by Daniel Colussi | This week, SOUNDTRACKING guides you through some of this year’s better albums with a primo playlist of ten choice cuts covering the spectrum from party-starting anthems and morose ballads to acid-fried guitar wig-outs.  And of course, all of these titles can be found at any of our city’s fine local, independent music retailers. Get an earful after the leap…

1. Destoyer: Kaputt from the album Kaputt (Merge)

Destroyer’s ninth album is many things – a horn-inflected 80’s jazz opus, a skeptical ode to the nightlife drug scene, and a love letter to the city of Vancouver.  It’s also maybe the best album yet from a guy who’s given us some very good music over the last fifteen years.  See for yourself – the title track is a scorcher!

2. Woods: Pushing Onlys from the album Sun And Shame (Woodsist)

Woods have steadily honed their particular brand of folky-psych pop to arrive at the career peak that is this year’s Sun And Shame, and album that finds a balance between the acid damaged warble of Skip Spence and the tight pop craftsmanship of say, The Zombies.  And as anyone who witnessed their set at the Electric Owl last month will attest, they’re even more potent live than on record.

3. Purling Hiss: The Hoodoo from Lounge Lizards (Mexican Summer)

Philly shaggy dog Mike Polizze had been home recording his freak out guitar heroics for years before any industry heavyweights took notice.  Well, we’re all the better off for it (thanks industry heavyweights!) because Polizze’s power-pop meets freak out Stoogery is a revelation for lovers of acid guitar and moody hooks.  The Hoodoo from this year’s extra tasty Lounge Lizards ep is a the sound of a house party cresting to perfection.

4. Jay Z and Kanye West: Otis from Watch The Throne (Universal)

Jeezy and Weezy give us an album that chronicles what life is like if you’re an insanely rich celebrity super star.  So basically, it’s a care free, get wild, party album, which is the kind of album I like to play before I head out for a night on the town.  “Otis” is top contender for summer 2011 party anthem so get into it with me.

5. Hype Williams: Break4love from One Nation (Hippos In Tanks)

Reveling in their own obscurity, UK duo Hype Williams play way outside the box and the result is some of the freshest, most original, most lo-fi and most blunted sounds to waft through my stereo.  Ever the pranksters, the UK duo’s songs are rife with jarring edits, bizarre samples, and a generally drugged out and fractured air.  Untethered to any scene or genre, I expect a steady stream of great releases from these two.

6. Ty Segall: You Make The Sun Fray from Goodbye Bread (Drag City)

Ty Segall, the floppy surfer dude from Orange County, makes a stylistic breakthrough with this year’s Goodbye Bread.  Not content to merely be the king of the the garage rock underground, Segall sets his sights on honest to god pop song craftsmanship.  You Make The Sun Fry is all paisley-jangle pop with acid guitar freak outs and falsetto harmonies.  Segall pulls it off, and with shaggy hair firmly in his face all the while.

7.  Kellarissa: Passages from Moon Of Neptune (Mint)

Kellarissa is a treasure of our local music scene, having provided her exceptional vocals to so many bands, most recently as a touring member of the mighty Destroyer.  Moons Of Neptune is Kellarissa ‘s second solo outing, and it’s album that balances haunting melancholia with 8 bit synth pop, like Nico jamming with Kraftwerk.  I like.

8. Dirty Beaches: Lord Knows Best from Badlands (Zoo Music)

Sometimes Vancouverite Alex Zhang has had an incredible year so far.  In addition to several cassettes and 7″s, he’s released his debut full length Badlands to universal acclaim.  As Dirty Beaches, Zhang explores the intersection of indelible 50s melodies and creepy, heavy-breathed vocals.  The result is a direct line to a kind of David Lynch astral plane, dancing midget not required.

9.  Cass McCombs: County Line from Wit’s End (Domino)

Phew, if Jay and Kanye have given us the best party track of the year then Cass McCombs has given us the best song for stumbling home dishelved and bewildered as the sun comes up.  County Line’s smooth piano and measured pace are perfect, while McCombs’ typically amazing vocals paint a vague portrait of loss and regret.  It’s an incredible song, and folks, this is just the first track on the album.

10. Yung Mums: BC Budz from their self titled debut.

Scrappy local three piece Yung Mums need only 53 second to win you over with their Shaggs-esque tribute to our province’s largest and most profitable industry.  As a consistently fun live band at bars and dives alike, Yung Mums recall the joyful abandon of the fabled New Zealand punk scene of yore.  Enjoy them now before they become too tied down with driving their children to soccer practice and flute recitals.

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Zulu Records veteran and tunage aficionado Daniel Colussi is the Music Editor of Scout Magazine.