2010 Music Review (C): Top 10 Albums

This was by far the hardest list to compile. There was so many good albums that dropped in 2010. It was an excellent year and it was tough to narrow down the list but I did the best I could. Unfortunately some very good albums (Solider of Love, Distant Relatives, Sir Lucious Left Foot, New Amerykah Pt 2) didn't make it and some that I didn't have a chance to listen to (All I Want Is You) missed my list as well.

Honorable Mention:

Recovery - Eminem
This was a very honest album for Em. He spoke about his struggles and not just the typical bad mom and baby momma stuff he usually talks about. He mixed up the album with some traditional funny clowning tracks but some serious ones showing his range. He put forth a lot of effort lyrically, which he doesn't always do. No question that when he does, its heat. This was a very good album. #respect

Still Standing - Monica
I've always liked Monica and her music. Her albums are always pretty good and this one was too. It was very emotion filled as a reflection on her life to that moment: surviving struggles, becoming stronger and being fully in love. Absolutely love "Love All Over Me" and the other songs on the album because you can feel the love through her voice.

Kaleidoscope Heart - Sara Bareilles 
Instantly became a fan when I saw her in Rhapsody commercial. She flies under the radar because of some of the higher profile piano playing songstresses but I think she is of equal or even greater talent then some of them. This a very good album, a nice follow up to her debut. Its not as strong though, probably because Sara's piano playing is not the focal point. Nonetheless I like this album, a smooth listen all the way through.

The List:

10. Love Me Back - Jazmine Sullivan
I really love Jazmine, one of the ladies of the New Guard of female R&B. Loved her debut and was looking forward to this album. Love it. Her voice is so dope and despite her age she sings about some real serious topics. Even her relationship songs aren't just the typical youthful love and heartbreak types but about struggles of relationships. I like how she's not afraid to express her flaws and fears on certain tracks, she's real honest.
My Tracks: "Excuse Me" "10 Seconds" "Famous"

9. Thank Me Later - Drake

"All of this is new to me, I'm still learning to behave and spending every dollar they encourage me to save."

Well you already know how I feel about this album, wrote a whole post on it. It's a real dope debut and easy to relate to for us youngsters reaching our new levels of "stardom." Jimmy Brooks did his thing, especially considering the hype he had going in. He handled the expectations very well, something we worry about with other members of the New Guard of Rap.
My Tracks: "The Resistance" "Unforgettable" "Light Up"

8. Passion, Pain & Pleasure - Trey Songz
Makes the list of the strength that this was my girl's favorite album from last year. Seriously though this joint was under the radar especially in light of how great Ready was, but it was hittin. Trey did his thing on this joint. The concept was dope with the 3 splits and he was a lot more smooth less raunchy on this album.
My Tracks: "You Just Need Me" "Made To Be Together" "Passion"

7. How I Got Over - The Roots

"All cried out because I grew up crying."

This joint was excellent. The Roots don't get the respect they deserve. Black Thought is so ill lyrically. I love this album and how it deals with life, struggle and motivation. Its a very reflective album, for them and for me. It made me think about tough times, appreciate making it through them and motivates me to keep going. Real powerful album.

My Tracks: "How I Got Over" "The Fire" "Dear God 2.0"

6. The Sea - Corinne Bailey Rae


"Yea it leaves a scar, so show me how to find it again, if I'm lost show me where you are"

After the self-titled debut we waited a long time for this album but only because the woman experience the death of her husband. For that reason this album differs vastly from its upbeat, happy predecessor but it reflects her emotions at the time. Its a bit gloomy and ominous but its real deep. Love is the main theme: dealing with the difficulty of losing someone you loved, but also the hope love brings. Took a while to get into because of the contrast from the 1st but certainly was worth the effort as I appreciate it it so much now.
My Tracks: "Diving for Hearts" "Are You Here" "I'd Do It All Again"

5. The Lady Killer - Cee Lo Green

"Can nonchalance be ambiance? Of course"

In December my company (#allbeige) had the holiday party and guess what was bumping? This joint. I was surprised to say the least but I thought about it and thats the best way to describe this album: Surprisingly Awesome. This album came out of nowhere and was rocking, hard. Its a great mix of songs, some real smooth ones and some to get a party poppin. Great listen all the way through. Thanks for the surprise. 

My Tracks: "Bodies" "I Want You" "Wildflower"

4. Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi

"Rage...cuz I'm paid"

This album took me a while to get into. At first it seemed a little darker than the first one but as I kept listening I realized it really wasn't. Of course Cudi still does his typical emo complaining on this one but not as dramatic as he did on the first. The emotion is why I like Cudi though, he feels safe expressing his. I respect that. I also respect the fact that he has the perfect remedy for dealing with those emotions: Raging.
My Tracks: "Mr. Rager" "Ashin Kusher" "Don't Play This Song"

3. Come Round Sundown - Kings Of Leon

This joint rocks #literally. These are some dope beige dudes. I loved there last album so I was looking forward to this joint. Its really good. I listened to this for a while, even after Kanye dropped MBDTF. Thats how much I liked it. The music is excellent with all the guitars, drums and what not (rock band stuff). I find myself playing an air guitar, air drums or being the lead singer whenever I listen to this album.
My Tracks: "Pickup Truck" "The End" "The Immortals"

2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

"I found bravery in my bravado"

This joint is crazy. 'Ye not only lived up to the expectations he exceeded them. No one could have imagined an album this awesome. 'Ye did some ridiculous things on this albums, mixing so many different sounds and types of music and having some great features. 3 or 4 songs could be argued as the song of the year. Many peoples pick as album of the year and certainly worthy.
My Tracks: "All Of The Lights" "Devil In A New Dress" "Gorgeous"

1. Teflon Don - Rick Ross

"F*** maintaining I gotta keep ballin"

My favorite album from 2010. I was waiting patiently for it to drop and when it did I was a lil disappointed because I had heard already heard half the album. The disappointment didn't stop me from bumping it for months though. I really like every song on it, except the last track. I like Ross's mix of foolishness and skillfulness. It was a great album. Oh yea, I saw him in concert too.
My Tracks: "Free Mason" "Ashton Martin Music" "BMF"

2010 Music Review (A) Miscellaneous

For the past month and a half I've had only one playlist on my iPod entitled 2010. I've been listening to all the music I compiled from 2010: 5.8 GB, 2 days 10 hours 9 minutes, 39 albums, 21 mixtapes (mixtape game still a lil weak), 946 songs. This can only mean 2 things: 1) I'm a month and a half behind in 2011 music. 2) I've been reviewing 2010 music for my 2010 Music Review.

The idea to do a music review comes from my boy G who does an annual top 10 albums list and mixtape list. After arguing with him about his list he said to me "this is my list, if you don't like it make your own." So here I am lol. I decided to add a few more things that caught my ear from 2010. All in all I have my top 5 Disappointments, Top 5 interludes, Top 5 songs, Top 10 Mixtapes and Top 10 Albums. Its a lot so I'm gonna deliver it in 3 different installments, today Part A: Misc.

Top 5 disappointments:

5. Teflon Don.
The album is great but we heard half the album before it dropped courtesy of Albert Anastasia and various leaks. #cmonRoss

4. Last Train to Paris.
We waited how long for this album? Finally gets here and its not that good, its aight. It was more confusing than anything. Diddy do you want us to party or miss our Ex? And how you gonna cut Ross's verse out on "Hello, Good Morning" and not have his 2nd verse on "Angels"? #CmonSean

3. No Boys Allowed.
Keri Hilson is fine as hell. She makes good music too, at least her first album was dope. I was looking forward to her 2nd project especially after reading all her tweets about how she in the studio. So what does she do? Name the joint "No Boys Allowed." How am I supposed to listen to the joint with a title like that? Yes, I broke the rule and listened to it, not feeling it. Now when people make fun of em for listening I can't even defend myself by saying it was good. #cmonKeri

2. Love King.
Love/Hate = Classic. Love vs Money was a great follow up, not a classic but a damn good album. So Love King shoulda followed suit and been good right? #Wrong. The album had a few good songs (especially "Turnt out")  and starts off decent but it just tanks after while. Its just not goof, especially in light of his first 2. One of Dream's lines was "My love gets it poppin like the Taliban." Really Dream? The Taliban needs to bomb you for this album. #CmonDream or #cmonChristinaMilan?

1. Clifford "T.I." Harris. After spending the end of '09 and the beginning of '10 in jail we couldn't wait for him to get out, anticipating that he used his time behind bars to write some dope lines like Biggie, Pac and Shyne did. A fair expectation since he has a damn good track record. He gets released and drops "I'm Back" and announces his album will be called "King Uncaged" filling us with hope only to disappoint in a royal way. "F*** A Mixtape" was bad. "King Uncaged" had to be renamed "No Mercy" because the "king" got re-caged. The album should be called "Mercy Me." It had a few decent tracks but largely was not good. Maybe after this stint in jail we'll get "King Uncaged." #CmonTIP

Top 5 interludes:

5. Rick Ross Interlude from The Timeless Audermars Piguet Collection. Ross was a clown on this one. "Go buy yourself a pair of Bird Man Lugz"
4. Passion from Pain, Pleasure and Passion. Not as smooth as "Hollalude" but very dope.Trey did his thing on it.
3. U Right Part 1,2 & 3 from Boss of all Bosses 2. Cam'ron let's you know how to deal with an argument with a lady, anyone for that matter.
2. Lil Duval Interlude from F*** A Mixtape. Duval weak on twitter but he was funny as hell on this joint.
1. Diddy Intro from Albert Anastasia. So many quotables from this joint but my favorite by far is: "Take that, right there, pow, with a d*** in ya mouth."

Top 5 Songs:

So many great songs from 2010. I honestly thought this list would be easy to make, just look at my top 25 played on iTunes and see the top 5 from '10. Or I could have selected 5 songs by or featuring 'Ye or Ross since they were everywhere this year. It wasn't that simple. In a weird way my most played joints aren't my favorites. Yea "BMF," "Ashton Martin Music," "Power," "Monster," "Start it Up" woulda made a legit top 5 list but I wanted to think about it a little deeper.

5. Mr. Rager - Kid Cudi.
This is the description of my life and the lives of all my friends. We Rage. We are all Mr. or Ms. Rager and we have been on so many adventures, living life to the fullest. Gotta love it.

4. Love All Over Me - Monica.
One of the best love songs I've heard in a longtime. It about that life changing, soul touching love. She's so happy to have found it, extremely thankful for it and willing to admit she doesn't want to lose it. Powerful, powerful song. I hope I can make a woman feel this way.

3. How I Got Over - The Roots ft Dice Raw. This is me. I often think about my life and how I've grown up and "made it" when I really wasn't supposed to. Real rough childhood, tough neighborhoods with no support systems. The struggle. This song depicts that so vividly, and I love it.

2. All of the Lights - Kanye ft Rihanna mostly, but mad other people. So there was no way 'Ye would be left off the list lol. I love this song but not for my traditional reasons: lyrics and message. "Ye's lyrics are actually kinda out of place but the instrumental and the chorus are so dope. The instrumental is my main ring tone on my phone (although my phone is always on vibrate), becuase its so majestic and regal. It definitely gets me amped. When you add in the chorus its almost like its telling you that you have to do something great with your life.

1. Free Mason - Ross ft Jay-Z & John Legend.
No way Ross wouldn't make it either lol. The song is so well crafted. Ross's verse is often overlooked but he did his thing, showing he knows a thing or two about history and that he can rise to the occasion. Jay spased out. I get chills everytime I hear his verse. Legend provided a great touch.I could literally listen to this song all day and not get tired of it (I've done it). Really love this track.

Tomorrow we'll get into my top 10 Mixtapes.

Top 10 Albums of 2010

Annually my boy Geoff delivers his top 10 Albums. there is always some controversy when he drops his lists because he always has a few joints that are unfamiliar to the general "fan" but his ear is strong. If it makes his list its definitely worth a listen. Nonetheless there will always be some people who question it (ME!). His response to everyone who might not like his list: "Make your own list!" I'll certainly have my own list (near future post) but until then enjoy his:

It’s that time again. On an annual basis I make a list of what I believe are the top albums of each year. I don’t do it by genre (because frankly I don’t have enough time lol) so basically I compile a list of my top 10 albums across the board based on what I’ve listened to. In all years that I’ve done this I can easily say this has been the most difficult year. In what some have labeled the greatest year of music ever (or as Mr West would say “Of all Time”) I found it extremely difficult to narrow down my list to 10 picks. Needless to say there were albums I was very passionate about that didn’t make the list..but it is what it is. So without further adieu here’s my top 10 picks of 2010. #lehgo

Top 10 (No Particular Order)

Bun B “Trill O.G”:  Bun Beata aka the King of the Trill came out into 2010 with two guns blazing. One of the most heralded MC’s in the history of southern music dropped arguably the hottest effort of his solo career, receiving 5 mics from The Source along the way. The bass heavy, Drake heavy, effort mixes the Underground King with some of the hottest talent in Hip-Hop who graciously return the favor for Bun B saving many of their albums and mixtapes. 5 mics worthy? No…Great Album? Yes! #sayitlikerawse

Top Joints:

Right Now

Put It Down

Just Like That

Cee-Lo “The Lady Killer”:  Outside of creating your favorite tune to whistle in front of your boss that they don’t know the words and/or derogatory meaning to, Cee-Lo toned down some of his weirdness to focus on making a phenomenal album. After his stint with DJ Danger Mouse forming the group Gnarls Barkley, Mr. Green became extremely comfortable experimenting with different sounds that fit his hi-pitched voice. In the process he developed into more of a singer, than the fast-spittin, syllable shiftin, rapper he was in the Goodie Mob days.  On “The Lady Killer” Cee-lo fully embraces his role as a singer creating a soul shifting masterpiece embarking Nas’s former protégé Salaam Remi & the legendary Philip Bailey from Earth, Wind, & Fire along for the ride.

Top Joints:

Wildflower

Fool For You

Bright Lights, Bigger City

Curren$y “Pilot Talk”:  To keep it simple Curren$y likes marijuana, beautiful women, and Air Jordans. On his Def Jam debut the hot spitta recycles these three topics alongside some smooth production to create the perfect soundtrack for any “late night session” Finding Ski Beatz was the best thing that could have ever happened to Curren$y’s  career and we all have Dame “Bottle Poppin” Dash to thank for that.

Top joints:

Breakfast

Skybourne

Address

David Banner & 9^th Wonder “Death of a Pop Star”:  Proving my theory that you should never make a top album list until the year is completely over, David Banner & 9^th Wonder dropped some heat right in time to end the first decade of 2000. Banner has always struggled with whether he wants to be a conscious backpack rapper, or the “Like A Pimp” crunk maniac who encourages girls to “Get down on the floor.” 9^th  Wonder’s soulful production provides the perfect backdrop for Banner to wear his preacher hat, as the duo collaborate for 10 tracks of excellence.

Top Joints:

Be With You

Silly

Strange

Foreign Exchange “Authenticity “: Gotta thank my brotha from anotha Sean Smith for putting me on to Foreign Exchange. The duo of Nicolay & Phonte from Little Brother make the ultimate “zone out music,” meaning you can put on this album & it takes you to another place. Authenticity is equally the weakest of Foreign Exchange’s trio of albums, but considering that it still made my list..what does that say about how talented they are?

Top Joints:

Eyes to the Sky

Fight For Love

Authenticity

Freeway & Jake One “Stimulus Package”: It’s not a list of mine if I don’t have a sleeper pick. The funniest part about this pick is I almost slept on the album myself. In a moment of laziness I almost scratched it off my list because I didn’t want to take an hour to relisten to the album. Needless to say I’m glad I revisited this album. Jake One provided 15 pieces of heat for Freeway to yell & rub his beard all over.

Top Joints:

Stimulus Intro

Follow My Moves

Stimulus Outro

Kings Of Leon “Come Around Sundown”: Despite producing one of my favorite songs of 2010 “Beach Side” the family band that has mastered mixing the sounds of heavy hitting choruses with haunting guitar bridges has done it again.  The band mixes upbeat jams with melancholy ballads seamlessly to form an album that even someone who doesn't regularly listen to rock music can enjoy.

Top Joints:

The End

The Immortals

Beach Side

The Roots “How I Got Over”:  Who ever knew that late night TV would be the best thing that could happen to a rap groups career? The truth is the Roots have been doing this for a while now, and their affiliation with Jimmy Fallon has taken them to a level of superstardom that they have never seen before. Thus, providing the perfect launching pad for yet another solid album that arguably should have taken the 5 mic spot from Bun B.

Top Joints:

Doin It Again

The Fire

Radio Daze

Drake “Thank Me Later” : This album just made the list..yes as I am typing this. The spot was reserved for Cudi’s Man on the Moon 2. Then I asked a lot of my friends which album they preferred since I couldn’t decide. Well the people have spoken…Jimmy Brooks  > Scott Mescudi. Hope Cudi doesn’t jump off a roof once he hears the awful news.

Top Joints:

The Resistance

Miss Me

Light Up

(By the way..has anyone discovered who Cece is and why she has an interlude?)

Now for the moment you've been waiting for. My album of the year is.......

 Damn Ye..can I finish?

Well anyway you guessed it: Kanye West-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

I’ve got to say..this was the easiest part of  my top 10 album journey. The moment I was welcomed by my baby mother Nicki Minaj’s voice I knew I was in for a ride (get it?) Anyway, Kanye as outdone himself with this album.  Blurring the lines of Hip-Hop, Pop, Gospel, African, and various other music genres, Mr. West has truly set an exciting precedent for the sounds hip-hop artists will be able to experiment with in the future.  Pardon the interruption..but Kanye may have just made one of the greatest albums of all time!

Top Joints:

Dark Fantasy

Devil in a New Dress

All of the Lights

Honorable Mentions:

Eminem “Recovery”: In what was easily the second biggest comeback of the year, Eminem came back with his best piece of work since the critically acclaimed “Marshall Mathers LP”. This actually might be my favorite Eminem album since I enjoy listening to him over a variety of production rather than just Dr. Dre, or heaven forbid his own beats. Album started off strong, he lyrically slays pretty much every track but I felt it trailed off near the end.

Kid Cudi “Man on the Moon 2”: As stated before it was between this album and Drizzy’s for my top 10. I really like what Cudi did with this album and it’s one of those albums where it gets better with each listen, unlike his debut which sticks with you after the first time you hear it. Mr. Rager produces an album that is rockin from start to finish although it’s quite unfortunate that “everything he needs hates him”

Rick Ross “Teflon Don”: I’m quite upset with Rick Ross. The bawse and self-proclaimed fat mutha**** would have easily made my top 10 if he didn’t decide to release half the album on his Albert Anastasia mixtape. To make matters worst he let the rest of the tracks leak before the album dropped so I had pretty much heard all of Teflon Don before I sat down and listened to it in its entirety. Nonetheless this is the same album that produced Free Mason, Maybach Music III, and the summers anthem “Live Fast, Die Young” Hats off to the fat man.

Well people it’s been real. Until I drop my list of 2010’s top mixtapes, keep listening to that good music.

And if you mad….tell me why you mad: