Guest Blogger of the Day: BC

AAAD Reader Brad is joining us today with his reviews of the Top Ten Albums of The Year and later today, Gift Ideas for the Dudes. Brad, or BC, in his comments, is the husband of Allison of Blue Mutt and a great guy with great taste. Hope you enjoy his reviews!

Brad's Ten in 2010.
If 2009 was the year of the up and coming artist, 2010 was the year for that artist to tour. And while Dallas’ concert calendar filled up, the big releases this year came from the well established artists who sat out 2009 (and 2008, and 2007, etc) waiting to recuperate and strike again. Such is the case with Sufjan Stevens. His last major studio album came out almost 5 years ago, but his two (count them, two) releases this year seriously made up for a lack of recent presence. Going back to the electronic roots of his Enjoy Your Rabbit album from nearly a decade ago, he seems to have found a way to re-stoke his passion for making new music (plus his stage show was full of dancers, light shows, etc, so at least he’s having fun). Arcade Fire (everyone’s indie sweethearts) put out the most amazing stand-alone album of the year. I had the privilege of seeing their show in Lyon, France this year, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The Tallest Man on Earth rounds out the top 3, and, unlike his name suggests, he’s actually a smallish Swedish folk singer. However, as his name suggests, his vocals, songwriting, and overall onstage swagger (or hipster lack thereof) might just make him the tallest singular man on this list. Throw in a couple of noisy electronic outfits, an arrogant rap artist, math rockers, and some steady indie favorites, and welcome to my top 10 list.

I don’t know anything about music, but this is what I liked this year:



1. Sufjan Stevens – Age of Adz/All Delighted People EP

2. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs (This would be album of the year if Sufjan didn’t have 2 great submissions)

3. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt

4. Sleigh Bells – Treats

5. LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening

6. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

7. Fang Island - Fang Island

8. Wavves – King of the Beach

9. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

T10. Vampire Weekend – Contra
T10. The National – High Violet

Honorable Mentions:
· The Thermals – Personal Life

· Wolf Parade – Expo 86

· Hot Chip - One Life Stand

· MGMT – Congratulations

· No Age – Everything In Between

· Jonsi – Go

· Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs – God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise

Honorable Mention I Don’t Even Own (but I’ve listened to enough online):
· Yeasayer – Odd Blood

Completely self-indulgent? Of course. But I’m going to get out ahead of Pitchfork and AV Club.

Gotta say, some great stuff on there. Thanks, Brad! Let us know YOUR Top 10 in 2010.
Pia The Pig