From Senior Editor Marie Carney
Most of my personal choices for album of the year made it on our official list, leaving only two albums that I find myself heartbroken that they didn’t make it. These albums deserve a chance!
Childish Gambino – Culdesac
When I think about great lyricists I think about two types: the ones that tell stories and the ones that let you see inside their world. Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover of Community fame) falls into the latter category giving us an intimate glimpse into the world of an up and coming actor/comedian. A lot of what you get on the album is expected (alcohol and sex) but there are the surprising moments too (intense ambition, guilt, loneliness) that really define the person and the album. Start with “The Last” for a glimpse into his world and “Put it in my Video” for a lot of fun and soon all the other songs will fall into place. And best of all, you can download it all for free at culdesac-album.com.
My Chemical Romance – Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
I’m not sure why people dismiss this band. Every album has gotten better than the last, which makes Danger Days, their fourth release, a phenomenal record. Maybe they’ve left their punk roots behind in production value, but they are still there in the words and attitude now wrapped in a shiny, poppier package to be force fed to the masses. From the beginning of the record, with the aggressive rock anthem “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)” to the screaming punk rock end of “Vampire Money” every track on this album digs itself into you, catchy and wonderful, then explodes with dark attitude in your heart. What’s wrong with that?
Click on to read Gordon Elgart’s list:
Biffy Clyro!!!
Cool list! (Zone, not soon.) Just got the National album and Biffy Clyro too.