As the year comes to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the best music of the year. Critics begin thinking in late November of their favorites. But besides all the lists and critical hype, what makes this time great is the sharing of our favorite music. Combining both of these, I give you my top 10 favorite albums of the year.
10. White Crosses - Against Me![Sire]
Being a middle-of-the-road act in a volatile genre makes a band stand out, and not always for the best. But Against Me! point a big middle finger at the aging punk masses and shout indecisive psalms at the top of their lungs on White Crosses. After 2007’s positively received New Wave, the band’s ambivalence hit a peak, and while White Crosses is more of the same, the songwriting has been more introspective and, in some parts, more witty than their previous work’s straightforwardness.
TOP PICKS: "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" | "High Pressure Low"
[Illegal Art]
Maybe it’s fitting that Gregg Gillis’ third album begins with Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” mashed up with Ludacris’ “Move Bitch”. On one hand, Gillis’ critics believe he’s been waging a war against the music industry with his unique style of extensive sampling. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh native may also be saying to these critics, quite literally, “Move bitch, get out the way,” as he currently dominates the party scene. And those particular bitches certainly should. All Day is a continuous master jam filled with several Easter eggs and fun for the whole family. Or, at least the part of the family that is allowed to hear stuff like “move bitch.”
TOP PICKS: described by Illegal Art as an album that should be listened to the entire way through. As a result, I suggest the entire thing.
8. Treats - Sleigh Bells[Mom + Pop / N.E.E.T.]
However you look at the Brooklyn duo, Sleigh Bells literally brings a lot to the table. A mesmerizing practice in sheer distortion, their car speaker-bass and lo-fi guitars are only cherry picking this group’s source of power. No matter if they’re making punk, dance or just plain noise, one thing is certain: Sleigh Bells hits hard. But the grouping is not flimsy enough to be considered straight rock ‘n’ roll. Although former Poison the Well guitarist Derek E. Miller’s solos are catchy dance anthems, the sheer volume and calculation of the beats on tracks like “Run the Heart” and the absurdity of “Straight A’s” make this band’s forte its use of forte.
TOP PICKS: "Tell 'Em" | "Rill Rill"
7. Blue Sky Noise - Circa Survive[Atlantic]
Although Atlantic visibly cut the fat out of Circa’s modern prog temperament, the move was overdue. Singer Anthony Green shines the brightest here out of his entire career, boasting a vocal aggression that attacks every song. Additionally, Green’s lyrics do justice to the emo community, shouting sing-along choruses that juxtapose zealous vigor and despondence. And if there’s anything as eclectic as Esao Andrews’ cover art, it’s rhythm guitarist Colin Frangicetto’s sleek, haunting hooks. At the least, Blue Sky Noise’s energy is a damn good argument against prog’s lengthy nature.
TOP PICKS: "Glass Arrows" | "Imaginary Enemy"
[4AD]
You can tell from the opening hi-hats on “Earthquake” that Deerhunter is not necessarily shattering boundaries, but they are seriously bending some rules here. This noise group finally dipped their toes in the mainstream with their fourth album, Halcyon Digest. Deerhunter’s ambient, tight jams are touchstone reflections on adolescence and isolation, relying heavily on Bradford Cox’s introspective songwriting to stir the audience’s pathos. But Halcyon Digest is also an exercise in imagination, with deep rumination required on the artist's and the listener’s part in order to truly enjoy this album.
TOP PICKS: "Sailing" | "Basement Scene"
I'll be releasing numbers 5 to 1 tomorrow night. Until then, comment and let me know what your favorites were this year!
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