1. Sleigh Bells - Treats
Imagine if Underoath and Lil’ Jon had a love child then put it up for adoption. That child was raised by Karen O and Salt N’ Pepa was its babysitter…now you have an idea as to what Sleigh Bells sounds like. It doesn’t really matter what genre it can be filed under, what matters is that Treats is pure Red Bull, boiled down and concentrated. Alexis Krauss’ soft vocals often bubble up over slashing crunchy guitars and slam-your-foot-down beats. She even busts out some slick rhymes on "Kids" that weave in and out of crunk noise like an eel navigating a coral reef. Don’t get me wrong though, Krauss is not the headliner here, its Derek Miller and his musical accompaniment. From wailing guitar riffs on “Riot Rhythm” to a relaxing strum/bell/fingersnap combo on “Rill Rill” the music drives this album. And it will drive it right through your windshield if the volume is high enough (which it should be).
2. Wavves – King of the Beach
King of the Beach sounds like the title of a ‘60s surfer movie, and in some ways that’s what Williams has created here in music form, as there are clear vintage Beach Boys-like melodies and a carefree attitude. But this album is a product of the current era with a gritty lo-fi edge and yea, he sings about playing Nintendo. With less noise and more structure, this album is more accessible than his first offering but Wavves does not lose its loose, party feel. “King of the Beach,” opens up and jumps right in where Williams left off previously with a chunky garage rock sound. It invites the sun to burn our backs as we escape into a sweaty teenage summer jaunt on the coast. The album takes a few slower turns though, and “Baseball Cards” is a synthy, soft number right when you feel like you might need a break from Wavves’ rough edges. “Convertible Balloon” is worth the price of admission here, and might be the song of summer 2k10. It’s poppy jingle is perfect for a windows down drive with your friends to the boardwalk. In “Post Acid,” Williams bellows Im just havin’ fun with you/with you/with you… yea, well we all are Nathan.
3. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
This album has been in my rotation since before the sweet heat of summer, but it nonetheless deserves its place on this list. If the previous two albums provide sun-baked energy, this one is a respite in the shade. Slinky riffs and gentle drum beats that can bring to mind tribal bongos characterize this album. The band seems to almost be playing in your dreams and will neatly tuck itself into your subconscious. Make no mistake, this is not a light album, but it is smooth. Smooth like a well mixed orange freeze. Each song brings something new to the table from the genuine longing in “Airplanes” where Taylor Rice mourns the death of his grandfather saying I love it all so much/I call/I want you back to the Yeasayer infused funk of “Sun Hands.” An almost sexy guitar riff sneaks into “Cards and Quarters” and the song makes you feel like you really should be lounging with cigar in hand, playing poker at a pool party. The track of the album, however, is “Who Knows Who Cares” which bounces along from the start with a silky rhythm but by the middle when the drums roll in and the guitar drives us home, its almost euphoric.
