Let’s be honest, while the Grammys is an extravagant event (and achievement,) it hardly encapsulates such wide tastes in music. Certain artists and their works are bound to be left without even so much as a mention. And with new albums released each week, you may have missed some of the most compelling musical works of this past year. But fear not! we’ve got you covered. Here are, in no particular order, the true standout projects of 2010, and why they made our ears tingle just a little bit more than all the rest. Please to enjoy..
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
- After essentially banishing himself from the public eye, Kanye returned from his downfall; rising from the ashes like the phoenix in his short film, Runaway. MBDTF is incredible.. from lyricism and wordplay, production and arrangement, and features to vocal effects. It is the perfect response to critics who claimed that Kanye had ruined his career with the infamous Taylor Swift incident. It has provided hip-hop/rap with even more memorable lines, such as: “Too many Urkels on ya team/that’s why ya wins low,” and “I ain’t got it, I’m coming after whoever who has it. I’m coming after whoever, who has it?!” MBDTF also features one of my favorite songs of the year, which pairs Kanye with Rihanna, John Legend, and Elton John (among others).
Shout It Out
Hanson
- Sure, the boys that composed Hanson have grown into men and have children (hard to believe), but that hasn’t stopped them from making music. I had not given this band a listen since they emerged in the late 90’s, and was pleasantly surprised. To say they have returned is false, mostly because they never went anywhere to begin with. But the songs in Shout It Out are the result and marriage of a love for music and talent that few bands have ever achieved. This album is an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish, and seems to hit every note absolutely perfect. Stand out tracks include: the jam “And I Waited,” the wanting “Use Me Up,” and the melancholy “Me Myself And I.”
The Upsides
The Wonder Years
- One song. That is all it took for me to fall for this pop/punk product that hails from Philadelphia. The Wonder Years have created one of (if not the) best sing along albums of the year. Imagine you and your friends formed a band and were actually amazing.. only you did not know it. You would sing about college, friendship, and that guy at the party (yeah, him). Or maybe you would all gather around a campfire and sing about life’s troubles. That’s how I feel about The Wonder Years, who are surely enjoying the upsides of life, as they recently signed to Hopeless Records. Their future is looking bright with a new record label and a follow-up album in the works. Stand out tracks include: “Logan Circle,” “This Party Sucks,” “Hey Thanks,” and “All My Friends Are In Bar Bands.”
Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Kid Cudi
- Kid Cudi was one of 2009’s biggest breakout stars, and returned in 2010 with the second album in his trilogy. Comparatively, MOTM2 ditches the outer space like sound from his debut album, and instead embraces a more dark, disturbing feel. Cudi touches on his thoughts of suicide after achieving all the fame, his struggles with cocaine use, and finally acknowledging the birth of his daughter. MOTM2 provides a closer look into the mind of Scott Mescudi, the artist himself, which makes it a lot more personal. One of the reasons I love Cudi is his diversity and willingness to experiment with different sounds and artists. And in that regard, he is the most refreshing artist in quite some time. This time he brings along Cee-Lo Green, Mrs. Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Cage, St. Vincent, GLC, and Chip Tha Ripper. Stand out tracks include: “Scott Mescudi Vs. The World,” “Mr. Rager,” “These Worries,” and “GHOST!”
Recover
Confide
- The now defunct band Confide was a ray of sunshine in a sea of rainy days that is the metalcore genre. Recover is an incredible, fast paced jolt of adrenaline that will have you itching for repeat listens. This is another band I had never listened to until this year. I would say they mostly resemble older Underoath in their ability to mix screaming and accompanied singing by blending smoothly and to great effect. It is also rare that particular instruments make themselves known throughout an entire album.. Joel Piper’s drums and the guitar/bass pieces really shine through on Recover. Stand out tracks include: “Barely Breathing,” “Delete, Repeat,” “Now Or Never,” and “My Choice Of Words.”
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
B.o.B
- T.I.’s protege, B.o.B aka Bobby Ray, has the flow of Andre 3000 and the style of Kid Cudi. And much like Hanson, B.o.B showcases his pure talent through his musicianship. The guitars and other instruments on his debut album help create a sound that is as rare as it is welcoming. To put it short, B.o.B blends genres and cannot be quite classified under any one label or group. The Adventures of Bobby Ray is just that.. an adventure; one that crosses from rap to pop to alternative to rock. Bobby Ray is one of the few artists who attempts to cover such a broad range of music and succeed at doing so. Stand out tracks include: “Don’t Let Me Fall,” “Ghost In The Machine,” “Airplanes Part II,” and “Letters From Vietnam.”
Recovery
Eminem
- After letting himself down (and arguably, some of his hardcore fans) Eminem picked up the mic once again. The result? His most interesting and dominant album since 2002’s The Eminem Show. Em’s approach on Recovery is a great example of how an artist continually grows throughout the years, but does so in a mature and adaptive way. While I think Recovery is more like his older catalog, Em just continues to explore unchartered territory from his life. Finally addressing the death of his best friend Proof, his past drug stupor, and all the mistakes/regrets he has provides the listener with a sense of relief. Em’s human too. All the money in the world can’t buy happiness. We all go through ups and downs.. it’s how we rebound that matters. Of course, it’s also filled with rewind moments and punch lines to boot. Eminem is back to true form. Stand out tracks include: “On Fire,” “Going Through Changes,” “Spacebound,” “25 To Life,” and “You’re Never Over.”
Enemy Of The World
Four Year Strong
- Four Year Strong returned from a three year absence with their most complete and successful full-length to date. Many terms have been used to describe the unique sound of FYS, but the one that absolutely rings true is “melodic hardcore.” Dan O’Connor and Alan Day’s back and forth throughout the album is unlike any “duo” I have ever heard. They essentially feed off one another, and you will want to join in on the fun! It also littered with pop culture ideas/influences that include “Back To The Future” and “Ghostbusters.” Enemy Of The World is one of the most in your face, audio onslaughts of the year. Stand out tracks include: “Wasting Time,” “Find My Way Back,” “One Step At A Time,” and “Enemy Of The World.”
So.. did your favorite album make our Top Albums of 2010? Did we miss something? Or maybe you agree with us. As always, leave a comment with your thoughts. And here’s to another great year of music in 2011!
glory by the gram 