2010 for music fans was a bit like 1931 for alcoholics.
Unlike 2009, original and inspiring music releases were few and far between. And I'm not one of those lame-os who bitch about how much music these days sucks, but this past year was definitely fickle. Still, there were some bright spots.
So aside from the "Purple EP" which was obviously brilliant (wink, wink), here's my top 10 of 2010.
(and the recipients of the first ever "Tom Petty Awards")
10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West
COME ON people! Open your EYES!!! You're telling me this album is perfect?!
I was a fan of Kanye's ever since I heard "Heart of the City" on Jay-Z's album. Like '97? I thought 'College Dropout' was very, very good and they kept getting better. But I can see through this guy's forced magnetism. It's gross to read all of these publications sucking up to a very average album from one of the greatest pop music minds of our generation.
This album has it's highlights. "Monster," "Power" and "Dark Fantasy" are all "Kanye-good" but as an ensemble, this album doesn't come close to "Graduation." If you want to give Kanye the career award already, at least recognize his best work. P.S. - Dude needs to stop singing.
9. Surfing the Void - Klaxons
Not as good as their debut but that's still pretty good. Looking forward to seeing them live.
8. Interpol - Interpol
Another case of a great artist releasing inferior work. This album really had its moments though. "Safe Without," "Memory Serves" and "Barricade" come to mind.
7. Cosmogramma - Flying Lotus
I cannot listen to this album while doing something else. You need to give it your full attention to really appreciate how well the most original sounds are blended together.
6. So Runs The World Away - Josh Ritter
5. Sea of Cowards - The Dead Weather
See #9.
4. Brothers - The Black Keys
Great jams. I really love it when you can hear the city in which they made the album IN the recording. These tunes bleed Muscle Shoals. Not a fan of the smug album art design though.
3. Gorilla Manor - Local Natives
This album definitely grew on me. It's so hard to stand out in this current Indie Rock wave of bands and after hearing a few songs, I knew it was good but went back iPod for Grizzly Bear. But then eventually, I bought Gorilla Manor and gave it a shot.
I've always believed that if you hear a song the first time and like it, you're going to end up REALLY liking it once your brain can expect certain frequencies. That breeds comfort and security. The Natives are like Grizzly Bear in the sense that they make you work to really appreciate their music. And I think that's a beautiful type of art. But aside from the surface observations (harmonies, interesting rhythms), they're not much like Grizzly Bear. And that's perfectly fine.
2. Plastic Beach - Gorillaz
Staying with the primate theme...probably the most anticipated album of '10 did not disappoint. Of course it wasn't another Demon Days but you can't blame 'em for that. Being completely fair, I must admit I am a huge Damon Albarn fan. I think he's one of the most brilliant minds the music world has ever seen and I'll probably name my first kid after him but its because THE DUDE JUST KEEPS GOING.
"Rhinestone Eyes," "Superfast Jellyfish" and "On Meloncholy Hill" shine here. But listen to the string intro to "White Flag." I mean, come on (Listen to his opera "Monkey: Journey to the West" if that impresses you.) And to think, an album as original and interesting as this might not even be the best Gorillaz album of 2010. The group plans to give away their next one on Christmas Day.
1. Teen Dream - Beach House
It's not a masterpiece because Victoria Legrand's vocals bleed beautifully through your stereo or because the emotion of the record is so easily accessible. It's not a masterpiece because the songs are perfectly crafted or the fact that each one is so rich in their simplicity yet also refuses to let you up for air.
It's a masterpiece because this perfect blend of joy, hope, despair, frustration and relief is both inspiring and accessible to nearly ever type of person. I played this for my mother, my 9-year-old nephew, my metal-head buddy, my hip-hop head friend and my bulldog and they were all able to either articulate what about the songs that really struck them or just easily say, "Yeah, that's cool."
If there was even an album you could truly immerse yourself in...this is it. I won't be far away from this record for a long time.
Also, for fun...
The Tom Petty Awards
Singles That Were Too Good For Their Own Album
"Misery" - Hands All Over - Maroon 5
Stop laughing...I love that song.
"Fuck You" - The Lady Killer - Cee-Lo Green
Yeah, it's overplayed and lost its allure but that shouldn't change the fact that all the sonics of this song (and not just the lyric) will force you to smile.
"Gran Turino" - The Pursuit - Jamie Cullum
Re-released, so kind of cheating here. Still a fantastic song from a fantastically talented (and underrated) artist.
"Elephant" - Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Epic and original song by a band who unfortunately embodies the opposite of the old adage; Sadly in this case, the product is definitely lesser than the sum of its parts.
Tags: A Year in Review, Animal Years, Beach House, Black Keys, Brothers, Cee-Lo Green, College Drop Out, Cosmogramma, Damon Albarn, Flying Lotus, Fuck You, Gorilla Manor, Gorillaz, Graduation, Grizzly Bear, Hands All Over, Interpol, Jay-Z, Josh Ritter, Kanye West, Klaxons, Local Natives, Maroon 5, Misery, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Plastic Beach, Sea of Cowards, So Runs Away The World, So Runs The World Away, Surfing The Void, Teen Dream, The Dead Weather, Top 10 Albums of 2010, Top 10 List, Victoria Legrand
