Top 10 Albums of 2010
Well, it's that time of the year again. I have to say that earlier in the year I was a bit worried about the state of new music. But as the year went on I found myself loving some artists' newest albums as well as finding some artists I never listened to before including one artists' debut album.
Also my friend Josh recently started a website called my TopList for all of us "Top 10" people so I highly recommend posting your lists there.
PS - I have never included albums I work on. But if I had, House of Heroes SUBURBA would have made my Top 10. It's one of those albums, that when I'm no longer an A&R, I will always remember and count as lucky to have been a part of such great art.
Eva, Suburba, Beer Club and Vegas
Well, a lot has happened the past 2 months and because of that the time has flown by. As I mentioned earlier, my site was hacked causing it to be offline for about a month so thus no updates. But anyways, here's a quick run down of what's happened.
- I flew home to PA at the end of July to surprise my family for my niece Eva's 1st birthday.
I hadn't seen her since January. On my last day there she really warmed up to me...
...and we had a blast together.
- The 9th annual Music City Brewer's Festival was a blast. The rain held off long enough for me to try a few new beers including some from Good People Brewing Company in Birmingham, AL.
- Work kept me really busy. Gotee's one "new" album of our four releases this year was House of Heroes latest called "Suburba". I have never worked as hard as I did as A&R and Marketing as I did for this release. And the result of the band delivering a great album and our hard work was that after it's first week of sales we saw it debut at #48 on Billboard's 200. I've jotted down some thoughts for a blog called "Marketing 'Suburba'" so we'll see if I ever post it. If you haven't seen their music video for the song "God Save The Foolish Kings" please do so below.
House of Heroes "God Save The Foolish Kings" from Gotee Records on Vimeo.
- I finally got to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers along with Sara and JR & Lori McNeely. When "I Won't Back Down" and "Free Fallin'" are third and fourth in the set you know it's gonna be a great night. I was smiling and singing along the whole time. It was an incredible show from Tom despite the long opening set by Crosby, Stills & Nash.
- The very next day Sara and I flew up to PA for the annual Purple Door Festival. It's always a great trip because I get to see my family and get to see some of the bands we work with.
- Sara and I went to the Chihuly Nights exhibit at Cheekwood. Definitely one of the coolest things I have seen.
- After signing up for the Mellow Mushroom Beer Club on February 25th I became an official member on September 3rd.
- Sara, Tobin and I had our picture in The Tennessean.
- Sara and I joined a group of friends for a trip to Las Vegas for a few days.
I won $80 the first night in a $5 buy in rock paper scissors tournament but that was my only win. But that didn't stop us from having a blast! We were even given free tickets to see Le Reve, which was great, and had In-N-Out twice. I can't wait to go back!
- I signed a lease on a new place in downtown Franklin. I'll be moving in less than 2 weeks. It's hard to believe I've been in my apartment for just over 2 years so I know there'll be an adjustment with the new place. I'm excited the most about the location of the new place. It's less than 1/2 mile from Gotee so there's now the ability to walk or bike to work and to the spots I like to eat and hang out. There's also a great patio which means I can finally fire up my grill. I just hope that since its last use over 3 years ago that it still works.
Anyways, that's the latest.
Top 10 Albums So Far
2010 is half over. Crazy. Here's what I've been jammin' the most so far this year.
New Music Bores Me
Maybe it's because I'm in my 30's. Though in 2008 I was encouraged when I came across bands like The Gaslight Anthem, The Subways, The Heavy, and finally coming around to Kings of Leon. But atlas I didn't feel I came across even 1 "new" band in 2009 that could make my top 10. Reinforcing that was that more than half of my favorite albums last year were from artists that started in the 70's or 90's.
So what have I been listening to the past few years the most? What do I get the most enjoyment out of? What do I recommend to artists and friends? Old albums. I'm talking about "classic" albums. In particular the 4 albums below. 3 of which were released before I was even born which points to their ultimate timelessness. I have known most of the songs from these albums for years but it hasn't been till the past few years that I have really dug in to these albums as a whole.
Fleetwood Mac "Rumors" (1977)
9 of the 11 songs became singles or classics for the band's career. The 12th song, the song they cut from the original master, became a hit too. The songwriting, tones, and vocals on this album blow me away.
Billy Joel "The Stranger" (1977)
6 of the 9 songs were either singles or have become classics. 4 charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run" (1975)
8 songs. 4 radio hits. All have become classics. Seeing this album played from beginning to end last year was amazing. Did you know that even though the album is branded with the imaging of a guitar, all of the songs (except for 1 part in the title track) were written on the piano?
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Damn the Torpedoes" (1979)
4 of the 9 songs became singles or classics. The album introduced a new level of production especially with drums.
So if you are looking for something new to listen to don't waste time trying to find the new "it" band. Just look to the past and I promise you'll listen to an album that will bring more enjoyment than almost all of the new SXSW, Warped Tour, and Alternative Press bands.
Friday Faves
Johnny Cash "American VI: Ain't No Grave": The last posthumous release of "new" material from the Man In Black.
33 Bottles of Beer Journal: Perfect for my 30 in 30 challenge next month. Thanks to Uncrate for the tip and if you decide to buy 'em go to ScoutBooks.com where they are 3 for $12 with no shipping costs.
Madden NFL Arcade for the PS3: 60 yard field. 5 on 5. 4 downs to score. No special teams. No penalties. The online playability allows me to play my brother in PA even though he kicks my ass.
Vans Era black, white, green flash: My first pair of Eras. Plus a great sale price from Nashville Clothing Company.
Gungor "Beautiful Things": A truly amazing worship album.
PS: Today would have been Johnny Cash's 78th birthday...I only wish I could have met him.
Tweets
- thx to my wife, the Powers, McNeelys @eddyboer A-Cates @hillbillyslim and the bearded wonder for the KILLER b-day surprise @CorsairArtisan
- RT @iTunesMusic: Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was released 35 years ago today. #70sClassic http://t.co/buRklHbI
- Do yourself a favor and go listen to one of the greatest albums of all time today...Fleetwood Mac's #Rumors. It released 35 years ago today.
- RT @AKJeremySpring: When you're doing what you were made to do you, you couldn't care less about what everyone else is up to.
- group shot from the last mix on the new @houseofheroes album @ Paragon Studios http://t.co/vIf4dtLV
Listening To
- The Shins – Simple Song
- L.A. Guns – One More Reason
- Kix – Blow My Fuse
- Europe – Cherokee
- White Lion – Wait
- Britny Fox – Girlschool
- Winger – Seventeen
- Bon Jovi – Bad Medicine
- Alice Cooper – Poison
- Iron Maiden – Wasted Years
Instagr.am
