5. Special Moves, Mogwai — Ya it’s been a month since I unveiled #6, but hey, you can’t deny it built mad tension… Anyway, if the Shoegaze Comps at #6 were the biggest surprise of 2010 for me, this new live album from Scottish rockers Mogwai was the least surprising. These guys are simply incredible in concert and any live album they release is almost an auto-bid for year-end honors in my book (see 2005’s Government Comissions). I know I’ve discussed this on here before, but I think their live stuff just blows everything they’ve done in the studio over the last 10 years out of the water. And it’s not that their new material is bad — songs like “Hunted By A Freak,” “I Know You Are But What Am I,” and “Batcat” all have an intensity about them live that I’m just not feeling in the studio versions. Though to be fair, I was kind of disappointed with the live version of “2 Rights Make 1 Wrong” but only a tiny bit because I think they nailed that one in the studio. But I digress. It really is a great album. Every track on here repeatedly kicks your ass with distorted guitar assaults and that quiet-loud dynamic that will most likely make my ears bleed one of these days. If you can find a version with the bonus disc, make sure you pick it up, the aforementioned “Batcat,” “Thank You Space Expert,” and my all-time fav live Mogwai track “New Paths To Helicon Pt 1″ are well worth it. I still get chills every time that wall of guitars come in halfway through “New Paths.”

Also, if there are any Neils out there reading this, “Mogwai Fear Satan” is another epically repetitive track along the lines of Yo La Tengo’s “Spec Bebop” that you might like / make the mother hate.