Best 10 (Albums of '10)

For the most part, I spent 2010 listening to maudlin indie rock or super gay dance music.  Here is my list of top 10 albums.  I'll keep it short and sweet since I am not a real music critic and I wouldn't want to be annoying and full of shit like Pitchfork.

#1: Admiral Radley "I Heart California"

Most underrated act of the year.  Formed by Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch of Grandaddy and Aaron Espinoza and the oh so lovely Arianna Murray of Earlimart, the influences of both bands in this record is obvious.  But why not, Grandaddy and Earlimart were amazing (and similarly underrated).  Their debut album "I Heart California" is written by brilliant songwriters Jason Lytle and Aaron Espinoza, experts at bittersweet melodies and whimsical lyrics.  My favorite songs are below, performed on All Songs Considered's Tiny Desk Concert.

#2: Kanye West "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"

Kanye has redeemed his ridiculous self with this album, which is the best thing he's put out yet.  I didn't have expectations for it because I hated "808s and Heartbreak", and the two before that were just eh.  But Kanye proves that he deserves to be on top with "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", which peacocks his signature cinematic and epic, yet still club-bangin' hip hop sound.  My fave track on the album is "Monster" featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, show-stealing Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver.

(Not the real video)

And this performance of "Runaway" on the VMAs was SICK.

#3: Deerhunter "Halcyon Digest"

If you didn't know who Deerhunter was before, you probably do now.  "Halcyon Digest", the fourth studio album from this Atlanta-based shoegaze/noise/indie band, was really well received, and made it to most Top Albums of 2010 lists.  This record sounds like something you would hear in a dream. but is more clear and defined than any of their older albums.  With  the success of Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, Bradford Cox is making a place for himself in music history.  Here's a rad performance of "Helicopter" on Conan:

#4: Lower Dens "Twin-Hand Movement"

Dissonant, moody, and despite song titles like "A Dog's Dick" and "Two Cocks", this is some of the most beautiful, complex (yet simplistic) music I've heard in a while.  "Twin-Hand Movement" is the debut album of this Baltimore-based band fronted by androgynous-sounding, freak-folk rocker Jana Hunter.  There have been comparisons of Lower Dens to The xx, but LD is more like the music you want to do downers and chill to than The xx, who is more of an uppers-with-a-little-bit-of-downers-type of band.

My favorite track (Not an official video)

#5: Robyn "Body Talk"

I didn't think anything could make me feel more like a gay man than I already did until I heard "Dancing On My Own", the first single off "Body Talk."  Swedish pop singer, Robyn has been around for a while, but has officially staked her claim as the reigning high-brow-pop queen with this record.  Her infectious vocals, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and highly danceable beats made this the best dance album of the year.  Plus she is just so gosh darn cute.  Two favorite tracks:

Cute video for "Dancing On My Own"

(Not the official video)

#6: MGMT "Congratulations"

Although it's no "Oracular Spectacular", MGMT's third studio album has made it to the top ten.  "Congratulations" sounded like the songs in between "Time To Pretend" and "Electric Feel", so it disappointed a lot of people and got negative to neutral reviews.  It's definitely one of those records you need to listen to at least five times before you understand and love it.  Word on the streets is that their record company is giving them little artistic freedom over their next album.  Best tracks:

Freaky video for "Flash Delirium"

#7: Big Boi "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty"

I don't think Big Boi (or Andre) could ever put out anything I wouldn't immediately love.  "Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son Of Chico Dusty" got me interested in hip hop again, after a few years of avoiding terrible rap (feat. Akon).  In this album, Big Boi shows that he is still one of the best MCs around and has not let money affect his rhyming skills.  Ever notice how when a lot of rappers get rich, their rhymes suddenly get really lazy?  Also, the beats on this record are tight.  Sounds like futuristic, ghetto-funk.  This is the sickest track featuring Yelawolf, who is rad for a white rapper.  You definitely want to BUMP THIS on good speakers:

#8: Baths "Cerulean"

Baths is composed of 21 year old newcomer, William Wiesenfeld.  This chill-out music is full of beautiful textures that you can feel as much as you can hear.  The beats are broken but flow like water.  Think Flying Lotus meets Washed Out, but with more imagination.  Here is the haunting video for "Lovely Blood Flow" that turned me onto Baths:

#9: Rihanna "Loud"

Yes, you heard me.  Rihanna is on my top 10.  I can't help but love this album.  Her voice goes well with the dance anthem-y songs, and I even like the ballads.  Shut up.  Favorite track is "Only Girl In The World."  Be careful, this song will get stuck in your head.

#10: Sleigh Bells "Treats"

The debut album from Sleigh Bells probably made every top 10 list of 2010.  This Brooklyn-based duo is pretty crazy.  I've never heard music like this before.  It's like hyphy music for white people.   Frontwoman Alexis Krauss is also pretty cute.  This is definitely music you want to break shit to.