Looking Back on 2010

As this year ends it's time to look back and see the good and the bad.

Best Album of the Year

Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Well Kanye sure showed us. Not only was he the laughing stock of pop culture for most of the year, his tweets throughout only furthered his descent into the butt of every joke. Then he released Fantasy and everything changed. All at once the world remembered why we kept Kanye around, he makes some of the best music in the rap community. Fantasy took the next step, combing amazing piano solos, great strings and some kick ass beats of course to make one of the most diverse and appealing albums of the year. Sure Kanye may be crazy, but he's just the right kind.

Best New Band of the Year

Earth Program- Invade!

Earth Program's first album Invade was almost my album of the year. It's so well done and so well thought out it seems like it was made by a much older band who has been experimenting for years. It's great to know that there's good smart odd rockers still out there ready to take over the mantle bands like Oingo Boingo or the Talking Heads dropped back in the 80s. Earth Program is not only a shining light for Chicago music, but music in general.

Most Disappointing Album

Weezer- Hurley

Oh Weezer, what happened to you. It seems like the once saviors of alt rock have abandoned the church of the geeky to party with frat boys. Repetitive guitar solos and even worse lyrics make this the final nail in Weezer's coffin.

Best Album Coming Out Next Year

Pogo- Remix The World

Amazing remixer Pogo, best know for his Disney remixes is about to release his first legal to sell album. Not just okay with the normal beats and boops most techno artists use he has decided to travel to some distant country, record sounds from there, and then remix them into music. It's all based off his amazing Gardyn song. I wait with baited breath for what may be the most innovative album of 2011.

Radio Is The Sound Salvation

For a year-end wrap up, After Hours contributors Duncan Strauss and marty will be appearing live on WMNF Radio on Wednesday, December 29th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Listen to us online here.  Or if you are tooling around the Tampa Bay area (you lucky dog), check us out at 88.5 FM.   We will be playing some of our favorite songs from the past year and years past.  In the second hour of the show, we will have AH favorite Lauris Vidal in the studio for music and questions. 

Feel free to call in at 813-239-9663 or email us during the show with your requests.  

As always with WMNF, this will be radio as it was meant to be - eclectic, fun and full of passion. Plus, it will rock your bones. 

As Mr. Elvis says, "Radio is a Sound Salvation"

“Radio Radio” by Elvis Costello, live at the Cleveland Agora, 12/5/77

Avett Brothers To Open SunFest 2011?

In an email blast to its members, concert database Jambase reported that those sweet-sounding folk rockers, The Avett Brothers, will open the 2011 SunFest in West Palm on Wednesday, April 27th.  

This encouraging information about the favored festival appears to be premature.  SunFest isn't saying a word.  The Jambase page has been scrubbed.  But that doesn't mean it is not true. 

Such a booking makes sense and is a welcome look for the upcoming SunFest.  I believe it - just sayin'.  Can't wait. 

“Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise” by The Avett Brothers (mp3)(iTunes)(Amazon)