Shows of 2010-National Bands

It's almost impossible to list my favorite shows of 2010. I actually saw well over a staggering 150 bands play this year. Most of them were great, very few dogs in the bunch. This is hardly a 'best of' but for some reason or another, I dug them. Tomorrow I will list some shows from Pittsburgh bands. Presented in no particular order, click the photos for the reviews.

Albums of 2010

Even though I was fortunate enough over the last week or so to give you some examples of my favorite albums I heard this year through the voices of the artists themselves, there are are few more releases that deserve attention. Just one blogger's opinion, mind you. Whether I mean to call it a top ten or not, I listened to these albums a bunch, and absolutely loved them.

Dark Dark Dark-Bright Bright Bright
Maybe I have expressed this here before, maybe not. The truth is, I have never listened to anything more in my life than this simple, stark EP, which was released in the spring before their full length, Wild Go, in the fall. It was/is absolutely inconceivable how many times I would enjoy this. I was obsessed in playing it on repeat for about two weeks till I got sick with myself for still wanting to hear it. Crazy is that still to this day I can put it on and still enjoy it more than any other album this year or next. How can you adequately describe something like that?

Arcade Fire-Suburbs
I never hated this band at all. I just never 'got' them. They were bombastic, too intelligent, maybe a little full of themselves for me to appreciate what they were doing. It's funny because I think those are the reasons I love this album. I mean it, I LOVE this album. From the very first time I heard it, I was hooked. People complain that it may be too long. Maybe...what song would you cut? I think it's perfect. All the praise and press and adulation is well deserved to me. Where Radiohead leaves off Arcade Fire takes that baton.

Band of Horses-Infinite Arms
I felt weird liking their debut. Was I jumping on the bandwagon with no regard to my own opinion? Their second album came along and was O.K. but didn't bowl me over in the least. Then this came out in May and I was so ready to dismiss it in a blink of an eye but could not believe how it grew on me. That's the key with this album, it's a total sleeper and when you listen to it for the second/third time, it's astonishing how amazing it is. I didn't/haven't stop listening to this for a long time.

Dean & Britta-13 Most Beautiful
How they took a rather dumb concept (single shot Andy Warhol portrait films) and made an accessible, and ultimately listenable album is remarkable to me. I can play this any time and don't need the movies to do so. Dean Wareham is the man.

Mumford & Sons-Sigh No More
I don't think I heard more negative backlash this year towards any other band than these guys because...why? I really don't get it. Please explain it to me so I can understand. This album is fresh, spirited, and the songs are great. Stop the hate till there's a real reason. For now, this debut is proof that the future is something to look forward to with these dudes.

Admiral Radley-I Heart California
I LOVED Grandaddy. I LOVE Earlimart. They get together and offer up an album of collaborations that is as beautiful as either band can produce. I HEART AdRad!

Jenny & Johnny-Are We Having Fun Yet?
One of my favorite unsung albums of all time is Johnathan Rice's Further North. He teams up with his girlfriend who happens to be one of my favorite solo singers of the last few years. This album is just so damn good. You probably aren't that familiar with it? Your loss.

Jackie Greene-Till The Light Comes
Why I didn't see Jackie open for Gov't Mule at the Trib Total Amp is THE regret I have this year!

Frazey Ford-Obadiah
This is the most ethereally beautiful album released this year. Her voice is amazing. Her songs are worthy of such a voice. Incredible.

Radar Brothers-The Illustrated Garden
They have six albums. They are one of my top five favorite artists of all time. I met Jim Putnam this year! This album is awesome.

The Mynabirds-What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood
What a beautiful album. Expect to hear more from my girl Laura on this very blog in the new year!

Nada Surf-If I Had A Hi-Fi
A covers album? I didn't think so either but what they pulled off is just a taste of what's coming from this amazing band. Trust me.

Miles Kurosky
The Desert of Shallow Effects
Released March 9, 2010

I end my 2010 year end Advent album countdown with Miles' solo album. Better known as the front man to Beulah, he not only released a great disc but put on one of the better concerts I saw this year. Not only was he cool as hell dude in person, he was nice enough to participate in the final installment of First/Last for 2010!

The first album you ever bought?
I can't really remember the exact record. However, I do remember buying a lot of live records when I was a little kid because they contained all the hits, or recognizable songs. So it was probably something like The Beatles "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" or Cheap Trick "At Budokan".

Your last album bought?
Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife Afro Sounds.

Favorite album of all time?
It's impossible to pick just one. If someone put a gun to my head I'd probably pick something by The Beatles or Bowie.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don't have a least favorite, but I do remember the very first time I was disappointed by a record. "For Those About to Rock We Salute You" by AC/DC.

First concert attended?
Tears for Fears in '83 or '84, Hollywood, CA.

Last concert?
My own.

Favorite concert ever?
Nirvana opening for Dinosaur Jr. at Iguanas in Tijuana, Mexico or The Smiths during the Queen is Dead tour.

Least favorite concert?
Sebadoh at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Sometime in the '90s.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh. My family is from Carnegie, about 6 miles away from "dahntahn". Me, the missus, and my dad try to fly back every couple years to catch a Steelers game. I rock Troy's jersey, the wife rocks Hines' jersey, while the old man refuses to rock anything. While he bleeds black and gold, he won't even wave a terrible towel. Sigh.

Thanks so much Miles. Carnegie, PA! My wife grew up in Carnegie. Your album and show will be firmly placed in my Top 10 lists of the year.

First/Last-Kevin Murphy

The Moondoggies
Tidelands
Released October 12, 2010

One of the great surprises for me this year was discovering The Moondoggies. They opened for Blitzen Trapper at Diesel in June and I thought they were great, even better than the headliner. They put out their second album in the fall and singer/guitarist Kevin Murphy was cool enough to participate in this penultimate edition of the 2010 year end First/Last countdown.

The first album you ever bought?
I think it was The Beatles Past Masters vol II...it was my first purchased cd...but I was really raised on mix tapes and my sister’s cd collection so I didn't really NEED to have my own until around 5th grade. They got me started early.

Your last album bought?
The Ted lucas reissue...I can tell you the next album I will buy. The Jim Sullivan U.F.O record on the Light in the Attic label. It's rad.

Favorite album of all time?
I don't have a favorite, it's a temperamental thing...depends how I feel at the time. If I had to pick it might be a Beatles album...White Album or something.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I can't say specifically, but I'm sure we've all picked up a record from someone we liked and it was maybe say something from the 80's or during a time they weren't the most creative or were really hung up on a drug or something like that.

First concert attended?
Well I was raised in the church early on and there were "events" and I went to those type of things, but legit shows were all ages festivals in middle school like Bumbershoot here in Seattle. Sean Lennon was someone I remember seeing there, and Cracker. Of course local battle of the bands type events happened around that time too.

Last concert?
Cave Singers....we opened but I stayed out of the green room to enjoy it all. Sometimes on tour I spend a little part of the show chilling out away from the cluster of people...I get anxiety if I'm around that kind of atmosphere every night non stop.

Favorite concert ever?
A few of my favorites were Blonde Redhead, Built To Spill, Neil Young, Murder City Devils...I have a hard time saying different kind of shows are better then another because It's different experiences.

Least favorite concert?
I saw Lou Reed perform The Raven like 6 years ago, I really tried to enjoy it...but...eh.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
HA! You want me to mention how Superbowl 40 was a big joke?

Thanks Kevin. Being a Steelers fan, I do have to kind of/sort of/maybe agree with your opinion of Super Bowl 40. Possibly...

First/Last-Eric Pulido

Midlake
The Courage of Others
Released February 2, 2010

Midlake finally came to town on a cold April night this year. As always, Pittsburgh was on the second or third leg of a band's tour and thinking that, I was expecting a lackluster performance. Lucky for us, they recently released a killer of an album and the band was in excellent form. Of one of the seemingly few people who were there that night at Diesel, I can attest how awesome they were. Eric is the lead guitarist in the band. He was kind enough to participate in the First/Last 2010 countdown.

The first album you ever bought?

Boston: " Boston".

Your last album bought?

Harry Nilsson: "Pandemonium Shadow Show".

Favorite album of all time?

The Band: "The Band".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

William Hung: "Hung For The Holidays" (I was certain I was gonna dig it).

First concert attended?

Carmen, a contemporary Christian singer (with my Grandma).

Last concert?

Matthew and The Arrogant Sea (at Rubber Gloves in Denton, TX).

Favorite concert ever?

Bjork at Radio City Music Hall Oct. 2001.

Least favorite concert?

Not sure, but it had to be Midlake ; ).

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Great city, I took a jog there before the show on our last trip and enjoyed seeing some sites. I also expressed my love for the Houston Astros to a guy wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates hat during the show...he didn't share the sentiment.

Thanks Eric. I can't tell you how much I loved your show here. On another note, I seriously hope that is the last time I see William Hung and The Band in the same breath. I should really stop these questionnaires.

First/Last-Daniel Permbo & Anna Persson

Sambassadeur
European
Released February 24, 2010

Were you like me this year jonesing for a new Camera Obscura album? Well, to tide you over, Sambassadeur came out with their third full length. Hailing from Sweden, the band has combined pop, twee and rock to great effect. Two of it's members, Daniel and Anna, were nice enough to participate in this international edition of the ongoing 2010 Advent First/Last celebration.

The first album you ever bought?
Daniel Permbo: Star Wars soundtrack.
Anna Persson: Sandra - I don’t remember the name of the LP, but the hits were “Maria Magdalena” and “In the Heat of the Night”.

Your last album bought?
Daniel: Brian Eno-Discreet Music.
Anna: Britta Persson-Current Affair Medium Rare.

Favorite album of all time?
Daniel: Brian Eno-Discreet Music.
Anna: Abbey Road-The Beatles.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Daniel: Don't know.

First concert attended?
Daniel: Dantes Delirium at Folkets Park in Sjobo.
Anna: Don’t remember…but probably some pop-folk concerts my parents brought me to.

Last concert?
Daniel: Sambassadeur at Pusterviksbaren, Gothenburg (I had time off).
Anna: Teenage Fanclub at Trädgår’n in Göteborg.

Favorite concert ever?
Daniel: Yo La Tengo at Sticky Fingers, Gothenburg.
Anna: Oh, it’s impossible to say…Teenage Fanclub were great.

Least favorite concert?
Daniel: Don't know.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Daniel: No but I'd love to know more and to visit someday.
Anna: Something about penguins isn’t it? I haven’t ever been to the US. Love to go though.

Thanks Daniel and Anna. I really love the album and hope to see you come over the pond to play shows someday.

First/Last-Hayley Taylor

Hayley Taylor
One Foot in Front of the Other
Released September 14, 2010

Every year it happens that I discover a new artist who I never heard of before and their album blows me away to the extent that I just cannot believe they aren't more well known. This year it's Hayley and her debut full length. The songs and production are surprisingly top notch for an independent release. Imagine for a moment early Sheryl Crow when she wasn't as...bland? That's pretty much Hayley. She has a more forceful, Kathleen Edwards vibe going and I am so happy she took time out to participate in the 2010 advent edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?

Madonna- Like a Virgin (on vinyl).

Your last album bought?

The Zolas-Tic Toc Tic (mp3s) and Band of Horses-Infinite Arms.

Favorite album of all time?

Radiohead-The Bends.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Beck-Midnite Vultures.

First concert attended?

Counting Crows.

Last concert?

Pavement.

Favorite concert ever?

Nada Surf acoustic in Austin, TX.

Least favorite concert?

I've blocked them all out.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

I've been to Philadelphia briefly, but I've never been to Pittsburgh unfortunately. I'd love to check it out though and play some shows there sometime soon. The Three Rivers festival sounds really cool as well.

Thanks so much Hayley. Really, this album is just so good. I hope you tour soon and hit Pittsburgh someday. You would be perfect to play the Three Rivers Arts Fest.