my 2010 music picks

I love the end of the year. The constant stream of holiday parties is like being on an endless prosecco-drip, skillful layering is back in fashion, and frosted items momentarily become their own food group. It's also the time of year-end lists, which are just the tops.

So here's my take on the year in music. I've listed my ten favorite albums and also four EPs from new-ish bands that are exciting and worth exploring.

Albums

10. Crystal Castles, Crystal Castles

I was a huge fan of the band's previous self-titled effort ("Untrust Us" is one of the ten highest played songs on my iTunes), so I had high expectations for this follow-up. The high points here are "Celestica" and "Not in Love" which stay true to the band's electro-pop supremacy, but are also layered and atmospheric.

9. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Even I couldn't avoid the bandwagon on this one. Try to forget his cloying public persona and appreciate the magic here. The trumpet chorus and hypnotic Rihanna vocals make "All of the Lights" my fave track.

8. No Joy, Ghost Magic

I'm a sucker for dreamy, hazy dissonance, so it's no wonder I latched onto this one. Re-visiting the storied shoegaze territory of My Bloody Valentine, it's beautiful, distant background music.

7. Scissor Sisters, Night Work

This was the year when I became a true Scissor Sisters fan. Their NYC concert at Terminal 5 was a big gay must this summer -- they were on fire and I was immediately hooked. I feel like this album brings together all of their strengths -- sometimes soulful, but always with a flare for the dramatic, it makes me want to get glitter-bombed.

6. Twin Shadow, Forget

My favorite trend this year was the resurgence of the 80s backbeat, and Twin Shadow led the charge. It's a heart-wrenching gay fantasia that recalls Talking Heads and The Smiths. The opening track "Tyrant Destroyed" features my favorite line from any song this year: "As if it wasn't enough to hear you speak, they had to give you lips like that."

5. Beach Fossils, Beach Fossils

This was my album of the summer. The Brooklyn-based band epitomized the beach-ready, retro stylings that so many bands were doing earlier this year. It's relaxed and sandy, and makes me miss my tan lines.

4. No Age, Everything in Between

When I saw these guys at Music Hall of Williamsburg earlier this year, I was pretty disappointed. All of their nuance was lost in a sea of unruly distortion and sloppy noise. This album, however, captures it all, and is a great, loud rock effort. The bonus track, "Inflorescence", is a quick, rollicking jaunt, and easily wins best in show.

3. Beach House, Teen Dream

I was a huge fan of the band's previous album Devotion and think this new outing builds on their initial promise. Tracks are able to stand firmer on their -- "Norway" and "Zebra" are singular efforts -- while the album still retains an appealing consistency.

2. Small Black, New Chain

These guys were the saving grace of the ill-fated No Age show. They were that great opener I had never heard of going in, but stole the show. It's all 80s-inspired synch-pop with a heavy layer of electro dissonance. "Camouflage" and "Photojournalist" are the stand-out tracks.

1. Wild Nothing, Gemini

What can I say, these guys stole my heart when I first heard this album. It's everything that I want to hear right now -- 80s beat, hazy vocals, and a slather of melancholy. I'm kicking myself for missing their several NYC shows this year (oh business travel), but hope to catch them in 2011. My fave tracks are "Chinatown" and "My Angel Lonely".

EPs

4. Twin Sister, Color Your Life EP

These guys caught my ear when I heard the track "All Around and Away We Go" which feels like a dusted off, bedazzled Donna Summer track. The rest of the tracks show impressive dexterity -- "The Other Side of Your Face" and "Lady Daydream" are lovely, sad ballads.

3. Class Actress, Journal of Ardency EP

I think these guys have real potential. The songs range from the exceedingly listenable, upbeat "Let Me Take You Out" to the more complex, weighty "Someone Real." Worth looking into.

2. Games, That We Play

Probably a bit more electronic and abstract than I normally go, but this has some great beats. I'm partial to "Strawberry Skies" which is both catchy and melodramatic.

1. Memoryhouse, The Years EP

These guys had me when I heard their live cover of My Bloody Valentine's "When You Sleep" (covering and being inspired by MBV is the surest way to my heart, by the way). This EP is dreamy like that iconic band. Can't wait for more.