Albums of the Year, 2010 (Honorable Mention)

It's that time of year again, everybody. Time to procrastinate from studying by sifting through the new music I've been listening to and loving the past year. As this list rolls out in the next week or so, you can bet that you will get your fair dose of J-Biebs and JWoww. But you will lose a lot of money if that's the case. On to the formalities.

I'm just going to go ahead and say this: 2010 was the best year for music ever. Mozart might argue that 1788 was better -- after all, he did write three of the best symphonies ever (39, 40, & 41 ("Jupiter")). Or McCartney might argue that 1967 was a particularly good year. And in the annals of history, they're probably right. But whatever, enough good, even great music was released this year to more than fill this list.

Without any further ado, here are the albums, in no particular order, that received honorable mention from me, culled from a list of about 40 finalists. Congratulations artists, your check is in the mail.

Girls "Broken Dreams Club EP"
This EP would've been in the top-10 if it were a full album. Just sayin'. Girls is a band whose growth in the past year, since they released their first LP "Album" a year ago and I saw them at the Entry, has been staggering. They still have raggedy, wistful vocals with more than a hint of Elvis Costello, but they are more of a force as a band and in the studio. The production has a fuller presence, with cleaner production and more instruments (steel slide! horns!); but their music still retains its character. Great set of 6 songs, I can't wait for their next album.
Check out: "Oh So Protective One," "Carolina," "Heartbreaker"


Belle & Sebastian "Write About Love"
I don't know why this is only an honorable mention. I guess it speaks to the strength of the others higher up on the list. But I've been waiting since 2006 ("The Life Pursuit) for a new Belle & Sebastian album and this does not disappoint. It "sounds" like B&S, they have that unmistakeable sound, but it's a step in a slightly different direction than their last album in that it's less ambitious. Kind of similar to Spoon and the Hold Steady's new albums (spoiler alert! they're both in the top-20...) in that it's a "good" but not "classic" album in the bands' respective canons. But who cares? It's really good and here's hoping their next album comes out before 2014...
Check out: "Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John (feat. Norah Jones)," "Come on Sister," "Sunday's Pretty Icons"

Crystal Castles "Crystal Castles (II)"
Now, to completely switch gears, Crystal Castles' new album was another where I'm sort of asking myself, "So how'd they end up here?" in a good way. I have only one comment about this album: PLAY IT LOUD! Oh, and dig around Pitchfork for an awesome clip of Big Boi (another spoiler alert! another top-20) doing "Shutterbugg" and free-styling over the beat of "Empathy" (he also professes his love for Kate Bush..."she's somewhere in the Lock Ness monster's forest over there in London." It's weirdly awesome.)
Check Out: "Empathy," "Celestica," "Baptism," below check out bonus non-album action of Crystal Castles and Robert Smith in "Not in Love" -- this song alone could've propelled them to the top-20



Das Racist "Sit Down, Man"
Perhaps best known for their odd stoner party rap, "Combination Pizza Hut or Taco Bell," a song which plumbed the depths of the human soul in a novel attempt to describe the human condition...okay, the song really was about being at one of those mutant Pizza Hut/Taco Bell restaurants. But, as my post from Halloween says, "It gets better." As in life, as in Das Racist albums. The duo hits the weirdo-sweet spot of a more self-aware, less-serious DOOM. A Jane Birkin-esque panting session turns into a dub rap before turning into a jubilant African-sounding chorus in "Julia."
Check out: "Fashion Show," "Julia," "All Tan Everything"


Rihanna "Loud"
2010 might've been the year I officially caught the pop bug. As such, I've found myself listening to Rihanna a lot recently. Note that I still draw the line at that girl Bieber, Katy Perry, and Ke$ha...but Gaga, Beyonce, and Rihanna are fair game. And "Loud" is a really good album, especially for someone who won't hear her songs ad nauseum on 101.3 or 96.3 (are they still around?).
Check Out: Honestly, if you're looking to my blog for Rihanna songs to check out, you probably live under a rock. But fine, check out: "Only Girl (In the World)," "What's My Name (feat. that quadriplegic from Degrassi (apparently he's able-bodied in real life and likes to drink Sprite before his head explodes),"  "Raining Men (feat. the "MONSTER" Nicki Minaj)"

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists "The Brutalist Bricks"
Another album falling into the category of "great-artist-solid-if-unspectacular-album" Belle & Sebastian find themselves in. This album got me into older Ted Leo albums and is a great introduction to his punk-pop style. See, also albums "Hearts of Oak," and "Shake the Sheets" for a more complete primer.
Check out: "Even Heros Have to Die," "Bottled Up In Cork," "The Mighty Sparrow"


The Gaslight Anthem "American Slang"
Still the closest thing song-wise (I'd argue the Hold Steady are truer theme-wise) to Bruce Springsteen out there, and, they're from Jersey! Their second album finds them branching out to embrace Van Morrison (see the vid below) which is great. Two of my favorites, all paid homage-to under one album banner.


Time for bed. But stay tuned for 11-20 later this week!