Realpolitik is a Cold Brew: January 2010

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Heard while out last night: Tuxedomoon's "No Tears"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-DC66THOU

It came out in 1978 and sounds like a classic post-punk track. It was totally new to me when I first heard it at local watering hole The Bikini Lounge while out last night.

2009 Top 10 Singles Match-Up #8

Derrick's choice: Vampire Weekend "Cousins" vs. Eric's choice: Peter Doherty - "Last of the English Roses"

I'm not sure there's any defense for my choice of "Last of the English Roses," the only stand-out tune from Doherty's solo debut (not counting Babyshambles). It doesn't hold a candle to the better halves of the Libertines' and Babyshambles' discographies, but it's a minimalist stab at classic mid-90s Britpop (a genre I barely understand and marginally appreciate). I deliberately chose video clips that show Doherty in full-on strung-out mode.

Vampire Weekend's "Cousins" barely counts as a 2009 release (it debuted in December, but appears on January's Contra. On an album full of top-notch tunes, "Cousins" is the one the band apparently flipped a coin to choose as its first single (because the album is excellent start-to-finish).

Let the mocking of Pete ensue, Doc.

2009 Top 10 Singles Match-Up #9

For the #9 spot...

Eric's choice: Franz Ferdinand - "Live Alone" vs. Derrick's choice: Phoenix "1901"

Well, I think it's pretty clear which song is superior. "1901" is one of the top songs of the last decade, as well as a top contender for single of the year last year. Both Derrick and I prefer "Lizstomania," (as this list will show later on in our countdown), but "1901" ranks with that song and "Long Distance Call" as one of Phoenix's best singles.

Now, in defense of Franz Ferdinand... "Live Alone" wasn't a single off of Franz's underrated Tonight, but on an album full of hook-y tunes, "Live Alone" rocked memorably with a palpable tinge of sadness. I couldn't find a very good live version on youtube, but when I saw them in Phoenix, AZ, the song bounced cathartically along. Unfortunately, it was greeted with puzzlement by an audience of Green Day fans (Franz opened for them on their last North American tour; not an ideal pairing).

Lay it on thick for Phoenix, Doc.

2009 Top 10 Singles Match-Up #10

For the #10 spot on our top 10 singles of 2009...

Eric's choice: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - "To All the Lights in the Windows" vs. Derrick's choice: Autokratz - "Stay the Same"

(Apologies for the image accompanying "Stay the Same" on youtube. That was the best link I could find for the original song (not a remix) that didn't involve watching an ad.)

So, one side, we have indie-folkster Conor Oberst's most Bright Eyes-like song from the last Mystic Valley Band record, Outer South. On the other, we have London electronica duo Autokratz's third single, "Stay the Same." As for Oberst, the live version found here is not great in terms of video quality, but it certainly matches, if not exceeds, the studio version in performance quality. A superbly-performed song about heartbreak that's satisfyingly hummable. Key lyric:

But I'm going to do what I can for you, I will make a plea
To all the lights in the windows, the puddles in the streets
And all the lovers that you've been teasing from your balcony
May they carry you far from my memory

It's worthwhile to keep in mind that this pick represents one of my favorite songs of 2009, though, I admit, it perhaps isn't one of the best songs of the year. It isn't particularly groundbreaking (in fact, it's almost Conor-by-numbers), but in many years' time, when we're looking back at Oberst's entire discography, I think this song will stand as one of his best (and most accessible/memorable/cover-able). Your move, Doc. (He'll post his response in the comments.)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

2009's Top 10 Best LP's

"Realpolitik is a Cold Brew" presents

Top 10 Best LP's of 2009

We know you've probably read far too many top (insert topic here) of 2009 lists in the past month or so... but honestly we know you can't resist. And what's a few more gonna hurt?

So here's our list of the 2009's best long-playing record albums...

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!