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Top 10 Favorite Albums Of 2010
This was a strange year, as they usually are. Artists I never would have expected made albums I couldn’t ignore (Eels, Janelle Monáe) while artists I normally enjoy laid eggs (Peter Gabriel, almost every metal band that released an album this year).
Titus Andronicus – The Monitor (XL)
Had my top spot all year and never relinquished it. It expands on the template created on their debut The Airing Of Grievances. Full of false endings and strangely addictive hooks, this was a real growth spurt. I have no grievances to air about this album. Yes, that was cheesy.
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night (Jagjaguwar)
My most anticipated album this year nearly lived up to the lofty expectations I had for it. It was going to be hard to top 2007’s The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse, a perfect album. They come pretty close to reaching it.
OFF! – The First Four EPs (Vice)
Is this kind of a cop-out pick? It’s called The First Four EPs, but as the last three EPs were never released separately, I’m counting it. Angry, vitriolic, and vital, this is easily the greatest thing Keith Morris has done since the Circle Jerks‘ Group Sex thirty years ago.
Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest (4AD)
Bradford Cox’s finest work to date, especially for someone as prolific and talented as he is. Few in rock are capable of creating such a rich soundscape.
Meth, Ghost, & Rae – Wu-Massacre (Def Jam)
And now for something completely different… The top 3 MCs in the Wu-Tang Clan join forces, armed with some fantastic samples and rap’s best voice in Method Man, to create the best work any of them have done since Wu-Tang’s debut, 36 Chambers.
Best Coast – Crazy For You (Mexican Summer)
Bethany Cosentino’s subject matter may not have grown up since leaving Pocahaunted, but she has certainly figured out a style that wonderfully suits her talents. The year’s most fun and dreamy album.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – I Learned The Hard Way (Daptone)
Thank goodness for Sharon Jones. There are fantastic grooves galore and no wasted time. And the horns, oh how I usually loathe horns, mesh wonderfully. There is plenty of great R&B, soul, and Motown flavor to silence even the staunchest critics.
Superchunk – Majesty Shreddiog (Merge)
It may sound strange but this is the first Superchunk album that I have ever enjoyed all the way through. They are not just calling it in. They’re reminding the rest of the Merge roster who’s boss.
No Age – Everything In Between (Sub Pop)
The richest arrangements that No Age has ever come up with and maybe the best b-side of an album I’d heard this year.
Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me (Drag City)
On previous albums, I have found Joanna Newsom to be incredibly talented but annoying. On this ambitious triple album, however, her talent just shines through and creates something remarkably consistent. This is the album PJ Harvey wishes she could have delivered with White Chalk.
