Best Music of 2k10 (KANYE FREE ZONE)

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I love Christmas desserts and I hate cold weather. I love feeling sensitive and reflective about the year past- the natural and man-made distasters that have occurred, and the celebrities that have died. But I hate, hate, HATE "best of" year end lists. I have been reading too many "best of" music lists lately and this as only fueled my fire. If you happen to read any of them, you will find errrrryy music critic blowing their load while simultaneously crying over Kanye's new album. Disgusted, I've decided to make my own best of 2k10 music list. I know roughly as much as someone who works at Spin and I am definitely a lot less mopey. So, friends, here it is:

Best Albums of 2k10:
I danced. I cried. I got off.

5. Odd Blood- Yeasayer
Yeasayer's sophomore album Odd Blood is the best dance party you'll ever attend. Odd Blood picked up where their debut album All Hour Cymbals left off but Odd Blood is decidedly different. More produced (and in this case that's a good thing) and more polished, Odd Blood is full of highs and lows from a band that knows their audience. "Ambling Alp" is an anthem, while "O.N.E." is a party starter and "I Remember" will make you cry (I mean, um, maybe). Odd Blood kinda makes me think Yeasayer will be on the jukebox at your favorite dive bar for a long time.


4. Body Talk, Pt. 1- Robyn
My love affair with Robyn began when I was in middle school. I used to sit at my desk drawing, listening to her Show Me Love album. Apparently I wanted some pretween boy to Show Me Love (did not happen). Ten years later, Robyn still has my number. On the first track "Fembot" when Robyn says, In fact I'm a very scientifically advanced hot mama/Artificially discreet no drama, I fell in love with her all over again. This woman gets it and Body Talk, Pt. 1 is evident of that. Also, seeing her live is a religious experience.



3. This is Happen- LCD Soundsystem
It seemed like LCD Soundsystem's album This is Happening was as hyped up as the second coming of Jesus Christ. Well, if James Murphy is Jesus, well, then I'm a religious woman. LCD Soundsystem makes me very happy and this album did too. Murphy is the voice of a generation (I miss the way the night comes/With friends who always make it feel good/This basement has a cold glow/Though it's better than a bunch of others/So go and dance yourself clean) and everything about this album is pretty perfect. If "Dance Yrself Clean" "I Can Change" or "Home" do not make you feel, you have no soul.


2. Teen Dream- Beach House
Before Teen Dream came out, I was both SO FREAKIN EXCITED and so very nervous. Their previous album, Devotion, broke my heart and put it all back together again so their third album Teen Dream had big, sensitive shoes to fill for me. And of course, those guys, did not disappoint. It is my humble lil' opinion that Victoria Legrand has one of the coolest voices in music today and goddammit, she makes my Silver Soul soar. Teen Dream (+ whiskey) got me through a Vermont winter which I can assure you is very, very long. It might be juvenile, but I think a truly great album is one that you can listen to straight through and every song is its own beautiful gift. Teen Dream is just that- idyllic, longing, and all-encompassing.



1. Treats- Sleigh Bells
This album is a fucking treat. As an album, it's nearly perfect. The first track, "Tell 'Em" let's you know what Sleigh Bells is getting you into- insane riffs, heavy bass, panting, screaming, and singing. In short, a great Saturday night. You'll be head-banging and foot-stomping for the length of the album. And you'll play it again.