Monday, December 6, 2010

Best Albums 2010

It seems like it's a bit to early to do this (a lot can happen in one month!), but all the big magazines have theirs out already. This is only fair.

10.Coheed and Cambria – Year of the Black Rainbow
Coheed and Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow
I was really worried about Coheed, because the album before this was disappointing. Luckily, they pulled it back together for this more streamlined album.

9.Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
I had high hopes for Halcyon Digest because Deerhunter had one of my favourite releases of the past few years in Microcastle. This album took some time to enjoy because the songs were more abstract, but it was worth it. 

8.Janelle Monae – The Archandroid
Janelle MonĂ¡e - The ArchAndroid
Janelle's debut EP set the standards high for this, and she somehow exceeded them in every way. The Archandroid is both more experimental and has one of the year's best singles in 'Cold War'. 

7.Manic Street Preachers – Postcards from a Young Man
Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From a Young Man
The Manics are my favourite band, so even if this album was a bit of a disappointment  I probably listened to it more than anything this year.

6.Kaki King – Junior
Kaki King - Junior
Kaki King is an excellent guitarist so it was interesting to see her in the more 'rock' context that Junior provides. I listened to this a ton at the start of the year and still get the songs caught in my head.

5.Nachtmystium – Addicts
Nachtmystium - Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. 2
This is a really indescribable release, because it's moved so far away from the black metal sound and yet doesn't touch the psychedelic, post-punk, or standard metal sounds it's hinting at. Either way a brave move stylistically and with great songs throughout. 

4.High on Fire – Snakes for the Divine
High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine
High on Fire are an unbelievably consistent band and this is no exception. They're beginning to make their sound more melodic and diverse, and so Snakes for the Divine is their most immediate and accessible album. 

3.Deftones – Diamond Eyes
Deftones - Diamond Eyes
The circumstances surrounding this album are quite sad (Deftones' bassist is currently in a coma), but somehow the Deftones were able to make a consistent and hard-hitting modern rock album. I'd call it a comeback if I didn't like Saturday Night Wrist so much. 

2.Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti – Before Today
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today
I hadn't listened to Ariel Pink before this album - a shame, because this is great. The songs balance catchy melodies with hazy retro synths and layers of noise, so the album is both modern and experimental and somehow familiar.  

1.Darkthrone – Circle the Wagons

Darkthrone - Circle the Wagons
I might be in the minority in that I prefer Darkthrone's newer material to the 'classic' period (which is still great!). This might somehow be the best of the lot - Darkthrone's new speed/crust/black sound suits them extremely well and sounds extremely distinct next to more polished releases.

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