My favorite albums from 2010 were a mix of old favorites (finally!) releasing new work and a few artists who, while not necessarily "new," were at least new to me. The music ranges from pristine minimalist digitalism to heavy guitar-based noise. Some of the artists even found ways to combine these two elements to create something entirely unique.
Swans- My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky
Grinderman- Grinderman 2
Brian Eno- Small Craft on a Milk Sea
Holy Sons- Survivalist Tales
James Blackshaw- All is Falling
Autechre- Move of Ten
Max Richter- Infra
Barn Owl- Ancestral Star
Melvins- The Bride Screamed Murder
Wooden Shjips- Dos