Even though 2011 is 2 weeks old, it's time to jump back to the Best of 2010 music. This is the post that may raise the most eyebrows (if anyone actually cares). This is the list of those less fortunate, those that didn't quite make the cut this time around...the NEGATIVE list. These are the albums that seem to appear on most year-end lists, but not in these parts, along with a quite reason why. There are as many different reasons why as there are entries on this list. Without further ado, here goes...

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Obviously, this blog isn't somewhere you come for stirring insight into hip-hop records, so you can't really expect a deep justification here. How about the fact that this record didn't really seem any different/better than West's previous albums, 808's and Heartbreaks not withstanding. Maybe it's completely different and infinitely better than previous efforts, but it just didn't tell everyone this.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

A nice sounding record and the most-enjoyed of any this Atlanta-based band has released. It seems like the consensus places this at or near the top of the list for rock albums in 2010. Again, it sounded nice, but just failed to hold attention and it's hard to rank an album with that cross to bear.

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

If every song could sound like "All My Friends" from 2007's Sounds of Silver, this album could easily be deserving of the esteem it has been given this year. Instead, there's "Drunk Girls". Pass.

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Both of Vampire Weekend's albums have been pleasant listens, with that preppy, jangly, beachy, Afro-Cuban sound. However, this all adds up to records that are remarkably unremarkable. This isn't a knock on the band or their albums, but there just isn't any "edge" to the music and that makes it sorta forgettable.

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

You know, that "Clint Eastwood" song was pretty enjoyable when it came out and still isn't bad to hear every once in a while. Aside from that fact, it is hard to imagine Damon Albarn's efforts being best put to use with Gorillaz, the first "virtual band" or something like that. Is anyone still fascinated by "the band" being comprised of animated cartoons? Blur kinda-sorta got back together at some point over the past few years, but its too bad that didn't last, but Gorillaz do.