Do you remember “glo-fi”? The much maligned chillwave? Of course you do … for now. It’s interesting to note that after all of 2010′s trendy genre terms and hot-for-a-minute one-man bands, our Top 5 consists of a handful of sturdy veterans. The Top 10 expands to include a couple newcomers, newbies amid, again, three established crews. What does it mean? Well, the situation’s analogue to 2006 when a number of so-called “blog rock” bands like Tapes ‘N Tapes, Clap Your Hand Say Yeah, and Cold War Kids made immediate wav(v)es, but albums released by old standbys received the year-end kudos. This isn’t to say you should reject the new — there are plenty of debut albums in our Top 50 and plenty of worthwhile debuts that didn’t make it — but it does say something about the amount of music released and processed and then forgotten in any given year. (Trivia: Which band that debuted in ’06 made it into our Top 5?) A positive result of all the fractures, fissures, flashy genre names: The average listener is definitely hearing more music and becoming more adventurous than in, say, 2006. (Sorry Decemberists.) Which means bands that may have seemed too “weird” for a casual listener even a few years ago are popping up in unexpected places in 2010.
It’s unclear why — oil slicks, down economy, jeggings — but it’s also been a much darker year for music via bands like Crystal Castles, oOoOO, Balam Acab, Zola Jesus, White Ring, Salem, Frank (Just Frank), the sundry so-called “witch house” (and Wierd) crews. As a result, the following list features more than a couple folks who might be charged with having goth tendencies (or at least black nail polish and old Cure and/or Kate Bush shirts). To take this sense of adventure into another direction, our No. 1 is someone your father might even know about and our No. 5 is on a “major label.” Notions of what “indie rockers” listen to is shifting and expanding, a positive step toward escaping the pratfalls of across-the-board year-end list homogeneity.
One of the fun things about lists is discovery, so it doesn’t make sense giving away too much, but we will say that what follows is the result of four people saying yes and no and maybe, and that if you were to break out individual lists from it, they’d look very different. (That said, if you asked us to collaborate again, it would look very much the same.) It should be noted that the following doesn’t include any metal — a separate one-man list for the heavy stuff will show up in Haunting The Chapel later this month, so please don’t ask why we didn’t include Agalloch or Watain. Also, we disqualified EPs; those get their own special ranking below the main list.
Start digging, digesting, and disagreeing.
50 Emeralds – Does It Look Like I’m Here?
49 Small Black – New Chain
48 Sharon Van Etten – Epic
47 Baths – Cerulean
46 Frank (Just Frank) – The Brutal Wave
45 Perfume Genius – Learning
44 Field Music – Field Music (Measure)
43 Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty
42 Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement
41 Oneohtrix Point Never – Returnal
40 Glasser – Ring
39 Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner
38 Avey Tare – Down There
37 jj – jj nº3
36 the morning benders – Big Echo
35 Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky
34 Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
33 MGMT – Congratulations
32 Twin Shadow – Forget
31 Warpaint – The Fool
30 Das Racist – Shut Up, Dude
29 Matthew Dear – Black City
28 Delorean – Subiza
27 Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
26 Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
25 ceo – White Magic
24 Tamaryn – The Waves
23 SALEM – King Night
22 Marnie Stern – Marnie Stern
21 Liars – Sisterworld
20 Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
19 Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma
18 Abe Vigoda – Crush
17 Owen Pallett – Heartland
16 The National – High Violet
15 The-Dream – Love King
14 Yeasayer – Odd Blood
13 LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening
12 Crystal Castles – II
11 Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me
10 Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
09 Wild Nothing – Gemini
08 Antony & The Johnsons – Swanlights
07 Vampire Weekend – Contra
06 Sleigh Bells – Treats
05 Robyn – Body Talk
04 Sufjan Stevens – The Age Of Adz
03 Beach House – Teen Dream
02 Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
01 Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
//
Here’s that list in more copy/paste friendly format so you can post on your LiveJournal:
50 Emeralds – Does It Look Like I Am Here?
49 Small Black – New Chain
48 Sharon Van Etten – Epic
47 Baths – Cerulean
46 Frank (Just Frank) – The Brutal Wave
45 Perfume Genius – Learning
44 Field Music – Field Music (Measure)
43 Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
42 Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement
41 Oneohtrix Point Never – Returnal
40 Glasser – Ring
39 Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner
38 Avey Tare – Down There
37 jj – jj nº3
36 the morning benders – Big Echo
35 Swans – My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky
34 Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
33 MGMT – Congratulations
32 Twin Shadow – Forget
31 Warpaint – The Fool
30 Das Racist – Shut Up, Dude
29 Matthew Dear – Black City
28 Delorean – Subiza
27 Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
26 Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
25 ceo – White Magic
24 Tamaryn – The Waves
23 SALEM – King Night
22 Marnie Stern – Marnie Stern
21 Liars – Sisterworld
20 Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
19 Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma
18 Abe Vigoda – Crush
17 Owen Pallett – Heartland
16 The National – High Violet
15 The-Dream – Love King
14 Yeasayer – Odd Blood
13 LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening
12 Crystal Castles – II
11 Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me
10 Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
09 Wild Nothing – Gemini
08 Antony & The Johnsons – Swanlights
07 Vampire Weekend – Contra
06 Sleigh Bells – Treats
05 Robyn – Body Talk
04 Sufjan Stevens – The Age Of Adz
03 Beach House – Teen Dream
02 Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
01 Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
//
Coming up with the Stereogum list meant leaving out some personal favorites of our four staff members, so here are each of our HONORABLE MENTIONS:
SCOTT
01 S. Carey – All We Grow
02 Jaga Jazzist – One-Armed Bandit
03 Best Coast – Crazy For YouAMRIT
01 Pantha Du Prince – Black Noise
02 Earl Sweatshirt – EARL
3a PVT – Church With No Magic
3b Weekend – Sports
3c ARP – The Soft WaveBRANDON
01 Sun City Girls – Funeral Mariachi
02 Daniel Higgs – Say God
3a M.I.A. – /\/\/\Y/\
3b Blessure Grave – Judged By Twelve, Carried By Six
3c The Dead C – PatienceJESSICA
01 Scout Niblett – The Calcination Of Scout Niblett
02 Drake – Thank Me Later
03 Wolf Parade – Expo ’86
//
And as mentioned in the intro, we decided to do EPs as a separate list — because, really, as we started compiling our individual staff lists we released 2010 generated more amazing EPs than any year in our collective recent memory.
STEREOGUM’S TOP 15 EPS OF 2010
15 Blondes – Touched
14 Laurel Halo – King Felix
13 Kingdom – Mind Reader
12 Gatekeeper – Giza
11 Janka Nabay – Bubu King
10 Lemonade – Pure Moods
09 Tanlines – Settings
08 oOoOO – oOoOO
07 Sufjan Stevens – All Delighted People
06 Games – Everything Is Working
05 Balam Acab – See Birds
04 Girls – Broken Dreams Club
03 Twin Sister – Color Your Life
02 James Blake – CMYK
01 Zola Jesus – Stridulum
THE GUMMY AWARDS
Finally, remember the Gummy Awards? This would’ve been their fifth year, but we realized too late that the code to build it was swallowed when we moved to WordPress earlier this year. So this is a modified Gummys, because we still want to know what you think. Fill out these fields by Friday 12/17 at 6 PM EST and we’ll post the rankings soon after. We won’t use your e-mail address (no spam-o) to do anything other than pick one voter at random to receive a Wavves grinder (i.e., the perfect stocking stuffer).
No more submissions accepted at this time.
 |
 |
Good list but WHERE THE FUCK IS CARIBOU
I’m way psyched to see The-Dream at #15; glad Love King is getting the… um, love, that his first two classic albums deserved.
Only album that seems like a glaring omission is The Walkmen, can’t believe that it didn’t crack your top 50… were you guys not fans?
Ah, Love King… aka ALBUM OF THE YEAR
You clearly know whats up, hugo; thats what my Gummy vote said. Honestly i thought Kanye made the best album of the year, but i’m sure he’ll get waaay more first place votes, so i had to give mine to The-Dream, make sure he gets SOME love.
This SOOOOOOOOO should be on the list http://www.lowerfrequencies.com/2010/12/magic-man-monster/
Like everyone else, I disagree with this list and every other list that came before it. So, I made my own list of the best albums of 2010. I hope that we can all agree on this list, as I tried to please everyone.
50. I
49. N
48. S
47. E
46. R
45. T
44.
43. Y
42. O
41. U
40. R
39.
38. F
37. A
36. V
35. O
34. R
33. I
32. T
31. E
30.
29. F
28. I
27. F
26. T
25. Y
24.
23. A
22. L
21. B
20. U
19. M
18. S
17.
16. F
15. R
14. O
13. M
12.
11. T
10. H
09. I
08. S
07.
06. Y
05. E
04. A
03. R
02.
01. !
On a serious note, Stereogum did a great job considering all of the fantastic music that was released this year. It is hard to argue the merit of some albums over others when you take a step back and see how different many of the ones listed here actually are (basically comparing apples and…).
*The twenty-three albums that I found the most fascinating/fun in no order were: The ArchAndroid (Janelle Monae), Sisterworld (Liars), Plastic Beach (Gorillaz), Cosmogramma (Flying Lotus), Blackmagic (Jose James), I’m New Here (Gil Scott Heron), Wild Smile (Suckers), Crystal Castles (2010 (Crystal Castles)), The Suburbs (Arcade Fire), Swim (Caribou), WHB (We Have Band), Expo 86′ (Wolf Parade), Say It (Born Ruffians), This is Happening (LCD Soundsystem), Forgiveness Rock Record (Broken Social Scene), MAYA (M.I.A.), Maximum Balloon (Maximum Balloon), Down There (Avey Tare), Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (Big Boi), Halcyon Digest (Deerhunter), Congratulations (MGMT), Lucky Shiner (Gold Panda), High Violet (The National).
*Special Honors would go to Toro Y Moi’s Causers of This for arguably making the best CD to come out of South Carolina (where I am from) and being at the forefront of a “new” trend in independent music.
*Most overlooked piece of music in my opinion is Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums by Moonface which was in part due to its release at the very end of last year/very beginning of this year.
Moonface, total up vote for that. I’m hoping to see some more material from that outlet of Spencer’s this coming year.
Decent list, I love seeing the different opinions. Top 5 is VERY close to my own top 5 except I put Gorillaz on top, and ejected the massively overrated Kanye album.
I know its tacky throwing a “what about??”….but no Gorillaz at all??
Yeah, really odd seeing these ‘won’t be here in year’ bands hitting near the top while Gorillaz, the Walkmen, A.R.E. Weapons, and the Black Keys are excluded.
How is A.R.E. Weapons/TV Baby always so terribly overlooked? I don’t understand it. ‘Darker Blue’ by A.R.E. Weapons is better than at least the majority of that list.
No sense complaining I suppose. The Weapons are the perennial overlooked band. I encourage anyone reading this to check out A.R.E. Weapons ‘Darker Blue’. It’s their best album to date. (And check out their side project TV Baby and their 12″ with Alan Vega ‘See Tha Light’.)
I also highly recommend Sean Nicholas Savage’s ‘Spread Free Like a Butterfly’ from late 09 and ‘Mutual Feelings of Respect and Admiration’ released this past month. He’s from Montreal and he’s bound to be discussed for the year ends in the coming years. Brooklyn/Forkville just isn’t aware yet.
I’m sure this will keep me scratching my head throughout the similar listings of the season, but I don’t get the National record ranking so high, and the Walkmen’s Lisbon absent. I like the National, but they don’t hold a candle to the Walkmen.
And the Dirty Beaches True Blue 7″
I think Ariel Pink is my number 1.
Would have been one of the best end of year lists i’ve seen if not for the ‘plastic beach’ omission. disgraceful.
For all the disappointment about Titus Andronicus not placing higher, I can actually sort of understand it. They’re a hard band to get behind. They’re taking what would normally be short, shout-a-long punk anthems and stretching them out to absurd lengths. So excluding “Titus Andronicus,” which came off their last album no less, they’re not going to have big singles you can prop the album up on.
And the album itself is intentionally challening, and borderline antagonistic, towards listeners. The Monitor starts off with a reading of a Lincoln speech and ends on a 14-minute affirmation of self-loathing that changes styles on a whim. And then there’s the fact that it’s a concept album that doesn’t entirely commit to its own concept. So it can be seen as sloppy, self-indulgent, and reaching beyond its capability. Those are actually three things I admire about the album, but I can see how it would limit its marketability against most of the albums in the top 10. Those albums all are fairly concise in their ideas (if they’re even offering any), and maintain a fluidity in the pacing of the albums (and the songs themselves) so nothing is too drastically different from song to song.
I just didn’t like it as much as the first one.
I’m a little bummed that no one is talking about Hot Chip – one of my favs this year
I have opinions, this list is shit, my list is right!
Also where is (that band that didn’t make the list that i like)?
What about Jonsi, The Radio Dept.? Here’s my top 10 list;
http://theconquestofthepolyconsoler.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-biterken-muzik.html
I personally think this is a good list, especially after some of the o_O going through the Rolling Stone and Spin lists (you guys totally timed that on purpose didn’t you?). It’s nice to see some oOoOO and Tamaryn list-love, and while yes no one’s ever going to agree with someone else’s list 100% especially when it comes to placement and all that, it’s good to see Beach House in the Top 5 and not stuck out in the Top 20, because seriously.
That does suck about the Gummys though, maybe next year? I was looking forward to see how many others also thought Alex Scalley was the dreamiest (sorry).
No PVTs Church with no magic? Shame, definitely deserves to be there.
I’m disappointed that “Disconnect From Desire” by School of Seven Bells seems to be getting quite neglected. I got to see them play in September, not before Claudia Dehaza left the band, and I shared a few sentences with Ben Curtis after the show. It’s a great album, maybe a little less eclectic than Alpinisms, but they’re one of my favorite bands from the last few years, and I’d certainly rather see them in the top 50 than Kanye. . .
My two cents.
On the plus side, glad to see Glasser on the list, I just wish it was a bit higher. . . Probably my second favorite album of this year right after “Disconnect. . .”
To be fair, I haven’t heard most of the albums on this list, so I can’t really judge.
Mumford & Sons? The Walkmen? The Naked and Famous? I shouldn’t complain, a lot of my picks were represented, but those are three huge omissions in my book.
Seriously, did nobody else like “Dear God, I Hate Myself”? It may have been my favorite album of the year.
Good to see Janelle Monae ranked so high. Surprised that the new Preservation Hall Jazz Band album hasn’t gotten more love in the indie.sphere with all of the special guests and what not. Here’s a Top Albums list with an unpopular pick at #1.
http://digmusiccity.blogspot.com/2010/11/best-albums-of-2010-31-6.html
Okay, albums that should have been higher:
The morning benders
Titus Andronicus
The National
Big Boi
The Black Keys
Albums that were should have been included (I don’t even listen to most of these, but I recognize them as being quality):
Gorillaz
Walkmen
Broken Social Scene
Spoon
Broken Bells
Holy Fuck
No Age
Surfer Blood
Wavves
The Hold Steady
Two Door Cinema Club
Tokyo Police Club
Ra Ra Riot
I have a feeling that a majority of these stereogum readers are narcissists. These are just OPINIONS of the stereogum staff…
Having said that, WTF YU AIN’T GOT NO YEEZY NIGGA?!
Hey, Stereogum, check it out! I bought this analog synth, and I’m making TONS of glitchy, seemingly random, densely layered sounds with it! I over-dubbed like a MILLION tracks! Doesn’t it sound cool? Now, listen to this part: here comes the drum machine…and wait for it…some faye, monotone vocals that sound like a Joy Division b-side. Or better yet, no vocals. None at all. We do exclusively glo-pop instrumentals, bitches. No words can express the way I feel like these ambient swells and pulsing crystal sound effects do. All that’s left to do is name my band after a single noun, which we will write in all caps, obviously — maybe FOOTBALL or DRESSER or MOUTH — and I’m basically guaranteed a spot in the Top 50, right?
At some point, I imagine we’ll all have to start writing songs again. But don’t worry, that point is way, way in the future.
“Fortress” by Miniature Tigers was really good….I can’t be the only one who liked it.
I’m having Surfer Blood withdrawals because of this list, and Janelle Monae should be much higher than so, so many of those bands. Ugh.
I can’t believe Gaslight Anthem’s AMERICAN SLANG and Frightened Rabbit’s WINTER OF MIXED DRINKS aren’t showing up on ANY Best of the Year lists.
Strange how Stereogum named Kanye West numero ono even though in their own Premature Evaluation they called it “excessive” and “tries too hard”. Did they change their minds once PK4 gave it a 10/10?
The Premature Evaluation also said that it was “too good”, which i think says a whole lot (and is also true).
thanks for no Best Coast…also where is Wavves!?!?! King of the Beach was incredible…also Baths should be in top 15…and Kanye shouldnt be on the list at all
i cant believe KANYE beat Arcade fire when his album was just all right and not at all mentioned… i mean does he own this site?
Ur list blows! NO gorillaz either what gives?
This list is PERFECT!!
Twit: @StarMakerApp
It’s official, Stereogum hates Canada. No Caribou? No Broken Social Scene? No Holy Fuck? 50 albums, Stereogum. 50. No room for any of them? wow.
Blake Mills “Break Mirrors” was probably my favorite album this year. Not based on being groundbreaking or totally different but based on the amount of times I have listened to it. It is the only album that I know every single word to and yet it has not been reviewed by any of the major indie music sites. To me that is a good thing, so if you want a hidden gem download Blake Mills debut album from e music. Did I mention that he does alot of guitar work for Cass McCombs and was a member of Simon Dawes… enough said. BLAKE MILLS>>>BLAKE MILLS>>>BLAKE MILLS
Not sure why Candy Claws hasn’t gotten any burn? That record is incredible! Same with Mountain Man! I thought that Arcade Fire album was trash! Sleigh Bells too! BTW that Kanye album is pretty amazing. But my top two are Ariel Pink and Caribou. And then Alcest which I imagine will be on the Metal list. Then Kanye probably.
Also Julian Lynch???
Upvote this list for the Owen Pallett respect.
Downvote this list for the lack of The Walkmen.
I knows its been mentioned countless times above so apologies for the repetition, but i find it really hard to digest that Kanye’s record is the BEST record of the year. I’m not joining the I HATE KAYNE bandwagon by any means, but agreed the dude is a tool.
I actually like the record, there’s no denying the guy is a genius when it comes to producing – he will always be up there as one of the greats. Thing is, his lyrics and rapping do not match the production high standards. I fail to see how kanye has developed as a rapper since his first album (which i still think is excellent).
For pitchfork to give that album a 10.0 is laughable. To me, a 10/10 record should be complete and timeless. Will anyone be listening to MBDTF in 10 years? i think not. This is not a complete album – yes tracks like Power, Monster and Runaway are excellent tracks – but there’s definitely some fillers on there (not to mention a few mins of Chris Rock babbling on). And John Legend? REALLY?
On a lighter note, glad to see the Beach House record getting so much love. it really is one of the years best albums – stellar from start to finish.
JJ – No.3 though? That’s a shocker right there (and i loved no.2).
No Gorillaz? I thought that was obvious. That said, very pleased about Kanye’s position on the chart. Tyler, the Creator should definitely be there.
check out this countdown. i feel it’s better than strereogum’s. spaghetti blogonese is a good name for it too. bolognese is italian name for pasta sauce, usually minced beef, with tomatoes, basil, onions, garlic, oregano and such – but obviously the author’s put blogonese like a play on words. pretty absurd. anyway, here are her favourite albums down to 30 and the countdown continues!
http://spaghettiblogonese.blogspot.com/
My Top 5, because I want to feel involved….
5-Menomena:Mines
4-Arcade Fire:Suburbs
3-Tame Impala:Innerspeaker
2-Tallest Man on Earth:Wild Hunt
1-Gonjasufi:A Sufi and a Killer
Wait, there’s been nearly 300 comments? Fuck, now no one’s going to bother to validate/invalidate my choices!
Where’s M.I.A.’s “/\/\/\Y/\” It def deserves more than an honorable mention.
not drinking the kanye kool-aid yet. still angry about his lyrics to jesus walks
Remember, this list and all your preferences are completely subjective. Props to the Stereogum team for compiling a very thorough list. In my opinion, this was a pretty lame decade for new music.
decade=year.
I love when Stereogum posts a “Best of” list because I usually get about four or five more “best of” lists from the comments left by people who disagree with them.
I made a Spotify list of the Stereogum TOP 50 albums that are on Spotify. I think there’s about 90% of the Top 50. Check it out if you want. http://tinyurl.com/sg-top50-2010
I’m surprised nobody mentioned Rotary Downs. Probably my album of the year.
Can’t decide whether there were too many good albums this year or just a bunch of average ones.
These are your (Album) omissions:
Surfer Blood
Four Tet
Caribou
Bonobo
Beach Fossils
No Age
Fang Island
Nightlands
Jonsi
Miami Horror
Mountain Man
The Black Angels
El Guincho
Siskiyou
Blue Hawaii
Pantha Du Prince
You missed some EP’s too:
Monster Rally
Nite Jewel
There’s probably more, but this is all that springs to mind right now.
I would’ve liked to see the drums, the black keys, and band of horses make the list.
+surfer blood
oh, and the dead weather.
P.A.R.C.E, ese es el nuevo álbum de Juanes. Acá puedes escuchar las canciones en primicia antes que todo el mundo http://stats.instyledm.com/juanes/splashpage/index.html
I usually quite agree with Stereogum’s lists, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Of course not with all the placings, but that’s no wonder… I agree with a lot of the albums included at least. I disagree with the high placings of Vampire Weekend and Sleigh Bells, and I’m glad Owen Pallett is at least in the upper half (though he should obviously be in the top 5….. Not to mention his fantastic EP). I do miss Los Campesinos!, The Fall and Sun Araw though.
What I really miss is Tera Melos’ Patagonian Rats, which is imo the best math rock-album since Battles’ Mirrored, if not since Polvo’s Today’s Active Lifestyles (and my top 1 album-of-the-year). It’s fucking mindblowing, and probably quite innovative to math rock. More people should hear it!!
PS: Is this Kanye West-thing just a gigantic, organized prank? I guess I’ll have to hear it to find out.
I’m so sick of seeing Kanye’s ass being kissed everywhere I turn. Yeah, he’s great, but music blogs practically worship him. Then everybody turns around and wonders why he acts so cocky… hmmm…
Also, I’m stunned that these two albums were not mentioned:
-Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard
-Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
if nicki minaj was NOT on kanyes album…then yes it was album of the year… but shes on it, so the albums not perfect therefore should not be one.
Nicki’s verse in Monster is one of the best parts of the album.
good job guys – no tallest man on earth (even in the EPs list), titus andronicus is way too far behind, where the hell is no age, and even though frightened rabbit and the hold steady didn’t release their best, they’re still way better than a few of these entries
no seriously, good job
passive aggressive panda.
After reading most of the comments I’m pretty sure I’m the only one to enjoy The Radio Dept. here…oh,also the Villagers…So why?
Seriously no Plastic Beach ?? I expected Kanye West and Arcade Fire like every lists on other blogs. That being said, they are indeed great albums. But not include Gorillaz ! I’m disappointed.
How are The Drums not on the list at all? There must be a mistype
WHOA WHOA WHOA! barf is a great word, and still very relevant
I actually think it’s their best. Almost? Maybe? It’s better than Fiction for sure, and most of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.
That was supposed to be in reply to the guy hating Transference.
On another note, my heart was slightly warmed to see everyone concur on the Gorillaz thing. Now if we can all get behind Grinderman, my #2, we’ll be in buisness.
no hot chip? c’mon now !
EVERYBODY LOOK AT ME, I HAVE OPINIONS!
YOUR OPINIONS ARE WRONG!! (MINE ARE THE RIGHT ONES)
I LOVE Deerhunter. Absolutely love them. But Halcyon Digest just didn’t hit me the right way — too light, frictionless and hollow. Except for “He Would Have Laughed” (which is a crowning achievement for sure) and “Basement Scene”, it just doesn’t stick as much. I’m not down on them for abandoning a lot of the guitar squall and noise because of course they can make a good song without them…that being said, I think the noise gave their prettiness a really meaningful counterpoint and edge that’s not really compensated for on this album. Now it’s just prettiness that goes in one ear and out the other. Couldn’t get into the new No Age either even though I love Nouns. Disappointed a bit by Abe Vigoda’s newest but since Skeleton was so underrated, I’m glad their getting a little year-end love this time around. Still don’t like the second half of Odd Blood.
Also, I really couldn’t get into Morning Benders. So limp and forgettable. Like diet, California-based Grizzly Bear without anything that makes Grizzly Bear compelling.
best list yet
i’m only saying this because no one else has but…. harlem?
The lists are meant to be subjective. That said, I think I can make a pretty good top 10 list out of the albums missing from this list:
Broken Bells, Surfer Blood, Gorillaz, Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons, Los Compesinos!, Walkmen, Fol Chen, Best Coast, Spoon, Caribou, The Root, Broken Social Scene…
OK that was 13.
Kylesa – Spiral Shadow, Black Tusk – Taste The Sin, Torche – Songs For Singles, Dillinger Escape Plan – Option Paralysis……. Whats the point in having the Haunting The Chapel section if quality Metal albums are gonna be ignored. Also, Gorillaz, Gaslight Anthem and Manic Street Preachers were robbed.
Fuck yes on Kylesa. Seperate metal list or no, “Spiral Shadow” is a fine album and deserves recognition as such.
Lists are for the birds.
not enough Land of Talk on this list!!
Whoa, I thought everyone agreed that Arcade fire album was bloated and boring
yeah.. it took me a while to enjoy their album..
I’m not here to bitch, moan or complain, but you all should know you’ve forgotten Bad Books. That is all.
No Local Natives, Menomena, No Age or Surfer Blood?
the best blog (bands on street) on internet is one year old, hooray!!!
http://bandsonstreet.tumblr.com/#2195096298
I have a music website and here is my response to this thread- my review for ‘This is Happening’. A lot of people dont seem to get LCD or this album- and I dont know if this will help or anyone will agree, but I def. think this is one of the best albums of the year.
http://thedropp.com/eardropps/files/8d308cefd21cf5adaa17de6dee374d5a-21.html
NO WAY!
local natives´ gorilla manor didn’t even make it on the list????!!!
oh man, they missed so many great albums!
romance is boring, los campesinos!
gorilla manor, local natives
total life forever, foals
COME ON
and kanye west on the top spot. i don’t hate his music but i’m not very fond of it either. i liked his college dropout album better.
Man, no Black Keys, even on the runners-up?? What a snub.
Also, not to hate or anything, but can someone please explain to me why Delorean got so much crazy press from that album? I’ve sat down and listened to it a few times, and all I can say is that trying to focus on that album is like trying to pick up a huge bar of soap in the shower… the mind keeps slipping away. And when you do finally refocus, it sounds exactly the same as it did before, no matter whether five seconds or five minutes have passed. Can someone help me out here?
Ha! Perfect description of Delorean. Can’t understand why critics like them so much.
not really digging the lack of love for cloud nothings right now. turning on was hands down amazing: way better than, uhhh, jj…
oh yeah, the fact that “everything in between” isn’t on this list is a sham.
Deerhunter at number 10 is crazy. It deserves to be number 2, right between Kanye West and Beach House.
LCD and Tame Impala also deserve to be farther up the list…
Where is Caribou, Gonjasufi, Pantha du Prince, and Hot Chip?
In other news, Ariel Pink won best song of the year at Pitchfork. What are they smoking?
It’s NOT that good of an album, seriously. The production leans more towards mediocre than spectacular.
(Deerhunter’s album)
I was beginning to worry that Arcade Fire were no longer indie beloved. So happy to see them and Beach House up at the top.
B-R-O-K-E-N B-E-L-L-S !!!!!!
So apparently hip-hop isn’t a genre anymore? This list is horrible.
So no Swim, Caribou? best album of 2010? aaaaaand fuck Ariel Pink?
how the fuck is big boi at #43…
im sorry but i cant take this site seriously anymore after that…
it must take some real effort to find 42 albums from this year better than that one.
For any of you longing to listen to all this music, I’ve made a Spotify-playlist which contains almost all of the albums. http://open.spotify.com/user/blivox/playlist/4z9oQVWzKKmXOeyEePSPwE
No Surfer Blood
I like the inclusions, but the ranking is all wrong. There’s no way in the hell The Dream’s a;bum is better than Big Boi’s and Janelle Monae’s. Those 2 albums alone are the best made in the last 20 years, let alone just 2010. Avey tare’s album was a decent debut, but to say it ranks higher than the ArchAndroid isn’t only ludicrous but just insulting. Local Native’s released an album better than half the stuff on this list and it isn’t mentioned. Good effort though.
And THE ROOTS???? How can you forget THE ROOTS???! SMH.
Am I the only one who thought Portugal the Man’s American Ghetto was one of the year’s best albums? I’m not crazy about the rest of the band’s stuff, but I loved that cd and it seems it flew totally under the radar.
seriously stereogum
THE BOOKS – THE WAY OUT
cannot believe you left such innovation off this list..
you know… it amazing the contrast of emotive connectivitiy one feels when comparing The Books to Kanye..
i mean… Kanye.. yes talented hip hop producer.. but its really nothing knew.
The Books on the other hand. Detailed and skillful in all facets of composition.
cheers.
seriously stereogum
THE BOOKS – THE WAY OUT
cannot believe you left such innovation off this list..
you know… it amazing the contrast of emotive connectivity one feels when comparing The Books to Kanye..
i mean… Kanye.. yes talented hip hop producer.. but its really nothing knew.
The Books on the other hand. Detailed and skillful in all facets of composition.
cheers.
Albums
1. Gorilla Manor – Local Natives
2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West
3. The Suburbs – Arcade Fire
4. This is Happening- LCD Soundsystem
5. The Monitor – Titus Andronicus
6. Teen Dream – Beach House
7. Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty – Big Boi
8. High Violet – The National
9. The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe
10. White Magic – ceo
11. Odd Blood – Yeasayer
12. Contra – Vampire Weekend
13. Clinging to a Scheme – The Radio Dept.
14. Treats – Sleigh Bells
15. Maximum Balloon – Maximum Balloon
16. Astro Coast – Surfer Blood
17. Halcyon Digest – Deerhunter
18. The Wild Hunt – The Tallest Man on Earth
19. Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Songs
1. Runaway – Kanye West Ft. Pusha T
2. Home – LCD Soundsystem
3. Wide Eyes – Local Natives
4. Excuses- The Morning Benders
5. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) – Arcade Fire
6. Zebra – Beach House
7. Heaven’s on Fire – The Radio Dept.
8. O.N.E. – Yeasayer
9. Solitude is Bliss – Tame Impala
10. I Go Away – MNDR
11. Illuminata – ceo
12. Circling – Four Tet
13. A More Perfect Union – Titus Andronicus
14. Girls FM – Happy Birthday
15. Hahahaha JK – Das Racist
16. Down by the Water – The Decemberists
17. Free Energy – Free Energy
18. Stay Close – Delorean
19. Where I’m Going – Cut Copy
Videos
1. The Wilderness Downtown (We Used to Wait) – Arcade Fire
2. Runaway – Kanye West
3. Barbara Streisand – Duck Sauce
4. It’s Working – MGMT
5. This Too Shall Pass- OK Go
6. I Feel Better – Hot Chip
7. Bombay – El Guincho
8. Post Acid – Wavves
9. Giving Up the Gun – Vampire Weekend
10. Home – LCD Soundsystem (not official)
11. Fuck You – Cee-Lo Green
12. Floating Vibes – Surfer Blood
13. Shutterbug – Big Boi
14. Black Keys – Next Girl
15. Fire Escape – Fanfarlo
16. Best Coast – When I’m With You
17. Promises – The Morning Benders
18. Miracles – Insane Clown Posse
19. Oh Bo – Bo Burnham
This isn’t a complaint about this list, but rather a general question….did the Hidden Cameras not appear on anyone’s list because people thought the album wasn’t that good (I thought it was amazing – see Mild Mannered Army) or because no one was aware it was released?
No love for the Black Keys hey? Brothers was a sweet album.
better list than p4k.
tamaryn and lower dens are much underrated.
but where’s caribou? r u serious? should be in your top 5.
You guys got the groove and Wild Nothing in the top 9 too?! Dang you got groove juice rollin’!
I didn’t read through all the where is?! where is?! banter, so I apologize by perpetuating the debate BUT:
WHERE THE HELL IS TOKYO POLICE CLUB “CHAMP”? Come on now! Dislike every other album I listened to this year, Champ was that hidden gem that I could listen to in it’s entirety, over and over again. TPC made something amazing.
Consider that my asinine, poorly reasoned venom.
I’m a big Robyn fan but don’t think she deserves to be that high up. The album had some great songs but it also has some decidedly average songs as well. I know being creative and introducing new styles is good but she should sometimes stick to what she does best.
Hey Sterogum, I just wanted to let you know I’ve used your top to build a compilation of all the major music websites (according to me) with a super cool tagcloud of it. Check it out here : http://www.deadrooster.org/Top-Music-2010
Cheers.