Honor Roll For The Year: 
1. Titus Andronicus-The Monitor So, before I say anything about this album. I want to make it clear that it is a loosely based concept album centering on the Civil War. The second is that, yes, Titus Andronicus is a very pretentious name for a band. Get rid of your assumptions though, because Titus Andronicus brings the thunder. Instead of the coy hipster vocals referencing a Picasso or a Monet, Patrick Stickles has a shouting rasp akin to Blake Schwarzenbach or Chuck Ragan. The album features lines such as “Cause tramps like us/Baby we were born to die!” or “I didn’t want to change the world/I’m just looking for a new New Jersey.” The album is long, but all I wanted at the end was more. To add an awesome cherry to an already awesome sundae, there are spoken word tracks of members from Titus Andronicus reading actual speeches from the Civil War. On “A More Perfect Union” the last line before a steamroller guitar kicks in is “As a nation of free men, we will live forever or die by suicide.” If that doesn’t wake you up, then I’m sorry to inform you that you’re already dead.Most Likely: To participate in a Civil War re-enactment.
2. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists-The Brutalist BricksMaybe it’s his affable nature or just the crowd he chooses to hang out with but I like Ted Leo. It doesn’t hurt that he makes some of the best music consistently, and often comes through the great Northwest. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen him put on great show after great show and still be excited about music. Maybe I’m biased because of all that, but Ted Leo deserves to have people listen. The Brutalist Bricks shows Leo and company burning through 13 great tracks, his acrobatic vocals punctuating each of these musical breaks. This album is really just another notch on the belt of excellence that he wears, but that doesn’t mean anyone should stop listening.P.S.-Also, most of the guitar solos kick more ass than a professional donkey punter.Most Likely: To melt faces and cause jaws to slacken.
3. Superchunk-Majesty Shredding
Superchunk are the best band to ever have come out of North Carolina. They first arrived out of that alternative rock scene in the 90’s. However, they outstripped many of their peers by having a career that has continued for 20+ years (if you count the hiatus). This album is a wonderful return to form that is awesome to see, but that’s not to say Superchunk is trying to act like they’re 20 years old still. They address that issue directly in “My Gap Feels Weird” where lead singer/guitarist, Mac McCaughan states “there’s not enough eyeliner in this world.” It shows a band that is comfortable where they ‘re at, but at the same time able to pogo and shred with the best of them. In rock music, that is all but a fairytale.Most Likely: To be told to turn it down by it’s kids. 
4. LCD Soundsystem-This Is HappeningJames Murphy reminds me of a lot of friends I have. Good taste in music, very funny, and well dressed. Murphy sounds like the last man on the dance floor at party that ended hours ago. The songs that he creates are each in themselves wonderful bits of casual genius. It seems a fitting end of the LCD Soundsystem trilogy, as many people speculate it will be. James Murphy makes dance music I don’t feel stupid dancing to, and once I leave the dance floor I’m still thinking about it. Songs like “Pow Pow” incorporates, rather sneakily I might add, the Mario “Pow” sound with a bongo-blip-like groove and odd vocal affirmations. There’s also heartbreaking songs like “I Can Change,” which talks about being willing to change so someone will love you. Murphy leaves himself completely naked on some tracks and parties hard on others. However Murphy goes though, make no mistake, he goes dancing.Most Likely: To have it’s glasses fall off on the dance floor.
5. Kanye West-My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyKanye West may forever be known for his bum rush of Taylor Swift at the VMAs, which is sad because Kanye can be absolutely brilliant. Yet, as he proves time and time again he can also be a dick. This album gives me hope for Kanye though, because it shows that Kanye doesn’t actually like himself sometimes. He has moments of self-doubt, followed by rushes of ego, and does stupid shit. Kanye admits on this album that he isn’t the easiest person to love. Which is why I love this album so much, it makes Kanye a real person. He is no longer all ego and swagger, he has some really introspective moments. He does some amazing things with a vocoder and is really able to spread out for this album. In addition, the guest list for this album reads like a Source Awards honoree list. The real star of the show is Kanye make no mistake about it. Let’s just hope he doesn’t fuck it up.Most Likely: To fuck it up.
6. Robyn-Body TalkAs a rule I don’t like dance or pop music. When those two words are combined I think of Katy Perry. So much of it holds so little draw for me that I usually disregard the genres altogether. Robyn (along with LCD Soundsystem) has shown me the folly of neglecting these genres of music. Because when they combine in the right way, it is amazing. Robyn is not only a great songsmith, but prolific too. Body Talk Parts 1-3 were all released during 2010, which equals two LPs and an EP or 25 tracks altogether. With the emotional depth that Robyn displays on each of these albums, it’s very easy to see her going on to greater things this next year.Most Likely: To make you cry and dance simultaneously, resulting in an awkward dance party.
7. Janelle Monae-The ArchandroidLike some sort of freaky sci-fi creature, Janelle Monae burst onto the musical scene this year. With an in depth back story worthy of Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov, Janelle proceeded to add funk and flavor to each of the tracks on the Archandroid. Her pipes shine, while all of the music combines southern rap, psychedelic, funk, and old school R & B. Monae is an original right from the start, and you needn’t look any further than “Cold War” or “Come Alive (The War of the Roses)” to see why.Most Likely: To be voted best R & B album on Mars.
8. The National-High VioletThe National have convinced me that they are here to save rock and roll. They don’t get caught in any of rock’s trappings and are deliver the promises of their last two albums. On this one Matt Berninger and Co. turn their focus inward. Berninger talks about the responsibility of family and finances, yet manages to make it interesting. The National are by no means young and raucous, but they make each orchestral swell count, every drum beat means something, and there isn’t a wasted guitar lick among the bunch. “Dad rock” maybe, but even so you should show respect to your elders.Most Likely: To be 40 years older, but still have better taste in music than you.
9. Fang Island-Fang IslandFang Island’s debut album starts out with the sound of firecrackers exploding in the night sky, and whistling rockets blowing through the air. It is a fitting intro for the album you are about to hear. The first track starts out slow, and sounds like a rowdy group got together to form a gospel choir. By track five you are jumping up and down. By the end of the album you feel like you’ve just been to see the greatest band with all of your closest friends. Fang Island defies categorization, but you shouldn’t be worried about categorization you should be worried about all the high fives you’re missing.Most Likely: To high five God.
10. Retribution Gospel Choir-2Alan Sparhawk must have really bottled up a lot of noisy energy during his days with Low because it comes out like a fury on 2. Sparhawk is a great guitarist, but no one would know it because Low is very sparse with almost no flair or guitar freak-outs. This album has flair and guitar freak outs to spare. If you are used to Low, this will be a huge surprise for you. The album certainly still has some atmospheric and textural work, but it owes much more to Dinosaur Jr. than it does to any “slow-core” band. It has a lot of classic rock influences as well, heavy riffing and solos to spare. Leave it to Sparhawk to star in two successful bands. It’s almost good enough to make you forget about Low.Most Likely: To still be really into Foghat.
11. Sleigh Bells-TreatsWith beats that sounded like they could pound continents into planets, Sleigh Bells’ sweet, fuzzed out tunes were on everybody’s lips this year. Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller have somehow found a way to market abrasive pop, which I hope becomes a trend. The album borrows the hard-hitting beats of underground rap while Krauss sings/coos along to Miller’s guitar. No one is able to resist. No one is safe. This should be on your iPod.Most Likely: To destroy the infrastructure of a city at full volume.
12. Male Bonding-Nothing HurtsI first heard Male Bonding on the Sound Opinions Podcast from WBEZ in Chicago. They immediately caught my ear because they blew the band they were supporting out of the water. Male Bonding do nothing particularly groundbreaking on this album. The formula is simple: punk/thrash + surf + add reverb to vocals = Male Bonding. Still all of the tunes on this album are tightly crafted pieces of power pop. Each song is great, and there is enough variation to not get bogged down in monotony. One thing you will never be with this album is bored.Most Likely: To get tinnitus before it turns 30.
13. Jason Moran-TenJason Moran is apparently kind of a big deal. I wasn’t aware, but this man is recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and had a piece on this album commissioned by the Philadelphia Art Museum. Moran deserves every bit of credit he gets though; he is truly an innovator of the genre. He does some very interesting things with feedback to say the least, which jazz players should do more often. The chances he takes are well worth the risk, resulting in both a modern and classical take on jazz.Most Likely: To be the first jazz concert to make you lose your hearing.
14. Gorillaz-Plastic BeachDamon Albarn finally got tired of pretending he was a cartoon character, and thusly has made Gorillaz most singularly brilliant album. Guest spots from Lou Reed, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon don’t really hurt the cause either. This album’s main conceit is about the disposability of the modern world. As lofty a concept as that sounds, it works because all the songs work as a whole. Albarn dips his toes into all sorts of different musical waters, but there isn’t really a misstep among the bunch. Damon Albarn has officially decided to step out of the cartoon and become a real human being.Most Likely: To recycle.
15. The Walkmen-LisbonWhen you listen to a Walkmen album, you pretty much know what to expect. Despair, regret, and disappointment all make their appearances on this album, but in a much more spectacular fashion. Hamilton Leithauser is much more reserved in his tone but much more forthcoming in his lyrics. Each song feels like sipping whiskey and talking about past girlfriends with a close friend. The thing that makes this album great is the lack of wallowing the Walkmen allow themselves. Each song turns from tragedy to catharsis in three minutes or less. There are peaks and valleys, but the Walkmen are trying their hardest to make life an even trail.Most Likely: To pat you on the back and hand you a beer.
16. Sharon Van Etten-EpicSharon Van Etten is truly a talent. With a voice that is forceful, smoky, and soft, she explores an array of styles on this album. The atmospherics on this album are just amazing. Van Etten has a renewed confidence in herself since her last album, and sings like she means it. While it is some of the most draining music you can listen to, you still want to listen to it again and again.Most Likely: To write letters to ex-boyfriends and not send them.
17. Deerhunter-Halycon DigestDeerhunter has long been a mystery to me. Often the only reason I have listened to them in the past has been because of confusion with the band Deerhoof. Today Deerhunter needn’t worry about that problem anymore. Halycon Digest is enough for even the most resistant Deerhunter fan. While the album cover would have you believe otherwise, Halycon Digest is 11 tracks of atmospheric eclectic pop music. It also features a heart wrenching tribute to the late Jay Reatard on “He Would Have Laughed.” On this album the noise is turned down, but the music is turned up.Most Likely: To be listened to with headphones.
18. Wavves-King of the BeachSnottiness needs to come back and finds its place in rock and roll. Thanks to Wavves (aka Nathan Williams) it has. Wavves not only weaves snottiness into the fray, but lo-fi, surf, and pop/punk as well. Williams is still a fucked-up loner, but this time he is a well produced fucked up loner. Although the melodies are hidden behind layers of reverb and fuzz, King of the Beach is laced with pure pop hooks. There is also a directness in Williams’s lyrics that seems very relatable. With a joint in one hand and a beer in the other, Williams flips the world the middle finger while asking us to care. And you know what, you actually do.Most Likely: To smoke you out.
Honorable Mention:1. Foals-Total Life Forever2. Charlotte Gainsbourg-IRM 3. Grinderman-Grinderman 24. Cee Lo Green-The Ladykiller5. Girl Talk-All Day6. The Black Keys-Brothers
Disappointments…in 140 Words or Less:1. The Gaslight Anthem-American SlangJersey boys try to be a punk rock version of Bruce Springsteen and end up being neither.2. The Hold Steady-Heaven Is WheneverThe Hold Steady loses a keyboardist and loses their way.3. Gogol Bordello-Trans-Continental HustleGogol Bordello forgets what fun sounds like for 13 tracks.4. M.I.A.- / \ / \ / \ Y / \A hot streak ends and the rest is noise.
Top Songs of 2010:
1. “Art Czars”-Japandroids2. “Crazy for You”-Best Coast3. “Swim”-Surfer Blood4. “Infinity Guitars”-Sleigh Bells5. “Home”-Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros6. “Twenty Miles”-Deer Tick7. “The High Road”-Broken Bells8. “Sex with an X”-The Vaselines9. “Windstorm”-School of Seven Bells10. “Cave-O-Sapien”-Wolf Parade11. “Hurricane J”-The Hold Steady12. “Hey Boy”-Magic Kids13. “The Ghost Who Walks”-Karen Elson14. “Love/Hate (Eat Me Alive)”-The Ruiners15. “Born Free”-M.I.A.16. “Memories”-Weezer17. “Weekend”-Smith Westerns18. “Not in Love”-Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith19. “Fever Dreaming”-No Age20. “Walk With Me”-Neil Young21. “Don’t Break The Needle”-J Roddy Walston and the Business22. “Jail La La”-The Dum Dum Girls
Band I Will Choose To Rant At For 2010: The Rolling Stones were one of the biggest acts of the past century, but for some reason they keep insisting on besmirching their reputation. Whether it’s an album or a reissue, they seem to be persistently losing credibility. To make the situation worse in 2010 the Rolling Stones released a reissue of Exile on Main Street (arguably their best album) with unreleased material. People thought they were shelling out for what they thought was extra material from those sessions. Instead it was actually material that Mick Jagger had added to in a studio boy himself. So although the instrumental track might have been from 1972, most it’s finish and it’s polish came from 2010. One would ask why do this to fans that already have to pay exorbitant prices to see the band play? The Rolling Stones are doing just fine monetarily, but sometimes they seem like they’re desperate for money.
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