- Good songs. Call me old fashioned, but I still like a good song. It seems to me that a lot of the music that I've heard in the last year or two have amazing tones and unique sounds, but are lacking in the "quality song" department. I appreciate a song that is memorable yet fresh at the same time. I don't want something so abstract that I couldn't pick it out of a police lineup with an 80's German movie soundtrack; I also don't want something that is completely unoriginal and rehashed.
- Re-listenability. It's a common enough phenomenon to like a record upon the initial listening, but have it grow tired too quickly. My favorite records are the ones that I can keep listening to for months or even come back to years later.
- Production Quality. As a producer myself, I am completely unable to not take the production into account. Audio quality, mix, creativity, harmonies, and the like all play a significant role in whether or not I like a record.
- Intangibles. Like or not, we are all subjective humans who will have certain music grab us for no apparent reason. I can make a pretty good case for why certain albums are worth listening to, but in the end there will always be some intangible reason why it really "clicked."
Now, to the list. I'm going to assume that you already kind of know what the artist sounds like, and am going to give you a couple of reasons why I liked the record as a whole.
My Top 10 Favorite Records of 2010:
10. Underoath - Disambiguation
These guys managed to do a great job of reinventing themselves after the departure of founding member and co-frontman Aaron Gillespie. The songs have some of the best elements of classic Underoath with a new twist (anyone else hear some Deftones in there?). I especially want to give props to Spencer who sang a bunch on this record. Comparisons to Gillespie aside, he did a fantastic job.
9. Red Letter - Red Letter
This Seattle indie band put out the best record of "church songs" I have ever heard, and I've been listening to church music for almost 30 years. This record is extremely diverse without sounding frenetic. Led To the Slaughter is a cool heavy song with a ton of percussion, My God, My Father has an unusual time-signature that is very smart, and You Have Opened My Mouth features some really cool slow blues work at the top.
8. Norma Jean - Meridional
Who would have thought that the insane chaos of their earlier years could have morphed into something so listenable, so (dare I say) catchy? Somehow, the almighty Norma Jean managed to blend their best chaotic elements and their best melodic elements on this record and Cory Brandan's vocals get successively better with each release. I'm a sucker for a heavy breakdown, and the "You're not getting under my skin" section from The Anthem of the Angry Brides is the heaviest thing I've ever heard.
7. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
So I might be cheating a little bit here, but this record didn't come out in the U.S. until 2010. What can I say bad about this record? This group of Brits has put out one of those record that, I believe, will still be talked about for decades to come. They definitely have their niche, but the songs remain fresh. The lyrics and the vocal delivery are some of the most honest that I've ever heard. I'd love to take Marcus Mumford out to dinner and just let him tell me all the stories that I know are behind these songs.
6. Secret & Whisper - Teenage Fantasy
I feel a little weird about putting this record on my favorites list, but when I looked back on my 2010 iTunes stuff, this was one of the ones that I consistently went to the most. It is supremely re-listenable. The comparisons to Saosin should be forever dropped because these guys can really play. The drums and guitars are tight and fast, and the vocals make me proud to have been born in the 80's. Nerd alert: I LOVE that the kick is well-gated to work on a system with deep bass, like the subs in my car. Most of the metal and rock stuff sounds like garbage.
5. Sara Bareilles - Kaleidoscope Heart
I will make no apologies for liking the music of this piano-pop singer-songwriter. She has a great singing voice with more than a little attitude (I love an attitude-y chick singer!) and she can straight write a good pop tune. I really love the production and the mix on this record; it is very commercial and slick but they managed to NOT suck the life out of it. The lyrics are very honest and very heartfelt.
4. The Black Keys - Brothers
I have liked the occasional Black Keys song in the past, but this is the first time where I felt that they made a good record from start to finish. I know some of the Black Keys purists may bemoan the fact that this record wasn't as stripped down and raw as some of their previous work, but if it works, it works. I will never understand why people want their favorite artists to keep putting out the same exact stinking record over and over again. My favorite song is probably Next Girl, but my little girls love the whistling part on Tighten Up. The world needs more music with whistling!
3. Page CXVI - Hymns II & III
As a music pastor, there are times when I am ready to give up on trying to lead music that is congregationally singable, musically creative, and theologically rich. It seems like most artists have to sacrifice one or two of these elements. Not Page CXVI. I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled upon this Colorado trio, but their "church music" came across my path at the exact right time to save me from doing Beatles tunes in church with different lyrics. They put out Hymns I in '09 and Hymns IV is due soon in 2011, but I highly, HIGHLY recommend this female-fronted, piano alternative band to you.
2. The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
I didn't realize it until I saw them live this summer in Portland, but Jack White started this band just so he would have an excuse to play drums again. Alison Mosshart is NOT the best singer in the world, but she has attitude a mile wide and hair a mile high to boot. The first record that The Dead Weather put out was pretty good, enough to make me be a declared fan, but this record takes the cake. I love the line in the first song: "all the white girls trip when I sing in Sunday service." I don't know what it is, but that makes me laugh every time. This record also sounds way better production-wise than their first.
1. The Autumn Film - The Ship and the Sea
I don't know how to put my feelings into words without sounding like an over-dramatic middle school girl. This record has done something significant to me. The Autumn Film is the same trio as the above-mentioned Page CXVI, but is an outlet for their original, non-church music songs. Tifah Philips' voice is just truly amazing and is soaked with sincerity. I am not one of those people who will listen to the same song multiple times in a row, but cannot stop playing Mended over and over. Ships on the Ocean Floor and Roll Over Me are also great songs with some cool chord progressions. This is my record of the year, hands down.
A Couple of Honorable Mentions You Might Light To Check Out:
Brett Detar - A Bird In the Tangle
Former Juliana Theory singer's debut solo country record.
Lecrae - Rehab
Not quite as good as last year's Rebel, but I love how this guy unabashedly preaches the gospel.
Deepspace5 - The Future Ain't What It Used To Be
Super fun rap record. Christian guys, but they rap about all kinds of stuff, not just straight
gospel rap like Lecrae.
Ascend the Hill - Take the World But Give Me Jesus
Outside of the box modern worship/hymns record
Anberlin - Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place
Not the same ol' Anberlin. Kinda hit-or-miss, but OK overall
The Devil Wears Prada - Zombie EP
This record really works as an EP; a full-length would have dragged on too long.
Saturday Sleeper - Mixed Martial Arts & Crafts
Ahem...well, I thought it was pretty good...
The Rizers - Meet the Rizers
Best kid's music ever. 100% scripture songs that helped me memorize more of God's word.
House of Heroes - Suburba
This record didn't change my life, but it does have a couple of truly brilliant songs.
One Dishonorable Mention
The newest Linkin Park. I'm not even sure why I bought this album. Just weird and terrible. 'Nuf said...
Aaron,
ReplyDeleteThis is Dann from The Autumn Film. Thanks for your kind words! It really is encouraging to know that what we're doing affects people in a deep way. I'm totally flattered that you put us at your number one record of the year! Have a great 2011!