Top 10 Albums of 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010 The first year of the 10's brought some fantastic music to our ears. The indie rock scene continues to evolve and gain popularity as the amount of new talent overwhelms anyone trying to keep up. Troysnoise does its part to capture a slice of those new and emerging sounds that you must hear.
With our Top 10 Albums of 2010 we pause to slightly break from that form, allowing the inclusion of semi-mainstream, hip-hop, and established acts that demonstrated pure dominance of their art. Take a listen to the samples we've provided for each album and drop us a line about our selections. Yes, Kanye West was intentionally omitted from the list. While it had some great tracks, we weren't overly impressed.
10. Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
The band's highest charting album ever, the BSS sound features everything from guitars and horns to woodwinds and violins. Considered a music collective within the industry, they range from six to as many nineteen members in the group. Who cares how many people it takes, this album is a masterpiece. So give it a listen, you Texico Bitches.
"Forced to Love" Released: May 4 From: Canada
9. The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme
This is only the Swedes' third full-length since starting to release music in '02, marking their best effort yet. From the gritty shoegaze on "A Token of Gratitude" and "This Time Around" to the Ace of Base type beat on "Never Follow Suit," it's an album that will get you through any season of the year.
"Heaven's on Fire" Released: April 21 From: Sweden
8. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today
Two years ago Ariel Pink slightly departed from his historically lo-fi sound and formed Haunted Graffiti. Releasing their first studio album, Before Today, in late June, Ariel's project reached the Top 200 Billboard charts for the first time in his career. With a uniquely different turn on each track, it's an acquired taste that will keep you begging for more.
"Round and Round" Released: June 8 From: Los Angeles
7. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
After seeing them open for Pearl Jam at MSG, it became obvious how talented BOH really are. They've approaching mainstream at this point, but that doesn't diminish the excellence of Infinite Arms. Ben Bridwell (lead vocals) and their guitar riffs are more addicting than a tobacco-filled
"Dilly" Released: May 18 From: Seattle
6. Das Racist - Sit Down. Man
While most rap today features facile and uninspiring lyrics, DR brings pointed messages to the mic and do do (lyric reference) it in an extraordinarily intriguing and rhythmic way while laughing at today’s pitiable pop culture. With this, their second mixtape, they're captivated more and more fans with intoxicating beats (thx Diplo) and a mastering of the English language.
"rappin 2 u" Released: March From: Brooklyn
5. The Black Keys - Brothers
Their popularity took off in 2010 following the release of Brothers. Playing since 2002, they admittedly focused on crafting a radio hit single for this album, and the Danger Mouse-produced "Tighten Up" proved to be that and more, with four Grammy nominations following soon thereafter. Oh my next girl / Will be nothing like me ex-girl
"Tighten Up" Released: May 18 From: Ohio
4. Tame Impala - Innerspeaker
The psychedelic elements modernize the sound while Kevin Parker's dream-like vocals (sometimes using a kazoo) invoke images of The Beatles and John Lennon as Tame Impala takes indie rock to a new level with this, their debut album. Do yourself a favor and hit the replay button on the album before you hit play.
"Desire Be, Desire Go" Released: May 21 From: Western Australia
3. Kids of 88 - Sugarpills
Of our Top 10, Kids of 88 are likely one you haven't heard of. Their single "Just a Little Bit," won Single of The Year in their native New Zealand. Troysnoise saw them play during CMJ in Williamsburg, in front of only 20 people, and not because it was a private show. Until Americans catch on, KO88 will go on selling out shows for the Kiwis.
"Feed the Birds" Released: August 16 From: New Zealand
2. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
With Outkast on temporary hiatus, Big Boi proves on his debut solo album that his intoxicating beats and lyrics will survive with or without Andre 3000. Evoking memories of ATLiens and Stankonia, this collabo project spans the spectrum of what we had come to expect, mocking DJs in "You Ain't No DJ," slowing it down with "The Train Part II," and captivating the mainstream with "Shutterbug" and "Fo Yo Sorrows." Well done sir.
Released: July 5 From: Atlanta
1. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
If you didn't know about Arcade Fire before this year, you certainly heard in 2010. Following the release of The Suburbs they've sold out shows everywhere from MSG , as the world finally catches on. An album with 16 tracks that's complete from top to bottom, with something for everyone. Nothing else I can say will do it justice.
"City With No Children" Released: August From: Canada
Honorable Mention:
Broken Bells - Broken Bells, Spoon - Transference, The Roots - How I Got Over, Toro y Moi - Causers Of This, and Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Stay tuned for our upcoming "Bands to Watch in 2011." We already pulled the curtain back on one such qualifying group two weeks ago...
Reader Comments (3)
Troysnoise brings the rucas once again... great selection of the best of 2010 I look forward to checking them all out along with the other selections found on this site. Keep up the good work and happy new year to the Troysnoise crew!!!!
fantastic site man keep up the good work!
Appreciate the shout outs. Delorean's Subiza, Toro y Moi's Causers of This, Caribou's Swim, and Deerhunter's Halcyon Digest are well worth a listen as well and easily could have cracked the Top 10.