Audio By Carbonatix
In this week’s paper, you may notice a piece including some of our DC9 writers’ choices for best albums of the year.
But, space being limited, we couldn’t run all of our writers’ lists.
So, thanks to the power of the Internet, we’re doing just that, right
here. 10. Phosphorescent — Here’s To Taking It Easy 9. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti — Before Today
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there. 8. Vampire Weekend — Contra 7. Deerhunter — Halcyon Digest 6. Here We Go Magic — Pigeons 5. Twin Sister — Color Your Life 4. Arcade Fire — The Suburbs 3. The National — High Violet 2. Beach House — Teen Dream 1. The Walkmen — Lisbon
Clubs editor Daniel Hopkins’ favorite album of the year was actually made in our own backyard.
When Ariel Pink released Before Today, he shattered all of his own rules, and by moving away from the murky, lo-fi noise-pop of his earlier records, he rewarded his listeners with some of the biggest choruses of the year (see “Round and Round”).
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On The Suburbs, Arcade Fire have performed a miracle, offering up 60 minutes of music that rarely bogs down the listener’s attention span. Don’t underestimate that accomplishment, either: They’ve managed to create an album for a generation addicted to singles.
On Lisbon, The Walkmen proved that they are the kings of “less is more,” stripping their production (courtesy of Dallas’ own John Congleton) back to a few microphones, some audio tape and little else. In doing so, they proved their songwriting strong enough to stand on its own.
