Keep in mind that this list does not include mixtapes or EPs, and the songs for each album WILL NOT appear on the Top 50 Songs list.
10. The Orchard by Ra Ra Riot
Ra Ra Riot collaborated with Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend for their latest LP and it's naturally chock full of catchy, polished jingles. Bright melodies and an even brighter cello makes the album pretty irresistible.
"Too Dramatic" - Ra Ra Riot
9. Transference by Spoon
Spoon's blend of garage indie rock made an impact once again and they never fail to write about awesome, if not wild, stuff. Spoon = solid, solid indie rock.
"The Mystery Zone" - Spoon
8. Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
Gorillaz has always been able to evade categorization into a genre, and it's because they do everything so well. R&B, indie, rap, electropop are all inadequate descriptions. To top it off, Damon Albarn is the master of concept albums, having carried this story through 3 albums.
"Superfast Jellyfish" - Gorillaz ft. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul
7. Brothers by The Black Keys
The Black Keys really make the basics shine. Everything is a rudimentary rock chord progression, and the lyrics are in the style of traditional blues artists. They're like a modern day Bo Diddley, and Brothers is the album to make kids like the blues again.
"Howlin' for You" - The Black Keys
6. Broken Bells by Broken Bells
'Tis a beautiful thing when two completely different artists produce a happy collaboration. Danger Mouse is an old pro when it comes to harmonious partnerships, and perhaps that's why it is so surprising that James Mercer's soft indie rock is more prominent in their sound. We're happy for it, of course!
"The High Road" - Broken Bells
http://www.divshare.com/download/13765015-c33
5. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire has always been dramatic, even when you just consider the twenty-some instruments they play. Each and every track of The Suburbs is a grand theatrical experiment. Each song vastly different from the next. Some are written from the teenage soul, some from the middle-age, and all written with trembling respect for the integrity of music itself.
"Month of May" - Arcade Fire
4. The Defamation of Strickland Banks by Plan B
One of the best concept albums in the past ten years. Sure there are a couple plot holes here or there, but the fact that Ben Drew completely refashioned his style from rap into high grade soul is impressive alone.
"Free" - Plan B
3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Kanye is so creative in his execution and so passionate in his delivery (but not like the always angry Eminem). He's got this expansive range of emotion and style and takes it to the limit in the best way.
"All of the Lights" - Kanye West
2. Contra by Vampire Weekend
Early in 2010 Vampire Weekend's sophomore album impacted with force. Songs without (vocal) choruses, songs with autotune, and songs with every kind of influence imaginable. The album feels full to the brim.
"Cousins" - Vampire Weekend
"California English" - Vampire Weekend
1. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
Monáe is the whole package - she's an entertainer. She's that person you hate because she excels at everything. Dancing, R&B, Rap, Soul, Pop, covers, drama, collaborations, the concept album. And it all comes together in her live show. The music videos are a nice consolation though. Actually, just get the album.
"Tightrope" - Janelle Monáe ft. Big Boi
"Cold War" - Janelle Monáe
No comments:
Post a Comment