Music news dominated in 2010 and among them were some stand-out LGBT and LGBT-friendly artists bringing their own sounds to the charts.
Here are a look at three great albums of 2010:
Art finds its pop. The Icelandic band Sigur Rós is best known for dark, ethereal electronic—like a post-modern fugue. When gay founding member singer/musician Jon Thor Birgisson created his solo project called Jonsi, he uncovered a delightful pop sensibility rarely seen in the band. The resulting album, Go, is still an ephemeral, synthesized symphony, but it’s also suffused with structure and light. Birgisson’s stratospheric falsetto does deliver some quirky, Bjork-like Nordic English: “You run, you’re free, climb endless trees—you reignite.” But the odd turn of phrase just adds to the wonky joy buried in the whirling sound. And after a Google search for lyrics, you can still sing along. It’s work that’s landed the album on Best of 2010 lists by Rolling Stone and NPR. Download “Go” and “Boy Lilikoi.”
Super-gay Scissor Sisters are back and ready to party! And when they’re done, they’ll take you upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms for a night of wild, unspeakable sex. Their first album of disco-and new wave-infused pop was lauded as the Second Coming. Their under-rated second album was still dancey but darker, more foreboding. In comes Night Works, an entendre-laden lap dance without remorse. Jake Shears’ vocals still soar above Del Marquis’ Chic-style guitars and Baby Daddy’s slick composition. Ana Matronic still struts like a white, Southern Grace Jones. There is also no attempt at being classy or coy. Download “Invisible Light,” the brilliant, long-form dance track; it’s narrated by gay icon Sir Ian McKellan.
Owen Pallett deserves so much more attention. Sure, he gets to score strings for other hip alternative bands like Grizzly Bear and Arcade Fire. But his own work is also brilliant, suffused with layered sequences, woodwinds and violin, aided by his folksy, Canadian tenor. In the past, Pallett has recorded under the name “Final Fantasy.” Finally, the video game threatened, and he started creating under his own name. The move seems to have personalized Pallett’s oddball work, but only slightly. In the shining Heartland, Pallett creates an alternate reality, a colonial Canada with a crazed farmer, Louis, who prays to a god named Owen. It would all teeter off into silliness if it weren’t for Pallett’s sincerity and genius, catchy tunes. This was Pallett’s second Mercury Prize nomination, and it’s on the NPR and Pitchfork Best of 2010 lists. Download “Louis Takes His Shirt Off.”
