschenal on She & Him – everything he’s been involved with over the last few years has seemingly turned to gold. Matt and Zooey’s follow up to their critically acclaimed debut picks up where the duo left off, with another heaping spoonful of their brand saccharine-sweet vintage indie-pop. On Volume 2, Zooey has grown into her role as front woman with more confident sounding vocals, while Matt ups the ante with his knack for lush production work that features enough oohs and ahhs to make Phil Spector proud.

16) Vampire WeekendContra

Key Tracks: California English, Horchata, Giving Up The Gun

Sounds Like: Peter Gabriel, David Byrne, Paul Simon

The Skinny: Nearly two years to the day (give or take a couple of weeks) after releasing the their self-titled debut, the Ivy League-bred foursome that comprise Vampire Weekend returned with their highly anticipated sophomore effort Contra. In that short period of time the band matured from the quirky, literate college band that embraced West African guitar and rhythms,  to bona fide rock stars, capable of selling out three nights at Radio City Music Hall. For their second album, back are Ezra Koenig’s seemingly semi-autobiographical globetrotting lyrics and the masterful production work of the band’s keyboard player Rostam Batmangli, who the band owes a great debt to as he finely crafts VW’s world beat-influenced sound.

Previously On HT:

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5 Responses

  1. Contra is a weak album. Just because Holiday has been played non stop since October, does not make it a good album. Definitly a sophmore slump and god aweful live.

    BTW – Dr. Dog and Local Natives better be on this list.

  2. The only poop in my ear is Vampire Weekend. Oh and I’ve been using your mom’s teet as my personal juice box.

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