It's that time, again. The time when all good and lousy bloggers alike sit down and compile 'Best of...' lists. Best Books, Best Movies, Best New Shows, Best Syndicated Episodes of Shows That No Longer Air... There are many people who loathe people and publications who believe themselves to be popular/well-rounded/objective enough to compile a fair list of anything. However, I, audiodaughter, dearly love 'best of' lists. I love making them and I love reading them. Most importantly, I love making sure I own everything on everyone's list! I was recently quite boisterous of the fact that I owned almost every album on The Observer's list (picked by some of my favorite musicians). Worse yet was when I sat down this week with Rolling Stone's Playlist Issue. I made a list of any album mentioned by my most respected musicians that I didn't already own. Then I added all of them to my Amazon shopping cart. (If someone would like to donate $753.97 to the "Expand audiodaughter's Music Collection Fund," please email me.) Basically, I live for lists. Now that I'm currently watching through my bedroom window as the snow falls out on the lawn, I'm reminded that this year is almost over and I know it's time for me to make my own "best of" list. Hopefully, you already own all of these. If not, be sure to check them out.
Best 10 of '10
10.) Rolling Stones-Exile on Main Street (Deluxe Edition)
While absolutely nothing on this album was recorded in 2010, I still thought it was one of the best things to be (re)released. To begin with, Exile is far and away the best Stones album our there. I don't care what drugs they were on or which parts of the songs may have been redone after the Nellcote sessions. All I know is that the raw power in Richards' voice is overwhelming. He's wild and uncaring and he immediately pulls me in with him. Exile is the essential album for when you feel like dancing around with a glass of whiskey in your hand. And how else should a Rolling Stones album make you feel?
9.) Zac Brown Band- You Get What You Give
It took me a little longer than most people to be swayed by ZBB's easy-going attitude, but this album changed that for me. 'Martin' draws such a perfect picture of how greatly musicians depend on their instruments, their friends. It's a song of sheer beauty. 'Who Knows,' meanwhile, is a ten minute demonstration of what that relationship sounds like when it's nurtured properly (that is, with an insane amount of practice and lots and lots of time jamming with friends). You Get What You give may be laid-back and fun, but it's also, quite possibly, a work of genius.
8.) Trombone Shorty- Backatown
If all jazz was this catchy, had such an amazing bass line, and could make me dance like Backatown, I'd listen to a lot more of it. This is an essential album for anyone who isn't quite sure how they feel about jazz. This will definitely make you rethink your feelings.
7.) True Love Stories I- Alan Pownall
Despite not being met with a lot of press attention, Pownall's first album has gotten plenty of love from my speakers this year. Full of toe-tapping beats and catchy melodies, this album should have made it a lot further in the mainstream than it has so far. I'm hoping 2011 will bring better luck for this Londoner and his music.
6.)The Suburbs-Arcade Fire
The least favorite album I bought in 2010, The Suburbs has spent most of it's time in existence annoying me: I'm the only one in my group that wasn't initially impressed. I liked it, but I didn't think it was worth all the "sheer genius" tags it acquired. I love mellow, less-than-happy music-Honest. What I don't love, though, is music with no passion. Everyone else seems to hear that the band feel every word being sung, but all I hear are the lyrics they think they should be singing at their ages to the guitar rifts they think their fans will appreciate. I don't hate it (like I did on first listen), but I don't absolutely love it, either. It's a great album-Much better than most things released this year. In fairness, I'm most likely revolting against it because I like to be difficult.
5.) Brothers-The Black Keys
Why don't hipsters love this more than The Suburbs? There's something so basic and dirty about Auerbach's voice-Every single play sounds like a live concert. Remember when you were sixteen and you worried about what your music taste would be like in your twenties and if it would be as lame as the taste of that one twenty-something you knew at the time? This is exactly that funky sound-But I think the sixteen year old you would be okay with it, too. The entire album reminds me of Beck in the late '90s. And who didn't absolutely love Odelay? (No. Seriously. Listen to it, again.)
4.) Contra- Vampire Weekend
This album makes me want a disco ball. It's VW's typical fun and peppy, but still smart sound & lyrics. Not much of a stray from the first album. But why mess with a good thing? Vampire Weekend's popularity may be the best thing to ever happen to parents' of teenagers. This is an album that parents don't have to be ashamed of buying...or enjoying.
3.) I Speak Because I Can- Laura Marling
Miss Marling's sophomore album is her most popular so far and was even nominated for a Mercury. Less pop and more somber than her first (Alas, I Cannot Swim), I Speak Because I Can is the album of the year for the heart-broken or cynical. With not a single uplifting lyric sticking out, it's great for anyone who prefers to be left alone with their misery, annoyance or general darkness, without the effort of trying to cheer up. Yet, Laura's rich voice is somehow comforting and will never leave you any deeper than when you began. After awhile, you'll sing about your tongue being cut out and the corners of your lips may even turn up just slightly in a way that tells everyone else, "That was awhile ago." (Marling's usually with the addition of, "...and now I'm dating someone much more successful & good-looking.")
2.)Live, Volume 3- The Avett Brothers
Their best live album yet, it's the perfect mix of old, new, popular & obscure songs. My favorite is the false start for 'The Ballad of Love & Hate.' It's been a long, uphill road for the brothers and it was Starbucks that finally made them popular by constantly playing their latest studio album, "I And Love And You." It really puts all their shouts of gratitude into perspective and makes the album that much more enjoyable. If you don't love them yet, you will after this album.
1.)Sigh No More- Mumford & Sons
With no apparent defining emotion, Sigh No More is the best roller coaster you can ride for ten bucks. You can go from enraged to ecstatic not just in a matter of tracks but sometimes in a matter of beginning to end in one song. Is there a plethora of religious undertones? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. Believing in God, yourself, loved ones or humanity is not always easy. The members of Mumford & Sons have found ways to write beautiful lyrics about just how frustrating the effort of belief can be to the common man. It's not all dark, depressing and ...literary. They'll also pluck the banjo, hammer at the kick drum and harmonize their way into a joyous chorus of what can happen when you finally find someone to believe in, too.
My best 10 gigs of 2010? They all belong to Mumford and Sons. They're not just my pick because of their level of musicianship, lyrical prowess or insane harmonies. This band has defined my year with their ability to make a good record, put on a fantastic show and help me make friends where ever I travel on the road to more gigs.
