Top Ten 2010 Dan Larry Lee Mike Jack Norm Shaun Randy Randy Parfitt Well at long last here’s a list of what I consider the best of the bunch for 2010. As usual all disclaimers, exceptions, lack of accountability and coherency apply. 2010 was different. I grew concerned early in the year as I began eyeing new releases and noticed that what I was considering had the AARP seal of approval. So a conscious effort was made to find out what life is like for those that consider U2 ancient. Many of these excursions led to titles not destined for a top 10, but nevertheless, brought smiles and hope to this cynic. 1. Gaslight Anthem: American Slang Yes, they're from Jersey. Yes, there's a Springsteen influence as well as the Clash, etc. So. What you really have is a blistering Rock 'n Roll band, with guitars that will pierce your spine, drums that will move your feet and songs that will stay in your head. This band is lean, tight, and the light at the front of the train. 2. Arcade Fire: Suburbs To be fair Arcade Fire has a legitimate claim to the top spot. They've matured into a powerhouse of a band, building upon their already acclaimed past, incorporating elements of 80's rock and creating a cohesive and dynamic presence. They're everything one hopes for as critical indie favorites evolve into a major act. What separates them from is Gaslight Anthem is hunger, and sometimes that display of passion is what gets you to the top. 3. Josh Ritter: So Runs the World Away No better twist of the lyrical tongue is to be found beyond Josh Ritter. A master songwriter, Ritter's bright blaze marries his words to refined melodies, reaches back into the folklore of Stagger Lee & Delia (Folk Bloodbath), nods to the influence of Paul Simon (Lark), yet never sounds nostalgic. 4. Jesse Malin: Love It to Life Malin has found a band of compatriots that are capable of pushing him into overdrive. There’s a passion found in his storytelling that has moved beyond the clichés that’s threatened his previous work. This band hits hard and close. 5. Broken Bells: Broken Bells Broken Bells is a warm afternoon hour spent on green hillsides watching breezes blow puffs of clouds. The production talents of Dangermouse are in full display on this swirling disc of pop songs written in collaboration with the Shins' James Mercer. The depth of the music continues to unfold after repeated listenings and is a great way to unwind when your day is more darkly clouded. 6. Junip: Fields Hypnotic and totally mesmerizing. Never finding a need to shout, Sweden's Junip rewards repeated listening by continuing to unfold the layers of the songs revealing depth in what on the surface seems simple. Fields draws you in again and again. 7. Jackie Greene: Till the Light Comes Consider this a part of a trio of related releases with Ritter’s and Malin’s. There’s a sense of classicism to be found in this work as it relates to rock structure, but as with the others the songwriting and craftsmanship set them apart. There’s an ease in moving from the rhythmic rockers to the complex storytelling of the folk artist. Greene continues to grow. 8. Surfer Blood: Astro Coast There's been a lot of hype about the re-emergence of surf music this year. While critics rush to categorize music to demonstrate their musical prowness, it unfortunately ends up dissing what a band has to offer by missing the other 90%. Anyone expecting the Beach Boys is going to be sorely disappointed. There is a movement afoot, but the pieces and parts run the gamit from surf to psych; as much Yo La Tenga as the Chantays' Pipeline. This is a band to watch. 9. Tame Impala: Innerspeaker Something’s happening here but you don’t know what it is… Like Surfer Blood in being lumped into a media movement, Tame Impala is a throwback to the psychedelic 60’s, an amped up swirling frenzy, haunted by Lennon’s ghost. Like the best of the past, it’s secrets continue to unfold through repeated listening. 10. Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More I can't help but imagine a young Rod Stewart fronting this ensemble, pints flowing freely` and a good time being had by all. However while I may envision wistful memories, Mumford and Sons serve up powerful notice that there is a lively contingent of new English folk music being created. Interspersed with the expected ballads is the not so expected whallop of a strong backbeat hurdling the band headlong through 2010. Honorable Mention: Black Keys: Brothers – Evolution of the blues and r&b overseen by Junior Kimbrough Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti: I don’t know what the hell this is, but I keep listening to it. Out of the bizarreness of it all pop nuggets explode through the mud. Band name of the year. Tunes heard over the wall of Shady Oaks retirement village. 1. Brian Wilson: Reimagines Gershwin – When you think about it, what took so long. It’s a perfect pairing, melody after melody. 2. Tom Jones: Praise and Blame – No I’m not crazy, this is great. Had Jones taken this path, his career would be evaluated in an entirely new light. This year’s Johnny Cash American Recordings series winner. Reissues 1. Bruce Springsteen – Promise This is a no brainer. I started drooling over the CD/DVD set the first I became aware of it and put my order in before it was released. Everything you could hope for and the way a reissue should be put together (ignoring the cost). Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is why I’ve been bitching about his last couple of releases. 2. Rolling Stones – Exile on Mainstreet Any other year this is on top. One of the greatest of all Rock ‘n Roll records, remastered and bonus material. There was a time. 3. Jimi Hendrix – Valley of Neptune. Okay I’m a sucker for any reasonable Hendrix release and this exceeds that. West Coast Seattle Boy is just going to have to wait.

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