My Favorite Albums of 2010!

Well folks, here we are again! It’s that time of year. So, let’s jump right in….

*Again, Note that this is only a list of my favorite albums and not necessarily a list of the best albums of the year.  The main deciding factor for making the list was which albums got the most play in my car stereo.

Number 10: Wig by Peter Case

I wrote a blog post about Mr. Case earlier this year (you can find it here).  He may not be a household name, but Peter Case has been writing and performing for over 30 years.  If you haven’t heard of him, you need to go check him out, right now!  He is one of the best storytellers I have ever seen perform.  His latest CD Wig has him pulling out the electric guitar and harkening back to the more electric sounds from the beginning of his career.  This CD shows that at 56  Mr. Case still knows how to rock!

Number 9: Pardon Me by Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

Jonathan Tyler & TNL are a local DFW band, but I expect them to break out on to the national scene in a big way very soon (they’ve already performed on the Jimmy Kimmel show).  They’re a little bit blues, a little bit soul, a little bit funk, and a whole lot of rock and roll.  This band plays rock and roll the way it’s supposed to be played, loud and unapologetically!  The CD starts off with the title track and immediately grabs your attention.  Tyler’s vocals are raw and in your face.  This band is taking music back to where it should be.

Number 8: Transference by Spoon

Spoon has been around for quite awhile and have quite an extensive body of work, but they continually put out quality material, and this CD is more of the same.  A bit more like their earlier work, Transference has a more raw and unpolished sound.  Britt Daniel knows how to effectively use studio effects better than almost anyone out there.  For a more in depth review, please see my blog post here.

Number 7: Feedback by Derek Webb

Derek Webb has continued to amaze me over and over again, as a songwriter and now as a producer.  This album is an all instrumental “worship” album based off of the Lord’s Prayer.  I got to see Derek perform the first movement of this album live, and it was like watching a master orchestral conductor.  This is a beautiful album and is truly worshipful, culminating in the only track that has vocals (and my favorite track), the “Amen”.  I think Michael put it best when he said that Derek Webb just created post-modern worship.

Number 6: The Grand Theater, Vol. 1 by The Old 97′s

Another great album, by the original alt-country band.  The Grand Theater was originally meant to be a double album, but the label decided against it.  Vol. 2 of The Grand Theater is expected to be released sometime in 2011.  What can I say, any album that gets the nod of approval from Bob Dylan is gonna be a great one.  (Rhett Miller got Dylan’s blessing to revamp Desolation Row into the song Champaign, Illinois)

Number 5: The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

I listened to this whole album while stuck in traffic on my way home to my apartment in the suburbs.  It was the perfect soundtrack for such an experience.  Not quite as amazing as Funeral, but better than Neon Bible, which was also incredible.

Number 4: Infinite Arms by Band of Horses

This album was my first introduction to Band of Horses and I loved it.  I’ve probably listened to the track “Laredo” a thousand times.  My favorite parts of this album are the beautiful vocal harmonies that run throughout.  This album is proof that music can be fun AND really well done at the same time.

Number 3: The Long Surrender by Over The Rhine

Technically, this album is not supposed to be released until the beginning of next year, but I pre-ordered my copy and got it in the mail this past week.  Over The Rhine has become one of my favorite bands.  Karin Bergquist has one of the most beautiful and powerful voices out there right now and she gets to really showcase her vocal talents on this album, especially on tracks like “Rave On”.  I’ve always thought that OTR’s lyrics are a way more truthful and honest portrayal of life, love, and faith than 99% of most “Christian” albums out there.  For an example of that honesty, see track number 12 on the album , “All My Favorite People”

Number 2: The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens is a complete artist.  Everything he does is on purpose for the greater good of his art.  I enjoyed this album when I got it, but after seeing him perform the songs live, it gave me an even deeper love.  That concert was a top 5 concert, easily.  Only Sufjan Stevens  can make a 25 minute electro/hip hop/pop musical experience so enjoyable to listen to.  For a review of the album and the concert check out episode 24 of The Talkaboutable here.

Number 1: So Runs The World Away by Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter is probably one of the most underrated lyricists of our generation.  I was also lucky enough to see him in concert this year and it was also easily one of my top 5 concerts.  Never have I seen a musician genuinely love performing as much as he did.  You could tell that he was having so much fun.  This album is a folk masterpiece.  Please go buy it now!

So there it is guys and gals, my top ten favorite albums of 2010!  Hope you discovered some new music!  Merry Christmas!