2010 was a very good year. And musically it was a great year.

Thursday and Sunday feature new music from Damian Marley (yes, Bob's son) and Jakob Dylan (yes, Bob's son), as well as brilliant newcomer old-schooler Janelle Monae. Be sure to check out her video of "Tightrope" on Youtube. Classic R& B vibe, but ultra modern, there's something exciting going on with her.

Ex Talking Head David Byrne teamed up with techno producer Fatboy Slim to (get ready for this) tell the musical story of Imelda Marcos. I'm not sure why. And the music isn't much help in explaining. But the songs are great (most have guest female vocalists), and Byrne's weird, stringy melodies have a great production and sound. It's a double CD; I play 3 of the best tracks.

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In case you were too busy looking back or forward, this week's shows will remind you that some excellent music was released in 2010.

I start the show with the raw sound of the Black Keys [pictured], mixed with more refined music of Of Montreal (that's not a typo), Local Natives, and Flying Lotus.

I found a radio-friendly version of Cee Lo's song "FU" and a track from one of the few progressive rock bands still alive, Karnivool. Then there's the hard to categorize double CD from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim--spinning the life story of ... (get ready for this) Imhelda Marcos (well, David Byrne has done stranger things I'm sure).

2010 was a very good year. And musically it was a great year.

Thursday and Sunday feature new music from Damian Marley (yes, Bob's son) and Jakob Dylan (yes, Bob's son), as well as brilliant newcomer old-schooler Janelle Monae. Be sure to check out her video of "Tightrope" on Youtube. Classic R& B vibe, but ultra modern, there's something exciting going on with her.

Ex Talking Head David Byrne teamed up with techno producer Fatboy Slim to (get ready for this) tell the musical story of Imelda Marcos. I'm not sure why. And the music isn't much help in explaining. But the songs are great (most have guest female vocalists), and Byrne's weird, stringy melodies have a great production and sound. It's a double CD; I play 3 of the best tracks.

[click READ MORE below]

Andy Mac's "Intercranial, etc" has already premiered the latest discovery of new/old Jimi Hendrix tracks from Jimi's 1969 Electric Ladyland recording session that are (for logistical and legal reasons) just now being heard in the light of day. The album features some new versions of old songs and a few that have never been heard. Warning: these are rough demos of final versions that would never be made, so understand that the vocals are more than rough and the arrangements are sketchy. Nonetheless, you will not have heard these sounds before.

But new music has also been released in 2010 that is new in every sense of the word.

The second CD from Vampire Weekend (left) called "Contra" is more consistent--though with perhaps fewer highs--than their premiere 2008 self-titled CD. This release shows that they have much to say musically and lyrically. Hailing from NYC, they show a Paul Simon-like depth to their lyrics, a similar sparce (but stronger) vocal style, and a freshness to their performance and arrangements. "Horchata" is a gem.