My top ten 2010 albums, and a few others.

Feel free to correct me on this, suggest something I may have missed, or generally berate me for having bad taste.

So this is my list. I may alter this slightly if I happen to think of something I missed like I usually end up doing. I also should mention that a year from now I'm certain to find out that something I didn't initially like a whole lot will end up being one of my favorites (such as Crowder's Church Music from '09)

You know, I never would have believed it, but 2010 turned out to be a really good year in music. I have a rather extensive list of albums I liked that didn't make the list.

10. Jars of Clay: "The Shelter"

Jars of Clay is the classic "I liked their older stuff" kind of band. But I maintain that since leaving their label and going it on their own that they have just gotten better and better. "Shelter" is an album that takes a deep look at the idea of community, and one of the ways they do this is by collaborating throughout the album with a number of different artists. Derek Webb, Thad Cockrell, Leigh Nash, Tobymac, David Crowder, Brandon Heath, Audrey Assad, and more. This just got better and better with each listen, and I couldn't really leave it off of this list.

9. Sufjan Stevens: "The Age of Adz"

If you were expecting more of "Illinoise" then you'll want to skip on this album. However, if you're willing to give some quirky, experimental electronic stuff a chance, I highly recommend it. I remember this album in this way. At first I thought it was awful. Then I saw him live and kinda liked it. Then I listened to it again. Then I realized it was stuck in my head. And then it made my list.

8. Brandon Flowers: "Flamingo"

Flowers, better known as the lead singer of the Killer's, has put out a really good album here. Flamingo is a much deeper, more personal album than we're used to from the Killers, and it makes for good listening. If you would consider yourself a Killers fan (beyond just the radio friendly stuff they've done) then I highly recommend this.

7. Arcade Fire: "The Suburbs"

I never really got into these guys, but from the opening track this was a catchy album that will probably own space on my hard drive for some time.

6. The Weepies: "Be My Thrill"

Chick music usually doesn't make it here, but ever since Dan walked into my room and handed me this album to check out, it's been a regular in my rotation. If you really like catchy, female vocal stuff, you will love this, it's really a top notch album.

5. Spoon: "Transference"

I listened to this when it came out and it didn't really hit me right away, but as I've given it another chance I really like it. This album isn't necessarily radio friendly, but it really flows well. It gives me a lot of hope for the future of the full length album.

4. Mumford and Sons:"Sigh No More"

This is just good. And it gets better with every listen. I remember earlier this year listening to this album, realizing that on some level it is basically bluegrass, and thinking the world has gone mad to allow the banjo to become trendy. Mad or not, songs like "Awake My Soul" and "White Blank Page" make it completely worth it.

3. The Black Keys: "Brothers"

I initially saw these guys on Letterman performing Tighten Up, and by the end of the performance, I had downloaded the album. As with all good music, it took awhile to grow on me, but now I can say with certainty that "Brothers" is just plain smooth. Who knew Akron could produce something so good?

2. House of Heroes: "Suburba"

Alright, I admit, I am biased here. I love this band. Although it's hard for me to really push them on people too much sometimes because I realize that at first glance they sound a lot like a hundred other pop punk bands out there. With that said, they really are underrated songwriters. They find a theme for an album, and stick to it. If they were aiming to create an album of fun, driving rock tracks that bring you back to simpler days, then they truly succeeded. Give this a few listens, and if you don't find yourself singing "Love is for the Middle Class" after a few days, I will give you a penny.

1. John Mark McMillan "The Medicine"

This was a very easy selection. There really isn't a close second for me. Normally I simply don't care that much for worship stuff, as it's rarely creative. It has it's place. I mean, I believe that what people like Chris Tomlin do is extremely important and he does a really great job of doing exactly what he sets out to do, but it's just not generally all that creative, and thus not something that would generally find its way onto this kind of a list. "The Medicine" is a truly refreshing raw, personal, challenging, and album that ought to set the bar for other Christian artists.

Honorable Mention

The National: "High Violet"

I don't really love Matt Berninger's voice, otherwise this would probably find its way onto my list, but it really is quality stuff.

Derek Webb: "Feedback"

I can't in good conscience include an instrumental album in any top ten list (unless of course that list is for best instrumental albums) but Derek really put out a quality album here.

Andrew Peterson: "Counting Stars"

Pretty much on par with everything else he's done. My life wouldn't be any different without it, but it's good stuff nonetheless.

Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs: "God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise"

Ray could sing the phone book and I'd listen to it.

Jimmy Eat World: "Invented"

Just a consistently good band. And if you ever get a chance to see them...do it...because they put on a great show.

Broken Bells: "Broken Bells"

There is a definite "superband" trend in the last couple years. Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley and James Mercer of the Shins combine for this excellent work.

Band of Horses: "Infinite Arms"

I always forget about this band, and then I'll hear about some new stuff of theirs and it's always good. "Infinite Arms" continues this trend.

Fair: "Disappearing World"

Aaron Sprinkle of Poor Old Lu and his mates have quietly been making some really good music for the last few years. This is some really good indie rock.

Disappointments:

Derek Webb: Democracy, Vol. 1

Democracy is evidently overrated.

Plain White T's: "Wonders of the Younger"

This seemed really overproduced and a little too poppy to me.

Weezer: "Hurley"

I loved the Red Album a whole lot, and so this didn't really measure up. Of course, I didn't like Pinkerton either and every Weezer fan I've ever met tells me how amazing that album is so what do I know?