Suzanne Baran’s Top Ten — January 20

by Suzanne Baran
20 January 2008

Not just indie all the time…

1. There Will Be Blood – (R)

   Remarkable performances, cinematography, and symbolism.

2. The Muggabears – Night Choreography (The Muggabears)

   Brooklyn trio has bite, flair, understated flamboyance and talent. I don’t think they’re as much a throwback to ‘90s indie rock as other critics suggest.

3. The Magnetic Fields – Distortion (Nonesuch)

   1960s pop experiment by these clever gents.

4. The Savages – (R)

   Stellar writing and acting on the human condition of caring for aging parents.

5. Shocking Pinks- Shocking Pinks (Astralwerks)

   Lo-fi act with notable influences. Check out “Emily.”

6. A Place to Bury Strangers – A Place to Bury Strangers (Killer Pimp)

   This group’s versatile cry is majestic.

7. Chromatics – Night Drive (Italians Do It Better)

   Sleek 80s new wave with punch.

8. Yeasayer – All Hour Cymbals (We Are Free)

   Brooklyn’s Yeasayer are clever and deft.

9. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (Sony BMG)

   They don’t sound like any other band—they sound like many genres with snippets of sounds resembling a mixture of bands. Most notably, one track is Rolling Stones-esque, another like old Orgy songs—industrial 90s rock; another resembles 1970s British prog, one sounds like new-wave synth-pop, and one like early 90s Britpop. Multi-faceted, talented and never dull.

10. Liars – Liars (Mute Records)
    Beck meets The Chemical Brothers.