Top 20 Albums Of 2010

It's been a great year for music. I've been really lucky and fortunate the past year to check into some bands I've been paying attention to for awhile and some new bands that will hopefully continue to shine in years to come. I started a blog in January as one of my New Year's resolution to polish up my writing skills (although I'm still a bit too wordy) and concentrate on old favorites, write about new albums I was eager to check out, and list stuff like I'm known for doing with almost everything.

So I'm kind of giddy to throw an actual Top 20 albums out on the web. And I may not have had the chance to listen to everything or write reviews for every album I did hear that came out in 2010, I still think these twenty albums are pretty spectacular and just get more spectacular as you make your way to number one. I'd recommend any or all of these to friends or people just looking for some good music. We'll start station to station's "Top 20 Albums of 2010" with some that just missed the cut.

Honorable Mentions:
Caribou-Swim
Wild Nothing-Gemini
The Drive By Truckers-The Big To Do
The New Pornographers-Together
Les Savy Fav-Root For Ruin
Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists-The Brutalist Bricks

Three Up (Albums I initially didn't like that grew on me)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-Beat The Devil's Tattoo
No Age-Everything In Between
Best Coast-Crazy For You


Three Down (Albums I initially thought were decent that wore on me)
Titus Andronicus-The Monitor
Interpol-Interpol
Sufjan Stevens-The Age Of Adz
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station to station's "Top 20 Albums of 2010"

20. Woods-At Echo Lake

First Impressions: ...these guys have a knack of free form written all over their music. But in sound, I hear a ton of Roger McGuinn and the Byrds on "At Echo Lake". ...standouts such as "Blood Dries Darker", "Time Fading Lines", and the breezy sway of the fantastic "Suffering Season" hold a lot of spirit in the song construction that the Byrds used on their golden aged albums. "Woods-At Echo Lake" Review (7-12-10)
Final Take: With a lot of indie folk swirling around these days, Woods have put themselves near the top of jam band supremacy. Not exactly through accessibility, but as a band that continues to draw on their strengths and that 12 string guitar very much like the Byrds were known for in their prime. "At Echo Lake" has some really good songs ("Blood Dries Darker", "Suffering Season", "Death Rattles") flowing through it, and if you can get by Jeremy Earl's frail vocals, you're going to find many treasures on "At Echo Lake".

19. Grinderman-Grinderman 2

First Impressions: Gritty, dirty, blues rock revival with Cave taking on the familiar task of being the preacher at the revival. ...each song drips with hedonistic, grimy, and sexual overtones. It's a lot of pulp fiction wrapped up into forty plus minutes. Grinderman-"Grinderman 2" Review (11-5-10)
Final Take: It's as menacing as that wolf snarling in the plush living room on the cover of the album. The best way to describe Nick Cave's second album with his side project Grinderman is, well, probably menacing. Fans of Cave won't be disappointed and it wins points for people looking for something a bit more sleazy and garage rock like from him. It's an album that refuses to be ignored and that's probably the main reason it landed in the top 20, it refuses to whisk away. And we all need material to get the blood pumping a bit don't we? The three minute plus "Worm Tamer" can do that on its own.

18. Spoon-Transference

First Impressions: Spoon has never given you a chorus that you're going to scream at the top of your lungs at a huge sold out arena, they are way too cool for that, and if you buy into that cool, you get Spoon. The formula stays the same on "Transference". I've always been drawn in to these guys for their less is more grooves but this is the first time I appreciate the conviction of Daniel's lyrics. Well done. Spoon-"Transference" Review (2-15-10)
Final Take: Over a decade in, I'm still having troubles trying to find a group who has been so consistent in their output as Spoon. They just never let you down. "Transferrence" may not be the one that everyone remembers for the band and it may not be their most overall strongest set. But it still has enough knockout punches to show that Britt Daniel and his band of economical rockers have a winning side to them. "Is Love Forever?" That's never for sure, but Spoon seems to be making the case that they are forever.

17. Cee Lo Green-The Lady Killer

First Impressions: I can't think of a better two words to describe the latest album than funky fun. Green uses his neo-soulful like voice to accompany songs the same way, I don't know, Billy Ocean used the same technique on songs like "Carribean Queen". An absolute joyful album. Cee Lo Green-"The Lady Killer" Review (12-3-10)
Final Take: This is the newest release to make it on the list and whether it is just the good nature buzz feeling of "The Lady Killer" that helped propel it as a favorite of 2010 is yet to be seen. But for now I'm standing firmly behind these soulful funky dance numbers. Each song is anything but a song by the numbers format and that is a huge compliment in a musical landscape of one trick ponies. Hoping Mr. Green can score some sort of Grammy in February. Take this at face value and enjoy, sometimes, you've just got to do that.

16. Tame Impala-Innerspeaker

First Impressions: ...a mind blowing sixties fuzzed out guitar trio that sounds like what would've happened if Cream was fronted by John Lennon by a bunch of lads from Australia. This is for the neo-psychedila fan in all of us, but more impressive is the fact that these guys have a knack for hooks, grooves, whatever else you want to see a young band indulge in. Tame Impala-"Innerspeaker" Review (8-30-10)
Final Take: The lead off song "It Is Not Meant To Be" became a soundtrack as I strained my Achilles training for a marathon in August. It came on the IPOD as I felt the thing start to give. I will always find this the most ironic personal music moment of the year. I did finish a half-marathon in November, and I forgave Tame Impala. Actually, "Innerspeaker" grew on me even more after the incident. Probably because it's shocking how the terms debut album, psychedelic rock and killer hooks all fused together to make "Innerspeaker" a very worthy listen. If Tame Impala continues to grow and keep their music from being pretentious, like a lot of psychedelic rockers nowadays have a tendency to do, they are gonna be a fun band to watch grow.

15. LCD Soundsystem-This Is Happening

First Impressions: You can tell from the the cover that Murphy is going for a more mature pose this time around with a picture of him dressed in a suit, no more disco balls. So can we still have fun with his hyper-kinetic fusion of dance music if he's taking himself a little more serious? Absolutely....if Murphy is truthful in saying this this is LCD Soundsystem's last release, he went out just fine. LCD Soundsystem-"This Is Happening" Review (6-14-10)
Final Take: "This Is Happening" kind of slid just outside the radar all year long. I actually forgot about how this might be Murphy's last album with LCD Soundsystem until I read the review from back in May. I still like "Sound Of Silver" a bit better but when songs like "Dance Yrself Clean", "One Touch", "All I Want", and "Home" hit your eardrums, you can't help but be reminded that this is another album full of fantastic tracks. The slide guitar on "All I Want" is enough of a reason to keep revisiting it years to come. We'll see if this is the end of LCD's run, if it is, this really was a good finale.

14. The Gaslight Anthem-American Slang

First Impressions: It helps that they have an everyday feel with universal topics such as love lost, regrets, and your personal savior being the simple power of Rock 'n Roll. The good news is that fans of good American Traditional Rock and Heartland Rock music who've had to put up with mediocre offerings the past decade...have something bright and refreshing to indulge in. The Gaslight Anthem-"American Slang" Review (7-19-10)
Final Take: I really wanted to kind of put aside "American Slang", but it just oozes with so much American traditional rock that I found myself telling people to pick it up because it's unique to find anyone doing this brand of music nowadays and making it sound fresh. And the fact that lead singer Brian Fallon is just thirty and sounds like he's lived the life of a fifty five year old with his grizzled vocal approach is even more awe inspiring. Jersey has found their true, new torch bearers. It's now up to the rest of America to wake up and pay attention to them.

13. Gorillaz-Plastic Beach

First Impressions: ...I think "Plastic Beach", in a quick sum of words, is where "fun times were had", even on its lonely desolate, imaginary landscape. Albarn has turned his project into an event. It's a catalog of "melancholy" dance pop that is even more widely experimental than the Gorillaz past two efforts, but that experimental ism isn't traded in for accessibility, and that's what makes "Plastic Beach" a success. Gorillaz-"Plastic Beach" Review (3-22-10)
Final Take: I really enjoyed "Plastic Beach" when it debuted and still find it a fantastic journey through Albarn's imaginary world of desolation and litter. It may be a bit too long and the second half of songs are a bit weaker, but the whole thing is "littered" with some standout tracks: "Superfast Jellyfish", "Empire Ants", "Rhinestone Eyes", and "On Melancholy Hill" just to name a few. Production value is great and Albarn still has the right touch of bringing in the right guests for the correct songs. The material is not as disposable as the world portrayed in the songs. That's a good thing.

12. The Walkmen-Lisbon

First Impressions: The Walkmen continue a winning streak with a set of songs that are just as engaging as on "You and Me". What's great and a bit different about "Lisbon" is that musically it is reaching for new heights, a huge sound that isn't trying to encompass an arena or a stadium, but a sound that can be both big and intimate at the same time. The Walkmen-"Lisbon" Review (9-20-10)
Final Take: The best tracks on "Lisbon" are really sublime. The up tempo cuts have an open air street market feel to them, the slower cuts act as moonlit serenades. But they're all tied together with the album title "Lisbon" which was the city they visited to help inspire this album. The Walkmen haven't shaken up their formula traumatically and that is a good thing. "You & Me" may be a tick better, but not by much. I still enjoy the Walkmen, and "Lisbon" is another welcome addition to their catalog. "Victory" is really right beside them.

11. Morning Benders-Big Echo

First Impressions: It'll take a few listens, but songs begin to reveal themselves slowly over repeated listens. ...you'll have to dig deeper to keep these songs to a point where you've got them lodged in your cranium...and after several listens, that still hasn't happened yet for me. Maybe by December it'll be the album I'm raving about from the past year, for now, the lack of hooks is going to make it a tough sell. Morning Benders-"Big Echo" Review (5-17-10)
Final Take: Well, I'll sell it to you now. Somewhere along the line this summer, songs began to reveal themselves from "Big Echo". Whether it be working outside in the hazy sun ("Excuses"), relaxing reading a book ("Stitches" and "Sleepin' In") or randomly driving home from work with the windows rolled down ("All Day Daylight"), just about every song slowly showed off their bright melodies. What I never thought possible was how this would be such a nice soundtrack for summer, but that southern California, Beach Boys' inspired sound reveals itself to you with repeated listens. "Big Echo" will win you over....eventually, trust me.

10. The Black Keys-Brothers

First Impressions: The sound may seem a little more polished than before and you think that with a band like the Black Keys it may hurt some of their raw jagged blues sound. Instead it adds a little pepper to the jambalaya. And how about that new re founded sense of swagger?...may seem a bit too long, but that's really trivial when you have as much good material outpouring from your speakers. The Black Keys-"Brothers" Review (6-28-10)
Final Take: The thing that kept me going back and listening to "Brothers" was that new found sense of swagger. The Black Keys just seem a lot more focused and confident throughout the whole release. And it payed off as "Tighten Up" got them the most airplay yet. A handful of other songs are just as enjoyable ("Everlasting Light", Never Gonna Give You Up", "Sinister Kid", "Ten Cent Pistol") and catch your ears more as songs that you want to sing along to than some past material that you just wanted to get lost in. The real question is why were they opening for Kings Of Leon when they should be the ones headlining some smaller amphitheaters. Next release perhaps.

9. The Roots-How I Got Over

First Impressions: The one thing that draws me to the Roots after all these years is they've got a somber and organic approach to their music. If one thing strikes you it is the Roots vision of life in 2010: bleak, and full of a thousand disappointments. It's probably one of the more alluring albums I've heard this year...will draw you back for repeated listens. The Roots-"How I Got Over" Review (8-30-10)
Final Take: It is easy to take the Roots for granite now that they are the house band on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon". You can think their albums are just something to keep them busy on the side. Their latest "How I Got Over" is a very human and organic affair and the band hasn't suffered in their songwriting skills at all. Each song drips with doubt, pessimism, and how to deal with everyday life when you've got no hopes. It is a modern day "What's Going On?" from Marvin Gaye. I could see Gaye guest starring like John Legend, Dice Raw, Jim James or Joanna Newsom did to make these songs soar. 

8. Frightened Rabbit-Winter Of Mixed Drinks

First Impressions: ...has song climaxes that Chris Martin would sell his left kidney for. Some songs start simply and let the music and vocals overtake you in waves of good feelings...These guys are shooting for making a huge statement getting wrapped up in the swirling soundtrack they've whipped up and not getting wrapped up in themselves. It's an album with a healthy dose of optimistic anthems. Frightened Rabbit-"Winter Of Mixed Drinks" Review (4-19-10)
Final Take: Frightened Rabbit just recently signed to Atlantic Records which means they'll see a major label release next. Getting to know these guys a bit better this year, their previous material has a little more raw feel than "The Winter Of Mixed Drinks" which tends to have a more muddy mix. But I think that muddy mix works favorably with the songs here whether it's the lament of "The Wrestle", the beginning sound-scape of "Skip The Youth", the near perfect rushes of "Living In Colour" or "Nothing Like You" or the simply gorgeous "Swim Until You Can't See Land", "Winter Of Mixed Drinks" is simply a marvel. If you enjoy U2 or a host of other bands who graduated from the BIG anthem university, you have to check into these guys. Because they are about to get big soon. Gut feeling.

7. Vampire Weekend-Contra

First Impressions: They've fully realized their inner Graceland on their second release more than on their debut when they just merely teased with the idea and, for the most part, it works. It's a joy filled with oblique lyrics and a wonderful array of music. It's sunny disposition actually makes me like it more and daydream of that beach somewhere on the upper west side of Manhattan. Vampire Weekend-"Contra" Review (2-1-10)
Final Take: I'll hold "Contra" a little close to the heart since it was the first review on station to station. Talk about starting off the reviews with a really good album, "Contra" showed how Vampire Weekend and specifically lead singer Ezra Koenig refined their sound even more from their debut with a bunch of light hearted and smart afro-pop infused songs. Koenig just sounds so much like Paul Simon throughout the album (especially on "Diplomat's Son" and "White Sky") and the songs take on a really joyful feel to them. And now "Holiday" is getting play on commercials which means I'm sure the Vampire Weekend exposure will grow even more in coming years. I mean, they've already had a number one alum with "Contra". Where do they go next?

6. Deerhunter-Halcyon Digest

First Impressions: What's striking most is how the latest Deerhunter album is easy on the ears... Lyrically, Cox sounds like he's opening up more so you can view his soul. Musically, it's wide, varied, and never a one trick pony. Not only does "Halcyon Digest" sound good on first listen, it's a piece of work you want to keep going back to because there is so much to digest. Deerhunter-"Halcyon Digest" Review (10-6-10)
Final Take: I remember reading on a forum somewhere stating that the reason "Halcyon Digest" started with the off kilter, inaccesible "Earthquake" was to weed out anyone who didn't appreciate true "indie" rock. If that's what bandleader Bradford Cox and Deerhunter intended, fair play. Because once the third song "Revival" kicks in, the accessibility scale goes through the roof for the remaining nine songs and all the songs are really good to hear. Cox just seems to be growing more as a songwriter and each song has an irresistible tone to it. The addition of saxophone to "Fountain Stairs" and "Coronado", the harpsichord on "Helicopter" and the huge guitar sound of "Desire Lines" are just some of the musical tricks keeping things widely entertaining on "Halcyon Digest". The range it possesses is tremendous.

5. Arcade Fire-The Suburbs

First Impressions: "The Suburbs" is much more direct and tuneful than it's predecessor... Arcade Fire make it work perfectly with a songbook of tracks that are engaging and cerebral all at once. Arcade Fire have become one of the few consistently engaging acts from the past decade and they haven't failed fans or critics three albums in. Arcade Fire-"The Suburbs" Review (8-9-10)
Final Take: And I think "tuneful" is the keyword here. "The Suburbs" is bright and just bursting with ideas that can't be contained as seen with a longer running time of over an hour. Win Butler really has not only sustained his faithful fan base, he's attracting more with a more inviting musical approach than on their predecessor "Neon Bible". It's lyrical tales which feel apocalyptic add more drama into the affair and create a story book that has a lot of depth and a ton of character. It may seem cliche to throw this into the top five, but I can't help it. "The Suburbs" is a wonderful album from America's most winning band right now. Haters hate. Lovers love.

4. Local Natives-Gorilla Manor

First Impressions: It's biggest strength is it is so damn inviting. The guitar interludes weave in and out of wormholes of songs to perfection. The percussion is dead on to what the songs need...as far as debuts do go, you simply cannot go wrong with this one. The flow of the first five songs to start off "Gorilla Manor", are the strongest to start a set I've heard this year. Local Natives-"Gorilla Manor" Review (5-31-10)
Final Take: "Gorilla Manor" may not be in the number one spot, but it would be the first album I'd recommend to a casual listener and it is hands down my favorite debut album of the year. There is just way too much to like with each song and nowhere to throw any doubts that the Local Natives are a band that thrives on smart songwriting. Percussion is awesome, the guitars are thoughtful and never upend a song, and they have some great harmonies. Usually that is good enough to have a solid album. But when all twelve songs share the same qualities wholeheartedly, well, you have an album that is essential listening pleasure. Definitely looking forward to the future of this band.

3. The National-High Violet

First Impressions: ...delivers more of the somber, smart song craft that they've found a knack at harnessing and it's actually a few ticks better than "The Boxer". It's the music for the moment that is still hip for the indie crowd and accessible for the thirty and forty somethings that need a slice of somber, brooding pie to lay back and end their day with after they've tucked the kids to bed and tried to make sense of their checkbook. The National-"High Violet" Review (5-24-10)
Final Take: It was refreshing to see The National in concert in October, probably my favorite concert of the year, because beneath the somber undertones and lead singer Matt Berninger's deep voice, you would think they would be a band that takes themselves too seriously. It turns out they have a great sense of humor and musicianship. Songs on "High Violet" are some of the coolest, melancholy songs of the year. Plus Berninger showed a little more variation in his voice, they added some nice horns to give some songs a bit more depth, and the percussion practically drives each song to bed. The fantastic underbelly of music and some unpredictable, and at times uncomprehending, lyrics keep "High Violet" a top notch album for the year. And it seems more and more people are noticing. They are no longer "Anyone's Ghost".

2. Foals-Total Life Forever

First Impressions: ...an album full of songs that just wash you over with smart and rhythmic tunes, like a gentle tide. It's progressive, it's calculated, but never FEELS out of touch, bringing climaxes to songs that start slowly...that just feel perfect. Everything is so serene, it's tough to pick out a favorite, or for that matter, grasp on to a song that will pay further dividends. Foals-"Total Life Forever" Review (8-30-10)
Final Take: At the end of the day, looking for dividends doesn't matter when all the songs together on "Total Life Forever" simply win you over. Even if the songs are calculated they somehow manage to pull the trick of feeling inviting and warm. Whether it's the cool and collected jam that ends up infiltrating songs like "Blue Blood" and "Black Gold", or it's the ready for alternative chiming guitars and breathtaking stomps of songs like "Miami" and "This Orient", or one of the greatest climaxes of the year with the slow build of "Spanish Sahara", the trait all of the songs have is the same. Character. Add in lead singer Yannis Philippakis almost chant like vocals and you've got an all around winner. It's good to see there is still hope for guitar based bands out of England, I've been an all out sucker for them since I was young. Foals do the duty of keeping that fire burning on "Total Life Forever". 

1. Beach House-Teen Dream

First Impressions: ...is full of music for after midnight on the beach, with the waves crashing in and all you're doing is reflecting on the days failures and loves lost from your past with a cheap bottle of whiskey...Every song is wrapped in a blanket of ethereal beauty."Teen Dream" isn't here to overwhelm you with complex dynamics. I can't think of recommending an album this sublimely wonderful and pretty in a while...Beach House-"Teen Dream" Review (5-10-10)
Final Take: Ever have that album you'd like to tell the whole world about but would rather just keep it to yourself in fear that others may not hold it in the same regard even though you know they're wrong? "Teen Dream" fits that bill. Instead of casually growing, Beach House dramatically leaped forward with a devestatingly strong set of songs. Each one writhes with heartbreak, sadness and isolation...but the overall feel is more exhiliration than desperation. Victoria Legrand delivers some dazzling starlight crooners ("Zebra", "Better Times", "Lover Of Mine") while Alex Scally brings in some outstanding and unique guitar work ("Silver Soul", "Norway", "10 Mile Stereo"). Another thing that puts "Teen Dream" at the top is there is simply not a stinker on it. You absolutely have nowhere to turn to once you're locked in. It takes you, demands your attention, and then whisks you to some desolate and exciting landscape to "Take Care" of you. Instead of hiding behind a lot of reverb, these songs are straight up slow-dive classics. A moving piece of work that, after a very diverse year of music, reigns as my favorite album of 2010.

Source: http://www.jhostation.com/2010/12/top-20-albums-of-2010.html

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