2010 has been a year choc-full of the good and the great, but it hasn't always been that way. Overhyped records were quite rare in my experience, but then again I never did listen to the usual mainstream dross like Kings of Leon, so I can't say much can I?
Here are my 2010 disappointments:
Blonde Redhead - Penny Sparkle
I've always liked these guys, but their latest album is a little bit of a bummer. It's beautiful yes, but...that's it. There's no real spark or intent to do something that would make me go "wow". I spent the whole album wishing for something great, but the only track I took any notice of is Will There Be Stars.
Clinic - Bubblegum
I love Internal Wrangler, and this is only the second album I've heard from the band, so maybe I'm not in the best position to judge them, but this album was a let down. It had none of the itchy vibrancy of IW, none of that eccentric energy, nothing from it that I loved. It wasn't a total disaster, but it was a bit of a damp squid.
Former Ghosts - New Love.
Zola Jesus? WOW! She's in the group! I love her music...shame the production is so...well, rubbish. It was quite interesting to listen to, but I'm in no hurry to do so again.
Hurts - Happiness
Appart from Illuminated and a couple of other tracks, I very nearly fell asleep. One of the most over-rated bands I've heard in a long time.
Klaxons - Surfing The Void
Not terrible, but definitely over-hyped. I wonder how the pre-label interruption music would have sounded like. Unfortunately we'll probably never know, unless the band (or a sneaky label person) leaks it themselves. *hint*
MGMT - Congratulations
Where is this going!? My poor ears couldn't handle the psychedelic/LSD haze of a mess.
M.I.A. - MAYA
Such a disappointment. Forgettable tracks and none of that vibrancy found on Kala and Arular. XXXO started off great, Teqkilla is the star on the album, but everything else sounded like she tried too hard to be "out there". It's a shame, because she's a great artist, and maybe I was expecting something brilliant after two great albums.
I love Internal Wrangler, and this is only the second album I've heard from the band, so maybe I'm not in the best position to judge them, but this album was a let down. It had none of the itchy vibrancy of IW, none of that eccentric energy, nothing from it that I loved. It wasn't a total disaster, but it was a bit of a damp squid.
Former Ghosts - New Love.
Zola Jesus? WOW! She's in the group! I love her music...shame the production is so...well, rubbish. It was quite interesting to listen to, but I'm in no hurry to do so again.
Hurts - Happiness
Appart from Illuminated and a couple of other tracks, I very nearly fell asleep. One of the most over-rated bands I've heard in a long time.
Klaxons - Surfing The Void
Not terrible, but definitely over-hyped. I wonder how the pre-label interruption music would have sounded like. Unfortunately we'll probably never know, unless the band (or a sneaky label person) leaks it themselves. *hint*
MGMT - Congratulations
Where is this going!? My poor ears couldn't handle the psychedelic/LSD haze of a mess.
M.I.A. - MAYA
Such a disappointment. Forgettable tracks and none of that vibrancy found on Kala and Arular. XXXO started off great, Teqkilla is the star on the album, but everything else sounded like she tried too hard to be "out there". It's a shame, because she's a great artist, and maybe I was expecting something brilliant after two great albums.
Tried listening to the Hurts album the other day. Felt like I was listening to the same song over and over again, really disappointing.
ReplyDeleteYes, totally agree with you there. They're very popular on the .mu board for some reason.
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