I know the year is not over, but there comes a point in the year, when you know you couldn’t possibly listen and love an album as much as you have the ones in months past. So, here it is from 15-1, my favorite albums of 2010 and the ways in which they can be best experienced.
:::::::: TOP 15 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2010 ::::::::::
15) LCD Soundsystem - “This Is Happening”
Best experienced: At a random house party in Silverlake where you want to hate on all the hipsters for being hipsters, but instead you give in and let the music take control and you join the weird and comfortably-awkward LCD Soundsystem dance party. Yup that is right, “This Is Happening” creates a comfortably-awkward dance party.
14) Robyn - “Body Talk Pt 1”
Best experienced: When you are hanging out, going out or out with friends of yours who also appreciate the amazingness of Gossip Girl, Pinkberry and occasional wearing heels and club going.
13) Sufjan Stevens - “Age Of Adz”
Best experienced: When you get over the fact that the album is not called “California” and there is very little folk or anything Sufjanian you are used too. When you are no longer on your sugar high and need a little pick up, play this album through - your eyes can be opened or closed, you can be standing up or laying down.
12) Ra Ra Riot - “The Orchard”
Best experienced: After leaving a really loud place, or driving home from work in traffic and you want to relax and be reminded of the simpler things in life.
11) Delorean - “Subiza”
Best experienced: At a dance party at SXSW, at a pool party in Los Angeles, at a birthday party for a friend who just wants to dance and have a good time.
10) Mayer Hawthorne - “A Strange Arrangement”
Best experienced: After leaving a concert and you don’t want to be the loser who puts on the music of the show you just attended. On a Sunday afternoon at a bbq when everyone is in the mood for a little funk, soul and jamz.
9) MGMT - “Congratulations”
Best experienced: After you have come to terms with the fact that everyone gets older and everyone deserves the chance to express themselves. Sure, MGMT once made a few tracks that created an electric feel in kids across the nation (pun intended) and now they have made a beautiful album that they actually can play and perform live. Go see them in concert, they deserve a congratulations for growing up a bit and still making us feel so good.
8) The Black Keys - “Brothers”
Best experienced: On a road trip. On a camping trip. In your house with little light coming through. When you are cleaning. Prior to getting in the shower, because this album will certainly make you feel a little grungy.
7) Bonobo - “Black Sands”
Best experienced: When reading a book and you want some instrumentals. And for the tracks with vocals, you should be by the side of someone with rhythm, because you are certainly going to want to get down.
6) Twin Shadow - “Forget”
Best experienced: When you are ready to get-up-off-that-thang like James Brown, get-down-on-it like Kool and the Gang and set the mood like Marvin Gaye. Twin Shadow will keep you in 2010, but throw you back to the 60’s musically.
5) The Ruby Suns - “Fight Softly”
Best experienced: Whether you are in warm or cold weather, you best be ready to get all sorts of tropical. Not necessarily under-water like Animal Collective, but tropical as in juicy like a Pina-Colada and sunbathing. Although this album can touch your ears through winter, spring, summer or fall.
4) Broken Bells - s/t
Best experienced: After listening to this album thoroughly, go see Broken Bells live and tell me it’s not the same exact taste of awesomeness. If anyone can make eclectic sounds recorded and then deliver it live - Danger Mouse and James Mercer can.
3) Surfer Blood - “Astrocoast”
Best experienced: In 2009, but still soo good in 2010 and still so relevant to exactly what I want on a car drive, long work day or day at the beach. Be prepared to sing a long, just like you did to Weezer’s Sweater Song. This is a friendly album, a group listen, an all around joyful piece - with youthful and playful lyrics and melodies.
2) Yeasayer - “Odd Blood”
Best experienced: When your mind is in a beautiful place, your body is healthy and happy and your ears are ready to be opened to a number of worldly sounds and enchanting vocals. This album will make you dance, cry, skip, twirl and feel all sorts of magical.
1) Arcade Fire - “The Suburbs”
Best experienced: On repeat. Play this album over and over and over again. Play this album when you are awake and play this album when you are asleep. I can’t say there is a song for everyone on this album, but every song on this album certainly is for me. Play this album for your children, play this album for your parents, play this album for the republicans, play this album for the democrats. Play this album in the city and play this album in “The Suburbs”.
Okay, now tell me. What is your favorite album on this list?
