The Best Albums of 2010, so far...

Music News Wed, 11 Aug 2010 Written by triplew
The Dead Weather - one of our favorite albums this year (to date)

So, after talking amongst the team, Rasha Omer, our resident expert in all things new and shiny, suggested we compile a list of the best albums of the year so far. A fair challenge. In this article, Rasha, Will Nixon, Mick D, The Squid and your trusty editor all put our spin on our top albums of the year so far. Rasha had double the amount the guys could think of, make of that what you may, males. So our favorite albums to date by consensus? The Dead Weather's Sea of Cowards, The National's High Violet and Yeasayer's Odd Blood. Remember, some of our team is based overseas so you might have to ask for some of these albums at Virgin on order, or get them through amazon.com - ed.

RASHA OMER'S TOP 10

The decision to compile this list of brilliant records now and not at the end of the year came up for many a reason - One: I have a bad memory and I was afraid I’d forget some of my favorites by December. Two: there are so many good records released already it seemed like a good idea to do this. Three: why the heck not? Now that my logical reasoning is behind us, I’d like to introduce to you my favorite ten records of 2010 which were released before the 1st of July…Rasha

The National

 

The National – High Violet

Evoking subtle moodiness and a whole lot of sentimentality, The National’s fifth offering sees the band hit its stride. It’s gorgeous, heavy and echoes with a special kind of enjoyable misery. In a way, this record accumulates all the good things we’ve seen from The National since their debut and adds a touch of timelessness to their sound.

The Roots

 

The Roots – How I Got Over

With help from guests belonging to every musical spectrum, The Roots launch their comeback record doing what they do best – thought provoking lyrical content over perfected beats of jazz-y tendencies. How I Got Over might seem overcrowded or overdone, but it isn’t – its rhymes and its soul never seem out of place.

Titus Andronicus

 

Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

An interesting mixture of indie rock and punk elements - tender aggression, hopeful youth and heartfelt honesty come together in this fantastic record, where songs tell the story - connected by old sound bytes - of these ambitious New Jersey rockers.

Sleigh Bells

 

Sleigh Bells – Treats

Loud, obnoxious and absolutely in your face – this is a sure way to make a memorable entrance. Subdued, sweet vocals backed up by vicious beats make the Sleigh Bells sound or effect. Nothing here is overanalyzed, just pure and direct fun.

Janelle Monae

 

Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid

An epic recording through the eyes of an obvious former drama geek. Janelle, in her snazzy sophisticate persona, manages to pull off this layered theatrical effort combining funk, R&B, soul and enough pop sensibilities to make it all tick. It’s both fun and creative.

The Black Keys

 

The Black Keys – Brothers

The third offering from the duo, is an exhilarating psychedelic, blues and rock ‘n roll mixture is intertwining within retro soul vocals to create an atmosphere like no other – probably creating their best album to date, along the weary long way.

Laura Marling

 

Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can

A perfect collection of sophisticated pop-folk singer/songwriter material delivered by the immensely talented 20 yr old, Marling- her voice is obviously the star of this show, but in a very balanced context of wisdom, heartache and the occasional banjo it all makes for a beautiful ride.

Local Natives

 

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

A near flawless introduction to an eclectic, yet refined sound – harmonies and pop hooks make the big chunk of these tracks, and an upbeat, somehow chaotic percussion work brings it all to a glorious finish. A very solid debut which signals an enormous potential to be had.

Avi Buffalo

 

Avi Buffalo – Avi Buffalo

Another debut to make the list, which makes for a refreshing take on music in 2010 – yes, you can hear many influences in this record, but it’s got youthful charm for days – earnest, naïve and imperfect but still creates something wonderful.

Yeasayer

Yeasayer – Odd Blood

The Brooklyn’s band sophomore effort sees the group branching out to a produce a bigger, slicker and more layered sound. This mindset is evident in the 80’s synth pop influence – but it still possesses the Yeasayer signature tribal/world music sound.

MICK D'S TOP 5

Our resident Dad-rocker takes us through what’s kept him entertained this year…which, as it turns out, is a mix of everyone else's with an added love of swearing.

Sufer Blood

 

Surfer Blood – Astrocoast

Who would have thought surf rock would ever be cool again.  A breath of fresh sea-breeze that reminds me of long sunny days down on the beach, especially when you get that water stuck in your ear that you can’t shake out.  When too much reverb isn’t nearly enough.

The Dead Weather

 

Dead Weather – Sea of Cowards

You gotta love the booze soaked, grimy, blues rock that is produced by Jack White’s other other band.  This album hits the bullseye painted by the first album, and although it was released before you could take another swing of something sweet, it feels like a more integrated, intense release this time around.

Yeasayer

 

Yeasayer – Odd Blood

The more things change, the more they stay the same right?  For some reason when I listen to this album I feel that I’m listening to music written 20 years into the future, but played by reformed members of Boy George and the Culture Club….maybe its just me?!? But I love it.

Gorillaz

 

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

Although a semi-fan of the previous Gorillaz releases, this album actually feels like it comes together as a complete work.  The instant 'likeability' of the Damon Albarn-driven sugary pop sits perfectly against the inputs of the guest star rappers.

Holy F***

 

Holy F*** – Latin

No nonsense booty shakin dance grooves using live instruments…plus who can resist telling everyone that one of your favourite albums of the year is by a band called Holy F***.  Favorite track is SHT MTN.  Love it. (ed. titles had to be censored, unfortunately for Mick)

THE SQUID'S TOP 5

Our Metal Man with the odd name errs on the side of heavy in his set. As usual, short, blunt and to the point. The Squid also decided to say what he thinks each sounds like...nothing like something different to mix up the list.

The Dillinger Escape Plan

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis

They've added another dimension and they're still furious and calculated to infinity. For the mathcorers.

Misery Index

 

Misery index - Heirs to Thievery

Brutal, thrashing, technical, groovy, with plenty of DEATH! Their best yet. I think it sounds like The Black Dahlia Murder/ Cephalic Carnage

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza

 

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza – Danza III: A Series of Unfortunate Events

A technical and insanely well written album with a sweet power groove from start to finish. Sounds like Meshuggah/Psyopus

Call To Arms

 

Called To Arms - Peril and the Patient

Plays like an obedient animal that would rip the head off a small child if you turned your head for a second.  Sounds like Norma Jean/Between the Buried and Me

Deftones

 

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

Strong release that fortifies their position at the top of a pile full of pretenders. Sounds like Deftones, because only Deftones sound like Deftones.

WILL NIXON'S TOP 5 + 3 (?)

Our very own London-based correspondent, who while sitting on the tough front-lines of attending gigs and concerts in Europe and beyond, has come up with his list for the year so far…plus three special mentions...

New Young Pony Club

 

New Young Pony Club - The Optimist

In The Optimist, the New Young Pony Club have blended a touch of post-punk with the happy-go-lucky bounce of their 2007 debut Fantastic Playroom. A highly-danceable collection from the latest big name in the new-new-wave scene - put it on next time you throw a party.

Dangermouse & Sparklehorse

 

Dangermouse, Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul

The list of contributing artists reads like a who's-who of the alternative music industry, and this is reflected in this album's quality and diversity. Check out the gritty track Angel's Harp, featuring Black Francis.

LCD Soundsystem

 

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

Forget the disappointing single Drunk Girls - the rest of the album sees James Murphy following the same simplicity-is-complexity formula that made Sound of Silver a success, but with a refreshing mellower tone. Lives up to the hype.

The Dead Weather

 

Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards

No disrespect to the Kills' Jamie Hince, but Alison Mosshart and Jack White are a match made in heaven. Sea of Cowards is dirty, raw blues-rock at its best.

Delorean

 

Delorean - Subiza

Subiza is the kind of dreamy, melodic electro-pop that sounds as good through headphones on a Mediterranean beach as it does in the club. Listen for the inevitable remixes hitting a dancefloor near you.

Wooden Shjips

 

Wooden Shjips - Vol. 2

Technically a compilation of recordings rather than an album per se, this is a brilliant collection of noise-rock from the old-school. (ed - yes, that's how the band spells their name)

Deer Hunter

 

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Judging from the addictive lo-fi indie-folk of Deerhunter's 2009 EP Rainwater Cassette Exchange, the highly anticipated upcoming LP could be one of 2010's albums of the year. Watch out for its September release on 4AD.

Beach House

 

Beach House - Teen Dream

An ambient collection of laid-back indie-folk from one of the most aptly-named groups in recent times. Great summer listening.

Editor's Picks

So, here we are, what's left for me to choose? How do I choose? I can't. So I took a look at the ipod and see what my most played are, and strangely, I agree with the team. Here are my 6 (there was a dead heat at 5):

OK Go

 

OK Go – Of The Blue Colour of the Sky

I listened to this the first time about 45-minutes before having to fire off an email to Dan Kanopka about the album. Amazing depth to both music and lyrics, this is OK Go at its most defined and comfortable, with a richness to this offering that doesn’t come around very often.


MGMT

 

MGMT – Congratulations

Unloved by many fans of Oracular Spectacular, understood by few others, this album has the hallmarks of a band understanding, in an almost profound way, the music they make. A concept album that is almost anti-music in celebration of music, it’s a deep layer of irony and some of the tunes on this album are brilliant. Love it. And, it's an album that only works on one listen, rather than a single-based collection. What a strange concept. iPod?


The Dead Weather

 

The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards

What can I say that Mick and Will haven't already said? Is it a boys album? No idea. But it's very, very good and the ultra-prolific Jack White continues to get deeper into the blues-rock-sludge genre, and it keeps getting better. Alison Mosshart adds something really unique to the mix and this will be an album that no doubt features highly in our end-of-year lists.

Broken Bells

 

Broken Bells - Broken Bells

What do you get when you put the most super-indie producer alive (Dangermouse - see Will's Top 5 for his other album this year) with an indie/folk hero (James Mercer from The Shins)? Broken Bells. Perfect in length in an often-overblown genre, the collaboration is a perfect soundtrack to an afternoon drive. Especially The Ghost Inside, what a tune!

The National

 

The National - High Violet

The National are a favorite amongst the team at triplew.me. From the sheer brilliance of Alligator and The Boxer, the band have delivered another standout album, with Matt Berninger's vocals remaining hauntingly familiar throughout the album. Bloodbuzz Ohio is the premier track, a tale so haunting that it's beauty lies in the subtlety of it's every move.

Mumford & Sons

 

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

Someone made folk cool again. Foot stompin' rhythms, sing-a-long choruses and perfect melodies. Throw in some amazing Fleet Foxes-esque harmonies and you have one of the most original, yet somehow familiar bands of 2010.