Sac's Best Albums of 2010

[Saccopoo]

Album of the Year:

Jamey Johnson – “The Guitar Song”

- A 25 song, double “concept” album that is, in both quality and depth, epic. Invoking the simplicity and hard, realistic edge of Waylon Jennings at his best, Johnson manages to keep the listener’s attention throughout and by the time everything is said and done, one wonders where the time went and is left wanting for more. Simply amazing.



Best Rock Album:

The National – “High Violet”
- I really couldn’t decide until the last minute if this was better than Johnson’s album. Then I couldn’t decide if this was better than The National’s 2007 release “The Boxer.” Ultimately, Johnson won out for my Album of the Year, but this was a gnat’s hair behind it. Deep, somber, and introspective, High Violet digs deep at the listeners darkest emotions and one is left with regret as well as satisfaction in it’s wake.



Best Metal Album:

Agalloch – “Marrow of the Spirit”
- I have to admit that I don’t listen to this genre as much as I should. However, after listening to the Marrow of the Spirit for about the tenth time, I’m thinking that either this was an epiphany level moment or I’m due for a really good shamanistic soul cleansing. Hell, maybe this album just did that for me. It’s brooding, deep, demanding and, ultimately, extremely satisfying.

[Saccopoo]

Best Blues Album:

Eric Bibb – “Booker’s Guitar”
- Perhaps this is starting to look thematic. Every album on here requires thought and introspection. Bibb’s brilliant album is no exception. Demanding and ultimately satisfying, a bit of gospel, psychedelica, country, folk, rock and throw in whatever you want, and then top it off with some kick ass Delta Blues guitar work…this is a phenomenal effort.



Best Jazz Album:

Bigmouth – “Deluxe”
- Like the massive Detroit steel wheels of years gone by, Bigmouth (led by virtuoso bassist Chris Lightcap) drives down the interstate just cruising, occasionally putting the proverbial petal to the metal just to see how it feels. Double and triple saxophones weave in and out of a tempest bass line like a carefree but confident driver behind the wheel of a days gone by, overpowered, sexy, monstrous hunk of rubber, metal and soul.



Best Country Album:

Johnny Cash – “American VI: Ain’t No Grave”
- The last of the Cash American recordings by Rick Rubin, this is heartfelt, dire and, at times, tear jerking ****ing sad. Cash goes out like he came in – minimalistic, true to himself and understanding the hard life that finally decided to kick his ass. I’m shedding a tear writing this as I listening to the album. Brilliant in, brilliant out. The man talked the talk and he most definitely walked the walk.

[Saccopoo]

Best Hip-Hop/Rap Album:

Dessa – “A Badly Broken Code”
- There is so much shit going on here that I really don’t know what to compliment. Musically, lyrically, creativitically (? – **** it, I’m an English major and I can invent words if I want – I got a license to do so), this is a great album and I appreciate it’s existence just so I don’t have to say that Kanye West has…nevermind. I’m just glad Dessa laid this one down and put it out in 2010.



Best Live Album:

The White Stripes – “Under the Great White Northern Lights”
- One can smile sardonically listening to this album. The apathetic pill of indifference swallowed by Jack and the understanding pill of acquiescence swallowed by Meg are aurally highlighted in each song. The guitars soar, the keyboards ring, and yet, the drums continue unabashed by the grandiose cacophony surrounding them. The perfect picture of a brilliant band on the verge and why.



Best Top-40 Pop Album:

Robyn – “Body Talk”
- A decade and a half ago, a little Swedish princess let go a pop tart of a single “Show Me Love.” Now, she’s showing the world that she’s actually got a lot of talent and is better a MILF than teen heartthrob. The indie’s love it, the Euro’s love it, it’s a pretty freaking good disc top to bottom.

[Saccopoo]

Best Christmas Album:

Jill Phillips & Andy Gullahorn – “Christmas”
- When someone can make “Baby It’s Cold Outside” non-cheesy, it’s like walking down the street with your best girl instead of a date rape tune, it’s a winner.




Worst Album of the Year:

Brokencyde – “Will Never Die”
- Holy shit. Just when I thought that last years “Worst Album of the Year” couldn’t get any worse, the same ****ing band comes out with something that is utterly ****ing worse. Whoever gave these stupid ****s a musical contract (and I’m not blaming these talentless dick suckers ‘cause if someone offered me a contract to suck really ****ing bad, I’d take it), they should be burned alive.

[Reaper16]

Good ****ing list, Sacc. Rep.

Five of your selections (Agalloch, Dessa, Robyn, Cash, The National) also made my top 30 favorite albums list.

[MoreLemonPledge]

High Violet was my album of the year.

[patteeu]

I don't have an album of the year, but I appreciate you guys who go to the trouble to post yours. I'm anxious to check out that Jamey Johnson album, among others here.

[BigMeatballDave]

Yikes. Robyn hasnt aged well. She was cute 14 yrs ago.

[Saccopoo]

The albums were tough this year with a few exceptions. The songs are even worse. I'm trying to come up with a "Best 10 Songs of 2010" that encompasses all genres and it's brutal. It's Mid-March 2011 and I can't narrow it down...