The wonderful people over at Pitchfork just released their 10 best albums of 2010 today. In what should have came as no surprise, Kanye West took the top spot. His latest album had been given a notorious perfect 10 a month ago and, if Rolling Stone and Spin have anything to do with it, Kanye's world domination may very well be complete.
Picking Kanye is something we've come to expect from Pitchfork over the years -- it was so obvious they were going to pick him, just like they did with Animal Collective for last year's top spot -- yet we still revel in their decision to do so.
Picking Kanye is something we've come to expect from Pitchfork over the years -- it was so obvious they were going to pick him, just like they did with Animal Collective for last year's top spot -- yet we still revel in their decision to do so.
Given my track record in decoding such lists -- coupled with the recent release of Pitchfork's own best of 2010 list -- I will now attempt to explain what it all means.
10. Titus Andronicus -- The Monitor
A solid choice, the "indie for being indie's sake" choice on the list. Easily buried at number 10, this is a very easy choice to label as the "personal favorite."
9. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti -- Before Today
There is no real clear "one for the old folks" on their list, so Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti might serve as half of that appeal with a later album. This is album has widespread appeal, yet scores plenty points with the hips kids. Ultimately, this choice looks like all the more badass buried so deep in the 9 slot given how good the album really is.
8. James Blake -- The Bells Sketch EP / CMYK EP / Klavierwerke EP
All of James Blake's 2010 EPs do not constitute one full album, yet the love affair between Blake and Pitchfork somehow forces them all into one offering. This is the "artsy, far too dense" album on the list -- by far. Blake is plenty talented, but his appeal is shamelessly gobbled up by Pitchfork. While rather dense, this choice screams of bias -- yet I think they like it that way.
7. Joanna Newsom -- Have One on Me
This album is the other half of the "one for the old folks" appeal. It's been four years since Newsom released an album, so she had to be included in the top 10. In 2006, Newsom's Ys was number 3. In 2010, she's number 7. Go figure. Since we're dealing with Pitchfork and their biases -- and Kanye is number 1 -- this is "the spot reserved for Joanna Newsom."
6. Vampire Weekend -- Contra
I don't think there's any more shameless a pick on any top 10 list from this year than this album. This choice is complete garbage -- right there with Rolling Stone calling The Black Keys' Brothers the second best album of 2010. I'm sorry, go ahead and give me all the shit you want, but this album just isn't that good. It's definitely not top 10 material. It's a safe pick with widespread appeal. However, it also works against the list as a whole -- rather than helping make it cohesive.
5. Beach House -- Teen Dream
Teen Dream and Contra are separated by at least 25 albums -- not one. Yet there they are, right next to each other on this list. At least Teen Dream was the higher choice. This one scores more points with the hip kids, again looking all the more badass sitting at the perhaps too high 5 slot. Compared to other popular, indie rock/pop albums from the year, Beach House has a big enough appeal while still keeping a unique, indescribable charm about them. This album might just be the token indie album from 2010.
4. Big Boi -- Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
Finally -- the token hip hop album. It's no Janelle Monae or The Roots, but it still serves its purpose. This album is a dual threat in that it is both very good and a hip hop album. It's like Twofer from 30 Rock. This was the other album, aside from Kanye's, that I knew was going to be in the top 5.
3. Deerhunter -- Halcyon Digest
This should be their number one, but as we know, no one actually puts their favorite album in the top spot. Oddly enough, I put this album just one spot ahead in my own top 10 list -- flipped with the next album on Pitchfork's list. This album does take honors as their best indie rock album -- which holds true as I honestly believe this album to be the best album from this year in its genre. It's a solid, smart pick that -- if we actually put what we believe to be the best album in the top spot -- should be number 1.
2. LCD Soundsystem -- This Is Happening
I will say that I don't necessarily read Pitchfork to get recommendations/tips on new music. There are other, hipper blogs for that. I do, however, read Pitchfork for news and album reviews. I say this because their two and three slots are the same as mine, only switched. Is it neat that my own list mirrors Pitchfork's? In a way, yes. Their opinion is highly regarded and their writers are very talented. For posterity's sake, Sound of Silver was number 2 in 2007, LCD Soundsystem number 8 in 2005. This album would have been their best of the year, if not for Kanye.
1. Kanye West -- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Here it is -- the hippest album you could have chosen as your best album of the year, especially if your website deals mainly with indie rock. The album is incredible, there's nothing wrong with it being number 1. This album was destined to be their number 1 when it scored its perfect 10 back in November. From then on, we were all on a collision course with this album as the number 1 album of the year. Congrats, Kanye -- let's have a toast for the jerk offs.
