Rashandarei's Top 25 Of 2010
My final ranking for 2010, not including EPs or splits. Maybe I'll make a much smaller, less important list about them that will cost less and probably be a bit more experimental than my typical full length list. |
| 25 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
This took a long time to grow on me, but it's youthful exuberance and spirit eventually force you to start enjoying it, and enjoy it I did. |
| 24 |  | Joanna Newsom
Have One on Me
Her uniquely charming voice does wonders for me, and I can't help but think that this is the prettiest shit I've listened to in a while every time I put it on. |
| 23 |  | Shearwater
The Golden Archipelago
Speaking of pretty, The Golden Archipelago just makes me want to be sitting out in front of a beautiful landscape, just taking life in. |
| 22 |  | Sed Non Satiata
Sed Non Satiata
Great atmosphere and intensity, and on top of that... French. What more can be said? |
| 21 |  | Parades
Foreign Tapes
Indie done right, everything is top notch here. I absolutely love the vocal pairing. |
| 20 |  | cssc
The Lonely Robot
Spacey, desolate, simultaneously minimalistic and grandiose, even a bit jazzy, The Lonely Robot will put you into a trance... of awesomeness. |
| 19 |  | Chiodos
Illuminaudio
No more Craig Owens means lots more fun apparently. Crazily catchy and listenable, it was one of my more heavily played albums this year. |
| 18 |  | Envy On The Coast
Lowcountry
Oh so enjoyable, Lowcountry is twangy, energetic, catchy, fun, and diverse. Great vocals by Hunter, it's a shame they broke up. |
| 17 |  | The Dillinger Escape Plan
Option Paralysis
Dillinger melts my face off, and then gets softer, then melts my face off again. I love it. It's my favorite album by them yet, it would probably be higher if it didn't wear off as quickly as it did. |
| 16 |  | Beach House
Teen Dream
More pretty music. Lovely vocals by Victoria Legrand, I was astonished to find that it was actually a woman singing. |
| 15 |  | Six Gallery
Breakthroughs in Modern Art
These guys just hit a sweet spot with me; fun vocals, intricate instrumentals (love the guitar), and probably a hint of pretentiousness. |
| 14 |  | Orbs
Asleep Next to Science
Literally the very last band I listened to before posting this list and made me reorder everything (and get rid of poor Sufjan at #25), and lord are they awesome. It's progressive music with some crazy keyboarding and whiny post-hardcore vocals, and to top it off, crazy lyrics that lead to some of the most fun listening I've had in a while. |
| 13 |  | Underoath
Disambiguation
Underoath always surprises me with the quality of their releases, and Disambiguation continues that trend. Excellent screaming, good clean vocals, and just so damn consistent. |
| 12 |  | Cherry Ghost
Beneath This Burning Shoreline
Simon Aldred's low voice is just plain dreamy, I wish I could match his tone. Taking after the likes of Johnny Cash, Cherry Ghost is catchy and nostalgic all at once and it's a wonder to listen to. |
| 11 |  | Los Campesinos!
Romance Is Boring
More lyrical fun here, I love the sarcastic tone and the unique sound. "I can't believe I chose the mountains every time you chose the sea." |
| 10 |  | Letlive
Fake History
An eclectic collection of sounds make their way into Fake History and I love it. Jason Butler absolutely slays with his vocals here. It's a blast to listen to and not easily forgettable. |
| 9 |  | Paul Baribeau
Unbearable
With his heartfelt and charming lyrics, Paul Baribeau has become one of my favorite artists. He's not the best singer, but he's just so genuine in his approach that it strangely works. And it works remarkably well. |
| 8 |  | Amia Venera Landscape
The Long Procession
Epic, epic, epic and awesome as all hell. The screams are great, it's constantly on edge, and even has some fun clean vocals. Definitely my favorite metal album of the year. |
| 7 |  | The Reign Of Kindo
This Is What Happens
Probably the most pleasing music on the list. It's so peaceful and jazzy, it's sure to put you into a zen-like state. The smooth vocals and the wonderful percussion just work so well. Perfect for a sleepy evening doing work or reading something nice or some other cliched nonsense like that. |
| 6 |  | My Epic
Yet
Noticed a trend yet? I really love me some thrown in post-hardcore vocals and I love lyrics that can capture powerful emotion. My Epic does both of these things and more. Pleasing to the ear and also really fun to listen to, Yet is a wonderful example of a band putting all of the pieces in right. On top of that, Lashes in a phenomenal song. "My God, I'm so scared, because I'm fractured, but I don't feel the breaks." |
| 5 |  | Circa Survive
Blue Sky Noise
I was not a fan of Circa Survive until this album, but oh my lord, save for my number one album, this was easily my most played music on the list. An improvement in all aspects to their previous works, this is catchy, fun, and I just love it. Anthony Green is so good to my ears and the lyrics really hit me in the right place at the right time. |
| 4 |  | Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
I'm not a rap guy. I don't have anything against rap, but I don't often find much of it that I like. That said, Kanye made an excellent album. It's odd telling people that I like this because my music-loving friends will either praise it or think I'm crazy for liking it. |
| 3 |  | The National
High Violet
Oh, The National, I love you so. High Violet is a masterpiece pure and simple. Berninger's vocals are breathtaking. High Violet is amazingly consistent and still manage to have standout songs. I absolutely love Conversation 16. |
| 2 |  | The Tallest Man on Earth
The Wild Hunt
The one album I've been listening to consistently since it came out. I got used to Matssen's vocals very quickly and from that point on, I was in love. His guitar work is elegant. This music just makes me happy whenever I listen to it. |
| 1 |  | Lone Wolf
The Devil and I
I have a big soft spot for folk music, and Paul Marshall hit that spot with the utmost precision with The Devil and I. Under his new moniker of Lone Wolf, Marshall has taken his unique lyrical qualities along with his smooth delivery and added more than just a guitar behind it. The composition behind the album is beautiful and fits his voice perfectly. Despite the dark lyrics, the album is so intoxicating and emotional, that you'd swear Marshall was singing about something deeply personal. My favorite album of the year without question. |
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