Yes, it's that lovely time of year - no, not christmas - where everybody becomes a little sentimental towards the passing of another year, and decides to do lists of stuff for some reason. It's been a pretty damn good year for music, as with any other year if you look hard enough I guess. It's gone quickly though; somehow I'm already a third of the way through my degree, but it still feels like I'm just starting.
Anyways, enough bullshit. Here are my picks for the Top 50 albums of 2010.
27. Downfall of Gaia -
Epos
16. Ash Borer / Fell Voices -
Split
The lo-fi qualities are both good and bad in this album (which is probably why it has such a polarising effect), but when it all comes together, man, it really comes together.
Blah blah SNARE blah blah... fucking rules, get over it.
Textures, man, those dreamy textures.
Filthy death metal that is addictive, especially due to it's short length.
A return to form, adding yet another fantastic release to their discography.
While it doesn't top Microcastle, I never expected it to, and I am still suitably satisfied with what Cox and co. have come up with.
It's strongest point is also it's weakest; the short tracks make it very easy to digest, though I can't help but feel there should be more development in some of them. Then again, that would somewhat betray his style. Brilliant stuff regardless.
Honestly didn't see myself liking this all that much, though this proved to be a brutal death album that I thoroughly enjoyed... and is therefore in a very small group of albums.
Blah blah Bob Dylan blah blah...
So disgusting. So good.
After hearing the preview track "Eyesore", I was very excited to hear this, as it sounded like they had made a lot of progress since their self-titled debut. And no doubt, they delivered an album that surpassed my expectations.
After getting hooked by a couple of tracks initially, I just kept listening and it kept getting better. The Men utilise the good ol' "wall of sound" better than any punk band I have come across, though calling them just a punk band would be doing them a disservice. There is a lot going on here, but it all works very well - no meaningless experimentation.
This man is a genius. An album that you can lose yourself in.
The trilogy comes full circle, as Deathspell Omega refine their sound without sacrificing any of their ambition. Everything from their previous few releases has been condensed into one relentless monster of an album, and it may even be the best of the trilogy.
1. Dark Time Sunshine -
Vessel
Since April, this has stood atop and had barely any contest. Fantastic production is what really gives this the massive replay value, considering how incredible and different it is. Called it as aoty back in May, and I'm quite glad I feel the same way now. Fantastic album.
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