My Favorite Albums Of 2010: Part One

Neon Trees - Habits
My first taste of Neon Trees came from their single, "Animal".  I instantly fell in love with that song and soon after bought their debut album, Habits.  The album is my favorite debut from a band this year.  Every song comes complete with a massive sing-along chorus.  Tyler Glenn is a vocalist that gives his all, and you can hear it on the album.  My only complaint about this album is that it isn't longer.

Spoon - Transference
Transference is musically amazing.  Unlike some of the other albums on this list, it doesn't rely on any outlandish style or image.  Spoon's seventh album gets the award for best use of bass.  For full impact, you need to hear this album on a good set of speakers.  The groove of the bass adds so much to Transference.  The highlight of the album is the sequence of "The Mystery Zone", "Who Makes Your Money", and "Written In Reverse".

Semi Precious Weapons - You Love You
They promote their own "Filthy Glamour" form of music.  Their singer wears bigger heels than most female singers in their genre.  The opening line of You Love You is "I can't pay my rent, but I'm ****ing gorgeous".  Semi Precious Weapons released their second album while touring with Lady Gaga.  The band's vain lyrics and fabulous sense of style has helped them gain a devoted fan base, and make You Love You one of my favorite albums of 2010.

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys
The album from the future, Danger Day: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys, is exciting from start to finish.  Narrated by Steve, Righ? (or Dr. Death Defying) the band takes on alter-egos in their musical story.  The lead single, "Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)", is a good example of the album's explosive energy.  Danger Days is the complete opposite of what I expected from the band after their last album, The Black Parade.  They've gone from black and white to full, neon, and epic color.

Brandon Flowers - Flamingo
Leaving The Killers on a hiatus to release a solo album may have seemed like a terrible idea at first, but Brandon Flowers' Flamingo managed to avoid the curse of the failed solo career.  The album differs in style from The Killers, it's more acoustic at times which allows it to be vocally impressive.  Almost every melody on this album sounds like a possible track for the singer's former band.  Flamingo shows that Flowers can hold his own and release a pretty solid album while he's at it.  The album tends to shine the most during the pop centered singles, "Only The Young" and "Crossfire".

Sleigh Bells - Treats
Treats, another debut album, is loud and annoying in the best possible way.  Starting with the first blast of "Tell 'Em", Sleigh Bells have put together an album of marching beats, heavy metal guitars, and child-like vocals.  The entire album is a wild mess of fun.  If you don't sing along to Alexis Krauss' "oohs" and "uhs" on "Run The Heart", then you don't have the volume loud enough.  The constant stream of full power energy is extremely overwhelming, but that's what makes Treats so amazing.

Check back tomorrow for part two...

Semi Precious Weapons - You Love You

Earlier this year, I wrote about a band named Semi Precious Weapons.  I was amazed by their style.  They have the hooks and melodies for pop music, but they don't play pop music.  They perform rock music.  Not just any kind of rock, but the kind with insane fashion and guitar riffs.  It's glam rock.  They're fronted by Justin Tranter, one unique vocalist.  Add in a drummer, Dan Crean.  Then a bassist and guitarist, Cole Whittle and Stevy Pyne, and you have the Semi Precious Weapons.

The album opener is the first single and eponymous track, "Semi Precious Weapons".  The rock 'n' roll riff that starts the song is a good taste of what's to come.  To go side by side with the riff is the opening line, the lyrics that tell you what the band's about.  "I can't pay my rent, but I'm f****** gorgeous."  This is what Semi Precious Weapons is about.  On "Put A Diamond In It", Tranter sings of violence and glamour.  Unlike most other vocalists who would attempt such lyrical themes, Tranter can get away with it.  His wardrobe, which consists mostly of fishnets, heels and leather, adds to the "in your face" glam style of their music.  The epic, "Rock N Roll Never Looked So Beautiful",  explains it all.

Besides the wild glam rock, the album contains some down-tempo tracks.  "Leave Your Pretty To Me" is truly the highlight of the entire record.  Once you reach this song on the nine track album, you wonder if it can get any better.  The soft vulnerable tone of Tranter's voice is completely unexpected.  It sounds like a classic rock ballad and the album isn't even released in the US yet.  You must hear this song.

You Love You is out in the US on June 29th.  The band will continue touring with their friend and fellow performer, Lady Gaga, at the Monster Ball this summer.  I would pick up the record if you enjoy crazy glam rock songs that will leave you wondering what you just listened to.  It's catchy, it's outrageous, it's dirty... it's Semi Precious Weapons.

Semi Precious Weapons - Semi Precious Weapons

Glam rock isn't a popular genre nowadays.  In the seventies, glam rock was at it's peak.  David Bowie was leading the way in this new genre.  Along with bands like Queen and T. Rex, this style of music saw it's rise and fall.  Semi Precious Weapons is taking the elements of glam rock, and updating it to today's standards.  The flashy clothes, androgyny, and wild rock is all still here, but can they continue the trend with as much power as before?

The single, "Semi Precious Weapons", is all out rock.  With a riff that seems almost too memorable, the song kicks off.  Vocalist, Justin Tranter, starts the song with, "I can't pay my rent, but I'm ******* gorgeous.".  His over the top vocals fit the song perfectly.  The song not only borrows from the glam genre, but it also has some punk rock influences.  It's a great song to start a party.

The band will be releasing an album later this year. Until then , you can check out their self titled EP.  They're currently on the Monster Ball tour with Lady Gaga. If that isn't a big enough stage, I don't know what is.  Semi Precious Weapons' wild and bold attitude, along with their crazy fashion, might staple them into the upcoming music scene.  I would definitely look out for their upcoming full length album this spring.