It's hard to pick just ten best CDs of 2010. Ask me on a different day and 3 or 4 of my picks might have been different. But there was no doubt as to the #1 pick for me:
1. J. Roddy Walston And The Business (self titled). One great rockin' song after another. These guys have been drinking from the Led Zep song book. Let's hope their livers last a while.
2. The Black Keys: Brothers. This duo has really grown over the past few years and this is their strongest CD yet.
3. Vampire Weekend: Contra. With catchy songs like Cousins, Horchata and the now over played Holiday (thanks, Honda), everybody's favorite preppy band continues to entertain.
4. Eels: Tomorrow Morning. The album is the final part of a concept trilogy, including Hombre Lobo (2009) and End Times (2010). Tomorrow Morning is the best CD of the 3.
5. The Whigs: In The Dark. There must be something in the water down in Athens Georgia. These guys just explode all over the place.
6. Janelle Monae: The Archandroid. She's been called a "a different kind of diva" by Vogue Magazine and I'll agree. Her voice can send shivers down your spine. A science-fiction concept CD you can dance to; now THAT'S a concept.
7. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Before Today. Los Angeles native Ariel Rosenberg is a reclusive pop surrealist whose odd productions have led to a cult following. This is the most (dare I say it?) commercial thing He's done yet.
8. KT Tunstle: Tiger Suit. A strong 3rd CD from the master of live guitar looping. The girl has chops both as a musican and as a song writter. Personally I don't think the cover art does her justice though.
9. Diplomats Of Solid Sound: What Goes Around Comes Around. Maybe not as strong as their last CD titled "Featuring the Diplomettes" but still a ton of fun. Need to get people dancing at your next party? Throw on B-o-o-g-a-l-o-o. Problem solved.
10. Arcade Fire: Suburbs. This one took a while to grow on me... but it won me over with tunes like Ready To Start.