My comments:
They nailed the #1 album. I dont think I have ever agreed with a #1 pick before, but Animal Collective absolutely hit it out of the park with MPP. Its been amazing to follow these guys and watch them put it all together. I’m still puzzled, though, by the collective agreement everyone has seemed to make that “My Girls” is the best song on the album. I’d put that as maybe the 5th or 6th best, with the clear #1 & #2 being “Summertime Clothes” and “In the Flowers” respectively.
The #2 album, Bitte Orca, not so much. This album is borderline unlistenable. When I heard the description, I immediately picked it up - off kilter indie is right up my alley. I have really, really tried many times to like this one. I’ve listened to the general-consensus-best-song-on-the-album Stillness Is The Move maybe 2 dozen times, and I just find it really annoying. The repeated piano loop is grating, the backing vocal warbling is annoying, and there just isnt any payoff.
I thought Embryonic by Flaming Lips was a disappointment and was surprised to see it at #4. Kinda reminds me of when a baseball player has been a perennial all-star to the point that he keeps getting voted on even in years where he is not playing well. I think they’ve been coasting since Yoshimi, and the show I saw them at recently did nothing to change that notion.
I thought Phoenix would be a top 5 for sure, not that I loved it so much but it seemed to get universal acclaim and consistent radio play. I still say they wont ever write a better song than “Funky Squaredance”, not that that’s anything to be ashamed of.
I was a little bummed to see one of my faves, Bromst by Dan Deacon, only get #46, although considering its possibly limited appeal I suppose I should be happy it was included at all. I still find this the most interesting and amazing album of the year (and decade), right after MPP.
Biggest snub, I thought, was not including Late of the Pier’s Fantasy Black Channel. Not a top 25, but I really thought I would see it there somewhere.
Anyways, I could go on and on, but what do you think? Snubs? Surprises?