10. Steve Reich: Double Sextet, 2x5
In a somewhat heretical move, I believe this list needs an entry outside of the mainstream, and a classical album certainly achieves that goal. Steve Reich has influenced scores of rock musicians, so it makes sense to include his newest minimalist pieces. "Double Sextet" is some of his most engaging music in recent years, while "2x5" is his first foray into composing for standard rock instrumentation. And just to hammer away at Reich's connections to rock music, Bryce Dessner of The National plays guitar on "2x5."
9. Swans: My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky
Sonic Youth didn't release an album this year, so the duty of putting out the best challenging/experimental/noisy rock album fell to their old tour mates, the newly reunited Swans. The band hadn't made an album since 1996, not a good sign. Yet somehow the band creates one of its best albums ever. Bits of sludge, blues and folk abound, all of it fascinating. Few artists made albums this difficult, or engrossing, in 2010.
8. Vampire Weekend: Contra
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ezra Koenig rhymed balaclava with horchata. Get over it. Vampire Weekend's second album was an improvement over the first one; that album featured great songs, but each one had exactly the same tone and feel. On "Contra," Koenig and company experiment with samples, an auto-tuned song, and the stray ballad. Of course, it's possible to despise Vampire Weekend because of their love of Oxford shirts, boat shoes, and complicated literary allusions. But then you would be a horrible person.
7. Sufjan Stevens: The Age of Adz
Since the Illinois album was released in 2005, Sufjan Stevens has done everything but release another full length. He experimented with bits of electronic music on the "Dark was the Night" compilation, released an album of orchestral-ish music, plus an hour-long "ep." When "The Age of Adz" was released, it turned out not to be a continuation of the Illinois style, but rather a synthesis of everything he had done since that album. "Adz" is Stevens' darkest album, but also his most adventurous.
6. Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles (II)
Crystal Castles usually get labeled as a noise pop band, but I have some reservations about that label. The pop part makes sense, with the great beats and some semblance of melody. But there really isn't any noise on this album; instead, the group threatens to break out into utter anarchy. Most of the albums songs seem tailor-made for a dance floor - that is, until singer Alice Glass explodes as if she's about to punch you in the face. What a rush!
5. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Before Today
Apparently Ariel Pink used to be a bedroom artist. I'm not familiar enough with his work to know, but after hearing "Before Today," I wanted to rush out to get all of his albums. Pink is an effortless master of melody on this album, with every song being something you can whistle. Using a band and best studio equipment allows Pink to achieve more fidelity on some songs, while still preserving a warm hiss for others. "Round and Round" is one of the best singles of the year, but it's surrounded by songs that are just as great.
4. LCD Soundsystem: This is Happening
How does James Murphy do it? In a mere three albums (plus some odds and ends), he has made LCD Soundsystem one of the greatest bands in the world. "This is Happening" is the culmination of his music. His music is sometimes chilly, but "This is Happening" has his most emotionally honest songs to date. Murphy is a chameleon, sounding at times like Brian Eno, David Bowie and David Byrne. Ironically, he sounds most like himself on the "Heroes"-influenced "All I Want." Murphy tries to make music that is both danceable and meaningful, and he succeeds wildly on both accounts.
3. Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter have evolved from a noisy avant garde group to more of a trance rock band. Trance rock seems ill suited to describe "Halcyon Digest." The most intoxicating songs on the album aren't necessarily the most repetitive or minimalistic. The album includes Bradford Cox's most beautiful songs (and singing) ever. Despite the rather disturbing cover art, "Halcyon Digest" is a work of pure beauty.
2. Arcade Fire: The Suburbs
This album concept came packaged with snickers from detractors. Arcade Fire could have easily been all angsty and whiny, complaining about how their wonderfully secure childhoods sucked the life out of them. Instead of doing something dumb like that, the group decided to take a much more evenhanded look at the suburbs. They sing about kids playing games in the streets, but also about the homogenizing sameness of those shelters from the cities. "The Suburbs" takes a few more listens to fully appreciate than "Funeral" or "Neon Bible," but it may ultimately be more rewarding than either album. Ultimately, "The Suburbs" delves into the minds of those just entering adulthood better than any other music this year. Near the end of the title track, singer Win Butler prays for a daughter and the ability to show her the beauty of the world before he is too old to appreciate it. But he makes another plea, sensing that may never happen: "... If it's too much to ask, then send me a son." I have to believe many people have thought something exactly like that. But this was the first time I've ever heard a songwriter express it. "The Suburbs" is twisting and complicated, just like the real thing.
1. Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Thank goodness Kanye West is such a narcissistic asshole. If he wasn't, he surely couldn't have made an album like this. Any person who refuses to listen to his music solely because they think he's not a very nice person is missing the point; his douche status fuels the songs. Just as easily as West criticizes "South Park" for making fun of him (in a hilarious episode worth checking out), he also spends plenty of time outlining his own flaws. He eschews many of the synthesized melodies of "Gradation," this time favoring more compact beats, as well as long, beautiful samples. West also gets the guest rapper thing under control this time. Guest rappers are the scourge of the genre - we expect rock musicians to be able to craft an entire song on their own, yet for some reason we give rappers clearance to let someone else take over when they get winded. There isn't a bad spot on the album, but there are a few great ones (Nicki Minaj on "Monster," plus Justin Vernon on everything). "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is a testament to Kanye West's drive. Many people hoped he would fail after his various embarrassing moments. Instead, he made his best album yet.
-Brian Marks
