Culture Greyhound

10. A-Trak – Dirty South Dance 2

A-Trak – We Don’t Want No Goblins

Dubstep and Southern rap were meant to be together, or at least they are when A-Trak’s behind the crossfader.  His second foray into mixing the two genres is a dance party like no other; stand by for the ending highlight, a mashup of Joker and Yung L.A.

9. Wavves – King of the Beach

Wavves – Post Acid

Nathan Williams’ 2009 and 2010 were completely different.  The previous year, he was an up-and-comer that crashed and burned publicly; now he is a renewed creative spirit with a diverse, improved sound.

8. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West – Monster (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver & Nicki Minaj)

Believe the hype – Yeezy’s fifth album is quite probably his finest work yet.  His rapping is smart and funny and his production is characteristically slick.  If he keeps making gold, we will continue to put up with his hi-jinks, Internet, interview, or otherwise.

7. One Wolf – One Wolf II: Secret of the Wolf

One Wolf – Backyard

Perhaps the doom and gloom from One Wolf’s self-titled effort has disappeared, but in its place is diverse instrumentation, inescapable pop hooks, and sharp optimism. A sonic collage of indie, Americana, and even metal, this is one that just grows and grows on you.

6. Thrift Store Cowboys – Light Fighter

Thrift Store Cowboys – Regardless

Lubbock’s elder statesmen etch their place in historic alt-country with this, their fourth and finest album.  Daniel Fluitt’s keen storytelling and unmistakable voice lead the listener on a gradual crescendo in under fifty minutes.  Give it one listen and observe the injustice – Deer Tick should be opening for these guys by now.

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20. Vampire Weekend – Contra

Vampire Weekend – Cousins

19. Jeff the Brotherhood – Heavy Days

Jeff the Brotherhood – Bone Jam

18. Male Bonding – Nothing Hurts

Male Bonding – Year’s Not Long

17. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter – Desire Lines

16. The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt

The Tallest Man On Earth – King of Spain

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30. Cloud Nothings – Turning On

Cloud Nothings – Morgan

29. Thw Walkmen – Lisbon

The Walkmen – Victory

28. ceo – White Magic

ceo – Come With Me

27. Drake – Thank Me Later

Drake – Shut It Down (featuring The-Dream)

26. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

Local Natives – Airplanes

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40. Games – That We Can Play EP

Games – Strawberry Skies

39. Delorean – Subiza

Delorean – Simple Graces

38. Brothertiger – Vision Tunnels EP

Brothertiger – Lovers

37. The Thermals – Personal Life

The Thermals – I Don’t Believe You

36. Diamond Rings – Special Affections

Diamond Rings – Show Me Your Stuff

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50. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round and Round

49. OFF! – First Four EPs

OFF! – Panic Attack

48. Marnie Stern – S/T

Marnie Stern – For Ash

47. Crystal Castles – S/T

Crystal Castles – Baptism

46. The White Stripes – Under Great White Northern Lights

The White Stripes – Black Math (Live)

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Tomorrow I begin my listings of the top albums of 2010, but before I do, here are twenty great albums, listed alphabetically, that just barely missed the cut.

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Avey Tare – Down There

Big K.R.I.T. – K.R.I.T. Wuz Here Mixtape

Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record

Dr. Dog – Shame Shame

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20. A-Trak – Twerk That Driver

19. Small Black – Photojournalist (Star Slinger Remix)

18. Two Door Cinema Club – Undercover Martyn Flexin’ It (Passion Pit Remix)

17. The Hood Internet – Someday We’ll Find Your Love (Drake x Grum)

16. Neon Indian – Should Have Taken Acid With You (Future Rock Remix)

15. Coolrunnings – I Am You (Star Slinger Remix)

14. The-Dream – Nikki (Gobble Gobble Remix)

13. Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Le Chev Remix)

12. Deerhunter – Helicopter (Star Slinger Remix)

11. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round & Round (Little Loud Remix)

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20. The Hold Steady – Hurricane J

Craig Finn, while less belligerent, is still plenty drunk and emotional and frank on Heaven Is Whenever, and the group delivers one of their poppiest efforts thus far.  “Hurricane J” is a plea to a lost soul he may be care a little too much about, spoken plainly and perfectly alongside a perfect tropical storm metaphor.  We’ve all known someone like the person Finn describes, and we’ve all said the exact same things.

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50. LCD Soundsystem – Dance Yrself Clean

49. Dom – Living In America

48. Arcade Fire – We Used To Wait

47. The Walkmen – Victory

46. Free Energy – Free Energy

45. Deerhunter – Desire Lines

44. Delorean – Simple Graces

43. Josh Ritter – Folk Bloodbath

42. Diamond Rings – Show Me Your Stuff

41. Janelle Monae – Tightrope (feat. Big Boi)

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100. Vampire Weekend – White Sky

99. The National – Lemonworld

98. Magic Kids – Superball

97. Drake – Up All Night (feat. Nicki Minaj)

96. Free Energy – Bang Pop

95. Katy Perry – Teenage Dream

94. Evan Voytas – Our Thing

93. DOM – Burn Bridges

92. Games – Strawberry Skies

91. Dominique Young Unique – Show My Ass

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