The best of the year in music (so far)
July 6th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Above, Matt Berninger of the The National sings that “there’s no saving anything” during the song “Runaway,” which is on the group’s excellent new album “High Violet.” But you can save your year if you dig into some good new music. Try it. It’s fun.
Amazingly, we’re halfway through the year.
Which means we’re also halfway through the new music that we will hear in 2010.
It’s been a good one so far. In particular, I’ve enjoyed The National‘s brooding epic “High Violet,” Johnny Cash‘s posthumous dirge “Ain’t No Grave,” Spoon‘s “Transference,” Mumford & Sons “Sigh No More” and a few more.
Additionally, NPR has a nice roundup of reader-submitted favorites and Fayetteville-based blog The Tale of the tape has a list of their favorite singles that’s worth checking out.
We’ve seen some great shows locally, too: A blistering bluesy set by The Black Keys (who also have a great new album, “Brothers”) at Wakarusa, a high-tempo indie rock extravaganza by Dr. Dog and Deer Tick at George’s Majestic Lounge, a smoldering show by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the Riverfront Blues Festival and more.
It’s been a good start to the year.
We’ll compile a best-of-the-year list and the end of December, of course, but the midway point seems like a nice time to stop and think.
And, here’s the fun part: We want to know what’s been on your stereo or iPod.
Got a favorite album from 2010? A live show you can’t forget?
Tell us about it.
Justin Gage 
Matt
The national is so amazing. Too bad I have to drive to Kansas city and Dallas to see them since they will never play anywhere closer to nwa. I’ve already flown to LA to see them once this year.