2010 Top Picks

1. Jonsi- Go
It's been along time I believe since I have become as obsessed with an album as I did this year when Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi but out his sophmore album (technically if you consider Jonsi and Alex's Riceboy as his first as most do). If I could choose one word to describe the album, it would be fantastical. The lush melodies and harmonies, Jonsi's falseto voice soaring and wavering, the organic feel of the instruments and the synthesizers, this is chamber pop at it's grandest. I have listened to this album hundreds and hundreds of times and feel I will never tire of it. Nothing short of amazing, definite top pick of the year easy.

2. Caribou- Swim
The new Caribou album came this year, and with it came high expectations for another marvelous piece of electro pop genius much in the same vein as Daniel Snaith's Polaris winning Andorra. Swim, did not disappoint in the least. From beginning to end the album ebbs and flows with electro and synth buzz, and sing-songy harmonies that tied the perfect thirty five minutes together into a piece of aural heaven. One of Canada's finest musicians and one of the best listens of the year.

3. Diamond Rings- Special Affections
I've been a fan of Ontario indie rockers the D'urbervilles for a couple years now and always look forward to hearing new tunes from them, but when I found out that singer John O'Regan was giving his solo project a push I figured I would give it a listen. I am most certainly glad that I did and I'm sure that at some point most of you have already caught the dance synth pop wonder that is Diamond Rings. This album became an instant hit in my iTunes after only one listen, as the beats hooked me in, but the baritoned glam voice of O'Regan which contrasts quite nicely with the music became a highlight. I love my synth pop and welcomed the voice as well as the lyrics instantly hooked me. An up and comer that you really can't afford to miss out on.

4. Gaslight Anthem- American Slang
Over the last number of years Gaslight have become a band that I grow to love more and more as the days and months pass by. When they announced they were working on a new disc I was a little skeptical as I loved 59 Sound and still listen to it with as much passion as the first time I heard it a couple years ago. Well they put out American Slang, and it was everything I had loved about Gaslight and even more. The band truly is starting to feel more and more like their own now, and really growing into their own sound and not strictly a band ripping off Springsteen. Their love for motown and old soul really stands out on this album, and the greatest difference is definitely in the backing harmonies on most of the tracks, making the band sound even more full. This album is phenomenal and if you dig rock and or roll music, definitely get into this disc.

5. Joanna Newsom- Have One On Me
Ms. Newsom is someone that I have loved for years now, and some have often questioned that love as for some it's very hard to get around her very distinct vocal style. I've always loved it and embraced her quirkiness and her lyrics (Peach Plum Pear being an all time favorite song, hands down) but it was with this triple album that I grew to love Ms. Newsom even more. The songs all vary quite differently and her vocals seem to be a little toned down, which is good or band I suppose depending who you are. If nothing else it makes this album or at least singles from it more accessible to people not so familiar with her work. It's a very lengthy disc, but put it in while travelling, or sitting at home on a rainy day and let it soak in and you won't regret it. A risky offering, but a success in my books.

6. Provincial Archives- Maybe We Could Be Holy
Edmonton Prairie Boys first album Nameless Places easily became one of my all time favorite albums put out by a local artist, or a Canadian artist, or possibly ever. I loved everything about that album, from Craig Schrams lyrics and vulnerable voice, to the bluegrass and folk sounds of the music they created. When they had said they were working on new tunes and a new album I was very much excited for what to expect, and they took what worked for them with their first album and took it up a notch. Experimentation with an even larger assortment of instruments as well as some electro programming and beats slid in here and there make for the best album to listen to while driving across the prairies, or out by Surrey if you live on the west coast as that's where all the farms are.

7. Mass Choir- Live My Life on the Backbeat
A surprise album from another group of friends, I had heard that they were working on something new but wasn't sure what to expect. Once I had heard that an influence was old KLF then I knew that I was going to be in for a treat, and this album doesn't disappoint in the least. Fueled by early 90's dance and techno music this is a phenomenal dance rock disc that is perfect for partying and as well one that translates fantastically in their live show. The male/female harmonies work quite well throughout the album and are always a treat and the beats are nonstop. This is a must own party disc, fistpumps are also mandatory.

8. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross- The Social Network OST
At first I thought that a movie about the creation of facebook would be kind of boring and not super interesting. Then I found out that Jesse Eisenberg was involved, and as he has grown into one of my favorite new actors, adding him with David Fincher directing I was getting sold on the movie. Then I found out that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross would be doing the soundtrack for the movie, and that got me all kinds of excited. I haven't been so obsessed with a soundtrack or score since Mogwai and Kronos Quartet joined forces for the Fountain, and it's that same kind of obsession that has made me listen to this album more than most others since it came out in the summer time. Reznors moody tones, stripped down piano work, and glitchy reworking of Hall of the Mountain King suited the movie fantastically but as well is perfect for wandering around the city or heading home from work.

9. Sleigh Bells- Treats
One of my new favorite subgenres or whatever you want to call labels for styles of music is definitely noise-pop. Over the last couple years I've become a fan of lots of artists I never thought I would have, like No Age, Abe Vigoda, Wavves, and other artists that combine noisy sampling and sounds overlapped with warped but still lush harmonies and poppy melodies. Sleigh Bells took all of that one step farther with glitchy noisy beats and guitar riffing, but phenomenal female vocals overtop and sampled and mixed over. An album a couple years ago I probably would have hated, became another obsession this year, and as well, 'Slay' provide one of the most hypnotic and groove charged live shows I've seen in a long time. Another new up and coming band that you should keep an eye on.

10. Daniel Moir- Road
Daniel has become one of my favorite peoples and musicians in Edmonton over the last number of years, and once he started to play some new songs in his set I was excited for this disc to come out. Over the past few years of seeing him perform he just keeps getting better and better and an even greater songwriter, and this definitely shows on this album. An even greater range of subject matter is tackled in his lyrics, as well his arrangements and guitar playing are topnotch. This kid is great and keeps getting better as the years go by, I expect nothing short of fantastic things from this fine lad from Edmonton, someone to keep your eyes on for sure.