CUGEROCK: CUGEROCK TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010!!! (cue pyrotechnics)

Well kiddos. Another year of rock has ended and a good one to boot. My apologies as I know I'm a little late with this post. I am also fully aware that my posts have been lacking in frequency for the past 6 months or so. 2010 has been a "transformative" year for me personally to say the least. One of my many New Years resolutions for 2011 will be to carve out more time to hit up more shows, buy more records and post more friggin Cugerock posts for Gods sake (all intertwined).

To kick it off...here is a recap of my top 10 albums of 2010 (counted down to #1) plus some honorable mentions and duds. Some great new bands mixed with some new material from a number of indie rock mainstays.

TOP TEN OF 2010

10. Quasi - American Gong

Was skeptical given the prolonged absence of the Roxichord but was more than pleasantly surprised. I think Sam and Janet have found a solid trio with the addition of Joanna. See the Cugerock show review HERE

9. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks

Ted Leo come back full force with a more punk rock record than the last disappointment. Pure rock record through and through.

8. Beach House - Teen Dream

Such a great unique sound. Love it. I honestly thought the lead vocalist was a dude this whole time until I saw them on Conan recently. Check it out.

7. Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love

Doesn't quite compare to the last record and takes a few run throughs but there are some stellar tracks on this late 2010 release. They use more synths and slow jams which I enjoy (oddly).

6. Superchunk - Majesty Shredding

Um. Did these guys ever lose their skills after a decade? I feel like this is a follow up to Foolish. Man this record is solid.

5. The Walkmen - Lisbon

A healthy mix of sounds from Bows-And-Arrows and You And Me = Perfection.

4. The Black Keys - Brothers

A more bluesy take on this one. On repeat. Soooo good.
3. Best Coast - Crazy For You

Such an pleasurable listening experience. A fresh yet retro sound if that makes any sense. Another record that I cant stop listening to. Highly recommended.

2. The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack

Extremely close 2nd. I can't stop listening to this band (formerly known as The Muslims - Thanks for the reco Dom). Really need to catch them live.

1. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

I called it last March. Nothing tops this album. Hands down the best of 2010. See the Cugerock review HERE

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Tokyo Police Club - Champ

No Age - Everything In Between

Past Lives - Tapestry of Webs

The Thermals - Personal Life

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

HO-HUM/NOT IMPRESSED

Interpol - Interpol

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

The New Pornographers - Together

The National - High Violet

I'm sorry Faust siblings...I'm trying but I just cant get into these guys. Too mellow in most areas for me or maybe its his vocals.

ALBUMS I STILL NEED TO LISTEN TO/MAD AT MYSELF

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach