Sharon Jones!

Thanks Mona for hooking me up!

2010 Music Survey Results - Top 50 Albums (41-50)

# 41

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned The Hard Way (April 6, 2010)

"Go ahead, get after it with your serious face on." - Sandenuts

# 42

Ryan Bingham - Junky Starr (August 31, 2010)

"His voice has a coarse edge and style that's probably an acquired taste, but to me, he writes and sings the kind of songs that Kristofferson or Cash did 30 years ago." - JasonT

# 43

Grinderman - Grinderman 2 (September 14, 2010)

"I cannot get enough of this Nick Cave side project. So raw and damned clever. Best just-for-me LP of the year." - Jeremy

# 44

Delorean - Subiza (May 4, 2010)

"Sun-bleached danceable indie with a whole lot of heart. Delorean is my favorite new find this year." - Mona

# 45

J Roddy Walston and the Business - J Roddy Walston and the Business (July 27, 2010)

"Waltson's piano-based rock n' roll howls and sweats like a feral beast locked in the woodshed." - awmercy

"Piano-driven rock out of Baltimore. Slipped in there out of left field and been on heavy rotation. Just fun!" - Jeremy

# 46

Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty (July 6, 2010)

"I have always found Big Boi irresistibly dynamic. Speakerboxxx kills The Love Below." - Hotcatato

# 47

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor (February 16, 2010)

"Sweet harmonies. Great album." - NightraiN

"Great debut from a band with a great sense of dramatic tension and fantastic harmonies." - Tex

"Surprisingly harmonic, my new favorite song on this album changes monthly because they're all lovely, slow-builders." - Hotcatato

# 48

Best Coast - Crazy For You (July 27, 2010)

"Toe tapping fun. Also, the cat on the album art is named 'Snacks.'" - ve1cro

"'Ear candy' in every possible sense." - Mona

# 49

Tame Impala - InnerSpeaker (May 25, 2010)

"Straight up solid, unapologetic, psychedelic rock" - Taylor

# 50

Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer (November 9, 2010)

"I like the Gospel feel." - Julia

FNBP: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings & Modelo Negra

This week I am pairing Modelo Negra (a personal favorite) , with Sharon Jones and The Dap King's (also a personal favorite) new album "I Learned The Hard Way". Both the beers and the album came not from the fruit of my labor, but from good friends and family. The old man decided to unload his Modelo's on me since he is drinkin wine these days, score! Thanks dad. And the new album comes from Mercy's mafia like connections, granting me access to the new champions of soul before their official release date, which is April 6th. I have to say that just for the record, introducing someone to the new album, then telling them they can only listen once, is like introducing someone to rock cocaine and telling them they can only hit it one time. Needless to say I'm hooked and cannot be held responsible for my actions when it comes to getting my fix, and yes, I am willing to sell my T.V. to cop another listen. Anyway, the single I understand is "I Learned the Hard Way", which isn't bad, but dude, "Better Things To Do", "Window Shopping", "If You Call", and my favorite "Money" make we want to say fuck it. Sell the Honda and buy a Brougham, just so I can play this loud, look people square in the eye and say "that's right" as I hit a corner. And just as Modelo Especial is really good, like "100 Days and 100 Nights", the Negra is just a little bit better, just like "I Learned the Hard Way". The Especial is awesome, great beer, light, smooth, no complaints. But the Negra has that somethin extra, a little fuller flavor, but not overwhelming as to distract from what's workin with the Especial. That's kinda how I feel about "I Learned the Hard Way". The new album has a little more flavor in that the Dap Kings band was able to shine, especial-ly (ha!) in the track "If You Call". They let it hang out more in this album, but do not overshadow Sharon. Splendid album, splendid beer, check em' out!

awmercy's Recent PopWreckoning Posts

These posts aren't quick, so I've included a one line summary.

The Weight - Are Men (2008)
Rollicking barroom country.

Broken Social Scene @ Wonder Ballroom, Portland
A mammoth show of indie rock jamming.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings @ Crystal Ballroom, Portland
A sold out funky dancefest.

The Walkmen @ Wonder Ballroom, Portland
Woozy and cool.

Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags - All The Great Aviators Agree (2008)
Good-timing country from Portland.