de la cream: The Top 50 Albums of 2010

50.

Peeling The Drum / Comical Cheating by Remy LBO (Porter)

This is what it would sound like if Ron Carter was trapped in a room full of analog synthesizers and a copy of “Madvillainy” for inspiration - in 2045. It makes you wish you were a rapper - on a spaceship.

49. In Evening Air by Future Islands (Thrill Jockey)

I will admit: when I first listened to In Evening Air it didn’t get me. But with each listen, this album reveals new textures and layers of emotion. Seeing the Baltimore native band perform live in Santa Barbara was when I realized these guys’ greatness. Vocalist Sam Herring strapped on a knee-brace as he prepared to explode/scream/whisper with passion, occasionally slipping into his best Tom Waits impression. And the other two dudes (William Cashion and J Gerrit Welmers) somehow create layers of lofty synth melodies, bouncing bass lines, hypnotizing snare pulses while retaining a true rock-n-roll root. At some point I was shoved to the front of the crowd at their show in a small coffee shop and Sam Herring looked me in the eyes and slowly pulled his clenched fist close to his face like a Shakespearian actor - I could nearly see his ego spewing out of the bulging veins in his neck. He sings, “And so I whisper into your ear/ what are you thinkin’ ‘bout?/ you just looked up at the stars” - I got goosebumps.

48. Porcelain Opera by Rene Hell (Type)

Jeff Witcher makes music that seems completely foreign to this planet. Sometimes it sounds like it could be alien communications or - as his new moniker hints - from Hell. Porcelain Opera is a trip.

Rene Hell - Porcelain Opera by _type

47. Subiza by Delorean (True Panther Sounds)

A truly hopeful album. In a time of dance music that only seems to say, “Lets get wasted as fuck so we forget about all the bullshit”, Subiza seems to have a much more optimistic feel. Following their Spanish instincts, Delorean is simply celebrating life and all that it is worth.

46. Relayted by Gayngs (Jagjaguar)

Within the first few minutes of the first track, “The Gaudy Side of Town”, I thought: “This has to be a joke.” But as the cheesy saxophone lick continued and the R&B-style harmonies, tacky guitar solos, and outdated drum-machines drowned me, I couldn’t escape - and didn’t want to. All the way through to the fantastic romantic finale, “The Last Prom On Earth” - Relayted is a tongue-in-cheek masterpiece. Justin Vernon seems to have gotten all his cool friends in the Midwest together and decided to make a the cheesiest album they possibly could - and they nailed it. It almost makes me embarrassed to listen to it, but really, “gaudy” can be refreshing when you accept it. Relayted is a joke - but it’s a damn good one.

45. Body Talk Pt. 1 by Robyn (Konichiwa)

Listen to this album and try not to dance.... Bet you can’t do it. The first (and best) part of a three part masterpiece by Swedish pop-Goddess Robyn is the best party record of the year. No matter who you are - a 39-year-old lesbian, a 22-year-old heterosexual college student, a grumpy old man - you will find this album to be empowering. Just admit it: “‘Dancehall Queen’ is my jam!”

44. Forget by Twin Shadow (Terrible)

Revolving flawlessly between soulful electronic ballads and new-wave style rock songs, George Lewis Jr. adds his raw vocals to sounds that are pleasantly nostalgic yet covered with a fresh coat of modern “glo”.

43. Black Noise by Pantha Du Prince (Rough Trade)

Early-20th-century French composer Claude Debussy said, “Music is the space between the notes.” This is a mantra that German DJ Hendrik Weber seems to believe in as Pantha Du Prince. On his website he claims: “music slumbers in all matter; any sound, even silence, is already music.” Listen for the silence in this album, that is where the music is. Plus, highlight track “Stick To My Side” features Noah Lennox a.k.a Panda Bear sounding as mesmerizing as ever.

42. The Way Out by The Books (Temporary Residence)

The newest release by The Books makes it obvious these guys have been making music for a long long time. Willing to experiment in sounds that no one else could ever think of, The Books are all over the place on this one. The first time I listened to this record all the way through, I was walking around San Francisco (mostly Golden Gate Park) with my iPod - while extremely stoned. The first track features several recordings of people talking, who are basically preparing the listener for a journey of the mind. After literally guiding me into a meditative state, the first few tracks felt revolutionary. From the funny funky “I Didn’t Know That”, to the childish bass-slappin’ “A Cold Freezin’ Night” to the silly bouncing “Story of Hip Hop”; and it's all mashed between recognizable and stranger voices sharing relaxing words of philosophy and encouragement. Though The Books may not keep your attention throughout the entire journey - this one will always end as a good trip. Just remember: “The deeper you go, the deeper you go.”

41. Black City by Matthew Dear (Ghostly Int.)

Matthew Dear’s latest recording with Ghostly Int. is titled Black City, and sounds just like one. Opener, “Honey” is rather ambiguous - a slow groovy bass line underneath the sounds of grinding saws, and hypnotic ticks and tocks as Dear sings low and steady; the listener prepares for the urban adventure ahead. Tribal pounding and raw lyrics keep Dear on a natural human level while still exploring the artificial and industrial setting. The entrancing epic “Little People (Black City)” gets the party started and the listener joins Dear in moments that are sensual (“Slowdance”), dirty (“You Put A Smell On Me”), funny (“Monkey”), daunting (“More Surgery”) and finally beautiful (“Gem”). If you have the chance, actually listen to this album while walking through a dark city.

MDBC Abstraction from Ghostly International on Vimeo.

40. Loveshines, But The Moon Is Shining Too by Sunset (Autobus)

The first time I listened to this album, when I got to track three “Lunar Eyes” I could have sworn I had heard this album a hundred times. That song in particular reminds of childhood sing-alongs but also sounds like an old nostalgic 60’s psych gem. The rest of the album is also filled with moments that sound so familiar - I think of The Moody Blues, The Grateful Dead, late-Beatles, even Randy Newman. Bill Baird delivers this mainly upbeat rock album sitting on top of layers of strange and unexpected sounds; on several tracks Baird even reveals his ambient compositional side - if you listen hard enough, the “upbeat rock album” can vanish entirely.

SUNSET - LUNAR EYES from autobus on Vimeo.

39. White Magic by CEO (Sincerely Yours)

CEO is a magician: The title track, “White Magic” warns, “and just when you thought you had it / white magic.” Making an album that is innocent and childish while also being authentically emotional, Eric Berglund (of Tough Alliance) may have created the perfect Balearic album as CEO. Fellow Nordic-people-making-music-inspired-by-island-music band jj released a fantastic track called “CEO Birthday” earlier in the year which anticipates and celebrates Berglund’s new project in the form of a beautiful cover of Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex” (you know it). White Magic lived up to the expectations. If you let him, Berglund will make your heart hurt; his music is painfully beautiful. In highlight track “Come With Me”, he asks “would you sacrifice this life to make it real?” - you should seriously consider it.

38. Phantom Payn Daze by Phantom Payn Days (De Stijl)

I learned a little too late that the 2010 De Sijl Records release called Phantom Payn Daze by an artist called Phantom Payn Days was actually recordings by a German guy named Juergen Gleuefrom in the mid-90’s but was never formally distributed. It is not “new” music, but I couldn’t keep it off the list. While mixing 60’s style pop melodies, 70’s style looseness, 80’s style layering, Gleuefrom tops it all off with 90’s style snottiness to create a rather timeless recording. In 16 two or three minute songs, Phantom Payn Daze proves to be a pivotal record that finally had its due formal release.

37. Before Today by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti (4AD)

I know we all have heard too much about how cool (or lame, depending on your views) it is that Ariel Pink decided to get some higher-end production on his newest album, and we now all realize that his previous lo-fi releases were not lo-fi because he was covering anything up. This is no longer a group of lazy asses who record on tapes in the back of a van - these guys are making music like rock stars. There literally is nothing wrong with this album: the exciting accelerating “L’estat”, the almost Motown "Bright Lit Blue Skies", the delicate yet confident “Round And Round”, the catchy as fuck “Beverly Kills”, the seductive lounging “Can’t Hear My Eyes”, the deep driving “Menopause Man”, and on and on... Every song is totally awesome for a completely different reason. In some ways Ariel Pink is totally ripping off everyone rad from the past, but in some ways he is doing something that no one else could even begin to imitate.

36. Say Goodbye To Useless by Deru (Mush)

According to my iTunes play counter, I know that I have listened to the first two tracks of Deru’s new album - “I Would Like” and “I Want” - more than any other song in my collection - that is a big deal. The first two songs of Say Goodbye To Useless are really just one song split into parts: the first part is some traditional French song with vinyl crackles and all, but it slowly gets swallowed by rolling synthesizers and an electronic high pitched voice; by part two swooping hip-hop beats take over and the same simple song becomes a whole new game. Honestly it is impossible to describe this track, you must listen to it. Oh, and the rest of the album is sick too: Track three, “Peanut Butter And Patience” is the hit according to most people and it starts the party; it goes on to the dirty scratchy “Basically, Fuck You.”, the beautiful woodwind wonderland “Fadeaway”, the dark and scary “What Happens When You Ask” and further on from there. Have a smart party or get high and say goodbye to useless.

35. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter (4AD)

I believe that there are two types of Deerhunter fans: those who love Deerhunter so much they will love anything they release; and those who love Deerhunter so much they say their first album Cryptograms is the greatest of all time. For me, there are some reasons that Cryptograms is the best, and there are also reasons that Microcastle is the best, and sometimes now I think that Halcyon Digest may be the greatest of all. Deerhunter has managed to make their most accessible album to date, while also exploring the strangest territory. Personally, I feel “Desire Lines” is the highlight as Bradford Cox and his spot-on band jam on a simple structure, charge through a nearly seven-minute epic, while seeming to be playfully practicing scales throughout. It’s as if they aren’t even trying. The songs are so catchy yet so spontaneous; it looks like Cox isn’t showing any sign of inhibiting his creative juices any time soon.

34. Mitt Liv Som Katt by Goes Calypso (Life’s Blood)

I almost don’t want to spoil the experience of this album by describing it...but: after about a minute into Mitt Liv Som Katt (which apparently means “My Life As A Cat” in Swedish) there is a surprising scratchy synth entry which grabs any wandering attention from the listener. Finally settling into a steady groove, right when the listener lets his guard down - about two and a half minutes in - a shocking wall of noise enters (I was listening very loudly my first time and literally jumped at this moment). This moment seems so powerful, the listener is energized for the rest of the album, but not ready for it. After a fantastic quietly neurotic track two, all of a sudden the album is a bloopy-bloppy dance song! Goes Calypso plays around with many different styles on this record, and created one of the most compelling releases of the year. Oh, and it’s only on cassette - viva tape!

33. Find Out What Happens When People Stop Being Polite, And Start Gettin’ Reel by Hype Williams (De Stijl)

I have heard people say (including myself probably) that they like Kanye West because he “doesn’t give a fuck” - and it seems to be the excuse many people (including myself probably) use to relieve their guilt for liking his new album. But after listening to the mysterious duo Hype Williams’ new release - frankly titled Find Out What Happens When People Stop Being Polite, And Start Gettin’ Reel - Kanye West seems suddenly like a whiny little bitch. Hype Williams really doesn’t give a fuck - on opening track "Rescue Dawn" he literally lists off Pokemon names. Sometimes their music sounds half-assed and unrehearsed, and that is exactly what they’re getting at. Half the songs are “Untitled”, yet each is spontaneously unique. It is the perfect wintertime soundtrack for the Ritalin-and-YouTube generation who is sick of listening to fucking dubstep.

32. My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky by Swans (Young God)

This is the best album-made-by-old-dudes of the year (excluding Scott-Heron). These guys have been super awesome since before I was born, and just made one of the most bad-ass album of the year. This is also one of the many albums this year that had cover art that played a key part in the record’s greatness. When I first saw the mysterious cover of this album, I initially thought it was a telescopic photo of a star or something - but then I looked closer. But the closer I looked, the more unsure I was about what the hell it was. So... I Googled it. Turns out it is art made by a woman named Beatrice Pediconi, and she has all sorts of cool pieces which are mostly photographs of different inks and dyes in various liquids - neat, huh? And there is also a wonderful article written by Nicola Davide Angerame about Pediconi’s “Untitled” series which included the Swans’ cover. Angerame says, “The complexity created by this Roman artist offers the dynamics of the internal, personal voyage with its visions, flashes of inspiration, flickers of ideas, or the explosion of emotion; a voyage guided by the “hallucinations” that make us read in a stain the existence of a cosmos or of a marine abyss. They are legitimate and rational readings, but also reductive: we are not in front of Rorscharch tests or dreamingly teasing forms out of passing clouds, however much the mechanism that these “stains” stimulate in the mind is the same. Pediconi’s images offer instead suggestions created by an unstable material and by the fluidity of a structure created in a personally-constructed laboratory.” This description of the art is kind of what it’s like to listen to Swans’ new album: unstable yet skilled; fluid yet frightening; an “explosion of emotion”. It really feels like Swans’ leader Michael Gira is trying to tell me something that I am not old enough to understand - and it’s not good news.

31. Something That Has Form And Something That Does Not by On (Type)

Does this album have form or not? I don’t get it.

On - Something That Has Form And Something That Does Not by _type

30. I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron (XL)

Gil Scott-Heron is 61 years old. It has been 40 years since his debut release and 16 since his last record. Scott-Heron has been revered as an influential soulman and poet for decades - he is not new here. However, his latest album I’m New Here is all about a fresh start. On the title track he repeats, “Turn around, turn around, turn around/ and you may come full circle/ and be new here again.” Dealing with years of addiction and trouble, Scott-Heron has seemingly discovered a new outlook, and managed to make an album that feels fresh and relevant. Underneath his weathered, tired voice is a man who somehow can make music like it is the first time anyone ever tried. His lyrics are full of wisdom and experience yet still feel fresh and dipped in a bit of youthful angst. But the music is what really is “new here”: he plays with modern dubstep and hip-hop ideas and embraces sounds that are electronic and minimal. On opening track “On Coming From A Broken Home” Scott-Heron discusses his childhood over a sample from Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” - pretty relevant. Throughout the rest of the album, Scott-Heron is found floating above dark distant kick drums, deep ominous synthesizers and rich drum machines; but it doesn’t sound like he is copying what all the young kids are doing - it’s like he invented this shit long ago. Some tracks stick to old blues structured guitar riffs and beautiful spoken-word poems, which keep the album glued together. Gil Scott-Heron decided to turn around until he came full circle and made an album that is rooted in a wealth of experience, yet feels as fresh as a debut release.

29. King Night by Salem (IAMSOUND)

I got to see Salem perform in New York City for the CMJ showcase that IAMSOUND was throwing. They blew my mind. Salem is three people: one tall skinny dude with long bleach blonde hair who sings/raps/talks/whatever you want to call it - he looks like a 19-year-old who has been doing meth for 10 years (oh and on the recording he is pitch shifted down like four octaves); then there is another guy who plays synths and boards without even moving a muscle - a big bald robot man; and there is a chick who was wearing a XXXL Kansas City Chiefs jersey and sang occasionally and hit the keyboards every once in a while. These kids are in their own league - some call it witch house, some call it drag, whatever it is it is awesome. In highlight track “Trapdoor”, blonde meth guy says, “Nah, I ain’t tryin’ look bad.” But they are... real bad.

*note* It is a very time consuming project to write a blurb about each album. Truthfully, I am never terribly happy with my writing anyway. So, for now, I will just put up the rest of the list and write later on. I am supposed to graduate from college this quarter, I don't have time for this. Also, I want to start reviewing the music of 2011!

28. All Is Falling by James Blackshaw (Young God)

27. Moon Deluxe by Andrew Cedermark (Underwater Peoples)

(I was at this show at Glasslands in Brooklyn. This video doesn't do them justice, they were amazing)

26. Black Sands by Bonobo (Ninja Tune)

25. Twin-Hand Movement by Lower Dens (Gnomonsong)

24. Treats by Sleigh Bells (Mom&Pop)

23. Melted by Ty Segall (Goner)

22. Latin by Holy Fuck (Young Turks)

21. There Is Love In You by Four Tet (Domino)

four tet - plastic people from Arda Karabocek on Vimeo.

20. At Echo Lake by Woods (Woodsist)

Woods- "Til the Sun Rips" music video from Jon Casey on Vimeo.

19. Love Remains by How To Dress Well (Lefse)

18. Innerspeaker by Tame Impala (Modular)

17. Teen Dream by Beach House (Sub Pop)

16. The Effective Disconnect by Brian McBride (Kranky)

15. Causers Of This by Toro y Moi (Carpark)

14. Small Craft On A Milk Sea by Brian Eno (Warp)

13. Silence! by Bill Baird (Autobus)

Bill Baird is fucking cool. In addition to making a powerfully fun record as Sunset, Baird managed to also create one of the most powerfully somber records of the year - simply titled Silence!. Commanding the listener to shut up and listen, “Silence!” is a hushed journey through sounds that are sometimes simple and beautiful and often sober and even scary. Take the time alone to experience this one.

12. On by Funki Porcini (Ninja Tune)