#top10albums

[weekendwarriorblog]

ED’s Top 10 (or so) Albums of 2020

I would like to dedicate this year’s Top 10 list to Tim Burgess and his amazing #TimsTwitterListening Parties (aka TTLP), which had me eagerly listening to new music and classic favorites on almost a daily basis throughout the pandemic. Those sessions surely have led to a few odder choices and surprises on my list than previous years. In fact, I don’t think a single artist on this list has ever made it into my Top 10 list in previous years, although to be honest, in the past, this list has only been an addition to my Top 25 movie list, and not something I’ve put nearly as much time or focus into.

Anyway, let’s get to the list.

10. Paul McCartney  - McCartney III 

Having been released just before Christmas, you can’t have a much more late entry than the latest solo record from Mr. Paul McCartney, the third record in which he played all the instruments himself. It’s another great example of how artists/musicians/songwriters were able to use the pandemic creatively and constructively. There are some great songs on here, including some highly experimental tunes, but appearing on #TimsTwitterListeningParty sent me down the deep well of his amazing previous work, which I remember absolutely adoring from when I was a young lad in the ‘70s.

Standout Track(s): “Deep Deep Feeling” “Seize the Day”

https://open.spotify.com/album/1P7h3400RJA3YZm8Va2884?si=bOeYLZe6TzCQfYSQDPr2Vw

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_590.html

Everyone beyond this point should be proud that their records ranked higher than this rock music legend...

9. Slow Readers Club - 91 Days in Isolation/The Joy of the Return

If there’s one band that clearly defined my 2020, it’s this post-punk-ish band from Manchester that just really blew me away not just by the fact they made three great albums before the two released in 2020, but even more shockingly, that they have never played a gig in the United States or in New York City! Definitely have to change that as soon as possible! Fortunately, I was able to catch a number of their livestreams this year, some recorded from previous years, and a couple done live as a band that has to be considered not only of the hardest working bands but also one of the most attuned to their fanbase.

Standout Track(s): “The Wait” “Last Summer”

https://open.spotify.com/album/5mGjQoTtQY16FCSleB3fpU

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_30.html

https://open.spotify.com/album/3AghJLF4yVqdau5NpQYQYg?si=rlclqEucR9mgm-ghr_IC7g

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_503.html

And now... for a string of women to counterbalance the lads...

8. Throwing Muses - Sun Racket

It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to Ms. Kristin Hersh and her band, although I did see them a few times in the ‘80s/90s.  Thanks to the TTLP, I was able to relisten to one of the band’s earlier records which reignited my passion, and as luck would have it, Throwing Muses released a new record this year, one that’s much darker and heavier. I also learned that Hersh had created a similarly heavy almost metal side-project called 50FootWave, which is equally awesome. Definitely gonna be on the lookout to see them again down the road.

Standout Track(s): “Dark Blue”

https://open.spotify.com/album/6CAe3KknCE98ny4ufsACKT?si=gyWevKobSWC3jeoQm4ywlg

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_417.html

7. Kylie Minogue - Disco

Hopefully, this will be the biggest shocker in this list, because it’s certainly my biggest surprise. If you had told ‘90s ED that a record by Kylie Minogue landed higher than one by Throwing Muses, he would have through you were absolutely nuts. I’m not sure I would even have listened to it if Ms. Minogue hadn’t made a guest appearance on TTLP, but I soon learned why Ms. Minogue’s work is so infectious, and honestly, in 2020, even if I didn’t actually get up and dance to the record— you’re welcome, downstairs neighbors— I was always dancing inside… and that’s something we all truly needed this year.

Standout Track(s): “Last Chance” “Where Does the DJ Go?”

https://open.spotify.com/album/7EBIA9cqbuqkyWfp3UCitD?si=bIzG51FRR8W6OK2SC6oy6g

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_525.html

6. Emmy the Great - April/月音

I was only really aware of Emmy the Great from her work with Tim Wheeler, lead of my favorite band Ash, but I hadn’t really kept track of her career or checked out her solo records.  If Disco is the record that makes me happy with its joyous danceability, then Emmy the Great’s Autumn is one that does similarly with its mellow tunefulness that I found so relaxing and comforting. Plus her lyrics are pretty amazing.

Standout Track(s): “Writer” “Dandelions/Liminal” “A Window/O’Keefe”

https://open.spotify.com/album/4UKkCTAvqBAWVBnakgxmo2?si=nRvbuOqhRiGRM7nQtrQf8A

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_536.html

5. Nadine Shah - Kitchen Sink

Yet another terrific UK artist that I discovered through #TimsTwitterListeningParty, first with one of her earlier records and then through her latest— noticing as trend here? Dark and mysterious with a mix of genres and arrangements and instrumentation that puts her in league with an artist like PJ Harvey, Ms. Shaw is an artist who has already found huge acclaim in the UK and I’m sure the rest of the world will soon follow.

Standout Track(s): “Ladies for Babies (Goats for Love)” “Trad”

https://open.spotify.com/album/0Your9tq4Z8voUjLG9pubz?si=z2-Ff0k0SXeAymHLzdPm5g

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_279.html

4. Sofie - Cult Survivor

And then we have this record, the debut by a singer/musician that should not be confused with that OTHER “Sophie.” This record is almost as enigmatic as the artist herself, but it runs the gamut from David Lynch’s classic work with Julee Cruise and the ephemeral Cocteau Twins to low-fi dance music with a melancholy countered by beautiful tunefulness and true passion.

Standout Track(s): “Hollywood Walk of Fame” “Happen 2 B There”

https://open.spotify.com/album/50B74mMTKzwo8jaKLOR9Su?si=NRZW-96qRdmEKBo-eAIXug

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_285.html

3. The Lottery Winners - The Lottery Winners

Another Manchester band that I only discovered since fans of the Slow Readers Club share a love for this far poppier British export, also from Manchester. This was another record that I could throw on any time during the pandemic and it really gave me joy and got me motivated. Yes, it’s unapologetically the kind of pop/rock the UK was delivering on a weekly basis, but every song is almost perfect pop with amazing production. I’m sure they’re gonna be huge in the U.S. as soon as they come over here… hopefully bringing the Slow Readers Club with them!

Standout Track(s): “The Meaning of Life” “Little Things” “I Know” “21” “I Don’t Love You” 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1VPGAdyPZWykKN5hnEoV8T?si=sNvJ6uRpQAeldFtatH_oAQ

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_517.html

2. Badly Drawn Boy - Banana Skin Shoes

It’s been 20 years since Badly Drawn Boy’s brilliant debut ”The Hour of Bewilderbeast,” and while I’ve mostly kept track of Mr. Gough through his soundtrack contributions, I was blown away by his 2020 offering, which was such a nice bookend to his beloved first record with a number of truly great songs. (Sadly, this record still hasn’t gotten a #TimsTwitterListeningParty, but considering who else made this list, you should trust me that this record is indeed one of his best!)

Standout Track(s): “I Need to Someone to Trust”“Is This a Dream?” ”I Just Want to Wish You Happiness”

https://open.spotify.com/album/1cAXo6rl91xweqLM9M54KP?si=WITCPmbEQaqFWtCnL4pypA

TTLP Replay: NONE!!! A TRAVESTY!!!

1. Rufus Wainwright - Unfollow the Rules

Of course, I’ve known about singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright for decades. I probably even had more than a few friends who were true fans, although none of them ever told me, “Hey, Ed, you should listen to this guy”…so I didn’t. Like most of the others on this list, Mr. Wainwright did a Tim’s Twitter Listening Party for one of his earlier records that immediately sold me, so when his latest came out in August, I was ready to give  it a try. It became a record that probably became the most symbolic for my pandemic, as I would return to it again and again to discover all its treasures.

Standout Track(s): “Angels and Devils””Damsel in Distress” “Peaceful Afternoon”

https://open.spotify.com/album/07XUVGf2M6rXVsbdNqogTk?si=DCRc3nhAQTq8yv9EKIf9tg

TTLP Replay: https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/pages/replay/feed_314.html

Honorable Mentions:

Holy Fuck - Deleter Everything Everything - Re-Animator  Thurston Moore - By the Fire Nada Surf - Never Not Together Sparks - A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip Working Men’s Club - Working Men’s Club Guided by Voices - All Three 2020 Albums! 

[abritonthinice]

Top ten vinyl albums - day 3. Loud guitars, political rants, v tongue in cheek and occasional swearing - the perfect band for a teenager to fall in love with and the first alternative music album I owned. It was also the first band I every saw live! #CarterUSM #JimBob #FruitBat #30Something #Top10albums https://www.instagram.com/p/B44ggNfg6dI/?igshid=1p54xzbs0s2v3

[taylorswift-lullabies]

TOP🔟 ALBUMS ON 🌍 ITUNES ✌🏻

@taylorswift ‘LOVER’ stands #1️⃣

[mgonya]

12/16/2021 Best albums of the year are here! 1. “Hey What” Low 2. “Valentine” Snail Mail 3. “Candy Racer” Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 4. “Jubilee” Japanese Breakfast 5. “Drunk Tank Pink” shame 6. “Shade” Grouper 7. “Glow On” Turnstile 8. “Cavalcade” black midi 9. “Comfort To Me” Amyl and the Sniffers 10. “Space 1.8” Nala Sinephro 11. “Black to the Future” Sons of Kemet 12. “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” Halsey #albums #top10albums #bestof2021 #bestalbumsof2021 #music #albumsoftheyear #topalbums2021 #topalbums https://www.instagram.com/p/CXj1lqmrR8j/?utm_medium=tumblr

[brucemate]

In no particular order, ten of my all-time favourite albums, and/or albums that made a significant impact on me when I first discovered them. One a day for ten days, I’m supposed to nominate someone else to do the same but can’t be bothered. Go ahead and nominate yourself if you like. Day 1: Sin After Sin by Judas Priest. I sought this album out because I thought Slayer’s cover of Dissident Aggressor was awesome, when I heard this I realised JP’s was even better! This is. Great introductory album to JP and even classic Heavy Metal in general, so if you haven’t already do yourself a favour and check t out! #judaspriest #sinaftersin #top10albums #nowspinning #vinyl #records #wax #analogue #vintage #vinylcollector #heapsdeece #fuckyeah #impenetrablycool

[altoecko]

5th album out of my #top10albums is not my favorite #kendricklamar album but it is the one that I cut my teeth on. I heard about this album thanks to my friend @djankz in a music sharing thread on #rpgmaker fansite. This album has such an incredible songs and my love of poetry comes through in my appreciation of this album. @barragoonofficial Nearly halfway done! #bitchdontkillmyvibe https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhlWeWHbqjZj-X8lzC2aqO7O14SxfjDfb #goodkidmaadcity #rap #vinyl #vinylgram #vinylrecords #licoricepizza #instavinyl #bonnaroo #2012 #the2010s #2010s #swimmingpoolfullofliquor #interscoperecords #universalrecords #moneytrees #favorites #best #top10 (at Peachtree Corners, Georgia)

[baugosse]

Top 10 albums That inspired me #top10 #top10albums #djmehdi #drdre #chronic #113 @rimkofficiel @drdre @mokobe113 @ap_113 #pinkfloyd #thestoryofespion #rohff #cross @etjusticepourtous #daftpunk #discovery #thewall #thriller #michaeljackson #lesprincesdelaville #randomaccessmemories #ram #albumcovers #inspiration #lavieavantlamort #dredre #thechronic2001 #musicalbums https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0gw3znR0x/?igshid=nseq7k29j03a

[allthatyouseeandhear]

I don’t know when I’ll finish my Top 10 of 2019, but here are my Top 10 of the decade 2010-2019. • 1. Total Control - Typical System 2. Clinic - Free Reign II 3. Liars - Mess 4. Thee Oh Sees - Carrion Crawler / The Dream EP 5. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma 6. White Fence - For the Recently Found Innocent 7. Ty Segall - Manipulator 8. John Maus - We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves 9. Sunken Foal - Friday Syndrome Vol. 2 (all 3 tbh) 10. Viet Cong - Viet Cong (aka Preoccupations) • #totalcontrol #clinicband #liarsliarsliars #theeohsees #flyinglotus #whitefence #tysegall #johnmaus #sunkenfoal #vietcong #preoccupations #top10albums #bestofdecade #top10 #topten https://www.instagram.com/p/B6uKalwpHEl/?igshid=4euh5px44byq

[changterhune]

Top 10 albums, Christmas Eve edition. This is another one I bought at Johnny’s because I couldn’t find Vienna. At first it mystified me because it was not the Vienna sound of @midge_ure ‘a tenure but something else; a hybrid of punk and other elements. It took a while but eventually I grew to love this album. Now it’s a summer necessity. But good all year round. One night after a gig I heard some guy blaring it out of an old station wagon and it took me 20 years back when I’d do the same thing. Good times. Merry Christmas! #top10albums #toptenalbums #isthisevenon #ultravox #midgeure #johnfoxx https://www.instagram.com/p/B6dh_OAgEND/?igshid=1rdxc5itcxpbn

[reflektormag]

Top 5 albums released in September

Editors’ Picks

There were a lot of new releases, we picked the best. 

Wolf Alice, Visions of a Life

The English indie rock band Wolf Alice released their sophomore album this month. In 2015 the band released their debut album ‘My Love is Cool’ and it was a huge success. The new record features 12 tracks.

Foo Fighters, Concrete and Gold

The Foo Fighters released their 9th studio album this month. Their hit sing from this albums are ‘The Sky is a Neighborhood’ and ‘Run’. The band is currently touring click here for details.

Alvvays, Antisocialites

The Canadian indie pop group released their long-awaited sophomore album this month and its a dream.

The National, Sleep Well Beast

The National released their seventh studio album titled 'Sleep Well Beast.’ It has been well received thus far from critics across the board as some are already deeming it “Album of the Year.” - Kendall Wright (read the full review here)

LCD Soundsystem, American Dream

The Brooklyn band came back strong with this 10 track masterpiece. It's the groups' 1st album since their 2010 release ‘This is Happening’. The most listened to song on this record is ‘oh baby’

[sk1design]

SK1 2018 Top 10 Albums here goes… At the top for me was one* of the best NYC commuter records ever made; Parquet Courts - Wide Awake! Maybe an unlikely choice for the top spot but whatever; It’s an smart, fun album filled with punchy tracks, clever wordplay and given the given the current political climate it’s exactly what I (everyone) needed... I also really enjoyed the come back efforts from Father John Misty and Cloud Nothings. Jeff Tweedy put out his best solo record and Kids See Ghosts was born. In the streaming age there’s no time for bloat which is why I love what Earl Sweatshirt and Ghost brought to the party. A late bloomer for me was the dynamic and calculated sprawler “Foxing” record. My #10 is reserved for Ty Segall (not pictured) put out multiple records this year. The new covers record Fudge Sandwich was a really sticky collections of reworks. Lastly, Mac Miller’s Swimming record is not getting the love it deserves because he left us with an absolute gem. Maybe because it’s more of an RnB record than a hip hop record but these songs are great. RIP Mac you’ll be missed. #Top10albums #Top10 #ParquetCourts #WideAwake #FatherJohnMisty #EarlSweatshirt #KidsSeeGhosts #JeffTweedy #CourtneyBarnett #Foxing #TySegall https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRwM8IAd6N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d7kzuqn0v3en

[kizaba]

Abonnez vous

#achete #vante #afrobeats #afroelectro #electromusic #Worldmusic #arts #art #love #lovemusic #Festival #festival #festivals #album #bestsmusic #beats

[musicalhabits]

stand out 2021 releases

Monologue. - Ol’ Burger Beats

to hell with it - PinkPantress

The Hunger - Marcus Whale

Impression - Bugseed

Folding My Hands, Accepting Defeat - Least

Palmscapes - Hotel Pools

Deadpan Love - Cautious Clay

Smoke Sessions 3 - Lord Apex

Play With The Changes - Rochelle Jordan

New Wave or Surf Wave - Messer Chups

Endless Arcade - Teenage Fanclub

SKY ON FIRE - mehro

Dialoge - Ol’ Burger Beats & Vuyo

Warmth - Juuku

Joshua Bassett - Joshua Bassett

Echo - Indigo Sparks

Collapsed In Sunbeams - Arlo Parks

[easyplateauproductions]

For your consideration and criticism, my top 15-ish albums of the year, ranked. Swipe to get to number 1. Excellent year for music - this was tough to whittle down. #bestof2018 #bestalbumsof2018 #top10albums #albumsoftheyear https://www.instagram.com/p/BsEX3Bel445/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vw3ugdypah4o

[jonsidwell]

Top 10 Albums 2018

1. Rolo Tomassi - ‘Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It’

2. Black Peaks - ‘All That Divides’

3. Young Fathers - ‘Cocoa Sugar’

4. Turnstile - ‘Time & Space’

5. Svalbard - ‘It’s Hard To Have Hope’

6. J.Cole - ‘KOD’

7. George FitzGerald - ‘All That Must Be’

8. Portrayal Of Guilt - ‘Let Pain Be Your Guide’

9. Rival Consoles - ‘Persona’

10. Jon Hopkins - ‘Singularity’

[crlcrrll]

Big Love to my guy @femdotdotcom and all the artists out there making waves in there cities and communities very proud of what this guys been doing congrats my G. ✊ @chicagotribune 🙏 #Top10Albums #Chicago https://www.instagram.com/p/Brim8TtFqwL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18gssvadxq8um