I can hardly believe that 2011 has arrived.  It seems that it was just a few days ago that I was ringing in 2010 quietly at home, and yet another year has gone by already.  It's been a whirlwind year for me, but here we are just the same.  Of course, this is also the time of year when hundreds of "year's best" and "year's worst" lists appear on the internet.  Just in case you're looking for one more to read, here are my top ten albums of 2010:

10. Antifogmatic - Punch Brothers - The first release from Chris Thile & Company a couple of years ago was good, but focused largely on a multimovement piece that pretty much turned it into the Chris Thile show (not that that's a bad thing - he's a fantastic musician).  This record makes excellent use of the entire band's talents in a way that the first record didn't.  Really great music from a sickeningly talented band.

9. Paper Tongues - Paper Tongues - This one surprised me a little bit.  After hearing the lead single, "Trinity" on the radio, I decided to check out the whole record.  Inititally it didn't do a whole lot for me, but over the course of the year it's really grown on me.  It's funky and different and I like it.  "Trinity" is still the standout track for me, but this is a solid record.

8. Yahweh - Hillsong Chapel - I was very excited when I heard that Hillsong was preparing to release a collection of favorites recorded in a more intimate style, and this one definitely does not disappoint.  Recorded acoustically in front of about 300 people (very different than the average Hillsong record), this album has fresh new versions of a bunch of my favorites, and came with some video and printable charts of the songs.  A great record and a great resource for the worship director in me!

7. The Band Perry - The Band Perry - I remember the first time I heard "If I Die Young" on the radio.  It was about 8 AM the morning of July 27.  This song hit me that hard.  The song was so lyrically rich, and Kimberly Perry's voice is so unique and beautiful.  I immediately downloaded thier EP, which was fantastic.  Unfortunately, the full album didn't quite live up to my internal hype (the 5 EP tracks are easily the best songs on the record).  Still, a great new band that recorded one of the best songs I've ever heard and I can't wait to hear more from!

6. Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons - This band wasn't on my radar at all, although apparently the rest of the world was already in love.  Once I heard about them, though, I totally understood what the hype was about.  Very unique and interesting music and lyrics.  The title track and "White Blank Page" are truly incredible tunes and this record has gotten some serious play in my car this fall.

5. Rain's A Comin' - Children 18:3 - Children 18:3 is just a great band all around.  Usually when I hear that a band has "matured" for their second record, I know I won't like the album.  Usually, "maturity" means a more generic, overproduced sound.  Not so for Children 18:3.  This is a truly excellent album that really feels like the obvious next step from their debut.  I love it.

4. Feedback - Derek Webb - Derek had my top record last year (It's called "Stockholm Syndrome" and if you still haven't heard it... wll, what are you waiting for?)  I love the voice that he's adding to the current American Christian landscape, and this instrumental record based on the Lord's Prayer just continues that.  It's different than anything I've ever heard, and that's completely ok.  Simply great music with a great (unspoken) message.

3. The Medicine - John Mark McMillan - This album has repeatedly kicked my butt this year.  John Mark's lyrics are raw and honest, and they often take me to a place spiritually that I (regretfully) don't go often.  There are so many incredible tracks on this record... "Carbon Ribs", "Death In His Grave", "Philadelphia", "Ten Thousand", "Carolina Tide", "My Only", and of course "How He Loves", plus the guitar sounds on this disc are to die for.  Basically, you just need to get it.

2. The Shelter - Jars Of Clay - Jars have been my favorite band for years, and this record continues in the innovative spirit of their last few.  This album is a collaborative effort with lots of other artists, and the resulting recordings are just incredible.  Uplifiting and thought provoking lyrics with the usual exceptional arrangements from JOC.  This record sums up a lot of my own feelings about community and the church and how we should respond to people right now.

1. Beautiful Things - Gungor - The first time I heard this record I knew it was going to top this list for 2010.  Brilliant songs and a quirky variety of styles that somehow works perfectly.  There have been so many times in the last few months when I've put this one on just to have something to listen to, and have ended up right at the throne instead.  Just an incredible album of worshipful music, and the hands down best record of the year.

As always, let me know what I'm missing out on - last year I got introduced to several incredible albums and artists as a result of not having them on this list!