Top 10 of 2010.

Having a LastFM account makes it pretty easy to review my past year in music. Here's a list of the top 10 artists that I listened to in 2010:

1. The Octopus Project. I first discovered this band a couple of years ago while vacationing in Silicon Valley, California. Andrew was in training at Apple so I walked myself to the nearest bookstore and wasted away a few hours. I almost didn't buy their album, but I am so glad I did. I will always think of the redwood forests when listening to this band. I had the chance to see them several times since then including once (or maybe twice?) this year. They are phenomenal live, especially with that theremin. 

2. Local Natives. This band was suggested to me by iTunes and I basically bought their album after previewing just one song. An instant favorite. We saw them play two shows early this year. One small acoustic set at Music Saves and then another regular show the same night at the Beachland Ballroom. Really wonderful. I'm looking forward to what they may be coming up with next. 

3. Ben Folds. One of the first albums I ever bought with my own money was Whatever and Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five. I haven't stopped listening to him since. This year he came out with Lonely Avenue with Nicky Hornby who happens to be an author that I really enjoy. Nick wrote the lyrics and Ben wrote the music. It's like it was meant to be.

4. The Acorn. I was a fan of this band's previous work, but when they came out with No Ghost this year I just could not stop listening. It was really great for driving in the spring with the windows down.

5. Volcano Choir. When Justin Vernon's Bon Iver was getting super popular a year or two ago I felt like an outcast when I wasn't getting into it as much as everyone else. Pretty music, yes, but I didn't love it and everyone was talking about it. Then I happened upon Volcano Choir and I guess I caught the Justin Vernon bug.

6. Adem. It was a complete mistake that I ever saw Adem live and probably the best mistake I ever made. I showed up to a dirty projectors concert 2 hours early after reading the calendar wrong and caught Adem and Juana Molina instead. Both were amazing live and I left with music from both of them. One of my best friends and I devoured his music that winter and now it's the first thing I want to listen to when it starts to get cold out.

7. Vampire Weekend. This is another one of those bands that just became an instant love for me. I still can't stop listening to their first album and this year they came out with Contra. I would love to see them live again sometime.

8. The Swell Season. Andrew and I really loved the Once soundtrack so when I found the Swell Season's album at The Exchange I was super excited. Perfect music for the fall.

9. Janelle Monae. This girl has the gift of dance and music and I love both. I listened to this album twice while I was stuck in the snowpocalypse for 4 1/2 hours. It just makes you wanna dance.

10. Grizzly Bear. I guess I'm a little late with this one, but lately I'm really into Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest. Better late than never I suppose.

And there you have it. If you're curious, here's last year's top 10.