There were a whole lot of very good albums released in 2010, and it was a difficult task to come up with a list of the best 20 albums, because so many good ones didn’t make the cut. Anyway, here’s my list:
Neil Young – Le Noise Neil Young has put out some really great albums and a few duds too. This one produced by Daniel Lanois is one of his best. It’s just Neil playing his guitars and singing about his life and career. Key Tracks: “Walk with Me” and “The Hitchhiker”
Grinderman – Grinderman 2 Nick Cave is back with his smaller, much harder rocking group playing the role of a wolf man on the prowl for sex and love – anyway he can get it. Key tracks: “Heathen Child” and “Bellringer Blues”
Spoon – Transference This one came out very early in 2010, and I always find myself going back to it. Britt Daniel knows how to write catch pop tunes. The best ones on the album are “The Mystery Zone” and “Written in Reverse.”
John Legend and The Roots – Wake Up! I never really paid much attention to John Legend until I saw him perform live with The Roots at The Rally to Restore Sanity. All the songs but one on this album are covers of old-school soul/funk/R&B songs. The Roots are one of the most solid bands working today, and John Legend shines as a vocalist with them backing him up. Favorites are Ernie Hines’s “Our Generation” and Bill Withers’ “I Can’t Write Left Handed.”
Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues I had never really paid much attention to Justin Townes Earle before I saw him at Bumbershoot this year. His song writing and singing style are signature Austin style, and he sounds like he’s having a really great time singing these songs. Favorite songs are “Harlem River Blues” and “Christchurch Woman.”
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Hawk Mark Lanegan’s gravely baritone voice kills me. Isobel Campbell’s soft, sweet voice provides the perfect foil. Together they remind me of another great duo from years back, Nancy Sinatra and Lee Greenwood. Key tracks: “Come Undone” and “Lately.”
The Mynabirds – What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood This is another new band for me. I was sucked in by the Memphis soul sound. Laura Burhenn’s vocals remind me of another great one, Dusty Springfield. Favorite songs are “What We Gained in the Fire” and “LA Rain.”
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat the Devil’s Tattoo I’ve been a fan of this band ever since their 2003 release, Take Them on Their Own. This album is as good as the one that got me listening to the band. “Aya” has got to be one of the best songs they’ve ever recorded. I listen to it all the time. Other key track is “River Styx.”
Jesca Hoop – Hunting My Dress Who is this woman with the first name that is missing a syllable? I don’t know… I’ve read that she used to be a nanny for Tom Waits’s kids. I think she picked up some of his rhythms. I love the percussion and vocal style on this album. Key tracks are “Tulip” and “Murder of Birds.”
The Roots – How I Got Over See above about how this is one of the best bands working today. I am not a big fan of rap music, and these guys do rap, but what makes them different is that they are a real band, and they have real melodies in their songs. Love the band. My favorites are “Walk Alone” and “The Fire.”
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse – Dark Night of the Soul This album is bittersweet. Were it not for some kind of weird contract or legal issue between Danger Mouse and somebody, this would have been released last year before co-creator Mark Linkous, and Vic Chesnutt (who also appears on the album) both committed suicide. I was a big fan of both of them, and was sad to see them go. David Lynch is the third major party in this project, and he actually does vocals on a couple tracks and provides the visuals. You must visit the website. Key tracks are “Everytime I’m With You” and “Revenge” (featuring Wayne Coyne on vocals).
Johnny Dowd – Wake up the Snakes Not enough people know about Johnny Dowd. Given that this album wasn’t released in the U.S. this year (You can buy it on his website, and you’ll get a sticky note in his hand on the cd that says “Thanks.”), I have to conclude that he’s more popular in Europe than he is in his home country. That’s a shame, because Johnny writes crazy good songs about love, death, Jesus, and murder. This album is one of his more rocking ones. I really like “Voices” and “Howling Wolf Blues.”
Moondoggies – Tidelands This is the second album by the local group who refers to themselves as “The Everett Shit Kickers” in the liner notes. I like this one better than their first one. I think the song writing is better and the band is really tight on this album. Best tracks are “Tidelands” and “Lead Me On.”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Mojo I had not bought a Tom Petty album for about 25 years. I loved this guy back in the day, but he seemed to be wandering into territories I wasn’t all that interested in visiting – until this one. I first heard a track from the album on the Blue Boulevard show that airs Wednesday nights on KSVR in Mount Vernon. Star Anna was the guest via telephone, and she chose a new Tom Petty song. I bought the record, and it’s worthy. Key tracks are: “High in the Morning” and “Running Man’s Bible.”
Alejandro Escovedo – Street Songs of Love I love this guy. This album RAWKS! Saw him live at the No Depression show this year. He played several songs from this album with his way good band featuring David Pulkingham on guitar. I really like “Silver Cloud” and “Faith.”
Laura Veirs – July Flame Laura Veirs is a mom now. Last time I saw her perform she was 8-1/2 months pregnant. She was touring in support of this album, an it was one of the best shows I saw this year. She and Tucker Martine are a perfect match. I especially like “Sun is King” (because it is) and “Wide-Eyed, Legless.”
Blue Giant – Blue Giant I saw this Portland band open for The Dandy Warhols last night at The Showbox, and one might think that my picking them for my top twenty was influenced too much by a recent show, but NO! The show was great, and so was the show they did at The Tractor when they opened for and backed up Bobby Bare, Jr., but I bought the album last nigh, listened to it today, and it is a really good album. Key tracks are “Blue Sunshine” and “Wesley.”
The Black Keys – Brothers This blues rock duo got my attention back in 2004 when I saw them at Bumbershoot. They were touring in support of Rubber Soul. This album is almost as good as that one. I really like “Tighten Up” and “Howlin’ For You.”
Bobby Bare, Jr. – A Storm – A Tree – My Mother’s Head The album is named after an incident that led to a tree crashing through his mother’s house and hitting her on the head. Bobby was on tour at the time, and he called her to make sure she was okay (she was) and he continued to tour. But he was thinking about her… the song… the album title. I think this album is his best since The Longest Meow. Key tracks are “Your Goat is on Fire” and your new favorite Halloween song, “Rock and Roll Halloween.”
Otis Taylor – Clovis People Vol. 3 What’s a Clovis person? Go look it up. Otis plays a different kind of blues. Not sure how it should be categorized, but I like it. It’s mostly acoustic and the music is sparse, the lyrics open to interpretation. I like “Hands on Your Stomach” and “Ain’t no Cowgirl.”
I don’t count re-issues in these lists each year, but a special mention must go out to one in particular. Bruce Springsteen released a box set of Darkness on the Edge of Town, that includes the remastered cd, an excellent movie about the making of the album, a double cd of outtakes from the sessions titled The Promise, a 3-hour 1978 concert from Houston, and whole lot of other live footage. For Springsteen fans, this is a must have. Absolutely amazing stuff form Springsteen in his prime. Key tracks are “The Promise,” “The Little Things (My Baby Does},” and “The Way” (Hidden track at following “City of Night”).
