Best of 2010 - PD Version

2010 has come to a close and from a musical perspective it did not disappoint. The variety of albums, songs and quality releases was far superior than 2009. As reference, the top 7 albums here are practically flawless and could have easily been among the best albums of the last 5 years. Just as ZH pointed out, I was eagerly anticipating multiple albums in 2010 (ie. Iron Maiden, Spoon, The National), however because of so many stellar records released this year (and a few that I was anticipating but didn't quite measure up), they couldn't crack the top spots. And as many of my posts qualify, this one goes to 11. Here are my top albums of 2010.


11. Shining - "Blackjazz" (Metal/Avant-garde Jazz, released 2/2/2010)


"Blackjazz" is like nothing I have ever heard before; part metal, part jazz and should be packaged with a disclaimer reading "listening to this record may result in seizures." As I said before, Shining have turned jazz into something even the most extreme 'neckbreaker' would be proud to spin. It is jazzy, loud, chaotic, dark and surprisingly catchy. It could very well be the mother of all auditory mind trips (especially of those released in 2010.) For fans of Nine Inch Nails, Fantomas, John Coltrane

Choice cuts: 'Fisheye', 'HEALTER SKELTER', 'Exit Sun'


10. The Black Angels - "Phosphene Dream" (Psychedelic, released 9/14/2010)


The Black Angels (named after a Velvet Underground song) have nailed a sound that was initially made popular in the 60s. I am a huge fan of throwback bands (Graveyard, Dungen, Wolf) and TBA have created an authentic psychedelic vibe with all the tracks on "Phosphene Dream". Likely propelled by massive quantities of LSD and bong resin, this record is also a "trip", however, with a much more mellow flight. That doesn't mean The Black Angels don't rock as made apparent on tracks such as my personal favorite "The Sniper", Alex Maas and Co. delight listeners with a 70s-style jam with three narly riffs intertwined into one kaleidoscopic romp. The other songs followed suit. For fans of Pink Floyd (Syd Barrett era), Jefferson Airplane, The Beach Boys

Choice cuts: The Sniper, Yellow Elevator #2, Entrance Song


9. Jamey Johnson - "The Guitar Song" (Country, released 9/14/2010)


JJ has single-handily attained my interest for country (and western) music. He has reclaimed 'outlaw' country for the masses similar to which Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings were associated with in the 1970s. The album is packed full of lap pedal guitar, keyboards, cowbell and a vibe similar to that of Southern rock played by The Outlaws and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Even fair weather fans of country music will find "The Guitar Song" intriguing and classic. For fans of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams

Choice cuts: 'Poor Man Blues', 'Heartache', 'California Riots'


8. Danzig - "Deth Red Sabaoth" (Metal, released 6/22/2010)


The burly, Evil Elvis returns with his signature style of blues-infused, punk, swaggering doom rock with the release of "Deth Red Saboath." Danzig finds himself crooning like Jim Morrison throughout many tracks on this long awaited return to form. However, don't get lazy and let Glenn entrance you with the glorious 'On A Wicked Night', as the roid-riddled Roy Orbison still has plenty of nastiness with tracks such as 'The Revengeful', 'Hammer of the Gods' and 'Ju Ju Bone'. This ol' dog can still kick some serious ass. For fans of DANZIG!

Choice cuts: 'On A Wicked Night', 'The Revengeful', 'Hammer of the Gods'


7. The Dillinger Escape Plan - "Option Paralysis" (Metal/Alternative, released 3/22/2010)


Mike Patton may not be God (see the All My Children snippet tucked under ZH's Patton e' Dio post title) but he has influenced about as many hard rock/heavy metal acts as the Beatles (mild overstatement, not blasphemy). The similarities between all of Patton's projects and DEP are very recognizable throughout "Option Paralysis" as you can hear elements of Faith No More, Fantomas and Tomahawk in particular. DEP have quickly become the kings of Mathcore (heavy metal similar to metalcore but with rapid, schizophrenic time signatures). This time around, DEP continue with more of a mainstream sound (as hinted upon with their previous release "Ire Works") and a spattering of slower tempos intermixed within interludes of pandemonium. For fans of Mike Patton, Between The Buried And Me, Melvins

Choice cuts: 'Widower', 'Gold Teeth on a Bum', 'Farewell, Mona Lisa'


6. High On Fire - "Snakes For The Divine" (Metal, released 2/23/2010)


"Snakes For The Divine" is what metal should sound like... Ugly. Some of the reasons to love metal is that it is not mainstream or pretty, such as the appearance of many of its patrons, High On Fire is no exception. Matt Pike and Co. sound ugly, act ugly and are downright ugly themselves. Not necessarily in appearance (because I believe it's in the eye of the beholder,) but these boys create sludgy, prodding riffs with huge bombastic sounds and dark undertones. Along with this, Pike himself creates what sounds like a twin guitar assault similar to that of Maiden, Priest and Slayer. Plus lyrics dealing with aliens, reptiles and Bastard Samuri's only add to the ridiculousness that is pure metal. TOTAL BRUTAL!!! For fans of Motorhead, Slayer, Anvil

Choice cuts: 'Snakes For The Divine', 'Fire, Flood and Plague', 'Holy Flames of the Fire Spitter'


5. The Black Keys - "Brothers" (Blues/Alternative, released 5/18/2010)


Blues rock from Akron, Ohio, These two gents rock like many blues men before them bringing to mind Chester "Howlin' Wolf" Burnett, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson while tossing in grooves and production entirely their own. The low-fi sound retains an authentic, classic vibe throughout this shoe tapping album. I really couldn't say it any better than ZH has... twice! [Yes, this album is that good.]

Choice cuts: 'Sinister Kid', 'Ten Cent Pistol', 'Howlin' For You'


4. Grinderman - "Grinderman 2" (Alternative, released 9/14/2010)


Nick Cave's Grinderman return with this sophomore release and ups the ante. G2 is heads above their first release and is filled with Cave's signature lyrics and musical quirkiness. The album sounds a lot like The Bad Seeds most recent albums (Abattoir Blues and Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!) however retains what Cave's seminal band, The Birthday Party, brought to the table with loathsome and perverse themes. In a live venue, no one can touch Cave. And at 53 he doesn't seem to be loosing any steam. His stage presence is second to none as these guys spew machismo in a live venue. As ZH had pointed out, I hope this isn't just a 1-2 punch gig. With how much fun he seemed to be having under the spotlight, I would be surprised if this party stopped any time soon.

Choice cuts: 'Palaces Of Montezuma', 'Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man', 'Heathen Child'


3. The Sword - "Warp Riders" (Metal, released 8/24/2010)


The absolute pinnacle of metal in 2010, however "Warp Riders" also crosses into classic rock/blues territory. Hailing from Texas, you can hear old school 'Lone Star' state influences such as ZZ Top and Pantera spattered amongst the record. Fast paced guitar solos, thunderous drumming and pummeling bass provide any metalhead comfort that business is booming in the land of hard rock. The album plays as a concept record, akin to that of Rush which adds to the appeal and makes it hard to just listen to a single track as opposed to the entire magnum opus. Push play, crank it to 11 and enjoy the ride.

Choice cuts: Lawless Lands, Tres Brujas, Night City


2. Black Mountain - "Wilderness Heart" (Alternative, released 9/14/2010)


One of the greatest bands currently playing. Vancouver, Canada's Black Mountain combine influences of many 60's, 70's and 80's groups into their own unique sound. You can hear the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Iron Butterfly, David Bowie, Dio, Jefferson Airplane and Led Zeppelin throughout their music. The harmony of lead vocalists Stephen McBean and Amber Webber is nostalgic. Keyboards and guitars flourish on almost every track, yet not a single song sounds similar. There is not a bad track on the entire album. For those interested, Black Mountain's prior release "In The Future" is just as good.

Choice tracks: Radiant Hearts, Rollercoaster, Sadie


1. The Budos Band - "The Budos Band III" (Funk/Jazz, released 8/10/2010)


Entirely instrumental and completely bad ass! These gents from Staten Island (all together making a ten piece band) create music that could easily play as a soundtrack to "Shaft" (the 1971 Richard Roundtree flick, not the Samuel L. Jackson remake) or any Pam Grier blaxploitation film. They have created a new subgenre dubbed "Afro Soul" which would also work unbelievably well in a Quentin Tarantino movie. The barisax pounds each soulful song into the ground and brings to mind music created by Morphine from the early 90s. Compared to TBB's previous efforts (I and II), "III" has a darker, more sinister mood and can't help but put a grin on any listeners face. Slapping bass riffs, nasty keyboards and a horn section with brass balls. On many of the songs, trumpet, trombone and saxophone play riffs simultaneously acting as "lead vocals" which makes you forget there is no front man wailing on any of the tracks. Regardless, one cannot help but dance like Reed Rothchild in the recording studio from Boogie Nights while listening to these grooves. One word to describe this album would be "infectious" as I want this to be a gift that keeps on giving. I guarantee you play this record at a party and people will be wanting more. And with that, I proudly crown it the best album of 2010!

Choice cuts: Budos Dirge, Golden Dunes, Rite of the Ancients


Bonus material:
Best Songs of the Year (2010)
1. Grinderman - 'Palaces Of Montezuma'
2. High On Fire - 'Snakes Of The Divine'
3. Jeff Bridges - 'Brand New Angel'
4. The Budos Band - 'Budos Dirge'
5. Danzig - 'On A Wicked Night'
6. The Black Angels - 'The Sniper'
7. The Sword - 'Lawless Lands'
8. The Dillinger Escape Plan - 'Widower'
9. Black Mountain - 'Radiant Hearts'
10. The Black Keys - 'Sinister Kid'
11. Iron Maiden - 'Coming Home'
12. Hallways Of Always - 'Heavy Load'
13. Melissa Auf der Maur - 'Father's Grave'
14. Robert Plant - 'Silver Rider'
15. Mike Patton - 'Il Cielo In Una Stanza'