Tonight, we bid 2010 adieu.
At midnight, most of us will watch the ball drop – some through a bleary, Champagne-induced haze – but if you love music, now is also the time to reflect on the last 12 months and decide what 2010’s best offerings were. That way, you’re well prepared for the inevitable arguments that will erupt when you compare lists with your friends and family.
Nothing says “Happy New Year” like a fistfight, and while I can’t legally advocate punching your loved ones in the face for liking Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Country Strong,” I certainly wouldn’t blame you for doing so.
I’ve made no bones about the fact that I consider “best of” lists fundamentally flawed, but I appreciate how effective they are for encouraging discussion. As such, they serve a valuable purpose because by hearing someone else’s interpretations of a piece of art, you can’t help but be forced to broaden your perspective of it.
Obviously, all that was just a fancy lead-in to my own list of 2010’s best albums. Without further ado, here they are.