Positivexposure’s movie reviewer Jack Kelleher talks music with his top 5 albums of 2010.

#5 Hurley - Weezer
 

I worried when I first heard about this album. I really, really, didn’t want a repeat of Weezer’s cringe-worthy previous album, Raditude. But I was pleasantly surprised, Hurley ended up being a very solid, very listenable album. Most of the songs are pleasant, and the standout track, “Memories”, is a good enough song to make the album memorable. I’m just really happy Weezer didn’t go out with Raditude (shudder).

#4 Congratulations - MGMT
 

I think this album deserved at least a mention. The first album MGMT released, Oracular Spectacular, was popular but also very overplayed. I heard it so much everywhere I went, that I actually ended up hating it. That might be why I ended up enjoying Congratulations more. It was never going to be a popular album. It had a few standout songs, but none of them could have become “hits”. Overall, the album carried an interesting sound, and one I can’t say I’ve heard before.

#3 Total Life Forever - Foals
 

I’m a big fan of Foals, and I know that a lot of people who loved their previous album didn’t enjoy Total Life Forever as much as they did Antidotes. But I’ve decided to judge the album upon its own merits, without comparing it to its predecessor. And while it’s no Antidotes, it’s still a very good album, and well worth listening to.

 #2 The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
 

Definitely Arcade Fire’s best album to date. I’ve been a fan of Arcade Fire for some time, and I’ve always liked their music, but I really enjoyed the slightly new direction they took with this album. They’ve managed to integrate more of a rocky vibe into their music, without losing the sombre and defeatist feel that they’re known for.

#1 Innerspeaker - Tame Impala
 

Ever since I first saw Tame Impala live at Big Day Out in early 2010, I’ve been smitten with them. And after listening religiously to their first EP and single, my patience was eventually rewarded, with Innerspeaker. And wow, it was everything I’d hoped for, and more.

Many of the songs included on this album have racked up hundreds of listens on my iTunes, and this album has become one of my all time favourites.