Jeremy's Top Albums of 2010
The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
If you’re still asking, “Who is Arcade Fire,” I’m not sure what to tell you. If you’re into great LIVE shows, we along with the other 50k+ fans at this year’s Lollapalooza can assure you that you’d be hard to find much better. If you’re just into great albums, it would be easy to declare this one as the best release in 2010 without much deliberation. If you’re into geeky technologies, go here to download Google Chrome and enjoy this amazing short film. “Desperate to elude its own corrosive dread, it keeps moving, asking, looking, and making the promise that hope isn't just another spiritual cul-de-sac. After all, you never know who might be coming in the next car.” Since we just moved to the suburbs, I’m more terrified than ever. ☺
Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons might sound like a defunct plumber that jacked up your drain this year, but don’t let that fool you. They’re a group of very talented banjo pickin’ Brits that quite honestly put together one of the most authentic albums of the decade. It took Sarah dragging me to a show in Nashville, but thankfully I connected the dots and added this to regular playlist rotation.
Brothers by The Black Keys
Once dismissed as yet another garage rock revival band in the wake of the White Stripes and the Kills; the Black Keys have proven remarkably durable, having now released five albums and four EPs . Brothers was primarily recorded in Alabama's Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and is a great progression for this band. I also find the sarcastic album art amusing.
Gorilla Manor by Local Natives
This album is right up there in terms of best debuts in recent years. This L.A. band features three-part harmonies, euphoric chanting, and really cool percussion. Think of a mixture of Fleet Foxes, The Format, and Grizzly Bear all rolled into one. The vocal harmonies and the melodies are fantastic. Did I mention they played 9 times at SXSW? Work ethic = check.
Lungs by Florence & The Machine
Why should you spend 45 precious minutes with Florence (that’s the white pasty self-professed geek and lead singer) and the Machine (her band)? Maybe because of the unbelievable voice on “I’m Not Calling You a Liar”. Or because of the near-brilliant lyricism of “My Boy Builds Coffins”. Or maybe because few moments in pop history have captured joy like the last 30 seconds of “The Dog Days Are Over”. Whatever the case, you should at least check it out.
The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monae
“The ArchAndroid” is a 70-minute / 18 track epic adventure comprising of two parts. Each beginning with an overture, telling a futuristic story starring a messianic android. It is really hard to absorb in one sitting but is a really over-the-top-cool album.
Let me know what you think and what your picks are this year. You can also share below with friends and follow me @jeremyholley. Here's to a great 2011... Happy New Year!
