I honestly never thought I would be asked to prepare a “top albums” list. The amount of music I go through in any given year is near incalculable. Even more so, I never thought I would have to rate them in order of their significance to me. However, after a few days of thinking, I was able to prepare a list of albums that stick out in my mind as having an outstanding impact on me upon first listen. These are NOT in any order because I’m too indecisive to be able to squash that feat. After this gets posted, I’m sure I’ll remember 10 more releases that could be included in this year-end wrap up. I hope you enjoy, and if you haven’t heard any of these, I suggest you immediately go out and pick them up.
SKREAM – OUTSIDE THE BOX
For electronic musicians, I can imagine it’s hard to compile a full release of quality material. With the genre pushing artists to release singles as soon as they’re created, it must be hard to set aside enough work for a complete release. Skream was able to do this. The producer, who has dabbled in genres of drum-and-bass, dubstep, jungle, twostep, and everything in between, compiled one of the best electronic releases of the year. What I liked most from this release was his ability to tie all of his musical influences together into a solid release. If you were to take the instrumentals of this album and release them, this would be an excellent record. If you were Skream, you would get your favorite vocalists to come in, and thereby make this album one of the best of 2010.
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – THIS IS HAPPENING
LCD Soundsystem consistently puts out the best albums you will ever hear. Their style is hard to define, yet listeners from any background seem to enjoy their work. Having been coined one of the greatest live bands today, I would like to add “one of the most enjoyable bands you can ever listen to” to that list. Their catalogue is flawless and this release contributed to it tenfold. If you live to party, this album is for you.
FOUR TET – THERE IS LOVE IN YOU
If there is one thing I regret from this year, it is missing Four Tet perform live at the 9:30 Club. For whatever reason, I decided at the time it was not quite worth the 3 hour drive from Norfolk. Ever since the release of There Is Love In You, it would be safe to say I’ve listened to this album at least 2 times a month. Four Tet, combined with a few others (say Jamie XX and James Blake), are leaders in the art of sampling a vocal part and chopping it up and fucking with it. This IDM release might be my favorite of the year but like I said before, I’m too indecisive to pick an order. I recommend this for everyone. If you don’t like this album, I don’t like you.
EMERALDS – DOES IT LOOK LIKE I’M HERE?
I first heard of this album when I interviewed Drop The Lime earlier this year. He had mentioned that it was one of his favorites, so afterwards I decided to look into this release. Sure enough, it was a keeper. Emeralds explore the electronic field with music that take you on a rollercoaster of sorts. There are clever sound-scapes that feel like they should be the soundtrack to a space movie, and there are harder hitting synthesizer parts which make you move your feet. This was definitely one of the biggest surprises of the year for me.
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS – FURTHER
At the beginning of this year I remember having a conversation with someone about naming bands I had not seen, but had to before I died. The Chemical Brothers was one of the first ones I could think of. This album--which seemed to be running full speed through the rumor-mill--combined with my ability to see them perform live at the Electric Zoo festival in NY earlier this year, reassured my belief that these electronic veterans are on top of their game. With one of the absolute CRAZIEST live shows I have ever seen, their knowledge and experience in the genre allows them to create catalogue favorites such as this, a must have for any electronic fan.
LATE NIGHT TALES: THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA
I’m not even sure how I came across this. As I consider myself a huge Cinematic Orchestra fan, I want to shoot myself in the foot when I think that I almost didn’t catch this release. This compilation is Cinematic Orchestra's contribution to the ongoing Late Night Tales series, and features works from Flying Lotus, Radiohead, Bjork, and even Burial; those names should give you some insight into the awesomeness contained on this album. I have put this record on at parties and even before I go to sleep. This multi-genre collection is sure to be one of your favorites too.
DIRTY SOUTH JOE & FLUFFTRONIX – LUVSTEP VOL. 1
In a record year for dubstep, Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix thought it only appropriate that they put their own spin on the genre by adding vocal layers from your favorite tear jerking movies. The idea of heavy hitting electronic bass-lines combined with dialogue from Jerry McGuire (just to name one movie used here) might sound like a laughing matter but this album immediately made my best-of list. This is the album you put on when you’re hanging out with a few friends and don’t quite feel like partying til 5 am.
GAVIN CASTLETON – WON OVER FREQUENCY
This flew under the radar for a lot of people. Gavin Castleton, who seems to self-fund all of his latest projects, created this gem earlier this year. From start to finish, the unusual time signatures and percussive levels make this an absolute feel good record. I guarantee you will hear rhythms on this album that you have not heard before. One of the most underrated albums of the year.
JOANNA NEWSOM – HAVE ONE ON ME
This album seems to be in everyone’s year-end roundup. There's a special place in my heart for Joanna Newsom. I was first introduced to her with her 2006 album, Ys. I saw someone writing about it and found it interesting how an album with only 5 songs could make such an impact on someone. After listening, Joanna’s rare-in-her-business harp playing and unusual vocal tone made me a follower. Watching her perform in Richmond, VA recently, it cemented my belief that her latest triple-disc effort was one for my list.
GIL SCOTT-HERON – I’M NEW HERE
This album came out of nowhere for me. It was suggested to me from a friend who said that this man’s voice will stick with you a while after you hear it. I did not understand the history behind Gil Scott-Heron until after I heard this album and had decided to drive deeper into his back catalogue. With a voice that could come from an anti-smoking campaign, the roughness combined with electronic minimalistic beats seemed right up my alley. This soul/r&b/electronic/whateveryouwanttocallit album, with support from Damon Albarn (of Gorillaz fame), will stick with you months after you listen.