Simon P.'s Top Albums of 2010

Woohoo. What's better than ringing in the New Years with the grooviest, rocking-est, so-in-your-face-that-you-don't-even-know-it's-there records of the year. Believe you me, this has been a (lady) killer year in music, and I had some serious choices to make.

10. Spoon - Transference

Britt and the boys started off the year with a serious bang. Supposedly, Daniels commented that this album is a return to some simpler songs ("Underdog" had just a few too many). While many were put off by the at times abruptness of the record, Spoon ditched some of the fancy progressions and brought out some heavy rock winners like "The Mystery Zone", "Is Love Forever", and my personal favorite, "Written in Reverse". Toss in the subtle, yet beautiful and hidden presence of "Out Go the Lights" and you've got yourself a great record. Keep it up guys.

9. Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs - God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise

This New England folk-rock singer/songwriter is sprouting wings and headed for some really serious musical territory. With every album his vocal talents are showcased more, while still beefing up the arrangements behind him. The Pariah Dogs, new to this record, provide a professional and incomparable backdrop for LaMontagne, who's voice is soulful and strong on this record. Album opener "Repo Man" is a groove-heavy sequel to Gossip in the Grain's funk tune "You are the Best Thing", followed by a solid body of tunes that are easy on the ears.

8. Das Racist - Sit Down, Man

Woof. Talk about an innovative hip-hop record. Not that the subject matter is similar at all, but the puns, the topical song titles, and the challenging beats of this infectious Brooklyn rap group reminded me of the buzz that Hell Hath No Fury got when Clipse finally found a record label suitable for their hustlin' ways. I was particularly impressed by "People Are Strange", which yes, samples the Doors tune. And, it's just a mixtape. What's going to happen when these guys fully produce some shit. WTF?

7. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

Proof positive that Kristian Matsson not only knows what he's doing with a guitar, a banjo, and open-tunings, but that he's going places with his music. There's a visionary tone to both the albums wandering and lonesome folk songs, which garnered some internet music crazies to call him the next Bob Dylan. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but after seeing Matsson bid farewell to the States on stage at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. this fall, I know that as long as he keeps making the Koolaid, I'll keep drinking it.

6. Beach House - Teen Dream

Baltimore represent. Definitely the most progressive set of songs coming from this dreamy duo on their third album to date. Teen Dream spins so perfectly, it's well-composed and flowy tunes are always over before you know 49 minutes have passed. "Zebra" sets the tone for a new era of Beach House, with some real work on dynamics that may have fell by the wayside on previous records.  They've moved on rhythmically as well, evident in most tunes, but see "Used to Be" for a track that gives us a groove that is just on the edge of arrhythmic, but holds onto its syncopation. Bravo Victoria and Alex, bravo. 

5. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Call the censors! Get a referral for the psychiatrist! I've dug into this record deep in the last week or so, and man does it get better with age. West really has left it all out on the court with this record. He spared nothing with his emotion, his frustration, and his probably manic-depressive ego. Besides bringing in some welcomed self-deprecation, we get some incredible guest appearances. Nicky Minaj tops my list for her unbelievable verse on big-time track "Monster", while Chris Rock gets the coming-out-of-nowhere award for his cameo on "Blame Game". Yeezy is teaching us all, whether we like it or not. 

4. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned the Hard Way

Yowza. That's the word that came to mind when I first heard the pipes on this little lady. Besides the fact that Sharon Jones and friends are constantly kickin' it old school, they manage to fuse just about every era of Soul, R&B, Motown, what have you in every song. This is a band that knows exactly what it's doing. They are undeniably talented and they deserve to play at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square on NYE this year. This sophomore effort shows that SJ and the band are full of potential, and more material. Love may have taught this fiery new-age diva a hard lesson, but she's easily got me whipped. 

3. The Walkmen - Lisbon

The first thing I noticed when I popped in the newest record from these D.C. rockers was the production value. While "The Rat" is a sprawling and at times artfully messy tune, almost every track on Lisbon is perfectly clean, and musically flawless to boot. "Stranded" takes the cake as a dynamic and masterful study in Hamilton's vocal abilities, leading the way on a record where the Walkmen show us what only seasoned rockers can: less is more. A lot more. 

2. Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer

From Goodie Mob fame in the 90s, Cee Lo Green has come a long way. This falsetto-fantastic, helium-charged soul man did something great with this record. Where Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings emulate and recreate the best and brightest spots of their musical influences, Green grabs all of that and runs with it. The tunes on The Lady Killer nod to Disco, Soul, Funk, and more, but never stray to far from right now. The album bears the personal mark of a very creative singer and some excellent work on the production end. Each tune is so listenable it's scary, and "F**k You" is almost too good. Let's hope he can slay live, too.

1. Esperanza Spalding - Chamber Music Society

I was blown away when I heard her first self-titled record from 2008. She isn't just a professor at Berklee, nor is she just a bassist or vocalist. Esperanza Spalding, strong-willed and confident, is an outright virtuoso. Chamber Music Society is a seamless fusion of her previous work with her childhood classical roots. This isn't just a record, it's a new, extremely intimate, difficult, and stunning new genre...if it even fits that label. I stumbled on this record last week, having missed it's August release and I haven't been able to stop listening. If this is what she does for a second record, there's no telling what she has in store for us with the upcoming Radio Music Society. Hats off to Esperanza.