This post composes my list of distinguished media from this year. This year, I decided to write a few things paragraphs about good albums in 2010 since it's becoming a professional priority for me.
Music
Rosetta — A Determinism of Morality
When Isis called it quits earlier this year, the search was on for a band that could continue to deliver erudite hardcore metal sound that Isis used to deliver. with A Determinism of Morality, Rosetta shows that it can deliver.
Jazz like drumming and Pink Floyd-like, atmospheric guitar work along with heavy riffs distinguishes the band — as with the tracks "Revolve" and "Je N'en Connais Pas la Fin". This album is telling us that the future of post-rock doesn't have to be one low note sustained for nine minutes.
F*cked Up — Year of the Ox
When I saw a crazy, eclectic session between this band and Duchess Says on CBC, I was amazed and dumbfounded . The song the studio played was "Year Of The Ox". I wanted to find it, not knowing it wouldn't be released for a while.
When the Year of the Ox EP finally released, I was disappointed that it didn't have the angry French lady, but it included that punk sound I heard, with a bit of experimentation one may expect from Commonwealth bands. I'm surprised I haven't heard more from and about this band.
Skunk Anansie — Wonderlustre
Punk band Skunk Anansie hit its prime in the United Kingdom in the 90's. Their classic song "Selling Jesus" appears in my Holiday playlists every year.
Wonderlustre marks the return of a band that is older but still agressive and front woman Skin can still deliver vocal range and dispossessed fury that has driven her since the band began.
Frontline Assembly — Improvised Electronic Device
A formative band in the development of my music taste and soundtrack to nights playing Counter Strike and Total Annihilation, Frontline Assembly returns to a metal-garnished electronic sound that defined industrial music for a long time.
"Stupidity" features Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen, who promises to release new music next year. The tactical-combat theme continues with tracks like "Angriff", German for attack, and "I.E.D", composing a return to this theme.
Periphery — s/t
I caught the progressive-metalcore band Periphery when reviewing Fear Factory back in the Spring. I was amazed by Misha Mansoor's guitar work and songwriting. The band brought to mind great bands Textures and Meshuggah, which was enough for me to follow it. This band, alongside Animals As Leaders, represent the future of progressive metal for the better.
Periphery's self-titled debut comes in vocal and sans-vocal editions, which may placate some listeners who either don't like screaming or the high-pitched "clean" vocals.
Bonobo — Black Sands
Dallas residents may get Bonobo mixed up with the hometown rockers Baboon. Here's a tip, Baboons are aggressive and territorial, Bonobos are mellow, and their societies resemble hippie communes, with free love and all. Both bands' sounds represents their namesake animal's behavior pretty well.
While Massive Attack also released great material this year in Heligoland, Bonobo's release Black Sands better represents the direction of downtempo lounge music . Featuring British singer Andreya Triana, tracks like "Eyesdown" and "Stay The Same" may cause listeners to dance while listlessly frowning.
It's a shame I can't see the group perform live on New Years Day at Trees.
Below are other notable albums from this year.
Janelle Monae — The Archandroid
Kanye West — My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy
Flying Lotus — Cosmogramma
Pale Sketcher — Jesu: Pale Sketches Demixed
Kaskade — Dynasty
Film
Inception
Tron: Legacy
Machete
Black Swan
Iron Man 2
A Prophet
The Social Network
Books
Zero History by William Gibson
Surface Detail by Iain M Banks
Machine of Death by various authors
For The Win by Cory Doctorow