Boredom-Fueled Blog

I recently read another ridiculous list put out by Rolling Stone magazine, this one counting down the 30 best albums of 2010. As is the custom with lists made by Rolling Stone, it was terrible. It included only four albums I’ve ever heard of and only one I own. So, I thought to myself: someone should make sure the Internet knows that there actually was good music in 2010. And then I remember that I have a blog. Who better than me to tell people what I think?
- The year started pretty slow in the music world, besides Ringo Starr’s Y Not, which I didn’t buy, but was probably pretty decent because it featured Paul McCartney on a couple songs.
- The first good album of 2010 was Jimi Hendrix’s Valleys of Neptune with it’s energetic title track, and it’s certifiably insane version of “Sunshine of Your Love.” I can only assume that Rolling Stone omitted this from their list because most of it was recorded in 1969. Still…
- The music and entertainment world was rocked when Conan O’Brien announced a 32-city tour featuring comedy and music. Those of us who weren’t lucky enough to get tickets, were very happy to hear that Conan would be releasing a live vinyl album! This album blew my mind, plain and simple. Stand-out tracks are… all of them. And I’m not just saying this because I’m a big fan of Conan’s comedy. If I had never heard of Conan, and someone played me this album, I’d still be blown away. As if Conan alone didn’t bring enough star power, Jack White plays and sings on the already-legendary recording of “Twenty Flight Rock.” How this got past Rolling Stone is beyond me.
- September was the month that produced the most good music in 2010. It brought us new albums by the Vaselines and the Blue Van. Now, you may be saying, “I’ve never heard of either of those bands. How can they be good?” Well, to quote Bart Simpson, “No offence, lady, but what you don’t know could fill a warehouse.” I’ll catch you up to speed: The Vaselines are indie heroes. These kids running around today calling themselves “indie” should take one listen to The Vaselines, and then they’ll know what real indie is. Take a listen to some classic Vaselines (“Son of a Gun,” “No Hope”) and some new Vaselines (“I Hate the ’80s”) and tell me they’re not awesome. And as for The Blue Van, you’ve probably heard them, without knowing it. Their song “There Goes My Love” was featured in the world-famous iPad commercial, but that song is only the tip of the awesome-iceberg. Their 2010 album “Love Shot” is mind-blowingly creative and innovative without abandoning their trademark ’60s sound. (By the way, they also released an unplugged EP called “Fame and Glory” that’s pretty darn good itself.)
- September also brought us Robert Plant’s “Band of Joy,” which was the only halfway-decent album included on Rolling Stone‘s list, but between you, me, and the tag cloud, I didn’t think this album was anything to write home about. Good, not great.
- Now here’s my pick for the best album of 2010, and it’s mainstream enough that Rolling Stone should’ve at least put it in their top thirty: Fistful of Mercy’s As I Call You Down. Odds are you’ve heard of at least one member of this supergroup: Dhani Harrison, Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur. Most reviewers have commented on how their harmonies resemble that of The Beatles, but, for my money, they sound more like Crosby, Stills and Nash – so much so that I kind of expect Neil Young to instinctively join them for their next album.
- I also want to mention an amazing live album by Trey Anastasio (you know him as the lead guitarist of Phish) and the Scorchio Quintet (you don’t know them). Trey plays acoustic guitar and piano and he’s backed by a string quintet. The album‘s currently available for free download, so why not check it out?
So, I think I’ve once again successfully put a major respected publication to shame. I think Rolling Stone‘s learned not to mess with me. You’re next, Saturday Evening Post!

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