#1 - Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
I probably listened to this album the most out of everything that came out last year, therefore, it's my number one record of the year! And his show in Vancouver was really, really good too!
#2 - Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - Break Up
This one shocked me! I loved it the first time through and it is not what I expected. This will still be listenable in 20 years and is full of great songs and fantastic production.
#3 - Charlotte Hatherley - New Worlds
Her debut is still my favorite, but she keeps delivering that XTC tinged angular pop that really gets me. A fantastic songwriter and guitar hero, Chaz has not gotten her due yet.
#4 - Brakes - Touchdown
Everything the Electric Soft Parade do is a touchdown, so that covers 50% of the magic here.
#5 - Franz Ferdinand - Tonight/Blood
Franz proved that they still got it goin' on. And anyone that puts out a dub version of the album as well deserves to be in the top 10 just for that reason alone!
#6 - Florence And The Machine - Lungs
This is just a great record. Surprised me really. And there's a Longpigs connection.
#7 - The Horrors - Primary Colours
Like Kings Of Leon, didn't really care for the first record, but the second perked up my ears and thought, this band is getting better! The Kings 3rd release was an all time masterpiece, so I'm lookin' out for The Horrors. They were good live too.
#8 - Metric - Fantasies
Metric lost me for awhile there, but this is another record that I thought every track was very good. Plus, I'm Canadian!
#9 - Depeche Mode - Sounds Of The Universe
The Mode make it on to the chart simply because I liked them when they came out, and I still like em' now! They can still make a great album and Fragile Tension was one of my fave tracks of the year.
#10 - Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years
The Furries get in cause even though this wasn't their best record, they remain one of the best bands on the planet. Some great songs here plus, their artwork remains truly original and beautiful.
Honorable Mentions: Singles & Albums
The Warlocks - The Mirror Explodes
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Ian Brown - Stellify
Pearl Jam - The Fixer
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
The Futureheads - Struck Dumb
Peter, Bjorn, And John - Lay It Down
Single Of The Year:
Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
Top 10 Grab Bag of album tracks and rarities here!
Best Gigs Of The Year:
#1 - DEVO - Seattle
#2 - Glasvegas - Vancouver
#3 - Julian Casablancas - Vancouver
#4 - The Kills - Vancouver
#5 - SexyBooks - Vancouver
Fast Forward: Let's hope the new decade will bring a fresh tatse to all of our ears. That Spoon album better be good, know what I mean? Have a great year!
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