Year: 2013
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2013 lists
Genre: Alternative
Before principle songwriter Scott Hutchison tragically passed away in 2018, he was quoted as saying Pedestrian Verse was his favorite of the Frightened Rabbit albums. It garnered near universal praise on its release, and I have to say I agree with Scott on this topic.
Year: 2016
Original Rank: 14/20 ranked on my 2016 lists
Genre: Soul
This Danger Mouse produced effort provided one of the biggest under the radar successes in 2016 when its track "Cold Little Heart" was selected as the theme song of HBO's Big Little Lies. Hey, how you find music isn't important.
Year: 2012
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2012 lists
Genre: Blues
This debut record brought Brittany Howard to the spotlight for the first time, and is the perfect showcase for her songwriting and instrumentation. The record topped out at #6 on the Billboard Top 200.
Year: 2013
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2013 lists
Genre: Indie Pop
Much like the record above, The Bones of What You Believe introduced us to Lauren Mayberry. She went on to collaborate with some of the industry's biggest stars over the decade. A definite surprise since most (ie, me) wanted to write off her and this band immediately for their stupid name.
Year: 2010
Original Rank: 10/10 ranked on my 2010 lists
Genre: Alternative
The band's commercial breakthrough has gone 2x platinum in the US and featured their first #1 song with "Tighten Up".
Brothers won Best Alternative Album at the 2011 Grammy Awards marking the first of the duo's 5 trophies.
Year: 2015
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2015 lists
Genre: Jazz
Clocking in at just under three hours long, the scope of this offering is right there in the name. The triple disc is extremely accessible, despite the preconceived notions that the jazz genre may bring along with it.
Year: 2017
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2017 lists
Genre: Alternative
The second record from Japanese Breakfast is the current highlight of her discography. Fully formed with a number of instrumental breakdowns, the record spends a good bit of time pondering life and how we approach it.
Year: 2015
Original Rank: 6/10 ranked on my 2015 lists
Genre: Alternative
Released on the heels of a promising EP, A Flourish & A Spoil is The Districts at their best. This vaguely emo offering showcases and captures exactly what young adulthood is for so many. Album cornerstone "Young Blood" would be near the top of a songs of the decade list.
Year: 2015
Original Rank: 3/10 ranked on my 2015 lists
Genre: Psychedelic Indie
Tame Impala's mainstream breakout is not their best output of the 2010s, but it did get them vastly increased exposure (me included). Lead track "Let It Happen" is everything that has always made Tame Impala great and Rihanna covering one of the songs didn't hurt popularity either.
Year: 2015
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2015 lists
Genre: Folk
Ivy Tripp was the first Waxahatchee album to chart on the Billboard 200 and it gained immediate acclaim as one of the best records of 2015 by various publications. The single couplet of "La Loose" and "Air" are tough to rival and show the band at its best.
Year: 2014
Original Rank: 7/15 ranked on my 2014 lists
Genre: Punk
In 2014, the emo revival was beginning to die out. Enter The Hotelier and their fantastic sophomore release. It's a complicated record, and one that might not be so easily accessible, but it's a release that you can't stop thinking about once it's over.
Year: 2012
Original Rank: 5/10 ranked on my 2012 lists
Genre: Folk
This self titled record, much like its lead single "Ho Hey", stalled out at #2 on the Billboard charts. Even so, that's pretty amazing for a three piece folk band near the turn of the decade. What may seem well worn and tired at this point actually did feel fresh in 2012, and The Lumineers were the biggest beneficiary of that.
Year: 2019
Original Rank: 2/25 ranked on my 2019 lists
Genre: Indie
This is James Blake's happy record. Or at least as happy as can be reasonably expected from him. Bringing along a string of guests across the runtime, Blake puts together one of the most cohesive records of its style mostly based off the strength of his production.
Year: 2014
Original Rank: Honorable Mention on my 2014 lists
Genre: Folk
The multi-talented Shakey Graves hit a creative highwater mark on this 2014 release. The man behind the name, Alejandro Rose-Garcia, put together a near flawless collection of neo-folk songs lead by single "Dearly Departed."
Year: 2012
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2012 lists
Genre: Indie
Following the success of Manners at the tail-end of the last decade, Passion Pit released Gossamer with a ton of momentum. The record charted highly and produced a number of instantly recognizable singles. If you want to time travel back to 2012, throw on "Take A Walk."
Year: 2014
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2014 lists
Genre: Rap
J. Cole's most commercially successful record has been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA. The record, named after the address J. Cole grew up in North Carolina, is personal throughout and famously does not include any featured artists to prop it up.
Year: 2016
Original Rank: Honorable Mention on my 2016 lists
Genre: Folk
Hiss Golden Messenger is extremely prolific, releasing nine - NINE! - studio albums during the decade. The best of the lot is 2016's Heart Like A Levee which melds a variety of musical genres together to produce a rich picture of life on the road and what you're leaving behind at home.
Year: 2011
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2011 lists
Genre: Alternative
Indie darlings Florence & The Machine followed up their prior album megahit "Dog Days are Over" with the release of Ceremonials. It was similarly performing and equally charming compared to its predecessor and cemented the band as a commercial force going forward.
Year: 2014
Original Rank: Not ranked in my 2014 lists
Genre: Alternative
Spoon emerged from a brief hiatus in 2014 with this familiarly great offering. While the record does not break any new ground sonically, it showcases everything that has made Spoon one of the most consistent producers of the 2000s.
Year: 2015
Original Rank: 5/10 ranked on my 2015 lists
Genre: Folk
Despite its predecessor thrusting Isbell into the national consciousness, it was Something More Than Free that catapulted him to stardom. The record took home both awards it was nominated for at the 2016 Grammy Awards and continued momentum that has yet to be derailed.
Check back tomorrow as the countdown continues with #60-#41.
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