Brett's Top Albums of 2010

Brett Dean is our resident photographer here at Mixtape Muse. Although he hasn't had any work featured on the site since joining the team a few months ago, I can assure you that you'll be seeing some of his live photography work in 2011.

He asked me to post his choices, which you can scope after the jump. Please note that all the blurbs accompanying each selection were written by Brett, not me. Maybe we can get him to write a few pieces for the site, too, down the road.

10. Hellogoodbye – Would It Kill You?

Yes, this band is mostly known for their cavity-inducing pop tunes, but a lot has changed since their early days. After returning from what I call the “Drive-Thru curse,” this band has shown that their former selves will not define them now. If you enjoy sunny surf pop, this under the radar release is worth checking out.

9. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – The Brutalist Bricks

I love Ted Leo. The man can do no wrong in my eyes (even if his stunt earlier this year had been real). On this release, it seems like Ted Leo strived to get back to his rougher, more punk-inflected songwriting. I’m not sure if it can be credited to the return of James Canty to the Pharmacists’ lineup, or as an intentional contrast to the super-poppy songs that characterized Living With the Living (see “Colleen”), but mission accomplished, Mr. Leo.

8. Jenny & Johnny – I’m Having Fun Now

I usually make every effort to stay on top of my favorite musicians’ upcoming projects. At the very least, give them a listen. This album almost passed me by being that Jenny’s surname was not attached, but it sounded quaint enough for me to check it out, regardless of who Jenny and Johnny were. What I’ve found in this album is a collection of songs that I would venture to call a beefed up She & Him. It strikes upon the cute male/female co-writer factor, but it’s much more than that. The songs have that signature Jenny Lewis lyrical irony and sass that we all know and love.

7. States – Line ‘Em Up EP

I will openly admit that I probably would have written off this band had it not been for the Laurenson brothers (ex-Copeland). However, for a band composed of musicians that had minor roles in the songwriting of their previous bands, States sure has a lot of promise. The six songs on this EP ebb and flow in the same stormy manner as early Eisley, but only rely upon a single female vocal, courtesy of Mindy White. The music almost suggests that these are musicians being set free from previous constraints. I greatly look forward to hearing what their newfound energy and focus holds for the upcoming full-length.

6. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang

I’ll admit that I was put off on first listen, but The Gaslight Anthem have honed in on what makes them so fantastic. The expected pop progressions are there, but Brian Fallon’s vocals are unmistakable, and earn them the title of “familiar, but different.” This release adds ten songs that fit comfortably in the band’s repertoire, and that is all I could ask for.

5. Against Me! – White Crosses

In an interview, Tom Gabel said that he envisioned the songs from this release being played at arena rock venues. For those fans who loved their older material, I don’t think you could hear anything more heart-breaking; but all punk ethos debates aside, the band are not teenage anarchists anymore. They’ve gotten older, perhaps slightly jaded, but the riffs and lyrics still hit hard in the same places as they always have.

4. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

Though this album was technically released in the UK in 2009, I came late to the game and just recently discovered this gem. In the softer indie genre, Local Natives’ execution seems effortless in comparison. There are no smoke and mirrors; each song allows each member’s presence and contribution to be recognized. As a new band, they can only move up from here.

3. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – III/IV

Since the Cardinals disbanded, I’ve been searching high and low for more of their material to satiate my musical appetite. I’ve checked out Whiskeytown, I’ve listened to all of Adams’ other releases, I’ve even downloaded a number of their live shows from archive.org (not to be overlooked!). It’s great to see a continuation of their legacy, even it is basically an Easy Tiger b-sides collection.

2. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals – S/T

I kept seeing this band’s name pop up on different venues’ and festivals’ websites over the past year, and it caught my eye. Fortunately, I was able to catch their set when I attended the All Good Music Festival this year, and all I could think was, “Why haven’t I heard this band yet?” This band is what rock and roll is supposed to be: fantastic songwriting, attitude, and presence that demands attention. It’s all there.

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1. Tokyo Police Club – Champ

Coming off a warm reception for 2008’s Elephant Shell, many people saw their hopes for Tokyo Police Club’s sophomore follow-up falling short. Granted, Champ is not filled with hooks as obvious as those found on their past releases, but the album is an extremely honest progression. Josh Hook’s Strokes-esque guitar lines now blend with the percussive synth of Graham Wight to create something that can only be described as a melodic texture. Instead of songs about heartbreak, the themes have matured to discuss time in youth that has passed us by. This all seems rather fitting given that the band spent two years writing the album, but to quote the appropriate first single "Breakneck Speed," “it’s good to be back.” It’s good to have you back, Tokyo Police Club.

By Brett Dean