For those of you who have not read this yet! YOU SHOULD! Cause I am the Poochifer!
This is a first for me! I’ve never had the chance to write and publish a list of my favorite albums of the year. Recently, I’ve seen a lot of lists that go in descending order, which in my opinion is just a waste of time because i’ll scroll to the bottom to see number 1 and then work back to the top, going down in order, so for this post, I’m going to start at #1 and work all the way down to #20, while posting a song from the top 3 and then while moving down, posting a few others on the way. ALSO! Please know that this list is one of my favorites from the year, not necessarily the most critically acclaimed and widespread promoted albums, EPs and mixtapes.
#1 High Violet (The National)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This album has been one of the most played albums on my itunes this year, adding just another stellar record to The National’s already impeccable list of studio albums, making a case for their being one of the best bands of the decade, however unappreciated they may be.
#2 Broken Bells (Broken Bells)
Broken Bells – The Ghost Inside
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
This album is as close to perfection out of any album this year maybe, its just hard to top something like The National. Every song on this record is great, every note is necessary, every bell not broken should be, because James Mercer and Dangermouse played this perfectly.
#3 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Kanye West)
Kanye West – Blame Game (featuring John Legend)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Here is an album that many people have put at the top of their lists. I can’t see it at the top because of the music, but because of the controversy that Kanye has created and the way that he bounced back from what I consider to be a “dud” for Yeezy, with 808s. With the anticipation and listener involvement that was generated from G.O.O.D Fridays, I see it fit that Ye takes a spot high up in my hierarchy, but not be crowned king of 2010.
#4 Go (Jonsi)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The lead singer of one of my favorite bands, Sigur Ros, Jonsi has come out with a live solo album. This album is LEGENDARY! It is pure gold and there aren’t enough words in the world to describe these sounds.
#5 The Suburbs (Arcade Fire)
Great album by one of the best bands ever in my mind. See former posts for their music.
#6 Weathervanes (Freelance Whales)
Freelance Whales – Generator ^ First Floor
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
One of my favorite bands to drive to. Their great melodies are extremely versatile and work in so many situations, including those winding roads.
#7 Infinite Arms (Band of Horses)
Here is an album that Jay and Nab and I have been raving about, as it is just cementing Band Of Horses’ reputation as one of the best bands out there. Laredo, Factory and Neighbours are all hits in their own right, securing a nice spot up near the top of my list.
#8 Business Casual (Chromeo)
Chromeo – J’ai Claqué La Porte
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Montreal electrofunk duo, Chromeo, came out with a magical record this past year. The self proclaimed “Only successful Arab-Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture” threw together hits like Hot Mess (Ft. La Roux), Night By Night, Don’t Turn The Lights Out and J’ai Claqué La Porte.
#9 Lungs (Florence + The Machine)
Songstress Florence Welch can sing. Thats that…
#10 Wake Up! (John Legend & The Roots)
John Legend & The Roots – I Can’t Write Left Handed
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Might be the biggest collaboration of the year. Teaming the legends of Hip-hop, The Roots, and the current King of R&B, John Legend; up might be the sign that we’ve been looking for, for the revival of hip-hop.
#11 All Delighted People EP (Sufjan Stevens)
Sufjan Stevens – All Delighted People (Original Version)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Age of Adz is the album that everyone knows about. This artist that once had a goal of writing a record for each of America’s 50 states, is probably one of the most talented singer-songwriters, who just got a little sidetracked with this new alt-pop feel for this album… Too bad no one heard about his unreal EP with some pretty great songs like All Delighted People.
#12 Man on the Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager (Kid Cudi)
Great sophomoric effort by Kid Cudi, really loved Don’t Play This Song and These Worries
#13 Teen Dream (Beach House)
One of the most underrated bands, yet has a surprisingly loyal following. Teen Dream was a big hit with me because of Zebra, 10 mile stereo and Used to Be.
#14 Contra (Vampire Weekend)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Funny how three songs on this album really moves it from like #18 spot up to #14.
#15 Pep Rally (Hoodie Allen)
Hoodie Allen – Swimming With Sharks
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
One of the best Indie Samplers, with a sharp, witty tongue to shut most others up. I was almost going to post Tighten Up, which samples the song of the same name from the next album on the list.
#16 Brothers (Black Keys)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
One of the most consistent bands (often considered to be one of the best) who’ve done wonders in crossing over the Rock genre in the past (with Blakroc) has a strong showing with Brothers.
#17 Shut Up, Dude (Das Racist)
I feel like i just posted these guys, but they, in my mind, are the poster children of Alt-Rap/Hip-hop.
#18 Champ (Tokyo Police Club)
One of my favorite songs, Favorite Food anchors this album, kicking off a solid 35 minute album.
#19 Lonely Avenue (Ben Folds and Nick Hornby)
When I first heard of this project, i thought that it would be a dud, but the fantastic, imaginative writing from author Nick Hornby coupled with the classically trained, comedically accented music and singing of Ben Folds blew me out of the water.
#20 Plastic Beach (Gorillaz)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
An entertaining album from start to finish, the animated group reminds me of why I have been obsessed with them for almost a decade. I have declared my love for this song time and time again, but it is just so perfect. ALSO!!!!! I am soooo excited for the Gorillaz to come out with their album that they have just recently announced will be released FOR FREE on Christmas!!!!!!!!!
2 Comments
I like that this list isn’t that predictable: ie the critically acclaimed etc
Great List! Although, I’m not a fan of Kanye’s last 2 albums at all. No love for Kings of Leon?
3 Trackbacks
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ThisBonusTrack.com and ThisBonusTrack.com, ThisBonusTrack.com. ThisBonusTrack.com said: POOCH PRESENTS: Top 20 Albums of the Year! http://fb.me/IvyMTJ5Z [...]
[...] Lillikoi, which is one of my favorite songs off of his latest album, Go (check it out at #4 in my Albums of the Year!) Although Evan doesn’t really kill the outro–self admitted–as per his usual [...]
[...] The band that sits among my favorites, whose self-titled album had a nice place at #2 on my albums of the year and is still among one of the Five Albums You Should Be Listening To Right Now is still doing [...]