So, And Thus...: It's Official!

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
- "Head First" (Goldfrapp)
- 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.
Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite
- "Aphrodite" (Kylie Minogue)
- Great dance record. Kylie doing what Kylie does best. Executive producer Stuart Price was a great choice.
Deluka - You Are The Night
- "You Are The Night" (Deluka)
- Dance + rock + punk = all fun! Solid songs. I swear I can I hear Deborah Harry in her voice.
Pipettes - Earth vs. The Pipettes
- "Earth Vs the Pipettes" (Pipettes)
- 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!
Marina and the Diamonds - The Family Jewels
- "The Family Jewels" (Marina And The Diamonds)
- Love how creative she is. Lot of character to her voice. Could she be the daughter of Lene Lovich?!
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.
School of Seven Bells - Disconnect From Desire
- "Disconnect From Desire (Dig)" (School of Seven Bells)
- 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.
Seal - Seal 6: Commitment
- "6: Commitment" (Seal)
- 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.
Tracey Thorn - Love And Its Opposite
- "Love & Its Opposite" (Tracey Thorn)
- 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.
HURTS - Happiness
- "Happiness" (Hurts)
- Love the mood of this album. It's grand and cold, like a landscape of ice.

Honorable Mentions:

The Bird and the Bee - Interpreting The Maters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates
- "Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates" (The Bird and the Bee)
Dragonette - Mixin' to Thrill
- "Mixin' To Thrill" (Dragonette)
Fibes, Oh Fibes! - 1987
- (ok, I know this came out last year, but I discovered it this year)
  "1987" (Fibes Oh Fibes)
Gabriella Cilmi - Ten
- "Ten (Incl. Bonus Track)" (Gabriella Cilmi)
Katie Melua - The House
- "The House" (Katie Melua)
Robyn - Body Talk Pt. x
- "Body Talk" (Robyn)
Scissor Sisters - Night Work
- "Night Work" (Scissor Sisters)
Shelby Lynne - Tears, Lies & Alibis
- "Tears, Lies, And Alibis" (Shelby Lynne)
Shena - 2079
- "2079" (Shena)

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.

Leave it to the Russians...

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Alcohol Pill Can Get You Drunk Without Drinking, Researcher Says

Thanks to a new technique developed by Russian professor Evgeny Moskalev, now you can get drunk without drinking.

Moskalev has created an "alcohol pill" using a method that transforms alcohol into a powder, which can then be packed into potent pills.

"We have developed a technology that allowed us to turn any liquid solution into powder," Professor Moskalev said.

He reports having tested his technique on liquor "containing as much as 96% alcohol content," notes MyFoxSpokane.

Moskalev claims to be able to create an alcohol pill from just about any boozy beverage, including whiskey, cognac, beer, and wine, the Times of India reports.