2010 was really a great year for music. It seems that everyone was on their game... well, almost everyone (As Madonna would say, "you'll see").
Again, I have my friends and the "internets" to thank for exposing me to some hidden gems. There's only so much you can discover on your own.
Attention all bloggers: Keep up the great work!
My Top 10 Albums for 2010
- Goldfrapp - Head First
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- They top my list... again! Solid melodies and fun arrangements on this 80's flavored album. I love how this group isn't afraid to change it's sound. These songs will stick in your head.
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- Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite
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- Great dance record. Kylie doing what Kylie does best. Executive producer Stuart Price was a great choice.
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- Deluka - You Are The Night
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- Dance + rock + punk = all fun! Solid songs. I swear I can I hear Deborah Harry in her voice.
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- Pipettes - Earth vs. The Pipettes
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- Fun , fun, fun, fun, fun! There are hints of the 60's sounds used on the first album, but this one takes on an 80s feel, possibly because of producer Martin Rushent (who produced Human League). The trio of original members are all gone, but the duo, sisters Gwenno and Ani Saunders, are perfect for the groups new direction. Think of Bananarama with more pizzaz!
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- Marina and the Diamonds - The Family Jewels
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- Love how creative she is. Lot of character to her voice. Could she be the daughter of Lene Lovich?!
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- Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
"All You Need Is Now" (Duran Duran)
- This album just came out, but it made such an impact on me. Glad to hear them go back to their roots. Mark Ronson did a great job producing the album with the group.
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- School of Seven Bells - Disconnect From Desire
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- Another group with sisters (Claudia and Alejandra Deheza)! Album feels like it could have been from late 80s, early 90s. Reminds me of groups like the Cocteau Twins and Voice of the Beehive. I really miss this type of music. This album probably should be higher on my list, but I though it would be appropriate to keep it at number 7.
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- Seal - Seal 6: Commitment
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- Seal returns to his Art-Pop sound on this one, though there is a lot on this album suited for adult contemporary audiences. David Foster Captures the essence of Seal's early sound, stretching more than I've every heard him in the past. Foster's production might not be as adventurous as Trevor Horns' production, but it's clean and it works.
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- Tracey Thorn - Love And Its Opposite
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- More of an acoustic setting compared to her last album. Much of this album reminds me of Everything But The Girl in the late 80s, which could never be wrong.
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- HURTS - Happiness
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- Love the mood of this album. It's grand and cold, like a landscape of ice.
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Honorable Mentions:
- The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting The Maters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates
- Dragonette - Mixin' to Thrill
- Fibes, Oh Fibes! - 1987
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(ok, I know this came out last year, but I discovered it this year)
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- Gabriella Cilmi - Ten
- Katie Melua - The House
- Robyn - Body Talk Pt. x
- Scissor Sisters - Night Work
- Shelby Lynne - Tears, Lies & Alibis
- Shena - 2079
Moments this year:
- Alexis Jordan - Happiness (Dave Aude Mix)
- Chris Sorbello - So Lonely
- Deluka - Cascade
- Donna Summer - To Paris With Love
- Dragonette - Easy (Buffetliber Mix)
- Dragonette - Our Summer
- Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
- Gabriella Cilmi - Hearts Don't Lie
- Gabriella Cilmi - On A Mission
- Goldfrapp - Alive
- Goldfrapp - Rocket
- HURTS - Wonderful Life (Freemasons Mix)
- Incognito (featuring Chaka Khan & Mario Biondi) - Lowdown
- Katie Melua - The Flood
- Kelly Rowland - Commander
- Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers
- Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way
- Marina and the Diamonds - Oh No!
- Marina and the Diamonds - Shampain
- Mark Ronson - Bang Bang Bang
- Mary J. Blige - Whole Lotta Love
- Matt Alber - End of the World (Morgan Page Pop Mix)
- The Pipettes - Call Me
- Robbie Williams - Starstruck
- Robyn - Daning On My Own
- Scissor Sisters - Invisible Light
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Bittersweet
Biggest Disappointments:
- Sade - Soldier of Love
- I was SO disappointed with this album. There was nothing memorable for me. Nothing matched even the poorest of songs from their previous albums. Yes, the album is safe to put on a background music, but it doesn't hold any interest for those who want to listen intently.
- Sia - We Are Born
- There are moments on this album that are great (Like her version of "Oh Father" and the upbeat "You've Changed"), but the rest of the album just didn't hit me.. and I really tried to like it.
Good call on Marina and Lovich! She is like Lovich meets The Gogos or something!
Posted by: Steve | January 09, 2011 at 10:31 AM