Best albums of 2010 / the music of 2010

[shuffle]

also, not really 2010 music but bruce springsteen's the promise is fan-fucking-tastic. so many great songs that never saw the light of day, just amazing. hopefully he'll reissue the river, nebraska and born in the usa similarly...there's plenty of great songs on the tracks comp that could've made the river, and hopefully there's more in a vault somewhere, and the electric band version of nebraska would be wonderful to hear (although that's a long shot). haven't had the time to listen to the remastered version of darkness on the edge of town yet.

[shuffle]

Jut bought the Two Car Garage based on the raves here......it better be good, or someone owes me $7.99

it's good, but I can't say I get the hype about it on here. of course I've only listened to it twice yet so that might change...

[Tequila Cowboy]

Jut bought the Two Car Garage based on the raves here......it better be good, or someone owes me $7.99

I think Jackson Don't You Worry is the best song I've heard this year, maybe in several years. Lydia is just a notch below that.

[tinnitus photography]

^I've been meaning to check that one out...seems like I need to get around to it.

it's really quite different from the bulk of their work. far less abrasive/button-pushing/provocative, more beautiful.


i also really like Marc Ribot's _Silent Movies_ quite a lot.

[scotto]

maybe I need to check out that dark night of soul record because I didn't like it when I heard it in 2009 when it leaked online after the troubles with the record company.

I apologize in advance for this sounding uber snobbish, but you really need to hear this on vinyl.
When I heard the download, I thought it was pretty interesting, but it left me cold. The LP sounds dense and big and lush and intense and creepy, in a good way of course. (Or maybe it's just knowing that Mark committed suicide right after the vinyl release was announced.)

[shuffle]

^I've been meaning to check that one out...seems like I need to get around to it.

it's really quite different from the bulk of their work. far less abrasive/button-pushing/provocative, more beautiful.

I haven't heard anything else by them, but I read a review by john mulvey for uncut magazine which made me really interested in it...

@scotto: yeah, that might be the key, but I won't buy it on vinyl unless it grows on me a fair bit first we'll see

[Zip City]

Jut bought the Two Car Garage based on the raves here......it better be good, or someone owes me $7.99

I think Jackson Don't You Worry is the best song I've heard this year, maybe in several years. Lydia is just a notch below that.

I was worried through the first 3 tracks because they sounded like, well, The Gaslight Anthem (lol).

But Starting with Jackson, the album really picked up. I like the quieter/quirkier songs WAAAAAAAAY better than the standard fast rock songs. "Insolent Youth" sounds almost exactly like Ryan Bingham....

[Zip City]

Now I just bought Glossary's "Feral Fire"

this thread has been an expensive one today

[Kudzu Guillotine]

actually that's a top 12, TC. you've got two fours and fives


I'm a bit surprised to see the mumford & sons record that high on people's lists...I wasn't impressed at all, it sounded quite good at first but the songs just lacked substance and I felt it was a bit too obviously trying to reach a larger audience than people usually into folk. it's alright, but nothing more to me. also, unrelated to the album, I kinda dislike them on principle nowadays (not when I first heard the record) because of how big they've become, when there's so many more deserving bands/artists in the folk/country/americana genre. especially since two of their closest associates are laura marling and johnny flynn, who both are miles better than the mumfords but are opening for them...although laura marling is getting a lot of attention in britain now.

edit: actually the mumford & sons record was released in 2009. it's #133 on my '09 list.

I can't say I've ever understood the philosophy behind not liking a band just because they become popular. I first heard of Mumford & Sons in late 2009 but didn't actually hear their music until 2010. I liked them then and I like them now, no matter how big they've become. I've got friends that won't go see bands once they're no longer their little secret anymore which is something I've never understood. Why champion a band to all of your friends only to abandon them once they hit it big? I also don't think Mumford & Sons intentionally tried "to reach a larger audience than people usually into folk". If they're like most bands, they cut a record then just put it out there. I seriously doubt there were any intentions to reach a larger audience on purpose because the industry simply doesn't work that way. Someone could cut a song that would seemingly meet all the requirements of being a "hit", that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be one because there is no magic formula for creating a hit, same for Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More. They may currently be the band that it's "hip" to dislike but I don't share in that philosophy. If I like something, I like it. It doesn't matter to me if the band suddenly becomes a smash or sinks to the bottom of the charts. I don't base my likes and dislikes on that way of thinking.

[Zip City]

edit: actually the mumford & sons record was released in 2009. it's #133 on my '09 list.

It didn't come out in the U.S. until February of 2010

[shuffle]

actually that's a top 12, TC. you've got two fours and fives


I'm a bit surprised to see the mumford & sons record that high on people's lists...I wasn't impressed at all, it sounded quite good at first but the songs just lacked substance and I felt it was a bit too obviously trying to reach a larger audience than people usually into folk. it's alright, but nothing more to me. also, unrelated to the album, I kinda dislike them on principle nowadays (not when I first heard the record) because of how big they've become, when there's so many more deserving bands/artists in the folk/country/americana genre. especially since two of their closest associates are laura marling and johnny flynn, who both are miles better than the mumfords but are opening for them...although laura marling is getting a lot of attention in britain now.

edit: actually the mumford & sons record was released in 2009. it's #133 on my '09 list.

I can't say I've ever understood the philosophy behind not liking a band just because they become popular. I first heard of Mumford & Sons in late 2009 but didn't actually hear their music until 2010. I liked them then and I like them now, no matter how big they've become. I've got friends that won't go see bands once they're no longer their little secret anymore which is something I've never understood. Why champion a band to all of your friends only to abandon them once they hit it big? I also don't think Mumford & Sons intentionally tried "to reach a larger audience than people usually into folk". If they're like most bands, they cut a record then just put it out there. I seriously doubt there were any intentions to reach a larger audience on purpose because the industry simply doesn't work that way. Someone could cut a song that would seemingly meet all the requirements of being a "hit", that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be one because there is no magic formula for creating a hit, same for Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More. They may currently be the band that it's "hip" to dislike but I don't share in that philosophy. If I like something, I like it. It doesn't matter to me if the band suddenly becomes a smash or sinks to the bottom of the charts. I don't base my likes and dislikes on that way of thinking.

I pretty much agree with everything you said, except that the record didn't feel honest to me (and I'm not sure why, because when I first heard it I hadn't read about them anywhere, didn't know anything about them except that they were a british folk band that was supposed to sound kinda like fleet foxes and that johnny flynn belonged to the same "scene"). it was just a feeling, and I didn't think the songs were that good either. it's not like I didn't give them a fair chance or anything, and I'll give their next record a chance too. the only bad thing about a band getting big is that I can't see them in small clubs anymore (since I prefer those venues), otherwise it's all good. I just don't "get" mumford & sons and feel that other, similar, bands have better songs and would deserve the recognition more.

what I meant was simply that it's that same feeling that most of us get about "smaller" bands that we like, the y'know "these guys should be far bigger, they're much better than band x that sound similar but are huge". when going to a festival this summer mumford & sons became that band since they played in the middle of the afternoon but pretty much everyone (20,000 or so) got there early just to see them and I bet if, say, deer tick would come around here they'd be lucky to get 200 people there. (by the way, mumford & sons are really good live, if you get the chance to see them, do it - I'd go if they play around here despite not being a big fan, as long as it's not too expensive).

@zip: ah, okay, that explains it.

[dee dee]

Jut bought the Two Car Garage based on the raves here......it better be good, or someone owes me $7.99

I think Jackson Don't You Worry is the best song I've heard this year, maybe in several years. Lydia is just a notch below that.

I was worried through the first 3 tracks because they sounded like, well, The Gaslight Anthem (lol).

But Starting with Jackson, the album really picked up. I like the quieter/quirkier songs WAAAAAAAAY better than the standard fast rock songs. "Insolent Youth" sounds almost exactly like Ryan Bingham....

I encourage you to check out Micah Schanbel's (TCG front man) 2009/2010 solo release When the Stage Lights Go Dim. Just him and a guitar for the most part and I found it very solid lyrically with stories of lost love and being pissed off about being a struggling rocker. Jackson Don't You Worry would fit in great on this album

[Zip City]

I think Jackson Don't You Worry is the best song I've heard this year, maybe in several years. Lydia is just a notch below that.

I was worried through the first 3 tracks because they sounded like, well, The Gaslight Anthem (lol).

But Starting with Jackson, the album really picked up. I like the quieter/quirkier songs WAAAAAAAAY better than the standard fast rock songs. "Insolent Youth" sounds almost exactly like Ryan Bingham....

I encourage you to check out Micah Schanbel's (TCG front man) 2009/2010 solo release When the Stage Lights Go Dim. Just him and a guitar for the most part and I found it very solid lyrically with stories of lost love and being pissed off about being a struggling rocker. Jackson Don't You Worry would fit in great on this album

Maybe when I get paid again.....already too much new music today

[Smitty]

I probably listened to more of last years releases this year than anything new other than a couple albums
heres my rough list (excluding DBT)

1. Sparklehorse/Dangermouse - The Dark Night of the Soul
2.Glossary - Feral Fire
3. Vic Chesnutt - Skitter on Take-off
4. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Hawk
5. David Barbe & The Quick Hooks - Love It, Don't Choke it To Death
6. Jamey Johnson - The Guitar Song
7. Sun Kil Moon - Admiral Fell Promises
8. Dylan Leblanc - Paupers Field
9. JTE - Harlem River Blues
10. Ray Lamontagne - God Willin & Creeks Don't Rise

here's the rest, INPO

Los Lobos - Tin Can Trust
Merle Haggard - I Am What I Am
Robert Plant - Band of Joy
Johnny Cash - American VI
Black Keys - Brothers
Ryan Bingham - Junky Star
Tom Petty - Mojo
John Mellencamp - No Better Than This
Whitey Morgan & 78's
Bill Frisell - Beautiful Dreamers
American Aquarium - Small Town Hymns
Two Cow Garage - Sweet Saint Me
The Beauties- s/t
Alejandro Escovedo - SSOFL
Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever
Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows John Prine Tribute
Centro Matic - Eyas (EP)

[Tequila Cowboy]

I forgot about the David Barbe record. Could make my top ten when it's all said and done.

[shuffle]

I wasn't that impressed with the david barbe record unfortunately...

anyway, the two cow garage album is definitely really good. stylistically it's right up my alley, and some of the songs are great (both the rockier stuff and the slower ones) but overall it's a little too much filler and same-y to be a "great" record or whatnot. still gonna gets lots of spins...reminds me mostly of a cross between lucero and the gaslight anthem... thanks to everyone here (especially dee dee) for recommending it

[shuffle]

also listened to sufjan stevens' the age of adz for the first time earlier today...not really sure how I feel about it, because at one hand it's ridiculously overblown and bloated, but at times it works really well - and other times it's just useless. it'll probably get a few more spins some time but it's not really anything for me.

[Zip City]

also listened to sufjan stevens' the age of adz for the first time earlier today...not really sure how I feel about it, because at one hand it's ridiculously overblown and bloated, but at times it works really well - and other times it's just useless. it'll probably get a few more spins some time but it's not really anything for me.

Yeah, I think it's disappointing. Wasn't expecting such a left turn from him, and it's tough to pick through the layers to get to the heart of the songs.

His "All Delighted People" Ep, on the other hand, is really good

[shuffle]

^I might have to check out the ep then. this is actually my first exposure to sufjan's music, is it all in similar style? what's his best album?

[Zip City]

^I might have to check out the ep then. this is actually my first exposure to sufjan's music, is it all in similar style? what's his best album?

Age of Adz is not like his earlier stuff at all. Illinoise and Michigan are his seminal records, and they are much more folky (with some interesting twists).

[shuffle]

sounds like those might be more up my alley thanks!

[Jack Flash]

My top 10:

1. The Black Keys- Brothers
2. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
3. LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening
4. Grinderman- Grinderman 2
5. Neil Young- Le Noise
6. DBT- The Big To-Do
7. Jamey Johnson- The Guitar Song
8. The Hold Steady- Heaven Is Whenever
9. Two Cow Garage- Sweet Saint Me
10. The National- High Violet

A few honorable mentions:

The New Pornographers- Together
The Whigs- In The Dark
Spoon- Transference
The Henry Clay People- Somewhere On The Golden Coast
The Black Angels- Phosphene Dream

[beantownbubba]

It's been at least 40 years since I heard as little new music as I heard this year. That's just the kind of year it was <shrug>. So, w/ no confidence that I heard the best music of the year, here's the best music I heard:

I didn't hear any great albums but the class of the field were:

1. Neil Young - Le Noise
2. DBT - The Big To Do
3. Los Lobos - Tin Can Trust
4. Glossary - Feral Fire
5. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way
5. Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs of Love
5. Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

Arcade Fire's The Suburbs was easily the most disappointing album of the year, but upon repeat listenings it turns out to be pretty good, a notch below the ones above. The Chieftans/Ry Cooder album was also very disappointing. And Vampire Weekend is deservedly missing from most lists.

Albums I enjoyed to some extent but can't really put on a "best of" list:

9. Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs
10. The Scissor Sisters - Night Work
11. The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever
12. The New Pornographers - Together
13. Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
14. Eli "Paperboy" Reed - Come and Get It
15. David Byrne/Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love (easily the most interesting album of the year, though I'm very curious to hear the Ben Folds/Nick Hornby collaboration as well)

In addition to Folds/Hornby, other unheard albums that i suspect might make the list include Ray LaMontagne, Two Cow Garage, Cee Lo Green (best single of the year of course), Sparklehorse/Dangermouse and one of these days I've gotta give Shuffle's Tallest Man a spin.

[shuffle]

you better get on that, btb!


ryan adams is giving away a track for free on his website: http://paxamrecords.com/downloads/. I think it's an unreleased demo that didn't make cardinals III/IV, which is up for pre-order on his website, and if you pre-order it through the site you'll get a download card for 10 unreleased demos.

[cortez the killer]

I wasn't that impressed with the david barbe record unfortunately...

It has a very anti-Scandinavian vibe to it, so I'm not too surprised by this statement.

[shuffle]

I wasn't that impressed with the david barbe record unfortunately...

It has a very anti-Scandinavian vibe to it, so I'm not too surprised by this statement.

hehe because everything else has a pro-scandinavian vibe to it, eh?

[Smitty]

my songs of the year candidates

Birthday Boy - DBT
Through the Screen Door - Glossary
Rips in the Fabric - Vic Chesnutt

[beantownbubba]

my songs of the year candidates

Birthday Boy - DBT
Through the Screen Door - Glossary
Rips in the Fabric - Vic Chesnutt

Fuck You, Smitty.

Ummmm, that's my nominee, not a diss or challenge

[shuffle]

song of the year?

cee-lo green - fuck you
the tallest man on earth - the wild hunt
justin townes earle - rogers park
phosphorescent - mermaid parade
håkan hellström - dom där jag kommer från
henry clay people - this ain't a scene

no order

[Zip City]

Mumford & Sons - Thistle and Weeds
Neil Young - Love and War
Band of Horses - Factory
Black Keys - Next Girl
The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger - Shroedinger's Cat
Ray LaMontagne - God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise
Mavis Staples/Jeff Tweedy - You're Not Alone