Best of 2010: Music

My music discoveries this year seem a little lacking. Though I listen to music all the time, this year was mostly rediscovering old favorites. None of my favorite bands put out new albums this year. Here's what I came across:

Keith Urban: "Get Closer"

I love country music. I have for as long as I can remember, really (it's sort of a natural thing where I live). But I hate all of the content that most country songs contain, so I feel limited in what I can listen to. I like some Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, older Dixie Chicks stuff, etc. And I was also a casual fan of Keith Urban. I had bought a few of his songs on iTunes, but never a whole CD. When "Get Closer" came out, I heard a lot of good things about it. I read the Plugged In review, which said, "It seems Keith flat-out skipped country-lyrics orientation class." And that sentence made me very, very curious. I listened to clips of the songs online and really liked them, so I bought the CD. And I love it! Practically all of the songs are happy, upbeat love songs, which is not your typical country music. The music and lyrics are so catchy...I am very impressed. " I especially love "Put You in a Song" and "All For You."
P.S. I cannot believe this guy is Australian. I always forget until I hear him in an interview or something. Because his accent just disappears when he sings.

Michael Buble: "Crazy Love"

This CD didn't come out this year (I don't think), but I only found it this year. :) I was also just a casual listener of Michael Buble at the beginning of this year, until I finally got some sense and realized how amazing he is! I used to think, why would I listen to a new guy singing the old songs when I can just listen to Sinatra? But there's something pretty cool about a handsome young guy singing the old songs that I love. :) I love this CD. Not all of the songs on it, but most of them. :) His voice is great on every song, but some of them just aren't my style. My favorite song is "Haven't Met You Yet," and I also like "Cry Me a River" and "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)."

Lenka

I found Lenka's music on a blog over a year ago, but I really started getting into it and bought a lot of her songs this year. I love the light, bouncy feeling of her music. My favorites are "Knock, Knock" and "Don't Let Me Fall."

She & Him

I love the 60s sound of She & Him's songs! I actually only own a few of them so far, but I'm hoping to get more. You can listen to my two favorites on the music player here: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and "This Is Not a Test." And isn't Zooey Deschanel just adorable?

The Avett Brothers

Same thing as She & Him...I only have a few of the Avett Brothers' songs so far, but I love what I've heard. My mom is even starting to like them now (when I first started listening to them, she wasn't so sure :). I first heard about these guys from Natalie Lloyd. "Swept Away" and "Will You Return" are my favorites.

Other than these, I mostly spent the year listening to Sinatra and finding some "new" swing music/oldies songs that I love. Also, the "Alice in Wonderland" soundtrack by Danny Elfman is pretty awesome.

Tomorrow will be the last "end of the year" post, and it will be about movies. That should be interesting. And very long. :)

Until next time,