As we reach the end of another year, it’s time to reflect on the music that made the whole 12 months worthwhile. 2010 was an exceptionally strong year for music, with old favorites mixing comfortably with the new bands that made their first big splash. Compiling a “Best Of” list was exceptionally hard this year, so I had to go with my gut; I ranked the albums I enjoyed the most as opposed to picking the most popular or critically acclaimed albums.
Top 5 Albums of the Year
Elvis Costello - National Ransom
Swans - My Father Will Guide Me
The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
The National - High Violet
The Black Keys - Brothers
Honorable Mention
Interpol - Interpol
Grinderman - Grinderman 2
The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Eels - End Times
Spoon - Transference
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Foals - Total Life Forever
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Beach House - Teen Dream
Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
Re-Issues:
Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town (Deluxe Re-Issue)
Deluxe 3 CD/ 3 DVD reissue of Springsteen's 1978 masterpiece, complete in a gorgeous box set with extensive linter notes and a wealth of unreleased songs and concert footage. This is as "fan service" as you can get if you're a Boss fan.
Elliott Smith - An Introduction To Elliott Smith
A fitting introduction to the late singer/singwriter's best moments, perfect for those who wish to dabble without getting into the entire back catalogue. Some ommissions are ineveitable and I still think it takes more than a one-disc retrospective to sum up the brilliance of Smith's work, but this collection does a respectable job nonetheless.
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain and Bitches Brew (Legacy Edition Re-Issues)
It's Miles Davis, need I say more? Two of his best albums (in my opinion) re-released in Legacy Edition packaging with extra tracks and expanded liner notes.
Bob Dylan - The Witmark Demos: 1962 - 1964
Even his demos and rough, patchy songs from the famed early 60's period are fantastic. If you own the other Bootleg Series recordings, especially circa 1964, this is an essential companion.
Elvis Costello - National Ransom
Swans - My Father Will Guide Me
The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
The National - High Violet
The Black Keys - Brothers
Honorable Mention
Interpol - Interpol
Grinderman - Grinderman 2
The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Eels - End Times
Spoon - Transference
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Foals - Total Life Forever
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Beach House - Teen Dream
Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
Re-Issues:
Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town (Deluxe Re-Issue)
Deluxe 3 CD/ 3 DVD reissue of Springsteen's 1978 masterpiece, complete in a gorgeous box set with extensive linter notes and a wealth of unreleased songs and concert footage. This is as "fan service" as you can get if you're a Boss fan.
Elliott Smith - An Introduction To Elliott Smith
A fitting introduction to the late singer/singwriter's best moments, perfect for those who wish to dabble without getting into the entire back catalogue. Some ommissions are ineveitable and I still think it takes more than a one-disc retrospective to sum up the brilliance of Smith's work, but this collection does a respectable job nonetheless.
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain and Bitches Brew (Legacy Edition Re-Issues)
It's Miles Davis, need I say more? Two of his best albums (in my opinion) re-released in Legacy Edition packaging with extra tracks and expanded liner notes.
Bob Dylan - The Witmark Demos: 1962 - 1964
Even his demos and rough, patchy songs from the famed early 60's period are fantastic. If you own the other Bootleg Series recordings, especially circa 1964, this is an essential companion.
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