THE PENDULUM

by Erin Fox, September 3, 2008

While most students spent their summers working hard at aninternship or relaxing poolside, the WSOE staff was at Elon sorting through the hundreds of albums it gets sent every month in search of the best new music. Here are their picks for the top 10 albums they received this summer, all of which are now spinning for your listening pleasure on 89.3 FM.

1. Fleet Foxes – Self-TitledStandout Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Oliver James. 

The debut album from Seattle’s own Fleet Foxes dropped early this summer courtesy of Sub-Pop — the independent record label that made Nirvana famous. This five piece band may have been unknown to the majority of the alternative music world six months ago, but because of their gorgeous airy harmonies and traditional folk sound, they quickly became one of the most talked about independent artists of the summer. 

2. Coldplay – Viva la VidaStandout Tracks: Lost!, Viva la Vida

For many alternative music fans, Coldplay has been given a stigma for being an over-hyped mega-pop group whose songs tend to sound exactly the same. Enter Brian Eno, best known as keyboardist for Roxy Music and the producer behind some of the largest alternative music forces of all time (U2, Talking Heads). The collaboration between Eno and Coldplay pushed the group to a more authentic, creative level — complete with strings, timpanis, and haunting lyrics.

3. Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head –Glistening Pleasure

This very young and very eclectic foursome are currently causing quite a bit of buzz in the indie rock world — and not only for their odd name. Thanks to a dazzling array of synths, NPSH’s retro-electro will rocket you back into the 1980s. The in-your-face tackiness of their music and appearance is so absurd that you can’t help but laugh along with the recent high school graduates. And thanks to the extreme catchiness of their sound, you can’t help but sing and dance along either.

  4. Conor Oberst – Self-TitledStandout Tracks: Cape Canaveral, Get-Well-Cards

Lead singer of the emo-approved group Bright Eyes packed up his poetic lyrics and unique, weathered voice and moved it in a slightly different direction with this self-titled, solo LP. With hints of country, rock ‘n’ roll and blues, these tracks play like a soundtrack to directionless travel through the highways of the West. One listen to “Get-Well-Cards” and you’ll see why he’s gained his reputation as the new Bob Dylan.

5. Death Vessel – Nothing Is Precious Enough for UsStandout Tracks: Block my Eye, Bruno’s Torso

Joel Thibodeau, the man behind Death Vessel, creates soft, gentle folk music that can only be described as “lovely.” The acoustic guitar is lightly finger picked and floats around banjos, an upright bass, bells, toy pianos, tambourines and even a wine glass. This debut LP is the perfect soundtrack for a sunny summer afternoon.