I was generally very excited for all the releases. I have put together a little list of my favorite albums of 2010:
1)Contra-Vampire Weekend. These guys really knocked me out again w/ the release of their sophmore album. I really loved their first album but this is my new favorite. I can't really stop playing it yet!
2) The Union-Elton John and Leon Russell. I was pretty excited to hear that Elton wanted to honor Leon, whom inspired him to stick with his piano playing. He wanted us to remember a lost, great session musician who didn't make it past the seventie's. This was the result of their duet and I must say that it's an excellent cd and the title fits it so well...two people coming together.
3) She and Him Vol. 2-She and Him. I loved the first album and was hoping they would have a follow-up and to my surprise, they did. I can't decide whether I like this one better or not.
4)As I call you down-Fistful of Mercy. I didn't know what to expect from this album, which was made in only 3 days. It absolutely blew me away! It's a supergroup featuring Dhani Harrison, Ben Harper, and Joseph Arthur.
5) The Suburbs-Arcade Fire. So I'm a bit late coming into the Arcade Fire game, but I really enjoyed this one a lot and listened to it all the way through several times.
6) Doo woops and Holligans-Bruno Mars. I learned of Bruno Mars when he first guest spotted on Travie McCoy's "Billionaire." I actually liked him better and decided I needed to know more about him.
7) Sea of Cowards-The Dead Weather. At first Jack White's group w/ Allison Mosshart took some getting used to. In fact, I thought the first cd was a little bizzare. Then, I listened to this and something clicked. I got it. I think 'Hustle and Cuss' might just be my favorite track!
8) Band of Joy-Robert Plant. Since I've become a huge Led Zeppelin fan, I wasn't expecting this to be as good as Led Zep. I was wrong! I didn't know what to expect from a cd of covers featuring traditional style music with folk and celtic roots but I was pleasantly surprised. I'm still singing "Angel Dance!"
9) Valleys of Neptune-Jimi Hendrix. First of all, to think Hendrix has been dead for over forty years and is STILL putting out albums! I rushed out to buy this after reading a rolling stone article. It's a fantastic album full of rare cuts, never-before released songs, and a super long jam on the Cream classic, 'Sunshine of Your love.'
10) Echoes-The Morning Benders. I first knew nothing of this group. Then I discovered their covers project and the rest was history. I love this album because it sounds very sixties and the band says that they were inspired by Phil Specter's wall of sound.
11) Lungs-Florence and the Machine. Great new act! Florence Welch has an amazing voice and I never tire of hearing this cd.
12) Emotion and Commotion-Jeff Beck. Wonderful guitar god and good album featuring Joss Stone doing a great take on 'I put a spell on you.'
13) See my Friends-Ray Davies. I was worried about this album since I thought it would be like the Santana one....an album with a lot of good names, but unnecessary covers. I was so wrong! These Ray Davies/Kinks covers are reimagined and made relevant again. Billy Corgan does a great job as well as Metallica!
Best Remasters: There always seems to be older albums getting new treatment, here are the better ones!
1) Double Fantasy-John Lennon/Yoko Ono
2) Band on the Run-Paul McCartney/Wings
3) Darkness on the Edge of Town-Bruce Springsteen
4) West Coast Seattle Boy-Jimi Hendrix
5) The Witmark Demos-Bob Dylan
6) Exile on Main Street-The Rolling Stones
7) Live at Leeds-The Who
8) Come and Get it-The Best of Apple Records
Honorable Mentions-Artists w/ albums I enjoyed that didn't make the 'best-of' list:
1) John Legend and the Roots
2) Duffy
3) The Black keys
4) Kings of Leon
5) The Black Eyed Peas
6) Sarah Bairelles
7) Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
8) Katy Perry
9) Lady Gaga
10) Cee-Loo Green
11) Michael Jackson
12) Taylor Swift
13) Mumford and Sons
14) Rhianna
15) Muse
16) Ratatat
17) KT Tunstall
18) Ringo Starr
19) The Constant
20) Gorillaz
21) Imelda May
Artists I didn't 'get':
1) Brandon Flowers
2) Chromeo
3) Nikki Minaj
4) Travie McCoy
5) Kesha
6) Adam Lambert
Undecided:
1) Jay-Z
2) Eminem
3) Pink
4) Sleigh Bells
5) Kayne West
6) Kate Nash
7) Janelle Monae
8) Brian Wilson
9) Weezer
Worst Albums or Albums that bummed me out:
1) Guitar Heavean-Santana
2) Mojo-Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3) I'm having fun now-Jenny and Johnny
Albums I never got around to:
1) Mean old Man-Jerry Lee Lewis
2) Hight Violet-The National
3)Congratulations- MGMT
4) Clapton-Eric Clapton
5) Le Noise-Neil Young
6) No Better than this-John Mellencamp
