My Top 10 Albums of 2010

Last year I posted my Top 10 albums of 2009 which featured Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Ingrid Michaelson and La Roux just to name a few. This year I thought that I would continue this tradition on my blog.

Without further ado, here are my Top 10 albums of 2010 in specific order based on play count (thanks Last.fm), and my personal consideration of the album!

10. Sade – Soldier of Love
This album came out in February of this year but I didn’t end up listening to it until the Spring/Summer. It has a lot of beautiful music that I can honestly say sounds like no one else out there right now. I may be giving this as Christmas gifts this year.

9. Christina Aguilera – Bionic

This album is a hot mess from head to toe – but I somehow found myself playing it for a good month straight this summer. It has a few catchy songs, and some great power ballads that we know from Christina. However, songs like “Glam” (which was touted as this generation’s “Vogue” before “Bionic” was released) and “Vanity” made me realize I should be spending my time on some better music.

8. Vampire Weekend – Contra
This album was a little bit everywhere too – but in a good way. I would hit play on this album heading home from Morgantown and it made the drive a lot more enjoyable. I remember listening to this album a lot driving to and from New York in January and February. I highly recommend this one.

7. Rihanna – Loud
Rihanna’s “Loud” has only been out for a few weeks but I’ve already played the hell out of it. It’s everything you would expect from a dance album…and then some. Last year I wouldn’t even have thought about putting Rihanna on my Top 10 so this is an interesting pick for me…even as I’m typing it.

6. Kings of Leon – Come Around Sundown
Kings of Leon is a group that a lot of music snobs go to when they want to sound like they know what they’re talking about. I was so sick of Kings of Leon after summer of 2009 when whatever that song was, played on Sirius XM 500 times an hour. However, I saw Kings of Leon on Saturday Night Live this fall (give their agent a raise!) and heard the song “Pyro” and knew immediately that I had to listen to this album. Turns out every single song is amazing and well-written! Had I had this album for a little bit more of 2010 it probably would have ranked higher.

5. Glee Music Seasons 1 & 2

Even though these are considered 2 different albums, I had to combine the Glee music in to 1 pick. I really love this TV show and not just because they sing and dance. The story is beautiful, the writing is excellent, and I find myself interested in tuning in every week which hasn’t really happened since Lost (RIP). Again, this is another one that music snobs will turn away from, but you can’t deny talent.

4. Bess Rogers – Travel Back EP
This EP was released April 2009 and I have had it on my iTunes since then. I listened and liked it for a while – but this year something changed. I seemed to LOVE this album a lot this year and ended up playing it for friends and family every time I had a chance. It’s a really fun EP to put in when you’re on the road, on the subway or even just getting ready to go out. Bess Rogers has such a beautiful voice! She has since released another EP called Bess Rogers presents Bess Rogers which you can download by clicking that link! I can’t say enough good things about this EP!

3. Robyn – Body Talk (Pts. 1, 2 and 3)

This is another album that was released in parts throughout the year, but in all I listened to each one extensively. Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” is probably one of my all-time favorite songs, and was just nominated for a Best Dance Recording Grammy! I absolutely love her music and was VERY jealous when the MTV TJ top 5 got o not only go to her concert, but interview her afterwards! It looks like Robyn is already back in the studio and putting out an album in 2011! I can’t wait!

2. Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster
You know as much of a Lady Gaga fan as I am, you think if I’m going to put her on my Top 10 again this year, I’d put her at No.1 right? (She was No.2 last year as well). But when I think of 2010, I don’t think solely of Lady Gaga. When The Fame Monster came out in 2009 I listened to it extensively for the remainder of that year. Yes, she had a few more singles this year, but they were songs that I had already fallen in love with before the rest of the listening public (Alejandro was my No.1 track last year, and the single wasn’t released until May 2010!). Though this album was a big part of my 2010, I can’t put it at No.1.

1. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
I can’t believe I am putting Kanye West at No.1 but it’s true! I’ve never been a HUGE Kanye West fan. I do separate his personal actions from his music (even though he incorporates both in to both), so when this album came out in November I immediately knew it was going to be one I hold on to forever. Each and every song on this album is just mind-blowing. I don’t even know when the last time I listened to an album where each and every song truly blew me away. Not only does each song stand on its own, it creates a very fluid understandable representation of an album as well. It’s like the universe is whole now that this album was made. So corny, but it’s true! Even if you don’t like Kanye West, or hip-hop for that matter, I highly suggest picking this one up and giving it a listen. It may just change the way you think about music as a whole.

 

So that’s it! I wonder what albums will make my Top 10 in 2011! Lady Gaga, Britney, and Robyn all have albums coming out in the first part of 2011 so I’m going to make a bet that they’ll be in there. We’ll see come next year at this time!

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