All-Campus Radio Network’s Top 10 Albums of 2010
By ACRN Staff
Rika Nurrahmah, General Manager:
In no particular order--
A-Trak, Dirty South Dance 2 (Fool's Gold)
Darkthrone, Circle the Wagon (Peaceville)
Swedish House Mafia, Until One (Virgin)
O. Children, O. Children (Deadly People)
Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Roc-A-Fella)
Crystal Castles, Crystal Castles (Last Gang)
Double Negative, Daydreamnation (Sorry State)
Watain, Lawless Darkness (Season of Mist)
Thou, Summit (Gilead Media)
Nukehammer, The Future of Siberia(Life Rot/Solar Funeral)
Courtney Baldasare, Editorial Director:
In no particular order--
Kings of Leon, Come Around Sundown (RCA)
Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs, God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise (RCA)
The Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards (Warner Brothers/Third Man)
Delta Spirit, History From Below (Rounder)
Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More (Glassnote)
The Black Keys, Brothers (Nonesuch)
Dead Confederate, Sugar (TAO/Old Flame)
Laura Marling, I Speak Because I Can (Astralwerks)
Titus Andronicus, The Monitor (XL)
The Tallest Man On Earth, The Wild Hunt (Dead Oceans)
Arthur Henke, Mobile Director:
1. Black Eyed Peas, The Beginning (Interscope)
2. Big Boi, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (Def Jam)
3. Girl Talk, All Day (Illegal Art)
4. A-Trak, Dirty South Dance 2 (Fool's Gold)
5. The Dream, Love King (Def Jam)
6. Flying Lotus, Cosmogramma (Warp)
7. Rusko, OMG (Mad Decent)
8. Gorillaz, Plastic Beach (EMI)
9. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Roc-A-Fella)
10. Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday (Universal/Cash Money)
Tate Galbraith, Production Director:
1. Pendulum, Immersion (Breakbeat Kaos)
2. Danny Byrd, Rave Digger (Hospital)
3. Netsky, Netsky (Hospital)
4. Magnetic Man, Magnetic Man (Columbia/Sony)
6. Nero, Me & You (MTA)
7. Chase & Status, 3 Track (Vertigo)
8. SKisM, Down With the Kids (Never Say Die)
9. Rusko, O.M.G.! (Mad Decent)
10. Noisia, Split the Atom (Division)
Hadouken!, For the Masses (Surface Noise)
Aaron Vilk, Promotions Director and DJ Sweet Dee of Kill Ugly Radio:
1. Swans, My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky (Young God)--An excellent return from an absolutely legendary post-punk/industrial act. Swans' new album rocks ten times harder than almost everything released this year, but is still a development on their aggressive yet now oddly melodic sound.
2. The Kyle Sowashes, Nobody (WeWantAction)--Close friend of the station Kyle Sowash and his crack outfit of everymen released a fantastic new album of ultra-catchy indie rock. Each song on the album tells a story and none of them could be considered filler, whereas so many indie albums are chock full of it.
3. Titus Andronicus, The Monitor (XL)--At the beginning of the year, I didn't really know who these guys were, but the combination of seeing them live (best Athens show of 2010) on the day this album dropped really cemented them into my mind as one of the best current indie rock bands.
4. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Roc-A-Fella)--The most critically praised album of the year falls at number three for me because I'm a no-fun poopy pants. It was pretty great, though. A really solidly composed hip-hop album with tons of excellent beats and arrangements.
5. Blithe Field, Beautiful Wave '74 (Self-released)--Blithe Field is probably at the top of the Ohio “sample-electronica” scene, and his new album is an incredibly enjoyable swatch of sounds and beats that are less disjointed than the works of many of his colleagues.
6. Evolve, Breaking Down the Barriers (Realicide Youth)--Ohio homegrown psychedelics, grimy and faded hip-hop beats and hazy post-human lyrics. A must for people looking for good hip-hop/trip-hop/electronica.
7. Haus Arafna, You (Galakthorro)--2010 was a year where tired iterations of synthpop were marched out to the hipster masses, the ugliest example being bullshit like Salem and other lame “witch house.” Haus Arafna's new album is a reaffirmation of the heavy, oppressive synthpop aesthetic that falls outside the cheap Brooklyn heroin-idiot gimmicks. Synthpop, yeah, but it can still beat your ass.
8. Nick Tolford & Company, Extraordinary Love (Self-released)--Excellent debut album from straight-up Columbus soul outfit Nick Tolford & Co. Not gimmicky, not exaggerated, but just people playing soul as it should be played.
9. Grinderman, Grinderman 2 (Mute)--Nick Cave's project Grinderman released an awesome new album featuring some of the best rock tunes all year. “Halls Of Montezuma” was among my favorite tracks of the year.
10. The Conformists, None Hundred (Sick Room)--Ultra-spastic no-wave rockers released a super-warped new album of twitchy rock. I will be honest, I listened to a lot of stuff in 2010 that was unlistenable to most people, but this one was memorable enough for how strange yet still rock it was.
BEST REISSUE OF 2010: It's a tie between Godflesh's Streetcleanerdouble-disc on Earache or Nine Inch Nails' reissue of Pretty Hate Machine on Bicycle/U Me. Both of these are awesome remasters and come with deluxe packaging that really affirms the fact that it should be part of your collection (especially in the $8 case of the NIN reissue).
Melissa Burant, Public Relations Director and Copy Chief:
1. American War, Rhetoric (Self-released)
2. Margot & the Nuclear So & So's, Buzzard (Mariel)
3. Titus Andronicus, The Monitor (XL) 4. Bomb the Music Industry, Adults!!!... Smart!!! Shithammered!!! And Excited By Nothing!!!!!!! (Quote Unquote)
5. The Whigs, In the Dark (ATO)
6. Paul Baribeau, Unbearable (Self-released)
7. The Gaslight Anthem, American Slang (SideOneDummy)
8. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, The Brutalist Bricks (Matador)
9. The Hold Steady, Heaven is Whenever (Vagrant)
10. The Thermals, Personal Life (Kill Rock Stars)
Kory Kasler, Promotions Assistant and DJ:
1. Titus Andronicus, The Monitor (XL)--The Monitor is simply a solid, unique and interesting album which combines a vast array of musical styles and a loose Civil War theme that put together an incredible album from beginning to end.
2. Circa Survive, Blue Sky Noise (Atlantic)--Blue Sky Noise is definitely one of Circa Survive’s best albums to date. While it may not quite be up there with Juturna, it certainly tops their more recent album, On Letting Go, released in 2007. Be sure to pick up the album with the acoustic bonus tracks at the end--you’ll be glad you did.
3, Your Best Friend, Ghosts EP (Self-released)--Michigan band Your Best Friend released their self-titled debut album in 2008, and after seeing their energetic live performance, I fell in love with the band and the album. Two years later, they have released a five-song EP of acoustic covers of songs from their debut album.
4. Blithe Field, Beautiful Wave ‘74 (Self-released)--Blithe Field’sBeautiful Wave ’74 is a wonderful blend of beats, various audio samples, random noises, spoken words and other elements that come together to create an interesting and enjoyable album.
5. Arsis, Starve for the Devil (Nuclear Blast)--Starve for the Devil has the classic thrashy and melodic Arsis sound but throws in a little rock to make things interesting. The album comes in at a close second to A Celebration of Guilt.
6. Captain, We’re Sinking, It’s a Trap! (Self-released--Released for free online, It’s a Trap! is an EP that can be listened to over and over again. It’s got a great sound that any punk fan will enjoy.
7. Damian Marley & Nas, Distant Relatives (Universal Republic/Def Jam)--Nas and Damian Marley have collaborated in the past on Marley’s *Welcome to Jamrock album, and I really enjoyed the combination. I was very excited to hear about a full-album collaboration with the two, and it really impressed me how well the pair could blend hip-hop and reggae.
8. The Kyle Sowashes, Nobody (Anyway)--The Kyle Sowashes never fail to impress, and Nobody is no exception. Lyrics are simple, fun and relate to everyday life, which adds to the enjoyment the listener receives.
9. Chiodos, Illuminaudio (Equal Vision)--While being plagued with the loss of a drummer and a lead singer, Chiodos has still managed to release a very solid album with Illiminaudio, and while I will certainly miss the old lineup and still think the older albums (All’s Well That Ends Well and Bone Palace Ballet) are more enjoyable, I am still very interested in what Chiodos has in store for the future.
10. Coheed and Cambria, Year of the Black Rainbow (Columbia)--I really don’t think Coheed and Cambria can put out a bad album. Every new release is always good, and Year of the Black Rainbowis no exception.
Kevin Rutherford, Managing Editor On Hiatus:
1. Janelle Monáe, The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) (Bad Boy)
2. Black Prairie, Feast of the Hunters' Moon (Sugar Hill)
3. These New Puritans, Hidden (Angular)
4. Yeasayer, Odd Blood (Secretly Canadian)
5. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs (Merge)
6. Sleigh Bells, Treats (Mom + Pop)
7. Nick Jaina, A Bird in the Opera House (Hush)
8. Cee Lo Green, The Lady Killer (Elektra)
9. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Roc-A-Fella)
10. Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest (4AD)
SPECIAL MENTION: Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More (Glassnote) was on my list last year for its British release. I didn't want to rank it this year but still wanted to clarify that for U.S. releases, this would have easily been in my top three.
Jessi Finn, Album Reviews Editor:
1. Menomena, Mines (Barsuk)
2. Villagers, Becoming a Jackal (Domino)
3. Titus Andronicus, The Monitor (XL)
4. Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest (4AD)
5. Sharon Van Etten, Epic (Ba Da Bing!)
6. The Walkmen, Lisbon (Fat Possum)
7. Beach House, Teen Dream (Sub Pop)
8. Charlotte Gainsbourg, IRM (Because Music)
9. Joanna Newsom, Have One On Me (Drag City)
10. Local Natives, Gorilla Manor (Frenchkiss)
Carolyn Menyes, Staff Writer:
1. The Black Keys, Brothers (Nonesuch)
2. OK Go, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky (Capitol)
3. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs (Merge)
4. Katy Perry, Teenage Dream (Capitol)
5. Interpol, Interpol (Matador)
6. Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest (4AD)
7. Kings of Leon, Come Around Sundown (RCA)
8. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Beat the Devil's Tattoo (Abstract Dragon/Vagrant)
9. MGMT, Congratulations (Columbia)
10. She & Him, Volume Two (Merge)
Kristin Moore, Staff Writer:
1. The Black Keys, Brothers (Nonesuch)
2. Eminem, Recovery (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope)
3. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Roc-A-Fella)
4. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, I Learned The Hard Way (Daptone)
5. Arcade Fire, The Suburbs (Merge)
6. Flying Lotus, Cosmogramma (Warp)
7. Das Racist, Sit Down, Man (Greedhead/Mad Decent)
8. Taylor Swift, Speak Now (Big Machine)
9. The Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards (Warner Brothers/Third Man)
10. The Roots, How I Got Over (Def Jam)
Amanda Norris, Staff Writer:
1. The Black Keys, Brothers (Nonesuch)--The Black Keys are, for me, the great hope of modern music. While this isn't my favorite from their catalogue, pretty much anything these two Ohio hometown heroes produce blows competitors out of the water.
2. Buddy Guy, Living Proof (Silvertone)--This blues legend has never disappointed me and his latest release is no exception. Did I mention he shares a duet with B.B. King?
3. The Tallest Man on Earth, The Wild Hunt (Dead Oceans)--The Tallest Man on Earth is probably the greatest solo songwriter of the recent decade and on this release, he even sings well. The result: pure gold.
4. J. Roddy Walston & The Business, J. Roddy Walston & The Business(Vagrant)--I'm a sucker for blues revisionists.
5. Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More (Glassnote)--Boasting one of the best banjo players in the biz, I hope these boys folk-rock Justin Bieber into musical obscurity. Unfortunately, that's the idealist in me.
6. Dr. Dog, Shame, Shame (Anti)--While poppier than their former releases, I still love this album. And yes, I was one of those douchebags that got it on orange vinyl.
7. Black Prairie, Feast of the Hunters' Moon (Sugar Hill)--The dark, rich bluegrass creations of Black Prairie, a Decemberists side project, take me back to that time when I very fervently wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder... but it's also just a great album.
8. The Floorwalkers, The Natural Road (In Room One)--Mandolin can be funky too.
9.Broken Bells, Broken Bells (Columbia)--I never tire of hearing "The High Road" play on the radio.
10. Pomplamoose, Tribute to Famous People (Self-released)--You know you want to hear those two spastic hipsters from the Hyundai commercial cover Earth Wind & Fire. Don't deny it.
Emily Votaw, Staff Writer:
In no particular order--
Superchunk, Majesty Shredding (Merge)--Who knew that a band that looks like an assemblage of random dads (and one mom) could produce such deliciously merciless powerpop?
Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse, Dark Night of the Soul (Capitol/EMI)--The late Mark Linkous’ affinity for spooky, sugary folk + Danger Mouse’s general genius + David Lynch = a collection of musical doodads with which one can’t help but become obsessed.
Big Boi, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (Def Jam)--Is it hip-hop? Pop? Rock 'n' roll? Does it matter? No. Sir Lucious is an addictive and delightful auditory collage that boasts incredible depth and sense of humor.
Teenage Fanclub, Shadows (Merge)--With sweetly infectious tunes like “Baby Lee” and “Dark Clouds,” the band that Kurt Cobain allegedly proclaimed to be the “best band in the world” and Noel Gallagher once described as “the second best band in the world” (next to Oasis) proves that it still has what it takes.
Badly Drawn Boy, It’s What I’m Thinking (The End)--Damian Gough paints blooming sonic landscapes that are all at once as complex as the people they describe and as simple as the boiled-down pop melodies about which they are written.
The Posies, Blood/Candy (Rykodisc)--Hey! Guess what? Ken Stringfellow kinda looks like Robert Smith nowadays! BUT he still has a knack for songwriting that propelled indie classics Dear 23 and Frosting on the Beater.
Robyn Hitchcock, Propellor Time (Yep Roc)--Robyn Hitchcock can unite intricate jangly melodies and bizarre imagery, a talent profoundly showcased on this album recorded with the Venus 3.
The New Pornographers, Together (Matador)--A.C. Newman has got to be one of the most talented gingers out there. And it shows on this indie rock gem, based on that which The New Pornos have always excelled: catchy riffs and surreal lyrics.
Belle & Sebastian, Belle and Sebastian Write About Love (Matador)--Stuart Murdoch never disappoints with the often quirky, sometimes dead-on and always dreamy observations about human nature that make up Belle & Sebastian’s eighth album.
Jonathan Richman, O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth (Vapor)--Jonathan Richman is a legendary man-child, just as incredibly talented as he is odd. With his guitar in hand, Richman tackles off-kilter topics like cavorting bodies and funny accents.
**EDITOR'S NOTE: Certain content has been altered since this article's original posting. Thank you for understanding.
