Colin’s Top Ten Movies of 2010

I’m starting this post pretty late, so I hope I won’t be tempted to just write about how tired I am.  Then again, I guess these lists are more about the rankings of the items on the lists rather than what we have to say about them.  But anyways, I saw 29 movies over the course of 2010, which seems like less than most years, but I’m not really sure.

Honorable Mentions:
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Fighter
Winter’s Bone
Black Swan

10. Please Give

Not really a film that’s gotten a whole lot of recognition, but i guess the world’s already had it’s share of Catherine Keener indie comedies, or at least you would think so.  Fortunately, Keener plays a slightly more quirky and nuanced version of the typical mom roles she usually plays, plus there’s a great supporting cast to boot.  With it’s New York setting and somewhat neurotic characters, it’s easy to compare Please Give to golden era Woody Allen, but the film’s humor, warmth, and interesting characters make it more than worthy of the comparison.

9. Greenberg
A film that pretty much no one saw, and I’m sure half of those who did see it didn’t really latch on to Greenberg. But I guess that’s the kind of response Noah Baumbach usually expects, as he seems to have no problem in making his characters as unlikeable and unpredictable as possible. I wish Ben Stiller had followed this up with something better than Little Fockwads, because Greenberg shows that he can be damn compelling when he wants to be.

8. True Grit

The Coen Brothers are simply good at making their own brand of whatever the hell genre they feel like tackling for their yearly movie.  They don’t necessarily stretch themselves too much with True Grit, but it’s got more than it’s share of memorable quintessentially Coen Brothers-esque moments, as well as great breakout performances from Hailee Steinfeld and that bright-eyed up and comer, Jeff Bridges.

7. The Kids Are All Right 

It’s always nice to see a film that feels very much a product of it’s time and place, but also doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be topical or make some sort of statement, and that’s about what The Kids Are All Right feels like to me.  It’s just a shame that Hollywood has grown more and more wary of making smaller, character-driven films like this in the wake of the economy’s current state.

6. A Prophet
I think this film was nominated for the 2009 Best Foreign Film Oscar, but wasn’t released in the States until 2010, so I’m counting it as a 2010 film.  Either way it would have been on my top 10 of 2009, as it’s easily one of the grittiest crime dramas I’ve seen in years.  I know prison isn’t exactly the most unique source of subject matter in film, but A Prophet is nonetheless a brutal, insightful, tragic, and very well-made piece of French cinema.

5. The King’s Speech 

Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth always seemed like two very talented actors, but I’d never really seen anything that either of them had done that would lead me to appreciate their abilities as performers.  Well, The King’s Speech swiftly killed those two birds with one stone for me, because both of them give tremendous performances and are perfect foils for each other in this splendid period drama.  Plus, you got to love any movie that let’s you see Britain’s king say “fuck, fuck, fuck”.

4. 127 Hours

I feel like I’m usually against the use of the hyper-stylized filmmaking that seems to be plaguing a lot of Hollywood films, and then I see something like 127 Hours.  Danny Boyle turns this familiar story into an adrenaline rush of a film, and never really lets you go.  I’m not sure “life-affirming” is a term I would use lightly to describe a lot of films, but 127 Hours comes pretty darn close to it.

3. Inception

I’ve seen Inception three times now, and every time I see it I always notice something really cool about it that I didn’t notice before, but then I also notice a few things about it that don’t really work for me about the story as a whole.  But I guess that’s what makes Inception, well Inception.  It’s a film filled with all these little details that you can pick and pull apart as you choose, which makes for a film that’s far from perfect, but is an amazing achievement nonetheless.

2. Toy Story 3

The expectations where high for Toy Story 3, and it seemed almost inevitable that Pixar would at least meet them, which they certainly did.  I probably wouldn’t say it’s quite as good as the first two, but man the second half of this movie has some heartbreakingly tender shit in it.  It kind of makes me feel spoiled that Pixar has given us such an impressive run of films, and all we have to look forward to next year is Cars 2.  Oh well.

1. The Social Network

The main reason I’m posting this so late is because I wanted to see The Social Network again, which came out on DVD today.  I really had no interest in seeing a movie about Facebook when I first heard about this film, but I guess that just goes to show you that if you have the right elements, you can make a great film about anything as long as it’s done in a fresh and compelling way.  The Social Network also shows us just what a fantastic filmmaker David Fincher can be when he gets a hold of a good script.  Hell, he can make a decent film even with a somewhat lousy script (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), but luckily Aaron Sorkin provided him with one for the ages.

John’s Top Ten Movies of 2010

Here at DaMorgue, we take our time when it comes to selecting our favorite films of the year. We all have so much passion for film, so it’s something we don’t take lightly. I mean it takes time to see all the movies worth seeing, especially when they cram all the best ones into the last couple of months. There’s still some films I wanted I see from 2010, but I’ll have to settle with the 42 I’m at right now, which is certainly more than last year. Either way, I can confidently say I loved all ten of these films and am very much satisfied with my final ten, but before we dive in let’s acknowledge the film’s that came close.

Honorable Mention
Buried: The fact that this is movie is entirely set in a wooden box and is still entertaining is reason enough for an honorable mention.

The King’s Speech: A marvelously acted period piece that just barely made the cut.

Kick Ass: Dumb fun, but man, you’d be hard pressed to find a more entertaining action flick.

Little Big Soldier This Jackie Chan period piece is a heartwarming buddy picture. These are the kind of movies Chan should be devoting his time to, not The Spy Next Door.

10. The Fighter


What it lacks in originality it makes up for in thrills and dramatic skill, hey maybe I’m a poet and I just don’t know it. Marky Mark is surrounded by perhaps the best supporting cast of the year including; Melissa Leo, Amy Adams and the always intense Christian Bale. The fights are full of highs and lows as are the heart aching scenes between it’s struggling characters, it’s a real knockout.

9. The Ghost Writer


Rarely do I have the taste for political thrillers. Too often these kind of films seem to slip into convoluted plots, involving stiff characters with even more convoluted motivations, but leave it to a seasoned filmmaker like Roman Polanski to add a spark to the genre. A likable Ewan McGregor plays “The Ghost”, a talented ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister (Pierce “Mr . Charming” Brosnan), but what happens when he digs too deep? It’s suspenseful, dramatic, and clever, but not so much that it loses sight of telling a great story of deception and oh yes, death!

8. Winter’s Bone


Had it not been for the award buzz, I may have never even heard about this subtle portrait of poverty and family hardship. The young Jennifer Lawrence carries this heavy drama (that borders on neo noir) with a stunning amount of professionalism and the supporting cast of dark and colorful characters truly bring this heartbreaker to life. I’ve been a fan of the talented actor John Hawkes since Deadwood, so he’s what originally drew me to this film, but he’s just one part of this heavy hitter. A prime example of a movie that doesn’t need big names to attract attention, just something to say.

7. The Kids Are All Right


Nothing like a well fashioned “Dramedy” to deliver both the laughs and tears we all look for in the movie going experience, the one’s of us that aren’t braindead anyway. It’s the classic high and low film about family, with a bit of a twist. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as a gay couple doesn’t sound too shocking to must of the people that will probably see it, but still I can’t recall seeing that in any recent film and in that case, it’s a breath of fresh air. Both leads are equally amusing, exchanging surprisingly genuine dialogue between their children (Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson) and who else but “Mr. Nice Guy” Mark Ruffalo. There’s awkward pauses and silences, it’s an excellently executed slice of life.

6. 127 Hours


I still get dizzy thinking about the latest ADD survival film from Danny Boyle. Who thought you could make a movie about a guy (James Franco) pinned by a rock, so overwhelmingly intense? Maybe it’s the build up to that finale, I mean we all know what’s coming right? Even so it’s never dull or even remotely tedious. For that I think you can thank one; the energy of it’s star James Franco and two, the high adrenaline visual storytelling of Danny Boyle. That guy never wastes a frame and every one here is beyond intense.

5. The Town


You’ve heard of films that are nail-biters right? Well by the end of this one you’ll of probably knawed your whole arm off, a la Aron Ralston. Really, it’s that suspenseful and one of the best heist films in years. It’s like if Point Break and Heat had a baby and then gave it Surge cola, a roller-coaster of drama and some of the best action scenes of the year. Remember how people used to make fun of Ben Affleck? Like “Oh Bennifer, he was in Gigli he sucks blah blah.” well you can shut the fuck up now, because he’s proven himself with this one. Not only as an actor, but as well as a writer and director. I never lost faith in Ben Affleck but if you did, check this out, you’ll plummet right out of your seat and straight into the crossfire that is The Town.

4. Toy Story 3


The film that apparently can bring even the most hardened men to tears, I present to you Toy Story 3. It’s bittersweet saying goodbye to the beloved franchise, but what a way to go out. The story is moving and exciting, the laughs timely, and the animation awe inspiring. On one hand it’s like the conclusion to my childhood, but on the other it’ll be with me forever. Future generations are going to be spoiled with this beyond amazing catalog of classics Pixar has created and this is one of their best.

3. The Social Network


I remember how opposed I was to this once. “It’s not even that original of an idea, why should we put these douchebags in the spotlight?” But that’s not what it’s about. It’s not about the content of the creation as much as it is the struggle to protect that creation. I mean what can I say, a good story is a good story and Fincher and Sorkin deliver a film that’s not only fun to look at, but to listen to. It’s young stars are captivating including; the neurotic Mark (Jesse Eisenberg), the naive Eduardo (Andrew Garfield), the sly Sean (Justin Timberlake, never thought I’d compliment him) and my favorite, the arrogant but entertaining Winklevoss twins played mostly by (Armie Hammer.) With Facebook being one of the most defining social devices of our time, it only makes sense that The Social Network will go down as a defining film of this era, glad I was there to experience it.

2. Black Swan


Few films left me this year with the kind of goosebumps I received from viewing Black Swan, or should I say “swanbumps?” Darren Aronofosky has clearly emerged as one of the most interesting directors working today and Black Swan will only further his status as a true auteur. It’s an eerily beautiful film propelled by the eerily beautiful performance of Natalie Portman (possibly her best role to date.) It almost reminds me of the kind of nightmare Italian director Dario Argento would dream up, like Suspiria, which coincidentally is set at a ballet academy. The difference being that in all it’s twisted imagery and scenes, Black Swan is surprisingly coherent in it’s parallel of the iconic Swan Lake and that makes it dance circles around Suspria

1. Inception


As if it’s any surprise, Inception is an instant classic rich with visuals and metaphors. It’s the kind of film that taps into your mind and sits there, eventually laying eggs in your brain. The fact that writer/director Christopher Nolan can make a movie this dense a blockbuster hit, just goes to show that he knows entertainment and quality storytelling. He pulls our strings with suspense and fucks up our minds with one of the most clever films in years. He has truly incepted my heart.

DK Checks In

Donkey Kong Country Returns


Yeah, this has been out for awhile but seeing that it was a Christmas gift, I wanted to wait till I’d played through it a bit. Unfortunately I went back to school (minus my Wii) before finishing it, but I think I’ve played it enough to come to a reasonably fair conclusion, that it’s awesome.

First of all for those who don’t know, the original Donkey Kong Country is one of my all-time favorite games, were talking like top three. The two sequels, although disappointing due to the absence of DK, were quite enjoyable as well, but then there was nothing… Until now, yes a true return to form for the classic side-scroller series that’s been worth the wait.

Before I dive into this jungle of fun, let me give you a brief overview of the plot, not that it’s important in a game like this. So DK and Diddy are just chillin’ when these evil Tikis known as the “Tiki Tak Tribe”, come along and start hypnotizing animals and steal DK’s coveted Banana hoard. That’s some deep shit right? So there’s no more Kremlins (the original antagonists of the series), but when a game is this exciting, I don’t mind a few changes to the formula. I mean you want to differentiate this from the original to some extent, that was like 16 years ago and In my eyes, almost every change/addition that’s been made was for the best.

Despite owning a Wii, I’ve never been much of a fan of shaking my wrist all around like Michael J. Fox, (I’m so sorry for that remark) but in Donkey Kong Country Returns, it just flows so smoothly like an extension of your body. New features made possible by the Wii-mote include; ground pounding, blowing out flowers/flames, and if your Diddy Kong, a jet pack and peanut gun. Which reminds me, if you’re going to play this game “Play it with a friend.” The multiplayer now resembles a style that’s very much akin to the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, with both characters moving completely independently across treacherous stages and boss battles, hilarity ensues.

Really, my only complaint is that it doesn’t have the same kind of atmosphere that the original achieved. Sure the new one is light hearted, bright, and colorful, but I was always impressed by the serene, sometimes even moody tone of the original. The music and photo realistic backgrounds somehow made a game about an ape with a tie, well real. The new one is your typical Wii tone, bright and cheery and though it uses most of the original games music, it never achieves the same feel. Nonetheless that complaint doesn’t really effect the gameplay and in many ways this game might even be superior to it’s predecessor. I’m just glad the series is back, the long wait was making me go bananas, eh?

Sean’s Top Ten Albums of 2010

When I look back at 2010, I’ll remember it as the year that I tried to get into two new genres. One was electronic music, which I would say was a great success thanks to terrific albums from the likes of Flying Lotus and Four Tet. Then there was my failed attempt to get into hip hop, although I didn’t really listen to modern music from that genre. I did think My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was kind of amazing in a terrible way. That Titus Andronicus album was really good. So was that album Brothers by that band the Black Keys. I even liked the new New Pornographers album. In fact, I listened to 41 albums in 2010, and had to make some painful cuts for this post. But these are the ones that stuck with me.

10. Menomena – Mines

Gotta rep a Portland band while I still can. Because everyone knows once you move out of Oregon you must forget about it and your time spent there forever. Menomena has an interesting recording process that has resulted in a beautiful collection of intricate, complex songs. They’re melodic when they need to be, rocking when necessary. So what gave Mines an edge over some of the other amazing albums from the past year? Well, I’m not quite sure. I guess I like it a lot. I keep coming back for more, and I’d say that “Killemall” and “Tithe” are among my favorite tracks of all of 2010. While I loved something like The Monitor, I haven’t listened to it in its entirety since July. I listened to Mines over the weekend. This is just one of those terrifically accessible albums that anyone could enjoy and keep coming back to – even in the scary blank slate that is 2011.

9. Broken Bells – Broken Bells

Yeah, that’s right. More of that Oregon sound. Well, that’s probably not fair, since this sounds a lot more like Danger Mouse than the Shins. Whatever. I know Broken Bells is not the most popular pick for these lists since, well, the album was not that popular. But if you look at the criticism a lot of people levied against it, the main complaint is that it wasn’t a big enough departure for either of the artists. Maybe it’s because I haven’t heard much from either of them the past few years, but I’m OK with them not breaking a ton of new ground. This is one of the catchiest albums I heard all of last year, and the first album I was really looking forward to back in 2009. In a year with middling releases from the Gaslight Anthem, the Hold Steady, Interpol, MGMT, Murder By Death, and even Shout Out Louds, it was nice to hear some new material from guys I already knew that was really good.

8. Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record

Hey, here’s a band I knew nothing about a year ago. And yet there I was on the first day of summer perched on a hill watching them rock it out. So when I finally got home, I had to check out there new album, and, well, it’s awesome. I don’t know if you know this about me, but I like things that are awesome. I still haven’t gone back and checked out most of the Broken Social Scene discography, but Forgiveness Rock Record is, at the very least, enjoyable for newbies. Man, I actually saw a lot of bands live last year, didn’t I? It’s so easy to forget. Phoenix, Japandroids, My Morning Jacket, even that silly not-cowboy band. And Patton Oswalt! That guy’s funny. Remember when he made fun of “Home,” Colin? That’s a special moment that we’ll get to cherish forever.

7. Caribou – Swim

Speaking of Colin, I believe he admitted to me that he at least really liked the first track off Swim. So that’s something I guess. I like most of them, but “Odessa” sure is nice. I love that Caribou called the album “swim” because they managed to give the entire thing an underwater feeling that I am in no way qualified to explain or even quantify. That’s right, double q-word sentence. Fuck me I’m tired. Um, here’s my advise for anyone who is not sure if they’ll like this album. Download it, put the whole thing in your library, and start playing the first track. Now here’s the tricky part: walk away. Not too far, you still want to be able to hear it. Just far enough that you won’t be tempted to change to something else. Just listen to the whole damn thing. You’ll get it. And then you’ll be like, “ah yeah, this is good.” Or, in the worst case scenario: “those were 40 minutes that I feel I wasted.”

6. Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz

Here’s another album that I feel like I enjoyed more than other critics simply because I haven’t listened to a Sufjan Stevens that wasn’t Illinoise. So, from my crazy point of view, that was his first album and this is his many-years-later followup. Maybe I should listen to more EPs. Anyway, oddly enough my most listened to track on The Age of Adz is the 25-minute “Impossible Soul” at the end of the album. Now, I like long songs, but that seems ridiculous even to me. How could this happen? I could have listened to the first track, “Futile Devices” over a hundred times more if I had spent my time listening to it instead of “Impossible Soul.” Boy, we can do much more together.

5. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Is this real life? Is this a dream? Is this going to be forever? Questions such as these, which may or may not have been asked (and some would say, answered) by David after dentist will haunt your mind every second you spend listening to Halcyon Digest. You know what I mean? Of course you don’t, no one does. It never happens. Sorry, Ted, that’s a dumb question, skip that. Skip all these questions. Just go listen to the lush, beautiful album from another tremendous band from Georgia. No! That’s just what I’ll be expecting you to do! There’s a sale at Penny’s! It’s a damn good thing you don’t know how much he hates your guts. I guess the foot’s on the other hand now, isn’t it, reader?

4. LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening

I’ve never been raped, but I imagine rapists say something along the lines of “this is happening” while they’re assaulting you and you’re trying to fight them off. So this is kind of like LCD Soundsystem is raping me. He lures you in, sounding all quiet and friendly, talking like a jerk, except you actually are a jerk. Then he lunges at you, instantly getting louder, and indeed, bolder. He has his way with you, making you feel like drunk girls as he takes his one touch. All I want is to get away at this point, but he won’t let me. “I can change,” he says. “You wanted a hit, right?” I ask, he hesitates, trying to understand what I meant and then: Pow Pow! My one two punch knocks him off as I get away. Somebody’s calling me, I hear him trying to give chase. But it’s too late, I’ve escaped. Time to go home.

3. Beach House – Teen Dream

You ever wonder why this album is called Teen Dream? I’m not sure what’s so “teen” about it, although it certainly is dreamlike. Seems to me like albums as good as this should be given away for free to anyone who’s having a bad day or is just really tired or over-thinking things. There is a tender, emotional quality to Beach House’s music that soothes me, like one of those dudes who makes snakes dance. It’s just that charming. According to this iTunes I’ve listened to Teen Dream 27 times since I last restored my iTunes library, which was, I believe, around September. Is that a lot? For me, yes. Not for all people though. Frankly, it’s a rather useless bit of information that will ultimately make no difference in anyone’s life. I’m sorry for wasting your time.

2. The National – High Violet

This just goes on forever, doesn’t it? I’m so goddamn tired. Anyway, like Johnny O I just got into the National this year in time to go see them live. That makes me sound really spoiled, doesn’t it? I’m seeing them live, so I should probably familiarize myself with their music. Meanwhile, there are people all over the country who have loved the National since they released their first single who have never been afforded a chance to see them live. Please forgive me for my selfishness. If it makes you feel any better, I did really like High Violet. Especially as the weather took a turn for the colder and I lost sleep in favor of schoolwork. I should probably write some specifics, but frankly I’m still listening to Teen Dream right now and that’s making me keep forgetting what the National sound like.

1. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

These people out there, they look at Arcade Fire and Funeral and say, “Whelp, they’re done.” Well, let me let you in on a secret: Arcade Fire’s been getting better with each album. Sure, they haven’t matched the raw emotionality of Funeral in there last two albums, but the group has continued to pursue more complex songwriting and themes somehow more challenging than life and death. We all live and we all will die. Arcade Fire has moved on, and their latest project, about growing up in the suburbs, shows the universality of that experience, the good and the bad. While that means they won’t be scoring any amazing movie trailers with the new stuff, that doesn’t mean the new stuff isn’t good. In fact, it’s amazing. Wow, what a terrible ending to a questionable post. I apologize for my writing.

Colin’s Top Ten Albums of 2010

There was a lot of music that came of 2010 that I really enjoyed. I think my grand total for albums was around 25, which is considerably more than I usually end up with. I’m not sure if I’m becoming more open towards new music, or if I’m just running out of older music to listen to. But either way, there were so many albums I liked this year that I actually felt compelled to do some honorable mentions for once.

 
Honorable Mentions:
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffitti – Before Today
Spoon – Transference
Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

10. The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt  

I had hard time keeping more sonically impressive albums like the latest from Deerhunter and Kanye off my list. But for my number 10, I decided to go for something much less ambitous, but equally arresting. It’s not often that I go for folksy acoustic singer-songwriter music, but something about The Wild Hunt really jumped out at me in a way that an album like this rarely does. I think Kristian Matsson’s voice is what really did it for me, which seemed to be the tipping point for most people in regards to his music.

9. Sufjan Stevens – The Age Of Adz  

Probably among the most brash albums of the year, all coming from a musician usually known for his shy and reserved persona. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have given this album a second listen if it wasn’t for the fact that it was coming from the man responsible for Michigan and Illinois, but it’s definitely an album that rewarded me for my patience. There’s plenty of Stevens’ warmth and tenderness beneath all the electronic fuzz that encompasses the album, and it all culminates in a stellar 25-minute rave-up jam that seems only fitting for an album of such ambitious personal reflection.

8. Beach House – Teen Dream  

I think in my original review of Teen Dream I said that this isn’t the type of thing of thing that I usually listen to, but now that seems like a load of shit. Sure it’s lush and atmospheric, but more than anything else the songs are superbly crafted and full of impenetrable beauty. It’s an album that was easy for me to get lost in, and that’s not something I usually aim for in a piece of music. So big ups to Beach House.

7. Vampire Weekend – Contra

Easily the most controversial album among Da Morgue writers, but one that easily had me on the pro-Contra side of the equation. More or less, Vampire Weekend have made exactly what a follow-up to a great debut should sound like. They build on all the plucky joy that was there in the first album, all while bringing out more of the diverse influences that seemed to be bubbling just beneath the surface.

6. Best Coast – Crazy For You

For me this album is pretty much the definition of ear candy, and yet I couldn’t help myself from falling for it on a deeper level. Musically and lyrically, everything on Crazy For You sounds like the most naively simplistic love songs, but I think it’s in that simplicity that the album’s appeal lies. Sometimes you need music like this to remind you that modern music doesn’t have to be cluttered with cutting edge self-consciousness, as there’s always plenty to be found in the simple pleasures of some lovely pop songs.

 

5. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs  

Arcade Fire have often struck as a band whose grandeur has always been their most apparent quality. But the “sprawl”-ing nature of The Suburbs shows that there’s many sides to the band, and pretty much all of them are pretty damn impressive. I don’t think I ever envisioned Arcade Fire as a band that I’d be continuing to be invested in as the years go by, but here I am talking about their third fantastic album in a row. Here’s hoping to many more.

4. The Walkmen – Lisbon

I feel like the time of year may have inflated the position of this album, as Lisbon has been the perfect “winter album” for me so far. But either way, this is an album that has turned me into a Walkmen fan, and has reminded me again that an unpolished, minimalist approach to rock n’ roll isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Also, I have a hard time not loving an album that has something as morose and beautiful as “Stranded” as well as something as rip-roaringly awesome as “Angela Surf City”.

3. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening  

LCD Soundsystem, I hardly knew yee. Just as I’m starting to get in to this band, James Murphy decides this’ll be his last album under the LCD moniker. I’d probably be unhappy with this if it wasn’t for the fact that this album might be about as high a note as one could hope to go out on. It’s a great culmination of the charmingly immature dance jams that marked the earlier LCD records, along with the more introspective tendencies that have marked Murphy’s more recent songs. Having your cake and eating it too, now that’s a way to go out.

2. The National – High Violet  

It’s easy to harp on a band that puts out three albums in a row that essentially have the same sonic approach to them. It’s much harder to harp on a band that puts out a trilogy of albums that are as hauntingly beautiful, intricately executed, and weirdly relatable as Alligator, Boxer, and High Violet. However, this doesn’t feel like a band merely rehashing their signature sound, but getting a better feel for it, and finding all sorts of different textures and nuances that can be applied to it. Whether they decide to stay the course with this sound or tear it down, I’m certain whatever they do next will be something to look forward to.

1. Titus Andronicus – The Monitor  

It’s not often that a band you’ve never heard of comes out of no where and knocks you on your ass. It’s even less often that it’s done with a garage/punk album filled with anthems about the New Jersey suburbs crossed with the Civil War, but that’s what The Monitor did for me. I wouldn’t say it’s a perfect album by any measure. Much like the war it was inspired by, it’s an epic, meandering, and bloody mess, but it’s a beautiful mess that had me truly engaged in it every time I listened to it. 2010 was a year in which a lot of my favorite albums tended to be generally larger in scope, but really nothing matched the ragged majesty or firey intensity of The Monitor.

John’s Top Ten Albums of 2010

Another year, another top ten list. Out of the 24 albums I heard this year, I discovered a barrel full of albums I liked, but not very many that I loved. Though there’s still a lot out there that I’m yet to check out, most notably the latest from Arcade Fire who I’ll give a chance someday and I’m sure there’s others. Anyhow, it was still a good year for me and music in general, so here’s my final ten in all it’s glory.

10. Matt & Kim – Sidewalks

Though the songs aren’t quite as memorable or the catchy as the tunes on the joyous Grand, key and drum duo Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino have really stepped up their game in the studio. Almost every track on Sidewalks sounds as big as the New York borough they hail from. I just wish there were more individual tracks that stood out but what it lacks in catchy singles it makes up for in grooves which will keep you movin’ all day long.

9. The Drums – The Drums

From the moment I heard “Let’s Go Surfing” I was excited for this indie debut and for the most part it was worth the wait. I think it’s the approach more than anything that excites me here. Surf music with an 80s touch? Or is it 80s music with a Surf music touch? All I know is I’m digging the synths and dueling guitars with more beach twang than you could wave a board at. These guys have really established an attractive sound without being derivative and punched out some poppy tunes along the way.

8. Neil Young – Le Noise

Initially this wasn’t even going to crack my top ten, but somehow it became implanted into my brain like a distorted rock n’ roll tumor. Now that’s a true testament to Neil’s presence, songwriting, and guitar playing as Le Noise is no more than Neil, a guitar, and the light touch of producer Daniel “Le Noise” Lanois. That’s all it is… And it hella rocks! Still I can only imagine how much more it could of rocked with ya know, like drums and bass. Though that doesn’t change the fact that these are great songs and Neil hasn’t lost any of his edge, it’s only evolved into Old Man angst.

7. The National – High Violet

It’s been a gradual process, but I’ve finally come to appreciate the sleepy allure of The National. Seriously that guy really needs to get some sleep, but I suppose that’s what makes The National well, The National. It’s meaningful and emotional music with a kind of sophistication that remarkably feels genuine. You could go on with all that kind of over analysis, but really it’s just music that feels vey honest and soulful and I find that very appealing.

6. Happy Birthday – Happy Birthday

The fact that I even found about this band is pure luck. I was just randomly flipping through radio stations one day when somehow, I stumbled across the delightfully catchy “Girls FM”. I don’t remember what station it was and haven’t heard it on the radio since, so if it wasn’t for that moment I may have never found about this punchy pop/punk trio. The album is essentially a blender of melodic pop and whiny garage rock, but it grows on you and I’m really glad I discovered this little rock nugget.

5. Spoon – Transference

Seeing that it would be darn near impossible to replicate the awesomeness of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Spoon returns to more familiar territory with Transference. Meaning it’s more of Spoon’s trademark, unconventional rock approached in the most basic way possible and I’m always down for that. Not to mention the sheer rawness accompanied by the presence of Britt Daniels (One of my favorite vocalists in modern rock) always gives me chills. If You’re not much of a Spoon fan this probably wont win you over, but it you are pump it up.

4. The Black Keys – Brothers

What a year for The Black Keys with the release of their most successful and arguably best album yet. I feel like I can’t even flip on the TV without seeing one of their bluesy tunes in some kind of commercial (Usually ones about trucks). The sound is bigger, the riffs are infectious, and these new tunes just might be their best yet. It rocks, it’s funky, it’s bluesy and it’s full on primal emotion. I think it helped that they expanded their sound beyond just drum and guitar and I pray they continue this approach. I wish I could make it higher but my final three is in my eyes, too damn solid.

3. LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening

What I love about James Murphy, is it’s like he’s a rock and roller working in the Electronic medium, resulting in Electro/Pop that sounds like no other. From the slow, building, synth of the eight minute “Dance Yrself Clean” I was hooked and here I am as someone who usually doesn’t care for long songs. Whether it’s a 3 minute or 10 minute song, James Murphy always finds ways to keep it fresh and exciting, it’s too bad I didn’t give him a listen until so late in the game.

2. Vampire Weekend – Contra

I didn’t know how this preppy pop group would be able follow up their smash debut, but by golly, they found away. So here we have it, another worldly rock record that even treads electronic waters and stays afloat. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the absolute, best followup anyone could of asked for and from here on, I think we can look forward to many, many, years of this group producing great music.

1. MGMT – Congratulations

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood albums of the year. I mean critics liked it well enough, but there seemed to be an outcry from listeners that felt alienated. As for me, I get it, and I love it. Such a bold and daring move for a still relatively new band, I applaud the experiment, but really it’s the quality of the music that makes it such a proud achievement. I think I described it in my original review as, “Like if The Flaming Lips and The Beach Boys had an orgy.” A statement that I still wholeheartedly stand by. Like a psychedelic surfs up across unknown rock waters, or whatever the hell that means, Congratulations is a delightful enigma. Perhaps the fact that this album is so hard to describe maybe one the reasons I love it so.

Honorable Mention

She & Him – Volume 2: There are some great old school pop tracks on this second collaboration between actress/musician Zooey Deschanel and musican/producer M. Ward. It almost has a similar sway to the songs of Roy Orbison, unfortunately it loses some pep as the album descends into sleepy ballads.

The New Pornographers – Together: This was originally my number ten until I realized I never actually listened to the whole thing. It’s good, but I kind of need to uh, listen to it first before I come to a conclusion.

R.I.P. Pete Postlethwaite


Pete Postlethwaite
1946-2011

This is so tragic considering the fact that Pete Postlethwaite was still working so steadily and he was only 64. I didn’t even know he had cancer, but sadly he succumbed to it on January 2nd. A highly skilled actor of both stage and screen, Pete Postlethwaite’s was a consummate pro no matter how big his role. With his cracked and wrinkled face, he was adept at playing villains or even emotionally distraught characters with the flick of a switch.

I’ll always remember him for what will probably go down as his best role, playing Daniel Day-Lewis’ father in the emotional drama In the Name of the Father. Though Postlethwaite was no stranger to other genres, other notable roles include; The Usual Suspects, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Amistad, The Constant Gardener, and most recently The Town and Inception. It kind of freaks me out that I just watched Inception and all Postlethwaite’s character does in it is die, that will always be chilling for me now.

Even in less than spectacular films like Alien 3 and The Clash of the Titans (2010, Postlethwaite was fun to watch, it didn’t matter what movie he was in, he always brought his best stuff and I will miss that.