Well, the time’s here. Not that I haven’t compiled enough lists this year (I’m that bored, and yes — hit the sidebar.), but the big one’s right here. In this post, you’ll find my 2010 lists for:

-Top 50 Albums
-Top 15 Mixtapes
-Top 10 Concerts
-Top 10 TV shows and
-Top 5 Most Painful Moments in the 2010 Houston Texans Season

Enjoy.

-grizzly

TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2010

50. Air Dubai – Wonder Age
49. Black Milk – Album of the Year
48. B.o.B. – The Adventures of Bobby Ray
47. Mark Ronson – Record Collection
46. letlive. – Fake History
45. Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy OST
44. T.I. – No Mercy
43. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here
42. Fat Tony – RABDARGAB
41. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – I Learned the Hard Way
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40. Foals – Total Life Forever
39. Hollywood Floss – House of Dreams
38. N.E.R.D. – Nothing
37. Alkaline Trio – This Addiction
36. Dustin Cavazos – I Think in the Shower, I Dream on my Bike
35. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Social Network OST
34. Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma
33. Currensy – Pilot Talk 2
32. The-Dream – Love King
31. The Foreign Exchange – Authenticity
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30. Kno – Death is Silent
29. Shad – TSOL
28. Paper Tiger – Made Like Us
27. The Black Keys – Brothers
26. Beach House – Teen Dream
25. Reflection Eternal – Revolutions Per Minute
24. Chromeo – Business Casual
23. Sleigh Bells – Treats
22. Deftones – Diamond Eyes
21. Childish Gambino – Culdesac
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20. Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues
The man’s just so stylish and makes this Americana shit look so easy.

19. Steel Train – Steel Train
Their follow-up to 2007’s Trampoline was a step in the right direction, and I’m completely happy with it.

18. Rick Ross – Teflon Don
I think I’m Big Meech. Larry Hoover. This album destroys my speakers.

17. Currensy – Pilot Talk
His stoner flow finally won me completely over with this release. Not to mention Ski Beatz is easily my favorite producer of 2010.

16. Nas & Damian Marley – Distant Relatives
I was definitely hesitant about this record, but the two meshed so well and blew the door open for a genre of endless possibilities and future collaborations.

15. Fang Island – Fang Island
I’ll listen to this album at any given time and by record’s end, have the biggest shit-eating grin on my face. Sargent House with another diamond.

14. John Legend + The Roots – Wake Up!
John Legend. The Roots. This was a no brainer, and maybe one of the only times I’ll completely back an album with political leanings of any kind.

13. Aloe Blacc – Good Things
Amidst this era of soul revivalists, Aloe Blacc is this generation’s Bill Withers. If you don’t melt after listening to “Mama Hold My Hand,” then I probably want nothing to do with you.

12. Plan B – The Defamation of Strickland Banks
Another one of the revivalists, but Plan B’s concept on Strickland Banks can’t help but evoke the most vivid movie in my mind. And for that reason alone, it edges out Aloe by a slight (very, very slight) margin.

11. Drake – Thank Me Later
I wanted to hate this cornball’s debut LP. But the guy’s extremely relatable and works wonders in the studio with the whole Rap/R&B thing. Thank Me Later is full of collaborations, but Drake manages to hold his own in the highest of companies, while managing to drop 14 of some of the most well-put together hip-hop cuts in a while.

10. The Roots – How I Got Over

Their most concise and fluid album since Phrenology. I know Game Theory was fantastic, but How I Got Over was a record that The Legendary Roots crew just had laying in their mind’s archives. The whole process for this record was so quick and hasty, it was quite shocking at how good this record was, even though no one should’ve been surprised. Two Blu and two John Legend appearances — I mean, really.

9. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

This record was a slow burn for me. It didn’t click till about a month after I initially heard it and was underwhelmed. Something kept dragging me back to it, and I think it was about the time that the “We Used to Wait” music video dropped – the entire record’s allure just popped right out to me. I have barely put this record down ever since. “Ready to Start” is one of the best songs they’ve ever written.

8. Lazerbeak – Legend Recognize Legend

A definite sleeper in 2010. I guarantee most to all of our readers missed this one. It’s hard to grasp on the first few listens. His voice is grating and just outright weird. He’s a mastermind producer who decided to take a huge risk and it ended up being one of this year’s finest. Pick this one up ASAP.

7. The Niceguys – The Show

It’s no secret that I’ve blown plenty of smoke up this album’s ass. I’m proud to consider these dudes my friends and couldn’t be more impressed with their debut LP. Production-wise and emcee-wise, these Houston young guns give every signed rapper a run for the money, and in most cases, completely surpass ’em. DOWNLOAD IT.

6. Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid

Ms. Monae is weird as all get out, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The ArchAndroid is a ridiculous futuristic and bizarre journey into Monae’s fictional land, Metropolis. And honestly, the placement of this album wasn’t sealed until I saw most of the record performed. Shit’s crazy.

5. Cee-Lo Green – The Lady Killer

No one does soul better than Cee-Lo. I’d be hard-pressed to find a better love song than “I Want You” in 2010. The man’s a prodigy and just an outrageously awesome boss in this game. Can’t wait to see what he does with his follow-up and the Goodie Mob record in 2011.

4. Vampire Weekend – Contra

These preppy bastards did it again. Turns out, they’ve tightened their songwriting, folded up their chinos and refined their sound to the best follow-up to 08’s self-titled that I could’ve asked for.

3. Big Boi – Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty

I’ll just go ahead and say it. I have very serious doubts in my mind that Andre 3000 could make an album this good. So to anyone who has doubted Big Boi and left him out of consideration of “Best Emcees of All Time,” but didn’t forget to mention Three Stacks – suck it.

2. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang

Perfect follow-up to The 59 Sound. I knew this record wasn’t gonna be better, and the best thing I could’ve done was expect that. Over the past couple of years, that record has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. American Slang was a natural progression, and perfectly executed. Brian Fallon and company are just four dudes who know, love, live and feel rock-n-roll.

1. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

Whoa, nelly. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve listened to this record. Ever since they were Cavil at Rest (2007), I’ve kept my eye on this band and have expected nothing but the highest caliber of musical output, and I’ve yet to be disappointed. Gorilla Manor is their personal best work, and it’s literally the only album that I’ve listened to all year. It leaked back in December, and hit retail in February; all the while managed to keep popping up on playlists of all sorts and during all seasons. It’s the perfect record for anything.

Now, I know what you’re thinking…so:

0. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

I’ve decided that this record as my AOTY was too expected, so I decided to be completely unrealistic and take it out of the “running” for AOTY. I feel as though the critical ‘herd think’ for this record has been a bit much this year (perfect scores from Pitchfork and Slant didn’t help; not to mention it was so many folks’ AOTY.) That’s not to say that this record isn’t as amazing as everyone claims. In all honesty, it’s my album of the year because I’m the hugest Kanye West fan I’ve ever known, but I think things got a little out of hand. So lets just leave it at that, shall we?

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TOP 15 MIXTAPES OF 2010

15. Mickey Factz – I’m Better Than You // [DOWNLOAD.]
14. Royce Da 5’9 – The Bar Exam 3 // [DOWNLOAD.]
13. Thurogood Wordsmith – The Appetizer // [DOWNLOAD.]
12. The Cool Kids – Tacklebox // [DOWNLOAD.]
11. Bun B – No Mixtape // [DOWNLOAD.]

10. Kilimanjaro – EP One // [DOWNLOAD.]

While As Tall as Lions’ break-up was some of the worst news of the year, I’m glad Kilimanjaro put out their instrumental EP. Even thought it’s only 17 minutes long, I’ve looped this repeatedly to put myself to sleep many times.

9. Theo Martins – You Can’t Do That on Television // [DOWNLOAD.]

A newcomer in a sense — but Theo’s newest outing was one of my favorite hip-hop “mixtapes” of the year. There’s gonna be a lot more to look forward to from Martins.

8. Asher Roth – Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry // [DOWNLOAD.]

Clearly a shocker here. Asher Roth isn’t a tool? He can rap? This tape is what he should’ve released in lieu of that corny ass gimmicky debut LP.

7. Big K.R.I.T. – Wuz Here // [DOWNLOAD.]

The Souf is in the house. K.R.I.T. has enough charisma and pizazz to knock out the silliest hipster and has the rhymes to get down with hip-hop bloggerdom. One of the smoothest listens of the year.

6. Consequence – Movies on Demand // [DOWNLOAD.]

The Cons is back in full effect with this tape. Instead of his LP we’re getting one (and maybe two) installments of this fine mixtape series he’s established. I’m not complaining the least bit.

5. B.o.B. – No Genre // [DOWNLOAD.]

About fucking time, Bobby. That debut left a really poppy, but sour taste in my iPod. I hope you realize that your strong suit is to be the second coming of Three Stacks, and not some watered down pop star who does duets with Rivers Cuomo. So glad to have this tape and rappin’ B.o.B. back.

4. Wiz Khalifa – Kush and Orange Juice // [DOWNLOAD.]

I haven’t smoked an ounce of weed in my entire life, but I can groove to this mixtape. Wiz isn’t the best lyricist – hell, the dude isn’t even good. But this collection of songs make up for some of the easiest, breeziest (yeah) hip-hop cuts I’ve heard. Love this tape.

3. Wale – More About Nothing // [DOWNLOAD.]

My dude Mr. Folarin is back in action to silence all detractors of the huge fail that was his debut LP. While I loved it (it was my #2 last year), it seemed like many people didn’t – including his record label. This tape is the most fluid and concise “fuck you” to aforementioned label. It’s strange that he’s signed to Rozay now, and we’ll have to see if his follow-ups are up to the caliber of this mixtape.

2. J. Cole – Friday Night Lights // [DOWNLOAD.]

This man is a machine. His debut LP will undoubtedly put him in a league of his own; not that he hasn’t already. “Never say I’m better than HOV, but I’m the closest one.”

1. Theophilus London – I Want You // [DOWNLOAD.]

And for the 2nd year in a row, Mr. London has put out the finest mixtape of the year. I found myself going back to I Want You more than most albums I’ve enjoyed this year. He’s currently signed to Warner and busy making tunes that will comprise his debut, but in the meantime, we have this gem to roll with in the meantime.

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TOP 10 CONCERTS OF 2010

Honorable Mentions:

Fang Island (SXSW 2010; Austin – Primo’s Bar) This set was so dirty in every way. Not that you can’t see what we saw (link) but it was in the shittiest, most filthy dive bar in Austin. However, I still felt like I was riding the drunk version of Aladdin’s Magic Carpets at Disney World.

Thrice/Kevin Devine (July 2010; Houston – Warehouse Live) Um, this was my 19th time seeing Thrice.

Alkaline Trio/Cursive (March 2010; Houston – Warehouse Live) Two of my favorite drinking bands came together. The funny thing was I didn’t drink at this show at all due to my medication prescription at the time. Still had a blast. Alk3’s setlist covered all bases and was heavy in the Good Mourning dept., which makes me an elated bear. Not gonna lie, if I was drunk, this might’ve been in the Top 5. Half joking.

10. fun./Steel Train (November 2010; Houston – House of Blues Bronze Peacock Room) This show was a jolly good time. Both Steel Train and fun. have fantastic albums out (for those of you keeping score, fun. had my AOTY in 2009) and did them a solid by performing the hell out of them. My first time in the Peacock Room at the HOB, and hopefully not the last. Fantastic.

9. Janelle Monae/of Montreal (November 2010; Houston – Numbers) I still don’t give two shits about of Montreal and anything their circusy androgynous asses have to sing about, but god bless em for bring Janelle Monae to me. What a magnificent set. She’s a rockstar and has one of the best shows around.

8. Aziz Ansari (October 2010; Houston – House of Blues) Hilarious. One of the few times Ill rep for my indian brethren, but with good reason. The guy’s entertaining as all hell and brought completely new material (not a single skit or joke from Intimate Moments was rehashed) for the sold out crowd. Also doesn’t hurt that he’s on one of my favorite shows on television.

7. Lupe Fiasco/B.o.B. (April 2010; Houston – House of Blues) I’ve yet to see a full band Lupe set, so this day was pretty huge for me. Tons of F&L and The Cool was performed, so I left satisfied. B.o.B’s sets are always pretty good, especially since his disappointing album hadn’t dropped yet.

6. Vampire Weekend (October 2010; Houston – Verizon Wireless Theater) This band makes me feel good about everything. Their set is precise and flawless and the dudes in the band are charming and classy. Round it out with a Beach House set and we’re golden, pony boys.

5. New Found Glory/Saves the Day (February 2010; Houston – Warehouse Live Studio) As a unanimous opinion, this show made any and all of my friends feel like they were 15 again. Just very, very drunk 15 year olds. The entire self-titled and a ‘greatest hits’ type 8-song encore? Magical. NFG has always been one of the best live bands around too.

4. Mayer Hawthorne (March 2010; Houston – Warehouse Live Studio) I actually loved watching Mayer Hawthorne two nights in a row (saw him the next night at SXSW) and could see the guy perform the same fucking set every night for months. So smooth.

3. Distant Relatives (June 2010; Houston – Warehouse Live) Initially, I was hesitant about going to this show. In the end, totally worth it. It was a seamless blend of the two fan bases, genres and everything in between. Nas was in his finest hour and Damian Marley managed to keep me entertained even in his solo cuts. Also, this was the first time I’ve seen Nas, so it’s needless to say I was happy seeing songs like “Made You Look” and “Represent” being performed.

2. Local Natives (SXSW 2010 & April 2010; Austin – Stubb’s; Houston – Mango’s) – From their album to their live show, this band is just so fucking perfect. That’s really all that needs to be said.

1. GlassJAw (March 2010; Austin – Emo’s Outdoor) It’s been four years since I last saw the band in Ft. Worth, and I feel like they haven’t missed a step. A completely massive setlist including performances of “El Mark” and “Convectuoso” (my personal favorite) was the icing on the cake. A very drunk and delicious cake. They’re probably better live than they’ll ever be on record too. GlassJAw – Where chaotic and sensual happens.

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TOP 10 TV SHOWS OF 2010

I love TV. Here are my top seasons of shows I enjoyed in 2010. I know what you’re thinking, but Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire are on my ‘to watch’ list. And no one’s supposed to know I watch Glee, you bastards.

Honorable Mention:
The Walking Dead – Season One
How I Met Your Mother – Season Five

10. Bored to Death – Season Two
9. Dexter – Season Five
8. The League – Season Two
7. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Season Six
6. Treme – Season One
5. Modern Family – Season One
4. Community – Season One

3. Party Down – Season Two

It’s crazy that this show ended up on Starz. I could’ve seen this as a successful 3-4 season run on HBO or Showtime, but all good things must come to an end. An ensemble cast of C and D-listers did this show a solid and made it even more painfully hilarious. And Lizzy Caplan? Wowza.

2. Parks and Recreation – Season Two

The first three seasons of The Office are fantastic. Naturally, the writers from those seasons are aboard the Parks train and are writing some ridiculously great television. So excited for the new season.

1. Mad Men – Season Four

This show made some bold moves in the Season Three finale, and followed up with one of its finest seasons. The writing and design on this show are unparalleled by anything on TV right now. My only regret is catching on to this show two years too late.

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TOP 5 MOST PAINFUL MOMENTS OF THE 2010 HOUSTON TEXANS SEASON

I love this team. Always have and always will. However what the fuck happened this season? Poor coaching, not playing sixty minutes, unfair calls, and pretty much the worst turns of luck happened to this team. Three of our players won pro-bowl nods and for all intents and purposes, this is a 10-6 or dare I say, 11-5 team — but alas, we’re fucking 5-10 (probably 5-11 by January 2nd.) As a season ticket holder (yes, seriously) I can’t begin to tell you how upsetting this season has been, so here goes:

5. Andre Johnson dropping a pass —> INT vs. San Diego [WATCH.]
4. Allowing the Jets to completely embarrass our pass defense and score a TD in less than a minute with 0 timeouts. [WATCH.]
3. Tie: Losing to a terrible Cowboys team/Allowing our defensive coordinator to have a job past Week 6.
2. The hail mary pass vs. Jacksonville. Gus Johnson didn’t make it any more bearable. [WATCH.]
1. Schaub throwing a pick in OT vs. Baltimore on Monday Night Football. [WATCH.]

Fuck it. I’m crossing my fingers for a loss next week so we can get a great spot in the draft, and hopefully have both our Head Coach (Gary Kubiak) and defensive coordinator (Frank Bush) jobless by January 3rd.

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And don’t forget about all of these gems:

The LOST Songs: 50 Songs That Didn’t Make Any Lists

2010 Year-End Lists: Friends and Family Edition

Top 10 Moments in Sports by Vishal Bhatt

Top 5 G.O.O.D. Friday Songs

Top 10 Memes of the Year

That’s all folks. We have a lot of great shit planned in 2011. Thanks for reading as always, and thanks for being a part of what makes this blog so excruciatingly awesome. Peace and love in 2011.

Cheers,

Grizzly/Roshan