Best Albums of the Year 2010

[Papa]

Simple as the title suggests, what were your favourite albums of this year? Going through some lists of the best of the year online, I can see that I've missed out on a lot of music. I've spent this year mostly looking backwards and filling in what I see as obvious gaps in my music collection from decades past, rather than discovering new stuff, so my knowledge of 2010's releases is quite limited. If I was to put forward a top 5 though, it would look a bit like this (in no order):

The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
http://musosguide.com/public_html/musos.wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Gaslight-Anthem-American-Slang-Cover-300x300.jpg
This was the album I was most looking forward to this year and I'll admit to being quite disappointed at first, as it doesn't match up to their first three, but it's grown on me over the year.
Best track: We Did it When We Were Young

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives
http://www.dubandreggae.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Nas-Damian-Marley-Distant-Relatives-album-300x300.jpg
A consistently strong album throughout.
Best track: As We Enter

The Roots - How I Got Over
http://musosguide.com/public_html/musos.wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/The-Roots-How-I-Got-Over-Album-Cover-300x300.jpg
Probably my favourite album of the year. Also got me very excited for the below...
Best track: How I Got Over

John Legend & the Roots - Wake Up!
http://www.ted-payne.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/John-Legend-the-roots-wake-up-300x300.jpg
'The Fire' from the above gave a hint of how good the collaboration would be and the subsequent album didn't disappoint.
Best track: Hard Times (though I also have a soft spot for the very different I Can't Write Left Handed)

Frank Turner - Rock & Roll EP
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qy6qmtFIZ14/TQJqau63IUI/AAAAAAAAJvQ/XLJKDVMC-Z8/s1600/frank%2Bturner%2Bep.jpg
It's only been out a week and it's only 5 songs long, but they're all great. He describes it as a 'taster' for his new album out in early 2011. I can't wait.
Best track: I Still Believe

As I said above though, I know I've missed a lot of music this year, so what have your favourite albums of 2010 been?

[Jonno394]

I haven't been into the music scene much the past few years but here are the albums I've listened to the most this year

Eminem - Recovery
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41agn4lMDDL._SS400_.jpg

Some great collaborations in this, and perhaps my favourite Eminem album to date with great tracks like Space Bound and No love.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f9/Kanye_West_My_Beautiful_Dark_T wisted_Fantasy_album_cover.png

Brilliant album with some great stand out tracks. Power is amazing.

Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61zSF%2BGdj4L._SS500_.jpg

I've never been a big fan of A7X but I got this on a whim after hearing there sound had changed a lot, and I have found myself listening to this album quite a lot. Some real heavy tracks mixed with a couple of powerful ballads. Worth a listen.

Bring Me The Horizon - There Is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let's Keep It a Secret
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ljejaN77L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

They may look like fags but these guys aren't your run of the mill emo bollocks. I especially love their music video to "It never ends" very unique.

[Rainey]

Mine in no particular order

The Tallest Man on Earth - Wild Hunt
http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/tallestmanonearth.jpg?12701206 33

Beach House - Teen Dream
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wyduYXDywnQ/S4_G1ucuWWI/AAAAAAAAADA/DW_Vmq5DiCI/s320/Beach_house_teen_dream_300.jpg

Ray LaMontagne - God Willin and the Creek Dont Rise
http://funkysouls.com/img/Ray_Lamontagne_And_The_Pariah_ Dogs-God_Willin_And_The_Creek_Dont_ Rise-2010.jpg

Jack Savoretti - Harder Than Easy
http://img.noiset.com/images/album/jack-savoretti-harder-than-easy-album-art-61486.jpeg

Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
http://hangout.altsounds.com/geek/gars/images/3/9/8/5/18111img_0699.jpg

[Mjällharth]

Distant Relatives - Nas & Damian Marley
http://www.weallscheme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/nas-damien-marley-distant-relatives.jpg

For me, album of the year. Took rap music another step forward, any sort of innovation is not something we see often in these contemporary times. Good lyrically, very strong instrumental-wise.

Favourite track: Land of Promise

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wMbi219TSrQ/TOxl1KiitaI/AAAAAAAAARk/A1-X4wj3Eaw/s320/My%2BBeautiful%2BDark%2BTwiste d%2BFantasy.jpg

Definitely a well-crafted album which, even despite some weak points, is in fact quite consistent and thus enjoyable in my opinion.

Favourite track: Monster/Hell of a Life

How I Got Over - The Roots
http://cdn.nahright.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/the-roots-how-i-got-over-nahright-450x450.jpg

A solid release from the Roots, their consistency is something to be admired. A heartwarming listen many a time.

Kirjad Aguli Seintel - OkYm RiiM
http://www.superbandiit.ee/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/KaanePilt-e1278022451496.png

This album turned me to Estlandic hip-hop, this man has got skills. If he'd be English with his persona and rhyming style, I could imagine him being quite popular among rap purists and 90s aficionados.

Brothers - http://hipstergarabe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/the-black-keys-brothers.jpg
http://hipstergarabe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/the-black-keys-brothers.jpg

Well, I am finding it hard to find words to describe this album, it's just very, very eclectic in style and I'm very glad some still make them like this (in terms of quality), very rewarding listen.


Other albums worthy of a mention:

Sir Lucious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty - Big Boi
The Darkside Vol. 1 - Fat Joe
Man on the Moon II - Kid Cudi

[nath_scfc]

http://images.play.com/covers/13007637m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/15844692m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/12963756m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/13069726m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/13070516m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/12160242m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/13653023m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/13867520m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/12160114m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/15798243m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/12691719m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/12927774m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/12149239m.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/Chiddy_Bang_Preview.jpg/220px-Chiddy_Bang_Preview.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Airswell.jpg/220px-Airswell.jpg

[Rainey]

Arcades, Black Keys, Foals and Yeasayers were all top albums, would be in my top 10 for sure.

[Makavelian]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4267822150_e6e015ece4.jpg

http://planetill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Uni5_The_Worlds_Enemy_Cover_Ar t1.jpg
http://cdn.nahright.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mgr_meth_cover_5x5_web.jpghttp ://www.hotrapalbums.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Celph-Titled-Buckwild-%E2%80%93-Nineteen-Ninety-Now.jpghttp://bandcamp.com/files/33/16/3316263353-1.jpg

[TH]

http://images.play.com/covers/16230556m.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/LOVEAVA.JPG/220px-LOVEAVA.JPGhttp://images.play.com/digital_covers/DOWNLOAD_ALBUM/1/5/8/Medium/15922851m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/15110524m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/10108985m.jpghttp://images.play.com/covers/13571242m.jpghttp://images.play.com/digital_covers/DOWNLOAD_ALBUM/9/6/6/Medium/17311669m.jpg

EDIT:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Trashtalk.jpg/220px-Trashtalk.jpg

[Dragonfly]

I think I'm a year behind, to be honest. I'll have to check my iTunes library.

[Michu]

My picks ... Go easy, I'm an old man ...

http://www.soulculture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/akala-double-think.jpg

http://www.mp3base.org/uploads/posts/2010-02/1266173711_massive_attack_heli goland.jpg

http://www.freakenergy.ru/uploads/posts/2010-03/1267644898_e9e86023f1e0.jpg

[TheAlchemist]

http://raprundown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/rick-ross-teflon-don-lp.jpg
http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/gibbs__.jpg
http://cdn.nahright.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/don-cannon-jeezy-trap-or-die-ii-by-any-means-necessary.png
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/covers_large/MPM091LP.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZKgQJ7qCDXw/S_2MiTMwNpI/AAAAAAAAA2E/-cdhW6dRlUw/s400/marcberg.jpg
http://www.urb.com/wp-content/files_flutter/127554225420100522-MSTRD1.jpg
http://sloanerangermusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/currensy-pilot-talk-s.jpg
http://nu-soulmag.com/musings/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/F-O-R-M-Front-Cover-1.jpg

[Mjällharth]

Made one addition.

[HH]

B.O.B - B.O.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

Strong strong album despite the ever popular yet increasingly annoying track Airplanes. B.O.B doesnt stick to conventional hiphop on this album but there are still some tracks that stay true to the genre. My favourite tracks: Bet I Bust, Don't Let Me Fall, Past My Shades.

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives

Probably the best out of my list, not my favourite but the best, track-for-track and for its content. It had a bit of hype before the release and it didn't disappoint fans of both Nas and Marley. We were lucky to have two great artists combine for this album. My favourite tracks: As We Enter, Leaders, Friends, Strong Will Continue.

Rick Ross - Teflon Don

Rick Ross delivers where Trilla didnt in my opinion. It's raw, pure, gangster rap. Go to a club and I guarantee you will hear BMF, the club shouting out the hook. It has other songs that are deep and soulful too. My favourite tracks: BMF, Tears of Joy, Freemason, Maybach Music III, Aston Martin Music.

Joe Budden - Hood Muzik 4

Typical Budden, rapping his heart out. Its a mixtape but the Hood Muzik series are always anticipated hotly. My favourite tracks: Remember the Titans

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Nightmare

Just a masterpiece from Kanye. It's what you have to expect from him. Its nothing special lyrically or conceptually but its probably the most creative hip hop album in recent years in terms of the sound. My favourite tracks: Dark Fantasy, Gorgeous, Monster, So Appalled, Devil In a New Dress

J. Cole - Friday Night Lights

A mixtape essentially but its what us fans of J. Cole are given since he's not released his debut album yet. Still not as strong as The Warm Up but there are a few great great songs. My favourite tracks: Too Deep for the Intro, 2Face, Best Friend, Premeditated Murder.

Drake - Thank Me Later

I'll probably be the first and only person to put this down, but it's a solid album, it carries over from his mixtapes and used the opportunity to work with the likes of Jay-Z, Young Jeezy and Swiss Beatz. He probably wont make another album this good, so i'll enjoy this one. My favourite tracks: Over, Light Up, Unforgettable.

Other notables: Pilot Talk, Man on the moon II, Recovery, How I Got Over, Srt8 Killa.

[Hunter]

Do you mean Mood Muzik HH? :lol:

I have to agree with most Hip Hop sentiments in this thread so far though.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

http://www.3-mob.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Kanye-West-My-Beautiful-Dark-Twisted-Fantasy-Explicit-DOPEHOOD.COM_.jpg

A really tremendous piece of work, and probably Kanye's best album thus far in my opinion. He really pushed the boat out and maximised the production, even lyrically it was great - sure the complexity of the "words" weren't fascinating but the content, emotion and story was. How often do we hear about Tupac being lyrically amazing? It's true, even without complex words, rhyme schemes and patterns, he was lyrically brilliant - and while Kanye West in this album wasn't to the same standard, he still raised the bar in today's Hip Hop climate.

Damian Marley & NaS - Distant Relatives

http://www.allhiphop.com/photos/storage/1000.3143.22157381.distantrela tivescoverlarge.jpg

A great track for track album, and very consistent. My favourite song has to be Friends though, however I think everyone I've ever talked to prefers As We Enter.

Fat Joe - The Darkside Vol.1

http://krackspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/The-Darkside-Vol.-1.jpg

It isn't amazing, however it's amazing under the circumstances. Falling from grace in Hip Hop and struggling to remain relevant. He finally musters up everything he can, and throws it all into this album. Despite knowing he won't sell huge numbers, he has really went back to the drawing board of Hip Hop for The Darkside Vol.1 and it feels almost like a 1990s New York rap album. The production is really superb, and Fat Joe gives the best he's got, and what he gives is pretty damn good by anyone's standards. Probably the biggest surprise of the year for me, and that's why it's on my list here. I've asked for it as a Christmas gift so fingers crossed Santa brings it and it'll support Fat Joe because he deserves it with this album.

....


I'll come back and add to it later, however I doubt I'll be including many more, possibly just 2 or 3 further albums.

[TH]

This thread seems to be "Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2010"

[TheAlchemist]

Thats cos it was a good year for hip hop...

Best non hip hop albums

http://hypetrak.com/images/2010/06/Christian-Rich-decadence.jpg
http://www.israbox.com/uploads/posts/2010-03/1269292403_cover.jpg
http://cdn.7static.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/006/983/0000698372_350.jpg
http://jethot.co.uk/stor/images/blog/miguel-all-i-want-is-you.jpg
http://alterock.ru/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/plan-b-2010-the-defamation-of-strickland-banks.jpg

[HH]

This thread seems to be "Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2010"

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uuCqsyqQObY/S9ZmqLeIlAI/AAAAAAAABEA/mHFRVjYAa2Q/s1600/YouMad.jpg

[Dragonfly]

Christ! I've just had a look through my iTunes library and it looks like I only have three albums from 2010. All good, though. Like Papa, I have also been catching up with older albums. I'll be getting quite a few in the January sales, so I think I'll be updating. Anyway, here are the three:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/510NDF6v0UL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61fP8EO1bDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MSbJsUtpL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Papa]

This thread seems to be "Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2010"

Alright then, just for you, here's my top punk albums of 2010, in no particular order:

http://www.massmovement.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/the-riot-before-rebellion-300x300.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516BRUiJlJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://www.canyouseethesunset.com/uploaded_images/smoke-or-fire-the-speakeasy.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/4566211984_f7c0e521a6.jpg http://underthegunreview.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/1262808024.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512YD2cOwBL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://www.rumbletowne.com/rtr/sites/default/files/imagecache/cover/music/RVIVR/LP/front_cover-124322.jpg http://dyingscene.com/wp-content/uploads/blacklist-royals-semper-liberi-album-art-298x300.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z784QUgQL._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TRCQ_DW-pBQ/S9VPzUswHWI/AAAAAAAAAU0/rf3l61YIPFg/s320/2010+-+Cavalcade.jpg http://www3.pic-upload.de/04.10.10/z8qc83kz5dt.jpg http://www.rocksound.tv/images/uploads/indesolation300.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511nKwjo65L._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://grimygoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/WhiteCrossesAgainstME_.jpg

[Mjällharth]

In the time that's passed, these two have joined the list for me:

http://www.urb.com/wp-content/files_flutter/1273812401archandroid_cover.jp ghttp://www.stonesthrow.com/uploads/images/product/detail/aloe-blacc-good-things.jpg

[IronCity]

LCD soundsytem - this is happening. Just downloaded it last night for a sound that I don't listen much to but the singles have caught my ear. Looking forward to another listen on the way home.
http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/thisishappening200.jpg

[Papa]

Mjall, I saw both of them this weekend at Glastonbury and they were both incredible. I advise all of you to get on to BBC Website and watch their sets, especially Monae's.

[Michu]

Mjall, I saw both of them this weekend at Glastonbury and they were both incredible. I advise all of you to get on to BBC Website and watch their sets, especially Monae's.

Watched it now, must agree, Coldwar was top notch ... as expected :smug:

[Papa]

Watched it now, must agree, Coldwar was top notch ... as expected :smug:

It is now my one true ambition in life to replace the guitarist in her band. As much as I love him, I fucking want his job.

[Michu]

It is now my one true ambition in life to replace the guitarist in her band. As much as I love him, I fucking want his job.

Meh. If only I could play :(