Your Favourite Music Of 2010?

[Computer]

The year's almost over and it's time for lists again.

 

Here's a lot of the stuff I dig for the year 2010 in no particular order.

 

No Age- Everything in Between

 

Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest

 

Best Coast- Crazy For You

 

Black Keys- Brothers

 

Caribou- Swim

 

Crystal Castles- S/T

 

Das Racist- Sit Down Man/ Shut up Dude

 

Deftones- Diamond Eyes

 

Fang Island- S/T

 

Japandroids- Various EP's

 

LCD Soundsystem- This is Happening

 

Jenny and Johnny- I'm Having Fun now

 

Male Bonding- Nothing Hurts

 

The National- High Violet

 

Robyn- Body Talk

 

PS I love You- Meet Me at Muster Station

 

Spoon- Transference

 

Surfer Blood- Astrocoast

 

New Pornographers- Together

 

Broken Social Scene- Forgiveness Rock Record

 

 

Disappointments

Interpol-S/T

Vampire Weekend- Contra

Wintersleep- New Inheritors

 

 

 

Holy shit, I didn't even realize how good of a year this has been music wise. Do you guys have any favourites that stand out?

[shade]

The National - High Violet

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Beach House - Teen Dream

Foals - Total Life Forever

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Liars - Sisterworld

Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring

Hot Chip - One Life Stand

Wye Oak - My Neighbour/My Creator

Basia Bulat - Heart of My Own

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Grinderman - Grinderman 2

Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago

Wolf Parade - Expo 86

[saturnine]

i actually have to look up what came out this year as i don't recall buying/downloading anything from this year.

[Computer]

I had to look it up too because so much stuff came out.

[Zukiki]

Roughly in order:

 

The Heartbroken - Tonight Tonight

The Builders and the Butchers - Where the Roots All Grow

Luke Doucet - Steel City Trawler

David Usher - The Mile End Sessions

Duffy and the Doubters - Scriptural Supplies

Iwan Rheon - Tongue Tied

Liz Phair - Funstyle

Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now

Sarah Harmer - Oh Little Fire

New Pornographers - Together

[Kenwell]

I guess I will start with songs over albums at the moment:

(In no particular order)

Social Distortion - Machine Gun Blues

The Gaslight Anthem - Tumbling Dice

Bruce Springsteen - Because The Night (I know this song is old, but it was remastered for The Promise)

Team Me - Weathervanes and Chemicals

Chamberlain (featuring Brian Fallon) - The South Has Spoiled Me

Bright Eyes - Coyote Song

 

Albums:

The Athletics - Why Aren't I Home?

Ben Folds - Lonely Avenue

Bad Religion - The Dissent Of Man

Matthew Barber - True Believer

Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away

Steven Page - Page One

Streetlight Manifesto - 99 Songs of Revolution

[saturnine]

i will go with the following as they are the only 2010 albums i've heard:

 

Tokyo Police club - Champ (didn't really like it, but my list lacks content)

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

 

i will look into the following:

 

Red Sparowes - The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer

Stone Sour - Audio Secrecy

Filter - The Trouble With Angels

 

i'd say 2010 has been disappointing for me musically

[Prometheon]

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

Kanye

Twin Shadow (how has no one mentioned this!?)

Crystal Castles

Basia Bulet

Best Coast

Chromeo

Sujan Stevens (how has no one mentioned this!?)

Das Racist

Girl Talk (how has no one mentioned this!?)

Stars

Wintersleep (I dug it)

How to Dress Well

 

Edit: Land of Talk's new album was a big disappointment, but it's definitely grown on me.

Edited December 7, 2010 by Prometheon

[saturnine]

i'm going to guess nobody mentioned it because nobody liked it or has heard of it.

[Prometheon]

Cool. So what's Maynard up to nowadays?

[saturnine]

some shitty side projects and wine-whoring.

[shade]

Cool. So what's Maynard up to nowadays?

 

 

LAUGH OUT LOUD

[Kenwell]

I didn't mind the new Girl Talk album, but I didn't feel like it was nearly as good as the previous two.

[Prometheon]

I didn't mind the new Girl Talk album, but I didn't feel like it was nearly as good as the previous two.

 

It's just different and less ADD than some of his previous albums, but I think it's the natural next step in the trend he started with the transition between Night Ripper and Feed the Animals.

 

Also...holy shit Ryan, that Caribou album is fantastic. Def in my top 10.

[here is no why]

best albums of 2010:

 

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Arcade Fire - the Suburbs

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

The Black Keys - Brothers

Neil Young - Le Noise

The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

Robert Plant - Band of Joy

Yeasayer - Odd Blood

[Manchalivin]

The only one that comes to mind for me:

 

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

[borntohula]

my top ten looks something like this:

 

gil scott-heron - i'm new here

daughters - s/t

gorillaz - plastic beach

big boi - sir lucious left foot: the son of chico dusty

janelle mona

[shade]

Owen Pallett - Heartland

[Prometheon]

I whipped up a quick review. Ignore typos and stuff; I was bored.

 

Disappointing

 

The Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

 

I’ve never fully understood Arcade Fire’s incredible hype and following, and this record does nothing to help. Boring and overdrawn. Avoid avoid avoid.

 

The National – High Violet

 

I’ve been a fan of The National’s other albums, but it feels like their most recent effort tries far too hard to be climactic and intriguing. Ironically, the band has strayed from their “show don’t tell” approach with a record that feels very forced.

 

Land of Talk – Cloak and Cipher

 

Everyone knows how much I adore Land of Talk, but their newest album seems like more of a foray into anthemic indie pop rather than their gritty and distinct rock dissonance.

 

That said, the album isn’t bad per se, it’s just something a little more familiar and less exciting than old-school Land of Talk. The tracks that are the most pleasing are those that stick to their old formula rather than the ones that dip into the formula of everyone else. Let’s see more “Hamburg Noon” and less “Quarry Hymns.”

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Hamburg, Noon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNac_fovh-4 A melodic and pleasing song that rewards repeat listens.

 

Color Me Badd:

Choruses done right!

 

Decent

 

Wintersleep – New Inheritors

 

A very solid record that lacks the special “something” to keep you listening. “Baltic” and “Mausoleum” are highlights, whereas “Encyclopedia” harkens to 90s hard rock with a satisfying twist. Check it out if you like the band.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Mausoleum:

A haunting song that sticks with you.

 

Baltic:

 

Stars – The Five Ghosts

 

It’s been a great journey to watch this band evolve. The interesting samples and collaborations that make this album are a great twist. It’s nice to see Stars` drummer taking more of a front seat and hammering out some grooves that make me notice, such as the syncopated rhythms on “Wasted Daylight” and the dancy start-and-stop of “We Don’t Want Your Body.” An interesting direction for the band to take, and I’m psyched to see where they go next. With that said, this record has a few too many nonstarters for me.

 

Listen to these songs:

 

Opinions Versus the Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvvr9dSmEcE Stars` awesome and chill teamup with Album Leaf.

 

We Don’t Want Your Body:

This track along with the previous represents the album’s broad spectrum. From relaxing chillout music to something fun and dancy.

 

Very Good

 

Crystal Castles – s/t

 

Crystal Castle’s second self-titled album is an interesting one. It delivers “more of the same” from their first release, but the whole record feels more refined if not more restrained. It’s wonderful to hear some melody and warmth on tracks like “Celestica.” Truthfully, the Castle’s brand of electronic dance just isn’t my thing, so your milage may vary.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Celestica:

 

Baptism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjMt0bMVljI

 

How to Dress Well – Love Remains

 

This record has a sound. It’s difficult to describe, but it’s like you’re listening to everything underwater, through a thick haze of nostalgia and distortion. It’s an interesting effect and the entire album carries and executes it amazingly well. It’s simultaneously incredibly easy and impossibly tough to listen to the whole album through due to its single minded and monumental effort to push this wind-tunnel esthetic as hard as possible. With that said, it’s tough not to really love and find yourself submerged and happily surrounded by the great melodies and sounds that this album routinely offers.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Lover’s Start:

 

Ready for the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc9xV8tE_-4

 

Chromeo – Business Casual

 

It’s so strange to hear an album that sounds so much better than its predecessor and yet is overall slightly worse. On Business Casual, Chromeo’s production values have gone WAY up; the album just feels polished and silky smooth. With that said, the second half unfortunately doesn’t match up to the great opener “Hot Mess” or standout tracks “Night by Night” and “Don’t Turn the Lights On.” Still, the album as a whole is addictive, dancy, and just plain fun. Give this one a spin.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Hot Mess: The spoken word parts are tacky, but this song is just so hook-heavy you probably won’t mind. “WHAT!?”

 

Don’t Turn The Lights On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP7mxcvGejQ

 

Great

 

 

Caribou – Swim

 

Some of the sickest chillout electronica to come out in ages. This album is lovely. Enough said.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Odessa: The album’s killer opener

 

Leave House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZbdmibj_OA

 

Twin Shadow – Forget

 

Gorgeous melodies, powerful drums, and weightless vocals will keep this record at the top of your playlist. Despite its easy listening nature, this album actually grapples with some interesting themes in an Animal Collective sort of way.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Yellow Balloon: A song about childhood that’s sure to resonate

 

Castles in the Snow:

 

 

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today

 

This whole album sounds like a blast from the past. “Bright Lit Blue Skies” simultaneously conjures the images of a Halloween ball with its sound and melody while also bringing to mind a sunny Californian beach with its lyrics. You’ve no doubt heard “Round and Round” by now, and the song, like the album itself, keeps you on your toes just enough to keep you interested.

 

Listen to these songs:

 

Bright Lit Blue Skies:

 

Beverly Kills:

 

Amazing

 

Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz

 

He’s done it again. Adz is a significant departure from Illinois, and it succeeds on almost every level. While Sufjan’s maximalist self-indulgence can sometimes grate on the listener (the sustained repeating choir choruses can get a bit repetitive despite the plentiful orchestration), the album simply delivers on so many cylinders that it’s tough not to love. While slow burners like “Now That I’m Older,” “Futile Devices,” and “I Walked” compose most of the album’s bulk, it’s tracks like the haunting “Vesuvius,” the incredibly dynamic “I Want To Be Well,” and the title track that compose the album’s most interesting moments. This album does have its fair share of aural filler, but the highs are so amazingly high that you won’t care. Stevens even manages to pull off “Impossible Soul,” a 25 minute track that legitimately keeps you completely and utterly hooked for its full duration.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

The Age of Adz:

 

I Want to Be Well:

 

Girl Talk – All Night

 

Oh yes. Girl Talk is back in a big way with All Night. Gregg Gillis has evolved as a mashup artist. Since Night Ripper and Feed the Animals, the lyrical and musical samples are growing in duration and focus, the signs of a maturing artist overcoming his ADD and impatience. It’s an interesting move that makes this album a marked distinction from past works. That said, his ear for hooks is unparalleled, whether you love Ludacris, Daft Punk, Blue Oyster Cult, U2, Portishead, The Ramones, or any of the hundreds of other pop artists Gillis liberally samples. This is the party album of 2011. Start dancing to it now.

 

Listen to these tracks:

 

Oh No:

 

Jump On Stage: Portishead and Radiohead!

 

Best of 2010

 

Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

 

Kanye may be an asshole and publicity whore, but it’s tough to deny that he knows what he’s doing. No matter your stance on Kanye, it would be foolish to not recognize just how accomplished this record really is. It’s ambitious, gratuitous, completely ridiculous, and unbelievably good.

 

“Dark Fantasy” opens with some voiceover narration to set the tone and assure the listener that they’re getting more than just an album. “All of the Lights” is preceded by an interlude that could be taken from a power metal ballad or a Beethoven symphony. “Monster” attacks the listener with an assault of artists and hooks.

 

The album simply does so MUCH. The beats are beautifully produced and frequently peppered with tasteful pauses, breaks, and embellishments. They’re more than just looped samples; these beats are fleshed out, orchestrated, and given room to breath and flow. The vocals are dynamic, crystal clear, and easy to listen to. There’s an incredible cast of artists and they all deliver. When given only a few short lines, The RZA absolutely destroys “So Appalled” when he shouts “Cars for the misses and furs for the mistress/you know that shit is fuckin ridiculous” and Rick Ross draws some humor when he claims that he’s got “so many cars DMV thought it was mail fraud.” The album is simply jam packed with moments like this, where lines stick with the reader and have an impact because of their delivery, content, supporting music, or all three. The record beautifully and subtly weaves humor into the songs in a way that leaves you questioning the presence of intent. I’ll give you the answer: it was definitely there.

 

There are a few sticking points, such as “Runaway” being a touch too long and “Hell of a Life” fighting a little too hard for affection, but the album as a whole is undeniably excellent. The whole thing feels like the culmination of a long and difficult calculation. Every song is crafted with care, every line dropped with emotion, every word aware of itself and its context. And I’m not even being a snobby music asshole. This record is actually just straight-up great. You may not think you like Kanye West or his style of music. Listen to this record. I bet you’ll change your mind.

 

Listen To These Tracks:

 

Monster:

 

Lost in the World: These two tracks beautifully illustrate of just how diverse the palette of this record really is.

Edited December 23, 2010 by Prometheon

[saturnine]

i've heard of kanye west.

[Audio of Being]

Phish Live at Alpine Valley 2010.

[Gomo]

I downloaded Age of Adz tonight. I'll listen to it soon. I can't even pretend to give a shit about Kanye West though.

[saturnine]

Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

 

Kanye may be an asshole and publicity whore, but it’s tough to deny that he knows what he’s doing. No matter your stance on Kanye, it would be foolish to not recognize just how accomplished this record really is. It’s ambitious, gratuitous, completely ridiculous, and unbelievably good.

 

“Dark Fantasy” opens with some voiceover narration to set the tone and assure the listener that they’re getting more than just an album. “All of the Lights” is preceded by an interlude that could be taken from a power metal ballad or a Beethoven symphony. “Monster” attacks the listener with an assault of artists and hooks.

 

The album simply does so MUCH. The beats are beautifully produced and frequently peppered with tasteful pauses, breaks, and embellishments. They’re more than just looped samples; these beats are fleshed out, orchestrated, and given room to breath and flow. The vocals are dynamic, crystal clear, and easy to listen to. There’s an incredible cast of artists and they all deliver. When given only a few short lines, The RZA absolutely destroys “So Appalled” when he shouts “Cars for the misses and furs for the mistress/you know that shit is fuckin ridiculous” and Rick Ross draws some humor when he claims that he’s got “so many cars DMV thought it was mail fraud.” The album is simply jam packed with moments like this, where lines stick with the reader and have an impact because of their delivery, content, supporting music, or all three. The record beautifully and subtly weaves humor into the songs in a way that leaves you questioning the presence of intent. I’ll give you the answer: it was definitely there.

 

There are a few sticking points, such as “Runaway” being a touch too long and “Hell of a Life” fighting a little too hard for affection, but the album as a whole is undeniably excellent. The whole thing feels like the culmination of a long and difficult calculation. Every song is crafted with care, every line dropped with emotion, every word aware of itself and its context. And I’m not even being a snobby music asshole. This record is actually just straight-up great. You may not think you like Kanye West or his style of music. Listen to this record. I bet you’ll change your mind.

 

Listen To These Tracks:

 

Monster:

 

Lost in the World: These two tracks beautifully illustrate of just how diverse the palette of this record really is.

 

you forgot to mention how self-indulgent and pretentious it is. granted, that's kanye. i enjoyed most of the stuff on his first 3 albums but nothing here really stuck in my head and if it did it was from another artist. i found myself listening to "monster" more than once. i thought rick ross' opening was the best part and far too short. i found that almost every song was way too long. save for the interludes and a few others, nearly every song was well over 5 minutes

Edited December 28, 2010 by saturnine

[juanpe]

Interpol: last album "Interpol"