New releases from top artists Eminem, Katy Perry, Rihanna and debuts from Bruno Mars, Ke$ha, Travie McCoy (to name a few) made the US music pop scene interesting in 2010. 

The best thing about the US music industry is that, while the physical sales of CD's have gone down compared to previous years, legal digital downloading is on the upswing.

Here’s the list of the best international albums of 2010:

‘Recovery’ by Eminem

Eminem’s five million-plus seller proves that Slim Shady is still at the top of his game. A number one album and a number one song in “Love The Way You Lie” put the spotlight on classic Eminem: Serrated-edged rap and an irresistible hook for a chorus to boot. Now we all know what happens when a “tornado meets a volcano.”

‘Need You Now’ by Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum, the country-pop act trio, are the new darlings of country music. Lovelorn and yearning lyrics, heartbreak and great melodies spell success for this Grammy-winning act.  Plus “Need You  Now” is also a great booty-call song.   

‘Teenage Dream’ by Katy Perry

Katy Perry also joins the elite circle in 2010 having scored three number one singles in “Teenage Dream,” “Firework” and the summer anthem of 2010, “California Girls.”

Indeed, Perry proves there’s more to her than just kissing girls for kicks.  

‘Soldier Of Love’ by Sade

No matter how much time Sade spends in between albums, these always end up atop the charts. Album highlights include “Soldier Of Love,” “Babyfather” and the bluesy ballad “In Another Time.”

‘Speak Now’ by Taylor Swift

Albums that sell into the millions is still possible in this day of piracy and illegal downloading when you have a new one out by the hottest, youngest country-pop singer of the decade. Released in the last quarter of the year, Taylor Swift still manages to make it in almost everybody’s best album list. That said, we’ll still have the whole of 2011 to see how Swift’s ‘Speak Now’ will fare against the best selling album of 2009, her “Fearless.”

‘The Suburbs’ by Arcade Fire

When you have Rolling Stone, Spin, NME and every other magazine heaping praises on your new album, then you must be doing something right. Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire scored big artistically with their third album, 'The Suburbs,’ and all music critics agree that it’s the best rock album for 2010. We concur.

‘Heligo Land’ by Massive Attack

It’s here simply because it’s by Massive Attack. ‘Nuff said.

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If you’re making a year-end playlist for your mp3 or just burning a mix CD for that New Year’s eve party, these songs are a must. Most of the songs here hit number one in the Billboard Hot 100 charts, except for Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” which peaked at number five. But then again, the influence of Bieber on ‘tweens and teens is undeniable.

Of course this list couldn’t accommodate all the songs that hit number one at the singles chart, but we’re thinking along the lines of what song got heard most locally. So here it is, Merry Christmas and don’t forget to include music in your merry making. Ciao!

Here’s the list of the ten most memorable songs of 2010:

1.    “Love The Way You Lie” – Eminem feat. Rihanna

2.     “Hey, Soul Sister” – Train

3.     “Just The Way You Are” – Bruno Mars

4.     “Baby” – Justin Bieber

5.    “ Nothin’ On You” – B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars

6.     “Tiktok” – Ke$ha

7.     “Airplanes” – B.o.B. feat. Hayley Williams

8.     “California Girls” – Katy Perry

9.     “Rude Boy” – Rihanna