Best of 2010

Well, we still have a month left in the year, but for me, i have already heard many good releases which i would like to mention and bring to your attention in case you somehow missed them:

 Harvey Milk: A Small Turn of Human Kindness - Well, we all know i love LOVE this band and this album is another reason why. It is slow, sludgy, heartbreaking, spiritual, secular, bluesy, metallic, droning, a dirge worthy of the funeral for a forgotten man. It is my favorite album to come out this year and i cannot wait for it to come out on vinyl next January.

The Chariot: Long Live - Another one of my favorite bands. Honestly, i didn't think this would be that good, as they just released the killer Wars and Rumors of Wars last year. Boy, was i wrong wrong WRONG. This album is weirder, heavier, more memorable, rawer, more emotional and just all-around better than anything this band has done previously, and i've loved everything they've done. Not available on vinyl yet. Heck, it's not even released yet, but it leaked about a month early (yes, i did pre-order, too). Buy this when it comes out on 11/23/2010.

 Intronaut: Valley of Smoke - A sludgy, proggy, experimental album that caught my attention and forced me to listen. Just an all-around good album that plays long and is strong throughout. Available on vinyl from Century Media.

Salome: Terminal - Yet another sludgy, doomy metal disc that caught my attention. Only a trio, but heavier than a whole orchestra of metal musicians pounding away with sledgehammer fury. Kat's vocals rival that of any male metal singer and her lyrics speak of spiritual struggles and humankind's failings. An awesome disc that needs  the vinyl treatment.

Torche: Songs for Singles - Torche take their "stoner pop" sound and bring it up several notches from their already masterful take on it, crafting an entertaining and solid disc that should bring in new fans and keep old fans sated. Another trio that rocks harder than they should. The vinyl is available in several different colors and a cool letter-style package. i previously reviewed this album here.





Those are my top 5 albums for the year of 2010. i didn't get a lot of new releases this year, but these 5 made me stop and take notice, forcing me to purchase and enjoy repeatedly at high volumes. If another release makes me do this between now and 2011, i'll be sure to let you know!