I realize that we are already almost a month into 2011, but there were so many albums that I really enjoyed in 2010 that I feel like I wan to devote a few posts on the albums that really spoke to me over this last year. There are several that I just couldn't stop listening. It got to the point that I began to frustrate myself because I'd turn on the album without even thinking about it. So this is the first of what will be many album review of my favorites of the year.

Vampire Weekend's Contra.

I cannot tell you how many times I listened to this album after it came out in January. I still find myself listening to this extremely catchy indie pop album over a year after it's release. And every time I can't refrain from shaking my hips to it and cracking a smile. The album is strange from the moment the first track begins to the final track. The melodies are counterintuitive but work beautifully and the the album is laced with syncopated rhythms that shouldn't work but they do. I'm finding more and more that I enjoy the stranger things of life. So this album spoke to me on a variety of levels. For some, the experimental nature of this album can be a turn off, but it was on a number of Top Albums of 2010 Lists so it must have spoke to more people than me. It was nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album for this years Grammy's so it's done alright. I know many people who just couldn't get into this album. I think it's one of those kinds that once it's got ahold of you it won't let go.

I loved the wide range of instrumentation on this album, from xylophones on "Horchata" to strings on "I Think Ur a Contra." Not to mention the auto-tune used on "California English" and the memorable guitar riff on "Cousins." And Vampire Weekend pieces together each song in a way that works masterfully.

Take a look at this great music video for "Giving Up the Gun." With the help of Rza, Jake Gyllenhaal, and one of the Jonas Brothers this video is magical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bccKotFwzoY

And this song really captures the range of talent Vampire Weekend displays on this album. The layers of sound is complex, yet very simple.

Then the song "Cousins" just makes me laugh. The video is interesting to say the least. And Ezra's lyrics for this song are definitely on the strange side, but yet I love it.

http://hypem.com/#!/item/x9mw/Vampire+Weekend+-+Cousins

This song contains my favorite line from the whole album and I want to leave with this:
"You can turn your back on the bitter world."

But remember, it's the small things in life like the wonderful gift of music that make life a little less mundane.