Category Archives: Dance
Sub Pop’s Mogwai Release New Video
Scotland’s Mogwai have been a steady stream of good music for the past 15 years. Proving they have no intention of slowing down, Mogwai and Sub Pop have released a video for their song “How to be a Werewolf.” When it comes to Werewolves, the Scottish should know a thing or two, having seen their fair share of the beast (though there are no lyrics, so you are free to draw your own conclusions on the nature of werewolves). The video features plentiful Norwegian landscapes, a good deal of fuzz on the guitar and a bearded gentleman riding a bike. Enjoy.
http://player.vimeo.com/video/17377363
Mogwai “How to Be a Werewolf” (in Thirty Century Man) from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.
Christmas Song of the Day: The Bird and the Bee – “Carol of the Bells”
Modern Mystery’s Top 30 Albums of the Year
The time is finally here where we announce our favorite albums of the year. Yes, it took a whole lot of thinking and a whole lot of relistening, but in the end we figured it out. Trust us, it was no easy task this year. Take a peek at what kept our interest in 2010.
1. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Let It Sway”
This will forever be known as the album where SSLYBY fully matured. Working with Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, the band produced a stunning record full of pop hooks and catchy lyrics. The result, Let It Sway (Polyvinyl), one of the greatest pieces of work our ears have heard by any indie band in a long time. We loved it so much we made a tribute video celebrating the record which you can watch below. Congrats SSLYBY!
2. Vampire Weekend – “Contra”
A nearly flawless album, the VW boys started off 2010 with a burst of energy that continued througout the year. Neck in neck with the Yeltsins, Contra (XL) also shared the tale of a too-good-to-be-true indie band growing up in the public eye.
3. The Morning Benders – “Big Echo”
Another record that was running with the big boys on this list, The Morning Benders released Big Echo (Kanine) early in the year and exploded like no one could ever have imagined. It’s ab out time. They deserve it. This is one of the catchiest albums we heard this year and it never gets old.
4. Of Montreal – “False Priest”
Of Montreal are always evolving. That is what we love most about the band. False Priest (Polyvinyl) takes them to a whole new level, dabbling in R&B and dueting with Solange Knowles. We may have been skeptical at first but it quickly won over our hearts and the dance floor.
5. Surfer Blood – “Astrocoast”
Everyone’s favorite “IT” band of the year produced a promising debut album called Astrocoast (Kanine). We followed the boys around CMJ 2009 and knew they were about to blew up huge. We were right, and now Surfer Blood has taken over the world.
6. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – “Before Today”
A chilling record filled with reverb and haunting vocals proved to be just the thing for Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. Before Today (4AD) stunned the indie music world and makes us wonder what the next Ariel Pink chapter has to hold.
7. Jukebox the Ghost – “Everything Under the Sun”
A thriving piano backed by a guitar and drums made an unexpected assault in the indie world this year. Everything Under the Sun (Yep Roc) dropped jaws quickly this year and had Jukebox the Ghost playing with big name bands and appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman.
8. The Love Language – “Libraries”
Much different from their first record, The Love Language stunned us with a near perfect record, Libraries (Merge) this year. There was a lot of buzz about this album and as the tracks leaked, we could feel the greatness building up. We were right.
9. We Are Scientists – “Barbara”
Without a record label in the U.S., We Are Scientists broke through this year with Barbara. They haven’t changed too much since the last time we heard from them, which is a good thing. They still have their driving 80’s vibe, W.A.S. charm and brilliant tunes.
10. Magic Kids – “Memphis”
This was an unexpected treat this year that had us putting Magic Kids on repeat. Memphis (Goner/True Panther) often has a lo-fi and retro vibe, and that is what really makes it special.
The rest of the list….
11. Miniature Tigers – “Fortress”
12. Matt Pond PA – “The Dark Leaves”
13. Wavves – “King of the Beach”
14. Sufjan Stevens -“Age of the Adz”
15. Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”
16. Free Energy – “Stuck on Nothing”
17. Javelin – “No Mas”
18. Best Coast – “Crazy for You”
19. The Drums – “The Drums”
20. Tokyo Police Club – “Champ”
21. The New Pornographers – “Together”
22. Spoon – “Transference”
23. Hot Hot Heat – “Future Breeds”
24. Kids of 88 – “Sugar Pills”
25. MGMT – “Congratulations”
26. Harlem – “Hippies”
27. Broken Social Scene – “Forgiveness Rock Record”
28. Born Ruffians – “Say It”
29. Caribou – “Swim”
30. Interpol – “Interpol”
Modern Mystery’s Top 25 Songs of 2010
1. Of Montreal – “Sex Karma” featuring Solange Knowles
2. Vampire Weekend – “Cousins”
3. Love Language – “Heart to Tell”
4. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Everlyn”
5. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti -“Fright Night (Nevermore)”
6. Morning Benders – “Promises”
7. Jukebox the Ghost – “Half Crazy”
8. The Drums – “Let’s Go Surfing”
9. Surfer Blood – “Swim”
10. We Are Scientists – “Rules Don’t Stop”
11. Wavves – “King of the Beach”
12. Free Energy – “Bang Pop”
13. Magic Kids – “Hey Boy”
14. Robbers on High Street – “Electric Eye”
15. Beach Fossils – “Youth”
16. Javelin – “Oh! Centra”
17. Matt Pond PA – “Starting”
18. Miniature Tigers – “Gold Skull”
19. Ra Ra Riot – “Boy”
20. Best Coast – “Boyfriend”
21. Sufjan Stevens – “From the Mouth of Gabriel”
22. Hot Hot Heat – “21@12”
23. Tame Impala – “Alter Ego”
24. Caribou – “Odessa”
25. Jenny and Johnny – “Big Wave”
Modern Mystery Staff’s Year in Lists
Joe Paolucci
Top 3 Albums
The National High Violet- Another grower from the National. I think I’ll be listening to this one for a long time. It’s hard to beat Matt Berninger lyrically.
Beach Fossils Beach Fossils- This album may not be perfect. Many songs sound similar, but Beach fossils HAVE a distinctive sound. They stand out in this modern surf genre. Every time they release something, it’s better than the last thing they released. They are strong lyrically-emotional and yet numb. The guitars rhythmically work together so well, and I just feel they are all around tight as a band. I understand that Dustin Payseur fronted a lot of the work, but I’m just glad they all work together.
Beach House Teen Dream- Just a great album. Either you like it or you don’t.
Top 3 Songs
Toro Y Moi- “Talamak”Chaz Bundick has a great voice and an amazing talent for producing. I don’t know if half the time I’m listening to pure moods, late 80s/ early 90s hip-hop, or some kind of unreleased Steely Dan/ Fleetwood Mac, but I like it… It’s so smooth.
Beach Fossils- “Youth”- An infectious riff leads us into one of my favorite lines “ It’s not so worth getting all bent out of shape about,” which defines the song title for me.
Gold Panda –“You” If you can make a song using just the word “you”… that’s pretty cool.
Top 3 Shows
Pavement –Twice in a five day stint, and I still wish I went more.
Yo La Tengo – I remember raking my dead grandfather’s leaves and listening to “Prisoners of Love”. I can’t believe it took me this long to get up here and see them.
Beach Fossils – One of my favorite modern Brooklyn bands. They can’t seem to quite pull off what they do on their recordings, but the energy they display on stage suffices.
Andres Sanchez
Top 3 Albums:
Here We Go Magic – Pigeons
– This album pulls together some of my favorite sounds in music, fuzzy guitars, subtle keys, and groovy bass lines. It’s a delicately-crafted work of art that channels everything in your emotional spectrum.
Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
– I wish I could quantify this, but I can’t. I love this album and anything I say will more than likely fail to do it justice.
Les Savy Fav – Root For Ruin
– This album quenched my thirst for rock and roll this year. Yeah, there were plenty of other rocking records out there, but this one took the cake and ate it in front of me. To this day, I still fantasize about breaking shit with Tim Harrington.
Top 3 Songs:
Thee Oh Sees – “I Was Denied”
The Babies – “Meet Me In The City”
Beach Fossils – “Vacation”
Top 3 Shows:
Woods – some guy named Ben’s House @ SXSW in Austin, Texas March 18th(?)
Here We Go Magic @ Schubas in Chicago, Illinois July 17th
Pavement @ Stubb’s in Austin, Texas September 28th
Top 3 Music Videos:
El Guincho – “Bombay”
Here We Go Magic – “Casual”
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Let It Sway”
Aitor Zabalegui
Top 3 Albums:
3. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
Hearing Ariel Pink referred to as the so-called godfather of chillwave makes me want to compare him to Neil Young, the godfather of perhaps the very opposite of genres — grunge (RIP). What makes this such a stark comparison is the fact that they have anything in common at all. Ariel Pink’s history lingers in relative obscurity, with most people not being introduced to him until Before Today. But it was the abrupt turn to accessibility on Today that suggests Pink had this sound in the bag from the beginning and instead chose to fade in rather than fade away, to quote the phrase. Just listen to the initial version of “Can’t Hear My Eyes,” which features none of the polish and AM sheen that makes it so immediately rich sounding on the album cut. Pink, much like Young, seems to have unlimited tricks up his sleeve sure to prolong his newly-found relevancy in indie music. I bought this album after listening to the first 15 seconds of “Bright Lit Blue Skies” with the assumption that it would offer me everything I liked about King Khan, and found that his crown had been passed.
2. Women – Public Strain
Too derivate is the criticism you hear about this Calgary band and their engrossing sophomore effort, Public Strain — they don’t offer anything you can’t hear from White Light White Heat or they’re the Canadian Sonic Youth. I can’t argue that Public Strain borrows graciously from notable influences, but from the album art down to the very last fading notes you can make out of the closing track’s magnificent coda, I will say Women have made the most complete album of 2010. Much like their debut, listening to a single track on Public Strain individually is like reading a chapter of The Prince with no context and putting the book down without realizing it deliberately, and effectively, influenced the unknowing likes of Henry VIII, Napoleon, and Joseph Stalin to rule poorly. The album plays out in non-sequential acts that blend together, hinged on delicate noise and disarray. Every sound has been meticulously arranged into its right place, with Chad VanGaalen once again taking the helm as producer and enveloping the band in a bleak, cavernous haze the music distantly creeps out from. The band manage to create something missing lately from indie music, an invigorating listen that only develops further with repeated visits. Just to get into it a bit, “Narrow with the Hall” hints at what was so appealing about “Black Rice” then assures you that you won’t be getting more of the same on this record, “Venice Lockjaw” features absolutely stunning chord changes, “Drag Open” is a welcome box cutter to the throat, and “Eyesore” is perfect. With no luck finding any lyrics online and the lack of any in the liner notes, interpreting Public Strain will remain an enduring and satisfying project.
1. Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
In a sea of indie rock bands, Titus Andronicus is an utterly unashamed indie rock band led by a visibly shy, medicated sudo-recluse. Seeing them live for the first time back in March, this irony was made apparent with the disparity of lead singer Patrick Stickles walking on stage declaring, “Let’s make this the best Sunday night of our lives!” and later offering a lengthy apology to the audience and staff of Slim’s for nearly getting the show canceled during sound check. Stickles pointed towards his laundry list of mental illnesses that can sometimes lead his acute sensitivity to make him “act a fool.” Paradoxical as all this may be, seeing it in person found it making sense. This music is medication, catharsis, emotional release, what have you… Sing along with a venue full of people repeating “you will always be a loser!” and Stickles doesn’t even have to finish the line, you already know its okay. That’s listening to The Monitor in a nutshell.
Top 3 Songs:
3. Deerhunter – “Revival”
2. Real Estate – “Out of Tune”
1. Weekend – “End Times”
Top 2 Shows:
2. Pavement, June 25 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
1. Titus Andronicus, March 28 @ Slims, San Francisco, CA
Top Music Videos
3. Kanye West – “Runaway”
2. Best Coast – “When I’m With You”
1. Grinderman – “Heathen Child”
Wesley Ambrecht
Best Albums of 2010
1. Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Though it was released overseas in 2009, Sigh No More didn’t make its way into US records shops until February of this year. Because of which I, and many other critics, have decided to consider it a 2010 release. Some critics have taken to labeling Sigh No More the year’s best debut, but that’s actually a disservice to what is far and away the year’s best album period. There is nary a flaw throughout the entire runtime of Sigh No More.
2. The National – High Violet
From the distorted opening notes of “Terrible Love,” until the very last note of “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geek,” The National take listeners on sonic adventure that often juxtaposes beautiful imagery with absolute melancholy. High Violet is the type of album that offers almost instant gratification, but still continues to grow on you with each subsequent spin. Littered with some of this year’s best songs like “Lemonworld” and “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” High Violet also houses songs gems like “Anyone’s Ghost” and “Sorrow.” This is modern rock at its finest: poetic, edgy and most importantly meaningful.
3. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
With American Slang, The Gaslight Anthem manage to embrace all of their influences, most notably Bruce Springsteen, while simultaneously honing their own sound. There is a sense of immediacy to their music that demands your attention. Once you give yourself over to American Slang, you are rewarded by a wave of nostalgia. This is a band acutely aware of their own mortality and the current state of music, both of which they treat with disdain.
Best Songs of 2010
1. Power – Kanye West
2. Cosmic Love – Florence + The Machine
3. A Girl, A Boy, and a Graveyard – Jeremy Messersmith
4. Radioactive – Kings of Leon
5. Young Blood – The Naked and Famous
Best Music Videos
1. Madder Red – Yeasayer
2. Cooler Than Me – Mike Posner
3. Tighten Up – The Black Keys
Special Recognition to Kanye West’s film Runaway
Michael Cirigliano II
Best Albums
– These New Puritans, Hidden. After a spiky, punk-infused debut album, These New Puritans made a complete turnaround with Hidden; turning to lengthy song structures, woodwind and brass chorales, and an incredibly mature writing style for their follow-up album.
– Jónsi, Go. Although Jónsi didn’t break the mold here, he created incredibly upbeat music that wouldn’t necessarily find its way onto a standard Sigur Rós album. Any work that delivers his vocals over a foundation of organ, strings, and mallet percussion is a winner in my book.
– Arcade Fire, The Suburbs. Arcade Fire can’t seem to do any wrong- they are the Jon Stewart of rock music. After the grandiose Neon Bible, the group kept things more emotionally intimate, making listeners both swoon and cringe at the thought of their own childhoods in the suburbs.
Best Videos
-Esben & The Witch, “Marching Song”
-Arcade Fire, “We Used To Wait”
-Lady Gaga & Beyoncé, “Telephone”
Best Songs
-Jónsi, “Kolnidur”
-The Irrepressibles, “In This Shirt”
-Perfume Genius, “Lookout, Lookout”
Best Shows
-Mad Men
-Parks & Recreation
-Hoarders
Nathan Collins
Top 3 albums of the year:
1) Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma – equal parts electronic, jazz and hip hop, this album reveals new beauty with each listen. Put it on shuffle to discover and entirely different album.
2) Jonsi – Go – One of those times when a lead singer creates a truly original side project. A great pop record.
3) Anais Mitchell – Hadestown – This folk opera features everyone from Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) to Ani DiFranco. Sweeping epic storytelling mixed with some downright amazing folk music.
Jill Ettinger
Top 3 Albums of the Year
1. joanna newsom have one on me
joanna newsom is evolving. fast. put her under a microscope and i bet scientists would discover some new genes or super DNA or something never before seen. the 3 cd set, have one on me, is better song after better song of some of the best music ever made. note to new parents: yes it’s a really good idea to move to the woods, let your children wander in the forest by themselves on 3-day vision quests and teach them to play harp.
2. warpaint the fool
the debut from LA’s warpaint sounds almost as if someone discovered an underground city of super music geniuses living under hollywood’s walk of stars. warpaint sounds like cat power and bat for lashes had lou reed’s love children who they only let listen to radiohead and pj harvey records while spinning around and around like barefoot sufis on a bed of rose petals. the fool is absolutely addictive and prescient.
3. four tet there is love in you
four tet tapped into something bold with there is love in you. if “angel echoes” doesn’t gut you every time you listen to it, please see a doctor. the album progresses like a dream that twinkles and sparkles. if these songs were animals, they would all be unicorns. but not the cartoony fantasy unicorns; the real ones.
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Top 3 Songs of the Year
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infinite arms-band of horses
sleepless in silverlake-les savy fav
pray for rain-massive attack
Top 3 Shows of the Year
Faith No More Palladium Theater, LA
Fat Freddy’s Drop Music Box, LA
Amon Tobin Echoplex, LA
Top 3 Music Videos of the Year
Heathen Child-Grinderman
Enter the Ninja-Die Antwoord
Red Lights-Holy Fuck
Zach Yanowitz
Albums
1. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: Yeezy embraced his ego and crafted a record of pure, glamorous honesty. The scope is epic yet personal, lush yet raw.
2. Titus Andronicus- The Monitor: The New Jersey neo-punks use Civil War imagery and lots of noise and alcohol to make a soundtrack for our era of uncertainty and angst.
3. This Is Happening- LCD Soundsystem: James Murphy welcomes his mortality and crushes a dance record with pumping highs and lows, with just enough inner turmoil to keep it real.
Songs
1. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)- Arcade Fire
2. Ambling Alp- Yeasayer
3. Monster (Ft. Bon Iver, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj)- Kanye West
Shows
1. The Hold Steady @ Republic, New Orleans 9/24
2. Wolf Parade @ The Fox Theater, Oakland 7/30
3. Girls (w/ Smith Westerns & Magic Kids) @ One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans 2/2
Music Videos
1. Lady GaGa- Telephone
2. Duck Sauce- Barbra Streisand
3. Die Antwoord- Enter the Ninja
Krista De La Rosa
Albums of the year:
01) Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
I firmly believe that I will never love a person as much as I love Halycon Digest. I firmly believe that I will never fall this hard for an album so quickly as I have with Halcyon Digest. I listened to this album the second it was released and I never stopped listening to it since. Bradford Cox is a man I will always deeply admire more than many, many other musicians. This album is just one of those that will make you say, “Jesus Christ, this is fucking beautiful.” Every single song brings chills down my spine. Every riff of the guitar, every key and button pushed, every word spoken; this is what a perfect album sounds like. There is no such thing as disappointment when it comes to an album like this. No such thing.
02) Coma Cinema – Stoned Alone
Mat Cothran of Coma Cinema will go down in history as the greatest songwriter of our generation. Stoned Alone is an album that I have laughed to, cried to, slept to, walked around campus to, and lived to. There is plenty of music in this world for us to listen to. I’d choose Coma Cinema over any and every band I have ever discovered. Why? Because Coma Cinema is more than music. The lyrics are more than words. Something beyond magic is produced by this amazing, genuine human being. He doesn’t create music for money or for publicity, but for himself. Stoned Alone will make you feel something music has never made you feel. That, I promise you.
03) Magic Man – Real Life Color
Magic Man is composed of two magical men, Sam Lee and Alex Caplow. I cannot remember for the life of me how I discovered this magical duo, but the second I downloaded Real Life Color off their bandcamp, my life was changed. I do not want to describe their sound by comparing them to other artists. Magic Man is nothing but real, passionate magic. I just want to repeat the words “magic, magic, magic” over and over again until you get a better idea of just how MAGICAL their music is. I tend to listen to Real Life Color while driving. I always seem to be driving, so I am a religious listener of this album. It stirs up my imagination beyond belief. Whether it be the synth pop vibes or their delicate voices, Magic Man is definitely a duo that I’d consider the highlight of my 2010 music discovering year.
TOP 3 SONGS OF THE YEAR:
01) Twin Sister – Meet the Frownies
02) Foxes in Fiction – Lately (Memoryhouse cover)
03) Star Slinger – Word
TOP 3 SHOWS OF THE YEAR:
01) I’m going to include all the artists and showcases I saw during SXSW 2010 as my #1 because they were some of the most amazing, memorable performances bundled together.
02) The Tallest Man on Earth / S. Carey
03) Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
TOP 3 MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE YEAR:
01) Coma Cinema – Blissed *Created by Tyler T Williams
02) Memoryhouse – Herloim *Created by Jamie Harley
03) Two Bicycles – How Real *Created by Tonje Thilesen
Modern Mystery 
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