Some notable releases of 2010

Being a new year (and a new blog),  it's about that time again for me to start making my "Best of" list.  Since in the past, I have always over-thought and stressed out about these lists, I will not be ranking the albums, but rather just make a list of great albums standing side-by-side.

So with no further ado, I give you the top (non-jamband) albums of 2010.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Before Today- This album is a great fusion of 70's and 80's pop.  Before Today bounces from psychedelic guitar riffs and jangly guitars to synth lines and downtempo electro.  A great example of the modern emergence of Psych-Pop talent.

Of Montreal: False Priest-  After releasing two masterpieces previously, False Priest a bit of a step down for the Athens, GA electro-glam outfit.  Despite lowering from their highwater mark, this album still has the danceable disco beats and provactive lyrics that Of Montreal fans have come to expect from an album.   Although not their best work, False Priest is hardly a let down.

Vampire Weekend: Contra- This afternoon, while compiling this list, I have seen the "Holiday" Honda commercial at least 30 times. I will now by Ford and avoid Vampire Weekend.

Deerhunter:  Halycon Digest- One of the best albums of 2010.  Headed by art-rock maven Bradford Cox, Deerhunter release an amazing array of songs that blend and defy genres.  Halycon Digest tactfully intertwines art rock, ambient folk, and atmospheric sounds to produce his best work to date.

LCD Soundsystem: This Is Happening- In his latest, and most ambitious, release to date, producer James Murphy flirts with aging and maturity, while keeping the party going all night.  This Is Happening seemlessly combines art-house with dance party beats and synth lines galore.  Murphy pushes the envelope closer to the edge than most any other producers, as  he tends to have a proclivity to anthemic pop.  This album sounds more like Bowie or Talking Heads than the typical electro sounds of the modern DJ.  With This is happening, LCD Soundsystem shows that he continues to be the leader of the electric pop movement.

The Roots: How I Got Over- The Philadelphia legends return to greatness with this classic hip-hop album.  This is the bands most cohesive effort to date, beginning with melncholy and ending with survival. The band's previous two efforts have had a darker feel to them, with slightly more aggressive beats backing them.  How I got Over return to optimistic, conscious tunes over jazz beats.  A great profession of resilience from hip-hops finest musicians and wordsmiths.

Minus the Bear:  OMNI- Seattle's Minus the Bear released an impressive album unapologetically themed around sex and chemicals.  This album has sultry, x-rated lyrics that match well with the post-punk synth based indie rock that is played underneath.  This album is one part organic and one part electro, both shoegaze and danceable.  From this album emerges Minus the Bear as a rock band able to incorporate blips and synths to achieve a unique sound.

Beach House: Teen Dream-  An amazing album from a relatively unnoticed band. Teen dream has a dreamy pop sound that is second to none.  A cerebral blend of elegiac vocals, droning keys, and guitars, Teen Dream kindles a warm feeling of nostalgia and melancholy.  This album is loaded with rich melodies and hazy ambience. A very well done album.

The Black Keys: Brothers-  With the release of Brothers, The Black Keys are coming into their own as a band.  The Ohio grown duo's latest effort featured a myriad of sounds, exhibiting their past and shows their intentions for the future.  Brothers has both the garage rock feel of their earlier work, as well as the more technically produced tracks like their previous effort (produced by Dangermouse).  The result is the classic Black Keys sound with new enhancements.  

Arcade Fire:  The Suburbs-  Having dealt with the issues of death and religion in their previous two efforts, Arcade Fire tackles the issues of getting old and having responsibilities.  Despite the potential boredom of subject matter, The Suburbs delivers in typical genius fashion for the Canadian maestros of indie rock.  Arcade Fire blends genres fluently (Vocalist and guitarist Win Butler described the album as a combination of Depeche Mode and Neil Young).  Throughout the album there is, indeed, a cohesive mix of 80s new wave and classic folk-rock.  With The Suburbs, Arcade Fire continue to push the envelope and set the bar high.  

Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma- For his latest effort, Flying Lotus creates a sonic masterpiece.  Cosmogramma blends urban jazz beats with a multitude of electronic sounds (often simultaneously) to make a hip-hop/electronic/downtempo masterpiece.  The mood of Cosmogramma changes often throughout the album, but always seems to hold the same theme.  The guest appearance by Thom Yorke (Radiohead) only solidifies its place as one of the finest albums of the year, and declares Flying Lotus as one of the world's premier producers.

 Gorillaz: Plastic Beach-  This album, as opposed to their previous two efforts, lacks the potential for a Top 40 single, and will probably take longer to grow on the listener.  What it lacks in accessibility, Plastic Beach makes up for in creativity and talent.  The Gorillaz have released an album truly different than its predecessors.  This concept album is an evolution of the sound of the previous releases.   Plastic Beach is a benchmark for collaborative efforts, as it features such diverse guests as Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, and Lou Reed.

Caribou-Swim:  A great electronic work.  Caribou (aka Dan Snaith) creates a unique sound by blending his soft vocals with dark quiet electro sounds.  The end result is Caribou's best effort to date.  Swim is darker and moodier than Caribou's other efforts, but this album is a definitive step up for the Canadian producer.  This album has the rare ability to simultaneously ignite thought and bob heads.

Broken Bells: Self Titled- Indie Rock extraordinaire James Mercer (The Shins) and production legend DJ Dangermouse (AKA Brian Burton, Gnarls Barkley) create a brilliant album that demonstrates both artists at their finest.  Broken Bells features poignant lyrics and haunting vocals paired with organic and original beats.  Both Mercer and Burton embrace each others respective talents and genres, making this album truly original (this album doesn't sound like The Shins or Dangermouse). A masterful collaboration and beautiful album. A true masterpiece.