5 Reasons Why Magic Man's Real Life Color is the Best Album of the First Quarter of 2010

As many of you probably know, I gave Magic Man's Real Life Color a rave review a couple of weeks ago and it still stands as my top album of 2010 (released) to date.

Now, as we are a quarter of the way to the top 55 albums of 2010, I thought it would be fun to explain why I am standing behind my opinion. Here are five reasons as to why I think Real Life Color is the best release of 2010. Why five you may ask? Well, I am a huge fan of arbitrary numbers.

1. The album starts with the scratch and hiss of a needle on a record, quite possibly the best sound in the history of music.

2. It's available for free.

3. The song Polygons might be the best display of songwriting ability (in this genre) since The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.

4. The first time I played this album for my wife I did not inform her as to whom the band was. Within the first three songs she was demanding to know and could not believe how good it was. She has impeccable taste in music.

5. Quite simply, I have not heard anything better this year!

*I would love to hear all opinions for and disagreements.

The Autumn Film: The Ship and the Sea

With first listen to The Autumn Film's latest album, I can't help but think of how it will soon be raped and pillaged by every nightly teen-drama on television. The writing just lends itself to that sobbing walkaway scene, a teenager coming "out," or the death of a young character (Check out the track "Mended"). The Ship and the Sea just has that immediate, highly dramatized, value to it. It will be sickening how much you will hear this album in the next couple of months.

The great track Always the Same had me instantly intrigued because the band sounded to be heading in a Heartless Bastards direction but, every song on the album does not come close to the momentum gained in this tune. Great musicianship seems to be wasted and it feels as if there is a "aim for fame" mentality taken by the band. They shy away from the previous darker efforts and direct their sites on a market that is a little more forgiving.

This sounds like I hate the album and I should stress that that is not the case. The writing has its moments of excellence with powerful piano sequences that should, and will, give chills to most listeners. However, one of those listeners will not be me. Tifah Phillips has an incredible voice that should be recognized for years to come. The Ship and the Sea is pop craftsmanship at it's finest and should be recognized by the masses in the months to come.

xoxo…