Here are the top 15 album of 2010 according to me. What more do you need, really? A fine crop this year ranging from pop to rap to, yes, folk. Various artists are making repeat appearances on my list from years prior, some are brand-spankin' new. I need to explain that the ONLY reason Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster isn't on this list is because it was included in last years countdown at #1 with The Fame as one album. There. I said it. Now, on with the ones that DID make it on this year's best-of-the-best list. Enjoy and blindly agree.15. Fixin' to Thrill - Dragonette. The Canadian band delivered an album full of
catchy, dark dance-pop that took songs like We Rule the World and Fixin' to Thrill and put them directly on my gym playlist. I'm sure we're gonna hear plenty more from these hipsters in the future.
14. Night Work - Scissor Sisters. The Sisters are back! Their highly anticipated third cd brought plenty of sass and raunch to the masses. There's even an appearance by Sir Ian McKellan! Top that!!! Pure 70s, roadhouse disco (if there is such a thing) permeates Night Work and Jake is in singing like nobody's business. The amazing Invisible Light and Skin That Cat are highlights for me, but the whole thing is worth a spin on your iPod and a spin on the dance floor.
13. We Are Born - Sia. Sia put aside some of her woefulness in favor of a party record, delivering We Are Born with plenty of fun. Her cover of Madonna's somber Oh, Father even somehow seems uplifting on this record, and it's brilliant. Academia, Clap Your Hands and The Fight set the tone for an awesome sing-along album that places Sia in the forefront of new pop music.
12. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry. While Perry may have sold out a bit on this, her second record, it's an easy sell. Teenage Dream was my fave song of the year and California Gurls was undeniably catch beyond belief. Firework, Peacock, E.T. and Hummingbird Heartbeat are great tracks and could easily be singles. There are still more hits to come from this album, so buckle up for Katy in 2011.
11. Soldier of Love - Sade. Ah, there is nothing like relaxing to some Sade, and she gave us beautiful music to zone out to this year. Soldier of Love showcases Sade's deep, rich voice on songs that will melt your toes for sure. The title track, Moon and the Sky...oh hell...all of the songs are lush in a way that only Sade can do. Bravo, girl. You made the lovers record of 2010.
10. The Sea - Corinne Bailey Rae. Still mourning the loss of her husband to a drug overdose, Rae has delivered a record full of angst, lost love and passion. Perhaps one of the best songs of the year remains unreleased from this album, Are You Here. It is truly one of the most beautiful songs of heartbreak that you will ever hear in your entire life. Corinne's voice is full of emotion and the album is a reflection of her recent life experiences. Check it out for a good cry.
9. Pink Friday - Nicki Minaj. It took 3,000 guest appearances on other people's records to get there, but Minaj dropped a bomb-diggity album with Pink Friday. Catchy, poppy, naughty and funny, Minaj takes over where Lil' Kim left off (and Kim ain't happy about it apparently) and doesn't take a wrong step on this debut album. Roman's Revenge is brutal, Your Love is sweet, Right Thru Me is epic. Nicki lived up to the hype no doubt. Love this album. 
8. Glee: The Music. The Power of Madonna. Well of course Madonna makes her way onto my countdown somehow. The second I heard that Glee was doing a whole episode in tribute of the Queen of Pop I knew I would love it. Well, first I shat myself, then I knew I would love it. It's really an excellent tribute. The mashup of Borderline and Open Your Heart is inspired and Like a Prayer is still an amazingly moving song. What a great recording of great songs by a great artist. Bravo, Glee. You rocked this one out.
7. Memphis Blues - Cyndi Lauper. I mean, Cyndi is just about the most talented person ever. I swear she can do anything. I wasn't too excited when I heard she was following up her amazy 2008 album Bring Ya To The Brink with an album of blues covers, but I was W-R-O-N-G!!! Cyndi's voice is perfect for the blues and she sings with such conviction that you can feel every bit of joy, pain and longing in her voice on tracks like the perfect Down So Low and Crossroads. I can't wait to see what genre she'll tackle next, but I do know it will be perfection. From 80s icon to blues chanteuse, Cyndi's got it all.
6. Flesh Tone - Kelis. This album of dance music is remarkable in it's catchiness, consistency and groove. Kelis is more known for her hip hop stylings and her Milkshake, but this album Flesh Tone proved that she is a dance floor diva indeed! Acapella, Fourth of July, Scream: it's a non-stop party. What a breath of fresh air to have an artist no rely on their past successes and copy them over and over for the sake of selling records. This album was largely ignored, and a lot of people missed out because of it. But not me. Get it now.
5. Have One On Me - Joanna Newsom. Freak-folk some call it. Lovely and 
4. Animal/Cannibal - Ke$ha. Say what you will, Ke$ha put out one of the catchiest, funniest records of the year. Dinosaur alone is worth the buy (Hittin' on me, what? You need a CAT scan) Every song is memorable and she has clearly hit the mainstream with it, having her second #1 with We R Who We R from the supplement EP Cannibal (the first of course being the jam-tastic Tik Tok). Putting these two records together, it's a no-brainer for one of my fave albums of the year. Can she follow it up? Who freakin' cares? Just enjoy this one.3. Aphrodite - Kylie Minogue. Wow! 20 some-odd years into her career and
Kylie is still the Goddess of Pop. So it's appropriate that her latest album is called Aphrodite. A pure dance record, Aphrodite opened big with the single All the Lovers, arguably the best Kylie track since Can't Get You Out of My Head, and the rest of the cd packs a punch as well. Especially the title track that I can't BELIEVE hasn't been released as a single. Get Outta My Way has been on every show on tv lately and there are more dance floor gems than you can shake a dick at. Kylie never disappoints and this year is no exception.
2. Body Talk Pt. 1, 2 & 3 - Robyn. Wow! Three albums in one year is an amazing accomplishment in itself, but three GREAT albums is even better. Robyn dropped Body Talk Pts. 1, 2 & 3 on an mostly unsuspecting public this year and had a dance party that would not stop. Singles Dancing on My Own, Hang With Me and Indestructible were just the tip of the iceberg as there were tons of single-worthy songs on the three sets. In My Eyes, Love Kills, U Should Know Better (w. Snoop Dogg) and Stars 4-Ever could have easily been singles and equally beloved. Robyn is said to be returning to the studio in January already to record more music. I doubt she'll give us three in 2011, but we can always hope. Dance on, Robyn!!!
1. Head First - Goldfrapp. They did it again. Goldfrapp's fifth studio album, Head First, is near perfection. They have explored everything from cabaret to folk, disco to electro and now they are firmly set in the 80s groove of Olivia Newton John and Billy Joel if they were producted by the Pet Shop Boys or Erasure. The album doesn't have a bad track on it. Singles Rocket, Alive and Believer were three of the most entrancing songs of the year, and don't get me started on Head First, Dreaming or I Wanna Life. There last album, Seventh Tree, topped my 2008 list and now they've done it again. Their live shows are top-notch and this one was no exception. Goldfrapp is exciting and smart and innovative and they prove it time and again.
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