This month’s playlist consists of choice cuts from my ten most-listened to albums released last year. Click each song to hear it, or go here to hear the whole playlist. Songs arranged alphabetically by height. Here goes…
Black Milk - Album of the Year
Rock music wasn't very exciting in 2010, but a lot of genres that aren't known for live instruments started using rock guitars and drums with terrific results. Detroit's Black Milk is the best producer working in underground hip-hop, and this album gets great results from live music and Milk's career-best mic work.
Song: “Distortion”
Curren$y - Pilot Talk
New Orleans MC with an elastic flow teams with a forgotten '90s beatmaker who has his house band sew pillows of psychedelic funk. Together, they make a case for one-producer hip-hop records. More exciting guest spots and varied beats then the equally winning, but ultra laid back, sequel released later the same year. "Flow hippie...comfortable...bean bag."
Song: “The Day (featuring Mos Def and Jay Electronica)”
Daylight Robbery - Through the Confusion
Chicago punk trio lead by a husband and wife team who trade off vocals like John Doe and Exene and add a little B-52s new wave shimmy to their dark rock 'n' roll.
Song: “Mystery”
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Rush to Relax
Australian garage punk group with spoken vocals like the Modern Lovers or Art Brut, and propulsive, minimalist songs that groove, drone…and rock. A real catchy grower.
Song: “Rush to Relax”
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
L.A. electronic hip-hop visionary crafts a dense opus that touches on video game music, spiritual jazz, trip-hop, fusion and multiple points between. Killer live show, to boot.
Song: “Zodiac Shit”
Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here
Hip-hop progenitor departs from his typical political blues music to bellow out some covers and slur gems over apocalyptic electronic music.
Song: “I’m New Here”
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
The most accessible prog tribute to the ego of the album's creator, with songs abut emailing pictures of your dick to girls, evar.
Song: “Gorgeous (featuring Kid Cudi and Raekwon)”
Mount Kimbie - Crooks and Lovers
Young British electronic duo use samples of organic found sound in their music. Since when has dubstep felt so peaceful?
Song: “Carbonated”
Roc Marciano - Marcberg
Former Flip Mode c-lister self-produces the bleakest, most menacing East Coast rap since prime Wu-Tang and Mobb Deep. Sounds like the November sky over a project building.
Song: “Riding Around”
Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
Canadian twins with otherworldly voices play a canny mix of power pop and new wave. Like Weezer for 19 year old lesbians. Technically from late '09, but this record was in regular rotation through summer '10.
Song: “Alligator”