Best Of 2010 Part 1

I'm gonna have to break this list up into multiple posts because I appreciate too much different music, and it's a lot of info. These are not ranked, they are listed alphabetically by album title. So heeere's the beginning of the alphabet.

B.o.B - "The Adventures Of Bobby Ray"

As far as pop albums go, this is great. I don't know how successful this dude would be if Andre 3000 didn't disappear from the scene, but he did, and B.o.B is more than welcome to take that fanbase and give them some decent music to listen to.

Legendary Shack Shakers - "Agridustrial"

This album shows a slight change in style for them, but as always, do not disappoint. I always have a hard time describing what this band sounds like, so i'll just say they make good all american rock n roll. 

Black Milk - "Album Of The Year"

With such a cocky album title i'm sure he knew he had to deliver, but the title still isn't true for me. This was one of the stronger rap releases of the year though. He's quickly beome one of rap's current best producers.

Girl Talk - "All Day"

As always with him, I sit and nitpick at all the stuff that's just OK, or think of better decisions he could have made, but ultimately, this dude changed the DJ game, and this is far from a weak mix. It would be nice to see him progress a little more with his style, but he's found a tried and true method, and he's stickin to it. This mix will get pretty much any party started.

Rob Swift - "The Architect"

I think I want to like this album more than I actually like it, but Rob Swift mixing turntablism with classical music still deserves to be on this list. He's a master of his craft trying something new with mixed results, but the end result is still an entertaining listen.

Ian Thomas Alexy - "Are You Listening"

Solo EP offering from half of The Hobo Nephews Of Uncle Frank. I'm liking the new styles he's bringing into the mix, more rock sounding. One of the songs reminds me of The Black Keys in a way. When this CD ends, I want it to be longer.

Lyrics Born - "As U Were"

This album is so all over the place, I don't think it really can be defined by a genre, which makes me happy. Time will tell how this will rank among his albums. I'm interested to see how this album ages over time because it has this weird vibe where it seems futuristic and retro at the same time.

David Cross - "Bigger & Blackerer"

I think the Minneapolis show from this tour was a little better than this set, but this is still SO funny. Watch the DVD of this also, most of the matierial is completely different from the audio version.

Bonobo - "Black Sands"

I think this is their best album yet, and all their albums are stellar. They blur the line between jazz and electronic so well and make it all so lush sounding.

Mr. Flash - "Blood, Sweat & Tears"

I had only previously heard this dude from the Ed Banger compilations, and didn't really think too much of his songs, but this EP blew me outta the water. It's like every song is a different style, but they're all good. This dude is clearly very talented and I can't wait to see what he releases in the future.

Steve Mason - "Boys Outside"

Former lead singer of The Beta Band. I think I like this better than the King Biscuit Time album that he put out in 2008. Pretty much like The Beta Band, but a little more straightforward.

The Melvins - "The Bride Screamed Murder"

Another superb album to add to their catalog of many. They even add on a few more styles to their arsenal with this one. I've been listening to this album a lot since it came out.

Broken Bells - "Broken Bells"

When I heard Danger Mouse made an album with the lead singer from The Shins, I was just like "whatever", but this is as good as pop-rock is gonna get.

The Black Keys - "Brothers"

This is their ultimate album thus far. Just a classic rock n roll album through and through. Dan Auerbach just keeps getting better as a singer and guitarist to me.

Chromeo - "Business Casual"

Pretty much more of the same from these guys, but that's not a bad thing. Glossed out Hall & Oates meets Roger Troutman for the new millenium.

Curtis Plum - "Call My Cellphone"

This album is funny as hell to me, but many people will find it unbearably annoying. Supposedly this dude was discovered by Sage Francis through myspace, who offered to release this album through Strange Famous Records without ever meeting him in person. Supposedly Curtis Plum is from Boise, Idaho. He kinda sounds like what would happen if Katherine Hepburn tried to rap. This album always puts me in a good mood and I would recommend it to fans of Wesley Willis. The only downside is that his youtube video "2 Hats" does not appear on this release.

RJD2 - "The Colossus"

I like this better than The Third Hand, but not as much as his Def Jux albums. He got smart and has mostly guest vocalists instead of trying to sing himself, which he still does on a few tracks, but it's not overkill with it like The Third Hand was. He clearly wants to go for more of a live band sound nowadays and does a fine job at it.

Grieves - "The Confessions Of Mr. Modest"

This long EP/short LP came for free with the Rhyme Sayers re-release of his 2009 album 88 Keys & Counting. There was no new songs on that re-release, and I already had the original Black Clover released version of it, so I had to purchase this. Him and Budo continue to develop their styles, and it really looks like they're gonna try and shoot for big time success with the first real Rhyme Sayers release judging by the sound of a lot of these songs. He deserves it too, easily being the best new dude to emerge in the rap game from the last few years. Go see him live if you doubt me.

Flying Lotus - "Cosmogramma"

This album firmly cements Flying Lotus as one of the new pioneers in not just electronic music, but all of music. He puts so many different styles into this and blends it into a style all his own that will be bitten by countless others for eternity. Contender for album of the year.