My criteria is ultimately just what I listen to the most. Because if I like it a lot, and it means something to me, then I listen to it a lot. There's that. Extra comments are added with each entry. Several other albums are also mentioned at the end. About half of my albums have been on lots of top 10 lists, and the other half have not.
Sit back and enjoy the pretty album covers.
10. Salem - King Night
This album more than likely would have been higher up on the list had I not just started listening to the band right after Thanksgiving. Cody and I both heard the title track in the Urban Outfitters in Santa Monica when we were wandering around and quickly found each other in the store to ask if the other one heard it. The album is dark and I love it.
9. jj - no3
jj's music always sounds very summery to me but it seems like I always end up listening to it the most when it is cold and dreary or snowy outside. I listen to this album a lot when I am cleaning. P.S. does jj release like one new album every 6 months or something?!
8. Blonde Redhead - Penny Sparkle
I feel like nobody knows this album exists. Except for me. Not as phenomenal as 23, but definitely really good.
7. Black Keys - Brother
I am really big on having a good album opener, and Everlasting Light is definitely a great start to begin a great album.
6. Stars - The Five Ghosts
Pretty pretty pretty. My favey band. I still think Heart was their best album though.
5. Beach House - Teen Dream
I decided when I first listened to this on January that it was going to be in the top 5 of my fave albums of the year. I was right. Less drone-y than their previous stuff... I like it to be more mnstrm sorry.
4. Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz
This man can do no wrong in my eyes. The album did not disappoint. Worth the wait, definitely.
3. Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Another very winter-y album in my mind. I have very distinct memories of listening to this album while painting the dining room and kitchen with Kate, when it was really snowy outside. Some of their songs on this album sounded like Animal Collective and I even thought some sounded like TV On The Radio.
2. Phantogram - Eyelid Movies
I wrote about Phantogram back in February (here) - their catchy wonderfulness has stood the test of time. Or a year, at least. You Are The Ocean is a pretty pretty song. Also their music video for Mouthful of Diamonds is great if you like midcentury modern cabins in the snow (and it seems to be, some sort of shovel man?).
1. Gayngs - Relayted
This one wins by a landslide. I have so so so many good memories and experiences attached to this album. Not to mention, Justin Vernon, autotuned. It's great that an album that was originally intended to be a bit of a parody actually ended up being pretty phenomenal.
Honorable Mention (2 categories, and in no order)
Albums that were in the 11th - 20th place range:
Horse Feathers - Thistled Spring (soooo good to take naps to)
Chemical Brothers - Further
White Hinterland - Kairos (listen to that album a fair amount while cleaning too)
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
M.I.A. - /\/\ /\ Y /\
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Kanye West - My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy (YES this was good, NO not the best in all of music history, but again, Justin Vernon, autotuned, I rest my case)
Sleigh Bells - Treats
Tame Impala - Innerspeaker (and I likey the album art)
Albums that probably would have booted others if I had listened to them more than like once in the car when I am not really paying attention:
Girl Talk - All Day
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
Blakroc - BlakRoc
Also Geographer - Animal Shapes was really good but it was only an EP so I didn't include it.
2010 was a good year for music, also for life in general. After a couple kind of "meh" years, 2010 brought in some very nice surprises. It was a very good year.
Here's to an exciting 2k11. Hooray!
1 comment:
Great list! Looks like I missed a few good albums last year. Off I go to Guestroom Records!
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