1. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
So, I'm on Team Kanye. He's crazy, ridiculous, etc. But he is talented, a perfectionist, and he put out the best album of the year. All Of The Lights is as majestic and poignant as it is soulful and melodic. Blame Game is both beautiful and shocking at the same time, and forever quotable. Monster showcases 3 of the greatest rappers past, present, and future. But the real triumph in this album is that with all the guests and with all the samples, the album still illustrates the person that is Kanye West - all the dark, twisted, fantasy-ridden, and of course, beautiful parts of him.
2. Drake - Thank Me Later
If Kanye didn't come out this year, I would have deemed it the year of Drake. My most played album of the year, it was the album that made me decide to try out hip hop again. Over has to be one of the best single tracks on an album this year, the energy and the lyrics loudly introduce him to everyone that hadn't been listening. Thank Me Now is the greatest closing track on any album this year. Non-threatening, sweet and solemn, but always full of youth and fun, Drake kills it with this album. DRAKE - do right and kill everything.
3. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Doesn't LCD always seem to make it to the top? Pure enjoyment...the only thing that can really make things seem better. I wish it could always be LCD week on itunes. The best part about this album is it sounds like a party in my head, fun but still left with some melancholy. Where is Nancy Whang with that water bottle for me?
4. Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise
Lending more towards an Anthony Green solo album with elements of Circa Survive, Blue Sky Noise solidified my love for both. One of the only anticipated albums that actually met or exceeded expectations. I Felt Free is probably the most radiant song I've heard all year. The only thing I regret is that I didn't see them live at all last year.
5. Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring
The problem with albums that come out in January is that it's hard to remember that they came out that year. But this Los Campesinos! album is hard to forget. Super catchy, irreverent, and unwittingly honest, Romance Is Boring is really just enjoyable. And, it helps that "There Are Listed Buildings" has one of my favorite lyrics in it: "We are but two atheists in love, you know, we gotta make our own luck."
6. Taylor Swift - Speak Now
And the biggest surprise on my list is probably Taylor Swift. Sometimes against all logic and anything explainable, you love something that you once (and still probably) hated. Sure, it's a country album with innocent lyrics that could be construed as too simple and uninspired, sung by an imperfect voice, but in spite of all of that, there is a charming, magical quality about Taylor Swift's album. Her voice is perfect for these songs, and I find myself wanting to play Speak Now on repeat...and I do.
7. Rihanna - Loud
If this was the year of Drake, it was also the summer and fall of Rihanna. And she deserves it! Loud is full of fun hits, introspective ballads, and a variety of songs that highlight her voice - innocent yet edgy, fun yet grounded. Her supporting acts get more attention, but songs like "What's My Name" and "Cheers (Drink To That)" are the reason why her album is one of my favorites.
8. Sleigh Bells - Treats
I wish I could write out the notes to the song intros and the sound efffects, because I hear them in my head all day, and that is what I love about them. I love that the songs are all over the place. I love that I can't seem to describe them properly in this post. The only way I can describe this is that if I made a movie, every character would walk in to a different song on this album. Personal theme music for all.
9. No Age - Everything In Between
This album almost didn't make it on the list on my first draft, but I realized that I couldn't leave it off. I don't even think I know any of the lyrics, but it doesn't really matter, I think I love it because I don't have to. Not really like any of the other albums on this list, it's a welcome break, something I can just listen to as music, if that makes any sense. Positive Amputation is my favorite one, it just feels right.
10. She & Him - Volume Two
I can still hear She & Him from their Hollywood Bowl performance in my head. How quiet the crowd was when Zooey sang, everyone just soaking in her voice, which was perfect. The album is almost just as warm and cute and quirky as that show, and soooo easy to listen to. They just edged out Kate Nash into the top 10 just because it's perfect for anytime of day...except when I'm angry and need to listen to Eminem. :)
And these didn't fit in my top 10, but are worth mentioning.
Honorable Mentions:
Kate Nash - My Best Friend Is You
Bruno Mars - Doo Wops & Hooligans
Kanye West - G.O.O.D. Fridays
B.O.B. - No Genre (Mixtape)
Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Jimmy Eat World - Invented
