Author Archives

by

Song of the Day #4,189: ‘Everlasting Arms’ – Vampire Weekend

Best Albums of the 2010s – #5
Modern Vampires of the City – Vampire Weekend (2013)

Here we go. This week I will reveal my five favorite albums of the last decade. Three of these appeared on my list of “best albums of the decade so far” back in 2014, though in slightly different order. The other two were released during the past five years.

At #5 is the third album by Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City. This was the band’s final album with multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij in the lineup, and it remains their best work to date.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,188: ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ – Shelby Lynne

Shelby Lynne’s 2008 album Just a Little Lovin’ is a tribute to Dusty Springfield, with Lynne covering nine songs popularized by the late English chanteuse.

Lynne drew comparisons to Springfield after her 1999 album I Am Shelby Lynne (a great one to check out if you haven’t already) and was later encouraged by Barry Manilow, of all people, to record a collection of Springfield’s songs. Lynne shelved the idea but returned to it several years later.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,187: ‘Are You Down’ – Lucinda Williams

This track, from Lucinda Williams’ 2001 album Essence, is a perfect example of that record’s spare, haunting loveliness.

Like many songs on the album, ‘Are You Down’ has few lyrics and a whole lot of atmosphere. The interplay of guitar and drums on this track has a distinct Dire Straits vibe, which is certainly a good thing in my book.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,186: ‘Hold Up’ – Beyoncé

Best Albums of the 2010s – #6
Lemonade – Beyoncé (2016)

Beyoncé’s Lemonade is more than a great collection of songs (though it is that). It is a personal and political statement, at once deeply confessional and universally deep. It is also a “visual album” that links its tracks with spoken-word poetry and mesmerizing visuals.

It’s a project only an artist with the confidence and swagger of Beyoncé could pull off. And pull it off she does, beautifully.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,185: ‘Periphery’ – Fiona Apple

Best Albums of the 2010s – #7
The idler Wheel… – Fiona Apple (2012)

I’ve noted that several artists on this list have had a lean decade, production-wise. Fiona Apple takes first prize in that regard, releasing only one album over the last ten years, 2012’s The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do.

Most people just call it The Idler Wheel.

Continue reading →