Life can get hectic. And with the end of the semester rapidly approaching, that could only mean one thing: finals and even more stress than anyone deserves.
There are many ways to beat stress. The most popular legal way is listening to some good music.
With that being said here is a list of five of the best albums released this year to help free your mind.
5. Veckatimest — Grizzly Bear
This record has relaxation written all over it. If you’ve never heard Grizzly Bear before, think Coldplay meets church choir. The melodies soar on this album yet at the same time it has such a low-key tempo, perfect for studying or just taking a night drive. Key tracks to check out are “Two Weeks” and “Cheerleader.” This album was highly anticipated in the indie music scene this year, and it didn’t disappoint.
4. It’s Blitz! — Yeah Yeah Yeahs
New York’s Yeah Yeah Yeahs have quietly become one of the more consistently good bands around today. They’re not gracing magazine covers or doing reality television. Yet they’ve acquired a loyal following by just making good music with a wide variety of landscapes. It’s Blitz! is probably their most complete work yet. Tracks like “Heads Will Roll” grab attention with the heavy use of synthesizers. But upon a deeper listen there’s some well-thought-out lyrics. For fans of bands like The Strokes or even more mainstream artists like Lady Gaga, this album and this band will quickly set up shop in your iPod and your heart.
3. Beggars — Thrice
As writers, we are always told to leave our biases and opinions out of our work. But I have a confession: I Love Thrice. I was 16 when I first heard them in 2003 and have been a fan ever since. The Southern California natives manage to make hard, fast music while being technically sound with their instruments, which is something many punk and hardcore bands fail to do. Beggars is no different when it comes to the quality of the music. Songs like “In Exile” and “All the World is Mad” highlight Thrice’s stellar song writing abilities both musically and lyrically. The songs are fast but philosophical, hard yet they have heart. Having heart is something that’s important to the band. Proceeds from every album Thrice has released go to various charities for causes ranging from domestic violence to AIDS.
2. The Airborne Toxic Event — (self-titled)
The story behind this band is unique. Guitarist/Vocalist Mikel Jolett was working as a music critic. After realizing that he was putting down almost every record he heard, Mikel decided to form his own band so that people can hear good music again. Well, it’s mission accomplished on the band’s debut album. “Sometime Around Midnight” is easily one of the best songs of the decade while the rest of the record drips with musical ambition and a genuine emotion rarely seen today. The songs on the album aren’t so much songs as they are stories about figuring life out. This is definitely one to share with people that you care about.
1. Revolver — The Beatles
I know what you’re all thinking: John, Paul, George and Ringo haven’t made an album together in almost 40 years. However all of The Beatles’ albums were re-mastered and re-released this year so technically, this counts. To put it plainly Revolver is the greatest album ever made. It’s the piece of the puzzle that transformed the boys from Liverpool from the Jonas Brothers of their day to the best band to ever grace us with their presence. There are no boundaries here, no limits. It features backwards guitar solos such as “I’m Only Sleeping,” psychedelic trips like “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and political songs such as the “Taxman.” Nothing is off the table on Revolver. The Beatles set the bar as high as Mount Everest on this one, and very few have come close to even touching it.
Top 5 albums of the Semester
Published: Monday, November 30, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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