A few things about this list. In years past, I have only made a "Best Tracks" list, meaning that the albums themselves may not be that amazing, but for whatever reason, I loved those particular songs. This year, I planned to do the same, but I realized that there are a few albums I liked that don't have a song that stand out. I thought, "eh, I'll just pick a random song," but that didn't work either. Basically, I would add a song to the track list, and it just seemed like that song was a let-down in the mix of great tracks. So I've included a short list at the end of my track list of albums that I really liked this year, but that didn't really have any standout songs.
As usual, these songs are not in any particular order. I take that back, they are in a particular order, but it has nothing to do with which is the "very best." Instead, I try to make it flow like a playlist.
Also different from prior years, I allowed 2 songs from 1 album. I usually don't do that, which means that some songs don't make the cut that would have if they hadn't been on the same album as an even better song. I broke the rule one time this year because the Eclipse soundtrack had 2 songs that I couldn't choose between. It's not a huge rule-breaker since each song is by a different artist, and neither of those artists had any other songs on the list. That Eclipse soundtrack, by the way....say what you will about Twilight, but the music is great...
You can listen to the playlist here.
- Yeasayer - Ambling Alp: This song was released as a single in 2009, but the album Odd Blood came out in 2010. When it did, I listened to the whole album over and over for quite a few weeks. I guess I start the list with this one, since it's sort of how I started my 2010.
- Sufjan Stevens - I Walked: This entire album is so phenomenal. Sufjan basically abandons the world (other than random side projects) for a few years, and then blows us away with an EP and an album released a month apart. The EP was good, but the album, The Age of Adz, was another one I could listen to on repeat.
- Beck and Bat for Lashes - Let's Get Lost: This song is from the Eclipse soundtrack. It's just beautiful. I also love musical collaboration, and Beck has been doing that a lot lately. I approve.
- Beach House - Norway: It was a serious toss-up between Zebra and Norway. I kept going back and forth, but in the end, I think the vocal back-up in Norway won me over.
- CocoRosie - Lemonade: This album, Grey Oceans, was only so-so, in my book. But this song, was too beautiful not to include. It just makes me smile and want to seriously go get some lemonade and have some innocent little picnic somewhere.
- Broken Bells - Sailing to Nowhere: Broken Bells came out of nowhere this year, and their album seemed so perfect. Then I stopped listening to it because it seemed annoying for some reason. Maybe it's too perfect? Regardless, this album got a ton of playtime on my iTunes this year. I saw them in May, and it was a really great performance. James Mercer seems like a total perfectionist, but it pays off because his voice never falters.
- The Morning Benders - Excuses: I saw these guys in March, and the performance of this song was fabulous. I wrote about it here. That alone pretty much secured the song's spot on my year-end list. They weren't as great when they opened for Broken Bells a couple of months later, but I'll forgive them for that one.
- Jonsi - Around Us: I had a lot of trouble picking a song from this album. I had Sinking Friendships on the list for a while. But this song really stood out from his concert last October. I wrote about that concert, too. These songs all feel really powerful, yet relaxing for some reason. I love listening to the album straight through, but most of the songs can also stand on their own.
- Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains): I wrote about this album when it came out, and it all still holds true. I love this album, and I'm sort of surprised it wasn't on more people's Best of 2010 lists. Maybe they're too mainstream, so it's not "cool" to like them anymore? Oh well. I'm not turned off yet. Their concerts are still up there on my best of all time list. And Regine Chassagne sings this with so much energy at the shows, it's definitely a stand-out.
- Caribou - Odessa: I forgot about this album (Swim) for a lot of the year. Then, when going through 2010 stuff, I started listening more. The album is good, but not great. This song, though, catches my attention whenever it pops up on shuffle.
- The Black Keys - Everlasting Light: I've never liked The Black Keys. Everyone raves about them, but each time I try to listen, I am disappointed. So much so that I didn't even want to give this album a shot. The album is good, although I didn't love it. I did love this song, though.
- Efterklang - Modern Drift: I downloaded this album on a whim. They were playing LA, and my roommate at the time mentioned that I might like them. They released an album in the spring (Magic Chairs), and it was good. Again, not great, but good. I really like the vocals on this track, though. Apparently enough to make it to the best of list.
- Janelle Monae - Cold War: This album was good. Everyone seemed to be talking about her this year. I liked a few songs, but when I saw the video for this song, I was sold. She toured with of Montreal this year, which seems like an odd match in some respects, but it worked.
- Florence + The Machine - Heavy in Your Arms: This is another one from the Eclipse soundtrack. I have a bit of a crush on Florence Welch. Mostly because her voice is so consistently smooth and unwavering. I saw her at The Wiltern this year, where she sold out 3 nights in a row. She definitely has a presence on stage, which makes her sort of mesmerizing to watch. This song was one of her encores.
- Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill: I kept going back and forth with this band. Did I like them? Or were they too abrasive? I'm still not sure how I feel about them overall, but I'm sure that this song just puts me in a good mood.
- Hot Chip - Take It In: I wasn't sure whether I would like this album or not since their last one was only so-so, but I'm glad I gave it a shot. The crazy video for I Feel Better probably helped get my attention. This is my favorite song on the album, though.
- LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change: It was between this song and Dance Yrself Clean, but that song is 9 minutes long, which really makes for a long playlist... Seriously, that was my only deciding factor. I saw them live a few years ago, opening for Arcade Fire, and they were "eh." But I saw them on their headlining tour this year at the Hollywood Bowl, and they were awesome.
- Best Coast - The End: I usually dislike lo-fi music. The droning noise sort of irritates me. But for some reason, it doesn't bother me with Best Coast. I don't love every song on this album (Crazy for You), but I like it.
- Robyn - Dancing On My Own: This was one of the albums that I just started listening to. I kept reading about her new stuff and decided to check it out for myself. I have tons of guilty pleasures when it comes to music, and I often listen to Top 40 crap on the radio, not because it's good, but because I like cheesy dance riffs. Robyn is like the best of both worlds. It's pure dance pop. But it's so much better quality than the crap that gets played on the radio. (Note: I know she WAS typical Top 40 crap in the 90s, but her stuff is different now that she's, you know, not 17 years old...)
- Kanye West - Runaway: Ok ok. I just said I listen to Top 40 sometimes. I also have a thing for celebrities who go a little crazy and write absurd things on their Twitter accounts, yet also produce really great music. I loved this song from the first time I saw the video. I also figured it was fitting to end the list with a toast. Happy New Year, all. Let's have a toast for the douchebags. May they be relatively absent from your 2011!
Albums that didn't have standout tracks, but were still pretty good albums of 2010:
- Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
- Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
- Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
- Gayngs - Relayted
- Laura Veirs - July Flame
- Menomena - Mines
- Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
- The National - High Violet
- The New Pornographers - Together
- Wolf Parade - Expo 86
