50 Words or Less: Elbows Top Ten

1. *MP3: Beach House - “Norway”

Modern day dream-pop duo expands the scope of their sound by manipulating their organ tone into swirling, disorienting soundscapes. The usual Galaxie 500-isms are there, but “Norway” also takes its sonic cues from the swooning, spacious ambiance of Pygmalion-era Slowdive. A greatly encouraging sign of creative evolutions to come.

Grade: A-

2. *MP3: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - “Even Heroes Have To Die”

Epic, acoustic-guitar heavy intro suggests a tune of Springsteenian bombast (as the melodramatic title would seemingly indicate), but Leo and the Pharmacists deftly segue into a lean folk-rock groove reminiscent of “Maggie May.” A subdued, palm-muted chorus and Leo’s characteristic wordless harmonies ensure another solidly catchy tune.

Grade: B

3. *MP3: Should Out Louds - “Walls”

Booming drums and a persistent, quietly menacing bass line gives way to a steady piano stomp. After a promisingly moody start, “Walls” becomes confined by its own conventionality, despite a pleasant enough mood. Arcade Fire-lite.

Grade: C

4. *MP3: Efterklang - “Modern Drift”

“Modern Drift” certainly can’t be accused of false advertising, as its airy, but propulsive, piano line glides over creative, versatile instrumentation. However, the song’s falsetto vocals and tense, funky groove suggest a Flight of the Conchords parody of Coldplay. And yet, “Drift” leaves a strong impression on the listener, because of the deft, diverse and simply beautiful arrangements.

Grade: B+

5. *MP3: Yeasayer - “Ambling Alp”

Kind of a sonic clusterfuck, but the sense of creative restlessness makes tracking all the different styles and influences which make up “Ambling Alp” (80s synth-pop, afro-pop, pop-pop, etc.) makes “Ambling Alp” a novel, engaging—even fun—listen. But did anyone else feel exhausted once this song ended?

Grade: B-

6. *MP3: Vampire Weekend - “Cousins”

A little noisier and nastier production-wise (a definite plus), and with a buoyant vocal melody, but “Cousins” still has the annoyingly precocious vibe of previous material. And just as the gents start to really cut loose, they cut themselves off. I guess they don’t want to ruin their ascots. What a shame.

Grade: C+

7. *MP3: Don Diablo  - “I Am Not From France” (Linus Loves Remix)

A cool, addictive remix from a dude who seemingly can’t be stopped, only contained. Now this is wavy and pretty chill. (But probably too upbeat to be called “chillwave.”)

Grade: B+

8. *MP3: Citay - “Careful With That Hat”

1968 called. It wanted to say that, hey, it couldn’t quite make it to your Holiday party this year, but that your present is in the mail, and it consists of groovy harmonies, rock-steady riffs and jaaaaaammmmssss, man. And yeah, you might be pissed, but you know what? 1968 isn’t so bad. Is s/he?

Grade: B-

9. *MP3: Toro Y Moi - “Blessa”

Neat guitar link and sonic digression at the end, to be sure. But where’s Panda Bear when you really need him?

Grade: C+

10. *MP3: Animal Collective - “What Would I Want? Sky”

Ah, there he is. And he brought along 1968, who in turn brought a Grateful Dead sample. Of course its fucking brilliant, though any introduction that is so thoroughly immersive is bound to have an anti-climatic verse that brings listeners back down to earth. But I think I’m too busy floating to register any serious complaints.

Grade: A-

(Jon Graef)