Soundcheck Podcast

Canadian indie rocker Dan Bejar has us all a-dazzle with Kaputt, the latest from his Destroyer project. While he's a member of the New Pornographers, we find similarities in this effort with those of bands such as Roxy Music and Prefab Sprout. Take a listen; you won't be disappointed.

It's a collaboration borne of Austin, Texas-based musicians -- Roky Erickson, a pioneer of psychedelic rock, and Okkervil River, critical darlings of the indie-rock set who have performed with The Decemberists, the New Pornographers, The National and others. The result? Listen up.

The King Is Dead, the latest from The Decemberists, features familiar themes and voices (and guitars, in the case of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, who joins). Or is it a departure? And is it charming or repulsive? For such a great record, we really can't agree on much.

Your friends at Soundcheck have consulted and agree: 2010 has been one of the best years for music in at least a decade. From Frightened Rabbit and Beach House to The National and Rush, there's been something for just about everyone. Here, we give you our top 10 records of the year, and one added honorable mention that really put a ribbon on it. Thanks for listening!

Majesty Shredding, the long-awaited ninth album from old-schoolers Superchunk, rocks pretty hard. But is that a good thing? We shred through the cheese.

Swedish dance-pop phenom Robyn recently released Body Talk, actually a trilogy of EPs released during 2010. As far as electronic dance records go, we agree that Robyn is doing it better than anyone else these days -- including Lady Gaga. That's right. Oh, and she uses a lot of four-letter words, so, you know, fair warning.

Sure, F**k You is a terrific single -- but how does the rest of Cee Lo's latest record, The Lady Killer, measure up? How about among the best of 2010? You heard that right. 

Old-school punkers OFF! are releasing a collection of 16 songs in under 18 minutes that prove punk is alive and well. Or, is this just more evidence that punk died decades ago, despite this effort from former members of Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Burning Brides and others to reclaim their glory days? Fair warning about some colorful language here.

The Fool, the first full-length effort from the L.A. all-female quartet Warpaint, is a dreamy blend of texture and tone. We approve -- and not only because we, too, are a dreamy blend of texture and tone.

Grinderman is the band that succeeds Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, in that it comprises Nick Cave and former members of the Bad Seeds. So is this just another Bad Seeds record, or something new? Check it out, dear listeners.