A few weeks ago, the Vinyl District Memphis asked me to put together a list of my 10 favorite records from 2010. They're not all local (though a few Memphis bands made the list). This is the shortlist of what's been playing over my giant green headphones while I work on the blog:

1. Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz

I wasn’t sure I liked Age of Adz at first - it’s not the typical Sufjan-sings-about-states record - but after a few listens, I was completely hooked. From its whisper-quiet opening to its 25 minute, slightly autotuned electro-classical closer, Age of Adz is possibly Sufjan Stevens’ most interesting record.

2. Best Coast - Crazy for You

Crazy for you is 27 minutes of sunny, danceable girl-meets-boy pop gems. The slightly fuzzy guitars and cute girl singer make it a perfect modern garage pop record.

3. Harlan T. Bobo - Sucker

“Sucker” could easily be written off as Harlan T. Bobo’s “happy record”, solid, but without the gut-wrenching brilliance of “Too Much Love”. Don’t write it off, though - the 12 song record is full of love, songs about fatherhood, bad errand girls and enjoying the moment.

4. Frightened Rabbit - Winter of Mixed Drinks

It’s wrong to hope for some one’s continued heartbreak, but I’m not sure what will happen to Frightened Rabbit if lead singer Scott Hutchison ever falls in love. Standout track “Living in Color” has been a staple in my car this year.

5. Allo Darlin’ - Allo Darlin’

Allo Darlin’s first record is packed with ukuleles, duets, pop culture references (to Weezer and Woody Allen) and songs about the possibility and magic of the beginning of love.

6. Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be

I really hope the guys at Goner can bring the Dum Dum Girls to Gonerfest next year. Their loud, distorted fast garage rock would be perfect for the festival. Plus, I really want to dance to “Bhang Bhang, I’m a Burnout” live.

7. New Pornographers - Together

I can’t pretend to always understand what New Pornographers’ songwriter Dan Bejar is talking about (what’s a silver Jenny dollar?), but I know that it makes me happy. “Together” is a great pop record, perfect for parties, the car or the bar.

8. Luv Clowns - Love Clowns

Love Clowns may be a kids’ record, but there’s nothing childish about their amazingly perfect cover of the Mr. Rodgers classic “Good People Sometimes Do Bad Things”. The band (which is made of local legends Tim Prudhomme, Harlan T. Bobo, Doug Easley and Alex Greene) is more than a little weird and the record may not be appropriate for the youngest listeners, but it’s the only kids’ record I’ve loved as an adult.

9. Carolina Chocolate Drops - Genuine Negro Jig

The Chocolate Drops are a revival black string band that plays old-school, front porch jug band music. They’ve also got a cover of Blue Cantrell’s “Hit ‘Em Up Style” that’s even more spiteful and joyfully indignant than the original.

10. The Mynabirds - What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

It took approximately one listen to the super catchy “Let the Record Go” for me to decide that I loved the Mynabirds. They’re part indie-pop and part Dusty Springfield with just a pinch of Blondie. I dare you not to dance.