Stetson’s 2008 solo  debut New History of Warfare Vol. 1 made it clear enough to me that this was a player to watch, as if playing with everyone from Tom Waits to Medeski, Martin & Wood to Arcade Fire wasn’t enough.  A solo sax player in the tradition of  Anthony Braxton and Evan Parker, the man deserves respect for his demanding circular breathing technique, in which he utilizes he weaves together overblown harmonics and percussive tapping into dense contrapuntal compositions that seem to be beyond one man’s ability.  No overdubs, no loops, no effects, just one player and a ton of talent.  And legendary Laurie Anderson lending her voice to a few of these tracks really sends Judges over the top.

2.

Deaf Center  - Owl Splinters web type records buy

Six years between records is a long time, particularly in this age perpetual distractions, so I won’t be surprised if many of you don’t even remember Deaf Center‘s incredible Pale Ravine. Norwegians Erik Skodvin and Otto Totland are finally back with Owl Splinters, and it surpassed expectations.   Recorded in Nils Frahm‘s Berlin studio,  the high end analogue production agrees with their brand of cinematic, gloomy mood music.  This is more than just piano and cello, as a close listen with headphones (and mind-altering substances) reveal.  Plus,   Skodvin’s solo project Svarte Grangier released Twin, a dark ambient album using Owl Splinters as source material.  Essential.

3.

Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 web Southern Lord buy

Back in 1989, Seatle’s Earth introduce the world to a new formula: slowed down metal riffs at high volume.  Guitarist and only lasting member Dylan Carlson is well known for his struggles with heroin and buying the gun that Cobain used, but luckily he’s managed to press on and is just as well known for creating a new genre of music.  After a lengthy hiatus, Earth returned with 2005′s Hex and haven’t stopped defying expectations since.  Continuing their evolution, Angels of Darkness… sees Carlson and longtime drummer Adrienne Davies exploring slow Americana, a bluesy dessert drone that pushes and pulls, the result of a close rapport between players.  The addition of cello suits this incarnation, and if this is any indication, expect volume 2 to be on next years list.

4.

Fabio Orsi - Stand Up Before Me, Oh My Soul! web preservation records buy 

 Italian ambient-drone artist Fabio Orsi releases a ton of music.  Hazy, beautiful, presumably drug-induced music.  (Cf. “My Awesome Drug Propaganda”)  Now based in Berlin,  2011 hasn’t seen his output slow.  This release, for the Australian label Preservation’s limited Circa series showed us Orsi in a new light.  Still meandering and smokey, but the addition of Rich Baker’s drum loops (of Aidan Baker) pushes the material in a surprising direction.  Light up.

 5.

FareWell Poetry - Hoping for the Invisible to Ignite web Gizeh Buy

When Richard Allen says to listen to something, I listen.  This is no different.  FareWell Poetry is a Parisien collective of musicians with an Australian poetess reciting verse over their sparse, cinematic arrangements and dual projections.  Every aspect of the band, from the music to the visuals to the lyrics, is impeccably crafted.   Music that takes itself seriously, demands to be digested, slowly, and expects art to have a genuine impact.     “This music is dangerous” indeed.

Richard Knox & Frédéric D. Oberland 

As True As Troilus by FareWell Poetry

6.

Grails - Deep Politics web

Easily their strongest work since 2007′s Burning of the Impurities, Deep Politics see Portland’s instrumental psych-ensemble delving further into their obsession with film music and fringe culture.   The addition of lush strings, courtesy of   Seattle’s  Timba Harris, their increasing fascination with occult culture  (see their bizarre “commercial” for Deep Politics),  and the rich history of (mostly Italian) film music, results in their most narrative and focused work to date. Still atmospheric and grooving, the more psychedelic repetitions of  the past are downplayed in favor of familiar, yet warped, melodies.  Bonus points for my favorite cover art of the year.

7.

 Lawrence English - Peregrine web experimedia buy

A vinyl-only release limited to 500 on an emerging label.  An album based on the book by J.A. Baker, about tracking a pair of falcons and gradually forgetting the distinction between man and beast.  This isn’t conventional fare, but Lawrence English’s work has developed to such a sophisticated craft that I can’t imagine a year end list without Peregrine.  As in the novel, the listener too begins to forget about distinctions of the ego.  Let go.

Lawrence English – The Peregrine (album preview) by experimedia

8.

Moholy-Nagy – Like Mirage web Temporary Residence, Ltd. buy 

When I first heard that a group named after the Hungarian painter and photographer was to release their debut on TRL, I was already intrigued.  When I read that the group consisted of the three members of Tarantel - Jefre Cantu-Ledesma (The Alps), Danny Paul Grody (The Drift) and Trevor Montgomery (Lazarus, The Drift)- I was sold.  Whereas Tarantel was ambient, freeform and cinematic, Like Mirage is more structured, drifting into more delicate territory.  When kraut-rock and kosmische moments do crop up, it’s no surprise, and the result is not only unique, but emotionally resonant.

9.

 Peter Broderick & Machinefabriek – Mort Aux Vaches Website Staalplaat Buy

Its difficult to know where to begin on a record like this.  Mort Aux Vache  is not the obvious choice.  Peter Broderick (Efterklang) has release many great records this year, including his extraordinary new LP Music for Confluence.  Rutger Zuydervelt aka  Machienfabriek released, at my count, at least 17 albums this year (compared with a relative lull of 14 in 2010), including the soundtrack Sol Sketches, the noteworthy Bridges project, and collaborations with bass clarinetist Gareth Davis, Stephen Vitiello, and others.  In terms of mere fidelity, this Mort Aux Vache session doesn’t necessarily compete with some of those others.  But we don’t only have Peter Broderick & Machinefabriek, but also one track including a mega-jam session with  Kleefstra|Bakker|Kleefstra and Nils Frahm  makes this essential for fans of electroacoustic splender.

  Peter Broderick, Machinefabriek, Kleefstra|Bakker|Kleefstra, Nils Frahm – Angelige Noaten by Romke Kleefstra

10.

Sparkle in Grey – Mexico web GreySparkle buy 

Italy’s Sparkle in Grey have been quietly releasing innovative music for over a decade – since 1999 as a solo project of Matteo Uggeri (Hue, Die Einzige) and as a quartet since 2005.  The additional performers transformed Uggeri’s field-recordings and treated electronics with violin, guitar, bass, drums and a myriad of additional instruments, creating a hybrid of post-rock, electroacoustics, and pop unlike anything else.   Though the group released a stunning split EP with Tex la homa, last year’s Whale Heart, Whale Heart,  Mexico is the groups first LP since 2008.  After just one listen, it’s clear that they’ve spent the intervening years well, and after several listens, the majesty of their accomplish begins to sink in.  Giuseppe Ielasi aids in the mixing, and combined with Uggeri’s already careful ear, Mexico may be the bands magnum opus.  Highly recommended.

Honorable Mentions:

I can’t let you go quite yet.  Here are 5 other albums deserving of a nod.

Aquarelle - Sung In Broken Symmetry
Blueneck - Repetitions
Jacaszek - Glimmer
Hauschka & Hildur Guðnadóttir - Pan Tone
Sweet Mother Logic - Natural History