Kingsoby2010
Should be here: Amia Venera Landscape, Mark Ronson, Her Name is Calla, Dangermouse & Sparklehorse, |
| 25 |  | Dj Muggs vs. ill Bill
Kill Devil Hills
The first DOPE JOINT on this list yo. The beats are dope and hard. It is that ish. Anyway, this is very solid east coast hip-hop... does not reinvent the wheel, but does what it does very well. |
| 24 |  | Rosetta
A Determinism of Morality
Adds a dash of hardcore into the post metal formula. End result: hardcorish post metal. This is definitely better than Galilean Pretentious Satellites. |
| 23 |  | The Sword
Warp Riders
The Sword have come a long way from obvious Black Sabbath knockoffs to a respectable stoner rock outfit. "Acheron" tears it up, and the cover art is sick. |
| 22 |  | Daughters
Daughters
Required sludge metal entry. Sludges your face off. |
| 21 |  | Shugo Tokumaru
Port Entropy
Probably the most consistent indie artist currently; it's hard to be upset with really any of his albums. Port Entropy hearkens back to his older releases, but expands on them at the same time. |
| 20 |  | Black Milk
Album of the Year
If you know me, it's not hard to guess that I was heavily disappointed by this. Too much drums, and not enough electronicals. Even while being disappointing, BM is stil one of the most interesting artists today. |
| 19 |  | B. Dolan
Fallen House Sunken City
Alias drops the hot jamz. Dolan also has the capability to tear it up at times. "Leaving New York" is the best track here and is in constant rotation for me. El-P light. |
| 18 |  | Year of No Light
Ausserwelt
Wow, a complete 180 from their last release. Much more atmospheric and thoughtful, especially without those terrible vocals. |
| 17 |  | The National
High Violet
"Afraid of Everyone" didn't really leave my speakers at all this year. This is another one I didn't like at first, but really grew. Recommended to fans of music. |
| 16 |  | The Republic of Wolves
Varuna
Destroys Brand New. Thanks Sowing Season. Definitely recommended if you like The Devil and God. |
| 15 |  | Iron Braydz
Devil May Cry
Besides the ridiculous spelling of his name, Braydz is capable of dropping lyrical neutron bombs. For real, this cat can spit with the best of them, check "Devil's Death Day". Basically he is the British version of DOOM. |
| 14 |  | Janelle Monae
The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III of IV)
"Cold War" made my jaw drop. The rest of the record, not so much; it really left a lot to be desired after the incredible The Chase EP. Still beats the hell out of mostly everything out there. Nice hair Janelle. |
| 13 |  | Parades
Foreign Tapes
Davey paid me off to put this here. Brilliant debut to be honest; I've gotten plenty of indie hipsters into this recently. |
| 12 |  | The Roots
How I Got Over
A bit tame, compared to their last two releases, but that's to be expecting after being Jimmy Fallon's pit band for a year. Black Thought is still as sharp as ever, and Quest Love is a god. |
| 11 | | Maps and Atlases
Perch Patchwork
Less math rock and more pop, and they are better for it. This band can't really do anything bad. |
| 10 |  | Oceansize
Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up
Could have been much better had 'size remedied the obvious pacing issues in the middle of the record. "Build Us a Rocket Then..." is a strong highlight, but "Superimposer" and "It's My Tail" are incredible in their own rights. |
| 9 |  | Broken Bells
Broken Bells
I rode this pretty hard earlier in the year. Probably not as amazing as I initially proclaimed, but still great nonetheless. Dangermouse is a genius as usual, and this is easily Mercer's best work. |
| 8 |  | Sufjan Stevens
All Delighted People EP
Not really an EP... I guess I understand why Stevens released this for free after listening to Age of Adz. This really isn't what he wants to be associated with anymore. But whatever, it's f*cking great. |
| 7 |  | Eminem
Recovery
Dear Adam Downer, eat a wiener. "Won't Back Down" is incredible, and Em is on the top of his game. Blows Relapse out of the water. |
| 6 |  | Kvelertak
Kvelertak
I've heard people say this is "heavy music for those that don't like metal". F*ck that. This is crust at its finest and really pushes the boundaries of not only its own genre, but punk and metalcore too. |
| 5 |  | Enslaved
Axioma Ethica Odini
Black-ish Metal that doesn't sound like 1000 virgin banshees barfing in unison. It was hard to put this over Kvelertak, but I finally decided that it's a lot more intelligent at times. Progressive Metal has really evolved a lot over the past 10 years, and this is a prime example. |
| 4 |  | Big Boi
Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
I think "Shutterbug" destroyed my speakers. No joke. I listen to that, "Tangerine", and "Fo Yo Sorrow" every day. |
| 3 |  | Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Biased at first because Chan liked it, to be completely honest. It took a few listens, but damn, if "Lost in the World" isn't track of the year I don't know what is. |
| 2 |  | Sufjan Stevens
The Age of Adz
"Too Much" had me worried for a few seconds, but the new sound really isn't so much new as it is an evolution. The songs influenced by Royal Robertson's art are just breathtaking; you all really need to see him live if you get the chance. Mama wants to name our next one Sufjan, seriously. |
| 1 |  | Dark Time Sunshine
Vessel
No one really stood a chance this year. Vessel only redefines the hip-hop envelope completely for the new decade. Poetic and complex lyricism, progressive and truly composed productions; every moment is refreshing in its own way. |
|
