Arcade Fire are probably the definition of indie rock. Since their tremendous debut, Funeral, Arcade Fire has been pushing the limits of indie rock in ways that weren't ever thought of. Their boundaries were pushed even farther on their third effort The Suburbs in more diverse sections of punk anthems ("Month of May"), chamber pop ("Rococo"), and of course traditional Arcade Fire drastic anthems ("The Suburbs"). It's all there.
Key Tracks: "The Suburbs", "Ready To Start", "City With No Children"
19. Emeralds - Does It Look Like I'm Here? [Editions Mego]
The electronica trio of Emeralds produces one of the most delicate-while-abrasive electronic albums of 2010. Textures of abrasive electronic loops with delicate acoustic instruments layered perfectly underneath all the chaos of the electronic noises. It is one of those albums you sit around in a pitch black room with a view of the stars and just think about life.
Key Tracks: "Candy Shoppe", "The Cycle of Abuse", "Now You See Me"
18. Wavves - King of the Beach [Fat Possum]
On the San Diego boys third LP, Wavves favors a more clean production as opposed to their past efforts. Though the lyricism isn't anything brilliant, the story telling is pure gold that is just hilarious and brings a smile to your face. "Post Acid" is obviously a reminisince of an acid trip and "Green Eyes" is about a girl lead singer Nathan Williams would run away with and desert his bros. It's a quick and easy listen and it will bring you to memories of the summer.
Key Tracks: "Green Eyes", "King of the Beach", "Post Acid"
17. Male Bonding - Nothing Hurts [Sub Pop]
This debut from noise rockers Male Bonding doesn't bull at any point in the LP. It's straight to the point-noise-rock. The immediate guitar jangles from "Year's Not Long" to the hazy "Franklin" its a fast paced album. Male Bonding get the job done in under 30 minutes with tremendous energy that is one of those albums you listen to while very angry and wanting to get things off your mind.
Key Tracks: "Year's Not Long", "Franklin", "Your Contact"
16. Menomena - Mines [Barsuk/City Slang]
Menomena create a very simple yet effect fourth effort that doesn't exactly pop out on the first spin, but will truly grow on you with more listens. You can tell that Menomena has their heart set into their music with the moans of "go home" on "Dirty Cartoons". One thing that Menomena does very effectively is build up into something interesting and keep your attention towards long enough to really appreciate what is going on.
Key Tracks: "Dirty Cartoons", "Tithe", "TAOS"
15. Foals - Total Life Forever [Transgression]
Total Life Forever is a surprisingly groovy LP that really flows very nicely. It is definitely a step up from their debut Antidotes, with a more centralized sound that has a heavy dancey feel with very exceptional instrumentation.
Key Tracks: "Total Life Forever", "Black Gold", "Miami"
14. Interpol - Interpol [Matador/Soft Limit]
Though not as engaging as Turn On the Bright Lights, Interpol's self-titled delivers a very emotional and dramatic approach to their sound. The sound is definite from the chorus of "I have succeeded" on the album opener to the mystic synths on "Safe Without". Though no track is as emotionally engaging as "Lights", with the build up of guitar into an explosion of sound.
Key Tracks: "Lights", "Barricade", "Safe Without"
13. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt [Dead Oceans]
The Wild Hunt is purely a man and a guitar. The Tallest Man On Earth or Kristian Matsson creates a heart-filled, rustic pure folk album. You can't go through listening to this album without straightly thinking of Bob Dylan, but Kristian is different, he puts himself completely out there. The Wild Hunt is a great album to listen to while your just driving near the countryside hence the album cover which transcends the perfect mood of what Matsson creates in his music.
Key Tracks: "King of Spain", "The Wild Hunt", "Kids On the Run"
12. Spoon - Transference [Merge]
Spoon has always been about being simple. On their latest seventh effort, Transference, Spoon expands their sound into the reaches of more diverse instruments. It is a very easy and solid listen that will get just about anyone into their simplistic music.
Key Tracks: "Mystery Zone", "Got Nuffin'", "Before Destruction"
11. Matthew Dear - Black City [Ghostly International]
Matthew Dear creates one of the most dark and yet irresistibly dancey albums of the year on Black City. The "black city" that Dear creates through his transgression of lyrics and dripping beats is just a sleek one that reminds you of the film Dark City. "Gem" is full of soul and "You Put a Smell On Me" just reeks of insomnia and tension that is being flooded out into this "black city". Definitely one of the hardest and complicated albums of 2010.
Key Tracks: "Gem", "You Put a Smell On Me", "Slowdance"
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