My Favorite Albums of 2010 (and Other Yearly Musings)

2010 was a pretty awesome year for music. There is a lot of really good stuff to cover and obviously it's difficult to narrow things down to a standard top 10 list, so I won't. Here are some albums I listened to and my thoughts on them plus a top 25 list of my favorite records released in 2010. I'm sure I missed out on listening to a lot of great stuff and there are at least 20 more albums that I thought about including but didn't for one reason or another. On a side note, it's quite obvious that americana/roots rock has become my favorite genre of music in the last few years and the list tends to reflect that.

Least Favorite Album of 2010

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: Obnoxious subtitle here

Oh man, does this record annoy me. I used to really like My Chemical Romance back when they at least pretended to be a rock band. There is certainly no danger in anything on this album. It's full of disco beats and loud, super clean guitars. Incredibly annoying singing and (from the limited time I spent with it) idiotic lyrics. Danger Days got pretty good reviews from a lot of major critics so maybe I just don't "get it" but this is garbage.

Album I Really Tried to Like but Just Couldn't

Shooter Jennings and - Hierophant: Black Ribbons

As far as country musicians go, Shooter Jennings is one of the best there is out there (not a lot goodoptions to chose from either). I've always enjoyed his stuff without being a die hard fan. When I heard he was starting a rock band and would make an album of music with them, I was intrigued. When I found out it was a Nine Inch Nails style concept album about a future society where the Gov't controls the radio and one DJ's fight to stay free, I was skeptical. When I heard Black Ribbons, I had no idea what to think. The record is a mess, the concept plays loose and the music is all over the map. I give Shooter a lot of credit for doing what he wanted and not what is expected of him but I just wasn't able to get into Black Ribbons at all.

Most Disappointing Album from an Artist I Really Like

The Hold Steady - Heaven is Whenever

I've loved (or at least really liked) every album The Hold Steady had released up till this year. They are a fantastic band. Unfortunately Heaven is Whenever just doesn't do it for me. I don't know if it's the loss of keyboard player Franz Nicolay (who left the group before recording the album), or simply that the band missed on this record. It's not bad by any means, and "The Weekenders" is a classic Hold Steady song, but Heaven is Whenever just isn't a great album. For a band as good as The Hold Steady, it's a disappointment.

Best Album for Drinking 40's While on the Front Porch on a Tuesday Afternoon

Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon - Wu-Massacre

Wu-Massacre is really too short of a record to be a an overly important release in the canon of the Wu-Tang Clan or on an album of the year list. On the other hand it was responsible for the first inaugural "Wu-Day" at my house. Wu-Day not only consisted of the aforementioned 40's on the front porch but also, (kinda) watching old kung-fu movies, helping children cross the lawn with large doors on their back, possible outings of homosexuals, realizing some kids shouldn't play sports, folding blankets and people passing out in my bed before 9 PM. Oh yeah, there's some pretty good music on the disc as well as a classic Tracey Morgan skit. "You Want Jokes? I GOT YOU!!"

Best Album That I Didn't Listen To

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

I really don't give a shit about Kanye West so I haven't listened to this record (I do plan on doing so at some point). Everybody says it's really good though so I thought I should put it on the list somewhere. Here it is.

2 Great Remastered Albums


2. Iggy and the Stooges - Raw Power: The Legacy Edition

The mixing of Raw Power has always been one of contention. The original mix by David Bowie was pretty subdued, while the mix Iggy Pop put together for the remastered CD version blasted everything into the red and is extremely powerful. Opinion is sharply divided as to which is better. I like the Iggy mixes more , most likely because that's how I first heard the album. The Legacy Edition restores the Bowie mix while adding a bonus CD of live tracks. Even though I prefer the Iggy mix it's great to have this available so people can make their own choice

1. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street

Exile on Main Street is one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time, so of course I'm going to love a remastered version of it. There are some fans who weren't happy with the new mix (as there always are) but I think it sounds great. The bonus album of previously unreleased songs is good as well but not essential listening. Anyone who likes Rock and Roll and hasn't heard Exile is doing themselves a disservice. It's a cornerstone of rock history that only gets better with repeat listens.

Three Great Albums of Previously Recorded but Unreleased Material

3. Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave

American VI isn't my favorite of Johnny Cash's American album series (that's still the original American Recordings) but it is the most harrowing. Released a few days before what would be Cash's 78th birthday, it's the unflinching sound of a man who knows his time on Earth is running out. The prospect of death is featured in all of these tracks but it's also uplifting to hear a man accept it and make great music from it as well. American VI is another great album from a true legend.

2. Bob Dylan: - The Witmark Demos: 1962 - 1964

As I noted earlier in the year in my Dylan album rankings, the folk era of Bob Dylan is not my personal favorite time of Dylan's career. The music featured on The Witmark Demos dates back to that time period, when Dylan was first breaking into the music business and not yet a household name. The two CD's feature plenty of songs that would go on to be released in different versions but there are a large number of previously unreleased songs as well. It's all high quality stuff to be sure but the folk aspect keeps it near the bottom of Dylan's bootleg series to me. This isn't an album for casual Dylan fans but for the hardcore it's an essential listening experience.

1. Bruce Springsteen - The Promise

I haven't yet had the privilege of getting my hands on the full The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story box set. While I am excited to see the video footage that is available in that set, the music that makes up The Promise double album is outstanding. There are a couple familiar songs that would become hits for other artists ("Becasue the Night - Patti Smith and "Fire" - The Pointer Sisters) and an alternate version of "Racing in the Street" but the other 19 tracks are previously unheard. The music owes a lot more to 50's and 60's rock and roll than what appears on Darkness on the Edge of Town and it feels like the collection of tracks that it is, rather than a cohesive album but it's still a fantastic bunch of songs.

Albums I Listened to Once and Liked but Never Listened to Again

Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void

This was pretty good, I like their older stuff more.

Deerhunter - Halycon Digest

Every Deerhunter album requires multiple, careful listening to completely digest. I assume Halycon Digest is no different. It's a lot quieter than Deerhunter's previous work but I assume in time it will be just as rewarding.

Elton John & Leon Russel - The Union

The Union is almost as good as Leon Russel's beard. OK I lied, that's an impossibility. It's still a really solid album of soulful 70's style piano rock. 

The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards 

I think I listened to this twice and really liked it both times I did. It's full of loud 70's style guitar rock that is pretty awesome while listening to it but it didn't keep me coming back for more.

The Walkmen - Lisbon

Every album by The Walkmen always inspires the same reaction from me. "This is really good, I should listen to these guys a lot more." Then I never do.

The National - High Violet

I feel like I'm really supposed to like The National a lot. They're a fine band but I don't understand what the big deal is. Likewise High Violet is a fine album but I see no compelling reason to listen to it a lot. I guess "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is a really awesome song, so it's got that going for it.

John Legend and The Roots - Wake Up!

I like John Legend enough and I really like The Roots (as you'll see later) but Wake Up! seems to be missing something. I don't know what that something is, I only listened to it once.

Spoon - Transference

I liked this album. This guy liked it more. I'll let him explain.

My 25 Favorite Albums of the Year

25. Robert Plant - Band of Joy

You won't find any Led Zeppelin style hard rock on this record by their former lead singer. What you will find is high-quality folk rock reminiscent of his 2007 collaboration with Allison Krauss. There aren't any real standout tracks here but Band of Joy is very consistent and flows very well from start to finish.

24. Off With Their Heads - In Desolation

Off With their Heads is my kind of punk band. Their singer has a voice of gravel but sings in a melodic fashion, they don't mess around with any metal breakdowns or emo leanings and their lyrics are angry. In Desolation is a bit cleaner sounding than some of their earlier work (and that holds it back) but it's still the type of old school punk record that doesn't get released by newer bands very often anymore.

23. Cee-Lo Green - The Lady Killer

The mere presence of "Fuck You" on this album would probably earn it a spot on this list. I thought I'd get sick of that song pretty quickly but it has yet to happen. It's the single of  the year in my mind. No other song on The Lady Killer reaches a point as high as "Fuck You" does but it's full of great tunes nonetheless. The production is outstanding, Cee-Lo can really sing and it manages to sound both modern and old-school at the same time. Even though there are some tracks I don't care for, The Lady Killer is a winner.

22. Jakob Dylan - Women + Country

Jakob Dylan's second solo album is basically an extension of his 2008 solo debut. The songs are all done in a low-key folk manner but are a bit more filled out than before. There are horns interspersed along with some minimalist electric guitar. The women referred to in the title (Neko Case and Kelly Hogan) also add beautiful harmonies to the mix, making the disc a pleasure to listen to.

21. Deer Tick - The Black Dirt Sessions

I really like singer/songwriter John McCauley's voice. That's the key factor in whether or not you'll enjoy Deer Tick's music. They mix folk, blues, rock and country very well but it's not gonna matter if you can't handle McCauley's Dylanesque vocals. The Black Dirt Sessions starts off pretty folky but by the end there is some serious electric guitar work going on.  This album didn't receive much critical acclaim but it's an excellent example of what Deer Tick is all about.

20. The Slackers - The Great Rocksteady Swindle

The Slackers don't so anything different than what they normally do on The Great Rocksteady Swindle, but they do it very well. This album is a little less produced and has a more spontaneous feeling to it than a normal slackers album. Ska, reggae, rocksteady and even garage rock are represented here. The members all contribute songs and that group feel is prevalent throughout. It surely helps if you're into the band to enjoy the album but The Great Rocksteady Swindle is a treat for fans.

19. Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid

The ArchAndroid surprised me more than any other this year. I never thought I'd put a contemporary R&B album on a best of list. Luckily Janelle Monae is far from a generic R&B singer. This album is all over the map stylistically. It has everything from dancefloor numbers to Beatleesque pop, psychedelic rock and old-school balladry. Monae is a pretty amazing singer as well. Her voice is fantastic in a variety of different ways and she even lets loose some pretty epic screams as well. There's a concept behind The ArchAndroid (and apparently all of Monae's work) that I have yet to fully grasp but supposedly it enhances the enjoyment. Maybe someday that aspect will make sense to me.

18. Grinderman - Grinderman 2

Nick Cave doesn't bring quite as much balls out garage rock to Grinderman's second album as their debut but there are still enough loud guitars, propulsive rhythms and sex fueled lyrics to go around. I think this one is better than the first, it's certainly a lot more diverse. Cave still spouts come on's like he's been watching a twisted version of The Pick Up Artist and the band bashes out power chords like they're going out of style. Grinderman 2 is a helluva good time.

17. Robert Randolph and the Family Band - We Walk This Road

We Walk This Road is Robert Randolph and the Family Band's most consistent album to date. It's not my personal favorite since Randolph's guitar, while still amazing, is kept more in check for the sake of the songs. It also consists mainly of roots rock while forgoing a bit of the funk and gospel that they've incorporated in the past. Some of those influences are missed but there is not a bad track on the record as opposed to earlier efforts which contained some obvious filler. Covering Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Prince doesn't hurt either.

16. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way

I Learned The Hard Way sounds like it could have been released in the soul heyday of the 60's. I suspect if it was it would still stand out in a crowd because of it's excellence. The Dap Kings are a great backing band, able to lay down funky, gritty beats and smooth soul backing tracks with equal skill. Sharon is a fantastic singer. She's got fire and energy to spare but on this release she shows that she's able to pull back and deliver sweet sounding vocals as well. I Learned the Hard Way won't appeal to anyone not interested in old school soul but there is no better band making this kind of music in the business today.

15. Jesse Malin & the St. Marks Social - Love it to Life

Jesse Malin has been around for quite a while but has never really broken through to the mainstream. I doubt this will be the album that does but that's a shame. The struggle to break through permeates every second of Love it to Life giving it a sense that everything could fall apart at any moment, though it never does. While never straying too far from basic rock and roll, the songs on Love it to Life are full of energy, passion and hooks that belong on the radio but will likely never find their way there.

14. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Big Boi's first solo album took a long time to make but was well worth the wait. It lives up to the standards of he helped to set with Outkast while still sounding different than anything that group has done. This is the party album of the year. "Shutterbug" is one of my favorite songs of the year and my favorite hip-hop track. The rest of the album bursts with imagination and Big Boi is in fine vocal form throughout. I could live without the constant guest appearances but that's a minor nitpick, Sir Lucious Left Foot is a pure joy from start to finish.

13. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor

On The Monitor Titus Andronicus manage to pull off the feat of sounding both epic and intimate. The intimate aspect won't hit listeners right away because the music is wholeheartedly epic. The punk based songs often reach the 7 minute mark consisting of multiple suites and the band uses so many different instruments to augment the base tracks it's pretty remarkable. The intimate aspect comes from singer Patrick Stickles lyrics. These booze soaked tales wouldn't sound out of place on an early Tom Waits record, if Waits was trying to write a loose concept album about the civil war. The Monitor is a lot to take in at first but it's a very rewarding album as well.

12. The Old 97's - The Grand Theatre: Volume 1

The Old 97's recapture some of the fire that had burnt out a bit during their two previous albums on The Grand Theatre: Volume 1. There's nothing radically different about the music here, as the band doesn't stray far from their basic twangy rock. What they do is up the energy level quite a bit, hearkening back to the bands early days. The vocal harmonies of Rhett Miller and Murray Hammond are as strong as ever and guitar payer Ken Bethea brings a serious rock edge to the proceedings. On a final note, the guts and skill it takes to rewrite "Desolation Row" into "Champaign, Illinois" and make it work is remarkable. 

11. The Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do

The Drive-By Truckers are one of my 3 or 4 favorite bands making music today so keeping The Big To-Do out of the top ten albums of the year says a lot about how much great stuff came out this year. The Truckers really set out to make a loud guitar album with this one and in that aspect they succeeded. I do miss some of the variety of past releases but there are some new touches as well. "Go Downtown" is the first rockabilly song I've heard from them and  "(It's Gonna Be) I Told You So" could be best classified as country-soul. The guitar rock is well represented by "Daddy Learned to Fly," "This Fucking Job" and "Birthday Boy" (which is my favorite track here) among others. The Big To-Do isn't my favorite DBT album but really these guys can do no wrong in my eyes.  

10. Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses - Junky Star

Ryan Bingham won an Oscar for the song "The Weary Kind" from the movie Crazy Heart. Junky Star is the follow up album to his contributions to that soundtrack and it is by far Bingham's best one yet. The songs all delve into a lyrical darkness and while I wouldn't call the music depressing it's not exactly jubilant either. The Dead horses brand of roots rock owes a lot to John Wesley Harding era Dylan but is thoroughly modern, while Bingham's voice is ragged and moving. Junky Star is a memorizing album.

9. Justin Townes Earle- Harlem River Blues

Justin Townes Earle really comes into his own with Harlem River Blues. The album is a rootsy collection that skillfully balances rockabilly, folk, blues, soul and country. The title track is one of the most joyous sounding songs about suicide I've ever heard. "Christchurch Woman" is a absolutely beautiful ballad while "Ain't Waitin" and "Move Over Mama" are fine uptempo numbers. Earle's vocals match the music perfectly. They're laid back enough to not overpower the band but have enough energy to not lull the listener to sleep. If Harlem River Blues is any indication the best is yet to come for Justin.

8. Elvis Costello - National Ransom

National Ransom is one of the most eclectic albums of Elvis Costello's career. Considering he prides himself on being eclectic, that's saying something. The title track is the only one that really rocks but what the album lacks in intensity it makes up for in high quality. There's tin-pan alley pop, pure balladry, country and folk aplenty with a couple stabs at singer/songwriter type stuff and soul. Guitarist Marc Ribot is the secret weapon here, his electric guitar is never up front and in your face but constantly hanging around in the background providing atmosphere. Lyrically Costello is still pretty angry at the world (some things never change) but it never overrides the music. In a long career of great albums National Ransom more than hold up with his best work.

7. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

American Slang isn't the classic album that The Gaslight Anthem's 2008 disc The '59 Sound is but it's still a great recording. The tempo's are generally slower than previous efforts but there is more room for singer Brian Fallon's voice to stretch out. Their Springsteen obsession is toned down a but as well (although the jazz influenced "The Diamond Church City Choir" could easily be a leftover from The Wild, The Innocent and the E-Street Shuffle). Songs like "Bring it On," "The Queen of Lower Chelsea" and the title track are operate in a mid-tempo style where Fallon can really show off his soulful vocals. There's also still plenty of punk noise represented by "The Boxer," "Stay Lucky" and "The Spirit of Jazz." While American Slang doesn't reach the height of Gaslight's previous release, it is by no means a disappointment.

6. Jamey Johnson - The Guitar Song

A country album in my top ten is either a sign of the apocalypse or that I'm getting old. In general contemporary country is one of the most disgusting genres of music I can think of. Luckily Jamey Johnson sounds a lot more like a country artist from the 70's. The Guitar Song is full of honky-tonk, ballads and southern rock. Johnson's baritone voice fits the music perfectly, it has enough twang to stand out but isn't so much that it's annoying. Did I mention that The Guitar Song is a double album?! That's unheard of for a country artist, not to mention there are no shitty novelty songs about ticks or sexy tractors. I've thought for a while that good music is good music, no matter what the genre. Jamey Johnson has proven to me that even modern country music can still be enjoyable.

5. Ike Reilly - Hard Luck Stories

This one is kind of a cheat since the digital version came out last year. Whatever, the physical copy came out in 2010 and has a couple additional tracks. Good enough for me. As I noted in my previous Ike Reilly album rankings Hard Luck Stories is not one of my favorite Reilly albums and actually ranks higher here than on that list. With that it mind it shows either or good Ike is or how biased I am (probably both). There are still a large number of great songs on this and "Good Work" would be in my top ten singles of the year if I was going to make that list (I'm not). The complaints I have about Hard Luck Stories are only relevant in comparing Reilly's albums to each other. "Bad" Ike is still better than almost anything else.

4. The Roots - How I Got Over

In between being Jimmy Fallon's house band and collaborating with John Legend, The Roots found time to record this gem of an album. The music largely disposes with the heavy synth their last few albums used to go back to their original organic sound. How I Got Over also flows better than almost any other record released this year. Tracks bleed into each other with the first half of the record starting off pretty subdued but by the time the title track rolls around the album is in full swing. That title track is the literal and figurative centerpiece of How I Got Over, and features one of the best choruses The Roots have ever recorded. Guest appearances are all over but never take the focus away from the core band. Lyrically The Roots are still treading the "world gone wrong" angle but there's a strong sense of hope and redemption at the end of the road as well.

3. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

When The Suburbs was released in August it arrived to much critical fanfare. I generally tend to go the other way on albums that get as much hype as this one did but in this case it was well warranted. The Suburbs isn't likely to really grab someone the first time they listen to it. There are no obvious singles and while a large number of tracks are standouts, it really is a full work of art where the whole is much greater than it's individual pieces. Multiple listens reveal a new layer underneath and it becomes impossible to not appreciate. The music is at times bouncy, jangly or anthemic, depending on the song, and the lyrics alternate from melancholy to joy in their expressions and remembrance of life growing up in the suburbs. The Suburbs is the most fully realized album of the year and I suspect it will only grow in stature as time goes on.

2. The Black Keys - Brothers

Brothers isn't my favorite Black Keys album (that honor still goes to Rubber Factory) but it's really close. Brothers is a perfect blend of the old school Black Keys blues rock sound and the atmospheric production style started on 2008's Attack & Release. There's a lot more than just guitar and drums going on here. The songs are loose but controlled, spacious but yet somehow full. Singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach's guitar still wails on almost every song but his vocals are much more soulful than in the past. He's never sounded better. Drummer Patrick Carney lays down complicated beats that fill in the spaces perfectly. If Brothers is a good indication for what The Black Keys have planned for the future they'll continue to be one of the best bands on earth for a long time to come.

1. Superchunk - Majesty Shredding

Superchunk returned from a recording hiatus in 2010 with my favorite album of the year. Quite simply there is no album that I listened to more times or got more pure enjoyment from than Majesty Shredding. This is punk influenced Indie pop at it's absolute finest and probably the best album of Superchunk's career (that's really saying something). "Digging For Something," "My Gap Feels Weird," "Learn To Surf," "Winter Games" and "Everything at Once" are awesome high energy numbers with great sing-a-long choruses (if your voice can reach the notes that singer Mac McCaughan can). The slow songs ("Rosemarie" and "Fractures in Plaster") are just as effective. The album is a blast to listen to and is well deserving of the top spot on my list. I think I'll listen to it right now.