Best Albums of 2010

Yeah, yeah, I know....I lagged and it's almost a month into 2011...well too bad, that's the price you pay for greatness. Wel, mine anyway.

Without further ado...here are my favorite albums from 2010. Like the singles list, this was a difficult process this year what with so much great music. For many of these albums their excellence was defined as a whole, rather than by a few outstanding tracks and some other ok ones. More so than in a long time, these choices are top to bottom excellent albums and keep getting better and better with repeated listening. It is this type of excellence through and through which really stood out to me most in picking my favorite albums this year.

Each link takes you to a particularly delightful selection from the album for your listening pleasure. In the case that there is a band that appeared on a previous list, I chose a different selection.

1. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening – James Murphy and bandmates clearly have created something special and this albums diversity, funky beats, and lyricism made for and eminently fun and interesting experience.

2. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast – A wonderful debut album from this young Florida band. The perfect mix of sunny, surf rock inspired riffs.

3. Girl Talk – All Day – Greg Gilles’ frenetic and fascinating mash up style has to be heard to be believed. With ingenious choices and technically mind blowing mashing and mixing, this album is far and away the most party rockin-est album of the year. I keep going back and hearing something new months into listening.

4. The Black Keys – Brothers – Finally gaining the notoriety they have long deserved, this is far and away the Keys most diverse album sonically. The mixing of styles, sounds, and instruments made it tougher to get into for me initially given my love of their grittier, bluesy-er sound of the past but ultimately this album rewarded with an incredible collection of songs.

5.  The Walkmen - Lisbon - A long awaited new album from these indie vets after a protracted labe battle.  This album is the perfect mix of surf rock, indie, and some more creative influences.  Tough to ceteogorize, I'll just say this is an incredibly enjoyable rock album.  Welcome back.

6. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark, Twisted, Fantasy – As grand a hip hop album as they come, Kanye backed up his outsized ego and public meltdowns with a stunning album. Packed with hits and a star studded guest roster, this album could have very easily been all fluff and no substance. But it’s lyrical intensity, monster beats, and raw creativity made it something special to behold.

7. Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner – A beautifully intricate and minimal electronic album that came out of nowhere for me. This is another that keeps improving with repeated listens.

8. Vampire Weekend – Contra – Somehow these preppy lads managed to hold onto that unique sound that set them apart on their debut, while also pushing the boundaries of their sound with more complex songs and more exotic musical influences. More than just plain fun and catchy (which it still is) this album is more mature than its predecessor.

9. How To Dress Well – Love Remains – Low fi electronica with some deep soulful grooves. The fuzzy, feedback driven recording style may seem weird at first but ultimately it works in this albums favor. This is baby makin music’. Well for me anyway.

10. Best Coast – Crazy For You – Like a musical version of a love letter to a summer fling, this albums simple lo-fi beach-rock vibe overflows with catchy, honest tunes of teen angst.

11. Toro y Moi -Causers of This– Another unlikely surprise, this album of dreamy and funky electro rock is perfect background music for any number of stylish endeavors. I got an advance copy a few months ago but they are doing a full release in February.  I know this toes the line as far as a 2010 release but this album is that good I had to spread the word.  Yep, that's a cover of one of my favorite Michael Jackson tunes.
12.  No Age-Everythig in Between - A much more accessible and enjoyable release from this lo fi LA punk rock band.  It is gritty and catchy at the same time.  Look for big things from these guys in the near future.

So there you have it.  There are far too many honorable mentions to list but here are a few....Local Natives, Arcade Fire, Wavves, James Blake, Big Boi, Matt and Kim, Radio Department, Kings of Leon, Phanotgrams, Matthew Dear, Daft Punk, Beirut.

Perfection....

This literally made my day.  Just TRY not smile and get teary eyed.  I couldn't....