How can 2010 almost be over? Seems like this year has gone especially quickly. I know everyone always says that but this year more so than ever. Maybe something to do with graduating uni this year.
Anyways, got me thinking 2010 has been a pretty great year for new albums, and as such I have decided to launch the inaugural STRANGEWAYS 2010 ALBUM AWARDS. Very Prestigious Award, coveted by many, received by few. And here are the categories:
Best Albums
1. Foals - Total Life Forever Amazing follow up to their explosive debut album Antidotes, Total Life Forever is distinctly different yet familiar. A million emotions all packaged up into one mesmerizing album. Couldn't have asked for more from these guys.
Track 'After Glow' is my personal pick, which is even more amazing when witnessed live. Jus' sayin'.
These guys never stop developing their sound and their latest is perhaps their best yet. Vibrant synth-pop at it's best.
While using such a heavy synth throughout would make it easy for this album to get bogged down and slow, Groove Armada seem to effortlessly travel through time and tempo.
Personal favourite is 'I Won't Kneel'.
3. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
After the mayhem that was Sound of Silver I suppose it was inevitable that Mr. Murphy would take a step back and assess, and the result is the matured sounds of This Is Happening.
Another live performance highlight from this year!
Listen to closing track 'Home' for a pick-me-up, and all your troubles will drift away in a tad under eight minutes.
4. Cloud Control - Bliss ReleaseThe debut for Australian outfit Cloud Control saw them pick up a J-Award nomination for there efforts, and propelled them to tour our little neck of the woods (Canberra) not once but twice!
Their popularity speaks for itself, although I wish they didn't sound quite so similar to Fleet Foxes.
'Ghost Story' is the pick.
5. Chromeo - Business CasualSEX ON FIRE! Hate to reference KoL, but if I had to use three words to describe this album they would be it.
Album cover says it all really...
'I'm Contagious' will boost your mojo by 100%. guaranteed.
6. Miami Horror - Illumination
Glorious, uninhibited synth-pop at it's best! Perhaps not the most original sound from these Aussie rockers, but I really can't fault the album much more than that.
Music snobs will disagree, but this album is fun. Pure and simple.
'Summersun' is perfect for the weeks ahead.
7. Hot Chip - One Life Stand
I find it hard to believe it was this year, but there you go. One Life Stand is undeniably Hot Chip's most mature sounding album, for these now veterans of the indie-pop scene.
'I Feel Better' will make you feel better. Hahaha, get it?
8. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyWhile I wouldn't go as far as to award this album a perfect 10.0, as some fellow members of the Internet music community have done, I will agree that this is a superb effort from the ever controversial Mr. West. You get the feeling that he ignored all the hype and made something he wanted to. R35P3CT.
Can't decide between 'Runaway' and 'Lost In The World'.
Listen to Both.
9. Mark Ronson - Record CollectionAnd the prize for best album cover of the year goes to...
Mr Ronson, the eclectic British genius (anyone else picture him like a mad scientist in a lab?) truly delivered with Record Collection.
Crank this one up loud for summer!
Can't go past 'Somebody to Love Me'.
10. Aeroplane - We Can't FlyI really wanted to put this one higher. I really did. I just felt there was something missing from the now one piece Belgian outfit Aeroplane.
Because I friggin' love Aeroplane like nothing else, and while this album does have many strong points, it also has a few seemingly pointless holes. Nonetheless, a solid effort.
'We Can't Fly' is the clear standout of the album, perhaps single of the year?
Notable Mentions
So close, yet so far. These albums were all on high rotation throughout my year, but didn't quite make the cut for one reason or another.
Bag Raiders - Bag Raiders
Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot & The Son of Chico Dusty
Caribou - Swim
Chiddy Bang - The Preview
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
El Guincho - Pop Negro
Girl Talk - All Day
Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do
The Holidays - Post Paradise
The John Steel Singers - Tangalooma
Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Notable Misses
This section is dedicated to albums which I held a lot of hope for, yet ultimately failed to deliver. Most of the artists in this list had previous releases which I really liked. Some of them just sucked. Fail.
Born Ruffians - Say It
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown
M.I.A. - Maya
MGMT - Congratulations
Ratatat - LP4
Sleigh Bells - Treats
Uffie - Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans
That's it folks, what did you guys think?
What does the future hold for 2011?
What are you gonna vote for in the Hottest 100?
We'll be back with more STRANGEWAYS goodness before you know it.
Peace
