1. PLAN B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks PAIRING - 1986 Chateau Palmer
Hands down the best record of the year, Plan B's musical reinvention is an awe-inspiring journey back to the glory days of Motown, through a more seasoned lens. His soul concept album literally evokes the ghost of Smokey Robinson at every turn, leaning only in small (and remarkably well placed) doses of the hip hop stylings of his previous work.
Having been described as an iron fist in a velvet glove, the wines of the Bordeaux appelation Margeaux are the perfect pairing for a record that thumps with the aggression of a football hooligan and soars with the grace of gospel song. And the 86 Palmer is the best I ever tasted.
Plan B - Stay Too Long
Plan B - Traded In My Cigarettes
PAIRING - Chateneuf Du Pape
A record that fully built upon the foundation of their Danger Mouse collaboration, Attack and Release and enshrined the blues rockers with their very own place in the musical landscape. While their early records show the promise it was these past 2 records where they really found themselves and have delivered some of their best work. If I had one complaint about Brothers is that it fades towards the back half of the record, but its hits are so big I'll forgive the overindulgence.
The pairing of the flagship wine of the Rhone Valley is a simple tribute to its ability to reflect the grimey roots of its rural origins, while dusting off a snappy sophistication that proves irrisistible to the tidiest hipster d-bag. I also just described this record.
The Black Keys - Next Girl
PAIRING - Aperol Spritz
Its a worthy achievement for an artist to unleash a proper throwback record. Its tried all the time but to truly piece together a progressive record that evokes the spirit previous era without sounding contrived is something of an elusive artistic statement. Then I met the Drums, whose whimsical journey through the 1980's is as much Delorean as it is Geo Metro.
The cocktail that blends Italian aperatif Aperol with Sparkling wine is every bit as romantic as it is rambunctious. A blend that plays to this record like crude oil to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Drums - Down By The Water
PAIRING - Sangria
I was convinced that after Feed The Animals, that Girl Talk would fade from memory. Afterall, how could you possibly amass another collection of dancefloor classics old and new, that would mashup just so delightfully. A proper followup was the stuff of daydreamers, not practical in the slightest. Apparently Billy Pilgrim HAS become unstuck in time. Who knew?
As for the pairing, Sangria is the ultimate mashup, and fuels the sort of silly dancefloor antics that this record makes in spades.
Girl Talk - This Is The Remix
5. J COLE - Friday Night Lights
PAIRING - Moet Mimosas
Fans of old school/east coast/concious hip hop have taken delight in the new Roc Nation label of Jay Z. His primary signings, Jay Electronica and J Cole (you have to wonder if he's making room for J-Live or resurrecting J-Dilla from the grave) deliver the type of lyrical flow thats entirely absent from the cryptwalking autotune garbage of radio hip hop. Cole's mixtape picks up right where his bumpin summer single "Who Dat" left off and from front to back this record just doesnt stop.
As for the mimosas...if its good enough for Jay-Z, its good enough for me.
J Cole ft. Drake - In the Morning
PAIRING - Gewurtztraminer
Quite simply Damon Albarn is the Ryan Giggs of modern music. Never the best player of his time, yet still able to deliver reliable top quality material, day in and day out for over 2 decades. There is a workmanlike charm beneath the sleek creativity that set Albarn apart in the same way United's alltime warrior stands on the shoulders of giants. From catchy jingles to morse code, this record is everything you have come to expect from the Gorillaz.
In gewurtz you have a wine that explodes in tropical sweetness, yet bites with a peppery bite in all the right places. It makes it the ultimate pairing with Thai cuisine...and considering my last phad thai was enjoyed with Melancholy Hill quietly rolling along in the background, I'm gonna go ahead and vouch for this one.
Gorillaz - Glitter Freeze
BONUS TRACK - FOR THOSE WHO LIKED THIS, Check out THIS.
The latest Danger Mouse collaboration is a none so subtle tip of the hat to Gorillaz stylie. A worthy footnote in the evolving world of rock and roll.
The Broken Bells - The Ghost Inside
PAIRING - Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Napa Cabernet
Wu nation certainly had a banner year with this years edition of Rock The Bells featuring a fully reunited Wu Tang Clan (complete with Ol Dirty's son stepping in for his late father). Less acclaimed, yet no less incredible was this effort from half of the Wu camp. Meth and Ghostface continue to be the lyrical juggernauts of the Clan and are in fine form here amidst a compilation of some of the grimiest beats assembled since 36 Chambers. Picture yourself running the streets of Shaolin from the backseat of a 1970's Lincoln and you'll be right at home.
Diamond Creek's Volcanic Hill cab is the definitive picture of strength with irreverence that subtly betrays its underlying class. Ripe fruit riddled with the smokey minerality of a gangland driveby. The perfect partner for a Wu-Massacre.
Method Man, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon - Pimpin Chipp
PAIRINGS - Tawse Cabernet Franc
Its a rare feat in punk hardcore to rekindle the fire of a classic record. Of my favorite hardcore bands, from Bane to Raised Fist to Another Breath are case studies in bands who find that magic spark for one beautifully angry record, and spend a career chasing that dragon. Canada's best kept secret Comeback Kid were well on their way down that road. Sure their live shows have never lost a step, replete with intensity & fury that could be tasted. But their records have always been a shadow of the greatness of Wake The Dead. That is until this fall when they unleashed a record that gets better and better with every listen. Furious pace, gang vocals, social commentary and relentless beat are all fused in just the right places and before I'm done with it, I might just rank it higher than Wake The Dead.
For the pairing I'm suggesting the best kept secret in Canadian wine, the Cabernet Franc from Tawse. A beautiful vegetal side reminiscent of its Loire Valley roots, combined with the bold strength thats come to define the new world. A masterpiece.
Comeback Kid - GM Vincent & I
PAIRING - Vinho Verde
It was a pretty great year for electronic music. Though MGMT dropped the biggest ball since Bill Buckner, the likes of Caribou, LCD Soundsystem, The Chemical Brothers and The Scissor Sisters were on point with fantastic and frenetic dancefloor classics. Yet for my money the best of the bunch is right here with Holy Fuck. and quite literally....Holy Fuck.
In keeping with the "latin" theme, and every bit the crisp light bodied effervescence of dancefloor rocketfuel, there is the one and only take on Albarinho....VINHO VERDE!
Holy Fuck - Latin America
Holy Fuck - Red Lights
PAIRING - Carmenere
The continuing musical evolution of Alaska's best export has been an impressive journey. The fusion of sounds from across the soundscape really comes into its own on their latest endeavor and stands as their best record to date. Infinitely catchy and altogether unique, American Ghetto is a must have.
In pairing with the Carmenere the focus is on this grapes ability to be easily drinkable, yet buoyed by a rich depth beneath the surface. Inviting at first glace, yet with the layers to keep you coming, its not unlike the girl you are going to marry.
Portugal The Man - All My People
PAIRING - Malbec
Its been a long time since Clarity and Bleed American, and in that time the genuine sincerity of a proper Jimmy Eat World recird has been sorely missed in the musical arena. They turn back the clock with their latest record and its truely a return to form that so endeared them to us in the first place. Cut might be the most hauntingly beautiful track of the year (though sadly blocked on youtube). But the whole spin is enough charm to keep you coming back over and over.
Built for youth and easy to drink are the big selling points for Argentina's goldenboy grape. Couldnt think of a better descriptor for Invented either.
Jimmy Eat World - Heart Is Hard To Find
PAIRING - Barbera D'Asti
A strange year for Bedouin Soundclash in which their frontman's debut solo record outscored their own full length record in every possible way. From the reflective to the charming, this record is an emotive journey with such classics as Songs Never Sung and a redux of the pre-radio Bedouin anthem Santa Monica.
A record suitable for an Italian poet composing his darkest opus...and you better believe he'd be drowning in the ultimate Italian table wine.
Jay Malinowski - There's a Light
PAIRING - Sauternes
The summer of 2010 will long be remembered for the viral explosion of Cee Lo's breakup anthem Fuck You. With tens of millions of youtube views within a week, it was an atomic bomb of pop music that even the most hardened music snob couldnt help but hum along to. The ensuing record is probably his best work to date, offering plenty to the listener to remind that he aint no one trick pony. In particular Old Fashioned might just be the ultimate expression of the soul man in this young century.
Sauternes is a world of its own. A classic and just like Cee Lo's love, Its right on time. Its timeless. Sugary sweet but with a steely backbone, it is a perfect expression of a man's proper love of a woman.
Cee Lo Green - Old Fashioned
PAIRING - Vouvray
I've long given up the hope that the world might once again be blessed with a classic record the likes of Redlight. But after a decided lull, the past 2 records have been a clear return to form for the hardest working ska band in North America. Long gone are the circus themes of Peculiar, and once again they tread the comfortable waters that made records like the Question, Redlight and Wasted Days such classics.
The Chenin blanc of Vouvray are a mainstay throughout the Parisian bistros...and listening to the Slackers has the power to take you there.
The Slackers - Same Every Day (live)
PAIRING - Red Burgundy
For me 2010 is the year I finally figured out how to like albums by bands that I had previously had no use for. All buzz bands for the past number of years, The Arcade Fire, My Chemical Romance and The New Pornographers were all artists I just couldnt seem to enjoy. Suddenly came their new records and I find myself wondering was it just me finally opening my ears or did these artists all turn some corner with their new material? In the case of the Arcade Fire & The Pornographers it was probably my own stubborn breed of music snobbery that lends itself far more affinitively to the Gaslight Anthems of the world. Though in the case of MCR its definitely a case of maturing and finally producing a record that brings forth the talent they've long supressed with goth-riddled schlock. In the end it really doesnt matter, cuz if you arent listening to records for pure hedonistic bliss you belong somewhere else my friend.
I pair this record with red burgundy for the elusive sophistication that sets apart the finest pinot noir from the rest. This record spins that same tightrope between subtle greatness and irrelevance that makes an instant classic.
The New Pornographers - We End Up Together
The New Pornographers - Moves
PAIRINGS - Lots of beer.
In a year where bands like Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem did little to impress the new hoards of fans of the beard-clad, Nu-Springsteen folk punk circuit, newcomers AM Taxi deliver a pretty solid debut in this vein. Plenty of beer drinking and broken hearted anthems for the working class punk crowd. Not of the class of Chuck Ragan, but in a year where even the Alkaline Trio couldnt get it quite right....that'll do pig...
Labatt 50. Specifically.
AM Taxi - Woodpecker
PAIRINGS - Champagne
I never thought I'd never see the day I would put an Angels & Airwaves record on a best list. First, as a Blink fan I resent this bands existence. Second, as a man, I resent appearing like a giant vagina. Alas much like the debut from the All American Rejects years back, this is has etched its way into my guilty pleasures exemption. While they've stumbled to find an identity in their past records, this one comes together with the epic cohesion of U2 records when they didnt suck (read Joshua Tree/Rattle & Hum). The result is like falling in love for the first time.
True love deserves champagne. Nuff said.
Angels & Airwaves - Shove
PAIRING - Priorato
For fans of RJD2 and Cut Chemist, whove grown tired of awaiting solid new material from either. Maniac Meat hits the long devoid spot in the cockles of our hearts for electronic, jazz infused hip hop beats without MC's to go ahead and ruin everything. Note the Beck cameos.
My favorite Spanish wine region is notably difficult to farm, but the rewards are some of the most delicious grenache known to man. I find it a perfect compliment to mining the rugged terrain of underground beats.
Tobacco - Stretch Your Face
PAIRING - Super Tuscans
No fan of LB will argue that Left Back is their best work. That said, repeated listens unveil a score of tracks that hit hard with their famed atmosphere backing another legitimate lyrical onslaught.
In the spirit of never settling on your laurels, I'm pairing Lil Brother to the winemakers who pioneered the Super Tuscans & IGT when they werent content to rest upon the DOCG laurels of Chianti. When you continue to push, the results are greatness.
Lil Brother - Revenge
PAIRINGS - Makers Mark Bourbon.
My biggest dissapointment as a concert promoter was my inability to overcome this bands legal issues and get them over the border for a Guelph show. Getting down to Boston to see them in their hometown is still on the life's top 10 to do list. They do nothing to change the formula here. Hard nosed rockabilly for the drunk and disorderly.
Whiskey.
Kings Of Nuthin - Rythym And Booze
THE BEST OF THE REST - Didnt make the cut, but still worthy of cellaring.
The Damned Things
The Roots
Alkaline Trio
Cancer Bats
Caribou
Crime In Stereo
Spoon
Vampire Weekend
Cypress Hill
LCD Soundsystem
Two Door Cinema Club
The Flatliners
The Bouncing Souls
The Scissor Sisters
The Chemical Brothers
Foxy Shazam
Broken Bells
Avenged Sevenfold
Arcade Fire
As I Lay Dying
My Chemical Romance
Nas and Damian Marley
The National
Atmosphere
J-Live
Ghostface Killah
Bad Religion
Titus Andronicus
RECORDS THAT SUCKED AS THEY CUT
Four Year Strong
MGMT
Gaslight Anthem
The Hold Steady
Morcheeba
MIA
Bedouin Soundclash
Weezer
The Bled
Kanye West
Tokyo Police Club
Underoath
Well....thats it for 2010. All is well as we end the year. United at the top of the table...delicious food in our bellies...may the next year be as good for us all!
In my own inability to find it before I penned this article, I missed out completely on Blueprint Who from Blueprint (or Printmatic as you may know him Greenhouse Effect & Soul Position). An incrdible 5 song concept EP that would have easilu bumped J Cole outta 5th....and onward down the list.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGcdadZOA0o