Here are the second five albums in my Best of 2010 list. It’s an interesting coincidence that I saw each of these bands live before I ever heard their records.
Madison Square Gardeners – Taste the Thunder: Perhaps one of the most fun bands to see live out there these days, The Madison Square Gardeners deliver an EP which shows what they do so well, and that is flat out rock. From the ruefully cynical I Was Born With Nothing (And I’ve Still Got Half of It Left) to the joyously upbeat Young and In Love, The Gardeners give you more of what you listen to a rock band for.
Phosphorescent – Here’s to Taking It Easy: Phosphorescent was not on my radar screen until I saw them do a live show inside a record store, where they knocked me out. This record is mostly mid-tempo rock with some inspired lead guitar, akin to early 70s Neil Young. The songs have enough room and time here, including Mermaid Parade and the eight minute stand out, Los Angeles.
Eli “Paperboy” Reed – Come and Get It: This neo-soul album from Brooklyn-based (via the Boston-area) Eli “Paperboy” Reed is the real deal. One of the best live acts I’ve ever seen, Eli leads his large (including horns) band through 12 songs including the title track and Name Calling. Make no mistake, this is not a recreation of anything, it is a continuation of the lineage of 60s soul.
Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds is a nine-piece (including horns) rock/soul/funk band fronted by small framed and big voiced Arleigh Kincheloe who also writes their material. They have been packing them into the Lower East Side’s Rockwood Music Hall for the the past two years and it’s nice to finally have a record which documents well what they do. If you’ve already seen Sister Sparrow, you’ll want to get this record. If not, once you listen to this record, you’ll want to see them live. This CD is a party in a jewel box, with Freight Train the standout cut.
Watson Twins – Talking to You, Talking to Me: With keyboards once again added to their songs, The Watson Twins (sisters Chandra and Leigh Watson) shine on this record. With influences ranging from from folk-rock, soul and Pink Floyd, one finds all sorts of interesting musical thoughts popping up in The Watson Twins’ music. Here, from the short and punchy U N Me, to the extended Midnight, and on to the bass driven The Devil in You, the sisterly harmonies and strong song writing make this collection stand out.
–Eliot Wagner