December 31, 2010
These ten albums led of a widely innovative year by blasting, bumping, and ripping their way through the modern rock and pop landscapes. The cumultative leap taken by these artists is impressive and keeps the bar high for next year’s releases.
| 10 | Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz The eccentric and sophisticated mastermind delivers his most daring work to date, blending flowing harmonies with spell-binding electronics. Read review |
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| 9 | Grinderman Grinderman 2 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds turn a different direction with Grinderman – again – in a noisy, violent outing with devilish sophistication. Read review |
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| 8 | Spoon Transference The band’s track record has been consistent and Transference continues that trend with sharp, echoing indie-rock that works better & better after each spin. Read review |
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| 7 | Deerhunter Halcyon Digest This rock gem reflects a scene of ether flowing throughout a garage and the image is highly impactful. Read review |
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| 6 | Yeasayer Odd Blood The result of a massive acid trip in New Zealand, Odd Blood is bathed in the preternatural sunny hedonism that recalls The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds or, for the more contemporary-inclined, Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion. Read review |
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| 5 | The Black Keys Brothers The gritty, lo-fi rock duo’s finest hour to date; this album soars with handcuffing melodies and foot-stomping rhythms. Read review |
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| 4 |
Gorillaz |
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| 3 | LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening Their most driven effort to date, this album reigns in the dance-rock outfit’s trailblazing energy and builds upon the churning rhythms they’re masters at. Read review |
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| 2 | The National High Violet No band does tragic rock quite like The National: The classical training of the brothers Dessner & Devendorf combines with Berninger’s deep baritone for a powerfully reserved epic. Read review |
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| 1 | Arcade Fire The Suburbs This album captures the ennui of middle-class suburban life: the frustration & apathy and the despondency & tedium, as Butler’s apathetic passion chills the listener to the bone, and The Suburbs leaves an indelible mark as the band’s stark snapshot of American society. Read review |
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