Jamband. Psychobilly. Tesh-esque. Is it just me, or does genre labeling only lead to more angst and less interest? Now while I'm not ready to dump dream-pop into the same category as the redundant splatter I first mentioned, the term is beginning to reach the same level of hostility from disgruntled melophobians. [I looked it up so you don't have to; it means fear of music.] True, at its worst, dream-pop can be absurdly self-indulgent, sloppy trance-outs played by bands that are trying to mask how cheesy and immature their actual songs are. But at its best, it's simple melodies intelligently layered with a fine ear to detail performed by true music-fans who want to create the same warmth and safe-drifting territory as their preceding forefathers of pop -- good, tangible, from the heart pop. So I'm here to say "Have no fear! The first go-round was a little rough, but this year's dream-pop is off the mother fucking chain!" If the task of sorting through Pitchfork's rating system seems far too daunting, here are my top 5 must-haves on your playlist for 2010's Summer of Dream-Pop.
Beach House - Teen Dream

The XX - XX

Caribou - Swim

Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Phantogram - Eyelid Movies

And don't forget the new mum album due out in a few months…
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More on: Beach House, The XX, Caribou, Phantogram, Yeasayer
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Shows: moe.
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Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
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Albums: Joe Lovano - Symphonica
Shows: Chick Corea‚ John McLaughlin - Five Peace Band
Shows: Dr. Dog
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Albums: Keith Pray - Confluence
Blog: Funky Monday: Brother Jack McDuff - "The Vibrator"
Albums: The Macpodz - Orcastrate
Shows: The Alchemystics
Shows: Trey Anastasio Band
Blog: Video: American Babies at State of Mind Headquarters