RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best Songs of 2010

Best Songs of 2010 ...

1. “The High Road” – Broken Bells [1-15-10]. The lead single from forthcoming album by Danger Mouse and The Shins’ James Mercer is dreamy, alt-space pop.

2. “There Goes My Baby” – Usher [2-9-2010]. With irresistible melodies, this easy ballad gets you singing right along with the R&B guru from Hot-Lanta who’s moving it back here to his roots.

3. “Use Somebody” – Pixie Lott [1-27-2010]. Young, emerging British siren covers already fantastic song by Kings of Leon in lovely acoustic ballad.

4. “Paradise Circus” – Massive Attack [2-9-2010]. Typically mellow and ambient track from Brit pioneers of trip-hop.

5. “Drummer Boy” – Debi Nova [1-19-2010]. A pop debut single that’s climbing the international dance charts by chica linda from San Jose, Costa Rica.

6. “Mystery Zone” – Spoon [1-19-10}. While slightly monotonous in pitch, this track plays like a pop-hit-in-the-making from these indie rockers out of Austin, Texas.

7. “Healing Hands” – Citizen Cope [1-19-10]. It’s been a while for Citizen Cope – but here it is – a new, mellow alt-track by Clarence Greenwood – the man & the band – out of Memphis.

8. “Answer to Yourself” – The Soft Pack [2-2-2010]. Old-school sounding Garage rock from San Diego group who originally called themselves The Muslims but switched gears for this self-titled debut album.

9. “Window Seat”- Erykah Badu [2-9-2010]. Latest single from signature-sounding R&B earth-goddess super-songstress from forthcoming album.

10. “Animal” – Neon Trees (single) [1-26-10]. An energetic single release off Island/Def Jam label rocks alternative groove with catchy, pop background and strong vocals.

11. “Aint Leavin’ without You” – Jaheim [2-5-2010]. With an upbeat, 80’s Jeffrey Osborne-like sound, Jaheim lays out power R&B soul and boudoir jams.

12. “Drown in the Now” – The Crystal Method featuring Matisyahu (1-19-2010). Off latest EP, a curious mix of reggae and eerie electronica re-mixes that’s emerging as a big hit on the dance floor charts.

13. “July Flame” – Laura Veirs [1-12-2010]. A Colorado native who now calls Portland, Oregon, home sounds a lot like a modern-day Suzanne Vega with her spare musical arrangements and lovely voice.

14. “Your Love” – Nicki Minaj [2-8-2010]. Emerging R&B duet mistress out of Queens uses the backbeat and refrain to Annie Lennox’s track “No More I Love You’s” in this easy pop rap track.

15. “I’m Beamin’” – Lupe Fiasco [2-2-2010]. “See me now – just look around -- I’m beamin’” is the upbeat, up-from-the-bootstraps reverb from this single from Chicago-based Muslim MC.

16. “Get Up” – Kimberly Davis [1-12-2010]. A breakout debut single that is climbing the dance charts by R&B groove queen.

17. “White Sky” – Vampire Weekend [1-11-10]. This easy-going track about kicking it in Manhattan, off the follow-up to their 2008 debut, sounds very much like a nod to Paul Simon’s Graceland, mixed with Vampire’s own preppy, indie-rock.

18. “Soldier of Love” – Sade [1-12-10]. The melancholy soul singer, smoking-hot in the 80’s, with angular percussion and discordant back-up vocals.

19. “Lewis Takes off his Shirt” -- Owen Pallett [1-12-10]. A spunky, orchestral-electronica alternative sound that mixes various sounds and vocals.

20. “A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help)” -- Motion City Soundtrack [1-15-10]. Peppy, alternative/emo-rock from major label debut by Minneapolis and Virginia who rock big guitar and pop vibrato hooks.

21. “Angel Echoes” – Four Tet [1-26-1010]. Experimental, down-tempo track undertaken as side-project by Brit Kieren Hebden.

22. “Stylo” – Gorillaz [1-26-2010]. The lead track from their forthcoming album scheduled to drop in March features a distinctly electronica vibe with equally distinctive vocals by the self-conceived “fist virtual hip-hop” band.

… The following songs are currently unavailable on PlayList.com, but are definitely worth checking out …

“One Way Road” – John Butler Trio [2-9-2010]. Cali born and Australia-bred, John Butler has spanned the breadth of guitar styles over the years, and on this single release, he hits a toe-tappin’ jam.

“Big Appetite” – ALO [2-9-10]. A twangy, easy acoustic number by the Animal Liberation Orchestra, a band-of-all-trades out of Cali.

“New Morning” – Alpha Rev [1-12-2010]. The indie band out of Austin, TX, releases this new pop single that carries sweeping melodies, pop vocals and phat guitar riffs.

“Redemption Song” – Rihanna [1-19-2010]. Featuring her singular and soulful voice, this island siren covers Bob Marley with pride and for Haiti relief.

“Money” – Matt Morris [1-12-2010]. With textured horns, vocals and acoustic guitar this clean, soulful track on Justin Timberlake’s label (and co-starred with him on the Mickey Mouse Show) by still-emerging artist out of Austin.

“The Blackest Lily” – Corrine Bailey Rae [1-26-2010]. With one part rock n roll and another part neo-soul, this is a powerhouse hit off a sophomore stab at an album by soulstress out of Leeds, England.