Best albums of 2010 / the music of 2010

[shuffle]

I figured I might as well start this...post your lists of the best albums from this year, or just discuss new music in general


I listened to the new Jakob Dylan recently, it was good, but not great...a solid but kinda nondescript album.

My top 10 so far:
(11. The Roadside Graves - You Won't Be Happy With Me EP)
10. First Aid Kit - The Big Black And The Blue
9. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh
8. Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Preservation: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program
7. The National - High Violet
6. Paul Cary - Ghost Of A Man
5. Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer Of The Void
4. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
3. The Black Keys - Brothers
2. Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do
1. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt

edit: inserted The National's High Violet between Paul Cary and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

top 28 here: http://rateyourmusic.com/list/ShuffleItAll/favourite_albums_of_2010

[shuffle]

I've just finished my first listen of Mark Sultan's latest album $. For those of you that don't know, Mark Sultan is BBQ in The King Khan & BBQ Show and also a member of The Almighty Defenders... The guy is an amazing singer (I've seen comparisons to Sam Cooke) and he's released a couple of solo albums (both as BBQ and under his real name) but I haven't heard any of them (at least one is supposed to be really good though) and I don't really know where this release came from but it's actually very good. I was a bit doubtful since last year's self-titled Almighty Defenders album was a letdown (it only had about three good songs, one of them being a Sultan lead vocal) but this is very enjoyable garage rock. Definitely recommended for fans of his other work, and garage rock in general...

[Tequila Cowboy]

You know for me it hasn't been a great start to the year in music. Obviously there are a couple of huge exceptions. I love TBTD, The David Barbe & The Quick Hooks album, Roky Erickson and Roadside Graves. Beyond that nothing has been interesting. I'm lukewarm on what I've heard from The Hold Steady and I'm not sure anything else out there is really floating my boat in the near future. I could be wrong but both 2008 & 2009 had each had about ten albums by this point I was crazy about and that's not the case this year.

[shuffle]

The year started pretty slow and for awhile the only albums I really loved was DBT and The Tallest Man On Earth but lately it's been getting really good with The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, The Gaslight Anthem and The National...plus the Paul Cary album really came out of nowhere for me, and I've been getting into Erykah Badu...

there's been some disappointments though, mainly the Roky+Okkervil album, THS, Jesse Malin and Slash albums... both Roky and THS are good albums but not nearly as good as I hoped (Roky's is solid all the way through, but never really approaching great, and the THS is about half great, half useless). Jesse Malin's album is a pretty good rock album but nothing spectacular, and Slash's album is pretty good musically but the singers are overall kinda useless (not that I expected anything else really).

[shuffle]

I thought the Johnny Cash album started out great but kinda dropped after that. Still an enjoyable listen... How does the Dr. Dog album sound? I've never heard anything by them.

[Tequila Cowboy]

but lately it's been getting really good with The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, The Gaslight Anthem and The National......

I want to love those four bands, and I almost love The National (although I have to be in the right mood), but I just don't. The Black Keys are too schizophrenic for me, Gaslight Anthem too Springsteen-y, and Blitzen Trapper...well I've tried and tried. The odd thing about them is that I've turned several friends on to them thinking that they might suit their tastes, and they all love them. Maybe someday.

[shuffle]

but lately it's been getting really good with The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, The Gaslight Anthem and The National......

I want to love those four bands, and I almost love The National (although I have to be in the right mood), but I just don't. The Black Keys are too schizophrenic for me, Gaslight Anthem too Springsteen-y, and Blitzen Trapper...well I've tried and tried. The odd thing about them is that I've turned several friends on to them thinking that they might suit their tastes, and they all love them. Maybe someday.

sounds like you've got a problem there I really like all of them although they're not among my favourites of all time. This is probably the most schizophrenic Black Keys album to date too, but it might also be their best... The new Gaslight Anthem has more of a guitar-based rock sound than The '59 Sound and the songwriting's been heavily influenced by British rock bands a la The Who, the Stones, The Kinks etc (at least I think those were mentioned in interviews and I can certainly hear the influence at least) but it's not radically different from their previous work (less obvious lyrical references to Springsteen though).

[shuffle]

So what are guys looking forward too? Besides the stuff that haven't been released yet but that I've already heard (Black Keys, Gaslight Anthem, THS, Blitzen Trapper, The National etc) these are the ones that are on my radar (and have been announced):

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms (have already leaked but I haven't heard it yet)
The Dead Weather - Sea Of Cowards
Johnny Flynn - Been Listening
Johnossi - Mavericks
Bettye Lavette - Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
Marah - Life Is A Problem
The New Pornographers - Together (have already leaked but I haven't heard it yet)
The Roots - How I Got Over
Sun Kil Moon - Admiral Fell Promises
Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
Imperial State Electric - Imperial State Electric

plenty of stuff that have been released that I haven't heard (or listened to more than once) yet too:
Sam Amidon - I See The Sign
Beach House - Teen Dream
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang - The Wonder Show of the World
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Bill Callahan - Rough Travel for a Rare Thing
Crashdïet - Generation Wild
Eels - End Times
Glossary - Feral Fire
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune
Massive Attack - Heligoland
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
The White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights
Year Long Disaster - Black Magic: All Mysteries Revealed

[Tequila Cowboy]

I'm really looking forward to Alejandro Escovedo's new record Sweet Songs Of Love. The new songs sounded great live. I've also been hearing some good things about Widespread Panic's new one, but it's been years since they've released a good album so we'll wait and see.

[shuffle]

Yeah, I forgot about Alejandro's new album, really looking forward to that one too...probably the one I'm the most excited for, followed by Sun Kil Moon and Johnny Flynn.

edit: I'll also take a listen to Eminem's new album which will no doubt be crap, but I'll listen anyway in the vain hope that he'll actually become good again.

[Smitty]

I dig the new Peter Wolf and Willie Nelson

[TruckerTomer]

DBT - The Big To-Do
Marc Ford - Fuzz Machine
Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave
She & Him - Volume Two
Various Artists - Crazy Heart Soundtrack

And in the next two months I'm waiting for the releases of:

The Black Keys - Brothers
The Rolling Stones - Exile On Main Street Deluxe Edition
Truth And Salvage Co. - Truth & Salvage Co.
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
The Derek Trucks Band - Roadsongs
Tift Merritt - See You On The Moon
The Jayhawks - The Jayhawks re-release (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

[shuffle]

Marc Ford - Fuzz Machine

I didn't even know this existed I used to be really into Marc's solo stuff about two years ago but I haven't listened much since then... Weary & Wired is still really good though, and the man is a great guitarist.

[shuffle]

I thought the Johnny Cash album started out great but kinda dropped after that. Still an enjoyable listen... How does the Dr. Dog album sound? I've never heard anything by them.

From their previous album, Fate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_VGVpi6f0E

Wasn't too impressed by that song actually :/

[Steve French]

It hasnt been released yet, but the new The Dead Weather is sounding good so far:

Album will be called Sea of Cowards. wwwthedeadweather.com

[TruckerTomer]

Marc Ford - Fuzz Machine

I didn't even know this existed I used to be really into Marc's solo stuff about two years ago but I haven't listened much since then... Weary & Wired is still really good though, and the man is a great guitarist.

One of my favorite guitarist. Been lucky to see him with the crowes in London in 2006 at 3 magnificent shows. SIx months before he and Eddie left for good. That was their finnest line-up.

"Fuzz Machine" is his 4th album. If you stoped listened since W&W did you perhaps missed his 2008's "Marc Ford and the Neptune Blues Club"? Also a veey good & strong blues album. I love all of his albums.

"Fuzz Machine" right now only been sold at his shows. It is really good. Strong guitars, some parts just wild! One of the best Marc's licks. Someone I know bought me a copy last month when she saw him with The Steepwater Band in Spain. Another great band. He produced their latest album "Grace & Melody". Very good one. I love those guys.

I also love Marc's producing, especially his work with Ryan Bingham and his two fantastic albums.

[Tequila Cowboy]

Saw Marc Ford play with The Steepwater Band a couple of months ago in Chicago. Just phenomenal. The tone (not to mention the skillful playing) coming from those two guitars on that stage was unreal.

[shuffle]

I've heard the Neptune Blues Club album once or twice but it never really stuck with me...not that I paid much attention either definitely needs a re-listen or two...

that explains why I haven't even heard of the album and yeah, I also enjoy his production work

[beantownbubba]

Amazon posted their top 50 of the year to date last week. It didn't really bother me that i hadn't heard of most of the artists/albums. What bugged me was how few of them sounded interesting. None, as in zero, nada, zip, made me say "ooooh, i gotta have that!" A sad day for me.

So far this year: DBT and Peter Wolf: excellent. Sharon Jones & the dap-kings: very good. David Byrne & Fatboy Slim: Really cool, very interesting, very high quality but i can't honestly say i expect to listen to it a lot.

Have high hopes for Derek Trucks, Gaslight Anthem and a couple of others but right now it seems like 1 January 2010 is some sort of watershed in my musical life. I hope that's not true, we'll just have to wait & see. And listen.

[dee dee]

1.Drive-by Truckers - The Big To-do

2. Ray Wylie Hubbard - A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is No C)

3. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor.

4. Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - True Love Cast Out All Evil.

5. Black Keys - Brothers. Holy shit this is fantastic.

6.Glossary – Feral Fire.

7. Otis Gibbs - Joe Hill's Ashes

8. Tim Barry 28th & Stonewall.

9. Micah Schnabel - When the Stage Lights Go Dim

10. Spoon – Transference.

11. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt.

12. Midlake-The courage of others.

13. Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the World

14. Danny Barnes - Pizza Box.

15. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang.

16. Kasey Anderson - Nowhere Nights

17. Chip Robinson – Mylow Check out Preface.

18. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening.

19. The Roadside Graves. You Won't Be Happy With Me (EP).

20. MGMT - Congratulations -

[Tequila Cowboy]

Can't believe I forgot about Glossary Feral Fire. Fantastic album.

[shuffle]

I forgot about the new Deer Tick and Phosphorescent albums too...looking forward to those.

[Penny Lane]

but lately it's been getting really good with The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, The Gaslight Anthem and The National......

I want to love those four bands, and I almost love The National (although I have to be in the right mood), but I just don't. The Black Keys are too schizophrenic for me, Gaslight Anthem too Springsteen-y, and Blitzen Trapper...well I've tried and tried. The odd thing about them is that I've turned several friends on to them thinking that they might suit their tastes, and they all love them. Maybe someday.

TC--i don't get the National either...i can't stand them usually.....that dude's voice .....the whole deal

[shuffle]

but lately it's been getting really good with The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, The Gaslight Anthem and The National......

I want to love those four bands, and I almost love The National (although I have to be in the right mood), but I just don't. The Black Keys are too schizophrenic for me, Gaslight Anthem too Springsteen-y, and Blitzen Trapper...well I've tried and tried. The odd thing about them is that I've turned several friends on to them thinking that they might suit their tastes, and they all love them. Maybe someday.

TC--i don't get the National either...i can't stand them usually.....that dude's voice .....the whole deal

I didn't mention The National in my answer above because I really thought they were terrible for quite some time...I thought that they were musically uninteresting and lyrically/vocally a bore pretty much I came around though and during the last year or so I've really been enjoying their stuff.



I'm halfway through the new Phosphorescent album and it's pretty great, I could easily see this becoming quite popular around these parts of the internet.

[dee dee]

I forgot about the new Deer Tick and Phosphorescent albums too...looking forward to those.

New Deer Tick? When? Where? Shit that makes my day.

[shuffle]

I forgot about the new Deer Tick and Phosphorescent albums too...looking forward to those.

New Deer Tick? When? Where? Shit that makes my day.

Yep, called The Black Dirt Sessions, out June 8.

Tracklist:
1. Choir of Angels
2. Twenty Miles
3. Goodbye, Dear Friend
4. Piece By Piece, Frame By Frame
5. Sad Sun
6. Mange
7. When She Comes Home
8. Hand In My Hand
9. I Will Not Be Myself
10. Blood Moon
11. Christ Jesus

mp3 of Twenty Miles here: http://onethirtybpm.com/2010/04/09/mp3-deer-tick-20-miles/

[shuffle]

You can download the first track from the upcoming Phosphorescent album Here's To Taking It Easy, here: http://onethirtybpm.com/2010/04/26/mp3-phosphorescent-its-hard-to-be-humble-when-youre-from-alabama/ It's called It's Hard To Be Humble (When You're From Alabama).

Also here's links to a bunch of album streams on NPR including THS, The New Pornographers, Kris Kristofferson, Broken Social Scene and a bunch of other ones: http://onethirtybpm.com/2010/04/26/full-album-streams-the-new-pornographers-broken-social-scene-the-hold-steady-the-fall-and-more/

[Smitty]

I got Phos's To Willie and loved it - but I went back and got his original material and it was like nails on a chalkboard...

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I'd recommend you check this out anyway, because from what I remember from Pride and To Willie this has more in common with To Willie...musically it's got a '70s country rock vibe going, plus some of the tunes are quite fantastic. I haven't heard Pride in more than a year but I wasn't that fond of it, thought it was alright but not more, this is really good though.

[cortez the killer]

1. Brothers/Black Keys
2. High Violet/National
3. Love It, Don't Choke It To Death/David Barbe & The Quick Hooks
4. The Big To-Do/DBT
5. Destroyer of the Void/Blitzen Trapper
6. True Love Cast Out All Evil/Roky Erickson w/ Okkervil River
7. Heaven Is Whenever/THS (Big surprise as I did not think I'd like it)
8. We All Got Out of the Army/Robert Pollard
9. Messenger/Joe Pug
10. You Won't Be Happy With Me/Roadside Graves