Matt Ulman

My reader will certainly agree that this site is a close second behind Pitchfork when it comes to eagerly anticipated best of lists.  So without further ado, here we go:

1. Wild Flag:  What can one say that hasn’t been said.  Maybe supergroups shouldn’t be eligible.
2. PJ Harvey:  A return to form, and I know everyone agrees.
3. Wye Oak:  Solid growth and a shock to me from a band that I thought would always be an opener last year.
4. Fucked Up:  I’ve already said this is the world I want to live in.  The fact that this is 4th says something about those in 1-3.
5. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart:  Upped the shoegaze and won my heart.  That won’t shock anyone who’s been around me for the last 20 years.
6. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah:  Nostalgia?  Maybe, but there are some really catchy tunes here.
7. Deer Tick:  People will groan when I say (again) that this is the best new Replacements album in the last 20 years
8. We Were Promised Jetpacks:  I like as much as the debut, maybe more because I find it a little more mature / accessible.  Probably why others hate it.
9. We Are Augustines: Pela’s gone, and those days are, too, but this will do for now.
10. Yuck: Surprising addition to me, I suspect this might not stand, but there are some really good songs on this album.  They should be looking over their collective shoulders for Youth Lagoon.

There are some that I suspect are missing and so I’m going to try to do a top 20 next month.  Let’s see how close I got.

Also, I’m hoping I’ll do a ‘surprisingly disappointing’ list.  *glances towards The Antlers*.