Ballyhoo #2: 2010 Albums

Welcome back everyone (nobody) that reads this! It's 2010! Get your Hover Cars and Time Machines ready! 2009 was a pretty great year for music, let's see if 2010 can do any better.

I'm going to post the ten albums that I'm most excited for this year. It's already a few weeks in and I've already heard a few albums so I'll mention the great ones right now.

Beach House - Teen Dream
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Spoon - Transference
Delphic - Acolyte
Yeasayer - Odd Blood

If you haven't heard these yet, I recommend every single one.

Okay, here are the top albums (in order of excitement level) I can't wait to hear.

10. MGMT - Congratulations



I've been a huge fan ever since I saw them open for of Montreal 5 years ago. I feel like they can expand their sound much more and am extremely anxious to hear what they have planned next.

9. of Montreal - False Priest



I've been a huge fan ever since I saw them close for MGMT 5 years ago. I don't think they can expand their sound much more but they haven't put out a mediocre album yet!

8. The Morning Benders - Big Echo



I'd be willing to bet that this band becomes pretty big in the independent community this year. Their first album, though flawed, was a very impressive debut and their sophomore is going to be produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor who is the shit.

7. Band of Horses - Night Rainbow



It's been awhile since we've heard from these guys so I'm expecting something great. Also, it has a pretty title.

6. Panda Bear - TBA



2009 was the year of Animal Collective. At least for me. They put out a great album and an even greater EP and I got the chance to see them in September and they blew me away. One of the main members is Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear. Lennox's album Person Pitch was fantastic and judging on the live songs I've heard, his new one is going to be incredible.

5. Interpol - TBA



Their first two albums are almost perfect and their third was pretty bad, but they say they are going back to their roots and it's going to sound more like their first so I'll put my faith and trust in them.

4. The National - TBA



Their albums progressively get better. Their last, Boxer, is one of my favorites of all time. If the pattern keeps up, my head is going to explode.

3. Arcade Fire - TBA



I don't need to say much here. If you know who Arcade Fire is, then I'm sure you're just as excited as I am. Not to mention Owen Pallett (who does the string arrangements) says it's one of the best albums he's heard.

2. Fleet Foxes - TBA



I love sophomore albums. I feel like if a debut is incredible and they have more time, money and experience, then their next can be even better. I can't even begin to fathom that, considering the awesomeness that is Fleet Foxes.

1. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me



I know people will disagree with me. Hell, some people can't even listen to Joanna Newsom without cringing or turning it off. She's definitely an acquired taste. But her first album, The Milk Eyed Mender is my favorite album of the last decade. Her second, Ys was flawed but it produced the song Emily which is definitely one of my favorite songs in existence. This is the most excited I've been since Radiohead announced In Rainbows.

I'll do a few followups with release dates, album titles and album covers. And I'll do one big one after I've heard all of them. Feel free to post the albums you're most excited for.