As an aspiring music writer, I often find myself overwhelmed with the question of whether something is "good" music. But, really, what makes a good album? Is it enough for me to say that I like something based on what I hear? Would anyone actually agree with me and keep reading? Usually I let my ears decide but is that grounds for what makes an album worthy of a Grammy nomination or of any album of the year titles? What about risks? What about trying something new? What about endurance? The albums I chose are albums that I love listening to not only because they please my ears, but because they're different, they're risks and they represent determination of artists.
1. Rogue Wave – Permalight
This album epitomizes the determination of a great band that can create music that not only represents their courage but also their triumph over the ailments that plagued them. The only difference between Permalight and their more slow, mellow and thought-provoking albums, is that it is an upbeat, celebration of life exemplified in a dance album. Everything about this album is fabulous.
2. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Perhaps you have heard of this album (sarcastic laugh), but that does not take away from the beauty and grand scale of the band's third album, The Suburbs. This album has catapulted these Canadian indie rockers to stardom, but what else would you expect from an album that can transition from songs like "Month of May" to "Wasted Hours" almost majestically. The album is a work of art, listen to the whole thing, in order, several times.
3. Guster – Easy Wonderful
Although simple and catchy hooks rule this album, the overall happiness and joy that surround this album make it something to be praised. But this should not dampen the deeper meaning behind the lyrics that seem to be so "simple." They are like the peanut inside of its shell.
4. Vampire Weekend – Contra Basically, Vampire Weekend are the masters. If their self-titled album was not enough to prove this, Contra solidifies that.
5. Ok GO – Of the Blue Color of the Sky Ok GO's album is a departure from the old and infuses a new identity for themselves and for their music. Although they are mostly know for prancing around 6 treadmills, with "This Too Shall Pass" and their promise to create a video for each of the songs on their album, they have shed the treadmill skin and have become a band that can create amusing videos and great music. The prince-esqueness of their album, Of the Blue Color of the Sky, is esthetically pleasing and created carefully and well.
6. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Plastic Beach is like a russian nesting doll that keeps opening up to more and more beautiful, Gorillaz creations. Guest artists grace the songs and make each of them unique in the most uncliché way possible.
7. Yeasayer – Odd Blood
Odd Blood's beauty and simplicity is intertwined with its complexity. It's a great mix of techno, rock and wahtever else. It's honest lyrics can mend and heal any ailments.
8. The Black Keys – Brothers
Basic is best, and the Black Keys utilize that on their 6th album, Brothers. Songs are simple, but beautiful all in the same, like, for example "The Only One." There is no better song to describe 2010.
9. MGMT – Congratulations
A complete turn away from the commercially successful Oracle Spectacular, Vanwyngarden and Goldwasser offer a more personal outlook on their reaction to their stardom. Songs are deeper, maybe not as catchy as "Kids" or "Time to Pretend" but the beauty in "Congratulations" is untouched and worlds ahead of their previous singles.
10. Sufjan Stevens – Age of AdzOne of Sufjan's most personal, intimate and wonderfully made albums. Sufjan puts away his banjo for some synths. magical.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – This is Happening
HOT CHIP - One Last Stand
SLEIGH BELLS – TREATS
PHANTOGRAM – Eyelid Movies
DR. DOG – Shame
