As per tradition, I always compile a list of my favorite albums and singles of the past year, and this year will be no different. 2010 was another good year for music with some pretty amazing debut artists releasing albums like Drake, Nicki Minaj, The Pretty Reckless, as well as anticipated sophomore efforts from artists like Katy Perry and Kid Cudi and so much more! Compiling my list this year was harder than most years, especially for the singles where I shortlisted to about 100 songs and found it extremely difficult to cut that down to 30. As for albums, it was a little bit easier to create that list, but by the time I shortlisted to about 20 albums, it became very difficult as well. Thus, the honorable mentions list is a bit larger than normal this year!
Top 10 Albums of 2010
The Pretty Reckless, fronted by Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen released their debut effort this year. When I first heard Taylor Momsen started singing, I was very skeptical as that seems like the thing to do for TV stars lately, however with her band’s debut album she not only proved that she has an amazing voice, but amazing writing skills too. The whole album was co-written by her and her band and the lyrics are pretty amazing for a then 16 year old when writing the album. On top of that, she doesn’t go for the generic pop sound every other actress-turned-singer does, instead she produced a solid rock album that is a great compliment to the genre.
Must hear tracks: Make Me Wanna Die, My Medicine
There has been much hype regarding Drake’s debut album since he first started releasing mix-tapes after his role on Degrassi. This year, he finally dropped his first single from the album, Over, followed by the album in June which was an amazing debut! Sticking true to the rap genre, Drake has a variety of different songs on the album that make the album amazing...none of which use the popular effect of auto-tune. The album is amazing, both lyrically and stylistically and is one of the best rap albums I’ve heard recently. On top of all that, he’s Canadian and from Toronto. Can’t get any better than that.
Must hear tracks: Over, Up All Night, Find Your Love, Fireworks
Like Drake, Nicki Minaj has had a lot of hype around her this year, especially after her string of amazing features with high profile artists before even having an album out. From Mariah Carey to Kanye West she had some amazing featured singles this year which built more and more hype around her debut album, Pink Friday. The album dropped in November and it was everything a debut album should be. First of all, to me she’s the best female rapper that has come into the industry since Missy Elliott and her technique is amazing. Secondly, she doesn’t only rap but she sings as well showing a lot of versatility on the album. That being said, the only thing that I didn’t like about the album was the fact that there were more singing tracks than there were rapping tracks. Her singing is good, but she is better known for her rapping and that’s what a lot of people were anticipating on the album. On that note, for anyone that loves her for her rapping, make sure to download the bonus tracks from her album; some of those were actually better than the album tracks!
Must hear tracks: Roman’s Revenge, Muny, I’m The Best.
Kid Cudi released his debut album last year, Man On The Moon, and this was his second part to the album in a planned “album trilogy”. Kid Cudi, like Drake is a fresh rapper who has his own unique and distinct style. A commendable thing about Cudi is his versatility and his mass appeal that isn’t limited to just listeners of top 40, rap and hip-hop. The album is very mellow, conceptual and a great follow up to his first that makes it feel more like a sequel than a sophomore album, per say.
Must hear tracks: Scott Mescudi vs. The World, Mojo So Dope, Ashin’ Kusher, Erase Me.
I’ve never been a fan a huge fan of Bring Me The Horizon, but their latest album is so deep lyrically its hard not to like them. The metal band has been around the scene for quite a few years now, and to me they were just another metal band that didn’t really catch my attention. This year turned things around with the release of There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret. The album is filled with amazing, deep, and lyrics lyrics, and there is so much depth and emotion in the lead singer Oliver’s voice that you feel his pain when he sings. Top it all off, there are two songs on the album that feature Canadian pop singer, LIGHTS, which are unexpected but amazing collaborations!
Must hear tracks: Crucify Me, Don’t Go, Blessed With A Curse
Probably one of the most underrated artist and underrated album of the year, Canadian R&B artist Danny Fernandes’ sophomore album AutomaticLuv was not only a great a second album, but was also a change in musical direction for Fernandes. Contrary to the R&B/Hip-Hop sound of his debut, this album went for a more dance/club sound but at the same time maintaining hints of R&B. He has some collaborators on the album which include Belly, Mia Martina (from the Canadian version of Stereo Love by Edward Maya), his brother Shawn Desman, and an unexpected feature from Josh Ramsay, lead singer of rock band Marianas Trench.
Must hear tracks: Automatic, Hit Me Up, Dream Catcher, Take Me Away
A lot of hype came around Eminem’s latest effort, Recovery, especially after the lackluster “comeback” with 2009’s Relapse. Eminem acknowledged (quite a few times actually) on Recovery the mistakes he made on Relapse and provided a solid and triumphant return with this new album. Quite frankly, poking fun of celebs and dissing Mariah Carey just didn’t do it on Relapse, but Recovery takes a whole different route and is far more deep and personal and is a true Eminem album. It can officially be said he made a proper come back with this album.
Must hear tracks: No Love, Cinderella Man, Love The Way You Lie, Won’t Back Down.
deadmau5’s popularity went up a ton this year after appearances on Gossip Girl, the MTV VMA’s and radio’s constant playing of Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff featuring Rob Swire. With his latest effort, 4x4=12 deadmau5 delivers a modest house album. It did feel a little bit dissappointing compared to Random Album Title, and For Lack Of A Better Name, but was still a solid album.
Must hear tracks: A City In Florida, Some Chords, Sofi Needs A Ladder, Raise Your Weapon.
I was never really a huge fan of Katy Perry, but with her latest album, Teenage Dream, she definitely changed my view on her. Backed up with 3 consecutive #1s (California Gurls, Teenage Dream, Firework) the album is a great pop record that has all the ingredients to be succesful. With only a few tracks that are skippable on the album, its a solid album that is a huge improvement from One Of The Boys, and compared to a lot of the other pop these days it avoids the use of auto-tune as well as trashy lyrics. With vibes from both the 80s and 90s, the album is amazing and won’t be easily forgotten.
Must hear tracks: Teenage Dream, E.T., Circle The Drain, California Gurls.
Popularly known for being the openers for Lady GaGa’s The Monster Ball Tour, Semi Precious Weapons are a glam-rock band from New York that really cover the genre well via sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Their mainstream debut came this year with the release of You Love You, and although an acquired taste, the album is very addicting. With crazy lyrics like, “I Can’t Pay My Rent But I’m F**kin Gorgeous” that start of the album, it is a rock and roll party from beginning to end with some nice ballads thrown in their as well. Lead singer, Justin Tranter has an amazing voice, and if you ever catch them live, they definitely put on a killer show. There is a reason they open for Lady GaGa.
Must hear tracks: Put A Diamond In It, Statues Of Ourselves, Semi Precious Weapons, I Could Die.
Honorable mentions that didn’t make the cut:
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
A good album with some killer tracks, but to me nothing he has done has lived up to the incredible Graduation.
Taylor Swift - Speak Now
The album has its moments, and has some great songs as well (especially Back To December, Haunted, Innocent, and Sparks Fly) but then it also has its filler tracks which bring the album down. The theme of writing about exes is also getting redundant in her music.
Rihanna - Loud
A good return after the disappointing Rated R, but still not amazing. Like Taylor Swift’s, although it has some amazing moments (Only Girl, What’s My Name, Cheers) it also has a lot of filler that brings it down. On top of that Rihanna mentioned in an interview that she wanted this album to be one where you don’t have to skip any tracks...I think she failed in that attempt.
Ciara - Basic Instinct
Like both Rihanna, and Taylor, Ciara also produced an album that has some great tracks (Gimme Dat, Girls Get Your Money) but at the same time the album begins to feel redundant with not only its sound but its lyrics as well. On top of that, the horrible marketing and multiple push backs, definitely negatively affected the potential success of the album.
Christina Aguilera - Bionic
Christina’s latest album had a lot of hype around it before it came out, and though it is an amazing album, she went a little over board by having 24 tracks on it of which only 12/13 were good. 13 tracks are enough to make a solid pop album, but by adding an extra 11 fillers, the better moments of the album are soon neutralized with the worse and the album goes from being an amazing record to mediocre.
Other worthy albums that didn’t quite make the cut include Enrique Iglesias’s Euphoria, Abandon All Ships’ Geeving, and Attack! Attack!’s self-titled albums to name a few.
Top 30 Songs of 2010
- Make Me Wanna Die - The Pretty Reckless
- Over - Drake
- Stereo Love - Edward Maya feat. Vika Jigulina
- A Year Without Rain - Selena Gomez & The Scene
- Take One Last Breath - Abandon All Ships
- Roman's Revenge - Nicki Minaj feat. Eminem
- Bottoms Up - Trey Songz feat. Nicki Minaj
- Just A Dream - Nelly
- Grenade - Bruno Mars
- Perfect - Hedley
- I Like It - Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull
- What's My Name? - Rihanna feat. Drake
- Back to December - Taylor Swift
- Deuces (Remix) - Chris Brown feat. Drake, T.I., Tyga, Kanye West, Fabolous, & Andre 3000
- Find Your Love - Drake
- Dynamite (Remix) - Taio Cruz feat. Jennifer Lopez
- Love The Way You Lie - Eminem feat. Rihanna
- The Time (Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas
- Lil Freak - Usher feat. Nicki Minaj
- Alors On Danse - Stromae
- Alejandro - Lady GaGa
- Second Go - Lights
- Stuttering - Fefe Dobson
- Up Out My Face (Remix) - Mariah Carey feat. Nicki Minaj
- Airplanes (Part 2) - B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams & Eminem
- Don't Go - Bring Me The Horizon feat. Lights
- Shots - LMFAO feat. Lil Jon
- Raise Your Glass - P!nk
- So Over You - The Mission District
- Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
Honorable Mentions
Hit Me Up - Danny Fernandes feat. Belly & Josh Ramsay
F**k You - Cee Lo Green
XXXO - M.I.A.
No Love - Eminem feat. Lil Wayne
Hole In My Heart - Alphabeat
Don't Talk To Strangers - Hedley
Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Please Dont Go - Mike Posner
Tonight (I'm F**kin' You) - Enrique Iglesias feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E
Sing - My Chemical Romance
The Only Hope For Me Is You - My Chemical Romance
Mirrors - Natalia Kills
Hands - The Ting Tings
Here’s hoping 2011 brings another great year of music! I’m definitely excited for albums from Lady GaGa and Jennifer Lopez this year, and hopefully many others. What were some of your guys’ favorite songs / albums this year?
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