It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows where I spent my undergrad years (Lubbock) that, when a compilation celebrating the late great Buddy Holly came around, I would be all over it. Â Especially if that collection of tunes were by modern indie greats like She & Him, the Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, and Modest Mouse. Â There was much ado leading up to this album, and now that it’s out, the results, while sometimes not as interesting, are wholehearted and endearing.
As with most compilations, the listener is encouraged not to take the album in as a whole, but rather pick and choose from their favorites, as there is a lot of diverse talent here (with the exception of Kid Rock.) Â Julian Casablancas does a slacker take on “Rave On,” while Karen Elson’s “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” is a stripped-down, beautiful affair true to the original. Â Paul McCartney throws a curveball with the dirty-sounding “It’s So Easy,” and Patti Smith will turn heads with her ambitious cover of “Words of Love.” Â Legends of many genres sing alongside current hit-makers for an impressive tribute to a talent lost too soon.
Tomorrow I begin my listings of the top albums of 2010, but before I do, here are twenty great albums, listed alphabetically, that just barely missed the cut.
Yes, indeed. Spring is upon us, and with it comes spring break, usually the best week of the entire year. This year, for me, will be spent the same way I have spent every spring break for the past three years – at SXSW. Posting on the blog will probably be a little spotty, so in lieu of that, I have compiled a small compilation of mostly new, mostly upbeat tracks to get you into the best season of the year. Here’s to Spring Break 2010: may yours be as awesome as mine will be.
