triplew.me Best Albums of 2010

We trawled the ocean of our team’s reviews and tastes (and roping in a few extra people along the way) to come up with our Top 25 Albums of 2010. Be sure to swing by triplew.me on January 1 and hear our special on all of the albums on audio stream. Here's the Top 25.

Yep, it’s contentious, yep it doesn’t include a lot we might have included – and that’s the beauty of keeping it all open – let us know your selection or challenge us to something we’ve missed via the comments, or vote for a selection yourself!

1. The National - High Violet

Hauntingly beautiful in composition and delivery, The National’s follow-up to the acclaimed Boxer exceeded any expectations held for the band.

From Matt Berninger with his distinct, desperate and yearning baritone, complemented holistically by a band united in a direction, this album is a triumph of the art of making, well, an album.

From the goosebump-inducing Anyone’s Ghost to the churning Bloodbuzz Ohio (follow the link in the title or album cover to watch), this is a rare collection of fine songs by a band at the very top of their game.

That, and it’s very rare that 5 people in different spheres in the industry agree on one thing – this is the Album of 2010.

2. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

The masters at thematic concept albums, Arcade Fire this year followed up their sophomore effort Neon Bible with, as if it were deemed possible back in 2007, a better and more complete album.

Exploring themes of human alienation in the city and infusing them with driving, incessant and beautiful compositions - both the album, and live performances, have lived up to the hype.

Collaborations with Google on the amazing video for We Used To Wait and the Spike Jonze short-film for The Suburbs (the song), deemed this a brilliant event in itself.

3. The Black Keys - Brothers

Raw, honest, blues driven low-fi rock had a resurgence in 2010. Especially with The Dead Weather and Black Keys both making brilliant albums.

The construction of Brothers, their second and most accomplished effort to date, was nothing short of brilliant.

Raw, rough and honest, producer Brian ‘Danger Mouse’ Burton got the best out of the band on Tighten Up (with a few striking similarities, sonically, to other records he produced in 2010) a great track, but by no means the standout.

Brilliantly understated and capturing their live 2-piece feel, but with increased depth, made for a complete work in every sense.

4. Broken Bells - Broken Bells

A curious, but then again not, combination of super producer Brian ‘Danger Mouse’ Burton and James Mercer (The Shins), the soundscapes and pop sensibilities, join together seamlessly - or at once, where the old world is combined with beats and great melodies, like on the single The Ghost Inside.

It's an album that we initially reviewed as one that might grow with each listen rather than a 'one listener', but upon reflection the hooks shout everything positive about Burton, the sensibilities of Mercer's best work with The Shins and everything in between.

Still managing to be an ever revealing album, it becomes less a collaboration and more a standalone unit with every listen. On Broken Bells, Mercer and Burton are certainly at their finest and most coherent form.

5. Vampire Weekend - Contra

Often derided as indie-hipster-prepsters (is that a word?), Vampire Weekend followed up the what-was-expected-to-be-a-one-hit wonder of their debut album Vampire Weekend with an album that was again undeniably unique.

Complex, subtle and a lot more grown up than songs about grammar and trips to Manhattan, they delivered an album full of indie-pop sensibilities molded with enough quirk to make auto-tune cool (well, sort of).

The beauty of Giving Up The Gun and Diplomat’s Son against the pop of Cousins or Holiday takes a little genius and a lot of talent – love 'em or loathe them – it’s a great album.

6. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

The collaboration of the year from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlitt’s not-so-animated-anymore project included a stellar cast including Mick Jones & Paul Simonen, Mos Def, Bashy + Kano, Snoop Dogg et al & a tour to the Middle East in July.

7. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

James Murphy & Co delivered a wonderfully put together and subtle record, that just happens to rip apart speakers in places.

8. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

The Atlanta-based indie rock group returned, triumphantly, with the much anticipated follow-up to Microcastle.

9. Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Tribal infused 80's synth-pop made for an unforgettable sound on Yeasayer's sophomore release.

10. The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards

Their second album in the space of 12 months proved that this band is definitely making its mark.

11. Foals - Total Life Forever

A great record with swaggering tracks helps these Scottish lads become well-traveled critics darlings. When it was released, we gave it 3 stars. It's a grower.

12. Klaxons - Surfing the Void

A major shift in sound from Klaxons and the result is one of the most strangely captivating albums of 2010.

13. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul

Almost a Sparklehorse record in sound, feel and look, but with the addition of some unique collaborations it's more than the album that wasn't going to see the light of day.

14. Grinderman - Grinderman 2

Slightly different than their first release in sound, but similar in quality and spirit.

15. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

A lush collection of songs from Swede singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson. A beautiful straightforward approach that compensates with rich emotional dimensions.

16. Sleigh Bells - Treats

Sleigh Bells aren’t shy about their big, loud, brash and straight up obnoxious sound. But that's OK because it’s really, really good.

17. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Disturbingly weird. Overblown. Musically Obese. Lyrically Insane. And maybe a little genius.

18. Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

This debut album is a real surprise -****ng many indie-pop gems with gorgeous harmonies.. Local Natives may be the next big thing.

19. Jonsi - Go

The solo album from Sigur Ros front-man. Strange yet breathtaking at the same time.

20. Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns

Honestly, we wanted to write this album off - but Linkin Park have pulled off an accomplished feat with this release.

21. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

This folk songstress is young in age but you wouldn't be able to tell from the way she tells these stories. A really beautiful, stark pop-folk release.

22. Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

The editor isn't a fan of this one - but neverthless, it's made its way onto the list. A record catering to an audience unashamedly, and that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

23. M.I.A - Maya

Never one to shy away from controversy - M.I.A delivered her third release in a wonderfully divided fashion - in soundscapes and critical response.

24. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

The follow up to their successful release, Cease to Begin, is filled with storytelling drenched in an Americana spirit.

25. Birds of Tokyo - Birds of Tokyo

You might not have heard this one, but the third album from Australian alt-rockers Birds of Tokyo really made an impression on us, and seemingly all of Australia in 2010.

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