Rick Henry's Top 100 Albums of The Decade 2010 - 2019

Each year since 2011, I have published my list of Top 15 albums of the year. Therefore I felt it appropriate that I combine those years (plus 2010) to publish my Top 100 albums of the decade. Hope you enjoy my list.

Top 100 Albums of the Decade

2010-2019

100. "Storytone" by Neil Young (2014)
99. "Vulnicura" by Bjork (2015)
98. "Azul, Mis Dientes" by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2017)
97. "Surfing The Void" by Klaxons (2010)
96. "Le Noise" by Neil Young (2010)
95. "Violence" by Editors (2018)
94. "Lurid Glow" by Reptar (2015)
93. "I Learned The Hard Way" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (2010)
92. "Otra Cosa" by Julieta Venegas (2010)
91. "Saudade" by Theivery Corporation (2014)
90. "Fear Inoculum" by TOOL (2019)
89. "A Lovejoy" by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2016)
88. "Ninety Miles" by Stefon Harris with David Sanchez and Christian Scott (2011)
87. "Blunderbuss" by Jack White (2012)
86. "Hippopotamus" by Sparks (2017)
85. "Utopia" by Bjork (2017)
84. "Black & White America - Lenny Kravitz (2011)
83. "Sunken Condos" by Donald Fagen (2012)
82. "Sound and Fury by Sturgill Simpson (2019)
81. "Zoo" by Ceremony (2012)
80. "A World Of Masks" by Heliocentrics (2018)
79. "Gloss Drop" by Battles (2011)
78. "Mountain Moves" by Deerhoof (2017)
77. "My Way" by Willie Nelson (2018)
76. "To The Sea" by Jack Johnson (2010)
75. "Mojo" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (2010)
74. "Some Need It Lonely" by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2016)
73. "Little Broken Hearts" by Norah Jones (2012)
72. "Is This The Life We Really Want" by Roger Waters (2017)
71. "In The Spirit World Now" by Ceremony (2019)
70. "Odd Blood" by Yeasayer (2010)
69. "Nontourniquet" by The Mars Volta (2012)
68. "Small Car Big Wheels" by Enjoy (2018)
67. "Another Word For Joy" by Enjoy (2016)
66. "Radio Music Society" by Esperanza Spalding (2012)
65. "Woman Gives Birth To Tomato" by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2013)
64. "Concrete Jungle" by Blktop Project (2016)
63. "Memories" by Mind.In.A.Box (2015)
62. "Reveries" by Joe Henry (2011)
61. "Ride Me Back Home" by Willie Nelson (2019)
60. "Oklahoma" by Keb' Mo' (2019)

59. “The Reflection” by Keb’ Mo’ (2011)

58. “More Fast Songs About The Apocalypse” by Moby (2017)

57. “Boarding House Reach” by Jack White (2018)

56. “Thrum” by Joe Henry (2017)

55. “Roman Lips” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2016)

54. “Call It What It Is” by Ben Harper (2016)

53. “All The Light Above It Too” by Jack Johnson (2017)

52. “Western Stars” by Bruce Springsteen” (2019)

51. “Exposure” by Esperanza Spalding (2017)

50. “Standing In The Breach” by Jackson Browne (2014)

49. “Sad Clowns and Hillbillies” by John Mellencamp (2017)

48. “For The Good Times” by The Little Willies (2012)

47. “Tribute To Bobby” by Stephen Hobbs (2018)

46. “From The Deep” by Heliocentrics (2017)

45. “This Land” by Gary Clark Jr (2019)

44. “The Road From Memphis” by Booker T. Jones (2011)

43. “Algo Sucede” by Julieta Venegas (2015)

42. “Mantra Hiroshima” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2010)

41. “Lazeretto” by Jack White (2014)

40. “Africa Speaks” by Santana (2019)

39. “The Genius Of Eddie Jefferson” by Allan Harris (2018)

38. “Raise Vibration” by Lenny Kravitz (2018)

37. “These Systems Are Failing” by Moby (2016)

36. “Soul of A Woman” by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (2017)

35. “Black Star” by David Bowie (2016)

34. “Hypnotic Eye” by Tom Petty (2014)

33. “Someday World” by Brian Eno & Karl Hyde (2014)

32. “Black Sun” by Gold Fields (2013)

31. “Rammstein” by “Rammstein (2019)

30. “Last Man Standing” by Willie Nelson (2018)

29. “Umbrella Mistress” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2016)

28. “in.ter.a.lia” by At The Drive-In (2017)

27. “The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim” by Gary Clark, Jr. (2015)

26. “Sonic Creed” by Stefon Harris (2018)

25. “Harry Styles” by Harry Styles (2017)

24. “New Devices” by Roller Trio (2018)

23. “The Sea” by Corinne Bailey Rae (2010)

22. “Soldier Of Love” by Sade (2010)

21. “Un Corazon de Nadie” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2012)

20. “Rattle That Lock” by David Gilmour (2015)

19. “Sinatra & Jobim @ 50” by John Pizzarelli and Daniel Jobim (2017)

18. “The Music In My Head” by Michael Franks (2018)

17. “Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & John Frusciante” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & John

      Frusciante (2010)

16. “Twin Danger” by Twin Danger (2015)

15. “Yesterday I Had The Blues: The Songs of Billie Holiday” by Jose James (2015)

14. “Day Breaks” by Norah Jones (2016)

13. “The Endless River” by Pink Floyd (2014)

12. “Monolith of Phobos” by Claypool Lennon Delirium (2016)

11. “A Sailor’s Guide To Earth” by Sturgill Simpson (2017)

10. “The L-Shaped Man” by Ceremony (2015)

With this album Ceremony is as close to Joy Division as a band can get yet still maintaining their own unique sound and style

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00TL6QU5S/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

9. “Lean On Me” by Jose James (2018)

A fantastic R&B jazz filled tribute to the music of Bill Withers

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07F5CPBMM/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

8. “Corazones” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2016)

This is one of ORL’s most pop oriented efforts of his entire career. His voice is engaging, guitar work flawless and the songs are filled with catchy hooks

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01IQMMAQ0/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

7. “TajMo” by Keb’ Mo’ and Taj Mahal (2017)

R&B and blues from two legends of the genre

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B06XH1Q5K8/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

Grammy Winner

6. “The Heart Speaks In Whispers” by Corinne Bailey Rae (2016)

Sweet voiced Corinne Bailey Rae shines on what I call her best effort

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01C7PNOAS/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

5. “Foreverly” by Billie Joe + Norah (2013)

Norah Jones and Billie Joe Armstrong harmonize beautifully on this stirring tribute to the Everly Brothers’ 1958 “Songs Our Dady Taught Us”

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00G4EXNNM/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

4. “South Of Reality” by Claypool Lennon Delirium (2019)

Les Claypool (Primus) and Sean Ono Lennon team up to create an album that rivals the best of the best by the Beatles and for that matter Pink Floyd.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07JX4SG54/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

3. “12 Little Spells” by Esperanza Spalding (2018/2019)

Esperanza gets in touch with her inner soul on this album as she beautifully sings her experimental jazz songs and plays bass like no other woman in music

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07PBT5T2Y/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

Grammy Winner

2. “Birth Of A Ghost” by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2017)

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez steps out of his comfort zone and composes a classical album - and guess what he - succeeded way beyond expectation

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B071VT31MM/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

1. “Emily’s D+Evolution” by Esperanza Spalding (2016)

One word for this one: CLASSIC. Esperanza takes her jazz to a new level and adds some rock to it. Esperanza co-produced this album with David Bowie’s producer Tony Visconti.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B019PL3BYG/ref=nosim/populasongsmu-20

Top 10 Artists
2010 - 2019
10. Gary Clark, Jr.
9. Willie Nelson
8. Ceremony
7. Keb' Mo'
6. Corinne Bailey Rae
5. Jose James
4. Norah Jones
3. Claypool Lennon Delirium
2. Esperanza Spalding
1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Top Female Performers
5. Sharon Jones
4. Sade
3. Corinne Bailey Rae
2. Norah Jones
1. Esperanza Spalding

Top Male Performers
5. Gary Clark, Jr.
4. Willie Nelson
3. Keb' Mo'
2. Jose James
1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Breaking them down by genres

Top Jazz Performers
5. Michael Franks
4. Twin Danger
3. Stefon Harris
2. Jose James
1. Esperanza Spalding

Top Country Music Performer
5. Tim McGraw
4. The Little Willies
3. Billie + Norah
2. Sturgill Simpson
1. Willie Nelson

Top R&B/Soul Performers
5. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
4. Lenny Kravitz
3. Gary Clark, Jr.
2. Corinne Bailey Rae
1. Jose James

Top Soft Rock Performers
5. Julieta Venegas
4. Jack Johnson
3. Harry Styles
2. David Gilmour
1. Norah Jones

Top Hard Rock Performers
5. Rammstein
4. At The Drive-In
3. Jack White
2. Ceremony
1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Top Classic Rock Performers

5. David Bowie

4. David Gilmour

3. Pink Floyd

2. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

1. Claypool Lennon Delirium

Top Alt-Rock Performer
5. Moby
4. Jack White
3. Ceremony
2. Claypool Lennon Delirium
1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Top New Wave/Punk/Post-Punk Performers

5. Enjoy

4. Brian Eno / Karl Hyde

3. Gold Fields

2. Moby

1. Ceremony

Top Electronic/Electronica Performers
5. Gold Fields
4. Roller Trio
3. Pink Floyd
2. Moby
1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez


Top Americana Performers
5. M. Ward
4. Neil Young
3. John Mellencamp
2. Joe Henry
1. Keb' Mo'

Top Blues Performers
5. Taj Mahal / Ben Harper (tie)
4. Booker T. Jones
3. Jose James
2. Gary Clark, Jr.
1. Keb' Mo'

Top Latin Performers

5. David Sanchez

4. Daniel Jobim

3. Santana

2. Julieta Venegas

1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Thank you for checking out my blog... I hope you enjoyed this post. 

Please leave a comment!!! I'd love to hear from you!!!

Rock Music XXI: The Best Albums of 2019

It's the end of a decade and I am presenting my 9th annual "15 Favorite Albums" of the year. I started this in 2011 and have continued every year since. In the next month or so I will post my 15 or maybe 20 favorite albums of the decade 2010 - 2019.

As always my best of list contains a diverse variation of musical genres including jazz, blues, rock, electronic, experimental, country and Americana. 

Scroll to the end of this blog post to see the links to my "Best Albums" posts from 2011 to 2018.

15. "What A Wonderful Industry" by M. Ward

Link to "What A Wonderful Industry" (Click Here)

I have long been a fan of Ward's lofi Alt-Country, indie folk sound. "What A Wonderful Industry" finds Ward dipping more into alt-rock guitar with "Sit Around The House" and "Return To Neptune" and hints of surf guitar in "Shark" and "Motorcycle Ride."

"Miracle Man" by M. Ward (2019)

14. "Help Us Stranger" by The Raconteurs

Link to "Help Us Stranger" (Click Here)

One name stands out here and that is of course Jack White. He is the star of the band. His distinctive voice is prominent throughout the album as well as his recognizable guitar work. But let's be certain Raconteurs is not a one-person show. Brendan Benson's contribution to this spotless garage rock album is just as important as White's. Benson's co-wrote all the songs with White (with the exception of the Donovan song). However much of the album does move like a followup to Jack White's 2018 masterpiece "Boarding House Reach," especially in the White's use of electronics and synthesizers and Vance Powell's and Joshua V. Smith's work in engineering and mixing both albums. 

"Help Me Stranger" by Raconteurs (2019)

13. "Ride Me Back Home" by Willie Nelson

Link to "Ride Me Back Home" (Click Here)

Willie Nelson presents his special blend of jazz infused country music. 2019 finds Nelson in top form and sounds better than ever with a supporting band that suits his voice perfectly.

Willie treats us to his dry humor with "Seven Year Itch" while he and his sons Micah and Lukas join him on a great cover of Mac Davis.

"Seven Year Itch" by Willie Nelson (2019)

12. "Inoculum" by TOOL

Link to "Fear Inoculum" (Click Here)

It was a long 13 year wait for this fifth studio album from Tool. It was well worth the wait. This album contains all the elements with love about Tool. The depth of musicianship - which borders on ethereal, experimental, progressive and all out rocking, intense dark lyrics and the intricate guitar work.

"Fear Inoculum" by TOOL (2019)

11. "This Land" by Gary Clark Jr.

Link to "This Land" (Click Here)

What captured me regarding this album is Gary Clark Jr's fearless ability to speak up on what he believes and has experienced in his life. 

In the title track Clark clearly speaks out on racism in the United States as he poignantly sings, "This is where I come from. This land is mine." Clark continues this theme throughout the album calling out the plight of a government that works for some but not all. Thematically this is a tough album that is heavy with Clark's viewpoints shaped from his life experiences.

Beyond the lyrical themes of the album, the musicianship is tihht and Gary Clark Jr's guitar work once again proves he is amongst today's finest and most exciting guitarists.

One of the highlights of the album is the inclusion of Sheila E on drums. She plays on 6 of the 15 tracks. 

"This Land" by Gary Clark, Jr.

10. "Steamy!" by The Jukka Eskola Soul Trio 

Link to "Steamy!" (Click Here)

This was one of the most exciting albums of 2019. This Finnish trio delivers an eight cut explosion of soulful and progressive jazz numbers with a heavy influence of 1960’s and 70’s aesthetic that tilts on the experimental side on occasion.

"Hanky Panky" by The Jukka Eskola Soul Trio (2019)

#jukkaeskola #steamy! #exciting

9. "Africa Speaks" by Santana 

Link to "Africa Speaks" (Click Here)

Carlos Santana and his band have been on a roll for the past 20 years. In 1999 he made a huge come back with his classic album "Supernatural," which has sold more than 30 million copies around the world. "Africa Speaks" follows suit reaching #3 in the US and Top 20 throughout the world.

"Africa Speaks" incorporates tribal rhythms and African choral vocals. Spanish singer Buika provided the lead vocals and co-wrote all the songs. 

8. "Oklahoma" by Keb' Mo'

Link to "Oklahoma" (Click Here)

From the beginning of his career blues man Keb' Mo' has consistently released quality music filled with great vicals, guitars and insightful lyrics. "Oklahoma" follows that trend of great music. The album includes guest appearnces by Rosanne Cash and Taj Mahal. Mo' touches on his views on immigration and other current day political issues. (Take a good close look at the album cover - Keb included many of the things that are important to him)

"Oklahoma" by Keb' Mo' (2019)

7. "A Tuba To Cuba" by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Link to "A Tuba To Cuba" (Click Here)

"A Tuba To Cuba" is the soundtrack from the documentary of the same name. The film follows the Preservation Jazz Hall Band's leader Ben Jaffe as he worked to retrace the connection of New Orleans jazz to indigenous Cuban music, which was a dream of his late father, Preservation Hall founder Allan Jaffe. 
  
“A Tuba To Cuba” is the identity of great jazz music in the modern age.

"Keep Your Head Up" by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (2019)

6. "Sound & Fury" by Sturgill Simpson

Link to "Sound and Fury" (Click Here)

Country music rebel, Sturgill Simpson, shook off his cowboy hat and country twang in favor of an edgy alt-rock essence with crisp guitar chords, sharp drum rhytms and synth vibes. Simpson has produced another winnig album.

Link to “Sound & Fury” by Sturgill Simpson: 

The album was released along with an original Netflix dystopian anime film titled "Sturgill Simpson Presents Sound and Fury," written and produced by Simpson with Japanese director Junpei Mizusaki of the animation studio Kamikaze.

"Sing Along" by Sturgill Simpson (2019)

5. "Drift Series 1 Sampler" by Underworld

Link to "Drift Series 1 Sampler Edition" (Click Here)

This release is a sampler of a much larger work spanning 6 unique discs recorded and originally released in 2018 and 2019. 

Each track is beautifully produced with a discernible intention toward the arrangement of electronic layers to establish powerful, thematic settings.

Each song is layered with danceable beats, ambient moods and creative artistry designed to pull the listener in to listen to this entire sampler from start to finish.

Just as compelling as the music are the music videos. Each music video contains images that thrill as well as tell a story of each song.

"Listen To Their No" by Underworld (2019)

4. "Rammstein" by Rammstein

Link to "Rammstein" (2019)

Fans waited ten long years for this album. Are we disappointed? Not in the least. They're back with hard rock guitars, grinding industrial synths and pounding drums. Let's hope the next one doesn't take 10 years.

"Radio" by Rammstein (2019)

#rammstein

3. "Plastic Anniversary" by Matmos

Link to “Plastic Anniversary” (Click Here)

This gets the tags of most original and most creative album of 2019. 

The interesting fact of this album is the that all the sound originates from plastic objects. The album is intended to explore our relationship to plastic and how its qualities of "durability, portability, and longevity" are both useful for humans and harmful to the environment.

The plastic objects used as instruments include vinyl fragments, exercise ball, ATM card, DNA kit, pelican cases, plastic containers, billiard balls, bakelite dominoes, salad bowl, plastic flutes, PVC panflute, poker chips, riot shield, nurdles, toilet brushes, PVC pipes, LEGO bricks, whistles, plastic gloves, packing tape, plastic emergency stretcher and various plastic objects. The most interesting object is a silicone gel breast implant used in the song, "Silicone Gel Implant."

The songs are all mixed and augmented with synthesized sounds and electronic sequencing and sampling.. 

The album is playful and experimentally poppy while conveying a very serious message on the darker implications of ignoring the havoc we are imposing on the earth all for the sake of convenience.

"Silicone Gel Implant" by Matmos (2019)

#mostoriginal #most creative #original #creative #matmos

2. "South of Reality" by The Claypool Lennon Delirium

Link to "South Of Reality" (Click Here)

There's a lot of connections here which make this album appealing to a wide range of people. There are connections to the Beatles, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Primus, Les Claypool, Cake and to a lesser degree Pink Floyd. Beyond these stellar connections it is the music first and foremost that propels this unit.

Sean Lennon and Les Claypool teamed again for their second album and gifted us with an album that far surpasses their debut album. That was a tall order to fill as their first album was above and beyond exceptional. 

Sean Ono Lennon's influence is quite a bit more prevalent on this album which gives it more of a Beatlesque feel than their debut. Both Sean Lennon and Les Claypool produced the album, wrote all the songs and played several of the instruments.

The album makes good use of humor - not so much in a silly manner - but in a dark and dry manner. But to be certain they also touch on some important topics such as the levels of mercury found in fish and in the oceans of the world which makes its way into the stomachs and bodies of human beings. I will be so bold as to call this album a work of genius. 

Those that have asked, "is possible for the offspring of a Beatle to produce an album as good as a Beatles album?" My answer is yes and Sean Lennon (with Les Claypool) has succeeded in accomplishing this.

"Love and Rockets/Saga of Jack/Too The Moon" by Claypool Lennon Delirium (2019)

1. "12 Little Spells" by Esperanza Spalding

Link to “12 Little Spells” (Click Here)

This is the second time Esperanza Spalding has topped my Favorite Albums list. Her first list topper was 2016's "Emily's D+Evolution." She also made my list in 2012 with "Radio Music Society." 

“12 Little Spells” finds Spalding conjuring in the medium of musical creation, through an exploration of the body, human energy and healing. 

Esperanza does not write pop songs… so this is not for the one that wants pop hooks and catchy melodies. Esperanza is an artist of the utmost sense of experimentalism and eclecticism. She is not like anybody else out there. She records albums, not individual songs looking for that hit single. Her goal is to express her inner soul and create a work of art instead of a work of commercialism – I respect her for that. Now to be certain with the vocal ability Esperanza possesses and the musical talent with which she is gifted, she has the ability to produce the most polished pop music out there and make hits – but that is not who she is. She is an artist – not a product.

With this album, Esperanza calls her songs spells instead of songs. I am guessing because there’s a magical quality to each and every one of them. Each song (‘er spell) is about a body part.

 "Thing" by Esperanza Spalding (2019)

Worthy Mentions

These are the ones that did not make the Top 15 but are worth mentioning
"She Remembers Everything" by Rosanne Cash
"Look Alive" by Guster
"What's My Name" by Ringo Starr
"Rewind, Repeat, Rebound" by Volbeat
"Phase" by Jessy Wilson

Links to previous "Best Albums" posts:

2011: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2011/12/rock-albums-post-x-15-favorite-albums.html 

2012: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2012/12/rock-albums-post-xii-favorite-albums-of.html

2013: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2013/12/rock-albums-xiii-favorite-albums-2013.html

2014: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2014/12/rock-albums-xiv-my-favorite-albums-of.html

2015: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2015/12/rock-albums-post-xv-top-15-albums-of.html

2016: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2016/12/rock-albums-post-xvi-top-15-albums-of.html

2017: https://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2017/12/rock-albums-post-xix-best-albums-of-2017.html

2018: https://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2018/12/rock-albums-xx-best-albums-of-2018.html

Thank you for visiting! :)

Rock Albums Post X: 15 Favorite Albums of 2011

The following are the 16 album I enjoyed the most throughout 2011, these are the one's that kept me listening.

Yep, this post is titled the Top 15, but I added an extra album after originally posting this.

- Randall Webb

16. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ 

 Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin'

Genre: R&B
Favorite Tracks: Heart Attack, Stone Rollin’, Day Dreams

Trivia: Saadiq spent approximately one year recording this album, including writing the music and lyrics. On the majority of the songs Saadiq played most of the instruments, including bass, keyboard, guitar, Mellotron, percussion, and drums. He also produced the album.

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15. Joe Henry  - Reverie 

 Joe Henry - Reverie

Genre: Alt-Folk, Acoustic

Favorite Tracks: Heaven’s Escape, Sticks and Stones, Deathbed Versions

Trivia: The bulk of this album was recorded in 3 days in Joe’s basement studio. In the mix the listener can hear bird chirping to the music through the open windows in the basement. Joe describes this album as a “raw and raucous and messy affair”.

 

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14. The Cars  - Move Like This

 The Cars - Move Like This

Genre: Alt-Rock

Favorite Tracks: Blue Tip, Sad Song, Free

Trivia: “Move Like This” is the Cars 7^th studio album and their first release since 1987’s “Door To Door”.

 

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13. Deerhoof – Deerhoof vs. Evil

 Deerhoof - Deerhoof vs. Evil

Genre: Art Rock, Indie Rock, Noise Rock

Favorite Tracks: Behold A marvel In The Darkness, The Merry Barracks, Super Duper Rescue Heads, Must Fight Current

Trivia: This album was part of a project called “Global Album Leak” in which 12 blogs from the internet premiered a song from the album one week at a time. The first song to be premiered was “The Merry Barracks” on October 8, 2010 on the U.S. website Pitchfork.

 

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12. Battles – Gloss Drop

 Battles - Gloss Drop

Genre: Experimental, math rock, post-rock, new prog

Favorite Tracks: Africastle, Inchworm, Wall Street, My Machines (featuring Gary Numan)

Trivia: Midway through the recording of the album band member Tyondi Braxton left the band to pursue a solo career. The remaining band continued as a trio and rewrote and rerecorded the entire album with in 4 months. Considering the band’s relative obscurity the album was a moderate success reaching #48 in the UK, #73 in Belgium and #98 in the U.S.

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11. Paul Simon – So Beautiful or So What

 Paul Simon - So Beautiful Or So What

Genre: Classic Pop, World Music, Folk

Favorite Tracks: Dazzling Blue, Rewrite, So Beautiful or So What

Trivia: This is Simon’s first album in 5 years and his most successful since 1991’s “The Rhythm Of The Saints”. Simon released a Christmas song from the album called "Getting Ready for Christmas Day", which premiered on National Public Radio on November 16, 2010. The song samples a 1941 sermon by the Rev. J.M. Gates, also entitled "Getting Ready for Christmas Day". Simon performed the song live on The Colbert Report on December 16, 2010.

10. Neil Young – Le Noise

 Neil Young - Le Noise

Genre: Folk rock, experimental, garage rock

Favorite Tracks: Walk With Me, Love and War, Peaceful Valley Boulevard

Trivia: Okay so this one was released at the end of September 2010, but I didn’t buy it until the beginning of 2011. Neil Young received his second Grammy Award for the song “Angry World” which won for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance. Producer Daniel Lanois (who has also worked with U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Emmylou Harris, Brain Eno and many others) brought a fantastically layered sonic soundscape to Neil Young. Thus moving Young’s sound into a new and uncharted territory. Young has always been one to experiment with new and unique sounds.

9. She Wants Revenge – Valleyheart

 She Wants Revenge - Valleyheart

Genre: Alt-Rock, Modern Rock, Post-Punk Revival

Favorite Tracks: Up In Flames, Reasons, Little Star

Trivia: A product of Los Angeles, California “Valleyheart” is a concept album of sorts following the trials and tribulations of life in the San Fernando Valley.

8. Stefon Harris, David Sanchez and 

Christian Scott – Ninety Miles

 Stefon Harris, David Sanchez, Christian Scott - Ninety Miles

Genre: Jazz

Favorite Tracks: City Sunrise, The Forgotten One, Black Action Figure

Trivia: “Ninety Miles” was recording entirely in Havana, Cuba. The result is a breaking of cultural barriers by bringing together musicians from varying cultures. The album’s producer, John Burk says, "This record is about the power of music to communicate, and break down some of the barriers that result from language and politics and culture."

7. Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials

 Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

Genre: Indie Rock, Art rock, Baroque Pop

Favorite Tracks: What The Water Gave Me, Breaking Down, Lover To Lover

Trivia: Florence has stated that much of “Ceremonials” is based on scientific ideas, as several of her family members are doctors or are in school to become doctors so she is usually around a lot of medical and scientific conversations.

6. My Morning Jacket – Circuital

 My Morning Jacket - Circuital

Genre: Indie, Space Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Favorite Tracks: Victory Dance, Circuital, Outta My System, First Light, You Wanna Freak Out

Trivia: The song “Wonderful” was original written by My Morning Jacket founder Jim James (aka Yim Yames) for the Muppets rock band Doctor Teeth and Electric Mayhem. The song was to be performed live on stage by My Morning Jacket and the Muppets. “Outta My System” and the former song were both to be performed in the Muppets tour, which was being planned and produced by Disney.  Jim James commented that twice Muppet glory was with in his grasp but eluded him both times. Shortly after the release of “Circuital” MMJ recorded the Muppets song “Our World” for the Muppets tribute album called “The Green Album”. “Circuital” has been nominated for the Best Alternative Rock Album Grammy Award of 2011.

5. Keb’ Mo' – The Reflection

 Keb' Mo' - The Reflection

Genre: R&B, Jazz, Adult Pop, Urban Soul

Favorite Tracks: The Whole Enchilada, Inside Out, Crush On You (w/ India.Aire), Just Lookin’

Trivia: “The Reflection” is the first album released by Keb’ Mo” (a former A&M staff songwriter) on his own Yolabelle International label. He also self produced the album.

4. Bjork – Biophilia

 Bjork - Biophilia

Genre: Electronic, Experimental, avante-gard

Favorite Tracks: Moon, Crystalline, Dark Matter, Mutual Core

Trivia: “Biophilia” is an experiment of sound. How the sounds blend together, how they bounce off the walls and between objects. It’s an experiment in physics similar to how planets and microscopic organisms work together. It’s an experiment of sound without humans. The album has made it into the Top 20 in more than 20 different countries around the world including Taiwan, Russia, Greece, Spain, Japan and Croatia.

3. Booker T. Jones – The Road From Memphis

Booker T. Jones - The Road From Memphis

Genre: Blues, R&B

Favorite Tracks: Progress (with Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket), Down In Memphis, Everything Is Everything, Representing Memphis (with Sharon Jones), Harlem House, The Bronx (with Lou Reed)

Trivia: “The Road From Memphis” works as a who’s who of music for Booker T. Jones. Musicians include Dennis Coffey on wah wah guitar. Coffey is best known for the 1971 instrumental hit “Scorpio) which reached #6 in the U.S. and was certified Gold for sales of more than one million. Also on the album are current day  soul/funk singer Sharon Jones, My Morning Jacket’s frontman Yim Yames (Jim James), the jazz-rap outfit The Roots and even Lou Reed (Velvet Underground) guests on vocals for the song “The Bronx”.

2. Adele - 21

Adele - 21

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Genre: Pop, Soul, Indie, Roots

Favorite Tracks: Rolling In The Deep, Rumor Has It, Set Fire To The Rain, He Won’t Go

Trivia: “21” has spent 13 weeks at #1 on the U.S. Billboard chart and has also reached #1 in 24 other countries around the world. As of December 2011 “21” has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. Adele’s bus driver who was playing contemporary Nashville music while she was touring the American South inspired the sound of this album.

1. Gang Of Four – Content

 Gang Of Four - Content

Genre: Post-Punk, Rock, Punk-Funk

Favorite Tracks: She Said You Made A Thing Of Me, I Party All The Time, A Fruitfly In The Beehive, Do As I Say

Trivia: With “Content”, Gang Of Four recaptures their youthful rebellious values and energy. Several of the albums songs touch on the economic hardships our world faces. 

--> GO4 takes a jab at capitalism, in the song “I Party All The Time”, citing its lack of compassion. Many of the album’s tunes touch on the band’s notions of value and freedom.

2011 was a good year! 

Looking forward to an even better 2012!