Best of 2010
Out of the 62 albums I listened to from 2010, these are the ones I found worth ranking. Feel free to tell me what I missed, give me recommendations, and argue with my own opinion as if it's fact or something blah blah blah |
| 19 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
At first I found Patrick Stickles's voice atrocious, but for some reason this album kept drawing me back so maybe his voice isn't so bad after all. This album, loosely based on the American Civil War, is the sound of being so passionate about something that you will defend it to your death. 3/5 |
| 18 |  | Menomena
Mines
When I first heard "Queen Black Acid" I thought, "Whoa, Kings of Leon!" but then I realized that this is pretty different and notably better than KoL's release this year. 3/5 |
| 17 |  | Flying Lotus
Cosmogramma
I did not get as excited about this as many people did, but I still found it very refreshing. Jazz-like, experimental, and futuristic. I think I would have enjoyed this more if the songs would have been a bit longer like "Do the Astral Plane." 3/5 |
| 16 |  | Her Name Is Calla
The Quiet Lamb
I really got interested in Post-rock this year, but this is the only notable 2010 release I checked out. 3/5 |
| 15 |  | Ra Ra Riot
The Orchard
I had read a lot of comparisons of this band with Vampire Weekend, and many people are praising them as better. I disagree, though this was an enjoyable album. The closing track "Keep It Quiet" is really good too. 3/5 |
| 14 |  | Massive Attack
Heligoland
Dangerously close to Mezzanine... but then again I am not as crazy about Mezzanine as some people around here. 3.5/5 |
| 13 |  | S. Carey
All We Grow
Outstanding. This guy could have a promising future ahead of him. 3.5/5 |
| 12 |  | Coheed and Cambria
Year of the Black Rainbow
Coheed tries out some new stuff which I usually like seeing from a band. I think I will enjoy this album more when I finally get around to reading the novel that was released with it. Also, am I the only one who thinks making this a self-titled album would have been a better choice for a title than Year of the Black Rainbow since it's the first album all about the characters Coheed and Cambria? 3.5/5 |
| 11 |  | Midlake
The Courage of Others
Man, I'm just now realizing that this was the year of regression for a lot of bands. The Courage of Others was a step back from Midlake's previous effort for sure, but this is still a really solid release. Midlake has a really good sound to them, and this is one of the more underrated albums of the year I think. 3.5/5 |
| 10 |  | Arcade Fire
The Suburbs
I liked the previous two a little bit better, but this is still great. 3.5/5 |
| 9 |  | The Tallest Man on Earth
The Wild Hunt
This wasn't immediately appealing to me, but in time it became a really likable album. Kristian Matsson's abrasive voice sounds almost like a chainsaw at times, but it will probably grow on you if you keep listening. 3.5/5 |
| 8 |  | Vampire Weekend
Contra
Poppy and fun. I really enjoy "Horchata," "Holiday" and "Run." See what I did there? Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma? 3.5/5 |
| 7 |  | The Black Keys
Brothers
This is a solid release just like the Keys' previous albums. My only complaint is that it runs a bit too long; I think a few of the songs could have been dropped. 3.5/5 |
| 6 |  | Owen Pallett
Heartland
I love the violin/tenor combination, and I've always been a sucker for albums that describe a fictional character going on an adventure. 4/5 |
| 5 |  | The Flashbulb
Arboreal
Arboreal mixes soothing soundscapes with quick, ever-changing rhythms. The result is breathtaking. 4/5 |
| 4 |  | The Gaslight Anthem
American Slang
Never in my life have I expected such a letdown from a musical album. The '59 Sound was amazing, and I thought there was no way they could repeat it, but American Slang does not disappoint. 4/5 |
| 3 |  | Parades
Foreign Tapes
"I heard... a voice... It came to me. And then it said... What fools what fools what fools that we have been." 4/5 |
| 2 |  | Sufjan Stevens
The Age of Adz
This was my first real Sufjan experience, and I didn't expect him to live up to the hype... I was wrong. 4/5 |
| 1 |  | The National
High Violet
This was the easiest choice of the list. Very solid album that keeps the streak going. 5/5 |
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