Best Albums of 2010

Tell me you saw this coming. If not, you should get your eyes checked out. By my fist. I have decided to limit this list to albums that came out in 2010 and leave out all the bands and albums I got into from years past (or future!) last year. Here we go.

Frightened Rabbit, The Winter of Mixed Drinks

Big fan of this band. Their previous album, Midnight Organ Fight, was an instant classic in my book, and this followup brings more of the same Scot rock. Literally, music to my ears.

Titus Andronicus, The Monitor

Another fantastic followup album. Fun Fact: this is William Shatner's favorite American rock band. Which says something. It's also a delicious album, infitely listenable.

Janelle Monáe, The Archandroid

I don't think there's anything I can say about this artist than has already been said. She's great. Best hip-hop album (if you can even call it that) of the year.

Gorillaz, Plastic Beach

The Gorillaz have never missed a beat in my book. Granted, I'm not terribly into the rap/hip-hop scene, but I can always put on a Gorillaz album and feel good. Th interactive online comic book that released with this album was fresh, too.

Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

Heard the title track of this album via a Look What We Can Do exhibition extolling the virtues of Chrome. I wasn't blown away by Neon Bible, but I'm glad that track got me reinterested in this band. The Suburbs is simply wonderful.

The Apples in Stereo, Travellers in Space and Time

I have contructed in my mind that Apples in Stereo is the funny version of OK Go. No idea how true that is. But, this album is really fun and head-boppy.

The White Stripes, Under Great White Northern Lights

If you're not a fan of the Stripes, skip this, since it's basically a live greatest hits album. But for me, a Stripes fan, that makes this deluxe. You can tell that Jack and Meg are having a blast while playing.

Daft Punk, Tron: Legacy

Mentioned yesterday how this soundtrack helped make the film. And it really does. That being said, the music can stand for itself. Brooding electronica at its best.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network

Ditto from above, minus the brooding part. This soundtrack needs a much more descriptive word than brooding. The tracks sound like an extremely taut bow: restrained and tight, but threatening a frightening intensity.

Sufjan Stevens, All Delighted People

Sufjan continues to expand the experimental breadth of his music and it shines here. Technically, this is an EP, but it feels like a long player both in scope and in sound. And in length. Get ready for 11 minute songs. It's like Yes with a banjo and a drum machine hopped on asynch.

Amanda Palmer, Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

I've been following Palmer/the Dresden Dolls for 7-8 years now, and I can say that without a doubt this is the best work she's ever put out. It's smart, sounds clean, and memorable. Seeing it performed live with an improv troup on stage was a nice treat, too.

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