Albums of the year 2010
 

Yes we have another 4 weeks to go but the year is nearly over, so let's see those lists and a sentence or two on why you chose it.

In alphabetical order:

Anathema- We're Here Because We Are Here.
Once again another solid release from the band that are every bit as good as Porcupine Tree minus the technical interludes and with added emotion too.
Black Breath - Heavy Breathing
Best Metal crossover album made in years and a perfect antidote to average Nu Metal.
Clubroot - II:MMX
If you are going to rip off the ambiance of Burial you may as well do it with class.
Demdike Stare - Liberation Through Hearing
Probably the years best Electronic album. Moody, atmospheric yet obscure enough to run the gamut of electronic sub genres with aplomb.
Dessa - A Badly Broken Code
Full of brash confidence and a sweet melancholy centre, this is Hip hop with added colour.
Erland And The Carnival - S.T
What is Freak Folk you may ask. Here it is in one 50 minute bite that is both dutifully bound to Folk parameters whilst gleefully smashing them with a rubber hammer.
Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent
Stunning. Stunning. Stunning. Gives new meaning to industrial Post Punk.
These New Puritans - Hidden
Years ahead of it's time and one of the most original albums I have heard for a long time, even if it's a tad too obscure for it's own good at times.

Good idea, jackhammer!

1) These New Puritans - Hidden: Completely took me by surprise. It's the most original album I've heard this year.
2) Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz: Disregarding the 25 minute cluster**** at the end of this, which in future listens I will editorially omit, an insane album. The man has lost his mind.
3) Owen Pallett - Heartland: Beautiful album, engaging tale.
4) Beach House - Teen Dream: Went into this with very low expectations, because their self titled was so boring, but was absolutely surprised. Gorgeous.

VHS Head - Trademark Ribbons Of Gold
It's like frolicking through a field of spacetime knots, waiting to be sucked into the infinite singularity points and being drawn into the gravity disturbances caused by the nearby neutron stars, filled with pulsating lights and an infinite wall of danceable noise, all in synchronization. (almost like a physicist's Tron)

Extra Life - Made Flesh
You can feel the red, glaring, angry energy coming off of this album. Charlie Looker chants and shatters the guitar laden lattice of noise with interesting percussion and a spice of twinkling electronics.

Zs - New Slaves
Surfing through pulsating, vibrating waves of distortion and jumping on jittery percussion, you find yourself among saxophones, electronics, handclaps, and pure noisy power. You can feel the distorted guitars shimmer and glow with their brass saxophone counterparts in unison. In the title track, New Slaves, they demonstrate how powerful the effect is. you can feel everything igniting in a twenty minute explosion of pure energy, like when antimatter meets it's matter counter part and becomes annihilated immediately afterwards in a magnificent ballet of heated particles.

Inception (film score) - Hans Zimmer
It's like a desolate area you've never explored in the back of your mind, and it's strange, it scares you, but you take joy in the oddity. You know that you're not going to be there very long, and your brainwaves are stretching out like elastic strings that suddenly snap and they trigger a marvelous spark. At the same time, you feel a creeping feeling of existence. Should you be doing this? should you be here? no, but you're in the depths of you mind anyways, and nobody can do anything about it.

THATS ME TOP FOOUR FOLKS.

The Wild Hunt-The Tallest Man On Earth
No reason not to like it, it's an extremely strong set of songs and melodies.

High Violet-The National
Promise fuffilled, and then some.Feels like the culmination of everything their prior albums were hinting towards, with not a wasted second on it.

Becoming A Jackal-Villagers
Possibly the most promising debut of the year.

Plastic Beach-Gorillaz
Tackles a wide variety of styles, and manages to make them glue.No small feat considering how little there is uniting these tracks.

Yay, this thread!

1. Jaga Jazzist - One-Armed Bandit
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I'm not exactly an expert in instrumental albums, nu-jazz, post-rock, or whatever else you'd call this, but I know this is my favorite album of 2010. Most of the tracks are very captivating and easy to listen to, with lots of fun and interesting instrumentation. The experience definitely weakens towards the end of the album, but overall, a very solid outing by Jaga Jazzist.

2. Guster - Easy Wonderful
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I'm a Guster fanboy so I suppose this is expected, but I find this to be another solid release from my favorite alternative rockers. Not quite as good as Ganging or Lost and Gone, but still endlessly enjoyable and heartbreaking.

3. Beach House - Teen Dream
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I guess I'm a sucker for catchy, feel-good music, but Teen Dream was my go-to album when I just wanted to relax and space out in my own company. One of my first experiences with dream pop, and so far, the best experience.

Honorable Mentions
Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope To the Sky
Vampire Weekend - Contra (VW fan and proud)
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
Crippled Black Phoenix - I, Vigilante (great post rock)
These New Puritans - Hidden
Robert Plant - Band of Joy
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Jack Johnson - To The Sea

Yes! I love this, it's one of my favorites of the year as well.

I'll get around to posting my list eventually.

As for now, one of my favorites of the year was

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Smoke Song by Vibracathedral Orchestra.

Words don't really do this kind of music justice, though I'll try my best. It's freeform droning and folk colliding in a vacuum with dozens of instruments flying in and out of the soundscape as the songs progress. Very long, mind-melting compositions that are bound to make any drone-lovers go nuts.

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Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odnini

After seeing Enslaved pull off 4 out of the 9 tracks on this album live last night it really made me love the album even more. Brilliant production, song writing, and experimentation, I can honestly say I never would have expected to hear a David Gilmour-esque guitar solo in a black metal song but once again Enslaved have proven to me that they are so much more than normal black metal. Agalloch had a top contender though, but I still prefer Enslaved's contribution to 2010 as my top album of the year.



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Hypnos 69 - Legacy

One of the finest throwbacks to '70's progressive rock, in fact I was pretty convinced that there was some kind of error and this album was actually from the '70's. The band really manages to capture that sound and style perfectly yet still retaining their own artistic integrity. I sent this out to a couple of people but never heard back, in any case this was one album I was happy not to sleep on.



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Kno - Death Is Silent

2010 was kind of a disappointment for me hip hop wise, not a lot of releases from artists I like and not a lot of strong releases from artists I like. One day I was just browsing RYM and I see that Kno (from CunninLynguists) is holding the number one spot for the year. If anyone is not familiar with this fact, I am a HUGE CunninLynguists fan and always enjoyed Kno's contributions on the first two albums. I was a little sad that he took a background route with the production of the next few albums, but still his production is always top notch, but hearing him behind the mic is always appreciative. The album definitely follows some familiar patterns and has some familiar guest spots, but it's definitely Kno's. Some incredibly dark, yet hauntingly beautiful lyrics and beats on this album that definitely made hip hop 2010 enduring for me.


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Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent

As Lee has already pointed out, some incredible industrial post-punk, but what's even more incredible is all these guys are in their '50's by now and they still rock harder than everyone they've ever inspired. Not only that they really showed some variety with their electro dance number "European Super State" but still gave enough for us headbangers to headbang to. The production was a nice step from their last album which was a little murky at times, and the band really prove themselves as songwriters with some incredibly intelligent lyrics regarding the current state of affairs in the world. This was an album I was looking forward to last year and I was happy to hear that my anticipation wasn't spoiled.


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Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

My first introduction to the name who gets name dropped by nearly every hip hop artist I like, and I can see why. A mixture of spoken word, world, and electronic must really showcase the man's talent and adaptability. But where his talent lies is in his writing, which on this album discusses the pros and cons of growing up without a strong male influence in his life. Some really moving stuff that I wish I grabbed back in February when I first spied it. I only wish it was slightly longer, but it still does it's job and has inspired me to look into the rest of his discography.


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In Vain - Mantra

I called them "the Opeth of this decade" and I am going to stand by that statement, unless of course their next album sucks, which I find highly unlikely. Some incredibly varied progressive death metal that can be pounding on my ass with a meat tenderizer one moment and then soothing it with a stringed quartet melody the next. With three vocalists playing different roles there is enough variety in vocal style to give a little something for everyone as well as some well crafted melodic pieces. Give them two more albums as good as Mantra and I won't be the only one calling them "the Opeth of this decade".


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Munly & the Lupercalians - Petr & the Wulf

First Munly album since 2004's Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlotts and I am not the only one happy to see this poor bastard come out of his shell. With a new backing band and what he says is the first of a three part trilogy he shows everyone that he still knows how to write music that is really in a league of his own. Petr & the Wulf is his take on Sergei Prokofiev's story with each song using unique instruments just as in Prokofiev's orchestration. The fact that it's the first of three gives me hope that part two may come out within the next year or two, which is always a bonus when a band can have consecutive releases.


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The Sadies - Darker Circles

Let it be said that no band is beyond redemption, my first experience with Canadian alt. country/ rock band The Sadies was not a pleasant one. Last.fm kept on recommending me them because of my love for Elliott BROOD, another Canadian country band, but when I first heard Favourite Colours (2004) last year I was pretty disappointed. That said when I saw that they had a release this year I decided to give it a try, I mean it couldn't disappoint me more than the new Deertick did, and it didn't, in fact Darker Circles gave me a whole new appreciation for the band. It is an incredibly blend of straight forward rock riffs with hints of steel guitar and twang of their country influences with some really personal and well written lyrics. An album I have praised a lot over the year.


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Massive Attack - Heligoland

Not within spunking distance of their best work, but after 7 long years of silence it is nice to see that the band knows how to make some decent chillout music and keep to their roots. I was debating whether to give this spot to Morcheeba for their album Blood Like Lemonade but that album started off strong, but didn't have enough interesting moments to really make an impact, and while Heligoland wasn't mind blowing, it was still enough to stand up on it's own. Great for writing a paper to, and that can go a long way when it comes this time of year.


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Solefald - Norrøn Livskunst

One of my favorite avant-garde metal bands had a silent drop this year that's received nearly unanimous praise from critics and fans alike, but not enough attention from other media outlets. Keeping with tradition, Solefald have mixed things up yet again to avoid being type cast into a single genre. On Norrøn Livskunst you'll find elements of progressive metal, black metal, rockabilly, jazz, and even scat. Vocalist Lazare continues to master his craft, utilizing different vocal styles and really making them his own. Definitely not an album for everyone, but if you're into odd music then it's definitely an album I would recommend.

:rofl:

Liked the picks, though. I still have to hear a few of those actually, and the ones I did hear I did enjoy.

I think I'm going to check out most of those you mentioned, Pete; you usually have very good tastes and I don't think these will be an exception.

I appreciate the compliment, that was just a miscellaneous mix of genres, I could do up a list of my favorite metal albums of the year if you're interested. Also just out of curiosity, were you at the Enslaved/ Dimmu Borgir show last night at the Knitting Factory?

Same, all of those sound like that would fit me well (well, the ones I haven't heard.) and I know from reading other posts made by Pete he has some jam up taste.

Yeah, I'm thinking about this. I don't usually check out brand new albums from other genres, for some reason. I always check out metal albums rather quickly though. I think its because I keep on top of all the metal releases due to posting on a metal forum regularly and because it tends to be my favorite genre. I'll work on my favorite metal albums and get back to this thread soon.

That was last night?! **** **** ****ty ****ty ****! I feel like a ****ing idiot now, I've wanting to see Dimmu live for so long! I'm very disappointed in my self; I'd be smacking my head against the wall and crying right now if it wouldn't warrant weird looks and calls to the mental institution from everyone in the room I'm in.
Do you live in Reno, Pete? I know I've asked you that before, but I forgot what you said.

These are just a few of many albums that have left a strong impression on me this year, but I think they deserve a mention anyway-

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Seventh Wonder - The Great Escape

This year's strongest melodic metal album by a short nose, and that's saying a lot when you've got Vanden Plas, Kamelot AND Anathema on the queue for a very strong year in the world of metal. But lets face it, when it comes to vocals and composition set against a killer instrumental backdrop, this is material that won't be bested too easily, especially by the time you get to the 30-minute title cut. Fucking. Genius.




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Black Lung - The Soul Consumer

I've been thoroughly impressed by quite a bunch of 2010's various electronic-related offerings, but honestly, how can anybody beat a project like Black Lung, who designed this throbbing heartbeat of a record which sounds like the personal soundtrack to a serial killer in some smoked-out metropolis who eats his victims? Very nostalgic of certain dying industrial breeds while taking care to appeal to the IDM fiends, this is fucking classy **** and easily AOTY material for me.




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Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid

This album was certainly a shock to the system when it hit shelves earlier this year -- it's gorgeously ambitious and conceptual from its most upbeat and commercially aspiring to those songs that delve into psychedeliciously experimental territory. Janelle is also one hell of a capable vocalist from swoon to scream to slur, and the songs benefit that much from her talents as they do from the production. R&B/Soul AOTY? You bet your ass.




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Big Big Train - Far Skies Deep Time [EP]

Along with Moon Safari, Big Big Train have produced this year's top proggy effort in my eyes..and with an EP at that. Featuring a mix of extra material from last year's unsung masterpiece The Underfall Yard sessions and some new stuff such as the 18-minute Jaques Brell ode 'The Wide Open Sea', I couldn't be happier with this quiessential English bunch. They take what Genesis started in the 70's and hoist it to glorious new heights while still having a few interesting things to say for themselves.

I was having a hard time picking my top albums of 2010, but this one is most definitely where it's at. Love the music videos too. And I heard she's awesome live, but I missed the chance to see her. :(

Thirded, it's also on my list. My favorite of the 3 Jaga Jazzist albums I've heard.

Right now I have 35 albums on my list of contenders for a top 10, let's say. Many will require more listening to find their place. I always have a hard time with these lists for that reason - I always listen to so much stuff every year, that year's end is often not enough time to fully absorb everything.

Hour of 13 - The Ritualist

Hour of 13's second release is one of my favorites of the year. This traditional doom metal band has made yet another album that's going to go down as a classic. It differs a bit from the earlier self titled album by the band, because the lessened the NWOBHM influence, but that doesn't take away from the album at all in my opinion, still one of the top releases of the year for me.

Howl - Full of Hell

I don't know where to start with Howl's debut album. This is some of the most 'brutal' sludge I've heard in a very long time, and maybe ever. By brutal I mean it just beats you up. The music isn't always slow, and gets pretty quick at times but the overall heaviness of the album is just overwhelming. The stoner vibe this music has going really helps too. This album beats you up, but at the end you're left wanting more.

Winterfylleth - The Merican Sphere

Winterfylleth is easily one of my favorite black metal acts out there right now. Two releases and two great efforts in my opinion. This album features some clean vocals which surprisingly work pretty well, along with some acoustic ambiance, yet the album maintains that rough and raw harsh black metal the fans love so much.

Negură Bunget - Vîrstele Pămîntului

This release by the Romanian black metal monster, Negură Bunget isn't quite as good as the older releases, but this is almost a completely since the 2006 release by the band. However, it still comes out quite good. I mean I couldn't possibly compare this one to the 06 release by the band, but yeah. Anyway, this album has that variety of folk instruments that I've grown so close to in my black metal. Also the new release has much better production in my opinion than the older releases by this band. I've heard these dudes compared to Drudkh and Agalloch and those two certainly aren't bad bands to be compared to. If you're a fan of black metal with some folk influence mixed in, this is a must check out album/band.

Wooden Stake - Vampire Plague Exorcism

Wooden Stakes first release is this EP. However, this sounds like something pulled right out of the 80s underground occult doom scene. Its just pure heavy occult doom metal. Its a two person band, from the United States..Oh yeah..the vocalist is a woman who does a pretty darn good job with the vocals. I suggest this heavy hitting album to anyone into heavy doom metal with a side of evil!

Sorry for the poor writing, but I'm not a very good writer, haha.

Me thinks you have good tastes, as well. The only one of these I've heard is Full Of Hell, but that's a very good one. Also, you're a doom metal and black metal fan, that's a Godzilla-sized plus in my book. Have you heard The Northern Ontario Black Metal Preservation Society? If not, check them out here, second post on the page.

^Thanks for the nice words man. Always good to see a fellow doom and black metal fan. I had never heard of TNOBMPS before but I checked them out just now. Sounds pretty good.

Doom and black metal are certainly two of my favorite genres of music though. I wasn't into black metal so much until recently, but I've become addicted to it recently. Anyway, thanks again for the band and the nice words and like I said nice to see there is someone else here with a taste for some doom and black metal.

Yeah, for sure.:yeah: You may also wanna check out Triptykon if you haven't already. I posted a link to thier album, Eparistera Daimones, on the first page of this thread. Anyway, Triptykon is Tom Gabriel Warrior's (formally of Celtic Frost and Hellhammer) new band, and they play some very good-sounding, doomy black metal.

I need to listen to the Triptykon release again. I know it would certainly be within my top 10-15 metal releases. Very good.

Johnny Cash ~ American VI: Ain't No Grave
Probably only for die-hard Cash fans, this album is pure emotion.

John Hiatt ~ The Open Road
This album should be the soundtrack to your next road-trip.

Graham Parker ~ Imaginary Television
An interesting concept album. The theme songs for T.V. shows that don't exist.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings ~ I Learned The Hard Way
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings make the best Soul music since the 1970s.

Carrie Rodriguez ~ Love & Circumstance
An album of covers that doesn't sound like an album of covers, all the tunes sound fresh.

Band Of Horses ~ Infinite Arms
"Laredo" may be one of the best songs of the year.

Bettye LaVette ~ Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
Her version of “Love Reign O’Er Me” from the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony sparked the idea for this album. the highlight for me is "Wish You Were Here", she now owns this song.

Paul Weller ~ Wake Up The Nation
Alejandro Escovedo ~ Street Songs Of Love
Rock & Roll is alive and well on these two discs, turn it up!

Ryan Bingham - Junky Star
The best country music around today.

Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone
The combination of Gospel, R&B and Jeff Tweedy...say what...it equals awesome.

Robert Plant - Band Of Joy
Elvis Costello - National Ransom
The best Americana records this year came from a couple of Brits...go figure.


Re-issues and Archival

Elvis Costello ~ Live At Hollywood High
Originally a three song EP that came with Armed Forces (I still have mine) it's great to hear the whole concert.

Otis Redding ~ Live On Sunset Strip
Parts of this have come out on other records but this is all of the recordings made live at The Whisky-A-Go-Go...60s Soul perfection.

^Yeah, I thought the Johnny Cash album might be for die-hard fans only, too. Very good though. Nice to see another Ryan Bingham fan here, I thought his other two releases were really good. I've gotten the new one but yet to really listen to it, so once I check it out it will likely make my list.

A few other top picks of 2010:
Emeralds - Does It Look Like I'm Here?
Baths - Cerulean
These New Puritans - Hidden
Kayo Dot - Stained Glass EP
Kayo Dot - Coyote
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
Little Women - Throat

My ears are still shivering from that little women album. Noise Jazz FTW.

Sleepy Sun - Fever
A brilliant psychedelic stoner rock experience.
Their performance was magic and so are their albums.
Probably the best album of this year
Favourite song:


Wolf People - Tidings
Wolf People released two albums this year. How do they do it.
I prefer this one to their second one, because of it's beautiful atmosphere.
It's really an experience, more than an actual album.
Favourite song... Tough choice...


Wolf People - Steeple
This is more an actual album than their first.
It's a little louder, less refined, but still contains some incredibly beautiful songs
Favourite song: Not sure yet, only played the album two times so far.
This is a nice one, at least:


The Bees - Every Step's a Yes
The best thing they did since "Sunshine hit me".
Beautiful dreamy music with influences of folk, reggae, psychedelica.
It's a very nice trip. First track is the single which isn't all that brilliant, but it's the first track so you just sit trough that. After that, close your eyes and this album will carry you away.
Favourite Song:
Isn't on youtube, but this one is nice:


Balthazar - Applause
I was surprised about how much I loved this one. I'm not at all intro samples and electronic music. Balthazar is nothing but samples. But the melodies are so beautiful and the strange way they sing together. Shivers down my spine.
Favourite song:
Lots, but this one got me into it:


Tame Impala - Innerspeaker
I'm usually not into this sort of music, but Tame Impala somehow works for me.
I can't really tell you why. I just like the entire sound of the band. There's not one specific thing I can point out that makes this band special for me.
Favourite Song:
Couple of them, can't pick just one, so here's, at random, a good song:


And So I watch You From Afar - ASIWYFA
I must admit, I still haven't got the album. It's still waiting for me at my music store. There's always a pile of records behind the counter. But when I get there, they always give me some new stuff to listen to, so the pile only gets bigger everytime I get there. I can't buy it all in one go, too expensive.
I heard them at the Lowlands festival. I haven't even seen them. It was the first band that day and we were sitting on the grass, enjoying our beer. And one of a sudden I realized I was listening to something entirely different than I am used to, but brilliant neverthelss. I love their freaky rythms. They manage to make something completely new, without making it unlistenable. Great!
Favourite Song:
I only have the album as an mp3 download so I can't really tell you yet 'cause I don't listen to it much.
I just picked one for you to give you an impression:


The Upsessions - Beat you Reggae
Dutch Reggae! You don't run into a good Dutch band very often. These guys know what reggae is all about and their live performances are musically brilliant and funny as hell. Had a great time listening to them and bought their album rightaway.
Pure and simple homegrown reggae ;)
Favourite Song:

Love the vocals :)

Chatham County Line - Wild Wood
I really have this thing for CCL. Wild Wood is a bit soft and not as pure as their first albums. But I repeated it like three times when I got the album. It's easy listening in optima forma. It doesn't get boring, it doesn't intrude and still it's not one of those albums you play without actually listening to them. It's nice, it's sweet.

Favourite song: It all sounds rather nice, so here's just one song of the album.
If you like this, you'll probably like the album :)


Soundcarriers - Celeste
God I hate this album as much as I love it.
The music is... Brilliant, incredibly brilliant. So dreamy yet so intense.
I already knew "Harmonium", but this is so much more interesting.
The reason I hate it... What the **** were they thinking when they were recording it. It sounds absolutely rubbish. The only thing I can hear is limiters slamming all the time.
Hate it. Hope the vinyl release is a bit better. It's behind the counter with And So I Watch you From afar and some Psychedelica compilations. I'll get that sometime soon :)
Favourite Song:
This is really an album you should listen to in one piece, not easy to get the impression by listening to just one song.
There's only one song of this album on youtube:


I suggest you have a look on their myspace and listen to some of the tracks there.
I like Morning Haze. But then, I like the entire album :)

Seconded, along with Agalloch's latest :thumb:-

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Really good year... here's a few of my top picks

Fang Island "Fang Island"
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This album was probably the biggest, most pleasant surprise of the year for me. I was expecting fairly standard indie rock, but instead was treated to something much more delightful, fun, and adventurous. This album combines not only standard indie rock, but also elements of progressive rock, math rock, pop punk, and heavy metal. It's technical, catchy rock and roll joy. The sound of everyone high-fiving everyone.


The Dillinger Escape Plan "Option Paralysis"
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I had high expectations for this album and was not dissapointed. The Dillinger Escape Plan have released yet another mathcore masterpiece. This album could be described as a refinement of everything they've done over the years. The mathcore is as heavy and technical as ever, the catchy moments are more plentiful, Greg's voice has been pushed even farther, and the whole package is filler-free. This isn't their best album (I prefer the more experimental, electronic-influenced Ire Works) but it comes damn close. Excellent.


Kanye West "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"
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What can be said about this album that hasn't been said already? Believe the hype, this album rules.


Envy "Recitation"
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This album is easily Envy's finest work. It's atmospheric, emotional, and breathtaking. It's large in scope and masterfully executed, and displays Envy at the top of their game. Their screamo and post-rock blend has reached perfection.

Damn! I forgot about Envy. It's hard to make a list with all these great albums

The year's not over yet but here's my albums of the year (so far)

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1. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Lol predictable wasn't it? Well to be honest this was the album that defined 2010 for me, i'll have plenty of great memories attached to it. It's just a fantastic album from them, very much on par with Funeral. There's plenty of different styles and moods to be found on this album and it doesn't seem to drag despite it's long running time. Just an epic album.

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2. Beach House - Teen Dream
It took me a while to grow to love this album but it's a truly amazing listening experience. I just love immersing in those beautiful, dreamy soundscapes, a really great album to lose yourself in. I'm very interested to hear what they do next.

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3. Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms
By far their most accomplished and realised album to date. Songs like 'Laredo' and 'Dilly' show that this band has evolved while still staying true to their original sound. The band certainly sound like they're on the top of their game.

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4. School Of Seven Bells - Disconnect From Desire
I was confident that this album would be far better than it's patchy predecessor Alpinisms, and i was certainly far from disappointed. The band have really found their sound here on this album. The combination of electronics and guitars has never sounded better, and the vocals sound really amazing. A very addictive and memorable album.

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5. Alcest - Écailles de Lune
A seriously epic album. It's not quite as good as 2007's incredible Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde but it is truly an amazing album. What i really love about this album is the atmosphere, the music certainly lives up to it's awesome album cover. The combination of quiet instrumental passages, heavy guitars, hushed vocals, and haunting black metal screams make this album and amzing listening experience.

http://www.punkrockistnichttot.com/w...ost-trails.jpg

6. Butterfly Explosion - Lost Trails
My Irish album of the year. This album really hits the spot for me, it has no shortage of memorable songs and it's beautiful dream-pop/shoegaze-influenced soundscapes sound truly amazing. The guitars just sound really amazing.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EZgBPyTHts...LBUM-COVER.jpg

7. Autolux - Transit Transit
Was this album worth the wait? Hmm maybe. Is it better than Future Perfect? Probably not, but it's still one of the best albums released this year. This album sounds a bit darker and heavier at times and there's some really great experimentation going on. This album is certainly a welcome release and hopefully we wont have to wait as long for the follow-up.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S2NUgdzzAT...yon+digest.jpg

8. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Probably the most surprising album of the year for me. Having never really grown to understand the appeal of Microcastle this album has certainly changed my perspective on the band. The songwriting and musicianship here is really amazing and the songs have enough variety to keep you hooked from start to finish. Great stuff.

http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imag...HighViolet.jpg

9. The National - High Violet
I do admit that i'm a bit of a latecomer to The National, but when this album finally clicked inside my head i went and got the rest of their discography. A really passionate and emotional album with memorable, well-written songs.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_S2NUgdzzAT...irit+youth.jpg

10. The Depreciation Guild - Spirit Youth
Ok i only got this album like a week ago but **** it, i've been playing it pretty much non-stop. Certainly one of the most addictive albums i've heard this year and is jammed-packed with amazing songs. It's not as experimental as their debut but the songs sound all the better. Great stuff.


Might as well mention a few more:

11. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
12. Blood Red Shoes - Fire Like This
13. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
14. Villagers - Becoming A Jackel
15. Broken Bells - Broken Bells
16. Les Discrets - Septembre Et Ses Dernieres Pensees
17. Fight Like Apes - The Body Of Christ, And The Legs Of Tina Turner
18. Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
19. Wintersleep - New Inheritors
20. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings - I Learned the Hard Way (2010)
http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/art...jpg?1266496266
Awesome music from one badass soul-ishious lady, Sharon Jones. If want something with that old-school soul sound, check it out.
Favorite songs: "I Learned the Hard Way" and "Mama Don't Like My Man".


Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid (2010)
http://www.cokemachineglow.com/images/9855.jpg
I read an online review of this album that described her sound as "Stevie Wonder meets Outkast meets Alicia Keys". It's pretty accurate, but that doesn't mean hers is a rehashed sound from other artists. She's definitely made the music her own. And the album concept is just too awesome not to like: spacey-scifi-hip hop goodness.
Favorite songs: "Come Alive (The War of the Roses)" and "Tightrope"


The Knife in Collaboration with Mt. Sims and Planningtorock - Tomorrow, in a Year (2010)
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:o...ons452.jpg&t=1
This one is really difficult to describe. It's definitely has the sound of other The Knife albums, but it's more operatic and moody. It seems like there is a lot more noise/sound experimentation on this album, for example the song "Variation of Birds". It's a song that fits it's name so well. Really I think that song is perfect, but strangely I cannot listen to it all the way through. You might see why if you give it a listen.
Favorite song: "Schoal Swarm Orchestra"


Soundgarden - Telephantasm (2010)
http://www.metalinjection.net/wp-con...sm-300x300.jpg
Soundgarden: The sounds of my teenage years. That is the biggest reason I can give for absolutely loving this album. It's nothing special I suppose, just a compilation of previously released output. But man, this takes me back. I feel like I'm being transported to 1995 everytime I listen to it.
Favorite songs: "Spoonman", "Pretty Noose", "Burden in my Hand".

I like a good bit of hip-hop and rap, but this does nothing for me. I don't like his voice. I heard a song on the radio earlier in the week, I also failed to hear the genius in it. His style just has no appeal to me, I don't think it's very good.

I agree, Sidewinder. I'm no hip-hop connoisseur but I've listened to that album once through, and then in bits. It's really... OK.

I generally have a hard time enjoying hip hop albums the whole way through, and that is one of the few albums of the genre that keeps me interested start to finish.

I thought it was just okay until I heard the uncensored version (like an idiot I downloaded the clean version, and that seriously ruins the experience).

I find it has too many shortcomings to be exceptional, but it's pretty big news. A lot of ideas that had been brewing in the hip-hop world were all put together and tried out cohesively on Fantasy..., and that's kind of where all the praise comes from. The excitement lies in the fact that a hip-hop album in the mainstream IS pushing quite a few envelopes. Of course, because it comes across effortlessly, a lot of detractors will claim it's not even there. Sort of like how some people are with Wu-Tang. Albeit I hate 2-3 of the tracks, and a few are just boring to me, but the rest is just too sweet.

Music aside (maybe, as you say, that's where the pushing of the envelope is taking place), I think his voice is very blahhhhhh. VERY.

I'm new here and am probably repeating some selections, but here's mine:

1.) MGMT - Congratulations
2.) Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
3.) Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
4.) Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
5.) Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid
6.) Spoon - Transference
7.) The Black Keys - Brothers
8.) Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues
9.) The Like - Release Me
10.) Local Natives - Gorilla Manor