15 Solid Songs From 2010
Hello thar. I really didn't get around to listening to the copious amount
of music that most of you did this year, and my explorations didn't land
me outside of too much indie/alternative shit. There still are a few more
albums I really need to get my hands on to make a better year end list,
but this will have to do for now. |
| 15 | Steel Train
Bullet
Had to give some love to one of my longtime favorite bands. This song shows a
successful display of the pop sensibilities that Steel Train has been working on
for a while now. |
| 14 | Circa Survive
Glass Arrows
Circa Survive certainly changed up their sound on the latest release, and this
song shows that progression working at its best, with soaring choruses and
melodic guitars working off of each other flawlessly. |
| 13 | Minus the Bear
Into the Mirror
A pretty good cut from an otherwise underwhelming album. |
| 12 | Band of Horses
Factory
See #13 |
| 11 | Beach House
Walk in the Park
Not much to say about this except that it's a good song. |
| 10 | Girl Talk
Let it Out
I do realize that this album is supposed to be viewed as more of a continuos
work, but this splicing of the whole contains some of my favorite mash-ups on
the album, including Jay-Z/General Public, Barry White/ELO, Jim Jones/Snoop
Dogg, Wale/Jean Knight, and Rihanna/Fugazi. |
| 9 | Touche Amore
I'll Get My Just Deserve
The LD/TA split introduced me to Touche Amore, and their contribution to the
split shows that they are capable of writing some great stuff. Clocking in at just
over a minute, this track grabs you hard right from the start and doesn't let go. |
| 8 | The Gaslight Anthem
The Diamond Church Street Choir
While American Slang features plenty of punkier cuts, nothing shows their
continued evolution as well as this track does. Brian Fallon's vocal performance
here is very impressive. |
| 7 | Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse
Revenge (ft. The Flaming Lips)
A really chill track and the standout of the Danger Mouse/Sparklehorse pairing.
While The Flaming Lips could have added a heavy degree of strangeness with
their contribution, the simple slow groove played under Wayne Coyne's emotive
vocals makes this a powerful track. |
| 6 | The Black Keys
Tighten Up
I don't care that they play this song fucking everywhere now, it's still fun as hell
and has a really killer groove. |
| 5 | Sufjan Stevens
All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)
While the opening title track of Stevens' All Delighted People EP may be more in
line with his current symphonic-based insanity, the "classic rock" version
presents these ideas in a way that is immediately more listenable and palatable.
Minus the random guitar noodling at the end, this track is a solid intermediary
between Stevens' older and newer output. |
| 4 | Titus Andronicus
A Pot in Which to Piss
While everyone here seems to really favor The Battle of Hampton Roads, I think
that this track is highly underrated. The beginning isn't very interesting, but
once the track takes off around the halfway mark with a driving piano line and a
swinging beat, it really comes together fantastically. Also doesn't hurt that the
lyrics are practically made for anyone who's ever toiled endlessly in local bands. |
| 3 | Arcade Fire
Sprawl II: Mountains Beyond Mountains
Though much of The Suburbs operates at a much lower energy level than
Arcade Fire's prior output, this track is a much needed climax to the album. The
dark disco feel (for lack of a better descriptor) works really well with Regine's
soaring vocals. |
| 2 | The Tallest Man on Earth
Love is All
Hard to pick between this, The King of Spain, and The Dreamer, but this won
out. The guitar playing in this song is absolutely breathtaking. |
| 1 | The National
Bloodbuzz Ohio
Ever since I heard this song half a year ago I pretty much knew it was going to
be my top choice this year. The National at their absolute best. |
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