CHIRP: The Chicago Independent Radio Project

Andy Weber writes

Andrew Weber's Best of 2010

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members' top albums of 2010. The next list is from CHIRP Radio DJ Andy Weber.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members' picks.)

For me personally this year has been such a great ride! Being a CHIRP DJ has broadened my musical horizons and challenged me to go way outside that proverbial box everyone is always talking about. Last year I took this forum to go on some sort of diatribe about how I only listen to songs and not full albums. Boy was that guy stupid, I am referring to the “last year me” of course. The full album is back in my life and I think it is time for rejoicing!

1. Polar Bear – Peepers (Leaf)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   The future of Jazz is in good hands with the London outfit Polar Bear. Coffee and Peepers will start any day off on a the right foot. This record has become my most listened to release in 2010.
2. Calibro 35 – Ritornano Quelli Di (Nublu)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   If my life was a Chinese calendar 2010 would be known as the “Year of the Funk!” Now if that said year were to be conceptualized into a movie, Calibro 35 would score the soundtrack. The straight funk, mixed with 70’s action film chase scene fun, filled my summer with plenty of windows down car driving material!
3. White Mystery – White Mystery (Self-Released)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   When I want no frills, stripped down, fuzzed up rock nothing beats White Mystery. The pure energy and quick pace of this album makes this band a Chicago treasure.
4. Gonjasufi – A Sufi and a Killer (Warp)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   I had a transcendental experience with this LP on a flight to New Orleans in April. It took a few listens for the album to speak to me, or even make sense. But when it finally does it will hook you.
5. Mike Reed's People Places and Things – Stories and Negotiations (482 Music)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   Here is the second local act to make this list. This album was recorded live in Millennium Park which features Chicago music icon Mike Reed. This album is a celebration of new sounds to old Chicago jazz songs. For me the album is downright mood altering. In a good way!
6. David Karsten Daniels and Fight The Big Bull – I Mean To Live Here Still (Fat Cat)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   On paper this collaboration should not work. You take one part folk artist from San Francisco and mix in a 9 piece avant-garde jazz collective from Richmond, VA. what you come up with is one outstanding fusion LP.
7. Stephen Paul Smoker – Violent Sun/Violent Fun (EP)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   Clocking in at just 27 minutes long there is not one second wasted on this EP. This Chicago artist displays an incredible wide range of styles and influences packed into this little package.
8. Jack Rose – Luck In The Valley (Thrill Jockey)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   The blues had to represent somewhere on this list for me. This new release from the late Jack Rose is very fitting for my blues pallet which is predominately acoustic and all instrumental.
9. Dissapears – Lux (Kranky)
   BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
   The fourth and final Chicago representation on my top 10 is the Disappears. The raw guitar and haunting vocals spoke to me in a way that few albums did this year. There was plenty of garage style rock to choose from in 2010 but this one stood out from the pack.
10. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast (Kanine)
    BUY: Amazon / Insound / iTunes
    So for my money “Swim” is the feel good song of the year. In my mind every year needs a good “drinking beer on a boat under the hot sun” song. This album delivers just that!

Honorable Mentions

• 3 more albums just missed my list and ironically the bands all start with the letter “C” and are from the city of Chicago:
  Canasta – The Fakeout, The Tease and The Breather (RWIM Chicago)
  Cave – Pure Moods (EP) (Drag City)
  Chaperone – Cripple King (EP) (Self-Released)