I know, I know. Writing best of 2010 lists is so three-weeks-ago. But with such a good year in music having just passed, it would be remiss of me to not to let the imaginary-sphere know about a few of my favorite close-of-the-oughts things. I've never been a big subscriber to "this is better than that" -- it's not easy to put so much different stuff on one plane and deem some of them better, some of them worse -- so instead of file and rank, I've compiled a few chunks of albums, shows, and random happenings that made it to 'awesome' status for me over the last twelve months, with commentary, in no strict order.

That said, this best-of is meant to be enjoyed. Maybe your life was altered at the same show mine was, or maybe the same album had you trapped in the car for an hour listening tracks on repeat. Whichever is the case, remember one thing above all else: as John Roderick so eloquently stated earlier this week, "If you are too busy to discover new albums for yourself, the last thing you need is a list of more albums to buy. You should take a hot bath instead."

Agreed.

That said, let's start with the releases. I was seriously impressed with the amount of great EPs and LPs that came out this year, and this is coming from someone who's held fast to the belief that there hasn't been a 'great' year for new music since about 2005 or so. (Obviously, with a few onesie exceptions here and there.) Maybe it has to do with where I'm at and what I'm capable of absorbing at any given point, but seriously -- I'm able to look back at what made it into my itunes from January until now, and can state with confidence that some honest-to-goodness talented shit rose to the surface above the onslaught of mediocre that is now deemed 'indie' and/or 'indie rock' these days. (PS: in most cases, there's very little new music that can truly be deemed 'indie rock.' I'm just saying. When the next Wrens album comes out, we'll talk.)

Tied for First Place:
* Lovesick Empire / The Grind EP - I simply can not get enough of this EP. It's a sound that invokes a proper nod to grunge (which is seemingly inherent, rather than purposeful), laden with powerful big-guitar ache and smart lyrics to match. Catch them in the third-of-five spot at Neumos next Friday, January 7th before you head out to Columbia City (see below). {listen / free download}{tickets}
* Damien Jurado / Saint Bartlett - This ambitously-recorded album is a bold departure from Jurado's previous work, with a layered, throwback, one-take sound that begs to be heard on vinyl. Wielding the CD in my car on the way home from the West Seattle Easy Street pre-release show, I found myself pulled over on John Street, listening to "Beacon Hill" about twenty times in a row -- if you didn't pick this up yet, you can grab a copy at his upcoming show on Friday, January 7th at Columbia City Theater. {buy album}{tickets}
* The Head and the Heart / (s/t) - Unless you've lived under a rock since about April or so, you know why this band made my best-ofs. There's hardly enough adjective left that hasn't already been used since this band hit my radar over the summer, and they've gone from the stages of Conor Byrne and Sonic Boom to opening sets for Dave and Tim's most recent run of shows -- and with good cause. If you're lucky enough to have picked up tickets to the January 15th show at Neumos later this month (we're including the link in case any get released between now and then), I'll see you there! {buy album}{tickets}

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The turn of the weather and shortness of days in Seattle over the last couple weeks has left little room to deny that winter is upon us. Thankfully, imaginary victoria has gathered a subtle and soothing mix of songs that is warming our tootsies as of late.

You can listen to a stream of the podcast below or download the MP3 version of the podcast on the imaginary bandcamp page.

If you are the type that likes to listen to podcasts in itunes, download the .m4a file here {it's one single file with fancy chapter markers!} and then open it in your itunes {big thanks to Jigsaw Records and Indie Pages for hosting the file!}.

 

Tracklisting: Imaginary Mixtape - December 2010 {part 1}

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It goes without saying that at any given point, especially in Seattle, we are absolutely inundated with new music to listen to. So much so that, in a veritable sea of sound, little gems can slip by without us even noticing, rolling right out of our sight and falling down the drain without as much as a telltale metallic 'tink' on the drainpipe to get our attention. The perpetual optimist among us would like to think that albums of worthiness will always float to the top of the pile on their own merit and deservedness alone, but that simply isn't always the case.

With that said -- here's a few gems we've been shining up in the imaginary office these days, in hopes that they've already caught your eye:

Lovesick Empire / The Grind EP

Holy heaven in a download, Batman. To say that this brand-stinkin'-new release from local notables Alicia Amiri and Jason Lajeunesse is in heavy rotation would just about be the understatement of the year -- about thirty seconds in on our first listen, something told us we were into something good. Lovesick Empire manages to give a nod to their roots while maintaining a sound that's completely their own -- we can hear hat-tips to true grunge and "He War"-esque Cat Power, layered with a good helping of black eyeliner and a missle-lock stare. You can almost see the movie scene playing out in a deafeningly loud bar during "Something in my Blood," hear the radio hit two tracks later, and realize you've got the perfect addition to your next mix tape with "Can't Get Right." Big, filthy guitars will keep the post-punks happy; and just enough forlorn-ness in the lyrics will draw the indie rockers in.

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The diaspora of talented songwriters from the collective known as Carissa's Wierd has by now become legendary, with a few albums of post-break-up works from Sera Cahoone (solo) and Mat Brooke (Band of Horses, now Grand Archives) to remind fans of their three very fine, first full-lengths while all together: Ugly but Honest (2000), You Should Be At Home Here (2001), and the absolute classic Songs About Leaving (2002, recorded and mixed by Chris Walla).

Co-leader Jenn Ghetto has kept a lower profile since helping to craft and contributing inspirational vocals and guitar to those dark day dream discs, but her band S is currently touring with Grand Archives, playing the Southwestern states as I write this. For the journey flagship Seattle label Aviation Records did a high quality re-release of her personal 1999 debut sadstyle, which Ghetto is able to sell whilst on tour. This connection occurred, according to Hannah Levin at the Seattle Weekly, when guitarist and keyboardist Joe Arnone from Aviation's band See Me River began helping Ghetto revive S.

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at The Triple Door

I went into this show expecting magic, and I got it in some unexpected ways: the disparate beauty — yet sense of family — of the three bands on the lineup.

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Just a friendly imaginary reminder: if you're heading to the Vera Project tonight, local band S is no longer on the bill (they had to cancel because of a family emergency).

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The electronic influence of Josh Wackerly adds to the complexity that Jenn Ghetto created on S's first album.

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The top Northwest releases of 2004 as voted on by you, our readers (see winners #40-31 here).

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