In preparation for the debut of my Top 11 Albums of 2011 list, I thought I’d give some perspective by re-posting my rankings from previous years.

Top 10 Albums of 2010

1. The Age of Adz by Sufjan Stevens
2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
3. Contra by Vampire Weekend
4. High Violet by The National
5. Infinite Arms by Band of Horses
6. All Delighted People (EP) by Sufjan Stevens
7. Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons
8. A Thousand Times Before (EP) by Both/And
9. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
10. American VI: Ain’t No Grave by Johnny Cash

Top 10 Albums of 2009

1. The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists
2. The Life of the World to Come by The Mountain Goats
3. Dark Is The Night by various
4. Outer South by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
5. Monsters of Folk by Monsters of Folk
6. Around the Well by Iron & Wine
7. I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers
8. Far by Regina Spektor
9. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z
10. In Deference to a Broken Back by The Daredevil Christopher Wright

Top 10 Albums of 2008

1. The Stand Ins by Okkervil River
2. Conor Oberst by Conor Oberst
3. The Juno Soundtrack by various
4. Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
5. Rebel by Lecrae
6. Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
7. The Atonement by Shai Linne
8. Dear Science by TV on the Radio
9. Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne
10. Loyalty to Loyalty by Cold War Kids