With 2010 100% complete, I figured I might as well go on the record here with my top 10 albums of the past year.  Lots and lots of good pop records were dropped on us in 2010, and a bunch of ‘em made my list, so without further ado, let’s get to ‘em…

Jason Thomas’ Top 10 Of 2010

---

10.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Matthew Dear[/lastfm] – Black City

Matthew is one of the founders of Ghostly International, a producer, DJ, and as it turns out, is quite capable of wowing us with a record of his own.

---

9.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Best Coast[/lastfm] – Crazy For You

An XRT Big Beat show coming up Feb. 8 @ Lincoln Hall w/[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Wavves[/lastfm].  Tix here.

---

8.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Robyn[/lastfm] – Body Talk

Was lucky enough to attend the Iceland Airwaves Muic Festival in Reykjavik back in October and she was the main event.

---

7.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Hot Chip[/lastfm] – One Life Stand

A band that played Chicago a ton in 2010 (Riviera w/[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The xx[/lastfm], Lollapalooza, Galapalooza, The Aragon w/[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]LCD Soundsystem[/lastfm]), and for that we thank them.

---

6.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Sleigh Bells[/lastfm] – Treats

If you like [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Peaches[/lastfm] and/or [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Kills[/lastfm]/[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Dead Weather[/lastfm], this should be a slam dunk.

---

5.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Belle & Sebastian[/lastfm] – Write About Love

Scotland needs representation in any of my Top 10 lists.  Not QUITE as good as the 2006 album, “The Life Pursuit,” but that’s like saying the ’97 Bulls weren’t as good as the ’96 team…  Or, something like that.

---

4.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Delorean[/lastfm] – Subiza

They toured the world, played Pitchfork, the Empty Bottle, Lincoln Hall, released an amazing album AND Spain won the World Cup!  ¡Viva España!

---

3.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Vampire Weekend[/lastfm] – Contra

Speaking of the Bulls, when VW was here back in September for a sold out XRT Show @ The Aragon, drummer Chris Tomson was rocking a Toni Kukoc jersey!  Bonus points!

---

2.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]LCD Soundsystem[/lastfm] – This Is Happening

Gotta love the bands that bat 1.000.  LCD Soundsystem only have 3 albums, but 3 for 3 is still 1.000.  And while we’re on the subject of bands that have never released a dud of an album….

---

1.  [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Arcade Fire[/lastfm] – The Suburbs

When tens of thousands of people are singing along with songs from your brand new album at Lollapalooza, and the album has only been out for 5 days, you have something special.

---

Read More From Jason Thomas

Top 20 Of 2010: XRT Artist Interviews

Top 10 of 2010: Most Popular Blog Posts Of The Year

Top 20 Of 2010: XRT In-Studio Videos

Top 10 Of 2010: XRT Concert Videos

Best Of 2010