FT5: Albums Of The Year (So Far)
Seems like this time of year everybody makes their own version of the best of (so far) albums list. You think we’d sit back and let everyone else have all the fun? Think again. I’ll get this out of the way now and say that this is MY list. This is in no way a comprehensive list created by all us ATH staffers. This is ‘ol RayRay’s list full of what I’ve been spinning this year more than anything else. Now obviously it’s difficult for a music writer to condense a list down to just five, so some very worthy albums will be left off this list. Of course we’ll put our heads together and make a huge list at the end of the year… Follow the jump for full list.
5. The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt
This shortish album(a little over 30 minutes) has been the perfect music to guide me through my summertime vacation. Each acoustic ballad blends well into the next one as you drive into the sunset or open up that book you’ve been meaning to read on your back porch. Armed with only a guitar and his Bob Dylan-esque voice, Swede Kristian Mattson used this sophomore LP to really make a name for himself as one of the best singer songwriters in the indie game today. I anticipate I’ll be listening to this record for a long time to come. Oh and “King of Spain” will most definitely make my list for best songs of the year.
4. Suckers – Wild Smile
Think we’ve hyped this band up enough yet? Probably so, but I’m not quite done yet. We were looking forward to this record for a long long time and we’re begging members of the band, their PR, management and everyone else associated with the band to please get this thing in our hands. With all that hype we built up in our own brains you’d think nothing but a let down was in store. Wrong. This album really has everything you need when putting together a complete and flowing LP. You’ve got a slow burning opener “Save Your Love For Me”, Dance hall ready hits in “Black Sheep” & “Martha”, songs of angry love in “A Mind I Knew” and even a great album closer with the sing-a-long “Loose Change”. Anyone who asks me “what’s a great album from 2010 that I’ve maybe never heard of?”, I tell them Wild Smile. Pick this thing up now.
3. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
Astro Coast is my favorite rock record to come out this year. Each song is a simple take on rock music that comes across as fresh and welcoming in a genre that gets more boring by the minute. Some people are quick to write this band off as just a one hit wonder via “Swim”, but you would just be ignorant if you did that. “Swim” is an incredible tune obviously, but you forget “Take it Easy”, “Floating Vibes”, and hell the rest of the songs on the record. Anyone look for some good ‘ol fashioned rock music with a unique poppy take on things should invest the cash and pick up this LP.
2. Beach House – Teen Dream
I honestly don’t think I can write anything here that hasn’t already been said about this album. I’ll just say that I used to hate on this band big time, but now I am behind them 100%. If you’re one of those that hate, try the record again. Listen to it while doing nothing and just really listen. You’ll like what you hear.
1. The National – High Violet
Let me take this opportunity to apologize to the fine members of The National. I doubted you guys. Not for very long, but I doubted your ability to create another incredible album like Boxer. Even after I picked up this record and gave it a few listens, I still doubted you guys. I wasn’t buying into the record just yet. But isn’t that what we’ve come to expect from this band? People initially doubt them until you realize that all of their previous albums, along with this one, are best appreciate with time. They are the definition of an acquired taste. This record is why most of us music snob types don’t tend to offer our opinion on something until we’ve spent some major time with it. Lead singer Matt Berninger has used this record to solidify his place as one of the truly great poetic lyricists of our time. Plus the guys vocal delivery is like nothing we’ve ever heard before in the past. Simply put, this is an incredible record. Spend some quality time with this record and tell me I’m wrong. Dare you.
So that’s the best of the best for the year so far. Honorable mention goes to Titus Andronicus, Ted Leo, Twin Tigers, Mystery Jets, and Shout Out Louds. Of course you know those albums will probably appear on a more expansive year end list around December. The fall shows promise with records from Of Montreal, Megafaun, Interpol, The Acorn and maybe just maybe a new Strokes record. Maybe one of those will fight their way into this list.
Look at all the white people!
Thought I would say it before anyone else did.
I don’t know if I can add this because its a collection album, but Cats on Fire Dealing in Antiques is in my top five.
Thank you for not putting MGMT’s Congratulations anywhere near this list. Just horrible.
Honorable mentions to the lovely Zooey for She & Him’s Volume II and also Plastic Beach. Almost not what I expected from Gorillaz, or was it? Good stuff either way.
Definitely looking forward to the new Interpol.
I’m looking forward to Transit Transit and Halcyon Digest, among many others. The year is far from over and what a good one it’s been (so far).
My list would be as follows:
01. The National – High Violet
02. LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening
03. The Hold Steady – Heaven is Whenever
04. The Black Keys -Brothers
05. Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Honorable Mentions (good albums but all a tad disappointing for various reasons):
06. Band of Horses – Infinate Arms
07. The New Pornographers – Together
Looking forward to new Arcade Fire.
And I can’t agree enough re: The National. Absolutely brilliant and haunting album from start to finish. “Conversation 16” is one of the best song I’ve come across in years. Not to mention “Bloodbuzz” and “Afraid of Everyone.”
Justin Bieber – My World 2.0. ABDIMPSA = All Bieber does is make platinum selling albums.
Agree with all, The National and Tallest Man on Earth are two great additions this year.
@Ryan I agree with the Black Keys album, some was slow but overall really good.
I’m also currently obsessed with Tokyo Police Club ‘Champ’ album. Hopefully more goodness to come this fall.
I like that you guys mentioned “Tallest man on earth” kudos
Local Natives and Titus Andronicus “The Monitor” needs to mentioned though, I cant be the only one that things these bands made amazing albums
Ill give you Titus for sure, but the Local Natives, while initially rocking my socks, just grew old and stale. That’s just one man’s opinion though.
@Kyle
You did see that I put Titus in the honorable mention portion? If this was a top 6 or a top 7, that album most definitely makes the list. Making a top 5 means having to cut out some pretty solid albums.
As far as Local Natives, gotta agree with Nathan. I was really pumped about that album and was really into it when it came out, but now I’m just getting sick of it. I think it has a lot to do with it being popular with the sorority girl crowd… Those girls get ahold of something and you hear it everywhere you go.
Great list! But you’re fully aware who my #1 is (so far)…
1. Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
2. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
3. Beach House – Teen Dream
4. The National – High Violet
5. The Black Keys – Brothers
HR:
Ted Leo & the Pharmcists – The Brutalist Bricks
Suckers – Wild Smile
…and yes, Vampire Weekend – Contra
Get ready for Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. It’s a doozie…
You mean, its a snoozie.
@Ray and Nathan
My bad for not seeing the honorable mention for Titus, was just scanning the list while at work =p
I’ll agree that the local natives got stale after the couple months spent on my playlist,some really fond memories of drinking and repeated plays of “World news” with the friends. I’ll pray that i’ll never hear them at popular Jean’s store..
Love what you guys do here, been following your reviews for months now and i gotta say i been always excited too see what you guys are gonna write next.
No worries Kyle, and thanks for the kind words. We’re working really hard around here, and hopefully we can keep it up. We’ll see how the end of the year wraps up, but I’m sure that Local Natives will land in there, just not sure where at this point. I’m trying to see if I can sneak Ted Leo in the top 10.
Chlorophyl? More like borophyl.
I’m accually really pumped to hear what you guys have to say about the up and coming “Acorns” album. I’ve had the album for a little while now from amazon and its really incredible.
I’m beating a dead horse, but I think Black Keys should be on this list. It’s getting huge playability for me. I keep going back to it.