best albums of 2010

I really don’t like making lists. Shopping lists. To do lists. Resolution lists. I’m way too into multi-tasking to feel tied town to lists. But 2010 just had too much music that I loved to not at least mention a few that I hope you’ve gotten the pleasure to hear as well. These aren’t in any order though. Plus, you all should know by now I’m not nearly decisive enough to claim a truly #1 album.

But anyway, here’s my list. Favorite CDs 2010. Enjoy.

Mumford and Sons: Sigh No More
Grace never sounded so good. Check out a few lyrics from Roll Away Your Stone:
Roll away your stone, I’ll roll away mine
Together we can see what we will find
Don’t leave me alone at this time,
For I’m afraid of what I will discover inside

Cause you told me that I would find a hole,
Within the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal,
And all the while my character it steals

Darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?
And yet it dominates the things I see

It seems that all my bridges have been burned,
But you say that’s exactly how this grace thing works
It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive with the restart

Here’s the big radio song – note, if you get offended by the F-word, sorry. Little Lion Man is just too good to not include.

Vampire Weekend: Contra.
Album most likely to have me dancing around my apartment singing into a hairbrush. I have no idea how anyone could dislike Contra. It’s what pop music should be. You’re probably sick of this song thanks to their Honda commercial, but I don’t care. It’s fun. Holiday.

Spoon: Transference
Deep. Raw. Not as polished as some of their earlier albums, but struck a perfect chord with me. Spoon just seems like they embrace what it means to be a rock band, and they probably don’t care if we like them or not. Here’s Nobody Gets Me But You –

Cee Lo Green: the Lady Killer.
I love me some Hammond organ. Honestly, this is just a great CD. I loved Gnarles Barkley, but between this album, and Danger Mouses’s Broken Bells album, I think the parts are greater than the sum in this case.

Song clip – this isn’t censored, so if you’re easily offended by the F word, you might want to move along….love the line in this song “I guess he’s more xbox and I’m more Atari.” F*** You –

The National: High Violet
Sexiest singer voice out there. The National always reminds me of questions unearthed in dark bars on any given night. Anyone’s Ghost –

Arcade Fire: The Suburbs
16 songs. Brilliant melodies, and songs about growing up. So good. The Suburbs –

Janelle Monae: The ArchAndriod
Amazing. Creative. Brilliant. Weird. I’m not sure if it’s pop, electronica, r&b, alternative? All the adjectives work. Her debut record, and I can’t help but think she’s going to be around for a long long time. Cold War –

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs: God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise
This album became a staple for this year. With a laid back quality, this album made me cry and smile, often all in the same song. Beg, Steal or Borrow -

Broken Bells: Broken Bells
Their concert bored me to tears, but their album was one of my absolute favorites. Made by Danger Mouse and that guy from the Shins, I gotta say, I loved just having this as a delicious soundtrack to 2010. The High Road –

The Choir: Burning Like the Midnight Sun.
The Choir took 5 years to release this, their 12th album, and arguably, one of their best. Transparent songs of growing up, living every day life, and even a few stories from the road, here’s hoping it doesn’t take another 5 years to hear their next full project. Melancholy Ghost –

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