RR’s Top 10 Albums of 2010

Since I still consider myself more of a music fan than a music “professional” I chose my list around the albums I literally played most this year – and which ones I think I’ll still be pressing play on well into 2011 and beyond.

(two notes — Local Natives’s “Gorilla Manor” was on my list last year or it certainly would have been this year. Also, The Generationals new EP is at the top of my list of current music I love –and Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr’s EP was a frontrunner — but I decided to go with full albums. Mostly to make the decision making easier!)

Check out all our DJs top album picks here!

RR’s Top 10 Albums of 2010

Best Coast – Crazy For You

Tame Impala — Innerspeaker

Black Keys — Brothers

Jenny and Johnny – I’m Having Fun Now

Band of Horses – Infinite Arms

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Cut Chemist – Sound of the Police

Delta Spirit – History From Below

Beach House – Teen Dream

Sleigh Bells – Treat

As a Beach Boys-lovin’ California girl, Best Coast was an easy top choice, followed by some psychedelic rock from one of my favorite global destinations, Australia. Black Keys made their best disc yet and Jenny and Johnny made a great album of sunny pop I listened to over and over again. Band of Horses made a surprisingly poppy album that still maintained everything you love about the band while Arcade Fire (especially live) reminded me why they are one of the most important bands in the world, at least to us indie folk. Cut Chemist’s two-part mix was the sunshine on my beach walks throughout a dreary LA summer and Delta Spirit followed up an excellent debut with a mature sophomore album that proves they are here to stay. Beach House and Sleigh Bells are the polar opposites of what I like in my music – the meditative thoughtfulness that eases my mind and soul vs. the full on dance party body assault. Both are great. Woohoo! Another great year for music…

RR