2010 Top Twenty Five Albums

What a year for music. I am finally getting off my duff and putting out my lists. The first one is the top albums as I see it. And I had a really hard time deciding how to approach this year. So many varied genres equals so hard to compare. But I found one measure that worked for me this year. I used the handy I-Tunes times played and then gave a small factor in for when the album was released. So without further adieu here it is.



25. Brothers--Black Keys --I realize many people have this in their top ten. Don't get me wrong I have been a devoted Black Keys follower ever since Rubber Factory. But for some reason this one didn't get as many plays.

24. Sigh No More--Mumford and Sons--I tried so hard not to like these guys. But they grew on me and ended up as my 24th most played album of the year.

23. Teen Dream--Beach House--Saw them open for Vampire Weekend at Edgefield so went on a tear listening to this album.

22. The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Nights--The Besnard Lakes--I love this band especially live. Not quite as good as BL Are the Dark Horse. But Albatross is a fantastic song.

21. Total Life Forever--Foals--Spanish Sahara dig it.

20. One Life Stand--Hot Chip--Not their strongest effort. I am still waiting for another The Warning.

19. Innerspeaker--Tame Impala--I first heard these guys on Sirius XMU riding in my friends car bar hopping. I couldn't wait for it to come out. Finally got it and not totally wowed but like it.

18. Real Estate--Real Estate-- I am going to confess a bit of bending the rules on this one because techinically it came out in late November 2009. This one would actually be in my top ten and maybe top five if it could pass this 2009/2010 distinction. So I gave it a penalty. This is probably my favorite album to put on when just chilling around the house getting ready for a barbeque.

17. Shout Out Louds--Work-- Rocks.

16. Halcyon Digest--Deerhunter--Another album that rocks.

15. Sit Down Man-- Das Rascist--Probably the most creative hip-hop album I have heard in a long time. And they gave it away for free. So it would be a shame if you do not add this to your collection.

14. Surfer Blood--Astro Coast--An early favorite of 2010 that I put away in spring after a bevy of release. But pulled it out again prior to their stellar performance at MFNW.


13. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy--Kanye West--The artist I try and try to dislike, but he seems always to come through with something new.

12. The Courage of Others--Midlake--Fortune is a top five song for me. Enjoyed this album thoroughly when it first came out, but for some reason didn't have quite the staying power with me as the Trials of Van Occupanther.

11. Plastic Beach--Gorillaz--Snoop Dog need I say more.

10. Treats--Sleigh Bells--I introduced a lot of people to this album. But I must say, like when I introduced people to MGMT, all people want to hear over and over again is Rill Rill. This album is full of great songs.

9. Transference--Spoon--In a year like 2009 this album probably would have been much higher on my list. Mystery Zone, Got Nuffin', I Saw the Light are instant classics. Especially Mystery Zone which has probably the best song ending I have heard in ten years.

8. Age of ADZ--Sufjan Stevens--Probably my most anticipated album of 2010 and for that I gave it a few bonus points. I didn't get it. It took me seeing it live at the Schnitzer to get it. One of those albums that honestly is better live.

7. Swim--Caribou--I remember the first time I saw him as Manitoba opening up for Stereolab. Totally blown away. And this by far is his most consistent album. Listening to Sun before going into Sasquatch every day is a great memory for 2010.

6. Eyelid Movies--Phantogram--I became obssessed with this album. Got to see them live at MFNW and then soon after at an intimate show at Miss Studios where my friend and I managed to remain in front the entire show.

5. Infinite Arms--Band of Horses-- I have listened to this album over a hundred times. Another one of those albums that got some unfair criticism I think, mostly because it was their "big label" debut. But what brought this album together for me was seeing it live. I saw Band of Horses probably six or seven times before this album and when they performed these songs at Sasquatch I leaned over and told my friends that we can expect great great things from them. This album is a testament to their growth.

4. High Violet--The National--Great album.

3. Contra--Vampire Weekend--I had this album on non-stop repeat around the house from the minute it came out. Got to see them twice this year. And I just love the album cover.

2. The Suburbs--Arcade Fire--My top two were tough to place. But I had to go with the how many times I listened to them. I think this is their strongest album and one that will have staying power. This could be their OK Computer, but time must judge that.

1. This is Happening--LCD Soundsystem--Listen to it........

Holiday Special

If you love new music, head on over to the website to pick up an incredible deal for the holidays. Impress your friends with your vast and underground knowledge of Portland indie rock. Amaze coworkers with your hipness. Astound family members at your wide range of musical palate.

And support local artists.

Some Great Music

Radiohead covering the Smiths' Headmaster Ritual and Joy Division Ceremony here.

Cults Oh My God and LCD Drunk Girls Holy Ghost Remix here.

E Music Free Download of the Day

For all those Brit pop fans....The Happy Mondays are up for a freebie! Download our toolbar to get it now (and a freebie everyday!)

Free Downloads For The First Week of August

Best Coast, Kid Cudi, Rostam (Vampire Weekend) --All Summer

Miniature Tigers w/ Neon Indian -- Gold Skull

Cut Copy--Where I Am Going

Tracey Thorn (Everything But the Girl and Massive Attack)--Kentish Town (Walls Remix)

OK Computer

So I had put it away. Eight years ago to be exact. Why you ask? Because it was such an important album to me and I did not want it to become played out. Whenever people mentioned it, I would discreetly or calmly walk away not saying my piece. But tonight I listened to it in all of it's majesty. OK Computer. Holy Shit. It is a GIANT. One, if not the greatest album ever.

Nothing is like it. Lyrically or music wise. The guitar is so subtle in places and so heavy in others and Thom Yorke is so out there lyrically with his emotions. And Phil Selway's rhythms are so understated, like the little woodblocks on Paranoid Android.

If you haven't given it a listen. Do so. But immediately put it away again for a rainy day. This album deserves more than becoming a Dark Side of the Moon, Zep IV, PJ Ten or Beatles Sgt. Peppers.

More July Songs Get These Now

The Bees--Silver Line

Marnie Stern--For Ash

Royal Bangs--My Car Is Haunted (a song from last fall)

Here We Go Magic--Collector

The Postelles--White Nights

Kele-Tenderoni

Deerhunter--Revival Password is tapereel