30 Ty Segall – Melted
29 Shackleton – Fabric 55
28 Caribou – Swim
27 Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers
26 Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
25 Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh
24 The Walkmen – Lisbon
23 Tennis – Tennis (cassette)
22 Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
21 Frankie Rose & the Outs – Frankie Rose & the Outs
__________
20 Twin Shadow – Forget
mp3:
Twin Shadow :: Slow
__________
19 Forest Swords – Dagger Paths
mp3:
Forest Swords :: Miarches
Forest Swords :: Rattling Cage
__________
18 Harlem – Hippies
mp3:
Harlem :: Gay Human Bones
__________
17 The Samps – The Samps
mp3:
The Samps :: FXNC
The Samps :: Peppergood
__________
16 Grimes – Geidi Primes
mp3:
Grimes :: Feyd Rautha Dark Heart
Grimes :: Rosa
__________
15 Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be
mp3:
Dum Dum Girls :: Jail La La
Dum Dum Girls :: Bhang Bhang, I’m a Burnout
__________
14 Big K.R.I.T. – wuz here
mp3:
Big K.R.I.T. :: Country Shit
__________
13 Twin Sister – Color Your Life / Alternates
mp3:
Twin Sister :: All Around and Away We Go
Twin Sister :: Lady Daydream (cassette version)
__________
12 Earl Sweatshirt – EARL
mp3:
Earl Sweatshirt :: Couch (feat. Ace Creator)
__________
11 Toro y Moi – Causers of This
mp3:
Toro y Moi :: Blessa
__________
10 Girls – Broken Dreams Club
More earnest pop gems from Girls: Broken Dreams Club is honest and heart-wrenching and revelatory in a way that you could only expect from these two. A very natural extension of Album, but also a tremendous step up, punctuated by tighter production and sonic explorations that exude a well-earned confidence. “Substance” charms with help from Dee Dee of Dum Dum Girls, and “Carolina” — a jam we’ve had in our head for roughly two years — rounds things out in epic fashion.
mp3:
Girls :: Heartbreaker
__________
09 White Denim – Last Day of Summer
With the the looser, “fresh and casual” approach (their words) that White Denim takes on Last Day of Summer, the band comes closer than ever to capturing the preternatural chemistry and seemingly effortless shapeshifting flow they consistently display in their live shows. Not bad for what essentially amounts to a stopgap / “little summer retreat” while we wait for the band’s proper third full-length. Download it for whatever you’d like to pay here.
mp3:
White Denim :: Some Wild Going Outward
__________
08 Games – That We Can Play
In which ’80s homage/nostalgia is elevated to instant classic status by masterful pop deconstruction — and subsequent magical reconstruction — from Oneohtrix Point Never‘s Daniel Lopatin and Tigercity‘s Joel Ford. Granted, the run time here is slight, but the EP’s brevity works in its favor, as there’s not a wasted second on this thing. Also featuring one of the best songs of 2010, the unexpected “Cruel Summer“-recalling pop hit “Strawberry Skies,” which features vocals from Laurel Halo.
mp3:
Games :: Midi Drift
__________
07 Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement
Like most of the uniformly stellar (and underrated) output from Texan Jana Hunter, the self-titled debut from her new band Lower Dens is understated and unassuming, almost to a fault. But repeat listens reveal gorgeous waves of ringing, shimmering “post punk drone pop,” bolstered by Hunter’s emotive, vaguely androgynous vocals and a tangible, increasingly rare cohesiveness for such a young band. This one crept up on us, and cliched as it may sound, it’s fair to say that the whole here far exceeds the sum of its parts.
mp3:
Lower Dens :: Tea Lights
Lower Dens :: Hospice Gates
__________
06 Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
The highly anticipated, perpetually delayed solo joint from one of our favorite rappers is a triumphant return on all fronts. Despite a few still-kind-of-awesome missteps — who invited Vonnegutt? — Big Boi’s classic, ridiculously dexterous flow and the record’s always inspired, deliriously out-there production cement this as the most fun (and funkiest) thing released in 2010. Best driving music of the year, too.
__________
05 Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
There’s no question we fell in love with the more immediate songs on Have One On Me upon first listen, although like most, we initially found the record as a whole kind of daunting and impenetrable. But as you witness Newsom bring these songs to life, you’re forcefully reminded of her very literally prodigious and virtuosic ability as a musician, songwriter, and lyricist, which only reaffirms how graceful and delicate and achingly beautiful these subtly complex compositions are. Revisit this one, it wears in like an old friend.
__________
04 James Blake – CMYK / Klavierwerke
Ghostly, living/breathing atmospherics from London’s James Blake, who, in CMYK + Klavierwerke, has created two of the year’s most groundbreaking releases. Blake’s Burial-esque manipulation of vocals and unique and imaginative use of space is incredibly soul-stirring and affecting in ways that are unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Nowhere is this more evident than on the mournful, fairly mindblowing “I Only Know (What I Know Now),” which sounds like being born/dying, or as P4k’s David Bevan put it, “like infinity trapped inside of five minutes.”
mp3:
James Blake :: CMYK
James Blake :: I Only Know (What I Know Now)
__________
03 Shabazz Palaces – Shabazz Palaces / Of Light
Originally self-released at the end of ’09 and re-released by Sub Pop last month, Seattle’s Shabazz Palaces thrillingly juxtapose the platinum voice and conscious/menacing lyrics of Palaceer Lazaro — aka anti-Kanye Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets — with bumping, futuristic Brainfeeder-level beats to create the most adventurous and inventive hip-hop release of the year. Look for a full-length in early 2011.
Shabazz Palaces :: Blastit…
__________
02 Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
EXCLUSIVE: we asked Carles to write a blurb for us about Ariel Pink‘s brilliant Before Today, which was recorded in a real studio:
“Alas! The brilliant lofi texturewave artist Ariel Pink has finally done it, leaving many of us wondering: “What did music sound like Before Today?” which is coincidentally the title of his gamechanging 2010 release with his band of lofi talismans known simply as the Haunted Graffiti. Merging his ambient bedroom recording artist textures with the modern textures and professionalism of the modern recording vibes required for ‘mainstream indie coverage’, Ariel Pink has emerged from the shadowy textures of yesteryear and has evolved into a modern indie star. It seems as if perhaps the world has finally caught up with Ariel Rosenberg, and our ears are finally ready for his textures. “Before Today” is history, while the future is a mystery but today is a gift which belongs to Ariel Pink.”
–Carles of Hipster Runoff
mp3:
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti :: Round and Round
__________
01 Beach House – Teen Dream
The most elegant, visceral, sensual release of the year comes from one of our favorite bands in the history of this blog. Teen Dream was born of a fully evolved vision and the indefatigable connection between Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand, whose voice is quickly becoming an iconic one. And, it has the best songs.
mp3:
Beach House :: Zebra (edit)
Beach House :: Norway
__________
GORILLA VS. BEAR’s ALBUMS OF 2010
01 Beach House – Teen Dream
02 Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
03 Shabazz Palaces – Of Light/Shabazz Palaces
04 James Blake – CMYK/Klavierwerke
05 Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
06 Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
07 Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement
08 Games – That We Can Play
09 White Denim – Last Day of Summer
10 Girls – Broken Dreams Club
11 Toro y Moi – Causers of This
12 Earl Sweatshirt – EARL
13 Twin Sister – Color Your Life / Alternates
14 Big K.R.I.T. – wuz here
15 Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be
16 Grimes – Geidi Primes
17 The Samps – The Samps
18 Harlem – Hippies
19 Forest Swords – Dagger Paths
20 Twin Shadow – Forget
21 Frankie Rose & the Outs – Frankie Rose & the Outs
22 Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
23 Tennis – Tennis (cassette)
24 The Walkmen – Lisbon
25 Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh
26 Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
27 Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers
28 Caribou – Swim
29 Shackleton – Fabric 55
30 Ty Segall – Melted
*disclaimer: can’t believe that new Ghostface hasn’t leaked yet // also, we excluded a couple of Forest Family-affiliated bands that would have otherwise figured in here somewhere
cmon son
you give joanna newsom #5 and no mention of salem? g a r b a g e
salem is the worst band that has ever existed, the epitome of the pits of trendy hell
salem is the worst band that has ever existed, the epitome of the pits of trendy hell.
or maybe i just don’t get it
Big list. Agree with your no.1.
Deerhunter & Arcade Fire ftw! :)
Yeah, pretty spot on, Chris.
thanks bro, looking forward to your list
Jesus, it’s December…I can’t believe it’s time for these to be coming out…pretty solid list
Definitely agree with Teen Dream being up there. I feel like it got shafted as the year went on as more stuff came out, so it’s definitely awesome that people remember it and how great it is.
good list, but
where the fcuk es lcd soundsystem?
not so into their new one
I agree with your #1 and it’s nice to see that Frankie Rose debut get a little love.
not a kanye fan?
really great list, as always
you didn’t really feel the new flying lotus?
cant believe Caribou was beat by Arcade fire.
Killer list Chris. Love Lower Dens @ #7, White Denim #9, Dum Dum Girls #15. Deerhunter should be #1. I need to spend more time with the Joanna Newsom album. I’m glad you excluded LCD Soundsystem.
thanks man, when’s yr list coming?
Oh yeah. I’m glad you didn’t include Kanye on your list.
Solid list, my only beef is with Joanna Newsom. I still don’t understand her voice and harp, but maybe I’m just not trying hard enough!
I vote for Ty Segall as my #1 of 2010. I can’t get enough of that scuzzy burning sound.
So happy to see Melted on a list! By far my favorite non-electronic dance music album from this year.
31. Magic Kids – Memphis
Where is Dam Funk? “Toeachizown” shits on anything someone like Ty Segall will ever do in his entire career.
i like dam funk a lot, but that comment kind of misses the point about anything
Yeah okay it was a little off base. I apologize to Mr. Segall. That was quite unprovoked and undeserved. very solid list. this website is quickly becoming my “go-to” resource for new music and mixtapes.
also…Velvet Davenport released an album titled “Warmy Girls” this year that had a ray davies/kinks vibe going on that was just extremely satisfying. it’s in my top 10.
happy about lower dens and harlem…but no salem or how to dress well?
This is a pretty interesting list, some of it is new to me. Good call on the Big Boi, he almost always delivers. Surprised Kanye was left out, I am not a huge fan but that album was pretty solid. Good work tho!
another vote for Deerhunter as #1.
Good list. I think Woods – At Echo Lake, Phantogram – Eyelid Movies & The Black Keys – Brothers definitely beat out a few on the list however.
Delorean, El guincho?
Nationalism sucks
no love for Julian Lynch’s “Mare”? that album is so so wonderful. I figured gorilla vs bear would be all over that.
Nice list as always. But ain’t Shabazz Palaces one a 2k9 album?
OK, probably a dumb question, but why exclude some Forest Family-affiliated bands? Is it just coz you run Forest Family and they therefore go without saying?
yeah, that, and just to avoid any conflict of interest between blog/label. not a dumb question at all.
Nice list, Chris. Lots of new stuff I’ll be checking out for sure. I’m wondering where you landed on the new Sufjan album. I thought that may make an appearance.
thanks man. i actually love the live show more than the record. it definitely has its moments though. dug your vids list, btw
Find it hard to believe you’re not loving the Kanye album.
im pleasantly surprised how great this list is, your inclusion on James Blake and Mount Kimbie were spot on, big things to come from them
So happy to see the White Denim love! That album is fantastic. Love those guys.
Good list surprised Kanye, Curren$y, Flying Lotus, Wavves, Best Coast, or Blue Hawaii didn’t make it on the list. Damn been a good year for music though. You going to revise it if the new Ghostface album turns out to be amazing?
thank our lord frank zappa! salem wasn’t on this list.
It’s cool that a band like the Dum Dum Girls that use the same Garageband drum loop for several of their songs can beat out Ty Segall, Deerhunter, Caribou and The Black Keys.
interesting list, looks like I’ve missed lots of good albums this year :) wonder will they displace xiu xiu, salem, interpol and kanye west from _my_ top 10 ;)
Great list! #1 couldn’t be more right. Could not be more right.
sleigh bells? teebs? teengirl fantasy?
Review by Carles is glorious
Great list, man. Can’t believe Beach House was only this year. I feel like I’ve lived three lives to that soundtrack.
dude
No Age?? What a waste to leave them out. Amazing album.
Right on with your No. 1. I thought it was the perfect summer album, but after a foot of snow in freezing Berlin today, it works in winter too!
grimes http://tinyurl.com/2f6tw5q
Eah, I like a ton of stuff on this list. Disagree with Toro y Moi. Definitely a very hit and miss album. Replace that with Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor.
The most elegant, visceral, sensual release of the year is el guincho
GorillavsBear’s albums of 2010 by GorillavsBear’s Last.fm plays (via Last.fm profile stalking:
10. Girls- Broken Dreams Club: 12
9. White Denim- Last Day of Summer: 83
8. Games- That We Can Play: 106
7. Low Dens- Twin-Hand Movement: 134
6. Big Boi: 137
5. Have One On Me: 167
4. James Blake: 100
3. Shabazz Palaces: 226
2. Before Today: 204
1. Teen Dream: 287
Now is when Chris explains how he listens to albums on vinyl, in the car, etc. To be fair it seems like the plays generally correlate with the order. Well done.
Not even going to lie. This list is going to be better than Pitchfork. Those boring fucks are going to put garbarge like Spoon and Vampire Weekend. SPOON SUCKS COCK. VAMPIRE WEEKEND licks DICK.
GREAT LIST! But where does Roc Marciano and No Age fit in?
What? No love for Owen Pallett? Heartland was magical!
Great list brotha’… really interesting solid picks. I enjoy the fact that you don’t play into the hype of many of the artists that previous comments have mentioned, but I still think This is Happening is fantastic. I guess we can all agree to disagree. Great list nonetheless. check out my blog.
fellinlovewithadrummer.com
– Greg
This list requires a “Hipster Advisory” Warning.
WOOLLFFF GAAANNNNGGGG!!!!!!
That White Denim record may be the best thing they’ve done. First it was amazing thrash throwback mp3s. Then Fits took the raw sound and expanded on the dialogue with gorgeous ideas and chants. But Last Day of Summer is so casually elegant, and the songwriting is mature and beautiful.
The best album of 2010 is Rick Ross’ Teflon Don.
hey man, you forgot kanye
Did you guys seriously forget about BIG ECHO – THE MORNING BENDERS.
How is that even possible…
What about Sufjan?????
Beach House is nice, but too damn sleepy. There is sooo much more going on out there folks…its 2010!!!! This is the age of Wikileaks and hypersexuality!!!!!!!!
Also…Kanye.
Oddsac too.
Kanye?
no kanye, no warpaint, no julian lynch, no wild nothing = fail
Teen Dream is a fantastic record, dream pop at its finest. Could have seen Magic Kids and Sufjan up there whilst Twin Sister and Tennis are harshly treated in their respective positions. Bradford Cox deserves better than 26th
No FlyLo, no Baths, and u didn’t put GZA in ur disclaimer. The real anticipation is GZA/The Genius – Liquid Swords II
Nice list! NIce to see some suprises on there as well. Lower Dens!
Seriously, where is Kanye?
no kanye?
fuckanye, where is Janelle Monae??????? for serious…
You forgot about Deftones.
Some good choices on there …. no love for Kanye, FlyLo, Vampire Weekend, Crystal Castles or Sufjan though.
oh, but props for including Frankie Rose and the Outs. Severely underrated album; much > Dum Dum Girls.
great to see some good dance music on the list: james blake, shackleton, mount kimbie
why are these missing?: matthew dear – black city, selebrities – ladies man effect, lcd soundsystem – this is happening, best coast – crazy for you
i do agree with beach house at number 1. it is beautiful
Aren’t the two Shabazz albums from 2009?
EARL should be higher on the list. ODD FUTURE WOLF GANG KILL THEM ALL
Where does a person find this Earl record nowadays?
http://oddfuture.com
girls = overrated ……..and why is halycon digest so low on the list? and kanye? this list is like picking teams for p.e. class and none of the good players showed up to school
oh yea. kanye is probably not on this list cuz p4k gave it a 10.0 ……..
halcyon digest THAT low on the list? lol.. wow
Weakest year end list I’ve seen so far. No Kanye, Janelle, or FlyLo, smh. Oh well, everybody is entitled to their opinion.
If you didn’t ask for the FlyLo album I’d have guessed you were that wussy @1000timesyes guy
do you mean the ‘least generic/cookie cutter’ list? (for not having the same choices as 1000+ blogs all claiming to have an ‘indipendent voice’)
BESTCOAST!!
No Kanye, Sufjan or the National. What even is this list. The Girls EP is good but I dunno if I’d say it’s top 10 material… Deerhunter deserves to be higher… Can’t believe Twin Shadow is on here but LCD Soundsystem isn’t… can’t believe Dum Dum Girls (ugh) are on here and Wavves isn’t. King of the Beach was one of the best comebacks of the year and my favorite pop record of ’10.
yeah can’t believe we don’t like the exact same records, Trevor who i’ve never met. most of those records you mention were kind of boring, kanye + wavves would’ve been in my top 40 though probably
twin shadow > lcd you fucknut
What does “best comebacks” mean?
I don’t really give a shit too much about personal differences but the only obvious crime about the list is that Twin Sister and Joanna Newsom need to switch places for real. I know you geeked much harder to Color Your Life over the course of the year. Great list otherwise. Can’t wait to see the songs of the year list!
Gorillavsbear.net Blog Radio Sirius XMU 12-2-10
Deerhunter – He Would Have Laughed
Erykah Badu – Window Seat
Walkmen – Anglea Surf City
Tennis – Marathon
Arcade Fire – We Used To Wait
Frankie Rose And The Outs – Little Brown Haired Girls
Twin Shadow – Castles In The Snow
Forest Swords – Rattling Cage
Harlem – Someday Soon
The Samps – Peppergood
Grimes – Rosa
Dum Dum Girls – Rest Of Our Lives
Big K.R.I.T. – Country Shit
Twin Sister – All Around And Away We Go
Earl Sweatshirt – Couch
Toro Y Moi – Talamak
Girls – Carolina
Big Boi / Gucci Mane – Shine Blockas
White Denim – Some Wild Going Outward
Games – Strawberry Skies
Lower Dens – Hospice Gates
Joanna Newsom – Good Intentions Paving Company
James Blake – I Only Know (What I Know Now)
James Blake – CMYK
Shabazz Palaces – Blastit
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Fright Night (Nevermore)
Beach House – Zebra
Beach House – 10 Mile Stereo
Don’t believe the hype. All you Kanye lovers might as well get in line to suck his big hairy penis cause that album is a disposable piece of pophop garbage.
Leo, I am glad you enjoy all this boring, “hipster” indie, bland-ass, white-boy, too-cool-for-school, no one will ever listen to again, college low-fi music (hell, I do too, from time to time), but get big picture man.
Sonic youth has been around for a while, and My bloody valentine, etc.,etc.m,etc…
Get some soul, brother.
Pop you say? Hype, yes, but so what?
That is precisely why it deserves credit.
So what if Kanye is a superstar. That shit gets your blood moving at least, and it can actually reach a larger audience than college radio. And he collaborates like a mother-fucker, he is moving shit forward in a big way… it’s called talent.
And for the record, Kanye’s record made me cry! How’s that, pussies!
…..and Big Boi rapping with an awful Boy Band is different because??????
If you don’t like the new Yeezy, fine. But to leave that off and then stick that pile of Big Boi mediocrity in there is a joke.
Halcyon Digest….. “nuff said”
cosmogramma? mare?
ugh. i’d argue about how terrible this list was but whatever. i’ll keep it to this: if you liked big krit then why don’t you also promote soulja boy and gucci mane and bob and ti? or even yelawolf?
Active Child – Curtis Lane, Future Islands – In Evening Air beat the shit out of everything on this list except for Deerhunter, Beach House, and Twin Shadow. There is what should have been top five easily.
good list, some interesting choices. i’d have put kanye but i understand leaving it off. two inexcusable omissions: LCD and How to Dress Well. definitely agree with Beach House = #1
OMG other commenters–not everybody loved the new kanye album. jeebus.
A fine list if I do say so myself. I’m glad I’m not the only one not including Kanye in mine(it’s good, but not 10.0 good). I’m actually noticing a few overlaps with my own, in selection if not sequence. I have to thank you for the Lower Dens rec btw. That album is all manner of awesome.
Love the list, just want to say one of my favorites of 2010 was Magic Man’s Real Life color and the fact that they practicly gave it away makes it even better! hahaha!
good list, but Shabazz stuff came out in 2009
thanks man. yeah i said that in the post
exclusion of flylo is criminal, won’t even touch on the lack of kanye. i also challenge you to tell chico dusty to his face that shabazz palaces dropped a better record this year.
that said, i’m more than confident that this list will trump p4k’s. some nice inclusions, particularly james blake — the most exciting artist to emerge this year.
he already knows: http://bigboi.com/2010/12/02/npr-music-paste-magazine-gorilla-vs-bear-and-myspace-music-recognize-big-boi-on-their-best-of-2010-lists/
kanye record is fine, i just don’t love it
also, i dig the flylo record obviously, i just liked these better. los angeles made my list when it came out tho
fair enough dude. LA is crucial. need to check this lower dens record stat.
Initially, I’m surprised by the omissions of Kanye West, Flying Lotus, Girl Talk, Crystal Castles, and Waka Flocka Flame, but your inclusion of Big Boi and Big K.R.I.T satisfy me. (KRIT should’ve cracked the top ten, at least though. C’mon, man!)
Also, though I’m sure we’re all sick of the hype, Lil’ Wayne’s “I Am Not A Human Being” deserves an honorable mention at least. The production on that = stand-out.
Genuinely feel like Kanye’s new album is not only one of the best Hip Hop albums I’ve ever heard, but also one that really gets in your head. I had an argument with my best friend last night that went pretty deep, and I felt absolutely infuriated, depressed and anxious all at once. It came at the end of a very, very long day. It sounds cliche, but I don’t think I’ve ever had music feel so cathartic for quite some time. Hip Hop has an energy to it that is found nowhere else in music, and Kanye truly channels that energy…
So Appalled was literally the “I’m just so ridiculously angry right now”, got that energy out of my system, and then “Devil In A New Dress” comes on as if its saying “Okay, you raged, now chill.” Then we all know Runaway, which seemed to channel the fact that the fight me and my friend had focused on every bullshit, trivial negative aspect imaginable. “Hell Of A Life”, with a chorus that screams “Have you lost your mind?”…then following it up with Blame Game
Let me just say that at certain points I found the actual hook to Blame Game rather annoying until I found myself in the actual situation in the song, and I realized that I was so thankful that Kanye was focusing on the more contemplative and sorrowful spectrum of emotion. The verses are immaculate, the editing/pitched vocals “Fuck arguing I’d rather be by my fucking self”. And John Legend’s “I’ll you bitch for sure” / “You call me motherfucker for long” / “At the end of the night you know we both long”, but I love playing the Blame Game. Don’t we all. Damn Kanye, thanks.
what?
CURREN$Y – PILOT TALK / PILOT TALK 2
WTF.
Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
curren$y, tame impala and flylo? maybe even deftones
other than that, good work – i enjoy no kanye
quality selections throughout. good to see beach house at no. 1 — that album is a modern classic
Surprised to see a couple left off:
Mountain Man
The Morning Benders
Best Coast
Glad to see the atrocious LCD Soundsystem left off. Best part? No Janelle Monae.
Great list– like or love most all of those, luurrvvv Beach House, glad you didn’t inlcude Besty Coast…but where the f is Local Natives? Srsly? I THOUGHT EVERYONE LOVED IT AS MUCH AS I!
Hey, cool list, man. It’s no exaggeration to say your blog has been a major source of music for me since 2006, if not THE most major source, and I always dig your lists. I’m not super keen on a few of your choices, but I like that the list is an honest representation of you & your blog, not just a trendy list of (over)hyped buzz records that Pitchfork liked. Kanye will be #1 (or at least top 3) on like 90% of ‘best of 2010′ lists this month so the ‘Where’s Kanye?!’ crowd should just relax. And your #1 choice is on the money: Teen Dream (like Veckatimest in 09) is likely to be an album I listen to for the rest of my life.
Great list Chris. I would love to see:
1. Blixaboy
2. The Summer of Flux
3. Asymmetrical Head
4. Tortoise
5. Convextion
y’all kids need to calm the fuck down. it’s just a list.
No, this list has to match what I think(what I was previously told to think). Musical taste isn’t up for opinion. It can not be personal. It’s mathematical. It has to fit a formula. ‘Real’ music, unlike the weaker side of the ‘top 40′, has to be mass agreed upon by all persons who critique it. Like a cookie cutter machine.
As always, I enjoyed the list. Agreed on some, disagreed on others, and am looking forward to getting some of the stuff I have yet to listen to. Thanks guys for pumping out loads of tunes and keeping my musical hobby alive!
See ya in 2011
Hell yeah, it’s been a damn good year in music. ;-)
really, whichever way you look at it, no matter what your personal preference – we were all treated to an amazing amount of incredibly great music in 2010. for that, we should all give thankss
I’m glad to see Harlem is on the list, but number one is Beach House? lol. Sure it should get a nod, but a number 1?
Year-End Lists bring out the weirdest reactions from people. Not sure why people get so bent over them.
Thanks for sharing with us the music you enjoyed this year, Chris.
Chris, do/did you not like the Jonsi album?
I aggree. Best album of 2010 is Teen Dream. Best woman: Victoria Legrand.
glad to see Lower Dens on your list. Such a fantastic album.
Where’s Sufjan?
what!? ariel pink should be # 1. i was playing that all day erry day. i do think there is some garbage on here though. where’s white hinterland? where’s Julian Lynch? where’s Wild Nothing? (if any of those are 09 releases, my bad). and i guess nobody liked “down there” or “pop negro”….
Oh my fracken GoD!!! I feel like I was just reading one of these for 2009 like two days ago!! Where does the time go?? And why isn’t Warpaint’s The Fool on this list!!! It totally deserves it!
thier music rules like no other. 100% original.
no love for salem / king knight?
‘best’ best of list ive seen
Thank you, Gorilla Vs. Bear, for another year of fantastic music coverage and introducing me to some amazing new stuff. Teen Dream was phenomenal.
Whaaaa?! No Zola Jesus? Agree Ariel Pink should be up there.
I’ll be the one to say it. No Kanye?
NO KANYE.
I’ll 2nd that.
Lovin’ the Toro Y Moi album.
Girls! no way, theyre such phony white art poser wimp rock. they’re obsolete! overrated!
listen to “Carolina” end of story. they could have addded justin beiber to the rest of the album, but that song would make up for it. but they didnt, they put some other sick ass song as well.
Sufjan Sufjan Sufjan
I like the inclusion of Earl…any thoughts on Tyler’s Bastard? All great stuff. Only ones I may have included are Tame Impala, Crystal Castles, Male Bonding
four words:
titus andronicus – the monitor
I know they are “super chill” like everything else on this list, but that was far and away the best album to be released this year.
I’m speechless. LCD snubbed. This is Happening.
a lot of good music this year. love that you have beach house as numero 1. and that white denim is pretty great too.
The Dollar Man’s Top 25 of 2010
1. These New Puritans “Hidden”
2. Local Natives “Gorilla Manor” (Yes, I know it came out in 2009 in the UK)
3. Fang Island “Fang Island”
4. Land of Talk “Cloak and Cipher”
5. Deerhunter “Halcyon Digest”
6. Arcade Fire “The Suburbs”
7. Menomena “Mines”
8. The National “High Violet”
9. The Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”
10. The Intelligence “Males”
11. Superchunk “Majesty Shredding”
12. Spoon “Transference”
13. Sufjan Stevens “The Age of Adz”
14. Robert Pollard “Moses on a Snail”
15. Beach House “Teen Dream”
16. The Besnard Lakes “Are the Roaring Night”
17. MGMT “Congratulations”
18. Broken Social Scene “Forgiveness Rock Record”
19. LCD Soundsystem “This is Happening”
20. Phantogram “Eyelid Movies”
21. Suuns “Zeroes QC”
22. White Denim “Last Day of Summer”
23. Vampire Weekend “Contra”
24. Owen Pallett “Heartland”
25. Midlake “The Courage of Others”
I dig this list better than Gorilla vs. Bear’s but you and them are both missing Avey Tare’s Down There and Foals Total Life Forever!!
EARL SWEATSHIRT was an amazing pick!!!!!!!! definitely one of the great underground hiphop releases to fly under the radar
Gonjasufi? MGMT’s album is remarkable. At least someone included Ty Segall on a best-of list, but to have “Melted” behind Harlem’s album is questionable. Menomena’s “Mines” should be in everyone’s player at this time of year readying them for at least one mega-festival appearance–cough, cough, Bonnaroo.
Big ups to Adolf Hipster (possible nominee for best handle EVER.
Not having Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor in the top 30 is ridiculous.
Let’s see where that thing ends up on all the other “top whatever o’ the year lists”. I can’t remember who does it but one of these sites does an overall top 50(?) AVERAGE of all the major blogs that discuss such issues.
The Monitor will be in the overall top 10, guaranteed. While I’m bitching………Deerhunter @ 26?!?! Is everybody taking crazy pills?
Bloc
WHAT?! I don’t care how much money it made, or how little promotion it needs, but THE SUBURBS is by far the best album of the year. It’s a near perfect album! Pop critics are actually right this time.
Do agree the TEEN DREAM is right up there though. And Big Boi <3
agree with many others that Sufjan should be on here though too…
and dareisayit…what about Yeezy????
The National — High Violet — seems like a big omission. Especially considering how little people will remember most of these names in a few years.
how much people will remember something doesn’t enter into my thinking at all, i just included the albums i liked most. i get why people liked the National album, but I found it pretty boring
Can’t share that opinion, but I respect it. :) I guess you never claimed these were the “best album’s of 2010.”
although i’m a big fan of the beach house album, i feel its going to be this years “i kind of have to make it top 3 because everyones going to do it”…also didn’t know how the national – high violet didnt even make top 30?
nah, beach house has made our list every year they’ve released an album (’06, ’08, ’10). the national didn’t make the top 30 because we don’t like it that much
Excuse me, but where’s Best Coast?
really liked, but didn’t love, the best coast album. probably somewhere in my top 50 for sure
Air Waves- Dungeon Dots?
This is my first visit to the Gorilla Vs. Bear blog, hello!
I had never heard the Lower Dens album, but I like it very much. I think lists are great for discovering new music. Thank you. I look forward to sampling more of the albums I have not listened to.
My list:
1. VHS Head – Trademark Ribbons of Gold
2. Autechre – Oversteps
3. Actress – Splazsh
4. Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers
5. Autre Ne Veut – Autre Ne Veut
6. Sun Araw – On Patrol
7. Caribou – Swim
8. DeepChord Presents Echospace – Liumin
9. Hieroglyphic Being – Compositeurs Sans Frontières
10. Shed – The Traveller
I think you’d like Gold Panda’s album, “Lucky Shiner,” based on what you have here.
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record?
Great list, although I’m a little surprised by the omission of How to Dress Well’s full length, I thought that was a pretty spectacular album…
PS – those who are interested can check out my top 25 list at: radishjams.tumblr.com
A bit bemused at people complaining about their favourites not being on there… where’s the fun in reading a list that you completely agree with and not discovering anything new?
Also, much love for not including wavves.
Should have put The Thermals on my list. Am I alone in thinking “Personal Life” is their best work yet?
Cool list! Should have nominated The Soft Moon, Fool’s Gold and Gold Panda as well
http://ieatcrabfood.wordpress.com/
I saw Harlem when they opened for the Dead Weather and they were fantastic! I bought the Hippies LP at the show and it has been a regular on my turntable since.
Good list. I would’ve put James Blake at number 1, myself.
http://soundcloud.com/yojimbobillions/drunkbodies
MGMT anyone?
Congratulations is a phenomenal record. I don’t understand the hate.
nice work!
—-top 2 0 1 0 mesineto
—-Beach House – Teen Dream
—-Avey Tare – Down There
—-The National – High Violet
—-Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz
—-Owen Pallett – Heartland
—-Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
—-The Radio Dept. – Climbing to a Scheme
—-Caribou – Swim
—-Julian Lynch – Mare
—-Gil-Scott Heron – I’m New Here
—-Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago
—-Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
—-Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
—-Liars – Sisterworld
—-The Walkmen – Lisbon
—-The Books – The Way Out
—-Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
—-The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
—-Menomena – Mines
—-How to Dress Well – Love Remains
—-Here We Go Magic – Pigeons
—-Pantha du Prince – Black Noise
—-Emeralds – Does It Looks I`m Here
—-Sam Amidon – I See The Sign
—-Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
—-The Fresh & Onlys – Play It Strange
—-Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner
—-The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
—-The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You
—-To Rococo Rot – Speculation
—-Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago
—-Beat Connection – Surf Noir EP
—-Thee Oh Sees – Warm Slime
—-Gayngs – Relayted
—-Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
—-Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
—-Liars – Sisterworld
—-The Walkmen-Lisbon
—-The Books – The Way Out
—-Sleepy Sun – Fever (2010)
—-Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner
—-Jónsi – Go
—-Golden Triangle – Double Jointer
—-Glass Vaults – Glass ep
—-Icarus Himself – Mexico ep
—-Clive Tanaka y su orquesta – Jet Set Siempre 1°
—-Blackbird Blackbird – Blackbird Blackbird
nice work!
—-top 2 0 1 0 mesineto
—-Beach House – Teen Dream
—-Avey Tare – Down There
—-The National – High Violet
—-Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz
—-Owen Pallett – Heartland
—-Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
—-The Radio Dept. – Climbing to a Scheme
—-Caribou – Swim
—-Julian Lynch – Mare
—-Gil-Scott Heron – I’m New Here
—-Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago
—-Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
—-Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
—-Liars – Sisterworld
—-The Walkmen – Lisbon
—-The Books – The Way Out
—-Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
—-The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
—-Menomena – Mines
—-How to Dress Well – Love Remains
—-Here We Go Magic – Pigeons
—-Pantha du Prince – Black Noise
—-Emeralds – Does It Looks I`m Here
—-Sam Amidon – I See The Sign
—-Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
—-The Fresh & Onlys – Play It Strange
—-Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner
—-The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt
—-The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You
—-To Rococo Rot – Speculation
—-Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago
—-Beat Connection – Surf Noir EP
—-Thee Oh Sees – Warm Slime
—-Gayngs – Relayted
—-Tame Impala – Innerspeaker
—-Joanna Newsom – Have One on Me
—-Liars – Sisterworld
—-The Walkmen-Lisbon
—-The Books – The Way Out
—-Sleepy Sun – Fever (2010)
—-Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner
—-Jónsi – Go
—-Golden Triangle – Double Jointer
—-Glass Vaults – Glass ep
—-Icarus Himself – Mexico ep
—-Clive Tanaka y su orquesta – Jet Set Siempre 1°
—-Blackbird Blackbird – Blackbird Blackbird
Here’s my list check it outtt:http://thedashboardmusic.blogspot.com/
THANK YOU, Finally someone agrees with me that beach house is #1
http://www.lowerfrequencies.com/2010/12/top-10-albums-of-2010/
mmmmm foalzzzzz?
Yeah? What the duck! I guess no one here in the states really knows much about them. THEYFUCKINRULE!!!!
I’m with Nick – how fun is it reading different bloggers choices for 2010! That’s the beauty of music, that it will all affect us in different ways and I think this is a great list. I am struggling to get my list down to 40 (doubled up on a lot of these choices for sure).
Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene is def on there. I also have Gold Panda’s Lucky Shiner. Pretty sure Deerhunter will take the top spot though: Halcyon Digest blew me away.
Thanks G Vs B for another great year of new music.
Candy Claws? Did you like it at least?
They were calling Teen Dream album of the year in November of 2009. I wonder how much of that is a self-fulfilling prophecy of the hype machine. It’s a beautiful album, but it’s got nothing on MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY by philosopher-king Kanye West. His absence from this list is a supreme act of denial.
At least Games in the top ten shows some glimmer of reason.
philosopher king? haha. nah i just like Teen Dream better. not even close, really. Kanye made our songs list, and MBDTF has its moments of brilliance and I admire his ambition, but it’s a severely overrated/bloated mess, and the actual rapping is cringeworthy way too often, to the point of ruining some songs
it was a great year for rap though, give me Odd Future, Das Racist, Big Boi, Shabazz Palaces, K.R.I.T., the new Ghostface, etc. over that any day
also the teen dream “hype machine” pales in comparison to Kanye’s, give me a break. that’s irrelevant
Alright, alright. I was softly trolling. For the record, I think this is a good list. Teen Dream tops my personal selection this year too and is probably in my top ten of all time.
And you’re right about West: it’s not really about his rapping ability. His lyrics haven’t matured since his debut: it’s the same regurgitated serving as before, with a few comical exceptions. Fortunately, the premium production and guest talent lets him float by in that regard. By now this is a tired observation, but it’s all about the allure of his unfounded but wildly encouraged arrogance. His showboating alone wouldn’t be enough, but it’s reciprocated by the freak phenomenon of so many people actually believing that he’s the songbird of the 21st century.
Ridiculous.
Case in point, mention Kanye West and it’s instantly inflammatory to any civil discussion regarding the music of 2010. But it invariably happens.
where is big echo? OH, and neon indian gets credit for lip synching through an entire tour and not getting called on it.
1 – Beach House – Teen Dream
2 – Owen Pallett – Heartland
3 – These New Puritans – Hidden
4 – CocoRosie – Grey oceans
5 – Antony & The Johnsons – Swanlights
6 – Wolf Parade – Expo ’86
7 – Bryan Ferry – Olympia
8 – Arcade Fire – Suburbs
9 – Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man
10 – Xiu Xiu – Dear God, I Hate Myself
11 – Radio Dept – Clinging To A Scheme
12 – Sade – Soldier of Love
13 – Blonde Redhead – Here Sometimes
14 – The National – High Violet
15 – Joanna Newsom – Have On One Me
16 – Grinderman – Grinderman 2
17 – Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation
18 – Jola Jesus – Stridulum II
19 – Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
20 – Phosphorescent – Here’s To Taking It Easy
21 – MGMT – Congratulations
22 – Goldfrapp – Head First
23 – Sufjan Stevens – The Age Of Adz
24 – Hot Chip – One Life Stand
25 – Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
26 – Belle And Sebastian – Write About Love
27 – Kylie – Aphrodite
28 – Hole – Nobody’s Doughter
29 – Susan Boyle – The Gift
30 – Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
very nice listing though, don’t mean to only criticize.
THE SOFT MOON!!!!! Why is everyone sleeping on that album?
Hi again G Vs B people! Here is my top 40 list of best albums for 2010
http://thezedmiester.blogspot.com
I welcome criticism. My list also includes quite a few independent Australian bands (obv where I’m from) some you may not have heard of so I hope you enjoy! xx
Hey, does anyone know where the artwork for these compilations/best-ofs/monthly mixes comes from?
Dig Ty Segall’s inclusion.
This list makes absolutely no sense at all.. and it screams, “WE’RE DIFFERENT!”
Where’s Flying Lotus and Kanye West =|
As much as I love OFWGKTA, you would have to be dense or motivated by individualism to think that any of their albums are better than those two named above.
“motivated by individualism”? well, these are my personal favorites, so yeah i guess that’s one way of putting it. that kanye record is so ridiculously overrated. not sure why it’s so unfathomable to you that I might enjoy listening to Odd Future, Big Boi, Ghostface, Shabazz Palaces, Big K.R.I.T., etc. way more than Kanye, but it’s true.
Love Flying Lotus though.
Oh.. I thought this was a consensus.. makes more sense that its an individual list.
No worries brah.. it’s a good list.. it just didn’t make sense if it were a collective response.
Its not “best albums”, its “favourite albums”. GVB prefers these albums more than Kanye and Lotus and that makes sense to me, you can make your own list. I dont see how Kanye’s album could be a favourite of many peoples, Flying Lotus is more understandable, thats got class.
I’m really surprised you guys didn’t have Wild Nothing, Tame Impala, or PS I Love You. Those I can forgive; excluding the true AOTY, Titus Andronicus’ “The Monitor”, however, is not acceptable.
The Airing of Grievances > The Monitor
you sir, are correct.
Top Ten 2010
1. Gemini-Wild Nothing
2. Go-Jonsi
3. Before Today-Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
4. Innerspeaker-Tame Impala
5. Movement in a storm-James Yuill
6. In Praise of More-The Engineers
7. The Ocean Tango-The Ocean Tango
8. The Reluctant Graveyard-Jeremy Messersmith
9. A Balloon Called Moaning-The Joy Formidable
10. Between the Sounds-The Candles
Top Ten Songs 2010 (no particular order)
1. “Summersongs in the Snow”-Labrador
2. “The New Improved Hypocrisy”-The Radio Dept.
3. “Norway”-Beach House
4. “I Didn’t See It Coming”-Belle & Sebastian
5. “Under the Gun”-Apex Manor
6. “Funeral Song”-Minks
7. “Recalling”-The Proper Ornaments
8. “Transporpirações”-Le Almeida
9. “Always”-Junip
10. “Since April Left”-The Metric Mile
radio dept. & wild nothing were best
my top 5 of 2k10
1.Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti -”Before Today”
2.Beach House -”Teen Dream”
3.How To Dress Well -”Love Remains”
4.Male Bonding – “Nothing Hurts”
5.OFF! -”First Four Eps”
I thought “Have One on Me” was by far the best record of the year. To me its intricate melodies, consistency, uncompromisingly individual sound and, for want of a better word, “soul”, make everything else seem aloof and self-conscious.
“Cosmogramma” not even in first 30?
Same thing as Pitchfork, pretty much, except I don’t think you can chime in on pitchfork’s list. It does scream out: “being different-” Trying so hard to color outside the lines. I get it, though. Most of it is good, of course but what happened to The Morning Benders, Fang Island, Local Natives, etc. Maybe I’m referring more to the Pitchfork list, they who spent so much time lauding releases all throughout the year and then by the end of the year, a case of amnesia develops and they opt to choose the more obscure, inaccessible outings. I don’t get how music that got “best new music” throughout the year gets chosen after music that didn’t. How does that work? Do they decide otherwise as the year moves along? The Local Natives record may have been more reachable in terms of pop but in my opinion, it was the most delightful listen I got the whole year.
Wasn’t Gorilla Manor released in 2009? I think it was. Also, not defending Pitchfork by any means, but I do tend to ‘forget’ certain releases that I though were great when they first came out, later in the year. As have certain albums grown on me while my initial response wasn’t that enthusiastic. And I’m sure this has happened to you a couple of times as well. Anyway, I’m not one for lists, nor ‘grading’ albums, so I can’t really work up a sweat about stuff like this.
Gorilla Manor was released 16th Feb 2010, so well within the year ;-)
Was released November 2nd 2009 in the UK though…
How can you not include LCD Soundsystem “Is This Happening?”
because it bores me to tears
How can you not type the album’s title correctly?
Where’s MGMT and Tame Impala??
I guess i’m the only person who thought Owen Pallett’s “Heartland” was one of the best albums this year…
i completely agree with you. seems like people forgot that it came out this year or something. totally overlooked. or did people just not like it? i dunno… fucking beautiful.
owen pallett ftw!!!!!!!1
Flying Lotus left me completely unmoved – a bit like Squarepusher, but watered down and not as good.
Liked ‘Odd Blood’ from Yeasayer so would have been good to see that in there but otherwise a good list with plenty of stuff to go and check out that I haven’t heard yet.
Why are people complaining about the fact that their favorites aren’t on this list. People– if there’s anything to understand prior to reading a review/selection/opinion of music, it’s that views are completely subjective and only pertain to what the writer enjoys, not a summation of what everyone else enjoys.
Cuz these lists from ppl whose opinions they respect give them vindication when it matches with their thoughts and a lil “wait you didn’t know how good this was?” when it’s not
if y’all liked flylo’s shit this year (i know i did) check out HTTP://SEATHINGS.BANDCAMP.COM/ for a free album [[altered zones has compared him to flylo, this isn't a completely contrived claim]] don’t sleep… enjoy
nice piece here gvb
Horse shit of a list. Caribou- swim should at least get top 5.. Local natives??? LCD??? Remember when you were not nearly as cool as you are now and it was more about music than image.
LCD album is boring as hell. not a fan of local natives
Are you not a LCD fan or just weren’t digging the album?
glad some finally said it. LCD is possibly the most overrated band of the decade. boooooo-ring.
*someone
I love how gnarly you are all getting over LCD Soundsystem. I kind of wish Born Ruffians made the list, but hey, you can’t win em all right kids?
Keep up the good work Chris.
i hate getting involved in no-win arguments, but i just have to give chris props for putting the list out for us all to bitch about. seems to me that if i want to make my own top list, i should put it on my own blog? give GVB some credit for being just what it is – something we all enjoy.
thanks for playing great tracks, exposing me to new music, and giving us news and downloads for free all year long! definitely my favorite music blog.
Wheres MGMT, and Tame Impala and Local Natives and Villagers, an atrist that seems to be continually left out of each Album of the Year list even though “Becoming a Jackal” is clearly one of the best records of the year. And MGMT as well is a record that if you spend some time with it, you’ll see its a rarity and a reocrd that will become a staple of modern psychdelia in years to come.
Glad to see a best of 2010 list without Kanye West. Thanks.
-Dylan
Natural Beardy: the music blog you’ve been looking for.
http://www.naturalbeardy.com
…and join the f-book team:
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Thanks for the great list. I featured it on my blog: http://loveyourmusic.tv/content/best-best-2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5gQidrzojU
Watch that 7 minutes and 53 seconds of perfect music and tell me you aren’t moved. How can you call that boring? That is AMAZING.
Well, anyhow, great list. Thanks a lot for sharing. Beach House truly deserved the one spot, such a kick ass record.
Not moved. Far from moved. Bored. The vid is kinda cute, but I couldn’t make it past the 4 minute mark. Besides, it’s pretty much a Remain In Light lift anyway.
20. Lazerbeak – Legend Recognize Legend
19. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
18. Future Islands – In Evening Air
17. Broken Bells – Broken Bells
16. Lower Dens – Twin-Hand Movement
15. Elsinore – Yes Yes Yes
14. Warpaint – The Fool
13. The Roots – How I Got Over
12. Sun Airway – Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier
11. Jonsi – Go
10. The Walkmen – Lisbon
9. Active Child – Curtis Lane EP
8. Gayngs – Relayted
7. The Morning Benders – Big Echo
6. The National – High Violet
5. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
4. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
3. Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
2. Menomena – Mines
1. Beach House – Teen Dream
not surprising but not very cool either – http://bit.ly/ek3SXR
cool? who cares. like what you like.
James Blake = AOTY 2011… or will it be forgotten in 12 months times?
where is sufjan on this list, I thought his age release would be found here. am I missing something?
U must say i’m relieved nOT to see Sufjan on this list. I’m so over that guy’s sound. He’s so totally overexposed and every song sounds the same to me.
All are amazing!!
No How To Dress Well?!
Nobody likes Foals – Total Life Forever?
we do realize that it’s hilarious how upsetting it is to find out other people don’t like what we like, right?
exactly. now i feel like a dumbass and a huge hipster after reading all these comments cause kanye west is my personal year’s favorite…. whatev, i still like the album
wheres Wavves man???
jk
beach house? really?
yes
hell yes!
No FlyLo, Kanye, or Roots?
what the fuck yo where’s Teebs’ Ardour in there?
Thank You! Teebs – Ardour. Fantastic Album.
where is high violet??
It’s great to find a list where Kanye West is not at the top, I don’t have anything against that album, I just think is so over rated.
Beach House definitely deserves all praise, so much respect for Gorilla vs Bear.
Although I understand Harlem’s position in your list/ not an all around solid album but some serious bangers/ the same applies to the Dum Dum Girls album, not top 15 worthy
Earl’s Half The Reason The Review’s Fantastic
Tyler, Is That You?
YES YES YES. FUCK. YES.
In retrospect, this remains a mostly awesome list, but where’s Rangers? Suburban †ours was/is amazing.
I think you’re retarded, specifically for only having about 10 of the same albums as me. BUT that’s not why I’m here. I love this list cause it pointed out about 10 albums I was to busy to listen to & will go back & possibly incorporate into my list.
1 question though. What is it that makes My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy not have class, yet Sir Lucious Left Foot makes the list?
28 Caribou – Swim
27 Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers
26 Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
25 Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh
24 The Walkmen – Lisbon
23 Tennis – Tennis (cassette)
22 Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
This part of the list is awful. just vomit level
nah
haha ok:)… i just meant instead of some of the things left out.
.
Tennis-Tennis(cassette) where do i find this?
You know what albums’ way overrated? Before Today. Except for a few exceptional, game-changing tracks (“Round and Round” and “Bright Lit Blue Skies”) that hint at a fully-formed, wholly unique aesthetic, it’s a total slog trying to get through that album. Maybe you don’t like LCD’s sound (doesn’t make sense to me and I think it’s really obnoxious and off-base to knock him for “ripping off” late 70s/early 80s bowie, talking heads, etc.), at least James Murphy is a thoughtful, insightful lyricist. I’ve tried to listen to the “music” that Ariel Pink shits out of his armpit on the second half of “Before Today” a couple dozen times and it’s never come close to resonating in any sort of meaningful way.
madlib medicine show