Best Of 2010 Part 8

Mux Mool - "Skulltaste"

It's nice when local people make a big splash outside of the Twin Cities and it's something actually worth getting excited about. Hopefully the market for electronic music like this will broaden next year around here.

Young Jazz Rebels - "Slave Riot"

Yet another Madlib alias from within the Yesterday's Universe realm. Spaced out jazz.

Sade - "Soldier Of Love"

I wonder if she's just gonna keep making one great album every 10 years for the rest of her life now. At least she's never put out anything weak at all, but it'd be nice not to have to wait so long in bewteen albums.

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime - "SomeOthaShip"

Usually when people are dating each other and trying to collaborate on music as well, the music doesn't really turn out too great, but the past few years these two have been defying that completely. All of his last few albums have been produced by her and feature her on almost every song anyways, this one they just actually labelled it that way.

Devo - "Something For Everybody"

This is their best album since the mid 80's. A complete 180 from the horseshit they were doing in the 90's. As an experiment, they used market research to put this album together, letting fans vote which songs made the grade and what the song sequence should be. The end result is quite nice. Devo is back.

Freeway & Jake One - "The Stimulus Package"

This album surprised me because I don't really feel Freeway as an emcee, but Jake One is one helluva producer and I feel like he could make anyone sound dope at this point. Also, I feel Freeway really gave 110% on this album, like he had something to prove, and the effort shows.

Gonjasufi - "A Sufi & A Killer"

I had no fucking idea what to think about this album the first couple times I heard it. He's like the worst singer since Yoko Ono. Then all of a sudden this album just clicked for me one day. I mean, the production is undeniably dope, put together mostly by The Gaslamp Killer with a couple Flying Lotus tracks as well. Apparently this dude is a yoga instructor, and it kinda shows with his approach to singing, just blurting out what he feels at the moment, almost like skatting, but with actual words, and forming it out more like a chant or mantra, if that makes any sense. I guess you just gotta hear it. Preferably not sober.

Devin The Dude - "Suite #420

I'm starting to wonder if he's ever gonna fall off. He's just extremely good at what he does, which is just be himself over tight production. Lovin this one.

Reso - "Temjin"

This is probably better than last year's Heavy Arms EP he put out, although there isn't a super classic standout track on this one like Beasts In The Basement was from that one.

Eels - "Tomorrow Morning"

The final installment of his recent trilogy of albums. It's amazing how much good music this man has written in a relatively short amount of time.

Sleigh Bells - "Treats"

This albums' popularity thrills me because that means that there is hope for good pop music to be made. Most of the songs on this album make me feel so good and get stuck in my head for days. This was kinda the album that you couldn't escape this year, it was everywhere, but usually those kinda albums suck to me, this obviously doesn't at all seeing as it was one of my most listened to albums.

Laetitia Sadier - "The Trip"

She was obviously busy this year, putting out this solo offering and also a new Stereolab album as well. I unfortunately didn't get a chance to check that one out yet, but this solo album is stellar. A little more rock sounding than Stereolab.

Yelawolf - "Trunk Muzik"

This was the free mixtape version of this album. I know he released an official version of this on Interscope, but I haven't checked that version out yet to see what they changed and didn't change. The tracklistings are similar. I initially didn't like this dude's voice at all, and he was only OK at best when I saw him live at Soundset this year, but this album made me like him. He usually comes kinda rapid fire, like he would sound good on a song with Tech N9ne or Twista. At different times he reminds me of Andre 3000, Pimp C, Bizzy Bone and Eminem. A weird combo, I know. The beats on here bump like crazy.

Ceephax Acid Crew - "United Acid Emirates"

I didn't know he was Squarepusher's brother until recently, but it makes sense. They have the same weird warped sense of how to take shit beyond the next level.

Slum Village - "Villa Manifesto"

After 2 deaths in the group, the remaining guys still keep going, and why not? This album proves they still got it.

Odd Nosdam - "Vol. 9"

This album is too dope to be a free giveaway download, but yet it is.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - "The Wages"

"Everything's goin up but the wages"... If that isn't the motto for the current times, I don't know what is. I think this is the best thing he's done so far. It's a goddamn shame how much this dude is slept on, but he's still young, i'm sure he'll finally get his shine when he's all old and grey. Insane finger picking guitar skills. Look up some live clips on youtube or the video from this, Clap Your Hands.

John Legend & The Roots - "Wake Up"

I never really cared for John Legend, and The Roots have been subpar for a while now for the most part, but this collaborative effort of mostly soul covers is an engaging listen. I'd like The Roots to do more stuff like this.

The Sword - "Warp Riders"

Probably the best all around rock album this year to me and their best album so far.

El-P - "Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3"

Easy contender for album of the year. This was the album I always dreamed he would make, but didn't think he ever actually would. None of his jibber-jabbery rapping, just raw hard hitting beats. Even the slower songs on here still seem upbeat the way this was put together. This pretty much must be listened to as an album all the way through from beginning to end every time.

The Books - "The Way Out"

Another dope album of weird sound collages that become oddly compelling.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy & The Cairo Gang - "The Wonder Show Of The World"

I don't know who The Cairo Gang is, but this is business as usual for Will Oldham A.K.A. Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Lovely laid back mostly acoustical rock.

Best Of 2010 Part 7

F. Stokes - "Remnants Of A Broken Soul"

I saw this dude open up for Mac Lethal earlier this month and he put on a great show. He's from Chicago and kinda reminds me of Andre 3000 with a spoken word type twist. This dude has Lazerbeak from Doomtree make a lot of his beats, so we'll probably be seeing more of him here in the Twin Cities next year.

E-40 - "Revenue Retrievin: Day Shift"

E-40 put out 2 full lenths albums on the same day early this year, and i'll have to admit, there's really hardly any filler at all. He diversifies all the different elements of his style so well on these albums, there's probably a song for everyone on here. E-40 shows that he can hang with anyone in any style. It's too bad he didn't end up with a hit single off either of these, but apparently he's doing the same thing again in February 2011 and dropping 2 more albums.

E-40 - "Revenue Retrievin: Night Shift"

I think I like this one a little better out of the 2.

Reflection Eternal - "Revolutions Per Minute"

I wonder how Talib Kweli can be so weak in concert nowadays, and still be pumping out these dope releases. Does he just not try at all during his live shows? I had low expectations for this project, so maybe that's what made it all the more surprising how good it is. They must've wanted to make sure it was as good as the first Reflection Eternal album.

Mr. Oizo & Gaspard Auge - "Rubber EP"

Mr. Oizo teams up with half of Justice. This EP is sick. All 3 tracks are awesome as hell, and there's a killer Flying Lotus remix of the title track. Too bad the full length of this isn't nearly as good.

The Dead Weather - "Sea Of Cowards"

I wanted to hate this band so bad, but anything Jack White touches seems to gravitate towards me. I think this is even better than their first album. I don't want it to be over when it is. I'd like to hear more rock music like this coming out.

Tech N9ne - "Seepage EP"

He kinda snuck this one out towards the end of the year, showing a more emotional side. Dope as always.

Squarepusher - "Shobaleader One: d'Demonstrator"

Squarepusher's attempt at being in and writing music for a live band. This works out well, he mostly ditches his glitchyness, and the vocals are mostly vocoder style, and he rips it up on that bass guitar. The most accessible/sellable thing he's ever done without it sounding like a sellout move. I hope he does more music like this.

Krizz Kaliko - "Shock Treatment"

I don't like this as much as his first 2 albums, but this is still one of the year's strongest releases. Within the last 3 years he's become one of my favorite people in all of music. He can rap well, sing well, write well... The man just sounds good and makes quality music that's the opposite of boring- so quit sleepin on him already!

Das Racist - "Shut Up, Dude"

First of all it's pronounced DAS Racist- like "man, that's racist!", not DOS Racist like everybody keeps saying it like Das Efx or if they were from Germany or something. The mispronunciation always annoys me. Anyways, these guys came outta nowhere this year with some of the most fun music i've ever heard. Not malicious fun either, just nice drunken fun. Their style kinda reminds me of The Shapeshifters in a way, and half the time it sounds like they're freestyling, but they always make me laugh with their catchy goofy choruses and leftfield pop culture references. Look up the "Rainbow In The Dark" video on youtube.

Big Boi - "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty"

I think maybe this album has gotten more props than it deserves, but it's still tight as fuck. I'd love to hear the original version the way he wanted the world to hear it though. Fuck bullshit legal politics.

Das Racist - "Sit Down, Man"

This 2nd release by them is more flow oriented in terms of the rhymes, and they had the luxury of having Diplo put this together for them too. Maybe not quite as fun as Shut Up, Dude, but equally engaging for different reasons, and still super retarded fun (they do a weird cover of Return To Innocence as an example)

Best Of 2010 Part 6

Lorn - "Nothing Else"

This dude kinda sounds like Ratatat if they had any sort of ambition to be better than they are.

High Rankin - "Occupation: Pimp & Gambler EP"

Some nice dubstep inspired stuff.

Richard Cheese - "OK Bartender"

Another great album to add to his catalog. The Lady Gaga spoof on here is especially funny.

Skream - "Outside The Box"

Outside of a couple misguided attempts at pop hits, this album is super solid.

Trampled By Turtles - "Palomino"

I would say this is their most diverse and also my favorite album by them so far.

Mono/Poly - "Paramatma"

This guy came outta nowhere and made a bunch of my most listened to and most jocked songs this year. He uses a lot of awkward timing changes and makes it work. Reminds me of J Dilla and Flying Lotus, but has a style all his own.

Flying Lotus - "Pattern + Grid World"

I'm assuming this EP is the leftover stuff that didn't fit on Cosmogramma. This is right up my alley, an intense 20 minutes.

The Black Angels - "Phosphene Dream"

Maybe not quite as strong as the previous 2 albums by them, I still love their droney stoney style.

Savath & Savalas - "The Predicate (Dub Version)"

This is my favorite release he's put out under this moniker, easily. I like the direction he's headed.

Dimlite - "Prismic Tops"

New electronic act on Stones Throw. Pretty damn dope.

Neon Indian - "Psychic Chasms"

This was a blind download that I ended up buying because I enjoy it so much. One of my most listened to albums this year. I love the washed over sound of the production on this.

Hank Williams III - "Rebel Within"

I'd say this is his 3rd best album behind Straight To Hell and Lovesick Broke & Driftin.

Best Of 2010 Part 5

MC Chris - "MC Chris Goes To Hell"

MC Chris released 3 EP's last year. This takes some of those songs and re-records them. Some end up better, some end up worse. He also added quite a few never before heard songs as well, and of course continues on his ongoing saga he has with his skits on every album.

Madlib - "Medicine Show #2- Flight To Brazil"

At the beginning of the year Madlib set out to release a series of 12 albums, one every month. The odd numbered ones are to be original studio matierial and the even numbered ones were to be mixes culled from his vast record collection. He didn't quite come through on it. #9 never came out in September and #12 didn't come out this week either. Unfortunately I never bought #'s 10 or 11 yet either, but I will soon. Anyways, with that out of the way, this one is an all Brazil mix that's quite eclectic and shows the diversity of that country's music, all psychedelically woven together by Madlib.

Madlib - "Medicine Show #3- Beat Konducta In Africa"

Using all African records for samples, this album keeps sounding better everytime I listen to it.

Madlib - "Medicine Show #5- The History Of The Loop Digga"

This is supposedly a bunch of beats he made in the 90's that he remastered. Absolutely awesome.

Madlib - "Medicine Show #7- High Jazz"

Title is self explanitory. I don't know if he plays every instrument or has some session men, but it's so dope.

Madlib - "Medicine Show #8- Advanced Jazz"

An extremely eclectic mix.

The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble - "Miles Away"

In addition to the Medicine Show series, Madlib also produced a couple rap albums, and a couple jazz albums as well. This came out under one of his 8 billion aliases and is a tribute to Miles Davis.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "Mojo"

His best album since Wildflowers.

Blockhead - "The Music Scene"

Blockhead doesn't seem to have any interest in progressing his style at all, but if it ain't broke don't fix it, right? He definitely has a way with finding the right samples.

Tobacco - "Mystic Thickness"

This came free with a limited number of copies of Maniac Meat. Most people like me just had to download it. Just the leftover tracks from the Maniac Meat sessions, all killer, no filler. People wondering where the other songs from the DVD are from, look here.

James Pants- "New Tropical"

James Pants hasn't really picked a style yet. His first album was like bedroom synth stuff. His second album was uncategorizable as hell, with a bunch of songs about cults, and now this new EP is all electronic, clearly being catered for DJ's to drop in their sets. I can't wait to see what he does next.

jj - "no3"

Not quite as good as last year's no2, these guys still keep you guessing what style they'll pull off next.