K’s Top Albums of 2010

Posted December 23rd, 2010 by k

Looking back at my list from 2009, I find I still listen to the majority of those records to this day. To be quite honest, I seriously doubt I’ll be listening to the bulk of my Top 10 of 2010 come next year. That’s not to say I don’t love these records; I do. Many of them simply strike me as ephemeral, forever tied to 2010 in my mind.

10.) Stars – Five Ghosts (Vagrant)
It’s no “Set Yourself on Fire,” and I will openly admit that I panned this record upon release, but I have since come to appreciate its place as part of the Stars oeuvre.

9.) Four Tet – There is Love in You (Domino)
I could listen to tracks like Sing and Circling for hours on end. In fact, I already have.

8.) LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening (DFA Records)
To be honest, I didn’t want to include this record in this list. James Murphy makes it all seem so effortless and I hate him for it.

7.) The Drums – The Drums (Moshi Moshi)
Head bobbing new wave tinged pop with bouncy bass lines, simplistic beats, and catchy sing-along lyrics.

6.) Guards – GUARDS EP (free download, btw)
With the longest track clocking in at 3:16, this record is everything that garage pop should be and then some.

5.) Sleigh Bells – Treats (Mom + Pop)
I may not listen to this anthemic record very often in the coming years, but I will forever remember how it thoroughly rocked my face off for much of 2010.

4.) Beach House – Teen Dream (Sub Pop)
How this gorgeous gauzy dream pop could spring from the depths of a city like Baltimore is beyond me.

3.) Katy Perry – Teenage Dream (Capitol)
I’m not even going to attempt to justify the inclusion of this record. I clearly need counseling after listening to it innumerable times. Worst/Best guilty pleasure EVER?

2.) Ellie Goulding – Lights (Polydor)
The record that spawned a million remixes. Her voice is hypnotic and enchanting no matter the backing track.

1.) Robyn – Body Talk (Konichiwa)
Mind-blowingly brilliant pop music as only a Swede can deliver.

Honorable Mentions: Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest (4AD), Janelle Monae – ArchAndroid (Bad Boy/Atlantic), Surfer Blood – Astro Coast (Kanine), Vampire Weekend – Contra (XL Recordings), Sunny Day in Glasgow – Autumn, Again (Mis Ojos Discos), Caribou – Swim (Merge), RATATAT – LP4 (XL Recordings), The Besnard Lakes ..Are the Roaring Night (Jagjaguwar)

Tags: lists · yearend

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Eric Greenwood // Dec 28, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    is the strategic use of that “read more” tag in hopes that the click-throughs are lessened so as to avoid owning up to katy perry’s position on your list?

  • 2 K // Dec 31, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    Actually, the front page of the drawer wasn’t loading for me because of all the embedded videos, so I added the page break to several of the top ten posts, not just mine. I stand behind my positioning of Teenage Dream. I’m listening to it as I type this.

  • 3 Eric Greenwood // Dec 31, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    yeah, yeah…