IT'S THAT TIME of the year again. At the end of yet another December we ask hundreds of individuals involved in Portland's robust music scene—from bands, to labels, to bookers, to record labels, and plenty more—to name their top five albums of the year. Some approach this task with an infinite level of precision and dedication, weighing the attributes of a year's worth of recordings, while others just send us an ironic list with Crash Test Dummies' God Shuffled His Feet on it.
It's not a surprise that My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy—Kanye West's overly ambitious ode to ego, pussy, and Bon Iver samples—found itself atop the list, but that album was surpassed (barely) by Beach House's dreamy masterwork Teen Dream. Rounding out the top three was Laura Veirs' gorgeous July Flame, the finest recording you will ever hear named for a variety of peach. That album in particular is noteworthy since it still resonated with listeners 11 months after its January release.
As always, we don't have nearly enough space to publish every respective list here, but you can view them online at portlandmercury.com. It's there that you can also find the most important list of all—your own. Feel free to add your very own top five list and weigh in on the year in music.
Ryan Sollee (The Builders and the Butchers)1. Nick JainaâA Bird in the Opera House
2. LoversâDark Light
3. Run on SentenceâYou, the Darkness, and Me
4. Peter Wolf CrierâInter-Be
5. Pancake BreakfastâDrawn from the Latest Surveys
Cool Nutz
1. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. E-40âRevenue Retrievinâ: Day Shift & Night Shift
3. Wiz KhalifaâKush & Orange Juice
4. Raheem DeVaughnâThe Love & War MasterPeace
5. DrakeâThank Me Later
Colin Meloy (The Decemberists)
1. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
2. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
3. Joanna NewsomâHave One on Me
4. Wye OakâMy Neighbor/My Creator EP
5. Sea of BeesâSongs for the Ravens
Trevor Solomon (Musicfest NW)
1. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
3. The NationalâHigh VioletÂ
4. SuperchunkâMajesty Shredding
5. Tallest Man on EarthâThe Wild Hunt
Andrew R Tonry (Mercury freelancer)
1. Sam QuinnâThe Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships
2. Sufjan StevensâAge of Adz
3. Sharon Van EttenâEpic
4. The Tallest Man On EarthâThe Wild Hunt
5. Cotton JonesâTall Hours in the Glowstream
Tucker Martine (Mount Analog Studios)
1. Joanna NewsomâHave One on Me
2. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
3. Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ ChoirâLike a Ship... (Without a Sail)
4. Damien JuradoâSaint Bartlett
5. Carl BroemelâAll Birds Say
The Incredible Kid
1. AkalaâDoubleThink
2. Panjabi MCâThe Raj
3. South Rakkas CrewâThe Stimulus Package
4. Don OmarâDon Omar Presents: Meet the Orphans
5. PopsyâHyper
Matt Dabrowiak (Datâr)
1. LCD SoundsystemâThis Is Happening
2. The NationalâHigh Violet
3. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
4. Total NoiseâUS American Rhythms
5. Sleigh BellsâTreats
Natasha Kmeto
1. Flying LotusâCosmogramma
2. Erykah BaduâNew Amerykah, Part 2
3. BathsâCerulean
4. Toro Y MoiâCausers of This
5. The RootsâHow I Got Over
Ezra Ace Caraeff (Mercury music editor)
1. Gil Scott-HeronâIâm New Here
2. White HinterlandâKairos
3. Allo Darlinââself-titled
4. MenomenaâMines
5. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
Joan Hiller (Riot Act Media)
1. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
2. SuperchunkâMajesty Shredding
3. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
4. SpoonâTransference
5. New PornographersâTogether
Patrick Foss (Pure Country Gold)
1. Ty SegallâMelted
2. Eddy Current Suppression RingâRush to Relax
3. The Goodnight LovingâThe Goodnight Loving Supper Club
4. Pierced ArrowsâDescending Shadows
5. Davila 666â12-inch EP
Erik Abel (Gen.Erik, Animal Farm)
1. Reflection EternalâRevolutions per Minute
2. ShadâTSOL
3. Luck-OneâTrue Theory Outtakes
4. Cool NutzâThe Incredible
5. Jay ElectronicaâVictory mixtape
Leif Anders (Orca Team)
1. Yellow FeverâBermuda Triangle EP
2. IjiâCool Dream
3. Hornet LegâStill Life
4. CoastingâHots for Teacher 7-inch
5. The IntelligenceâMales
Ned Lannamann (Mercury writer)
1. Sharon Van EttenâEpic
2. BrazosâPhosphorescent Blues
3. Wolf PeopleâSteeple
4. Sea of BeesâSongs for the Ravens
5. A WeatherâEveryday Balloons
Dylan Magierek (Bad Man Recording Co.)
1. The NationalâHigh Violet
2. LoversâDark Light
3. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
4. Sharon Van EttenâEpic
5. Fake DrugsâDrake Fugs
Vursatyl (Lifesavas)
1. Freeway & Jake OneâThe Stimulus Package
2. Slum VillageâVilla Manifesto
3. Miguel Atwood-FergusonâTimeless: Suite for Ma Dukes
4. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
5. Jason MitchellâLife Wisdom
Daniel Abell (Eolian Records)
1. RabbitsâHide
2. PollutionâÂźSMUT
3. HammerheadâPasquale
4. Same Sex DictatorâFrombeneathyouitdevours
5. Twin StumpsâSeedbed
Rob Simonsen (CD Forge/Cravedog)
1. Allo Darlinââself-titled
2. Wild NothingâGemini
3. A Sunny Day in GlasgowâAutumn, Again
4. WeekendâSports
5. Best CoastâCrazy for You
Eriq G. Nelson (Crappy Indie Music)
1. Delta SpiritâHistory from Below
2. PhosphorescentâHere's to Taking it Easy
3. The WalkmenâLisbon
4. Carolina Chocolate DropsâGenuine Negro Jig
5. TartufiâGoodwill of the Scar
Ava Hegedus (Mercury freelancer)
1. The Black DogâMusic for Real Airports
2. BonoboâBlack Sands
3. Pantha du PrinceâBlack Noise
4. ScubaâTriangulation
5. Lali PunaâOur Inventions
Billy Jeans (Mean Jeans)
1. Personal and the PizzasâRaw Pie
2. Juicy J & Project PatâDinner Thieves
3. Happy Birthdayâself-titled
4. White WiresâWWII
5. The RantoulsâIn the Village of Rantoul
Gavin Castleton
1. Laura MarlingâI Speak Because I Can
2. Janelle MonĂĄeâThe ArchAndroid
3. Happy Body Slow BrainâDreams of Water
4. Blue CranesâObservatories
5. Kelli SchaeferâGone in Love/Sister K EP
Christopher Michael (Boom!/Guantanamo Baywatch)
1. Unkle FunkleâRub Rub Relief
2. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
3. The WhinesâHell to Play
4. White FangâGrateful to Shred
5. Mean JeansâKeystone Light and Other Hits (From da Bong)
Luke Wyland (Au)
1. Sam AmidonâI See the Sign
2. Ălöf ArnaldsâInnundir Skinni
3. Group DouehâBeatte Harab
4. The BooksâThe Way Out
5. ClogsâThe Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton
Sapient
1. Broken Bellsâself-titled
2. RatatatâLP4
3. JavelinâNo MĂĄs
4. FredrikâOrigami EP
5. Sleigh BellsâTreats
Andrew Stout (Mercury freelancer)
1. Laura Gibson & Ethan RoseâBridge Carols
2. Janelle MonĂĄeâThe ArchAndroidÂ
3. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
4. The BooksâThe Way OutÂ
5. How to Dress WellâLove Remains
Matthew McLean (Doug Fir)
1. Here We Go MagicâPigeons
2. PhosphorescentâHere's to Taking it Easy
3. Sleigh BellsâTreats
4. LCD SoundsystemâThis Is Happening
5. Sharon Van EttenâEpic
Matt Foley (Dirtnap Records)
1. Marnie Sternâself-titled
2. GrindermanâGrinderman 2
3. Mark Lanegan and Isobel CampbellâHawkÂ
4. SoundgardenâTelephantasm
5. SwansâMy Father Will Guide Me up to a Rope to the Sky
Erik Carlson (DoublePlusGood)
1. Guidance Counselorâself-titled
2. Chrome Wingsâself-titled
3. TyphoonâHunger and Thirst
4. HosannasâTogether
5. Y La BambaâLupon
Mark Hamilton (94.7 FM)
1. FoalsâTotal Life Forever
2. Portugal. The ManâSatanic Satanist
3. Broken Bellsâself-titled
4. Mumford & SonsâSigh No More
5. GorillazâPlastic Beach
Zac Jacobson (Wax Fingers)
1. The NationalâHigh Violet
2. DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
3. Run on SentenceâYou, the Darkness, and Me
4. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
5. Matmos and So PercussionâTreasure State
Matt Caldwell (Mercury freelancer)
1. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
2. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
3. Black KeysâBrothers
4. The Tallest Man on EarthâThe Wild Hunt
5. GorillazâPlastic Beach
Tyler Keene (And And And)
1. LiarsâSisterworld
2. Various ArtistsâDiplo Presents: Free Gucci mixtape
3. Joanna NewsomâHave One on Me
4. Parenthetical GirlsâPrivilege, Pt. 1: On Death & Endearments
5. Archersâself-titled 7-inch
Theo Craig (Smoke Signals, Potlatch Presents)
1. Jeff the BrotherhoodâHeavy Days
2. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
3. The WoodsâAt Echo Lake
4. Avi Buffaloâself-titled
5. The Black AngelsâPhosphene Dream
Terry Currier (Music Millennium)
1. Blue RodeoâThe Things We Left Behind
2. Rolling StonesâExile on Main St. re-release
3. Tom PettyâMojo
4. Brian RayâThis Way Up
5. Cindy BullensâHowling Trains & Barking Dogs
Gabe Vodicka (Mercury freelancer)
1. The NationalâHigh Violet
2. Harvey MilkâA Small Turn of Human Kindness
3. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
4. CaribouâSwim
5. SwansâMy Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky
Anthony Stassi (Haunt!)
1. Bear HandsâBurning Bush Supper Club
2. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
3. Gil Scott-HeronâI'm New Here
4. GrindermanâGrinderman 2
5. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
Darren Bridenbeck (Potlach Presents)
1. Fake DrugsâDrake FugsÂ
2. TyphoonâHunger and Thirst
3. The Red RiverâLittle Songs About the Big Picture
4. Guidance Counselorâself-titled
5. And And Andâ A Fresh Summer with And And And
Jon Barron (SMMR BMMR)
1. Personal and the PizzasâRaw Pie
2. Happy Birthdayâself-titled
3. Sex Churchâ6 Songs by Sex Church
4. LimesâRhinestone River
5. Eddy Current Suppression RingâRush to Relax
Ryan Hayes (Hurtbird)
1. DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
2. Antony and the JohnsonsâSwanlights
3. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
4. Tu FawningâHearts on Hold
5. ThemselvesâCrowns Down and Company
Emily Wilder (Aladdin Theater)
1. Tame ImpalaâInnerspeaker
2. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
3. Angus & Julia StoneâDown the Way
4. CaribouâSwim Â
5. Delta SpiritâHistory from Below
Matt King (Mississippi Studios)
1. DeerhunterâHalcyon DigestÂ
2. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
3. And And AndâWeâll Be Better off with the Plants
4. MGMTâCongratulations
5. CrocodilesâSleep Forever
Kevin OâConnor (Talkdemonic)
1. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
2. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffittiâBefore Today
3. Blonde RedheadâPenny Sparkle
4. DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
5. WomenâPublic Strain
Auggie Rebelo (Everyday Music)
1. SalemâKing Night
2. HighlifeâBest Bless
3. The Drumsâself-titled
4. Wild NothingâGemini
5. The NotesâWishing Well
Evan Way (The Parson Red Heads)
1. Blitzen TrapperâDestroyer of the Void
2. DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
3. DungenâSkit I Allt
4. MemoryhouseâThe Years EP
5. The Idaho FallsâThe Spark
Krist Krueger (Southerly)
1. The NationalâHigh Violet
2. MenomenaâMines
3. Belle and SebastianâWrite About Love
4. Broken Social SceneâForgiveness Rock Record
5. WomenâPublic Strain
Sara Hernandez (The Angry Orts)
1. The Hold SteadyâHeaven Is Whenever
2. MenomenaâMines
3. Janelle MonĂĄeâThe ArchAndroid
4. The WalkmenâLisbon
5. Delta SpiritâHistory from Below
Ryan Prado (Just Out)
1. John GrantâQueen of Denmark
2. Field MusicâMeasure
3. Lou Barlow and the Missingmenâ= Sentridoh III
4. Y La BambaâLupon
5. Sea of BeesâSong for the Ravens
Dave Depper (Loch Lomond, The Ram Project, etc.)
1. Sally SeltmannâHarmony to My Heartbeat
2. CaribouâSwim
3. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
4. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
5. White HinterlandâKairos
Anthony Bayles (Monqui Presents)
1. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
2. LCD SoundsystemâThis Is Happening
3. GorillazâPlastic Beach
4. Ryan BinghamâJunky Star
5. StornowayâBeachcomberâs Windowsill
Sam Coomes (Quasi)
1. Thee Oh SeesâWarm Slime
2. LiarsâSisterworld
3. The Psychedelic AliensâPsycho African BeatÂ
4. Marnie Sternâself-titled
5. Sharon Jones & the Dap-KingsâI Learned the Hard Way
Ryan Feigh (Mercury Freelancer)
1. TxEâRain in Cali tour EP
2. Tony D. and the Flippersâself-titled
3. Method Man, Ghostface Killah, RaekwonâWu-Massacre
4. Best CoastâCrazy for You
5. Freeway & Jake-OneâThe Stimulus Package
Sean Spellman (Quiet Life)
1. Ryan DoyleâMotor Works
2. Caleb KlauderâWestern Country
3. TitlesâDirt Bell
4. Dave Rawlings MachineâA Friend of a Friend
5. Bruce SpringsteenâThe Promise
Jeremy Peterson (OPB Music)
1. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
2. DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
3. The Black KeysâBrothers
4. MenomenaâMines
5. Sam AmidonâI See the Sign
Sallie Ford (Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside)
1. The Black KeysâBrothers
2. Sea of BeesâSongs for the Raven
3. Mountain ManâMade the HarborÂ
4. Mavis StaplesâYou Are Not Alone
5. Frazey FordâObadiah
Anthony Sanchez (POH-Hop)
1. TopeâSoul Music
2. Cool NutzâThe Miracle
3. Eligh of Living LegendsâGrey Crow
4. Cloudy OctoberâThe Aviator Is Dead EP
5. TxEâRain in Cali tour EP
Sara Lund (Hungry Ghost, Corin Tucker Band)
1. QuasiâAmerican Gong
2. VersusâOn the Ones and Threes
3. Sun City GirlsâFuneral Mariachi
4. Thee Oh SeesâWarm Slime
5. Hornet LegâStill Life
Aaron Shepherd (The Artistery)
1. Rob WalmartâEverybody Hertz
2. Boom!âself-titled
3. UmbertoâProphecy of the Black Widow
4. Zola Jesus/LA VampiresâLA Vampires Meets Zola Jesus EP
5. Guantanamo BaywatchâPostcard from the Tar Pitz
BenoĂźt Pioulard
1. Rafael Anton IrisarriâThe North Bend
2. BalmorheaâConstellations
3. Brian McBrideâThe Effective Disconnect
4. EmeraldsâDoes it Look Like Iâm Here?Â
5. Hildur GuĂ°nadĂłttirâWithout Sinking
Anna Jensen (Doug Fir)
1. Cotton JonesâTall Hours in The Glowstream
2. The MoondoggiesâTidelands
3. Peter Wolf CrierâInter Be
4. Jeff the BrotherhoodâHeavy Days
5. Active ChildâCurtis Lane EP
Laura Veirs
1. JunipâFields
2. Joanna NewsomâHave One on Me
3. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
4. Sharon Jones and the Dap-KingsâI Learned the Hard WayÂ
5. Broken Bellsâself-titled
Chris Hnant (2:30 Publicity)
1. Screaming FemalesâCastle Talk
2. Best CoastâCrazy for You
3. Method Man, Ghostface Killah, RaekwonâWu-Massacre
4. KylesaâSpiral Shadow
5. Gaslight AnthemâAmerican Slang
Michael Cantino (Archers)
1. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
2. The Soft BoysâUnderwater Moonlight
3. Support Forceâself-titled
4. And And AndâA Fresh Summer with And And And
5. Francisco the ManâWith Friends Like You
Hannah Carlen (Spectre)
1. Janelle MonĂĄeâThe ArchAndroid
2. TyphoonâHunger and Thirst
3. GayngsâRelayted
4. Sharon Van EttenâEpic
5. Black MountainâWilderness Heart
Lisa Schonberg (STLS)
1. Grass WidowâPast Time
2. QuasiâAmerican Gong
3. LoversâDark Light
4. White HinterlandâKairos
5. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
Fogatron
1. RuskoâO.M.G.!
2. UnderworldâBarkingÂ
3. Bobby McFerrinâVOCAbuLarieS
4. EmancipatorâSafe in the Steep Cliffs
5. Hot ChipâOne Life Stand
Ellie Fiore (MoreCowbelle.net)
1. The Gaslight AnthemâAmerican Slang
2. The Roadside GravesâYou Wonât Be Happy with Me EP
3. The SadiesâDarker Circles
4. Sharon Van EttenâEpic
5. Two Cow GarageâSweet Saint Me
Connie Wohn (Stylus 503)
1. The Black KeysâBrothers
2. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
3. Beach HouseâTeam Dream
4. Best CoastâCrazy for You
5. GlasserâRing
Greg Glover (Arena Rock Recording Co., 94.7 FM)
1. FoalsâTotal Life Forever
2. Surfer BloodâAstro Coast
3. SuperchunkâMajesty Shredding
4. Archie Bronson OutfitâCoconut
5. No AgeâEverything in Between
Isaac Slusarenko (Jackpot Records)
1. Boston SpaceshipsâOur Cubehouse Still Rocks
2. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
3. Ted Lucasâself-titled
4. Jim SullivanâU.F.O.
5. Brute ForceâI, Brute Force: Confections of Love
Will West
1. Professor GallâThe Psychology of Booze and Guilt
2. Nice NiceâExtra Wow
3. Groovy Wallpaperâself-titled
4. Pancake Breakfastâself-titled
5. Esperanza SpaldingâChamber Music Society
Aris Wales (Mercury freelancer)
1. The Devilâs BloodâThe Time of No Time Evermore
2. WolvserpentâBlood Seed
3. ScorpionsâSting in the Tail
4. WatainâLawless Darkness
5. ExcruciatorâBy the Gates of Flesh EP
Devin Gallagher (High Scores and Records, Typhoon)
1. ReporterâTime Incredible
2. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
3. Teen DazeâBeach DreamsÂ
4. The ThermalsâPersonal Life
5. WavvesâKing of the Beach
Scott Magee (Loch Lomond, DJ Cooky Parker)
1. TyphoonâHunger and Thirst
2. The WalkmenâLisbon
3. Brothers YoungâGood People EP
4. Beach HouseâTeen Dream
5. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Nilina Mason-Campbell (Lost Gospel)
1. TyphoonâHunger and Thirst
2. Ke$haâCannibal
3. Guidance Counselorâself-titled
4. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
5. Fake DrugsâDrake Fugs
DJ Anjali
1. Panjabi MCâThe Raj
2. NucleyaâHorn OK Please
3. Nas & Damian MarleyâDistant Relatives
4. AmarâShow it Off
5. Amit TrideviâAisha
Howie Doodat (Mean Jeans)
1. The Black AngelsâPhosphene DreamÂ
2. The Limiñanasâself-titled
3. Ty SegallâMeltedÂ
4. White WiresâWWII
5. Pure Country GoldâTough TuesdayÂ
Sam Soule (Slabtown)
1. LimesâRhinestone River
2. Royal BathsâLitanies
3. ClinicâBubblegum
4. The FallâYour Future Our Clutter
5. James Arthurâs Manhuntâself-titled
Gustav (94.7)
1. DelphicâAcolyte
2. Exit CalmâExit Calm
3. GorillazâPlastic Beach
4. Neon TreesâHabits
5. RecoilâSelected
Matt Brown (Bladen County Records)
1. Old LightâThe Dirty Future
2. PhosphorescentâHere's to Taking it Easy
3. Jeff the BrotherhoodâHeavy Days
4. LoversâDark Light
5. The HeligoatsâGoodness Gracious
Mary Brabec (Billions)
1. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
2. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
3. Ana Tijouxâ1977
4. GrindermanâGrinderman 2
5. Cheyenne Marie MizeâBefore Lately
Ed Thanhouser (PDX Pop Now!)
1. The Tallest Man on EarthâThe Wild Hunt
2. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
3. Nick JainaâA Bird in the Opera House
4. LCD SoundsystemâThis Is HappeningÂ
5. SpoonâTransference
Scott Flaster (Seventh Rule Recordings)
1. Sweet CobraâMercy
2. Killing JokeâAbsolute Dissent
3. RabbitsâHide
4. Electric WizardâBlack MassesÂ
5. GrindermanâGrinderman 2
Saxon Baird (Pet Marmoset)
1. Curren$yâPilot Talk
2. Rick RossâTeflon Don
3. CaribouâSwim
4. Earl SweatshirtâEarl
5. Dum Dum GirlsâI Will Be
Aaron Gerber (A Weather)
1. Roofwalkersâself-titled
2. Bonnie âPrinceâ Billy & the Cairo GangâThe Wonder Show of the World
3. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
4. The NationalâHigh Violet
5. Katy PerryâTeenage Dream
Chris Bigalke (Ella St. Social Club)
1. Oneohtrix Point NeverâReturnal
2. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
3. RangersâSuburban Tours
4. Rob WalmartâEverybody Hurts
5. SalemâKing Night
Ross Beach (Ross Beach and the Hellpets)
1. Of MontrealâFalse Priest
The collage approach to dance/pop music at its finest with a healthy supply of Prince-esque interludes. Itâs second only to their live show.
2. His Name Shall BreatheâThere Is an Earthquake Inside of Me
Sparse and haunting songs from a guy I stumbled across playing an opening set at Ella Street. Available only as a free download, I think.
3. The Preservation Hall Jazz BandâPreservation: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program
Great collaboration between the venerable jazz combo and other New Orleans musicians. Itâs part of the ongoing effort to keep it going down there.
4. SpoonâTransference
Wherein they prove that DIY recording approaches have no effect on their energy and songwriting.
5. Beach HouseâTeen DreamÂ
Gorgeous. The unofficial makeout record of 2010, or so I presume.
Jim Brunberg (Mississippi Studios)
1. Mimicking Birdsâself-titled
Because weird harmonies are still being sung, thank God. Good with mushroom tea, follow with the Harry Nilsson documentary.
2. Ramona FallsâIntuit
This is a pop snapshot of the future of where Portland pop could/should/would go.Â
3. Mumford & SonsâSigh No More
Because it breaks my heart. Good sandwiched between Avett Brothersâ latest and two bottles of red wine.
4. Black PrairieâFeast of the Huntersâ Moon
Ainât nothing like it.
5. Bruce SpringsteenâThe Promise
You have to count this because of all the unreleased tracks and awesome footage.
John A.D. (Anthem Records)
1. ClubrootâII: MMX
2010 is the year everyone waited for the Burial record that never came. Instead, they got a bunch of average remixes, a phoned-in âDJâ selection on the final MAH BBC1 show, and the truly terrible track âProphecy.â Those who werenât so blinded by their limited musical vocab to realize that he is simply the sum parts of his influences found the level of beauty and emotional complexity promised by Burial in Clubroot. Ultimately, this will be seen as one of the most important records in the history of UK garage.
2. Deathspell OmegaâParacletus
The fashionable really killed black metal for many people. However, I think they will avoid making Deathspell an abomination like they have with the fashion party following that wolves band [Wolves in the Throne Room], as they are just far too intricate musically and unusual generally. They likely will never make shirts that look as âcultâ as other bands, so that puts the kibosh on their scenester cred right there. This is a record to be listened to by Magma fans as much as metal heads.
3. Terror DanjahâPower Grid
The king of the grime instrumental makes another record with what seems like the same eight samples he has used on every other release, but again with astoundingly visceral effect. Makes you wonder what he would do if his hard drive crashed and took his sample arsenal with it.
4. Daniel SavioâNekropolis
Many believe Skweee is the logical counterpoint to the whole Flying Lotus/Low End Theory thing. I just think it is far more creative, and not just a safe way of repackaging your standard cocktail party downbeat style that has been floating around as long as there has been DJ Food comps. Daniel Savio, and his mixture of electro, boogie, and synth leads is a prime example, and this, his Armageddon-themed masterpiece, will long be a singular statement in this sound. Look up âMonkey Pee Monkey Pooâ on YouTube for a peek into this whole hidden side of Sweden.
5. Daniel MencheâTerre Paroxysm
There are a lot of people out there who create ânoise,â and no, I am not talking about the droves of crap indie rock bands that collect food stamps in PortlandâI mean in the actual noise community. Very few have an atmosphere that is instantly recognizable, and of these, even fewer have a signature that is so stacked with so many layers of sound, yet still is somehow able to maintain a sense of layering in this cacophony. In that way, it is hardly noise at all. Menche is creating these types of records. The more you listen to them, the more they are like a stereogram one stares at to reveal the hidden image. With each listen another layer of miasma subsides to the background, revealing a hidden beauty.
Nathan Jr. (Duover)
1. Mike CoykendallâThe Unbearable Being of LikenessÂ
His leftovers are tastier than most folksâ fresh baked! (While I occasionally play with Mike, I had nothing to do with this record, nor his forthcoming double album. Just a fan in this case.)
2. Blitzen TrapperâDestroyer of the Void
This band will never put out a less than stellar record. They have honed their craft to a consistent level that most musicians never even sniff.
3. Run on SentenceâYou, the Darkness, and Me
Old sounding and a bloodletting rejuvenation. A win-win in my book.
4. Nick JainaâA Bird in the Opera House
I could go on and on about Nick. Iâll just say that he is one of the best writers and hardest workers Iâve ever met. It is rare that oneâs creativity and work ethic are equally formidable. Stop making the rest of us look bad Nick. Iâm getting you a bong and an Xbox for Christmas.
5. Y La BambaâLupon
What a great band. Awesome to see them going so strong out of the gate.
Billygoat
(As selected by the entire band)
1. Y La BambaâLuponÂ
2. Breathe Owl BreatheâMagic Central
3. Shadow Shadow Shadeâself-titled
4. Useless KeysâIs the Painting Changing
5. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
David Hutchinson (fuckbadmusic.com)
1. Tame ImpalaâInnerspeaker
2. ArpâThe Soft Wave
3. Pantha du PrinceâBlack Noise
4. Tjutjunaâself-titled
5. Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Rabbits
(As selected by the entire band)
1. Black MountainâWilderness Heart
2. GrindermanâGrinderman 2
3. Electric WizardâBlack Masses
4. BurzumâBelus
5. SadeâSoldier of Love
Patrick Phillips (Brainstorm)
1. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
2. Various ArtistsâEcstatic Music of the Jemaa el FnaÂ
3. EmeraldsâDoes It Look Like I'm Here?
4. Archersâself-titled 7-inch
5. Various ArtistsâReggae Jeggae
Starfucker
(As selected by the entire band)
1. GorillazâPlastic Beach
2. CasiokidsâTopp Stemning PĂ„ Lokal Bar
3. Big BoiâSir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
4. Mint ChicksâBad Buzz EP
5. StrengthâMind Reader
Brandon Freels (pc-pdx.com)
1. Big Black CloudâDark Age
2. Stag BittenâIII
3. Gone to CroatoanâLost Rhetoric
4. The CystsâThe Cyst
5. MattressâLow Blows
Mike Jones (CD Forge/Cravedog)
1. White RainbowâĂGISÂ
2. The UpsidedownâThe Town with Bad Wiring
3. Y La BambaâLupon
4. 1776âself-titled
5. Various ArtistsâFrom the Land of Ice and Snow: The Songs of Led Zeppelin
Bryan Free
1. LCD SoundsystemâThis Is Happening
2. The Bad PlusâNever Stop
3. Of MontrealâFalse Priest
4. Arcade FireâThe Suburbs
5. Maximum Balloonâself-titled
Jon Ragel (Boy Eats Drum Machine)
1. Various ArtistsâThe Roots of Chicha 2
2. TyphoonâHunger and Thirst
3. The RootsâHow I Got Over
4. Erykah BaduâNew Amerykah Part II: Return of the Ankh
5. MenomenaâMines
Josh Spacek (Monarques)
1. Morning BendersâBig Echo
Thoughtful songwriting and arrangements with amazing production. A beautifully crafted record. Itâs been on rotation since it came out and we are still going strong.Â
2. Love LanguageâLibraries
Stu McLamb was part of the inspiration for starting Monarques. His songwriting is incredibly good. I wish this record had more of the feel of the debut, the production on Libraries makes it difficult to get to the heart of the songs, but impacting none the less.Â
3. Ariel Pinkâs Haunted GraffitiâBefore Today
The weirdest slick pop album Iâve heard.
4. Y La BambaâLuponÂ
Iâm proud of this band and this record. I was around during the whole process of recording and getting this album out into the world. Itâs a wonderful first effort and nods at the greatness they are capable of.
5. Tame ImpalaâInnerspeaker
One part Dungen one part Magical Mystery Tour. Awesome.
Brian Mumford (Dragging an Ox through Water)
(In no particular order)
The CystsâThe Cyst
WikileaksââIraq & Afghan War Logs/Embassy CablesâÂ
Pete Swanson and Rene HellâWaiting for the Ladies
GateâA Republic of Sadness
Big Black CloudâDark Age
John Askew (Scenic Burrows)
1. GrindermanâGrinderman2Â
2. Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
3. Janelle MonĂĄeâThe ArchAndroid
4. CarcrashlanderâYou Were Born in a Hospital
5. Tame ImpalaâInnerspeakerÂ
Adam Baz (Brainstorm)
1. Safeâself-titled EPÂ
2. Dustin WongâInfinite LoveÂ
3. Various ArtistsâPalenque Palenque! Champeta Criolla & Afro Roots in Colombia 1975-91
4. Various ArtistsâMusic from Saharan Cellphones Vol. 1
5. Jeffrey JerusalemâThis Is Why We Canât Have Nice ThingsÂ
Terry Groves (Pickathon)
(In no particular order)
Bonnie âPrinceâ Billy and the Cairo GangâWonder Show of the World
Breathe Owl BreatheâMagic Central
Dr. DogâShame, Shame
Cotton JonesâTall Hours in the Glowstream
(tie) PhosphorescentâHere's to Taking it Easy
(tie) Sam QuinnâThe Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships
Zachary King (SMMMR BMMR)
(In no particular order)
Peaking LightsâSpace Primitive
Kurt VileâSquare Shells EP
The WhinesâGo, Demos, Go
Fabulous DiamondsâII
Eddie Current Suppression RingâRush to Relax
Raquel Nasser (Mercury freelancer)
Beach HouseâTeen Dream
Blitzen TrapperâDestroyer of the Void
Cotton JonesâTall Hours in the Glowstream
Laura VeirsâJuly Flame
PhosphorescentâHere's to Taking it Easy
Jack Lewis (Jack Lewis & Twigs Lvov)
1. Dr DogâShame, Shame
2. Langhorne Slimâself-titled
3. YeasayerâOdd Blood
4. The Fishermen ThreeâRosina on Every Balcony
5. The Wave PicturesâInstant Coffee Baby and If You Leave it Alone
Dhani Rosa (Brave Records)
(In no particular order)
Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
SadeâSoldier of Love
The DreamâLove King
Brother Andy and His Big Damn MouthâMystic Indian Hitmakers
Taylor SwiftâSpeak Now
Blood Beach
(As selected by the entire band and in no particular order)
Grass WidowâPast Time
Itâs dangerous to call an album perfect, but it would be too big of a disservice to understate how flawlessly beautiful this record is. These three wonderfully talented ladies are going to take over the world.
Eddy Current Suppression RingâRush to Relax
This record has such an incredible energy and urgency to it, which makes senseâlegend has it that the Aussies recorded the entire full-length in six hours. Super catchy, gnashing guitar-driven garage-punk works up and sprawls out into rhythm-section-driven Kraut jammers.
Purple Rhinestone EagleâThe Great Return
This summer, PRE toured the US and Europe and it felt like they were gone for years. Luckily, Portlandâs empressess of all things heavy, psychy, and magickal left us an amazing album to listen to while they were away.Â
TitanâSweet Dreams
Titan is a stoner metal sci-fi nerdâs dreamâheavy, proggy, and mesmerizing riffage with a hidden undertone of horror score legend Goblin. It makes you feel like you have discovered something that no one wants you to know about, and they are after you.
Dara Puspitaâ1966-1968
Just one reissue, okay? Sublime Frequencies compiled and released 26 tracks from Dara Puspita, the first all-female Indonesian pop group to play all their own instruments and sing. Raw, rocking flower-power garage with playful girl-group vocals, and every song a hit.
Chris Funk (Black Prairie, the Decemberists)
(In no particular order)
DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
GrindermanâGrinderman 2
Punch BrothersâAntifogmatic
Old LightâThe Dirty Future
Aloe BlaccâGood Things
Point Juncture, WA
(As selected by the entire band and in no particular order)
Sharon Jones and the Dap-KingsâI Learned the Hard Way
DeerhunterâHalcyon Digest
RobynâBody Talk
A WeatherâEveryday Balloons
SpoonâTransference
Hosannas
(As selected by the entire band)
1. CaribouâSwim
2. The DreamâLove King
3. Candy ClawsâHidden Lands
4.. EmeraldsâDoes it Look Like I'm Here?
5. Sufjan StevensâThe Age of Adz
Rocky Tinder (Wampire)
(In no particular order)
Future IslandsâIn Evening Air
Jeffrey JerusalemâThis Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
WeezerâBlue Album
MisfitsâStatic Age
Fake DrugsâDrake Fugs
Jeans Wilder (Mean Jeans)
1. RiverdalesâTarantula
2. White WiresâWWII
3. LiveâThrowing Copper
4. Crash Test DummiesâGod Shuffled His Feet
5. BushâSixteen Stone
Tracie Davis (Rockshields)
(In no particular order)
Kanye WestâMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
SpoonâTransference
LCD SoundsystemâThis Is Happening
CaribouâSwimÂ
Pink MartiniâJoy to the World
Jeremiah Hayden (Amigo/Amiga Recordings)
1. The NationalâHigh Violet
I hated the National. I thought they were the most overrated band around and I never understood why people were so into Boxer and Alligator. On a tour last May, I played an in-store in Davis, California, and we got a $50 gift certificate as payment. Jay-Z and a few bargain bin albums later I decided I was going to get High Violet and hear what all the fuss was about for our 13-hour drive to Seattle after the show that night. Maybe the National is still boring and it was just the environment in which it was being played or my fear of waking up the passenger to find a new CD, but I fell in love with High Violet. I couldnât change it for most of the drive and it cemented itself in my mind for months. I canât seem to find an album anywhere to replace it when I get the itchâincluding Alligator or Boxer (although they sound better than they used to).Â
2. Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ ChoirâLike a Ship... (Without a Sail)
Originally recorded in 1974, but never properly released until this year, this album sounds like what Spiritualized would do once finally having become spiritualized. Iâve heard my share of choirs and church music, but never has it effectively moved my soul the way this record does. The band itself is made up of some cats and some kids with amazing tasteâthe drums and bass back the choir in a way that kicks your ass even as a new record in 2010, and the choral arrangements seem to leave room for some âfollowing the spiritâ that I find to be pretty compelling.Â
3. GrindermanâGrinderman 2
Because seriously... what is this? Who does this?Â
4. Das RacistâSit Down, Man
 If I hadnât seen Das Racist at a little club in Seattle I would probably hate them. They say the stupidest shit and make references to, well, everything and Iâm pretty sure theyâre not that into scrawny-white-hipster-dudes like myself trying to pretend I can throw my hands in the air when I hear what I believe to be a sick rhyme or disrespectful anecdote, but this record is hilarious. And theyâre pretty much right about most things.
5. QuasiâAmerican Gong
I came kind of late to the Quasi train since I was only 12 when the band started. This album is smart. Tons of hits on this record like âLittle White Horse,â âBye Bye Blackbirdâ make for some great live jams. Hereâs to a band doing whatever they want to do for this long and growing in the process.