Best Albums of 2010

We originally set out to compile a list of the top ten albums of 2010. Perfect, right? Well, what we have here is the top eight, plus three honorable mentions. All in all, this year saw the release of some real gems in the music industry.

1. The Dissent of Man by Bad Religion

"If you listen to Bad Religion, you know what you're getting: quality punk music. The band seems to take a different approach musically with this album and it works. Dissent of Man is just as good as anything the band has released previously." - Joe

"Once again, Bad Religion altered their sound slightly, but this time they delivered an amazing punk record full of political undertones. It's no Against the Grain, but damn do these guys know how to make good music." - Jenn

2. Omni by Minus the Bear

"Minus the Bear crafted an amazingly well thought out album that just oozes sexiness. There's just no other way to describe it." - Joe

3. Surfing the Void by Klaxons

"People always talk about how great MGMT is, but they can't hold a candle to Klaxons and this album furthers that opinion. With catchy hooks, incredible music, and awesome vocals like this, I look forward to hearing whatever this band comes up with next." - Joe

"This album took me by surprise because I was just expecting more of the same from this band, but it was a pleasant departure from the sound of their previous album. While you can't expect to hear anything like "Atlantis to Interzone" on Surfing the Void, the music still has a sort of other-worldly, futuristic feel. The vocals on this album are especially amazing." - Jenn

4. Songs for Singles by Torche

"Following 2008's Meanderthal, Songs For Singles takes what Torche previously did and keeps it going. Simply put, Torche is amazing. 'Nuff said." - Joe

"I must say, I wasn't too fond of this band prior to listening to Songs for Singles. I couldn't get past the vocals even though the music was always amazing. This EP changed that. Listen to “Hideaway” and I promise you will not be disappointed." - Jenn

5. American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem

"I love this album more and more with every listen. Not only is the music itself fantastic, but every single song has so much raw emotion behind it. This is the album of the year for me, hands down." - Jenn

6. Ironiclast by The Damned Things

"When hearing who played in The Damned Things my initial reaction was, "WTF!?!" After listening to their debut album, my reaction was much of the same, not because Ironiclast is bad but because it's so good considering how eclectic its members backgrounds are." - Joe

"Imagine my reaction upon reading that members of Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die, and Anthrax had formed a band together. Now imagine my reaction when I listened to this album and it was actually good. Great, even." - Jenn

7. Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by My Chemical Romance

"After reading that the new album was going to be a return to their roots, I was really hyped for this album. Then NaNaNa came out and I was incredibly disappointed. I really wanted to not like this album because I hate when bands say that they're going back to their roots and don't deliver, but this album is just too solid of an album to not like." - Joe

"This is such a fun album. I can't get enough of the catchy lyrics, the music, and the entire concept behind it. I never thought I'd have MCR in heavy rotation again, but it happened." - Jenn

Honorable mentions:
American Ghetto by Portugal. The Man
Sea of Cowards by The Dead Weather
Brothers by The Black Keys