reviews
It is getting near the end of the year, which means that I am starting to pick my top ten music albums of 2010. Looking for albums I may not have heard yet (but possibly should), I grabbed the twenty KCRW DJ Top 10 Picks of 2010, fed it into a spreadsheet and tabulated the results. I assigned ten points for first pick, nine for second, eight for third, etc. down to one for tenth pick. I also tabulated the raw number of selections.
i try to keep abreast of new album releases that i may enjoy. david gray's latest album draw the line is a very pleasant surprise. it strikes melancholy and warm chords - a perfect fall record. though having par reviews by most magazines, i find it above average. gray's best since white ladder. nice melodies and lyrics throughout. an early favorite to top my 'best of 2009' list
I have listened to the new depeche mode album (april 21st release date) for a few weeks now, since it was leaked onto the internet.
In general, I like it. There will be those who say it is not classic depeche and those who will. I don't really claim to know which statement is more correct. To me it is a nice mix of electronica, guitar riffs, and catchy lyrics/singing - in essense, depeche mode. And one of the things I like about depeche mode is that there sound is always evolving, changing while keeping a certain core - that, and i guess making dark themes sound fun...if that makes sense
Track by track thoughts:
there are strong tracks on this record (in chains, in sympathy, miles away), but also some duds. too inconsistent to be as good as playing the angel or violator.
it is also a little sleepy sounding in spots. still a good disc - one of the best new releases i have heard so far in 2009
6.5/10
