Posts Tagged ‘Aloe Blacc’

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Aloe Blacc – "Loving You Is Killing Me" (2010)

2011/10/03

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Top 10 Albums of 2010

2011/01/01

It was good year. I had a tough time picking out this list and I also just downloaded a number of albums that are probably contenders, I just haven't listened to them yet. I reserve the right to amend or replace this list later, but if this list helps you find some new music, then my work here is done!

Here are some of my favorite albums from 2010, but you be the judge:

1. Arcade Fire – "The Suburbs"

After seeing them live in August 2010, I went on an Arcade Fire bender. The Suburbs still ring out in my mind. Rococo!

2. Junip – "Fields"

Junip's album, headed by lead singer José González, is thoughtful, and perfect for a cloudy day.

3. Sleigh Bells – "Treats"

Abbrasive and yet you can dance to it? Good for when you're feeling pissed off or bouncing happy? More noise pop please!

4. Aloe Blacc – "Good Things"

The bit of Soul we'll all need for the year that has passed, and the year yet to come. Hey hey!

5. Girl Talk – "All Day"

Raising the bar for mashup artists everywhere, Girl Talk has taken 350 of your favorite songs mashed into one brilliant song. You have been informed.

6. Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)

Funky, then soulful, dancing then some blues. Janelle is all over the place in a good way!

7. Vampire Weekend – "Contra"

Paul Simon (or at least the "Paul Simon" of the album "Graceland") would approve. I approve too!

8. Jónsi – "Go"

Songs from a boy from another world. Beauty with a beat, and feathers at times.

9. Neon Trees – "Habits"

Pop + Post-Punk. Keeps the blood flowing. Oo… oo! I want some more!

10. Broken Bells – "Broken Bells"

The Shin's singer, James Mercer, and Danger Mouse's collaborative and solid album, and one that will certainly grow on you.

As I mentioned a year ago, I was likely going to amend/update the 2009 list. Rather than change it and make some painful cuts, here are 10 more from 2009, that I didn't fully appreciate until 2010:

1. Florence + the Machine – "Lungs"

2. The Bird and The Bee – "Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future"

3. The Temper Trap – "Conditions"

4. La Roux – "La Roux"

5. Mumford & Sons – "Sigh No More"

6. One EskimO – "One Eskimo"

7. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – "Up From Below"

8. Miike Snow – "Miike Snow"

9. Phoenix – "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"

10. Meaghan Smith – "Wish Upon A Star"

If you're curious, here is my original 2009 list, though I think perhaps The XX deserves a higher number!

1. Franz Ferdinand – "Tonight"

2. Metric – "Fantasies"

3. Röyksopp – "Junior"

4. Coconut Records – "Davy"

5. The Sounds – "Crossing The Rubicon"

6. Owl City – "Ocean Eyes"

7. Grizzly Bear – "Veckatimest"

8. Matt & Kim – "Grand"

9. Animal Collective – "Merriweather Post Pavilion"

10. The xx – "xx"

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Aloe Blacc – "I Need a Dollar" (2010)

2010/10/11

I'm on a soul kick and Aloe Blacc was recommended to me! I was singing this song all day to myself, making it a bona-fide song of the day. …on a Monday too. The start of the work week. The end of the weekend, the beginning of our servitude to contribute to society for our livelihood. As many of you may have read, I struggle with my work. I am driven to succeed, and yet I'd rather spend my time other ways. I enjoy some aspects of my profession, but generally I'd rather do other things that would never pay me enough to live in the style I have become accustomed to.

I have a theory about our collective economic predicament. We have made some jobs obsolete. We have made certain activities easily accomplished with a computer or machine. Other things still require a human touch, but increasingly we are competing with the machines that have made things so efficient. Employers are quicker to buy more machines than hire more people. People are expensive. Machines are cheap. The more repetitive the job, the more likely you're being paid very little. Construction workers, clothing manufacturers and farm hands are certainly included in that, and yet they provide our basic necessities. There is something wrong with the fact that those that do things that allow us to survive are paid so little, just as there is something wrong with the fact that despite all our efficiencies, we still have to cling to our jobs and work so hard for a dollar.

PS: The official video above cuts the song short. Listen to the full version here:

Song Recommendations

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Click here for more info on Aloe Blacc – Good Things – "I Need A Dollar".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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