Few would argue, so far, that 2010 has been a bit of a dramatic year, what with all the political demoralizing and financial disasters; not to mention the little problem in the gulf. But I must say, at least for the first seven months, the music world has seen some not only impressive releases, but rather surprising ones.

I have narrowed down 2010’s top releases thus far, and there may be a few surprises. However, I found a few releases pleased me enough to make what I consider the best and most innovative of the first half of the year.

Now, mind you, this is my list for that year, and I am by no means trying to colonialize the individual music tastes of the campus.

Various Artists — “Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine”

I grew up listening to Prine, so to hear there was a compilation being released that included modern musicians remaking the songs by Prine, I dreaded it. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The intended simplicity and elegiac tales told in the dirt road songs are performed by the likes of the Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter and Justin Vernon.

Laura Marling — “I Speak Because I Can”

Marling is a tough woman to challenge. She is angry and a little perverted at times, but her release drew not only fans of dreary love songs about destructively physical relationships, but fans of honesty with a morbid sense of humor.

The songstress is barely 20, yet she writes like she’s lived through the worst of times — perhaps she has, I do not know her. Point being, pick this album up; you won’t regret it. Highlights include “Goodbye England” and “Blackberry Stone.”

Preservation Hall Jazz Band — “An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall”

I grew up in Alabama, so I have a very personal connection with New Orleans. Being a jazz fan, I have a particular connection with Preservation Hall. If you don’t know, Preservation Hall lies in the deep streets of downtown New Orleans, housing their beautiful history of jazz. This album holds the likes of Tom Waits and Jim James, and at points it felt as though I was standing in the corner watching as time became irrelevant to the real world.

Jonsi — “Go”

Iceland is host to its own surreal beauty, and “Go” is no exception. The front man of Sigur Ros holds up the standard fans have set by creating a mix of the Sigur Ros sound as well as something new we have never heard from Jonsi before. The album is beautiful from beginning to end, with special focus on “Animal Arithmetic” and “Go Do.”

The National — “High Violet”

I don’t think this needs justification. Listen from beginning to end and enjoy being alive.

Frightened Rabbit — “Winter of Mixed Drinks”

If there is one thing we can expect from Glaswegian music, it is the downpour of past mistakes and a clearly contagious Peter Pan complex — not that this is a bad thing, Frightened Rabbit does it rather well.

However, the new record provides something different and less inwardly drawn. The songs on this record begin to tell stories less self-involved and more all-encompassing; in the sense that these particular rants are more relatable. The lyrics are much more concrete, giving the album a solid sound — less like a suicide note.

The Tallest Man on Earth — “Wild Hunt”

I am, first and foremost, a believer in the beauty of folk, and Kristian Matsson of Sweden managed to create an album that had me as surprised and as wonderfully excited as I was when The Low Anthem released “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.” This is no doubt the future of folk music.

A highlight on the album is the dream child “You’re Going Back.” If you’re a fan of singer songwriters, bluegrass, folk or even if you’re a radio country fan, you will find lovely sounds on this album.

Shearwater — “The Golden Archipelago”

I have been listening to Shearwater since the release of “Winged Life” in 2004, and this new release no doubt matches the apocalyptic orchestrations Shearwater fans are accustomed to hearing. Hailing from Texas, of all places, this bank has a wonderful way of telling a story and putting the images in your head as though it were a memory.

The whole album really has to be listened to beginning to end, but standouts include “Black Eyes” and “Landscape At Speed.”

Joanna Newsom — “Have One on Me”

I must include this spectacular release from the woman of my dreams. For her fans, it may have been hard to believe she could top “Ys,” but on this release she managed to go in a completely opposite direction; making it very hard to compare the two albums. Highlights are “’81” and “Easy.”

I must give a special recognition to Eminem’s new record “Recovery.”

I am not a usual fan. However, I gave his record a listen due to the eclectic critical responses.

I found him to have grown up. The new record reflects a man that moved on, yet evidence of his usual tendencies are still present here and there, which is OK. I was impressed, to say the least. If you’re not a fan, give it a chance.