best of 2010: albums

I get the prize for being the latest huh? I'm even lazier than Mike! It's February 2011. Get over it. I present to you my favorite albums of 2010. A best of if you will. I'm no music expert, never claimed to be one. But while this blog focuses on forgotten pop stars of yesterday, I figure it's a perfect platform for me to talk about my current likes. Enjoy.

20. The Other Side - Nina Sky. So what if they're one hit wonders (2004's Move Ya Body). That never stopped me from liking anyone. I downloaded this EP for free (and legally) out of curiosity here. So glad I did! What a fresh collection! Part electro, part house, part R&B, and a whole lotta bangin'! Plus that wicked cover of The Cure's Love Song? Download this now! I can't wait to hear what these ladies do next.


19. Somos - Christopher Von Uckermann. While not the least talented vocalist to come from RBD (I think we can all agree that would be pretty boy Alfonso Herrera). Even though he's not a very good vocalist, I have to say he made one hell of a pop album. Who knew? It's probably up there w/ Anahí's Mi Delirio as the best post-RBD solo effort (I'm talking to you Dulce María and Christian Chávez). Check out Mundo Irreal

18. A Year Without Rain - Selena Gomez & The Scene. Disney's reigning pop princess must have taken note that us gays ate up her remix of Naturally (seriously who hasn't danced and sung along to this drunkenly at a gay bar/club?). So they did a whole dance album! Yay! Get the deluxe edition w/ the Spanish version of the A Year Without Rain. It alone is worth the price!

17. Baila Duro - María Daniela y su sonido lasser. Damn you are your EP! I wanted a full-length album but I've settled for this. Is settle the right word? I've grown to like this effort quite a bit since it came out in December. Sure the Baila Duro video can give you a seizure after watching it, but their sound gets me every time. It's like Jeans on crack! Their covers of No te aguanto más (originally by Spain's Objetivo Birmania) and Yo tenia un novio (originally by Rubio y los Casinos) are worth getting this alone!

16. Inside Out - Kat Deluna. Oh my poor Flop Deluna! Why are you being punished by the pop gods so? She released one of the best singles of 2010, Push Push (which I'll drool over in my best of 2010 singles list a little later). It flopped in the US of course. This album has been relegated to be released in Belgium and France only. Don't miss out on this talent. Buy the import! God knows when we'll see a US release (if ever). It's a great dance/pop effort.

15. Animal/Cannibal - Ke$ha. Ke$ha where have you been all my life??!?! She is trashy, bratty and I friggin' love her! She's like your favorite drunk bff! Boots & Boys is my favorite song on both editions. Hands down! Give me boots & boys indeed!

14. Dreamer - Soraya (Arnelas). Not to be confused w/ the late Colombian-American singer/songwriter Soraya, Soraya Arenlas is Spain's reigning queen of dance music. It says so on her website if you don't believe me! Check out her sassy collection of eurodance ditties! I've been enamoured of her ever since her twin albums of 80s covers! If there were any justice DJs in the US would begin spinning her.

13. Fight or Flight - Emily Osment. While Selena Gomez may be the reigning queen of Disney (sorry Miley), Emily Osment has outdone her w/ her trashy electropop debut! When I heard Hannah Montana's sidekick was releasing an album I was like "whatever". Boy was I surprised. Lovesick is such a hot song. It's better than anything Britney's done since Blackout. Are you done judging me? Good now listen to this album. It's hot!

12. Afortunadamente no eres tú - Paty Cantú. I thought Paty's former band was Lu, was in a word, lame. When she released her solo debut I thought it was more of the same (only she cut her hair). But when the first and title track came out, I was pleasantly surprised. It's a bright, cheery, pop album. Check out Goma de mascar, it's my absolute fave.

11. Fleshtone - Kelis. I love Kelis. Let me just start off by saying, I think she is one of the more interesting and original pop stars to come out in years. Looking like Amii Stewart reincarnated, girlfriend went dance on us with her latest release. And the results are glorious. When I heard the first single Acapella it was love at first listen. The same can be said for the entire album.

10. Aphrodite - Kylie. Dannii's older sister has done it yet again. Released a killer album. This album would have been higher on my list but I am mad at Ms. Minogue for 2 things. 1) not releasing the amazing Cupid Boy as a single (Better Than Today really???). 2) not including Chicago on her upcoming tour. Don't worry I still love ya! Not as much as Dannii, but pretty close.

9. Sale el sol - Shakira. Even though the first single, Loca, sounded like something Illegales did in 1995, that didn't stop me from giving this album a chance. I honestly didn't think she could top She Wolf. But she did. Love this album! It's like a new wave merengue party! Love Gordita w/ Calle 13, Addicted To You, Rabiosa and especially Devoción!

8. Joy - Fefe Dobson. I used to despise this chick. But she won me over with several singles from this album (I Want You, Watch Me Move and especially Ghost). A great pop/rock album. Welcome back.

7. Tiempo amarillo - Sasha Sökol. While I'll admit she's not the greatest singer, there is just something I love about her voice. Maybe it's the tone. Don't know. Sasha FINALLY released a new pop album. The first since 1996's 11:11. While a few of the singles (Dulce veneno, Luna de Paris) were very Paulio Rubio-ish, there are much better songs on this album. The mid tempo Eres tú, El pez, Luz azul and the exquisite Quiero repetirte. On a side note I got to see her live while I was in Mexico City last November. Sigh.

6. Nasty As I Wanna Be - Dirt Nasty. Simon Rex's rap alter ego is trashy, funny, witty, horny, and just plain hot! Boombox, Cougar, Suck My D*ck, Motel Room. I love this album! I think I may like them even more than his porn videos. LOL.

5. Unbroken - Katharine McPhee. While I don't watch American Idol, I do find myself becoming a fan of several contestants post show (Fantasia, Kimberley Locke). While I enjoyed a few songs from Kat's debut (Open Toes anyone?), it wasn't until her sophmore album that I can say I consider myself a fan. Upon first listen I wasn't all that impressed. I had high hopes because it was produced by John Alagía who produced one of my favorite albums, Wild Hope, by Mandy Moore. I gave it a few more listens, and found myself falling in love w/ this album. A great collection of adult pop. Love love songs like It's Not Right, How, Lifetime, Terrified (especially the rerecorded duet w/ Zachary Levi) and the bonus track How.

4. Bionic - Christina Aguilera. All hail Godtina! The harder Christina falls the more I root for her. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the underdog. So what if this album was a hot mess? Just get rid of Prima Donna, Sex for Breakfast and Lift Me Up, and replace them w/ the bonus tracks, you have one killer album! Why Little Dreamer, Bobblehead, Monday Morning, and Stronger Than Ever were made bonus tracks boggles my mind. Why weren't Vanity or Desnúdate singles? Why? Why? Why! This flop is right up there w/ Donna Summer's Mistaken Identity and Diana Ross's Workin' Overtime. In my book that's pretty high.


3. Body Talk - Robyn. Robyn released an album in 3 parts this year, and the combined result is one of my faves of 2010. I don't know what she's drinking, but I want some of it. Separately there are many standout tracks, and a few clunkers, but put them all together and it works. Lovekills, Dancing On My Own, Indestructable, Hang With Me, U Should Know Better. I could go on and on.

2. Carpe Diem - Belinda. I thought Utopia was a great pop album, but this one is even better. Egoista (even if Pitbull is involved) has to be one of the most adddictive pop songs to have come out in 2010 (even the English version). This album proves why she's the reigning princess of Mexican pop.


1. The Family Jewels - Marina & The Diamonds. I was first intrigued by this album because of the Interview-like art. I am glad I sought it out, because it's my fave album of 2010. Marina's quirky pop music is the best thing to happen to my ipod. My love grew when I saw her live last year at Lincoln Hall here in Chicago. She was great live. I want to see her every time she plays now (though I'll pass on her opening for Katy Perry). Are You Satisfied?, Obsessions, Oh No!, Numb, all amazing songs. How can I not love Shampain? The video was like an unintentional tribute to Transvision Vamp's Sister Moon video!