MY TOP 10 OF 2010

1) Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Not only have Gorillaz, in my opinion, offered us the strongest albums of the year. The 20 piece ensemble (fronted by Damon Albarn) also brought one of the absolute best live musical extravaganzas to ever hit Montreal. Bobby Womack, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Pharcyde, Lebanese orchestra, 1/2 of the friggin’ Clash made it an all-star audio & visual orgasm. Welcome to the Plastic Beach. Pop music has never been so eclectic & quality driven.

2) Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

I’ve always been a Kanye West fan. Yeezy puts his money where his mouth is. Pitchfork gave the Chicago king a well deserved perfect 10 review. I don’t think there is an international pop star out there who has ever walked the “insecurity self-conscious VS I’m the best in the universe” tightrope so well (if not at all). Yes it’s over the top, yes it’s cocky, yes it’s epic, yes it’s dirty, yes it’s Kanye. A true beautiful dark twisted masterpiece.

3) Vampire Weekend - Contra

The band you want to hate but can’t. Paul Simon meets the Strokes with a whole lotta “playful”. Light music with incredibly sophisticated arrangements and perfectly crafted songs. People who don’t listen close enough might think this is kids’ music. Sure it is, but how about opening your ears a little wider. There’s plenty of meat to chew on around the sweet sweet bone.

4) The National - High Violet

Gorgeous from start to finish. Lyrically compelling and as emotional as it gets. Their Osheaga performance last August was the perfect soundtrack to the sun slowly setting. As the night crept in, the baritone vocals and powerful sounds were like a 60 minute heart string strum.

5) Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Montreal’s very own. Nominated for album of the year at the Grammys. The concept is simple. A record about growing up, childhood fears, young trivial fights, strip malls, riding bikes. The world is a healthier place when Arcade Fire are one of the biggest bands around, yet still seem so mysterious. The perfect example of a band who use their strengths and make their own rules. “Sprawl II” may be Blondie-inspired, but it’s also the best song this year.

6) Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Dark Night of The Soul

OK, so this album leaked last year but it was officially released in the summer. A production powerhouse with guests such as The Flaming Lips, The Strokes, Iggy Pop, The Shins, David Lynch, Jason Lytle, Pixies, Super Furry Animals. “Revenge” is quite possibly the best sounding track of the last few years. If you don’t have this album, go ahead and kick yourself.

7) LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

A very interesting modern LP. The first track is a slow build, teasing you with low volume only to explode into sick impact beats. Can’t say much about this entry, I’d rather the music do the talking.

8) The Black Keys - Brothers

The Black Keys are at their peak. They’re groovy, vintage, classy, rock, blues and everything else. After last year’s phenomenal Blakroc album, it’s nice to hear Ohio’s Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney laying down some of their poppiest material to date.

9) Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

At only 20, Laura Marling seems wise as a wizard. The British songstress already has a few songs produced by Jack White and Ryan Adams recently tweeted about her songwriting making him feel “insignificant” as a songwriter. And if you know anything about Ryan Adams, you know he knows a thing or two about songwriting. Overflowing with edge, grace and delicate nonchalance, this songbird is already turning heavy heads her way.

10) Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid

She moves like James Brown and sings like, well, Janelle Monae. R&B at its finest. Special guests include Big Boi, Saul Williams, Of Montreal, and others - Now if only she can come to Montreal. Entertaining pop soul music in the lines of Outkast. Check out her David Letterman appearance!

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Here are other great albums that I either haven’t fully soaked in yet OR just couldn’t squeeze into the top 10. So much music!

Badly Drawn Boy - It’s What I’m Thinking Pt.1 - Photographing Snowflakes

Ladies of The Canyon - Haunted Woman

Jamie Lidell - Compass

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Girls - Broken Dreams Club

Beach House - Teen Dream

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday

Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Sun of Chico Dusty