Albums of the year 2010

Fruitonica · 11-30-2010, 03:23 AM

My musical exploration has slowed down this year, I haven't been hanging around MB as much. Also I've been catching up on some older stuff (I wish I could vote for Midnight Organ Fight). So I didn't really get to hear a lot of the things this year had to offer. Nevertheless, I'll submit these for now and hopefully a few others will come to mind.

Dessa - A Badly Broken Code

This by far for best of the year, I can't get tired of it. Dessa has a perfectly nimble flow that can inject snatches of melody into breakneck rapping, and her singing voice makes great hooks. Her lyrics are contemplative, elegant and gripping (perhaps a bit moody for some, but I'm enough of an angsty teen to like them). The production is varied and constantly interesting.
My only complaint is that there aren't any epic verses, everything is a little neatly trimmed.

The Glitch Mob - Drink the Sea

I don't often listen to techno, but their remix of Red Dress by TVotR caught my attention and this album is fantastic. Pounding, atmospheric, funky.

Gonjasufi - A Sufi and a Killer

Gaslampkiller's warped, lo-fi psychedelia production is what makes this such a great album, but Sufi's cracked, scratchy voice draws you in with its vulnerability.

Arya Stark · 11-30-2010, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fruitonica

My musical exploration has slowed down this year, I haven't been hanging around MB as much. Also I've been catching up on some older stuff (I wish I could vote for Midnight Organ Fight). So I didn't really get to hear a lot of the things this year had to offer. Nevertheless, I'll submit these for now and hopefully a few others will come to mind.

Dessa - A Badly Broken Code

This by far for best of the year, I can't get tired of it. Dessa has a perfectly nimble flow that can inject snatches of melody into breakneck rapping, and her singing voice makes great hooks. Her lyrics are contemplative, elegant and gripping (perhaps a bit moody for some, but I'm enough of an angsty teen to like them). The production is varied and constantly interesting.
My only complaint is that there aren't any epic verses, everything is a little neatly trimmed.

I definitely like what Dessa has going on. I wouldn't consider the album to be the best of the year because I only really liked a handful of the songs on the album, but she definitely brings something fresh to the table we don't hear often. But it seems to be a new thing going on, the singing and rapping by the same person in one song. Drake's doing it and so is Nicki. Obviously it's not the same, because Dessa has a completely different sound than the two of them, but it does seem to be a trend right now on the radio.

duga · 11-30-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

2009 was a horrble year. 2010 is the best year ever in music imo. Shall post my list later, will be a long one.

Best year ever? I don't know about that...

But it has been a good year I must say. I've picked up a couple albums from people's lists in here and I've already found a couple more that could sneak up there on my list. I'm interested to see what you got.

dac · 11-30-2010, 01:24 PM

Due to hitting senior year of engineering school, my time for music and particularly this site has disappeared, but I thought I'd weigh in anyways.

A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet. At first I thought it was just ok, not quite as good as their debut, but after a few more listens I was sold. The last four songs make up possibly the most incredible stretch of an album ever. I mean, just effing listen:

Now go DL this.

I really, really enjoyed Mogwai's live album that came out, but idk if that really counts. Someone mentioned Autolux's Transit Transit in here and I have to say that that was probably my letdown of 2010 :/

Also, this sounds awesome, I can't wait to DL it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero1986

5. Alcest - Écailles de Lune
A seriously epic album. It's not quite as good as 2007's incredible Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde but it is truly an amazing album. What i really love about this album is the atmosphere, the music certainly lives up to it's awesome album cover. The combination of quiet instrumental passages, heavy guitars, hushed vocals, and haunting black metal screams make this album and amzing listening experience.

duga · 11-30-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dac

Due to hitting senior year of engineering school, my time for music and particularly this site has disappeared, but I thought I'd weigh in anyways.

A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet. At first I thought it was just ok, not quite as good as their debut, but after a few more listens I was sold. The last four songs make up possibly the most incredible stretch of an album ever. I mean, just effing listen:

If you thought it was just ok the first couple times around but now it's in your top of the year, I might just listen to it a bit more. I listened to it twice and wasn't too impressed, but I heard potential. Maybe I need to pay more attention.

clementine · 11-30-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero1986

The year's not over yet but here's my albums of the year (so far)

3. Band Of Horses - Infinite Arms
By far their most accomplished and realised album to date. Songs like 'Laredo' and 'Dilly' show that this band has evolved while still staying true to their original sound. The band certainly sound like they're on the top of their game.

5. Alcest - Écailles de Lune
A seriously epic album. It's not quite as good as 2007's incredible Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde but it is truly an amazing album. What i really love about this album is the atmosphere, the music certainly lives up to it's awesome album cover. The combination of quiet instrumental passages, heavy guitars, hushed vocals, and haunting black metal screams make this album and amzing listening experience.

6. Butterfly Explosion - Lost Trails
My Irish album of the year. This album really hits the spot for me, it has no shortage of memorable songs and it's beautiful dream-pop/shoegaze-influenced soundscapes sound truly amazing. The guitars just sound really amazing.

those three are just great, specially Écailles de Lune, that one's on my list. the rest I'm not sure though I'd probably add Jónsi's solo album "Go"

Alfred · 11-30-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

2009 was a horrble year. 2010 is the best year ever in music imo. Shall post my list later, will be a long one.

Yeah, 2009 was pretty weak, only a few really top notch releases. This year's had several.

Zer0 · 11-30-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dac

A Place to Bury Strangers - Exploding Head
I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet. At first I thought it was just ok, not quite as good as their debut, but after a few more listens I was sold. The last four songs make up possibly the most incredible stretch of an album ever. I mean, just effing listen:

That album was released last year but it is a very solid album . It's not as abrasive as their debut but i think it's pretty much on par with it. I absolutely love the ending of the album where it sounds like your speakers are being toasted, just brilliant.

dac · 11-30-2010, 04:32 PM

Wow. It was. I feel dumb. I think it's just cause I saw them this year that I classed it as '10. Tentatively mark me down for UNKLE's 'Where Did the Night Fall', which is criminally overlooked, as I try to figure out my choice then.

Jonsi's Go was good, but top heavy. Some tracks left me completely in awe (Tornado and Kolindur, or however you spell it) and others I just skip over.

CanwllCorfe · 11-30-2010, 04:35 PM

As of now (in no particular order):

Rokkuro - Í Annan Heim

It's one of those albums that are completely timeless. Dreamy vocals and lots of classical influence help to really create a dark & cold atmosphere. I love it. The classical passages are unbelievable. Svanur has one of the best on the album.

The Saddest Landscape - You Will Not Survive

I've always been somewhat into screamo, but have never found something that really epitomized what I was looking for. The WHOLE album went on my phone. That never happens. The emotional intensity and aggression are spot on.

M. Ostermeier - Lakefront

Ambient can get a bit monotonous at times, but when it's done right, it can completely change the way I feel and think. This one is pretty damn dark. When I listen to it I can't help but feel unsettled somehow. The picture is spot on. You can tell by the trees that it is late in the year, and by the road that it just rained. The whole album feels like a dark, cold, wet suburban landscape.

The Tallest Man on Earth - Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird

Although his album Wild Hunt is fantastic, something about this one echoes the feeling I get from his first full length release Shallow Grave. I'd probably pick the songs I like from Wild Hunt, and the ones I like from this one to make the ultimate Tallest Man on Earth conglomerate.

11-30-2010, 04:32 PM	#69 (permalink)
dac MB's Biggest Fanboy Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land Posts: 2,852	Wow. It was. I feel dumb. I think it's just cause I saw them this year that I classed it as '10. Tentatively mark me down for UNKLE's 'Where Did the Night Fall', which is criminally overlooked, as I try to figure out my choice then. Jonsi's Go was good, but top heavy. Some tracks left me completely in awe (Tornado and Kolindur, or however you spell it) and others I just skip over. __________________

11-30-2010, 04:35 PM	#70 (permalink)
CanwllCorfe Quiet Man in the Corner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pocono Mountains Posts: 2,480	As of now (in no particular order): Rokkuro - Í Annan Heim It's one of those albums that are completely timeless. Dreamy vocals and lots of classical influence help to really create a dark & cold atmosphere. I love it. The classical passages are unbelievable. Svanur has one of the best on the album. The Saddest Landscape - You Will Not Survive I've always been somewhat into screamo, but have never found something that really epitomized what I was looking for. The WHOLE album went on my phone. That never happens. The emotional intensity and aggression are spot on. M. Ostermeier - Lakefront Ambient can get a bit monotonous at times, but when it's done right, it can completely change the way I feel and think. This one is pretty damn dark. When I listen to it I can't help but feel unsettled somehow. The picture is spot on. You can tell by the trees that it is late in the year, and by the road that it just rained. The whole album feels like a dark, cold, wet suburban landscape. The Tallest Man on Earth - Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird Although his album Wild Hunt is fantastic, something about this one echoes the feeling I get from his first full length release Shallow Grave. I'd probably pick the songs I like from Wild Hunt, and the ones I like from this one to make the ultimate Tallest Man on Earth conglomerate. __________________ Your eyes were never yet let in to see the majesty and riches of the mind, but dwell in darkness; for your God is blind.

11-30-2010, 03:23 AM	#61 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	My musical exploration has slowed down this year, I haven't been hanging around MB as much. Also I've been catching up on some older stuff (I wish I could vote for Midnight Organ Fight). So I didn't really get to hear a lot of the things this year had to offer. Nevertheless, I'll submit these for now and hopefully a few others will come to mind. Dessa - A Badly Broken Code This by far for best of the year, I can't get tired of it. Dessa has a perfectly nimble flow that can inject snatches of melody into breakneck rapping, and her singing voice makes great hooks. Her lyrics are contemplative, elegant and gripping (perhaps a bit moody for some, but I'm enough of an angsty teen to like them). The production is varied and constantly interesting. My only complaint is that there aren't any epic verses, everything is a little neatly trimmed. The Glitch Mob - Drink the Sea I don't often listen to techno, but their remix of Red Dress by TVotR caught my attention and this album is fantastic. Pounding, atmospheric, funky. Gonjasufi - A Sufi and a Killer Gaslampkiller's warped, lo-fi psychedelia production is what makes this such a great album, but Sufi's cracked, scratchy voice draws you in with its vulnerability.