Some have suggested that 2010 was a big year for music - But I cant agree. I thought the year lacked much in the way of depth and substance. I got excited a few times (Arcade Fire, Mogwai) found a few gems (Gonjasufi, The Morning Benders) but overall there was nothing entering my top 50 albums of all time list from 2010. Nothing game changing. Certainly nothing life changing. I guess we can hold some hope for 2011.
So without further ado............
The Top 10 albums of 2010.
..........and you will note that there is no Kanye West here. Not because you probably own it, but because I thought my beautiful dark twisted fantasy was absolute shite. Very well (if not slightly over-) produced, but for me it does not hold a candle to his first two albums. Dont buy it. Or even steal it. Not worth it.
10. 65daysofstatic - we were exploding anyway
65dos continue to move into a more electronic post rock genre. At first i was not sold. Now - i like it. Its post rock math electronica, it has brilliant moments, others not so. Slightly challenging at first but i have grown to really like the intensity and complexity of the album.
7.5/10
9. The Black Keys - Brothers
I guess you could say more of the same from the boys from Ohio. Its just awesome blues rock that harks back to their prime of 2002-2004 when they released The Big Come Up, Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory. After experimenting since then, including the rap-blues Blacroc, they have come the full circle, with a twist. The experiments have led to better production, songs that are slightly toned down from the garage days. Its the Keys of old (with a drummer that knows how to play drums, unlike the white stripes) add some production and craftsmanship to the songs and you have brothers. Just ace blues rock.
7.5/10
8. Surfer Blood - Astrocoast.
I heard the song Anchorage and was just blown away. It reminded me a perfect 1990s post grunge indie kind of anthem that just progressed perfectly. It was a perfect post grunge indie kind of anthem that just progressed perfectly - except it was 2010. The young lads from Surfer Blood produced a debut album that draws on those post grunge influences, you can tell these guys like early weezer (who doesn't) and they have drawn comparisons with Vampire Weekend, but ultimately they have created their own great guitar sound, with killer riffs and some fantastic anthemic songs - Swim, Floating Vibes and Anchorage are probably the picks.
7.5/10
7. Tame Impala - Innerspeaker.
I have been waiting for the full length album from Tame Impala since the 2008 self titled EP with accompanying single 'Glass half full of wine captured my imagination. Well 2010 was the year - and this is a really good debut album. Unfortunately Psychedelic Rock is always going to draw comparisons to Cream, the Beatles, Hendrix, the Doors, Pink Floyd - and whatever is being held up to the legendary psychedelic bands is inevitably going to fail in comparison. But why compare? Enjoy it for what it is. The Western Australian lads do psychedelic rock very very well. This is a great trip through a fantastic genre and that is what i love about Tame Impala - they are making fantastic psych rock songs with a sound that could have been recorded anytime from 1970 to the present. As i said enjoy it for what it is the pre-eminent psychedelic rock band in the world right now.
7.5/10
6. The Morning Benders - Big Echo.
I found this through my 2009 album of the year Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear. (see my review here). Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear co-produces, so the experimental rock sound that i liked so much last year is present here, but at the same time is quite different from GB. Seemingly full of Easy going and charming songs, the album needs to be listened to properly, below the surface lingers that experimental side. The weirdness and wonder emerges as the album progresses you can definitely hear the cavernous production that they were looking for. Thoroughly enjoyable.
7.5/10
5. Gonjasufi: A Sufi And A Killer
I have no idea where I first heard this, im still not sure I understand it, i know i don't need or pretend to. I just love it. This bearded dread locked mystical looking crooner who moves between spoken word, singing and rapping over the top of spaced, funky beats created by Gaslamp Killer with his eerie, gruff, haunting and instrument like voice. Its not Rap, Its not hip hop. Who knows what it is. Its just awesome. Great production with heavier songs, ballads, eastern influences and guitars that somehow all coming together to add to the mystique....... intrigued?
You should be. Get it.
8/10
4. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs.
Underwhelming. For me. A very very good album, but in light of the pedestal that i have the Arcade Fire sitting atop (see their Funeral album entry here) i just thought they could have done better. But im sure they dont care what i think.. Had its high points (The Suburbs, Modern Man, The Sprawl II, Rococo) But a long album with a bit of filler and a few ordinary songs. But. like a said, good, very good- but i just expected this to be number the album of the year, if not the decade. Get it - it is fantastic, just not as fantastic as I wanted!
8 / 10
3. Mogwai - Special Moves.
Well it is Mogwai. How could i not love it and want you to own it? I do love Mogwai - a lot (see here). This is an absolutely fantastic live album, featuring almost everything a fan could want. 'Hunted by A freak', 'Mogwai Fear Satan', 'I'm Jim Morrison, Im Dead' 'Cody' and of course the incomparable 'Like Herod'. Just when you think they have peaked with Like Herod, outcomes the most balltearing rendition of 'Glasgow Mega-snake' you have ever heard. When i first laid my hands on the album i held fears that the true sound of Mogwai would not be captured live, the layers, the distortion, the intricacies. But my fears were quickly laid to rest - one of the best production efforts on a live album i have ever heard. If you are not a Mogwai fan (i pity you) and i have got some feedback, "great blog, not sure about Mogwai though" - this is not the best entry point, however a relaxing listen, alone, headphones on, dark, no distractions - just be an aural delight.
I look forward to their upcoming release 'Hardcore will never die, but you will' - Top of my most anticipated list in 2011.
8/10
2. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening.
OK I concede that people might own this, or at least have downloaded "Drunk Girls" from itunes or similar. This is apparently James Murphys final album, and it might just be his best. Dance Punk Indie Electronic? I dont know, but it makes me, of all people, who is renowned as a non dancer - want to get up and dance. His musical influences have never been hidden, its all here, but a more mature sound than on the past 2 albums. Those last 2 albums had killer singles (can anyone not want to dance to 'daft punk is playing at my house'?) but as albums lacked the depth and complexity here. The combination of fantastic production, memorable basslines with some crazy guitar and 70s synth make this one a must own. Dance Yourself Clean, Drunk Girls, One Touch, All I Want, I Can Change & Home, are all just fantastic songs for a man who copied everything and spun it with dance beats to make his own genre.
8.5/10
1. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
The most accessible album by Deerhunter to date and certainly the best. This is the perfect mixture of sonic psychedelia with interludes of indie pop and dreamy sequences that somehow move between over and underproduction. But dont let that put you off. Dripping guitar riffs and synthesizers awash with glorious emotive feeling permeate around longing vocals with maximum emotional impact as the band lays down increasing lush, crystallized music in the background as the album goes on. Perfect album and the best of 2010.
9/10
