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2010 Top Songs - Marktopia

Following up the top albums list, here are my top ten songs for the year. Let me know what you think in the comments.

  1. How You're Bound - The Get Up Kids
  2. Real Love - Delorean
  3. We Used to Wait - Arcade Fire
  4. Norway - Beach House
  5. Giving Up The Gun - Vampire Weekend
  6. ...And The World Laughs With You - Flying Lotus
  7. Runaway - The National
  8. The Gaudy Side of Town - Gayngs
  9. Littlething - Jimmy Eat World
  10. The High Road - Broken Bells

Honorable Mention

2010 Top Albums - Marktopia

While I don't have time to comment about each of these albums, I will make a general statement that I thought this year was a bit of a down year for new music compared to last year. I also threw in a few other categories as well at the end to add some variety to the list, so check those out too. Feel free to add your thoughts, including the obligatory "these are all the same genre" statement in the comments section.

Top Albums

  1. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
  2. Black Sands - Bonobo
  3. High Violet - The National
  4. Black Noise - Pantha du Prince
  5. Contra - Vampire Weekend
  6. Subiza - Delorean
  7. Infra - Max Richter
  8. Cosmogramma - Flying Lotus
  9. Go - Jonsi
  10. Teen Dream - Beach House

Honorable Mentions

Top EPs

  1. Simple Science - The Get Up Kids
  2. Klavierwerke - James Blake
  3. After Parties 1 - Dntel

Top Soundtracks

  1. Tron:Legacy
  2. Inception
  3. Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Top Reissue/Greatest Hits

  1. Quarantine the Past - Pavement
  2. Beatles Remastered Albums
  3. Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails

2010 Top Albums Prep - Marktopia

As usual this time of year, I throw out a list of albums that I have listened to from this year. This gives you all an idea of what I have been listening to in preparation for my end of the year list, and an opportunity for you to add albums that you think I should check out before making my best of list. In general, I think this year has been a pretty down year, but there are some stand outs. Here is the list, alphabetical by artist.

August’s eMusic - Marktopia

Had 10 bonus tracks this month, so woohoo!

InnerSpeaker by Tame Impala - 6 (of 12) Credits

Picking up the rest of the album from the previous month.

Crazy For You by Best Coast - 12 Credits

Supposedly one of the best albums of the year, it would be difficult for me to find a way to be more disappointed. There are a couple of stand out tracks, like Boyfriend and Crazy for You, but that is it. The rest is hot garbage, which is the worst type of garbage.

All Delighted People EP by Sufjan Stevens - 12 Credits

This one was a stretch at 12 credits for 8 songs, but the bonus helped me pull the trigger. If you have not heard Sufjan Stevens, I would not recommend this as your first experience, not because it is bad, but it just isn't his best effort. I would still recommend it to folks who like his styling though. The first track is a little bit of a trip too.

Transit Transit by Autolux - 10 Credits

Where Best Coast disappointed, Autolux matched my expectations exactly. They do their thing (not very often albiet) but still put out good moody rock. Not going to rock your world, but worth a listen for sure.

July’s eMusic - Marktopia

Just one month late, and I had a bonus from eMusic to give me 40 total credits!

(don't forget to) breathe by Various Artists - 12 Credits

The Promise Ring, Christie Front Drive, Hot Water Music, Knapsack, and Mineral are all on this emo sampler. You won't find an emo sampler with more "big" names than this.

Infra by Max Richter - 12 Credits

The score for a ballet in Europe, this is one of Max Richter's finest works. Haunting at times, just moody for the rest, this album is great for one of those rainy days, or background music for when you need to focus.

InnerSpeaker by Tame Impala - 6 (of 12) Credits

One of the hyped albums of the year that actually lives up to some of it. The standout tracks are in the first 6, but this is still an album worth checking out.

June’s eMusic - Marktopia

Just one month late, and I had a bonus from eMusic to give me 40 total credits!

Purple Rain by Prince - 9 Credits

I had never listened to this entire album, and it is pretty much a classic, so now I own it. And it still holds up, in case you were curious.

Brownswood Electric by Various Artists - 15 Credits

One of the things I love about eMusic is picking up samplers. This one isn't fantastic, but with most samplers, you can pick out one or two songs. If you want one off of this, Wad by Pearson Sound is pretty good.

Rainer Maria by Rainer Maria - 6 Credits

More classic emo, and this is a classic release. If you like emo, you should have this. If you don't, well then ignore it. It is that simple.

PLAYBOY: Mistake or not, what made you decide to… - Asstastic

PLAYBOY: Mistake or not, what made you decide to go the rock-’n'-roll route? DYLAN: Carelessness. I lost my one true love. I started drinking. The first thing I know, I’m in a card game. Then I’m in a crap game. I wake up in a pool hall. Then this big Mexican lady drags me off [...]

Transitions are almost always signs of growth, but… - Asstastic

Transitions are almost always signs of growth, but they can bring feelings of loss. To get somewhere new, we may have to leave somewhere else behind. Mr. Rogers

Here’s the only thing that changes when you have a baby - Asstastic

You learn how to tell time.

May’s eMusic - Marktopia

Just one month late, and I had a bonus from eMusic to give me 40 total credits!

Unfun (2010 Remastered Edition) by Jawbreaker - 12 Credits

As a former emo kid, I owed it to Jawbreaker to finally get their classic album, especially with it recently remastered. Sounds like early emo, so a bit more abrasive and punk than when I got into it, and way more abrasive and punk than when it became popular. You have been warned.

Mulatu Steps Ahead by Malatu Astatke - 9 Credits

A fun Ethiopian jazz album that serenades up and down the emotional chart. While I prefer his Ethiopiques efforts, this is not too bad for 9 credits.

Subiza by Delorean - 9 Credits

While Rebekah cannot stand the opening track, this is still an impressive dance album that grows on you with each listen. Someone compared the repeat listening experience to Merriweather Post Pavillion. While different genres for sure, you do get something new out of Subiza on each listen.

Yesterday You Said Tomorrow by Christian Scott - 10 Credits

Grabbed this one as it was recommended as the top jazz album so far of the year by Amazon, and eMusic gave it a Pick. And really, can you go wrong with a jazz cover of Thom Yorke? I need a couple more listens of this to really evaluate it, but so far I like what I hear