Top Ten Records of 2010

In a subpar year, I can't seem to chronologically list these out. Nevertheless, here are my ten favorites from 2010:

Bruce Springsteen The Promise
I initially considered this ineligible given the usual re-issue rules, but the majority of these tracks are previously unreleased. Sure, they're over 30 years old, but "The Promise," the alternate version of "Racing in the Street" and the classic Iovine song are enough to land this in the top five. "Racing in the Street" is simply mind-blowing. An already perfect song, this uptempo version of despair and dreams on the Jersey-shore boulevards captures everything that is Darkness on the Edge of Town. "Tonight, tonight, the strip's just right. I'm wanna blow 'em off in my first heat. Well, now, Summer's here, and the time is right, for racing in the street." The remaining tracks prove that the Darkness sessions were possibly the peak of Springsteen's career creativity.

Eels End Times
The second in the Everett trilogy.

Justin Townes Earle Harlem River Blues
His best yet.

Arcade Fire The Suburbs
The better songs are among their best. The mediocre songs, among their worst. The intro. to "Empty Room" causes my dog to go manic.

Damien Jurado Saint Bartlett
Jurado does not make bad records. If he releases a record, and he put out two this year, they are sure to land in my top ten.

Freedy Johnston Rain on the City
A beautiful return-to-form. Best live show of the year.

Josh Ritter So Runs the World Away
Impossible to live up to the predecessor, but the opening four tracks are stellar.

Liz Pappademas & The Level Television City
Yes, I'm biased, but that doesn't mean this isn't a fantastic record.

Hoquiam Hoquiam
Jurado and his brother.

Sad Iron Music Sad Iron Music
Former Star City frontman shows that beautiful and fresh Americana music is still out there.

Just missed: Mavis Staples You Are Not Alone

Shows of the Year: 1 Freedy Johnston @ Cafe du Nord, SF, 2 Pavement @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Album I Listened to Most in 2010: Blind Pilot 3 Rounds and a Sound


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