The Try Hard

The Top 20 Albums of 2010

#10 Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)

Words by Dirk Calloway

Preface: You're reading the half-way point of a daily series I'm running through April: the Top 20 Albums of 2010. Today's entry is #10. Previously we've covered New Young Pony Club, Spoon, The Brunettes, Eminem, Michael Jackson, Plan B, Goldfrapp, Mark Ronson & The Business Intl, Crystal Castles and So So Modern.

With this record, Janelle put to shame recent releases by supposed peers Rhianna, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, and Amerie. She earned a Grammy nomination while she was at it and released a debut album like no other I've ever heard. This proves that it's possible to release pop for "the thinking man." She incorporates every era of the 20th Century into her work, but is unflinching in her ability to strive forwards, bringing the listener far into an imagined retro-future where music is seemlessly transforming and shape-shifting. Enough accolades have already been written about this gem of a record that I plain won't bother. It got Universal Acclaim, as determined here by metacritic: http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-archandroid. Read the write-ups there for an idea about this record's genius, or just watch this video:

The reason this isn't album of the year? Well, it's maybe a little too scattershot for my liking. It's definitely too cerebral to make it a "must play" with friends around. And when I think of pop music, it's something I want to enjoy shared with others. In this case, this is a headphones-only album, unless your mates happen to be as abstract and smart as you are! So, with those small tiny miniscule complaints in mind, you're now prepped enough to experience this near perfect release. It's easily one of the best albums of 2010.


Tune in tomorrow for another release by a dead dude!