My Favorite Albums Released This Year That I’ve Heard All The Way Through
Hey everyone, I got reminded tonight that I don’t agree with opinions you find on the website pitchfork media, which I will not link to. What happened was I had just finished reading DJ’s most recent post, which I have no problem linking to, and I clicked the link at the bottom. It brought me here. From there I went here. Both those links provide the general sentiment of our staff toward those…those…I don’t even have a word for what they are. I will settle for dickforks.
Anyway, tomorrow (today for you) is pretty much Pitchfork’s Christmas: the one day they can express their criticisms on the entire year. Yep, it’s Pitchfork’s release of their 20 Top Albums of 2010. Notice the difference in rhetoric employed in my title versus theirs. Top of what? You own list? Let me check the definition of “top” as an adjective. OK, they probably mean this one: foremost, chief, or principal. Those guys are so obsessed with their own opinions of themselves. Whatever, this isn’t about them; this is about me.
I plan on drinking tonight by the way. It’s a Thursday night- the only reason I’m doing this is that Pitchfork’s silly numbering shit comes out tomorrow and I want my opinion out first. Also I want to predict what Pitchfork’s list will be and see if I’m close. I think it will probably look like this:
10) No Age, 9) Ariel Pink, 8 ) Robyn, 7) Deerhunter, 6) Big Boi, 5) Joanna Newsom, 4) Arcade Fire, 3) LCD Soundsystem, 2) Beach House,1) Kanye West
Here are my favorite albums released this year that I’ve listened to all the way through, in more or less descending order from ten (and only one is from my predicted Pitchfork list!):
10) Peter Wolf Crier: Inter-Be:
Like I said, I plan on drinking so I’ll make these quick and you can listen to the songs. This band is just guitar and drums, but I like how it sounds. The guy has a really nice voice, and he handles his heavy, melancholy songs really well in a way that isn’t repelling. The drummer also manages to make the percussion sound unique, song per song. Here’s a sad song:
9) Wolf People: Steeple:
I really do like this album. I didn’t just pick it so I could link you to our collective review posted on Monday.
8 ) Wolf Parade: Expo 86:
Yes, all three of these bands have the word “wolf” in their titles. That is pretty silly, I realize. I like Spencer Krug’s voice, but I get it if you don’t. This album is really energetic and has lots of cool sounds, synthesizers and what have you. I do feel like they have lousy lyrics throughout, but the songwriting is creative- so there you go, it’s always one or the other. Here’s a good song that I guess is making a David Bowie pun:
7) Born Ruffians: Say It:
I can’t believe that this album came out June 1st? It seems like it was much longer ago. I guess a lot has happened to me this year. You guys didn’t get to hear about any of this because we just started writing again a week ago. Anyway, I first got into Born Ruffians when I was studying abroad in the Spring of…I guess ’07? This new album is better than that older shit. My favorite part is that one of the songs alludes to one of my favorite books, Sartre’s Nausea: “Nausea surrounds every thought of Antoine./When he’s all alone he always feels that way.” Here’s an upbeat song with jangly guitar:
6) Star Slinger: Volume 1:
This album is by UK producer, Darren Williams. I never really listened to albums of beats released by producers, but I have to say that I’m loving it. These things are great for walking around, background music at an event, really any time of day. I’m new to the genre, so I don’t really know what to comment on when I talk about instrumental beats. Nice use of samples and rhythms. Example:
5) Male Bonding: Nothing Hurts:
If you are interested you can read my thoughts on this album in the fourth paragraph of this post. Otherwise, here’s a song:
4) Cloud Nothings: Turning On:
One of the reasons I like this album is it sounds like something I could write if I really put in a good effort. I also like the nonsensical melodies that they add over the songs. I love some good “Oohhs” and “Aahh,” Here’s a song, but not the one I wanted because it wasn’t on youtube:
3) Woods: At Echo Lake:
This is another band where I just love the guy’s voice. At first I was opposed to the idea of a band member being in charge of just sound manipulation, but I actually like it. I don’t really know; these songs are just exactly my taste. Simple, folksy, and (in my opinion) just plain good. See for yourself:
2) Beach House: Teen Dream:
This album is absolutely beautiful and extremely emotional. I love every single song. I think this is one album that just hits the mark.
1) Leopard Smoke: Major Arcana:
The greatest album that came out this year is, of course, the album that I helped compose. Leopard Smoke is a fantastic band with fantastic songs. No one is putting out music this genuine and this real. These guys are the greatest. There is no doubt in my mind that Leopard Smoke is one of the supreme bands of our generation. While their first two albums were good, Major Arcana is undeniably a masterpiece. This is the best album I’ve ever heard. Here’s a song.
