My Top Music Artists of 2010

I’m a little late on this as it’s been a rough draft waiting to be posted for a long time, but I’ve always enjoyed seeing people’s year in music roundup posts, so why not do my own? It’ll either be great to have people mock my taste in music, or perhaps I can turn you on to a new artist and make your day.

The following are my favorite artists of 2010, which basically meant that most of them put out a new album or at least a bunch of new music during the year that I enjoyed listening to quite a bit. There are lots of artists I enjoy that didn’t make the list simply because they didn’t put out anything new.

The list is general in order of how I felt about them, although it gets kind of foggy later down the list.

Links take you to the artist or the track itself on my favorite music site, the Hype Machine.

The Tallest Man on Earth
His voice makes me wonder why I’ve never really listened to Bob Dylan much, as it’s probably the closest I’ve heard. I love the simplicity of a man and a guitar and how he makes it sound so good.
Top Tracks: The Gardener, Graceland (cover), King of Spain, The Wild Hunt

The Head and the Heart
A new band that is just starting to become better known as they just got signed by Sub Pop Records. I’m partial to them being from the Northwest, but they have great harmonies and are very down to earth.
Top Tracks: Down in the Valley, Rivers and Roads

Kanye West
His album was my favorite hip hop album of the year. Obviously his lyrics are inappropriate, he’s crazy, and is full of himself, but his music is good.
Top Tracks: All of the Lights, Power, Runaway, See Me Now

Vampire Weekend
Love these East Coast youngsters. Saw them live at McDonald Theater and it was a great show. Their first album was more critically acclaimed and popular than their one that came out in 2010, but there are some great songs on the 2010 album.
Top Tracks:: I Think You’re A Contra, Run, Giving Up The Gun

Stars
I’m a big fan of this French/Canadian male/female vocalists and band. Another good new album this year, and lots of good albums and songs from the past. I saw them at the Wow Hall live about two years ago and it was really enjoyable.
Top Tracks: Fixed, Dead Hearts, Wasted Daylight

Eminem
I went to the “Home and Home” Jay-Z and Eminem concert in Yankee Stadium that was simply amazing. It was my first time seeing Eminem live and usually I’m disappointed by rap artists live. Eminem was the opposite. His passion performing his new album live to go along with past hits was good to see as he bounces back from some dark times.
Top Tracks: Not Afraid, No Love, Love the Way You Lie

James Vincent McMorrow
A newer singer/songwriter that is starting to get a lot of buzz. Probably technically a 2011 artist but since I’m late in writing this he slips in.
Top Tracks: If I Had A Boat, Sparrow and the Wolf

Sufjan Stevens
Definitely a different style album from him with the Age of Adz in 2010. But his new electronic sound works on about half the songs pretty well.
Top Tracks: I Walked, Age of Adz, Too Much, Now That I’m Older

Bon Iver
More of a 2009 breakout artist with no new album this year, but I still listened to them a quite a bit in 2010. Awesome stuff that is haunting.
Top Tracks:: Re: Stacks, Blood Bank, Skinny Love, Come Talk To Me (Peter Gabriel Cover), Wolves Part I and II

Joshua Radin
Mellow singer/songwriter with some great past albums and came out with another this year that was a bit more upbeat but still good. Lots of good songs on the album.
Top Tracks: Brand New Day, Streetlight

Mat Kearney
I have to include fellow South Eugene Axemen Mat Kearney. His album City of Black and White was good and I have a feeling his next will be even better.
Top Tracks: Closer to Love

Florence and the Machine
I wouldn’t guess that I would like Florence and the Machine, but I do. Florence is a powerful female vocalist that really gets going strong. I assume “The Machine” is her band. Discuss.
Top Tracks: Cosmic Love, Dog Days are Over, You’ve Got The Love

Robyn
Experienced Swedish vocalist who has apparently been laying down solid tracks for years.
Top Tracks: Be Mine, Dancing On My Own

Ellie Goulding
I’m really going crazy on the female European vocalists, but Ellie Goulding is another good one who does a great job with covers and was a favorite of DJs to remix and mash up.
Top Tracks:Lights, Starry Eyed, Under the Sheets, Your Song (Elton John cover), Only Girl In The World (Rihanna cover), Wolves (Bon Iver cover)

The Weepies
Mellow duo who’s been putting out good albums or years. Another good album in 2010.
Top Tracks:Please Speak Well Of Me, Be My Thrill

Angus and Julie Stone
A newer find for me, but another mellow duo that’s good.
Top Tracks: Bella, Big Jet Plane, Yellow Brick Road

Chiddy Bang
Great mixtape rap artist. Some really fun tracks.
Top Tracks: Kids, All Things Go, Under the Sheets

This year is off to a good start, let’s hope 2011 delivers because 2010 was a good one.