(In no particular order)
Taylor's Picks:
1. Destroyer - Kaputt: Destroyer are not a band known for a single distinct sound (especially on their last few albums), which is what would make Kaputt such an easy record to go into. However, because of it's sound; a general combination of 80's jazz and pop; it is instead Destroyer's most indefensible and easiest-to-hate album. And yet, in spite of and also because of all that, Kaputt is (in my humble opinion) one of this decade's first masterpieces. The intricacies flowing throughout the record are mystical and intriguing, and while the song ideas are relatively simple, the experience itself is more complex. I don't see another record topping it this year.
2. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues: Expanding and improving on everything that made their debut great, Helplessness Blues is the sound of a band who've over time grown into themselves, both comfortably and otherwise, and as a result made a masterful work full of beautiful compositions, stirring arrangements and purposeful lyrics. Baroque folk isn't usually my bag, but Fleet Foxes have taken their Simon & Garfunkel-esque sound and made something truly unique, the kind of record they were meant to make. It's heartbreaking and bluntly disillusioning at times, but that's part of what makes it so compelling.
3. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up: I remember first digging on Digable Planets, and how much they stood out from the other jazz-rap collectives of the 90's with their odd, bubbly personality. Never in my wildest imagination though did I think something as confrontational and distinctly weird as Black Up would come out of that group (Shabazz Palaces is the brainchild of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler from Digable Planets). This record reminds me of the boundary-pushing feats of such rappers as MF Doom and Madlib, where the sound production is pushed as far into left field as possible. We got classics like Madvillainy from such experimentation, and Black Up serves as the spiritual successor of this sound.
4. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake: PJ Harvey's discography is as varied as it is rewarding, each album carrying it's own distinct sound and attitude. And even taking that into consideration, Let England Shake is one of Harvey's most strange and confrontational albums. The mood is strongly centered around death, history, and patriotism (namely England's), and both the follies and horrors that come from war. The songs are atmospheric and haunting, burning their imagery into your mind ('I've seen soldiers fall like lumps of meat' she cries in the opening lines of "The Words That Maketh Murder".) It's an album both unrelenting and touching, and inarguably one of Harvey's finest moments.
5. Fucked Up - David Comes To Life: While I am an avid fan of Fucked Up's music, I was skeptical of their plans to make a "hardcore punk rock opera." The idea smacked of indulgence and overambition, and I was worried that the band would lose themselves in the concept. So how they instead ended up with one of my favorite albums this year is beyond me, but considering how much I enjoy it I won't nitpick. The production shoves the sounds of several guitars seamlessly into the mix while perfectly balancing everything else that's going on. The songs here are Fucked Up at their poppiest, and you don't have to follow or even understand the story in the background to enjoy them. This album is a success I don't think anyone but the band saw coming.
6. Tune-Yards - Whokill: Jittery instrumentation, warbly vocals, off-kilter time signatures, with songs about street violence and other such subject matter: this is the world of Whokill. Although this is the sophomore album by Merrill Garbus' Tune-Yards project, whokill is the band's real true artistic coming-together; a wacky and oftentimes frightening experience that has the capacity to both intrigue and confuse.
7. Crystal Stilts - In Love With Oblivion: Merging the psychedelic wooziness of The Doors and the garage rock romp of The Velvet Underground, Crystal Stilts hit a bullseye with In Love With Oblivion. The tunes here are stronger and more developed then the band's past material, and the album's composition is nearly flawless. One of the year's most fun albums for sure, but also one of it's most mysterious.
8. Iceage - New Brigade: The notion that punk truly is a young man's game is strengthened on this Denmark post-punk outfit's debut LP. Capturing the raw intensity of early Gang of Four and the sonic scuzziness of No Wave, New Brigade is unapologetically brash in it's aggression, and proves Iceage to be one of the most intriguing young acts today. If you're looking for something less than conventional and out-there, look no further.
9. Battles - Gloss Drop: Dealing with a pivotal member's departure isn't easy, which is one of the aspects that makes Gloss Drop such a success. Instead of trying to shoot for the ideal followup, Battles instead deconstructed their signature sound and reassembled it. What came out the other end were such delights as "Ice Cream." Including guest vocalists was also a genius idea, and the spots here don't feel forced or out-of-place, making them integrate seamlessly into the album. Surprise or not, Gloss Drop is a victory for Battles.
10. Colin Stetson - New History Warfare, Vol. 2: Judges: There isn't much that I can say about this album, other than it is unlike anything you've ever heard before. Stetson wields his baritone sax like it's several different instruments at once, due in part to his "circular breathing" technique (and of course a few skillfully-placed overdubs here and there). A listening experience that truly has no peer, this is an album that you must experience.
11. Death Grips - Exmilitary: Making Tyler the Creator's Goblin look like a garden gnome by comparison, the mysterious Death Grip's debut is unrelentingly bleak and aggressive. The production shows the projects's roots in the Grime genre, and the unknown MC's lyrical attacks are so full of rage and anger that one can't help but be frightened upon first spin. But those that give the album time to let itself in and work it's way into their subconscious will be rewarded greatly with an exhilarating experience. It's not for everyone and is certainly a grower, but Exmilitary is without a doubt one of the most original and exciting Hip-hop recordings ever laid to tape.
12. Poor Lily - Poor Lily: If Fugazi and Minutemen hypothetically fucked, Poor Lily would be the offspring that they birthed. Their self-titled debut is a piece of work, with songs about becoming a maniac from lack of sleep, being a normal guy apart from doing one's own surgery, and other such absurd lyrical topics. Frantic, angular and full of passion, this 25-minute blast of pure punk energy will stick with you long after it's conclusion.
13. Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4Eva: In the 90's, Southern Hip-hop brought about such beloved acts as OutKast and Goodie Mob. In recent years, however, the genre's reputation is less flourishing, which is what makes Big K.R.I.T. such a breath of fresh air; instead of sticking to safe hip-hopisms like cash, cars and hoes from song-to-song, K.R.I.T. instead touches on subjects such as poverty, racism, fame, and pursuing one's dreams and aspirations. The vintage production also brings to mind Southern rap's glory days on classics like Southernplayalisticcadillacmusik as much as it does dudes like Ludacris (who also guests on the last track here).
Jason's Picks:
1. Colin Stetson - New History Warfare, Vol. 2: Colin's loops and samples from his saxophone create a bone-chilling landscape that stretches before you while you listen to this album. You can't just pick out songs, you HAVE to listen from start to finish. So good, it'll make your skin crawl.
2. David Bazan - Strange Negotiations: Always the David Bazan fan, it should come as no surprise that this made it on here. Hell, I financially supported this album before he had even started recording. His focus seemed to face more toward the musicianship than the writing in this album, but that's not to say that the songs aren't well written because they still have that same Bazan feeling. Great album.
3. Lady GaGa - Born This Way: Sure, it was WAY over-hyped, but at least it wasn't like "Goblin", seeing as it actually delivered. The songs aren't deep, they're not ground breaking, but they are well made dance songs that are amazing at what they were made for. Don't think too far into it.
4. Com Truise - Galactic Melt: I was lucky enough to see this guy live, and he was incredible. Retro, yet futuristic. This is an incredibly unique, dance album. You will not hear anything quite like this.
5. Poor Lily - Poor Lily: If D. Boon and Mike Watt had 3 love children, they would be the members of Poor Lily. In the hardcore scene, it's hard to find music that is completely unique but Poor Lily's sound is able to break through with their own specific sound. You can tell they are very passionate with their music, and it helps make a very enjoyable album.
6. The Horrors - Skying: For the third time, they reinvented their sound without making themselves unrecognizable. Throughout this semi-psychadelic, 80's synth pop album you can hear the familiarities that made everyone fall in love with them in the first place. I don't even like the genre of music generally, but The Horrors were almost able to transcend genre and create a completely unique, yet familiar album.
7. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life: I was really hesitant to listen to this album, thinking it was too over ambitious and was going to disappoint. What can I say? I was wrong. Fucked Up really can't do much wrong in my eyes. Sure, the album isn't like their original style, but it has that same feeling. I missed Pink Eyes' screaming...
8. James Blake - James Blake: Okay, it's not ground-breaking, seeing how similar it is to Untrue (Burial). Still, it's a well made album that flows very well. It's a very emotional album, which is hard to come by in this certain genre. It's getting better the more I listen to it.
9. Amos Lee - Mission Bell: Although somewhat inconsistent, it's a steady album with some very strong songs. It must be pretty good if it almost made me want to line dance a few times. The singing is sincere, and the writing is not bad so it's a pretty enjoyable listen. Not incredible, but it's pretty good.
10. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues: They kind of make me wish I was listening to Grizzly Bear, but I can't deny that they still were able to make a good album with some very catchy and interesting songs.
10.5. Painted Palms - Canopy EP: I'm not sure that this will make it to the "best of" list at the end of the year, but that's not saying that it's not a good first effort for this band. If you haven't heard of them, it's definitely worth a listen, and it's free so you have nothing to lose!
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