Best Albums of 2010
BY BURAK ŞAHİN (IR/III)
burak_s@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
It is the time of the year that every magazine and every music portal publishes their choices for best albums. I would like to also indicate the best 30 albums of the year in the pop, rock, alternative, indie, and electronic genres. Here is the first part of my picks, from 30 to 16. The top 15 albums are coming, next week.
30. Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz
This Michigan boy showed up this year with his 10th studio album. The Age of Adz includes more electronic themes but keeps the smooth voice.
29. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
The sub-pop band was recognized with the album Cease to Begin that accompanied the Guitar Hero game. Infinite Arms is better. This album can accompany you on a long journey.
28. Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love
They announced their album Write About Love with a beautiful song, "I Want the World to Stop." The rest of the songs are as good. Belle and Sebastian again satisfy their fans.
27. Midlake - The Courage of Others
Midlake made their debut for Turkish listeners this year. The band impressed with their performance 
at Salon İKSV. The Courage of Others is definitely above average.
26. The Coral - Butterfly House
The Coral is one of the bands that introduced our generation to psychedelic folk music. They released Butterfly House and its acoustic version. "Walking In the Winter" is a good song for New Year's.
25. MGMT - Congratulations
Expectations were extremely high for the Grammy Award winning Brooklyn duo's album. First impressions about Congratulations were not so good, but the album should be heard with their previous albums.
24. Manic Street Preachers - Postcards from a Young Man
They are a legend, they are a cult, and they have fans that are addicted to them. Postcards from a Young Man is full of hit songs, but unfortunately, they seem to have lost their cult sound.
23. Interpol - Interpol
Interpol also released one of more disappointing albums of the year. However, they said, "We tried different things in this album." Yes, they really did.
22. I Am Kloot - Sky at Night
I Am Kloot is another band that debuted for Turkish listeners in this year at Bronx Pi (İstanbul). Sky at Night was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2010, and it really deserved it.
21. Brandon Flowers - Flamingo
The Killers' vocalist released his first solo album. His first single and from Flamingo was "Crossfire," which includes Charlize Theron in the video clip. The album's sound is almost like The Killers' but "almost."
20. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
Laura Marling is one of the new generation of stars (she was born in 1990). Her voice makes you relax and want to listen again and again. I Speak Because I Can was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
19. Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks
Plan B mixes rap with soul music. The Defamation of Strickland Banks reached #1 on the UK Album Charts. Especially, "She Said" and "Prayin" helped him sell 68,000 copies in the first week.
18. Robert Plant - Band of Joy
The vocalist of legendary band Led Zeppelin released Band of Joy late in 2010. It is enough to impress us to find a place in best albums list. Robert Plant keeps rocking.
17. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
LCD Soundsytsem is without any doubt, one of the best electronic/dance bands out there. We all danced during the summer with "Drunk Girls," the first single from This Is Happening. We keep dancing.
16. Grinderman - Grinderman 2
Australian musician, author, and actor Nick Cave's band Grinderman released their second album. They are still making music for those who love and miss pure garage rock. Grinderman 2 is as good as first one.