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1. JUNIP – Fields [Mute]
Jose Gonzales reforms his old band of Swedes who have a thing for 70s keys and synths that John Paul Jones must have leant them.
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2. THE BESNARD LAKES – The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night [Jagjaguwar]
Blissed-out, droney heaven that Kevin Shields would thoroughly approve. The album Low should have made right after “The Great Destroyer”.
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3. BOB DYLAN – The Witmark Demos [Columbia]
Spare, nuts & bolts versions of songs we all know, but sound new all over again. The live disc at Brandeis University is not to be missed either.
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4. OF MONTREAL – False Priest [PolyVinyl]
Major white-boy funk happening here with some fine knob twiddling by Jon Brion. Kevin Barnes delivers once again and Prince must be totally pissed at him.
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5. DEERHUNTER – Halcyon Digest [4AD]
I admittedly am late to the game with Mr. Cox and haven’t heard a note of his other project Atlas Sound. Perfect fit for the 4AD label considering they were once home to the Red House Painters whom I’d compare this to.
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6. DR DOG – Shame, Shame [Anti-]
Their first for the big indie Anti/Epitaph and doing what they do best. Delivered a far better release than their last “Fate” and likely making Jim James a little nervous as they nip at his heels.
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7. JASON FALKNER – All Quiet on the Noise Floor [Japanese Import]
Hopefully this album will see the light of day domestically in 2011. Great Be Bop Deluxe cover and the album as a whole is as inspired as ones from his Elektra days.
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8. SPOON – Transference [Merge]
An odd step backwards and not nearly as accessible as the “Ga” x5. Regardless, they made me happy again.
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9. VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Contra [XL]
Say what you will, but this is a well crafted, well thought-out and joyous 2nd album from this undeservedly and heavily criticized band.
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10. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – This is Happening [DFA/Virgin]
I’ve never been one to like his albums all the ways through as the dance-element bugs me on certain tracks, but I guess the kids just wanna dance. Some really great Brian Eno/Talking Heads moments and worth it alone for “Drunk Girls”.
Ken Beck, Cranford, NJ