I've been listening to as much new music as ever but not posting about it: *sigh!* So here is my year-end wrap-up:

Sleigh Bells - Treats

Hands-down my favourite album of the year. Every time it comes to an end, I hit repeat: minimum two plays per day! It has everything: shouty, brash, repetitive, and fun. Subtlety: not a chance!

Stars - The Five Ghosts

One of two majestic Canadian indie bands, they have added electro flourishes to their chamber pop, to good effect. Consistently listenable and pleasing, it's great to see them evolve and avoid being static.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

The other majestic Canadian indie band continues to write songs of loss and regret, which trick you into optimism. This will have more repeat listens at my house than Neon Bible did.

Owen Pallett - Heartland

Final Fantasy moulted into Owen Pallett and stepped up his game with another concept album, a self-referential literary song suite. I saw Mr. Pallett in concert for the third time this year and have vowed to keep going back every time he is in town!

No Age - Everything in Between

No Age have added a third musician to their touring line-up to handle the effects, so the guitarist can focus on his playing instead of his footwork. I had the pleasure of seeing them in a small venue in Toronto. This album is much more "of a piece" than Nouns, creating a consistent mood. An inspired soundscape of lo-fi aesthetics, fuzz, punk and energy.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Much has been said about how accessible this album is, and how much it shows its girl-group influences. This may be true in the lo-fi and shoegaze world, but not for the rest of us! I preferred the incomprehensible, no-influence Microcastle/Weird Era Continued set. I don't want my noise to remind me of anything!

Best Coast - Crazy for You

I had planned to give lo-fi a break for a while, but could not resist this poppy album with its mightily-retro tinges (see Deerhunter, above). A summer-time record about weed, laziness and the company of your pet cat, I hope its sentiments do not catch on with young girls, because it is totally defeatist. But so cute! Meanwhile, Wavves made a record with a similar worldview on King of the Beach, with a less retiring male POV. I have also heard Beach House's Teen Dream, but I am too tired of hazy, shimmering music to even review it (which isn't fair, because it was a perfectly good album).

The New Pornographers - Together

Upon seeing them this Fall, I realized they were the only pop band, as opposed to rock band, I had ever seen live. Together is so syrupy-sweet, some of the backing vocals remind me of the Partridge Family! I played this a few times but all that sugar hurt my teeth.

Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid

Ah, now we're talking. Striking presence, ambition, and ability to merge genres made me go wow!

Jonsi - Go

Icelandic grandeur set aside for intimate, well-crafted chamber pop, Jonsi gives twee a good name. The fact that the lyrics are in English matters far less than one might think.

ceo - White Magic

Electro-pop halfway between Jonsi and Diamond Rings. Nice!

Heartsounds - Until We Surrender

M/F duo quit their metal band to make classic punk. A burst of edgy, technical music with melodic singing. Works for me!

The White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights [Live]

This CD accompanied the band's coast-to-coast-to-coast tour-of-Canada DVD and stands up well as a live album in its own right. Jack White has stated that The White Stripes will work together again soon. Bravo!

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Electronica so sophisticated, it comes across like freeform jazz. This is a work that musicians and audiophiles should appreciate for years to come. Play it on good headphones!

Evelyn Evelyn - Evelyn Evelyn

Ready for weirdness from Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley, I was not disappointed. This is such a pure concept album that it tells a tale from start to end in a very forthright, storytelling kind of way. You'll want to listen as intently as if you were listening to an audio book. The circus music is a bonus.

High Expectations for Second Full-Length Albums:

MGMT - Congratulations

While nowhere near as accessible as the first half of Oracular Spectacular, it does create a companion piece that previous fans will like, though maybe not new listeners.

Tokyo Police Club - Champ

This album is all over the place, with varying styles and tempos, but their sweet indie charm keeps it interesting. Perhaps a way station on their journey to a more cohesive album next time?

Foals - Total Life Forever

I was shocked to hear, at first listen, that Foals had given up their glitchy-quick pop songs for such a chill-out sound, but it has grown on me. So when I want the G-Q sound, I'll listen to Les Savy Fav's Root for Ruin instead! Meanwhile, Foals give good chill.

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II)

Again a group has decided to chill more on its second outing. I always loved the Alice-screeching songs best, and still do. It should soundly appeal to most folks who liked the first one.

Klaxons - Surfing the Void

Without the singles appeal of Myths of the Near Future, this album is HEAVY and psychedelic from start to finish. I keep coming back for another listen, so this tops the pack of second releases on my list.

Honourable Mention: Silvery - Railway Architecture

I can't comment on how this compares to their first album because I haven't heard it, but Railway Architecture is a gem: bright, frenetic, carnival-inspired and quirky.

More albums I liked this year: Broken Bells, Against Me!, Diamond Rings, Delphic

Some 2010 albums I didn't like and won't comment further on: The Drums, Yeasayer, The National, Gaslight Anthem, Spoon

Albums I haven't heard yet: latest from Sufjan Stevens, Black Keys, Frightened Rabbit, Belle and Sebastian

I am actually really happy with 2010 in music. It's been a great start to a new decade! And as always, I welcome suggestions and pleas for second chances!