Top 25 Albums of the Year 3-1

Ok the time has come for my top 3. These albums are nothing short of spectacular. They are heads and shoulders above the rest but the 3 of them are hard to separate. They're the type of album that comes around once in a blue room, the type you find once in every 50 or so albums you go through, that's if you're lucky. We were lucky enough to have 3 such albums this year, at least in my opinion. Here they are

No.3
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy




Kanye West. Producer, rapper, businessman, fashionista, arsehole, and above all, a genius. Incredibly he plays all of those roles magnificently. As a producer this album is Kanye at his glorious best. Each and every track is pieced together and refined to perfection, resulting in an almost faultless display of intricate arrangements and creative samples. As a rapper his lyrics varied from the outright comical to nothing short of outrageous. As a businessman he had the best associates in the industry to work with, namely Jay-Z, RZA and Kid Cudi just to name a few. All of them providing him with brilliant verses but none more so than Nicky Minaj on Monster. Can't say much about his fashion prowess (or lack thereof) so I'll move straight onto his arsehole status. Being the complete artist he is, he uses it in his music to create a sense of self-deprecation as well as conflict in the mind of the listener between the man portrayed in the media and that heard on tracks like Runaway ('run away from me baby, run away') But what makes this album so very impressive is how Kanye has managed to utilise Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and his folk rock friendly vocals. Not only does it add to the appeal of the record but enhances an already incredible experience. When they sit down to write the "Albums of the 2010s" this is one they will most certainly be talking about.

No.2
The National - High Violet




There really is very little to add to what has already been said about this album. The BBC attributed its rewarding nature to 'songs that colour one’s waking existence, becoming vivid night-time narratives when curtains are drawn.' Pitchfork felt that Matt Berninger's impeccable vocal performance sounded 'increasing self-destructive.' NME saw the opening single of the album as 'overflowing with bombastic charisma and a longing for the open road.' while Slant believes it's highlight England exemplifies High Violet's ability to expertly handled balancing of the airy and the dense. Spin sums up the album as making 'dark and stormy seem like ideal weather' Regardless of what people might say about this record or how it might make them feel. There is one undeniable fact about High Violet, there isn't a single wasted moment on it. That in itself makes an album unforgettable.

No.1
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening



From Stairway to Heaven to November Rain to Marquee Moon, some of the greatest songs in music history have clocked in at over 7 or 8 minutes. They have been lauded for their ability to remain exciting and attention grabbing despite their lengths. So what do you do when you have half a dozen such tracks on the same album? You call it your No.1 album of the year of course. On This is Happening, principal songwriter and producer James Murphy flexed his musical genius muscles over an hour of infectious electro beats and rhythms and surprisingly powerful pieces of social commentary. At the bookends of the album we find the two tracks that define and then complete this experience. Dance Yrself Clean welcomes you warmly with a bright smile and then nearly an hour later Home farewells you reluctantly and with an air of uncertainty. If this to be LCD's swan song then they have undoubtedly gone out on the highest of highs.

That concludes my top 25 countdown. Those of you who did take the time to read it, thank you very very much. I hope this list has opened your eyes to a few albums you might have otherwise ignored. I had a wonderful time reflecting upon and writing about the best music from a undeniably excellent year in music. Let's hope 2011 is even better!

Top 25 Albums of the Year 13-4

Before I start writing about each of these records individually I should point out that it was really difficult to set them apart. In all honesty any of them could have been my No.4. But that's not how it works so I had to rank them. If you ask me what I think in a weeks time you will get a very different ordering. But this is how I feel right here and now.

No.13
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach



Is it a hip hop album? Is it a pop album? No! It's another great album from Damon Albarn. Sixteen tracks, each with its own identity and personality. Take for example Glitter Freeze with its industrial like rhythm mixed in with some rather groovy bass work. Or Superfast Jellywish which uses its novelty themes to distract from the great piece of social commentary that it is. All in all this is an entertaining journey through the ingenious (there I said it again!) mind of Damon Albarn. Best out of the 3 Gorillaz albums? A question almost impossible to answer thanks to 10 years of brilliant music from this virtual band.

No.12
Cloud Control - Bliss Release



Who would've thought that a run of the mill soft rock album (I was going to write 'indie' but I'm sure you're all sick of me using that word) would sound great even after dozens of listens. I can't seem to be able to put my finger on what sets this Blue Mountains act apart from the rest. It could be their sweet youthful vocals or the crisp clean guitar work or possibly even their crowd-participation friendly lyrics. Whatever it is, Cloud Control have won the respect of the Aussie music scene without much help from the hype machine or major labels, but with great radio-friendly yet quality music. To close, the blogger within me must say 'this is a band to watch.'

No.11
Jonsi- Go



When it came time to find a spot for this album on my list, I started to hate the whole ranking process. It really really kills me that I couldn't put this album in my top 10. I thought about making it tied 10th but that didn't feel right either. This album evokes the full spectrum of emotions. In 40 short minutes it will make you smile, cry, dance, laugh and dream. Thanks to its reasonable length it is far more accessible than his work with Sigur Ros but the ethereal feel of the band's work is not lost. In a year which saw a number of frontmen go solo (mostly unsuccessful) this was the cream of the crop.

No.10
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can



Easily my favourite solo artist in the world. Unlike Sufjan she doesn't sound like she is trying too hard. Unlike Joanna Newsom she doesn't sound like she's from a different planet. Unlike Sarah Blasko she isn't too dependent on strong production. Laura is truly a one-woman show and that is evident throughout this record. Her voice and guitar are front and centre and they resonate the utmost confidence and passion. On a more personal note, I've really enjoyed watching her over the last 3 years and I really look forward to seeing Laura mature and grow as an artist over the next few years. I can see her still making wonderful music in 20 years time albeit still playing theatres. Her voice and musicianship has a sense of timelessness to it, meaning you could drop her in any era of music, past, present or future and she would fit in perfectly.

No.9
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles II



I've always wondered what anarchy might sound like and Crystal Castles gave me a pretty good idea of it in 2010. And here I was thinking Canadians were a gentle peaceful lot. Aye? To say this brand of music is an acquired taste would be a gross understatement. It's harsh on all the senses but beneath all the madness there lies a beautifully constructed and unique album. Scattered throughout the album you have moments of sweet pop genius poking its head out amongst the chaos. It's those moments that makes this record so very impressive. Anyone can write a piece of electro noise pop but it takes true talent to write a great melody and Crystal Castles show that talent. But I should warn anyone considering listening to this album, those sweet moments are few and far between. The bulk of the album is an assault on the ear drums but I guess some of us like it that way :P

No.8
Beach House - Teen Dream



Maybe after having your ear drums torn to shreds by Crystal Castles you might consider the soothing dreamy pop of Beach House. Teen Dream showcased what could just be some of the best vocal work of 2010. The male/female combo (it was often hard to tell which was which) worked wonders for the duo from Baltimore. But wasn't the only thing they had going for them. The understated guitar work is sublime, the piano parts are impeccable and the production could not be any better. The cherry on top arrives in the form of the closing and longest track, Take Care which manages to give the warmest of farewells. It goes on and on but you really don't mind because its all so warm and fuzzy.

No.7
Angus+Julia Stone - Down the Way



If Boulet is Australia's Jack White then Angus+Julia would have to be our Jack+Meg White (just our two are actually siblings). Down the Way saw Julia stand up and announce herself to the world as she took on the lead vocals on the albums first single And The Boys. That single was one of many great moments of the album featuring Julia on vocals. But what makes this album so incredible is its ambition. The seven and half minute epic Yellow Brick Road encapsulates that ambition with its lengthy guitar solo (performed live by Julia at shows) and gloriously layered production. If there was ever a song to encapsulate a band it would be Hush. The word itself sums up the band perfectly and the song confirms that. Time will tell whether this is to be A+J Stone's best work but it will most certainly go down as their defining record.

No.6
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs



If you asked me at the start of the year, what do the suburbs sound like? I would've told you it's impossible to answer that question. But Arcade Fire have done just that. On The Suburbs the Canadian indie giants have done the impossible and created the soundtrack to suburban life. The album creates inside you that uncomfortable warmth that the suburbs instill. That feeling of safety, security and consistency but in the voice of Win Butler you can hear that he yearns to break out of that mundane life and see the world. On a more personal note if I didn't despise the suburban life so much I think I would've enjoyed this a lot more. But I'm still floored by the accuracy of the album, like I mentioned above I never thought it could be done, let alone be done so brilliantly. For that reason alone, this is one of the best albums of the year.

No.5
Tame Impala - Innerspeaker



It has been an absolute joy following this band since its early days, they have delivered track after track of their 21st century take on 60s psych rock. They have been invariably top notch so the release of their debut LP was met with significant hype. Just like many of the other debut records above, it did not disappoint. From the opening moments of the album, you find yourself spiraling into a hazy world of cheesy wallpaper and free love. But tracks like Solitude is Bliss keep your feet firmly planted in the modern fast moving world with its strut-like rhythm and Gen-Y-esque lyrics ('you will never come close to how I feel') What sets this album apart from the other great debuts of the year is its musicianship from beginning to end. And it's my type of musicianship, not self-indulgent shredding and 280bpm drumming rather they create a sense of jam-session inspired tunes. Best Australian album since Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours.

No.4
Foals - Total Life Forever



Staying on the topic of musicianship, if there was one album which topped Innerspeaker in those terms it would be Total Life Forever. On this record the band has left the rest of the indie rock world in its wake by creating something more challenging and daring than their counterparts. The most impressive feature of this album are its dynamics. By creating starkly contrasting dynamics throughout, they've managed to give us an experience that ebbs and flows throughout and never lets up. What's even better is that they give us a little of everything. A great drum solo, smooth brooding vocals, just the right amount of harmonies and the mandatory epic. The epic I speak of is Spanish Sahara, clocking in at just under 7 minutes this song lives up to its adventurous title. Thanks to its contrasting dynamics you go on a cosmic journey, a head trip of some sorts through a.....spanish sahara I guess. Total Life Forever is not only a must have CD it is also a must-see live on stage.

Top 25 Albums of 2010: 18-14

No.18
The Drums - S/T



A bit of The Smiths. A bit of the Beach Boys. And helluva lot of hype. Fortunately, meeting the hype seem to be the order-of-the-day this year and this album was no expcetion. With this album the band proved they had more in their repertoire than the surf pop of Let's Go Surfing. For every lull in the album there lies half a dozen moments of pop perfection

No.17
Yeasayer - Odd Blood




Odd Blood Rule No.1. Do not judge Odd Blood based on ONE. It may be one of the stand out tracks of the year, but the rest of the album is more subtle and reserved affair. The best thing about this album is the way it simmers for lengthy periods of time without become dull. Most dance-floor-filling acts try to create albums that go full steam ahead but Yeasayer provide us with intelligently constructed tracks. This is an album that truly does last the distance

No.16
Vampire Weekend- Contra



One of the very first major releases of 2010, there was always a chance that it would be lost amongst the countless other albums of the year. But you can't ignore or forget great music and that's exactly what Contra gave us. The band didn't depart too much from their brilliant debut effort, rather they matured their sound with a heightened level of musicianship and polished production. Don't be put off by the Auto-Tune experimentation or the left-field lyrics, this is indie-pop at its very best.

No.15
Parades - Foreign Tapes



Jonathan Boulet is Australia's response to Jack White. With 3 bands on the go, Boulet has a lot on his plate but he seems to have the Midas touch. After a great This may be a funny thing to say but this would possibly be the most interesting album of the year to listen to. It has that unique almost inexplicable vibe to it which takes a number of listens to appreciate. Much of that could be attributed to the complex rhythms and sublime harmonies featured throughout the record. I'm not sure what Jonathan's future plans are but I certainly hope Parades are a big part of them.

No.14
Interpol - S/T



Possibly the most hated, heavily critised and unjustly dismissed album of 2010. But I think people are missing something great. This year Interpol showed us that after 3 great albums they wanted to take the back seat for a little while and just cruise. This album depicts a band looking for a change of pace and instead of trying to go hell for leather, Interpol have given their fans an alternative to the guitar rock anthems they produced in the previous decade. With a more piano driven sound they have smoothed over their rough edges and created extra dimension to their music. Their first 3 offerings could be enjoyed from the driver's seat but this is one to consumed in the back seat.

Top 25 Albums of 2010: 25-19

It has been an incredible year in music and the quality music found on the following 25 albums is a testament to that.

No.25
Sleigh Bells - Treats



Now this is what I call a take-no-prisoners approach to music. A collaboration between a former hardcore punk guitarist and teen girl pop band singer, the unlikely marriage has created this brilliant debut effort. If you have any regard whatsoever for your hearing, I recommend you don't turn this up too loud with your headphones.

No.24
Gaslight Anthem - American Slang



This album is simple and straight to the point. So I will do the same. This is an excellent raw and honest album from the American punk rockers and worth listening to if you like Rise Against or even Bruce Springsteen.

No.23
Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History



Boy don't these lads know how to write a riff and not sound too rock n roll. Possibly some of catchiest music made this year, these English boys really did make their mark on a scene saturated with very very similar acts. But in the coming years the big question will be, what will they do when this era dies out?? Despite being a very very enjoyable listen the album does lack any sense of variety and that really hurts its longevity.

No.22
Caribou - Swim



If an album was ever a journey this would be it. Travelling through multiple dimensions and then out of this world all together. Calling this album eclectic would be a gross understatement but attempting to adequately describe it would be an herculean task. But basically this is a record that requires a bit of patient and in the end is a very rewarding listen.

No.21
The Chemical Brothers - Further



A great bulk of the music community described The Chem.Bros latest offering as a return to form. Personally I don't think they've ever really done much wrong. Their previous 3 albums were simply more single driven than work from the 90s but on Further they've returned very successfully to a more 'album' album style. After almost two decades in the game the super duo from Manchester are showing no signs of slowly down.

No.20
Dead Letter Circus - This Is The Warning



There are very few feelings a music fan can experience than a band living up to expectations. 2010 was a year when I had that feeling many times over and this was one such occasion. Following this band since the release of their debut EP in 2007 has been a great pleasure and in 2010 the band rewarded the fans they have accrued in the last few years with 53 minutes of epic hard rock. The ARIA album chart the week after its release was one of the funniest things I have ever seen, with the hard rocking DLC debuting at a very impressive No.2 held off the top spot by none other than teen pop sensation Justin Bieber.

No.19
Hot Chip - One Life Stand



Possibly the coolest nerds on the planet, Hot Chip finally arrived on the scene with their 4th album One Life Stand. Unashamedly cheesy at times but all in all oh so wholesome, the album truly does deliver on all front. Not only is it very easy on the ears but it is intelligent music, carefully crafted and thoughtfully presented. The fact that Hot Chip 'present' these wholesome tunes in the form of dancing floor filling techno anthems creates an intriguing contrast making the band and its record all the more appealing. Expecting plenty more from this lot in the coming years.

Top 5 Moments of the Year

1.Kanye West

In the words of Richard Kingsmill, it was the 'Year of the Ye.' Not only did he dominate music news throughout the year but he also dominated end of year critic lists and album sales charts around the world. His incident with Taylor Swift continued to hound him but the music community forgave and forgot as Kanye started his brilliant GOOD Friday series, releasing a new track onto his blog free of charge every Friday night (Hawaiian time, so Saturday night in Sydney) the songs were varied in quality but more often than not had people sitting up and paying attention. Add to that the mini-movie he made for Runaway, his first shot at MJ-dom. In support of the film Kanye travelled to all corners of the planet including Sydney which sent many of his Aussie fans into a frenzy, and was ultimately a stroke of genius on his part as it reminded everyone that he was still alive and fighting after Taylor-gate and that he hasn't forgotten about his fans all over the world. But in true Kanye style he was never too far from controversy thanks to his Twitter account which he updated frequently with lengthy rants about everything from loneliness to his hatred of the media. But buried beneath all that was an album, 13 tracks of unparalleled production and a guest list unlike anything seen before.




2.The Edge appears at Glastonbury

On 23rd November 2009 the worst kept secret in music was finally made public, the biggest band in the world U2 was going to headline the 40th anniversary of the biggest music event in the world, Glastonbury. But a matter of weeks before the mega event disaster struck. Frontman had suffered a serious back injury during rehearsals and required immediate surgery, ruling U2 out of the festival. Gorillaz were quickly named as replacements but everyone knew it would not be the same without the stadium trotting Irishmen there. But over an hour into Muse's Saturday night headlining spot, out rang the opening moments of The Joshua Tree followed by its creator The Edge. Here is what followed:



3. Thom + Jonny appear at Glastonbury

Staying with the massive festival, the biggest surprise organiser Michael Eavis had was not The Edge on the Pyramid Stage. That honour went to one of the smallest stages on the site, which played host to one-third of two time headliners, Radiohead. Rumours about a surprise appearance by Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood spread like wildfire and was proven to be true late on Friday. The duo played an hour set to just a few thousand very appreciative fans. It was rumoured that the following video was captured by a member for Vampire Weekend, it truly encapsulated the beauty of the festival:



4. Splendour in the Grass announces its line up

For the past few years festival lineups have been invariably met with animosity and criticism. That all changed on April 15 with the announcement of the Splendour in the Grass 2010 line up. Moved from Byron Bay to the larger Woodford site in Queensland and from 2 days to 3 days, this was always going to be a huge event. But the lineup was jaw-dropping. Headliners included The Strokes, Ben Harper and the Pixies. Debut album superstars included Mumford + Sons, Florence + The Machine, Two Door Cinema Club and The Temper Trap. Personally there were no fewer than 32 acts on the lineup that grabbed my attention, almost as many as Glastonbury. It was possibly one of the best festivals this country has seen in a very long time.



5. AC/DC tour Australia

After nine years of waiting Australia's most successful entertainers finally returned for a home soil tour. What was incredible about the tour was the money it generated. According to Billboard Boxscore, across 13 shows in Australia the band earned close to $100 million in ticket sales alone playing to over 700 000 fans. Their 3 night stay in Sydney alone made $27 million and was named the Highest Grossing Music Event of 2010 anywhere in the world. Incredibly 2nd place went to their 3 nights in Melbourne and 3rd place to Download Festival, headlined by AC/DC.

Top 20 Tracks of the Year Cont'd

Local Natives - Camera Talk

Just as I have an act surprise me every year, there's always one I put off listening to until the last few weeks of the year and Local Natives were that band. They may be generic in more than one way but that doesn't take away from the quality of their music.

The National - England

I know perfection is a dirty word but you don't get much closer to it than this. Lyrically, vocally, musically, emotionally, spiritually, structurally and every other way possible this song is just about perfect! When you start a song with a line as brilliant as "Summer sent her running through the weather that I'm under for the feeling that I lost today" you really can't go wrong. A magical tear-jerker of a song.

Laura Marling - Rambling Man

Staying with the "England" theme and lyrical geniuses we have young Laura Marling of London, wife of Mumford and darling of the indie scene. Why the Middle Earth speak? Well that's what this song reminds me of, a simple world filled with short hairy people with big feet.......

Tame Impala - Expectations

In many years time when I listen back to all these tracks, I will find it very difficult to believe that this particular song is from the 21st century. It has all the qualities of an awesome classic from the 60s and there's nothing wrong with that. In terms of pure musicianship this would be the best song on the list.

Hot Chip - One Life Stand

Cheesy? Tick. Pathetically romantic? Tick. Awesome? Tick! If this isn't being sung in karaoke bars in 10 years time there is something seriously wrong with this world. Of course I wouldn't be one of the people singing it but I'm certain it would work perfectly. They absolutely murdered (in a bad way) the song live on stage when I saw them but that doesn't take away from how incredible it sounds on CD.

Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill

The word genius has served its utility quite well so far in my blog and yet it is the most apt description that comes to mind when describing Damon Albarm and this song is emblematic of that. Buried deep in Gorillaz's latest offering this is a gem of a track.

Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait

You would think with up to 10 musicians on stage at the same time, Arcade Fire's music would often sound like a bit of a mess. Many bands struggle to maintain any sense of coherence with only 4 on stage but Arcade Fire pull it off perfectly. On We Used To Wait each instrument is clear and distinct and nothing is lost in the mix. It might not be a true festival anthem like some of their previous singles have been but with band's live show prowess I'm sure they can turn it into something spectacular.

LCD Soundsystem - Dance Yrself Clean

WOW! What a way to start an album. 188 seconds of simmering synthesised beats and gentle harmonies leading into a pulsating electro epic. The moment this song kicks in is probably one of the finest moments in music this year, if gets my head and body moving every time. The band didn't perform this during their last Australian tour so lets hope they bring it down with them in 2011.

Foals - After Glow

For a long time great rock music was associated with axe shredding guitar solos and 10 minute drum solos. Thankfully that era of self indulgence is behind us and great melody writing and song writing is now appreciated. After Glow is a perfect example of great modern rock with its inventive guitar work, ciggy lighter worthy drumming and wonderfully wholesome vocals. Best of all the 6 minute song does not lose its appeal at any stage as it goes through a number of phases, each built upon a simple guitar riff. And people thought rock was dead. pffftt!


She & Him - In the Sun

Sickeningly cute and shamelessly poppy. But I still love it! Zooey's sun kissed voice with M Ward's KISS (the acronym not the glam band) playing style creates......well the type of music I wouldn't be caught dead listening to. But the two of them add sophistication to their music that makes it irresistible. Or maybe it's just Zooey.......

Top 20 Tracks of the Year

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a big believer in albums being the best way to enjoy and appreciate good music. But without great tracks you can't have a great album. So here are 10 of my favourite songs of the year. I will post a further 10 tomorrow. These have not been ranked in any order.

Sufjan Stevens - From the Mouth of Gabriel

I've never really been much of a Sufjan fan. I've always admired his talent and passion for music and art but his brand of music seemed quite inaccessible to me. But this so-called "EP" opened the door for me to his beautiful music. This track was a true stand out, I might not connect with it spiritually like others but I do feel the serenity in his voice.

Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

So American. So very very American. This song reeks of a Mid-Western Burger joint filled with college kids. The accent on the vocals has me seeing stars and stripes but instead of being the generic patriotic voice we are all so used to, this is a voice questioning his great country. I can see why The Boss loves them so much.

Janelle Monae - Tightrope

Every year I stumble across half a dozen or so songs that have taken me by surprise. This year that list includes Tightrope, a r'n'b track with a difference. It has noteworthy arrangement (will.i.am could learn a thing or two here), sweet vocals and catchy as anything! Big Boi does a pretty cool guest spot here too.

Cloud Control - The Rolling Stone

This song has everything an indie song should have. This band has everything an indie band should have. Arrhghghghghhh but what does "indie" even mean these days! I honestly don't know. All I know is that this is an awesome song and I love it!

Broken Bells - The Ghost Inside

Is there a bigger Beatles fan out there than DangerMouse? The man behind the Grey Album (mash up of Beatles and Jay-Z) teamed up with James Mercer to make an album that I can only listen to halfway through before feeling the urge to put on some Beatles. The Ghost Inside isn't the best example of the resemblance, which might be why I like this song so much.

Crystal Castles - Baptism

I don't know what to say about this song. So just listen for yourself and enjoy.

Crystal Castles - Baptism by sinasohrab


Angus + Julia Stone - Yellow Brick Road

One of the most common and most banal criticisms I hear of A+J Stone is that they are "boring" and in a way those people are right, the sibling's music is a little boring. But I don't see it that way, I see it as rewarding patience and that's exactly what this song does. It might send you into a coma the first time but after a while it really grows on you and it is easy to appreciate it's beauty.

The Drums - Forever and Ever Amen

I've had the pleasure of following this band right from the very beginning when they had recorded only a handful including that wonderful piece of surf pop Lets Go Surfing. Thankfully they didn't let me down with their debut album and this was one the finest moments on it. If this was Melody Writing 101 this lot would most certainly walk away with a High Distinction.

Kanye West - Monster

I know I said this list has no order or ranking but if I was to choose my favourite song of the year, this would be it. It is a truly epic song with verses from Kanye, Jay-Z, Nicky Minaj and Bon Iver. Each verse is unique and highly effective. This track also does something most "epic" songs don't do, that is pay attention to the intricacies of the song. It's those little things that make a song enjoyable the 67th time you hear it.

Jonsi - Animal Arithmetic

If this song doesn't make you smile you are dead inside. That is all I have to say.