#1. To Be Loved - Thad Cockrell

What makes the number one album of the year? 1. Well it has to be liked enough for me to continue to play it years after this one. 2. It can't have any weak songs or songs I just don't liked. 3. Finally, it has to be from the current year which you're talking about. Unfortunately, Thad Cockrell's album "To Be Loved" can't fit into this list because it's from late 2009.

I had the choice of leaving the number one spot for this year blank since I couldn't find a replacement, or showcasing a truly great album. So, I picked the later. All the qualities that make up a number one album in my mind are there for Cockrell's album. He has beautiful music, very well written lyrics, and perfect vocals. Each one of his songs are equally good, making it impossible to choose a favorite. That is precisely how an album of the year should be! If there is one album you should have purchased in 2010 or should buy in 2011 it should be "To Be Loved." It's sure to be a favorite of mine, and maybe yours, for many years to come.


If I have to choose..
Best tracks: "Sarah", "I Cry."

#2. Rain on the City - Freedy Johnston

I've been waiting for Freedy Johnston to come out with an album that was as good as This Perfect World (1997) since I was 15 and in Haiti and he just might have delivered through Rain on the City.
One of biggest differences lyrically I find between this album and This Perfect World is that Freedy Johnston no longer seems to writing in the first person. It seems he is no longer writing about his experiences but instead giving advice to his son ("What you cannot see, you cannot fight") and to his friend ("Devil Raises His Own").
I started listening to this album shortly after the earthquake in Haiti so every time I hear the album it's bittersweet. Every time Johnston says "what you cannot see, you cannot fight" it reminds me of the tragic year that Haiti has had and how true that simple statement is.

Favorite Tracks: "Lonely Penny", "What You Cannot See, You Cannot Fight", "Devil Raises His Own", "Rain On the City", and "Don't Fall in Love with a Lonely Girl."

#3. Jonsi - Go

Is there anyone more unique and eccentric when it comes to music than Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi? Probably not; though Sufjan Stevens might come pretty close. They both do wear a lot of bird feathers... hmm? Sometimes I think that when you push the envelope away from what people consider to beautiful in music, one makes an album that really is just horrible. In my opinion, an artist can over simplify an album as well as clog it up with "creativity." Jonsi isn't one of those artists. His eclectic stylings, soft vocals, and uplifting lyrics that seem to talk about life's endless possibilities ("Go Do") come together beautifully on his album. Every aspect blends so well with each other to create a fantastic album.

Favorite Tracks: "Go Do," and "Tornado."

#4. How I Got Over - The Roots.

I was a little disappointed to see such a talented band like The Roots being the show band for Jimmy Fallon. This year, however, they showed they weren't ready to settle or disappear by releasing on of the catchiest albums of the year. Not only is the music catchy but the writing on this album is incredible.

Favorite Tracks: "Dear God 2.0" and "How I Got Over."

#5. All Delighted People EP - Sufjan Stevens

With all the fuss about Sufjan Steven's release of Age of Adz I feel like All Delighted People was severally overlooked. I wish that I enjoyed Age of Adz and could put his LP as my number five spot, but I didn't really enjoy but a few songs. I think the real masterpiece from him this year is his EP. The title track infectiously lingers in your mind while I think every song is unique and unforgettable in its own way. My only issue with this album is the 17 minute long jam for single mothers "Dejohariah." It was a nice thought, but I don't think most single mothers have the time to listen to squawking guitars for 17 minutes. Besides, I prefer songs to be under 10 minutes, but that might be only me and my short attention span.

Favorite Tracks: "Heirloom", "All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)", and "Enchanting Ghost."

#6. David Gray - Foundling

This has been the year of David Gray for me. If artists of the year was picked by my play count alone, "Foundling" would come in number one by miles ahead of any other album. I love everything about this album, except the song "Forgetting." I wish I could forget that he ever wrote that. I love David Gray's voice, and how everything he sings seems to spill out of the most genuine place of his heart. His lyrics aren't as strong, and his songs are a little too slow at times. I would have liked to see him shake things up a bit more. Those are the reasons I couldn't justify putting him any closer to the top than number six. I know I've tortured my friends with the constant replaying of this album this year. I'm sorry, but also you're welcome.

Favorite Tracks: "We Could Fall in Love Again Tonight", "In God's Name", and "Davey Jones' Locker."

#7. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

If you haven't noticed I really like listening to artist with unique voices. I never gave The Tallest Man on Earth (who actually isn't that tall) much attention because I thought all the indie bloggers and magazine writers only praised his last album because of the similarities between his voice and Bob Dylan's voice. To my surprise, he's a very talented writer, and I feel like his record is approachable in the way that I feel it could have been just as easily be listening to one of my friends sing in the living room. If you can get past his voice, or strange voices appealing give his album "The Wild Hunt" a listen.

Favorite Tracks: "The Wild Hunt", and "The Drying of the Lawns."

#8. The Innocence Mission - My Room in the Trees.

My Room in the Trees is an album (in my mind) that is meant to represent winter even though it came out in the summer. The beautiful, soft, piano styling paired with the acoustic guitar creates this sound that seems completely unique the Innocence Mission. I can imagine people in winter coats walking or playing in the snow covered ground; snow falling softly on their eyelashes and happy faces. Okay, that's corny. But I'm saying the beauty of this album is meant for winter not gross, sticky, summer.

I've been a fan of the Innocence Mission for a while and always enjoy their albums but particularly enjoy this one because they seem to be experimenting with putting new instruments in their music such as the violins accompanying them on Rain (Setting Out in a Leafy Boat.) I do have a few disappointments with this album. I wish they would mix up some of their styles a little bit because sometimes many of their songs sound like previous works. Over all I think the album is great, and the piano parts are ever evolving to be more beautiful.

If you enjoy peaceful music, well-crafted lyrics, and beautiful voices give this album a try. My favorite tracks are Rain (Setting out in a Leafy Boat), North American Field Song, and Spring.

#9. Jeff Beck - Emotion & Commotion

If I was a guitar savvy person I might be able to explain to you in great detail why this album rocks. I could explain to you that Jeff Beck is the master of the chord progression, and he had excellent pedal choices, but I don't really know what I'd be talking about. I'll explain to you in the best way possible why I love this album. I enjoy the performers which Jeff Beck has chosen to sing covers such as Joss Stone in "I Put a Spell On You." Her voice blended with his guitar work is as close to perfection as you're going to get on that song. I mostly enjoy just listening to Jeff Beck play his guitar without lyrics, such as in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." This song used to be one of my favorites as a kid, and still really enjoy listening to it. It was great to hear such a new twist to and old favorite. It is both refreshingly new and conformably familiar. Over the years many have covered that song, but this is by far the best musical version I have heard.

Side Note: Have you seen the cover? There is a freaking eagle carrying a guitar! If you didn't think this album was cool before you have to admit it now!

# 10. K'naan - Troubadour

Surprised? Well you shouldn't be. Not only is this album good on it's own, it catapulted itself into the pop limelight by releasing this year's (in my opinion) best single. When "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the anthem for the 2010 World Cup it instantly became a summer anthem in my mind as well. I think K'naan will prove he is not just a one hit wonder, because his beats and lyrics on the rest of the album are just as infectious and rememberable as "Wavin' Flag."

Be sure to check out this album, and keep an eye out for his sure to be promising projects. "Fatima", "Somalia", and "15 Minutes Away" are some of my favorites from the album.

Wavin' Flag (Video)