TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010

It's that time of year when I spend WAY too much time choosing my favorite albums of the past year. This past year there were some really strong releases. Albums by bands such as The National, Arcade Fire, LCD Sound System, Yeahsayer, and Gorillaz were quite ambitious and gained a lot of attention, but I just could not get 100% behind them. What came as a surprise to me was that a few of the albums that I chose for my list are fairly recent arrivals for me...which means that I am running on a bit of a gut reaction. Having said this, each one of these albums really does stand on its own as something very special.

10. Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest

I'm always a bit skeptical when music critics seem to fall over one another to pour praise on album. It feels like folks jump on a ban wagon out of fear of being looked at the wrong way if they don't. This was the reason that I ignored Halcyon Digest for so long. So imagine my surprise when I took it for a spin and instantly knew that this album would make my top picks list for the year. Deerhunter's latest album is full of cool layers and textures of sound with vocals that are both contemporary sounding and a throw back to Britain in the 60's. The more I listened, the more I 

9. Mumford & Sons, Sign No More

As much as I enjoyed this album, I knew that it was a true winner when my 10 year old son started requesting me to play it. Signs No More is a mash up of a British bluegrass type sound, country, folk, and a strong right elbow thrown in every once in a while for good measure. I am really encouraged that Mumford & Sons have found a wide ranging audience that has helped propel this album to the top of many music charts both in the States and in England. It is nice to hear some real diversity on the radio.

8. Janelle Monáe, Archandroid

Janelle Monáe’s The ArchAndroid is a sprawling, cinematic statement, blending funk, soul, hip hop, R&B, psychedelic pop, and orchestral grandeur into a singular vision. Presented as the next chapters of her Metropolis saga, the album follows her android alter ego Cindi Mayweather through themes of freedom, identity, and rebellion. Songs like “Tightrope” burst with energy, while “BaBopByeYa” and “Sir Greendown” stretch into lush, theatrical territory. It’s a record that moves between the dance floor and the opera house, unified by Monáe’s electrifying presence and the sense that every note serves a bigger story. Every song on this album surprised me and picking one stand out from the 18 proved impossible to do. 

7 Cee Lo Green, The Lady Killer

The Lady Killer is currently my guilty pleasure. Everything about this album grabs the listener: the rhythms, beats, vocals, and lyrics..oh the lyrics....This is not a family friendly sing-a-long kind of an album...but you will be singing along. Green belts out these songs with such zeal and gusto. Honestly F*ck You (makes me cringe a bit to write this) may be my favorite song of the year. Do yourself a favor. Pick up this album, kick your kids out of the living room or car and crank this one up a few notches.  

6. Eels, End Time

The release of an Eels album is always an event for me. Mark Everett can do no wrong in my book. Having said this, I approach each album with as much objectivity as possible. With End Times, Everett takes things down a few notches from his last album Hombre Lobo, as he takes the listener into his post love of his life break-up head. Everett's writing is open, honest, heartbreaking, and humorous.

5. The Tallest Man On Earth, The Wild Hunt
      

Kristian Mattson, who records under the name The Tallest Man On Earth, is a special artist. As I wrote last month, his unfiltered voice, guitar, and story telling just feels so unique and original in today's music environment where everything feels pulled, pushed, and processed. I was absolutely captivated by The Wild Hunt. His writing and story telling here is just beautiful as he explores his spirituality and the world around him. 

           

4. The Radio Dept.,  Clinging To A Scheme

On Clinging To A Scheme, The Radio Dept. (from Lund, Sweden) continues to play with rich, textured sounds that fill whatever space they occupy. The band, the songs, and the album are in no particular rush to get from one place to another, so no one particular track really stands out from another. Both of these aspects of the album are just fine by me. It is a great listen on a cold and rainy day...or any other day really.

3. Villagers, Becoming A Jackel

Conor O’Brien, the Irish folk-pop singer/songwriter who records as Villagers, uses his debut album Becoming a Jackal to showcase both his sharp songwriting and a voice of remarkable clarity. He sings as if weighing every note and word, letting their meaning resonate in performances that feel deeply considered. The songs shift between hushed confessionals and simmering intensity, carried by fingerpicked guitar, sparse piano, and arrangements that open at just the right moments. Blending the personal and the surreal, O’Brien crafts an album that draws you in quietly and holds you there with quiet force.

2. The Roots, How I Go Over

The Roots’ How I Got Over stands out as a restrained yet groove-heavy album full of thoughtful commentary on the political transition from Bush to Obama. The band pairs deep-pocket rhythms with reflective, often sober lyricism, opening in a hushed space and gradually building momentum through tracks like “Dear God 2.0” and “Walk Alone.” Live instrumentation and soulful hooks anchor meditations on struggle, resilience, and hope, while guest appearances from Joanna Newsom, John Legend, and Monsters of Folk add texture without breaking the flow. It’s an understated yet deeply affecting record, one that lets its message breathe as much as its beats.

  

1. Broken Bells, Broken Bells

When I first hear that Brian Burton a/k/a Danger Mouse and James Mercer (The Shins) were teaming up I thought 'well there's an odd pairing.' Turns out the pairing is perfect. The depth of Burton and Mercer's musical knowledge and abilities complement one another so well and are prominently on display on their debut album. The songs that work well here are fantastic. Unfortunately, a few of the songs fall a bit flat and so the album did not make my final cut.