2010
Noah’s Barks pages covering things relating to the year 2010.
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The Ghost Writer
Great visual design and atmosphere thanks to the post-modern art and Polanski‘s heavy use of grey tones, but The Ghost Writer ultimately doesn’t pay off for all the suspense it builds. The writing lacks some self-awareness as well. Every character is a gigantic cunt for some unknown reason, and some parts are so silly that… (read more)
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Two Door Cinema Club – “Tourist History” (2010)
Tourist History is a fun little album but entirely a one-trick pony. At least Two Door Cinema Club has the sense to cut it at 30 minutes, making the album work as a short blast of energy. The band could benefit greatly from a vocalist with more guts. A lot of these club rhythms could… (read more)
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Black Swan
Black Swan is in desperate need of more subtlety, the film’s practically an allegory for the character herself, tempted into the American selling points of bombast and sex. Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) also needed more justification for her dramatics. But, the basic concept is a great one (despite the obvious Perfect Blue inspiration), and it’s… (read more)
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Alcest – “Écailles de lune”
The 2010s start off with a bang as Alcest releases their second album. ‘Écailles de lune’ is one of my favorite metal albums, drowning the listener in gorgeous, aquatic ambiance. (read more)
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The Chemical Brothers – “Further”
‘Further’ isn’t ‘Dig Your Own Hole’—but it doesn’t try to be. Further is much more reliant on frigid, glacial synthesizers than thick beats. (read more)
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letlive. – “Fake History” (2010)
Post-hardcore is pretty much a dead genre now, but there are some bands that keep the torch burning. One of those bands is Glassjaw, who have been playing since around the genre’s conception and still occasionally release new material. Another one of those bands is a much more recently formed one named letlive., a band… (read more)
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Massive Attack – “Heligoland” (2010)
People who write Heligoland off as a generic trip hop album probably don’t have much experience with the genre. “Babel” incorporates breakbeat, for just one example. Heligoland is an intelligently-composed album that subtly incorporates unusual elements into its songwriting. The final product seems natural and unassuming—something that feels like it’s always been with you—when it’s… (read more)
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My Bloody Valentine – “Lost Tracks and Rare Cuts” (2010)
Lost Tracks and Rare Cuts is an unauthorized collection of My Bloody Valentine (MBV) rarities. Among these are “Sugar,” one of the B-sides to the Only Shallow single and a longer version of the track “Glider” from the Glider EP. “Cowboy Song,” “Good for You,” “Just Like Us” (more commonly known as “Kevin Song”) and… (read more)
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Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”
Name(s): The SuburbsArtist(s): Arcade FireFormat(s): Album (63:55)Genre(s): Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Indie FolkRelease Date(s): August 3, 2010 I don’t completely understand why some people malign The Suburbs so much. It makes sense Arcade Fire would strip down their rambunctious sound and lyrical obscurities to reflect the simpler nature of their suburban youths. It’s… (read more)