Getting the top ten wasn’t too difficult. What was so damn difficult was ordering ‘em. Just about every album on here has been in just about every order. In fact, the only album that never changed was our #1, KiD CuDi’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr Rager.
As redundant as it was in ordering them, I really enjoyed listening to each and every one. I grew a whole new respect and appreciation for them, one which I never would’ve had without this list. Thank you all for giving me the discipline to listen a little more closely.
I hope you enjoy as much as I did, they’re all worth a listen.
A Sample of a Song from Each Album:
See if you can spot the “mistake” in the slideshow (I’ll explain if someone figures it out)
With members from three of the most talented groups from the Midwest – Solid Gold, Mel Gibson and the Pants & Bon Iver – not to mention around 20 others, I had high expectations for GAYNG’s debute album, Relayted. The album may not have blown each of the group’s previous projects away, but it sure has something I’ve never heard before.
+ It’s there’s a handful of tracks on here for an evening with the loved one.
Thoughts on “The Gaudy Side of Town” | “No Sweat”
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If I could jump back to ’08, Pretty Lights would probably take the #1 & #2 slots for albums of the year. As good as the three EP’s he’s released this year are, they ain’t got shit on some previous works. He probably deserves a higher position on this list, but like a lot of other artist considered this year, their potential was a big factor in their rankings.
Nevertheless, PL is going to be a huge influence on Electronic music for at least the next century. Look out for my Countdown to New Years with Pretty Lights coming soon – I’ll be showcasing some of his best unreleased music!
More on Glowing in the Darkest Night | Spilling Over Every Side | Everything Else
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From the first time I listened to Chiddy Bang, I knew they were born for stardom (and probably mention it too much). Proto’s way with words coupled with Xaphoon’s perfect for party beats, makes this a good preview to a very Swelly 2011.
The one thing that worries me is their recent appearance on Now That’s What I Call Music! 75. I don’t really have anything against it, but I wouldn’t say the music there is usually complimentary to the music here. But as long as the quality is there, I could give a fuck where it is.
More on The Preview | Chiddy Bang
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I first heard about Emancipator’s debut album, Soon It Will Be Cold Enough, through my obsession with Nujabes (r.i.p). Unfortunately, it overshadowed Emancipator’s second album, Safe in the Steep Cliffs, for most of the year. But when considering albums of the year, I knew I had to check it out just to cover my ground.
To my delight, Safe in the Steep Cliffs, is a fine addition to his first. It may not carry the nostalgia that I have with Soon It Will Be Cold Enough, but I’m sure in time it will. Like Nujabes, Emancipator has a gift at taking the most delicate of beats and fine-tuning ‘em into a rich, tranquil soundscape.
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This out of any of the top ten probably deserves a higher spot. 4th place came down to Cee Lo’s The Lady Killer & Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach. Cee Lo’s is definitely packed with more loveliness, but Gorillaz took it with their expanding style and their use of many other talented features.
But don’t let the six spot damper this delight. Cee Lo has continued to bring back the Soul that’s been lost for some time. I just can’t wait for the Prince/Cee Lo Green collaboration.
Check out I Want to Fuck You
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Kanye’s Dark Twisted Fantasy may have been the most frustrating album of the year. With his GOOD Fridays featuring up until the album released, Kanye got me hyped on what was to come. But when I found out half of the album was made up of those songs, I was a little let down. So I sat on it for a while and decided to get back to it when I didn’t have such a bias against it.
Giving it a little more thought and less petty criticisms, I realized where Kanye shined and where he fell short. As far as production goes, Kanye is at the forefront of hip-hop – he is defining, on a production level, what the future of hip-hop will be for the next decade. Where he fell short was his, and his featured acts, inability to connect with me on a level in which the other top ten did. There were a few songs which Kanye gave a heartfelt recollection, as well as a few others with empowering words. But his eclectic, progressive production far outshines this albums overall message.
More on Monster | Good Firday | Christian Dior Denim Flow | Lord Lord Lord
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Gorillaz latest album is another genre bending set of songs, but the ever stretching styles Gorillaz is know for, has set this album back. The consistency in quality heard in Demon Days is just not there in Plastic Beach. There are quite a few tracks to take in, but there are also just as many gaps to be filled. Surprisingly, the songs that lacked the most were the ones that featured the best, namely Snoop Dogg & Mos Def. Regardless, Gorillaz experimentation with sound lends it a top spot.
More on Plastic Beach | The Fall
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Broken Bells released a few singles back in late ’09/early ’10 to kick off their LP that came out this last March. From the first song I heard of theirs, “The Ghost Inside” instantly reminded me of a less electro-intense Gorillaz. When comparing the two over this year, I realized what Broken Bells had over Plastic Beach.
Plastic Beach has a handful of quality tracks, but the album as a whole doesn’t come close to the consistency felt in Broken Bells’. Broken Bells’ album, may not be as forward thinking as the Gorillaz, but has a better flow, track to track, overall.
Ultimately, Gorillaz & Broken Bells both brought a contender for this year. Gorillaz may have started off the race late last century, but Broken Bells is going to be one hell of a competition in the coming years.
More on The Ghost Inside
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With most musicians I come across, the quality of their music eventually diminishes over time. It’s hard for artists to differentiate their sound while still keeping up with the same quality as their originals. Rarely do I find a musician who progressively gets better with time; however, Bonobo be that man.
Bonobo’s Black Sands is a an elegant mix of natural sounds with a nu jazz, hip-hop vibe. Each track is woven with intricate, lush instrumentals that feed the ears with electro-soul. I still can’t believe where his albums have taken me and I sure as hell can’t wait to see what’s to come.
Make sure to check his best beat to bump in the car – convertible highly recommended.
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It’s still difficult for me two write about Cudi’s Man on the Moon II. I feel like I should be spouting off tons of praises for my #1 pick; but CuDi takes it for probably the simplest reason of any, how he puts it all together. He may not have the production value Kanye does, nor the soul that Cee Lo embodies, but when you take his lyrical & vocal abilities you realize his depth, especially when layered with production made for this melodramatic Mescudi.
“Get caught up in his highs and lows.”
A few more disjointed thoughts on Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.
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I CAN’T WAIT TIL YOU FINISH THE WRITE UP I LOVE THE LIST THOUGH!
No disrespect to your opinion or Mel Gibson & the Pants–nice group of people–but there’s no way they’re one of the better groups in the Midwest… not even one of the better groups that compile GAYNGS… not even one of the better groups in the Twin Cities…
All the same – I feel ya on the list (Cudi, Kanye & Cee-Lo were all right near the top for me too) – nice tip on Bonobo as well – that’s a solid track… hadn’t heard of’m before.
Just the fact you can debate me on this I gotta give ya some respect. I don’t know of many people, let alone from Minneapolis, that know of the group (I gotta find friends with better taste in music).
I do understand why a lot of people can’t get into MGP. Their blend of rap, rock and dnb (or whatever it is) sounds a bit scattered at first, but that’s what I’ve grown to love. Their style of hip-hop (if that’s what you can call it), is like no others and that’s what initially got me into ‘em. Whereas compared to Doomtree, a lot of their stuff has lost its appeal to its novelty – though, I’m into a lot of their recent individual works right now.
As far as MGP’s role in GAYNGS… Ryan Olson did head up the project, so I do give him a lot of credit for their work. Although, I still think each group’s individual work, as far as consistency, far outshined GAYNGS.
By the way, Bonobo is top shit – you into much of Ninja Tune?
Yeah – I keep my finger on the pulse there, but apparently I’m not watching close enough. Was big on Eskmo last year & even some Igor Boxx (Eskmo’s “We Got More” video is one of the best I saw in 2010 fwiw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WaoImXPMtE )
Dude, this is probably the best list of music I’ve ever seen! 10/10!
You constantly introduce me to new music, and for that alone, I thank you. I’m usually the one doing the introducing, it’s nice to be on the other side.
I appreciate that you do not have a specific genre that you pull from, that you believe there are two kinds of music…good, and not so good.
I will say, s much as some of the tracks on Kanye’s newest album are amazing, there are some songs on there that almost prevent me from continuing to listen…specifically ‘So Appalled’.that is one of the worst tracks I have ever had the misfortune to hear.
I love your reasoning for Broken Bells being up on Plastic Beach, and couldn’t agree more. Took me a while to get into the album but it’s an amazing album.
One album that slipped under the radar for a lot of folks and I think you should check out is The Greenhornes ‘****’. It’s an album that is completely timeless without being an ‘homage’ or boring.
Happy New Year!
@Chris Never heard Eskmo before, lovin “We Got More” and the video even more, haha. By the way, great layout on the site, much more befitting.
@Robert Haha, maybe not the best ever, but maybe of 2010 ;)
@Marc Yea, I’ll love Kanye’s album for a minute and then nit pick the shit out of it. So much good, so much potential.
Took me a couple months to understand Broken Bells’ album, lol.
I’ll definitely check out Greenhornes, thanks for the recommendation!
Hey,
Just stumbled upon your site while looking at the elbo.ws forum. Thanks for the tip on bonobo, great stuff.
You should have The Black Keys on here. Their album is very well produced, by Dangermouse, and the lyrics in each song are amazing. I like your list, but I would switch K West with The Black Keys, because West has fallen off ever since “The College Dropout”. I understand an artist has to progress and switch it up so their music doesn’t sound the same from CD to CD, but his music is so overplayed and overhyped it doesn’t deserve the type of attention it gets.
Though I don’t agree with your choices, naturally, I absolutely love your design, the strip of the album cover is brilliant! Love it. I’m starting up my little site on blogspot, it’s called The Lavin Rant: http://lavinrant.blogspot.com/.
You’ve given me some good design ideas, which is what I’m lacking in, but really I focus more on my writing.
You should have The Black Keys on here. Their album is very well produced, by Dangermouse, and the lyrics in each song are amazing. I like your list, but I would switch K West with The Black Keys, because West has fallen off ever since “The College Dropout”. I understand an artist has to progress and switch it up so their music doesn’t sound the same from CD to CD, but his music is so overplayed and overhyped it doesn’t deserve the type of attention it gets.