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While it\u2019s true that a staggering amount of music crosses my desk each year, a large percentage of it tends to be reissues, archival releases and the like. Those are my area of specialty and interest. But I am a keen follower of new music as well. My tastes rarely coincide with anything like the Top 40, so I won\u2019t be considering 2010 releases from Lady Gaga<\/strong> or Justin Bieber<\/strong> (assuming there were any; I neither know nor have any interest in knowing).<\/p>\n Maple Mars<\/strong> is unapologetically powerpop. Released on the genre-specific Kool Kat label, on Galaxyland <\/em><\/a>this outfit creates intelligent yet hook-filled music that will appeal to anyone who thinks Jellyfish <\/strong>deserved to be huge. But they also draw upon the best of 60s and 70s pop traditions. And they do it all while rocking. What\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n Nick Curran<\/strong> used to fill the first guitar chair in the Fabulous Thunderbirds<\/strong>. But you won\u2019t find more than brief hints of that band\u2019s style on Reform School Girl<\/em><\/a>. Imagine instead an unholy mix of Jerry Lee Lewis, the Misfits, Eddie Cochran<\/strong> and Mot\u00f6rhead<\/strong>. Not for the weak-willed, this is hard stuff. It\u2019s what the Stray Cats<\/strong> should <\/em>have sounded like. And the production is absolutely perfect. Nick: more, please.<\/p>\n Gold Motel <\/strong>are a pop group with a female lead vocalist. Their songs are memorable and hooky, and filled with subtle little hints of the best of 80s new wave. Initially released only as a download, Summer House<\/em><\/a> got a physical release right near the end of the year. By the way: When the band posted a link to my review, they credited me as the well-known animator Bill Kopp<\/strong>. I\u2019m not that guy.<\/p>\n I stumbled across The Orange Peels<\/strong>\u2019 album 2020 <\/em><\/a>late-late-late in 2009, and in fact listed it as a best of that year. But it was officially released in early 2010, and I still play it all the time. Catchy almost beyond description, 2020<\/em> draws sonic inspiration from some very interesting and unexpected places. The group members are involved in myriad other projects as well, and some of those have caught my attention too.<\/p>\n Spock\u2019s Beard<\/strong> have breathed new life into progressive rock. They survived the loss of their leader\/primary songwriter\/front man and actually went on to get even better. Their tenth album \u2013 appropriately enough titled X<\/em><\/a> \u2013 brings melody to the fore, while offering plenty of hairpin musical turns for prog fans. X<\/em> is a compelling, exhilarating listen from start to finish, and it\u2019s among the most frequently-played CDs in my office, car and Zune. It\u2019s hands-down my favorite album released in 2010<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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