The Planet Pluto: Clinging to 2010's Best Albums

I've already mentioned the best TV, film and given awards to other significant 2010 happenings. Before that were the 50 best tracks of the year, which also commended close-calls on this album list. Way further back, there was the best albums of the aughts list. Now as the new year threatens more of the same, let's reflect once more. Lastly, it should be noted that since my estimation of listening to 250 albums and EPs from 2010, I have added Ghostface Killah, Gorillaz' The Fall, John Zorn's Interzone and a few others of lesser importance to the total. Even still, more important than mathematics, these are the best albums the year had to offer by my estimation. And sans extensive, superfluous talking crap that I tend to do. If you're seeking that, click the links. Oh, wait, one thing...

Kanye, you lovable egomaniac you, if you're reading this, you're not a jerk. In fact, you're a genius. So, why are you number TWO, you ask? Don't fret about that. Look at Joanna; she's beautiful and fashionable. We know you love women and expensive swag. Still jealous? Okay, look, she's dating Andy Samberg, and you love dick jokes, right? Dude's all about 'em, too. While we're on that subject, I've seen the photo of yours circulating the net. Need to borrow my hair trimmer? Better yet, you keep it. Notice the abundance of second person pronouns being passed about like pot at your concerts? That's because 2010 is your show. This is your year. Early in the year, before your axis-shifting album dropped, and even before Joanna's did, I fell for her work like never before. Then, when all two hours of Have One on Me emerged, it took awhile to snap out of the Joanna coma. Her concert was my favorite of the year, too. How can you compete? Tell you what, get me an all-expense-paid trip to one of your concerts, and I'll reconsider. Until then...

The Fearsome 50 Best Albums -- 2010 Edition:


Photo by Seth Basista

1.       Joanna Newsom- Have One on Me (concert review and parody video)
2.       Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Planet Yeezy)
3.       Beach House- Teen Dream (concert review)
4.       Flying Lotus- Cosmogramma
5.       WOMEN- Public Strain (get well soon!)
6.       Frog Eyes- Paul’s Tomb: A Triumph
7.       The Radio Dept.- Clinging to a Scheme
8.       Surfer Blood- Astro Coast (concert review and the first time)
9.       Gorillaz- Plastic Beach
10.   Menomena- Mines (concert review)

11.   Das Racist- Sit Down, Man
12.   Big Boi- Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
13.   The Walkmen- Lisbon
14.   Owen Pallett- Heartland (concert review)
15.   Emeralds- Does It Look Like I’m Here?
16.   Robyn- Body Talk
17.   Janelle Monáe- The ArchAndroid
18.   The National- High Violet
19.   Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti- Before Today
20.   Warpaint- The Fool
21.   Sleigh Bells- Treats (show review)
22.   Dark Dark Dark- Bright Bright Bright (show review)
23.   Eluvium- Similes
24.   Sharon Van Etten- epic
25.   Twin Sister- Color Your Life

26.   Wolf Parade- Expo 86
27.   Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest
28.   The New Pornographers- Together
29.   Future Islands- In Evening Air
30.   Gil Scott-Heron- I’m New Here
31.   Shearwater- The Golden Archipelago (concert review)
32.   Four Tet- There Is Love in You
33.   The Books- The Way Out (concert review and secrets revealed)
34.   Sufjan Stevens- The Age of Adz
35.   Spoon- Transference
36.   Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
37.   Titus Andronicus- The Monitor
38.   Tokyo Police Club- Champ (concert review)
39.   Swans- My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
40.   Gonjasufi- A Sufi and a Killer
41.   Drake- Thank Me Later
42.   Toro y Moi- Causers of This
43.   Nina Nastasia- Outlaster
44.   Lindstrøm & Christabelle- Real Life Is No Cool
45.   Shugo Tokumaru- Port Entropy
46.   Yellow Swans- Going Places
47.   Field Music- Measure
48.   Blue Hawaii- Blooming Summer
49.   Baths- Cerulean
50. Salem- King Night

Best Compilation Album: Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music from Africa

Best Live Album: Bill Callahan- Rough Travel for a Rare Thing

Best Comedy Album: Aziz Ansari- Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening (more on Parks & Rec)

Worst Album That I Heard in Its Entirety: Lil Wayne- The Rebirth

Most Overrated Album That Immediately Negates Credibility from Any List That I Find It On:

LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening

Whatever. Be it at the bottom or the top of your pile, there are advantages to both. ADVANTAGES TO BOTH!

Best Live Shows of 2010 (in chronological order -- full list here):

The Clientele at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ - February 21

Joanna Newsom at Southern Theatre in Columbus, OH - March 29

Shearwater and Wye Oak at Beachland Tavern in Cleveland, OH - April 3

Dark Dark Dark in somebody's Akron backyard - April 4

Surfer Blood and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart at Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH - June 6