THE YEAR in MUSIC 2010

Albums

10. Tie
Surfer Blood – Astro Coast
Fran Healy - Wreckorder
Travis frontman Healy proves that life can go on without Travis (if it must). Surfer Blood,
despite the ridiculous name and too lo-fi production, kicked out a fun and rockin’ debut.

9. The Drums – The Drums

The reverb-laden living-room 80’s sound really works for these guys. Another
unfortunate/misleading band name (drummer Connor Hanwick couldn’t sound much more
like a drum machine if he tried), but I’ll forgive them. Yet another Brooklyn band; is it
my imagination, or is every American band right now from either Brooklyn or Portland?

8. Rogue Wave – Permalight

RW’s third record is weirdly goofy compared to their previous relative introspection. Still, quite
well written and a fun spin.

7. Foals – Total Life Forever

Way more listenable than their debut, Foals sophomore effort features a lot of fabulous
pattern layering, drone and mesmerizing tunage.

6. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

I admit it, I never got this band before. However, The Suburbs finally grabbed me, on the
strength of “Ready to Start”. Top to bottom solid and interesting in surprising ways.

5. Tokyo Police Club – Champ

The third record (second full length) from this Ontario band showcases the continually growing
writing chops of these young, slightly off kilter, and instantly likable rockers.

4. Band of Horses – Infinite Arms

You really don’t hear much about this band anymore, but Infinite Arms is a more than solid
third record (what’s with all of the third releases this year anyway?). At first offputtingly
glossy and less introspective, Infinite Arms proves to be ultimately rewarding once you get
used to the upgraded sound.

3. Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History

This young band blasted out of Ireland with a tour-de-force of nearly perfect guitar pop.
Relentlessly excellent songwriting (although at times a bit “precious”), topped off by the
virtuoso Bloc Party-esque guitar work of Sam Halliday, nearly every track is spot on. Their
continued maturation as artists should be exciting to watch.

2. The National – High Violet

Ah, The National. They’ve really become one of the most dependably incredible American
bands around, and High Violet continues their upwardly mobile trend. Matt Berninger’s
excellent baritone and best-around lyrics continue to impress. Another Brooklyn band (natch),
although I like the fact that they’re originally Cincinnati boys.

1. Yeasayer – Odd Blood

Yeasayer really came out of nowhere (well actually –surprise!-- Brooklyn) in 2010 to grab my
ears by the scruff and never let go. Simultaneously 80’s retro and cutting edge cool, Odd
Blood is streets ahead of their debut record (the uneven gospelly rock All Hour Cymbals).
Something life changing must have happened after that debut between 2007 and 2010, and
musically I’d like some, please. From the party-tastic “O.N.E.” (featuring killer vocoder among
hooks aplenty) to the soaring “I Remember” to the ambling “Ambling Alp”, I just can’t get
enough of this album.
Honorable Mention
Beach House – Teen Dream (Wins Most Inescapable Album of 2010; Played incessantly in
every vaguely hipster shop, bar and café across the country.)
Stars – The Five Ghosts
Tame Impala - InnerSpeaker
Remy Zero 2010 EP
Pin Me Down – Pin Me Down
Otter Petter – Nice Night for a Knife Fight
Kele – The Boxer
Film School - Fission
Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard
Malory – Pearl Diver
Shout Out Louds - Work
We Are Scientists - Barbara

Songs

40. “Cigarettes in the Theatre” – Two Door Cinema Club

39. “Terrible Love” – The National
38. “Jack & Ginger” – We Are Scientists
37. “Scribble” - Underworld
36. “I Can Talk” – Two Door Cinema Club
35. “We Will Make a Song Destroy” – Rogue Wave
34. “Wheels” – Jamie Cullem
33. “Tie Your Hands” – Otter Petter
32. “Floating” - Malory
31. “Swim” – Surfer Blood”
30. “Celestica” – Crystal Castles
29. “Time to Listen” – Film School
28. “Not Getting There” – Blonde Redhead
27. “Meet the Selkirks – Pin Me Down”
26. “This Orient” - Foals
25. “Sing Me to Sleep” – Fran Healy
24. “Wide Eyes” – Local Natives
23. “Floating Vibes” – Surfer Blood
22. “This Is the Life” – Two Door Cinema Club
21. “Everything You Wanted” - Kele
20. “Skippin’ Town” – The Drums
19. “Fixed” - Stars
18. “Compliments” – Band of Horses
17. “Anyone’s Ghost” – The National
16. “Come Back Home” – Two Door Cinema Club
15. “Barricade” - Interpol
14. “Laredo” – Band of Horses
13. “Spanish Sahara” - Foals
12. “Favourite Colour” – Tokyo Police Club
11. “Harmonix” - Surfer Blood
10. “Dilly” – Band of Horses
9. “Nice Guys” - We Are Scientists
8. “Forever and Ever, Amen” – The Drums
7. “Bambi” – Tokyo Police Club
6. “I Remember” – Yeasayer
5. “Half Asleep (Alternate Version)” – School of Seven Bells
4. “Ready to Start” – Arcade Fire
3. “Bloodbuzz Ohio” – The National
2. “Fall Hard” – Shout Out Louds
1. “O.N.E.” - Yeasayer
Best “Boss” Impression
Gaslight Anthem – American Slang

Album I Don’t Get

Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Bands I Don’t Get

LCD Soundsystem
The Walkmen

Most Disappointing
MGMT – Congratulations
The New Pornographers - Together
Autolux – Transit Transit
Spoon - Transference

Que Horrible!
Keane – Night Train

Best Cover Album / Most Fun

The Bird and the Bee – Interpreting the Masters Vol 1 (Tribute to Hall & Oats)

Most Ponderous
MGMT - Congratulations

Most Welcome Unanticipated Reunion

Remy Zero
“Joy Division”

Still Can’t Decide

Interpol - Interpol

Films of the Year

1. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
2. Shutter Island
3. Youth in Revolt (late 2009)
4. Inception
5. The Social Network
6. Black Swan
7. The Kids Are All Right
8. I’m Still Here

Best TV Shows of the Year

1. Breaking Bad
2. Lost
3. Mad Men
4. Community
5. Top Chef

Best Gadgets of 2010

Breville Panini Duo
iPad

Overrated Piece of Crap of 2010: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo