Album #1: The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
I’m actually pretty surprised The Suburbs ended up being my favourite album of the year. I wasn’t blown away by my first few listens but as I spent more time with the album its themes and connections started hitting home and it became an album I wanted to immerse myself in. Very few records these days are a complete package but The Suburbs certainly is. From the lyrics, to the mood created by the music, to the artwork and the amazing videos – The Suburbs is a complete experience.

Video: The Suburbs

Song #1: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) by Arcade Fire
Imagine my surprise when towards the very end of The Suburbs this song appeared. I imagine many had the same reaction I did. Despite its dark lyrics the song is so incredibly uplifting. Regine’s vocal is perfect and that disco-ey beat was instantly memorable. I don’t enjoy it any less now than when I first heard it.

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

And with that I’m done. Hope you’re all having a safe and happy holiday surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Album #2: High Violet by The National
Much like Boxer, High Violet grew on me with every listen in 2010. There are certainly flashier bands around these days but I’m not sure any band captures “my” world any better than The National did on High Violet. Terrible Love, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Lemonworld, Conversation 16, Afraid of Everyone…all were some of my favourite songs of the year.

Download
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
The National – Afraid Of Everyone

Song #2: ’81 by Joanna Newsom
Stunning lyrics + gorgeous melody = amazing song

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

Album #3: Heligoland by Massive Attack
While an overabundance of guest vocalists (which limited Daddy G to only one vocal appearance) gave Heligoland a but of a compilation feel, it didn’t lack for strong songs. Splitting The Atom was vintage Massive Attack while Damon Albarn’s heartfelt Saturday Come Slow brought a real emotional weight to proceedings. Mix in Girl I Love You, Atlas Air and the gorgeous Paradise Circus and you’ve got a pretty great record. Let’s not wait another seven years for the next one, alright guys?

Video: Atlas Air

Song(s) #3: Meet Me In The Basement/World Sick/Art House Director by Broken Social Scene
I try to limit this list to one song per artist…but I just couldn’t pick one off Forgiveness Rock Record when I spent so much time loving these three. An instrumental, a We’re Back single, and an Andrew Whiteman track demonstrate the sonic diversity Broken Social Scene are capable of.

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

Album #4: Sisterworld by Liars
I’m not sure if Sisterworld is my favourite Liars record but I do think it is the best distillation of the band’s sound over the last eight years. At times experimental, at other times relatively straightforward rock, Sisterworld never misses a step. One of the finest bands of the decade.

Download
Liars – Scissor

Song #4: Proud Evolution by Liars
I suppose this might be the most un-Liarsy song on the record as it eschews the manic guitar and busy percussion often associated with the band and instead finds its base in a groove. Proud Evolution is one of those songs that I wouldn’t mind being fifteen minutes long.

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

The Clash playing Clampdown live in 1980.

The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there’s nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don’t owe nothing, so boy get runnin’
It’s the best years of your life they want to steal

Eight years ago today, Joe Strummer passed away. I don’t have many heroes but Joe Strummer remains an inspiration in my life. This video for Redemption Song kills me every time. RIP, Joe.

Album #5: Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
No surprise here. Deerhunter make a record, I love it. While the band have pretty much shed the remnants of the menace of their early work, I am pleasantly surprised by how much I’m enjoying their dreamy, shimmery side.

Download
Deerhunter – Revival

Song #5: Albatross by The Besnard Lakes
I first wrote about this song back in January and almost a year later I still can’t get enough of it. Just love the guitar sounds on this.

Download
The Besnard Lakes – Albatross

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

Album #6: Grinderman 2 by Grinderman
Perhaps the most intense album I heard in 2010 as Nick Cave shows no signs of letting up. Equal parts rage, humour, and genius. And a wolf on the cover. What’s not to love?

Video: Evil

Song #6: Bird 1 by Underworld
The standout track from Barking…I wish the entire record had this vibe. It hypnotizes me every time I listen to it.

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

Album #7: There Is Love In You by Four Tet
While I enjoy a lot of electronic music, I don’t generally connect with it emotionally. There Is Love In You, however, is a different story: beats married with a warmth and depth fairly uncommon in the genre. And I still can’t get enough of There Is Love In You, over a year on.

Stream
Four Tet – There Is Love In You

Song #7: Lemonworld by The National
I only like choosing one song per artist on this list and choosing just one song from High Violet was tough (SPOILER ALERT). I chose Lemonworld because it was the first song on the record I really connected with lyrically. But more importantly, I also think it is the best example of why The National are a perfect reflection of being a man in his late 20s/early 30s in 2010.

It’ll take a better war to kill a college man like me

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.

Album #8: Forgiveness Rock Record by Broken Social Scene
Once I got over the fact that Forgiveness Rock Record was not a masterpiece I came to really love it for it’s varied styles. While many of the songs are firmly entrenched in the BSS wheelhouse, there’s a fair amount here that sounds pretty fresh: All To All’s synth-based arrangement, the gurgling, understated-yet-stadium-sized World Sick, and the radio-ready Forced To Love. So while I don’t think this is the strongest Broken Social Scene album, it is nonetheless a very, very strong collection of songs.

Officially Sanctioned Fan Video: All To All

Song #8: Yulia by Wolf Parade
In which Dan Boeckner continues his love affair with eastern Europe. Yulia is the tale of two star-crossed lovers separated by the Soviet space program (naturally) and was the first song to really hit me off Expo 86. It’s a very sad song yet the upbeat arrangement makes it more transcendent than the standard mopey ballad. Added bonus: the video was one of my favourites of the year.

—> See the rest of the 25 For 2010 List here.