Top 10 Albums Of 2010

If there's one thing scenesters love more than skinny jeans, it's nostalgia. There's nothing like sitting down with friends and recalling all the good music from years past. And as 2010 draws to a close, it looks like this year will be one that's regarded as a great musical kickoff to the new decade. Here's your top 10 albums of 2010.

10. The Upsides - The Wonder Years

Released in January, The Wonder Years took their mid-20s angst and turned it into what's probably the year's most positive record. The message is simple - look for the upsides in life. Drop that in with solid New Found Glory-esque pop-punk, crunchy guitars and gang vocals, and you've got yourself one of the best and most honest records of 2010.

9. What Separates Me From You - A Day To Remember

If there was one record in 2010 that could encapsulate the catchiness of pop-punk choruses with the brutality of hardcore verses it would be ADTR's What Separates Me From You. The record has such a key balance between the two that whether you love the Florida-based rockers for their screaming or their melodies, you're bound to find what you want on this record.

8. Enemy Of The World - Four Year Strong

If you're looking for the most mosh-ready, beardcore, Bay State album of the year, look no further than FYS' Enemy. This 11-track record holds some of the best FYS tunage out there. With hits like "Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)", "Find My Way Back" and the record's title track, it's no surprise this album carried the band through countless tours this year. Massachusetts for life, suckas.

7. Illuminaudio - Chiodos

It was all up in the air for Chiodos' first post-Craig Owens release, but the band, featuring new vocalist Brandon Bolmer, put together one of the year's most cohesive and hard-hitting records. Bolmer's vocal range, including his screams, fit perfectly with the band's mix of heavy and melodic. It's true what they say, you know. Those who slay together, stay together.

6. The Fire - Senses Fail

The pressure was on for Senses Fail to put together a record that wouldn't have their fans crying "sellouts!" Their answer was The Fire, and it certainly proved that the New Jersey natives mean business when it comes to the rock game. The album holds some of the heaviest work Senses Fail have ever put together. One listen and it's clear that they didn't compromise on their sound - a hard attribute to find in a band with a discography as large as theirs.

5. Terrible Things - Terrible Things

The supergroup, comprised from members of Taking Back Sunday, Coheed & Cambria and Hot Rod Circuit, put together what's probably the most straight forward rock 'n' roll record of the year. The self-titled album is a concept record of sorts, with many songs relating to a series of fires that destroyed lead singer Fred Mascherino's hometown. This debut record from Terrible Things lends itself nicely for live performances as well. A must have for anyone looking to outgrow the "scene." Check out our interview with Terrible Things here.

4. Lowcountry - Envy On The Coast

The album that would eventually force EOTC to disband this past summer, Lowcountry was probably the most honest shot at forcing rock 'n' roll to progress in 2010. Loaded with vicious tracks including "The Devil's Tongue" and "The Great American T-Shirt Racket", it would seem that Lowcountry should have taken off. But, with EOTC's record label claiming the album lacked a single, little money was sunk into promotions and eventually cost the band and fans alike a chance to see any progression. Regardless, Lowcountry owned in 2010. Check out our interview with EOTC here.

3. My Dinosaur Life - Motion City Soundtrack

After a lackluster showing from their last album, 2007's Even If It Kills Me, MCS came back full-force on My Dinosaur Life. With blink-182's own Mark Hoppus taking over producing duties, the band put together one of the year's best pop-rock albums. Tracks like "A Lifeless Ordinary" and "Stand Too Close" have an amazing ability to stay stuck in your head for days, as do most other songs on the record. Take a look at the interview we did with MCS here.

2. Blue Sky Noise - Circa Survive

Having developed a cult-like following, Circa Survive came out swinging in 2010 with their spring release of Blue Sky Noise. Their first single, "Get Out", was a pre-release sensation, and only added to the hype surrounding the album. And Circa didn't disappoint. The album flowed seamlessly through other tracks including "Imaginary Enemy" and "I Felt Free". Blue Sky's success led to a non-stop touring schedule, a number of magazine cover spots and countless feature stories done on the band. Easily one of the most influential albums of the year.

1. Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place - Anberlin

Challenging Cities for the best album in their discography, Anberlin's Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place

marked a step back toward the sound that Anberlin fans loved. A fluid mixture of fast and slow songs coupled with the band's signature melodies made for the most complete record of 2010. The quintet also tried some new tricks in their instrumentation including a computerized intro on "Art of War" and a Latin-esque guitar riff on "Down". The album transitions neatly between 80s, punk and modern rock influences thus making it one of the most eclectic records of the year. Check out our interview with Anberlin here.

2010 albums of honorable mention:

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys
Underoath - Disambiguation
Happy Body Slow Brain - Dreams Of Water
Alkaline Trio - This Addiction

Bring Me The Horizon - There Is a Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven, Let's Keep It A Secret

Top 10 Punk-Rock Cover Songs

Cover songs. It seems like everybody's done at least one. Of course, there are the good and the bad. But hopefully this list will give you an idea of what's worth your listening time. Oh, and maybe it will answer that age old question, "What would Britney Spears sound like if she were screamo?"

10. What Goes Around... - Alesana (originally by Justin Timberlake)

A radio favorite a few years back, Alesana took the JT pop hit and turned it into a vicious melodic hardcore tune worthy of creating mosh pit pandemonium. What more could you want?

9. Paint it Black - VersaEmerge (originally by The Rolling Stones)

Let's face it, the Stones' original dominates on its own. But get a female lead singer (Sierra Kusterbeck) behind the mic on this one and the song explodes. A must for any classic rock fan... who likes punk music, too.

8. Apologize - Silverstein (originally by One Republic)

Out of any song on this list, Silverstein's version of "Apologize" is probably the closest thing to the original. Lead singer Shane Told keeps his vocals in check for the first two verses and choruses before opening up into his signature screams for the breakdown. Coupled with distorted guitars and a strong bass line, this one's a keeper.

7. I Fought The Law - Green Day (originally by Sonny Curtis & The Crickets, 1959)

Come on, this one is a classic! Just as many people have covered this song as have heard it, and Green Day do it as well as anyone ever has.

6. Since U Been Gone - A Day To Remember (originally by Kelly Clarkson)

If A Day To Remember should have covered any song, this was it. They turned the Kelly Clarkson hit into a hardcore infused pop-punk tune that'll make you wanna destroy your girlfriend's apartment while wearing your Johnny Cupcakes t-shirt.

5. Megan - Bayside (originally by The Smoking Popes)

When half your fans think a cover song is one of your own originals, you know you've done the song justice. Case in point, Bayside.

4. Iris - New Found Glory (originally by The Goo Goo Dolls)

If you didn't think the pop-punk lifers could pull off an alternative rock classic like this, you were wrong. Crunchy guitars, a driving bass line and Jordan Pundik's signature whine finally make it cool to listen to The Goo Goo Dolls. Yes!

3. Roxanne - Fall Out Boy (originally by The Police)

If you think taking a shot every time you heard the name "Roxanne" was tough during the original, your liver is going to hate you during the up-tempo punk-rock FOB version. Impressive vocals, palm muting and blistering drums turn an already awesome song into a pop-punk classic.

2. There is a Light - Anberlin (originally by The Smiths)

If The Smiths recorded this song in 2006, it would sound like this. Coming off Anberlin's 2007 release, Cities, this cover fits perfectly with the mood of the record.

1. Toxic - A Static Lullaby (originally by Britney Spears)

Wow. This song is pure perfection. Take three parts hardcore, two parts screamo and some killer vocal arrangements and this is what you get. This song will rock your face off faster than you ever thought Britney could. Download it... now.