Favorite Records of 2010

10. The Wild Hunt - The Tallest Man on Earth

Sweden's Kristian Matsson's sophomore effort is an honest and authentic blend of gritty acoustics and poetic songwriting. Feels as comfortable as an old pair of leather boots.

9. Teen Dream - Beach House

The Baltimore duet's Sub Pop debut is lush, warm, dark, and hauntingly lovely. That is all.

8. The Monitor - Titus Andronicus

Bruce Springsteen, meet Ken Burns and Joe Strummer.

7. Brothers - the Black Keys

The Album the boys were meant to make. All the charm of their early work, with raging full on indie sound.

6. Expo 86 - Wolf Parade

This is the darkest effort yet out of the Montreal combo, but dark in a kick ass way.

5. Destroyer of the World - Blitzen Trapper

A gorgeous brand of the pacific northwests' take on americana. Classic rock gets the alt.country makeover.

4. Astro Coast - Surfer Blood

An amazing debut from the Florida coast. Memorizing surf sensibilities but don't let that fool ya. It's rock and roll.

3. Forgiveness Rock Record - Broken Social Scene

The most coherent album from the Canadian supergroup (including all 31 contributers), and probably their most accessible to date. Beautifully produced.

2. High Violet - The National

Rock and roll for grown ups.

1. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

An epic romp through nostalgia and reverie.