Top Ten Albums 08-24-09: British Synthesizer Babies Dance

1. "Hot Mess" by Cobra Starship
Still my guilty pleasure band. Just plain fun, and outrageous. Songs about dancing and girls and dancing with girls, and songs as jokes, whats not to like? Some of the best synthesizer music around, even if Gabe does stretch his vocal range a bit too far (just like when he was in Midtown). And "Living in the Sky With Diamonds" may be the catchiest dancepop song this year. Most played: "Living in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Move Like You're Gonna Die", though the album has about 20 plays this week.
2. "Hello Fascination" by Breathe Carolina
Friends of mine from Boulder. I almost went on tour with them last winter. And they kick out the electronic/dance/hardcore beats. The whole thing drips of happiness. My trio of most played just make you want to close your door and dance like a maniac in your room. And really what more can you ask for in life? Most played: "Dressed up to Undress", "Welcome To Savannah" (great sing-a-long chorus), and "Take Me To Infinity"
3. "Hideaway" by The Weepies
A late edition. Have that great 60s/70s pop sound with the fold attitude. Plus they were the music in some of those awesome Barack Obama ads. If the president like them should you? From poignant love songs to simple reflections on the past this rocks. Most played: "Can't Go Back Now", "Hideaway", and "Wish I Could Forget"
4. "Salvation is a Deep Dark Well" by The Builders and the Butchers
Imagine if Decemberists' singer Colin Meloy sang to the tunes of Murder By Death, with maybe a tinge of recent Brand New. It would sound like this. Amazing that is. Simple americana/folk music. Lyrics are great too "Nothing last forever in a god-forsaken town, the pocket books are empty 'cause the priest is back in town" Most played: "Down in This Hole" (lyrics above), "Vampire Lake", and "Devil Town" (most MBD like)
5. "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" by Phoenix
French alt-pop group, signed to Arts & Crafts (same label as Stars and anything related to the Broken Social Scene, which is about everything awesome in Canada). That alone should be enough for you listen to this. Butif you need more convincing, they make chill electropop, with a catchy bass line and soothing, staccato vocals. Definitely picking their previous albums soon. Most played: "Lisztomania", "Lasso", and "1901" (which has a very cool music video)
6.  "Fantastic Playroom" by New Young Pony Club
A great running album as I learned this week, especially "The Get Go". I can run about 2 miles longer with this. Listening to it makes you want to bob your head and tap your feet. Sounds like the 80s all grown up. Most played: "The Get Go", "Tight Fit", and "The Bomb"
7. "Ocean Eyes" by Owl City
I feel lucky to call this guy a friend, in large part to me hearing his first album when he only had 3,000 views on myspace. He has over 9.5 MILLION now. This is his major label debut, for fans of the Postal Service. Most played: "Dental Care", "The Bird and The Worm", "Vanilla Twiight", and "Umbrella Beach"
8. "Myths of The Near Future" by Klaxons
I heard about their label denying their new record for being too experimental and psychedelic, so I traveled back to their first album. After some re-listening I can only imagine how insane that must have been. The quintessential New Rave album (think New Wave 2.0, with more indie/guitar parts). "Golden Skans" is still among the catchiest songs EVER (and based on a book, extra cool points). Most played: "Golden Skans", "Atlantis to the Interzone", and "Magick"
9. "Common Reaction" by Uh Huh Her
If Metric had the lesbian angle of Tegan and Sara, it would sound like this. Female fronted electropop, though sadly not from Canada, from Los Angeles (in the vein of Bird and the Bee). Most played: "Not A Love Song", "Common Reaction", "Explode" (most Metric sounding)
10. "LP" by Discovery
That really is the name of their LP about Japan basically. They only get a pass because it's so damn catchy. A supergroup of members from Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot, playing mainly on synthesizers. Most played: "Osaka Loop Line", "Orange Shirt", and "Swing Tree"