1. Crown on the Ground- Sleigh Bells. I think I first heard this song in 2009, but it was officially released this year. So many things that should make Crown on the Ground a bad song (the screeching guitar, the overbearing bass, the fuzzy quality) turn out make it the best song of 2010, at least for me. According to the band and evident in the title, the song's about humility, but Sleigh Bells has no reason to be humble.
2. Apologetic Shoulder Blades- Baths: Baths will take over the electronic music world some day. In his first testing of the growing genre, he has released an album that's nothing short of spectacular. Baths knows what makes good music, and he's got the dedication and skills to make something out of it. AND LOOK AT THOSE HANDS MOVE.
3. General Patton- Big Boi: In 2010, I tried to be less snotty and started to listen to rap. While there's some really shitty stuff out there in the genre, Big Boi separates himself from everyone else. He's creative in his beats (check out the opera sample a fews seconds after the intro in the video below) and masterful in his lyrics: "Speed it up like The Ballad of Ricky Bobby boy go fast, not a hobby this my life you disrespect it that's your ass, as one half of OutKast return like ghost of Christmas past, it's the son of Chico Dusty must be West Savannah bad."
4. Mouthful of Diamonds- Phantogram: So, so good. A true triumph of electronic and pop. This song was an instant favorite; the lyrics, the synth, the guitar, the memories beneath make it one of the best this year.
5. Monster- Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver: Just looking at the title you can tell there's some serious talent behind this song. But what makes it so good is that a rookie, Nicki Minaj, kills some of the most established rappers out there in her performance 3ish minutes in. "You could be the king but watch the queen conquer, OK first things first I'll eat your brains, then Imma start rocking gold teeth and fangs, cause that's what a muthafuckin monster do," a muthafuckin monster takes down the competition.
6. Castles in the Snow- Twin Shadow: There's no doubt that Twin Shadow has composed one of the best albums this year, and there's no doubt that Castles in the Snow most epitomizes the album. The song keeps you on your toes throughout, slowly building tension that was created in the tracks before it, all to be let go by the end of the song.
7. Clear Spirits- Les Savy Fav: In addition to exploring rap, I've tried out punk in 2010 and Les Savy Fav has led this experiment of mine. Further establishing themselves as one of the best indie-punk bands to live, Les Savy Fav returned with Root for Ruin this year. In the album, they tightened up their music-making skills while adding in subtle elements of electronic to create a truly amazing album. The last song Clear Spirits brings this great record to an even better close.
8. Real Love- Delorean: Like Castles in the Snow, this song was so special for me because it built up on tension that slowly builds in the song. I love how it's based on a simple sampling of voice that says no more than "ah ah," but the song's so much more than that. By the last minute, you'll know what I mean.
9. Baptism- Crystal Castles: You'd never expect the rowdy, dark Crystal Castles to create such a masterpiece like their second self-titled release earlier this spring. Baptism best captures the ability of the group, as they take a simple rave beat and turn it into a real song.
10. Barbra Streisand- Duck Sauce: Who can't love this song? Honestly, it's perfect for so many reasons, the funny reference to a random pop star, an undeniably catchy sound, pounding techno that you can't help singing along to. The best part is that the song is so apt for the time period and our generation in its masterly combination of pop and techno, but most kids from our generation don't understand the reference to the singer after whom the song's named. You've gotta love the humor of Duck Sauce. And you've gotta love Ezra Koenig and Kanye in the video.
And here's the rest, not in order.
11. Enchanting Ghost- Sufjan Stevens
12. Walk in the Park- Beach House
13. Heaven’s On Fire- The Radio Dept.
14. Who Knows Who Cares- Local Natives
15. Cameras- Matt & Kim
16. Ready for the World- How To Dress Well
17. England- The National
18. Art House Director- Broken Social Scene
19. Empire State Of Mind- Jay-Z
20. Zodiac Shit- Flying Lotus
21. Slowdance- Matthew Dear
22. Love Is All- The Tallest Man On Earth
23. Wasted Hours- Arcade Fire
24. He Would Have Laughed- Deerhunter
25. Enter The Ninja- Die Antwoord
-C
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