Top 25 Albums of 2010 (part 2)

Zach McCoy picks his top 25 albums from 2010.

http://rateyourmusic.com/~XakkMaster


1

Kanye West

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

In what was a pretty stellar year for new music, Kanye West delivered an album that will go down as a genre-defining classic. It's on the level of Dr. Dre's 1992 masterpiece, "The Chronic," in its sheer unapologetic representation of hip-hop lifestyle. But what makes it so immediate is at the same time it's suprisingly existential.

It's more of a concept album than many realize - its a journey through the life of a pop-star. The fame, the attitude, the personal relationships gained and lost - and ultimately the revealing reflection on one's self.

All that aside, the music is a nearly pitch-perfect sea of bombastic beats and rhythms. Kanye has earned and secured his reputation as a genius producer and arranger. His lyrical delivery has matured, and though the content itself isn't as well-written as "The College Dropout" there is more of a focus on the placement of individual lines and rhymes.

Eclectic sampling, layered mixing and symphonic grandeur make for an album that is hard to stop listening to.

Acclaim has been universal for this album - even people who didn't like Kanye before this recognize it is a masterstroke of the genre. Hearing his compositions and the inspired vocal performances he has put together on this album is a gift.




Love him or hate him, there's no denying his talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68I07YHBww

2

Joanna Newsom

Have One on Me (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMFPockMaKw

3

Janelle Monáe

The ArchAndroid (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqmORiHNtN4

4

Anaïs Mitchell

Hadestown (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtdLl05UcRU

5

Arcade Fire

The Suburbs (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Euj9f3gdyM

6

The National

High Violet (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfySK7CLEEg

7

Agalloch

Marrow of the Spirit (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o0g2SIdnKw

8

Sufjan Stevens

The Age of Adz (2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnycQL6UTow

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 2010
• music
• best music
• best music of 2010
• top albums.

[EdTyProductions]

Hey! Just watching part 2 now... I actually agree that Kanye makes amazing beats. I'm not a huge fan of the guy and think he really didn't belong in a song like Classic (you know, the one featuring legends - Nas, Rakim, and KRS-ONE), but his beats really are fantastic. It seems like there isn't a feel he can't do.

Also, I'm checking out some of the albums because of how you describe them.