Top Albums 2010 - Reject Edition

The close-but-no-cigar-list.

1. Bionic – Christina Aguilera
Despite promising contributions Christina Aguilera falls short of delivering a truly interesting album (in the context of Christina Aguilera albums). At its best ‘Bionic’ shows that there is still room out there for someone with her talent in today’s pop scene. At its worst it sounds like Ke$ha – the musical equivalent of crotchless panties and empty liquor bottles – only without the satire. Or even worse: like Christina Aguilera some five years ago. There is no amount of explicit sexual content or girl-on-girl action that can cover that up.

2. Have One On Me – Joanna Newsom
I guess I just didn’t get Joanna Newsom. It’s not her, it’s me. Although, in a way, it is her. Don’t get me wrong, I like her music. She is one of the most gifted composers of the moment and on top of that she’s a skilled instrumentalist. I just can’t take her intricate, morbidly overcharged melodies and vocal acrobatics for two hours on end. ‘Have One On Me’ is a masterpiece for those who love her, at the same time it borders on absolute terror for those who don’t.

3. The 2010 hypes
I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help comparing. And in the case of BBC favorites Ellie Goulding and Marina & the Diamonds I just couldn't help but wonder if they’d match up to 2009 revelation La Roux. As it turned out they couldn’t quite do so. Goulding got the benefit of the doubt for 2010: her 2009 releases sounded promising, but simultaneously gave away a certain legerity. Her somewhat colorless, disappointing debut ‘Lights’ confirmed the latter. Marina Diamandis gets a long way riding on her operatic roller-coaster voice and theatrical personality, but never really amazes with her fluorescent opera-pop debut ‘The Family Jewels’. Then again, it’s not her fault she was constantly compared to Florence + the Machine – for the life of me, I wouldn’t know why you would compare them. Maybe it’s the name. Either way, both miss a certain depth to their music. And in that respect, I will continue to be on the lookout for the next La Roux.


4. Flesh Tone - Kelis
French dance producer and one of the worst things to have happened to music in recent history David Guetta revamped Kelis' dying career in 2010, proving the old adage that even a broken clock is right twice a day. 'Acappella' is without a doubt one of the best club track of 2010, but as a whole 'Flesh Tone' is just a little bit one-dimensional. A shame, because Kelis has the voice and stage presence to be so much more. She's back, but deserves better.


5. /\/\/\Y/\ – M.I.A.
This is hands down my favorite album in this list. The main issue is that M.I.A. raised the bar quite significantly with her 2007 effort 'Kala', an exciting, genre-defying near-masterpiece. On '/\/\/\Y/\' she sounds louder than ever - and even less nuanced - but at the same time less versatile. Granted, she's still better than most everyone else, but I've seen what she's done with Sleigh Bells.  

Top Albums 2010

1. Tomorrow, In A Year – The Knife

Amazing electro opera by Swedish super duo The Knife. The album combines raw electronic noise with minimalistic string arrangements and classical vocals to create a sound that is both cruel and beautiful, but above all captures the gradual, organic character of evolution. A fitting tribute to Charles Darwin.

2. Body Talk pt. 2 – Robyn

Electro pop bad gal Robyn has done it again. After a 5-year hiatus she released no less than three albums in 2010 – 2 mini-albums and a compilation. Though pt. 1 in her 'Body Talk' series is more explorative, pt. 2 managed to push my sing and dance buttons just that little bit more. Pop tunes of the highest order.

3. The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe

Ambitious full-length sequel to her futuristic cyborg fairytale. Hopping genres at a blistering pace Miss Monáe displays her amazing vocal talent and musical versatility in one of the most original, comprehensive and overall impressive records of the past years. She is an artist to watch for the future.

4. Treats – Sleigh Bells

32 minutes punch-in-the-stomach-debut by Brooklyn-based noise pop duo Sleigh Bells, signed to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. label. Don't expect a sound comparable to the highbrow, experimental noise rock à la Health: au fond 'Treats' is far too poppy. But pop music rarely sounded so excruciating, out there and fiercely raw. M.I.A. record of the year!

5. Happiness - Hurts

From the relative obscurity of their fourth place in the BBC’s sound list last year, Hurts delivered on the nonetheless high expectations. Although their heavy pathos is not for everyone, the British synthpop duo has undisputedly produced one of the most elegant and enigmatic sounds of the past year. On their debut 'Happiness' they combine the best of eighties electro pop, with singer Theo Hutchcrafts slick crystal clear voice.

6. All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu – Rufus Wainwright

On his sixth longplayer baroque pop virtuoso Rufus Wainwright showed himself at his most intimate. 'All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu' is more subdued and classical in nature than we are used to from the flamboyant singer, which at the same time makes it a little less accessible than his previous works. Accompanying himself on the piano and incorporating some opera influences Wainwright says goodbeye to his mother. Class.   

7. Odd Blood – Yeasayer

On their second album the self-described "Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel" band mixes genres the way only they can. What they sometimes lack in brilliance they abundantly make up for with their irresistible, psychedelic indie-rock. And with 'O.N.E.' they are responsible for one of the absolute top tracks of 2010.  And if all that still wouldn't be enough to convince you: they sound even better live.

8. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West

After a not altogether fortunate auto-tune adventure,  Kanye West returns to what he knows best: show the world that he's still (once again) on top. His latest album unleashes 13 mindblowing tracks upon the world with the help of Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z and John Legend, to name just a few. If he could just work on his attitude next.

9. Teen Dream – Beach House

With their third one Beach House struck a chord with me. 'Teen dreams' consists of ten beautiful, dreamy pop songs, capable of brightening up even the gloomiest of days. Just close your eyes and and let this Baltimore duo take you away on a dream ride, driven by their soft-shoegaze melodies and Victoria Legrands mesmerizing vocals.

10. Learning – Perfume Genius

On his debut 'Learning' Mike Hadreas aka Perfume Genius - hovering between fragile and resilient - processes his traumatized youth in ten beautiful tracks. With his frail, ghostlike voice, he contrasts deepcutting emotions with naive, childlike rhymes. Painfully gorgeous debut.