Sloan took flight on Angels: Anthony Rathbun photo

Here's Joey's take on local releases from 2010. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our list, with offerings from Andrew, Joe and Jordan.

Houston music isn’t hip-hop. It isn’t indie-rock. It isn’t Texas country, either. (Whatever that means.)

The truth is, there’s no wholly defining sound to the city. Maybe that’s a fault — why folks grumble about us not being “on the map,” the way Austin or Nashville are. (I know, “Boo.”)

But I believe that messy, all-over-the-place vibe is what makes Houston great. Rap and rock collide with bluegrass and folk. Salsa and pop occupy space alongside country and jazz. And most all of it seeped into my favorite Houston albums of 2010.

It was tough narrowing down to these precious few, and there were many more worth repeat listens. But I thought about what remained a constant on my iPod and what, even now, makes me smile or get a little misty-eyed:

Angels That Promise the Stars, Hilary Sloan: The beauty of this record is in Sloan’s quiet strength — fragile vocals, heartfelt lyrics, impeccable fiddle playing. She moves effortlessly through country, folk and pop on these songs, which are about “forgiveness and obsession and really shallow forms of what we call love and friendship and the loneliness after a breakup.” It’s a consistently arresting listen.

Wrong Is What I Do Best, Miss Leslie: I almost forgot about this disc, which was released early in the year. Miss Leslie’s gutsy vocals makes these songs about lonely, lovin’ women soar. She’s able to recall country queens (Tammy Wynette and Connie Smith come to mind) but still feel fresh. It’s impossible to pick a standout and enough to make you immediately seek out a hardwood floor and dance.

Skin Collision Past, Wild Moccasins: Jangly, joyous indie-pop from what seems like every local hipster’s favorite band. But the songs are refreshingly free of irony, and vocalists Zahira Gutierrez and Cody Swann make a dreamy duo. It’s impossible not to sway along and smile when you see them onstage.

RABDARGAB, Fat Tony: The endearing rapper keeps things loose and likable on his full-length debut, which boasts dense production and a host of Houston homages. The title references a late ‘90s Houston Independent School District campaign, but the record itself in an education in flow, timing and hip-hop finesse.

Perfectly Legal: Songs of Sex, Love and Murder, Glenna Bell: The ominous title of Bell’s CD effectively sums up these eight songs, recorded in “four acts” throughout Texas and Pennsylvania. The mood is pensive and often chilling (The Southern Gothic Wedding Waltz is a stunner), but she makes room for humor, too, via The Cougar Anthem (“He’s 19 years old and hot!”). Her spare vocals amplify the lyrics.

Nistalgia, Karina Nistal: There’s still a genre-hopping flash to Nistal’s bilingual sound, but anyone familiar with 2007’s Nistyle was likely jarred by Nistalgia’s laid-back groove. That doesn’t mean it’s any less terrific. Lounge grooves, ‘80s freestyle, reggae, salsa and bossa nova are in the mix, aided by the introduction of a live band.

Open Book, Tyagaraja: Don’t let the mysticism fool you. This is a fiercely accessible record, veering from rock and soul to country and classical. The unifying thread is Tyagaraja’s voice, a full-bodied instrument that breathes life into standout tunes Open Arms and All the Names of God. “Strange name, I wear traditional-looking religious clothing. (But) I’m just a normal dude,” he says.

Serpent Tales & Nightingales, Jennifer Grassman: There’s an almost supernatural quality to Grassman’s voice, a gorgeous thing that manages to sound fragile and powerful at the same time. The tempestuous lyrics and moods throughout Serpent Tales evoke Tori Amos – a good thing — but Grassman is a strong enough persona to make every moment her own.

Everybody Loves Pink, Roxxi Jane: There’s no reason, other than label politics, why Roxxi Jane shouldn’t be a pop superstar. Her debut effort boasts strong hooks, slick production and more personality than a dozen Ke$ha or Katy Perry singles. Try getting the choruses of Hush, Hush or the Chingo Bling-produced One More Try out of your head after a few listens. (And she’s bilingual, too.)

Roky Moon & BOLT!: Mike Hardin — Roky Moon once he’s behind the mic — is a commanding, charismatic singer, and he carries this self-titled effort through a series of swooping, glam-rock anthems. The songs are fun, vibrant and, in the words of Hardin, will make you “want to boogie.”

What were your favorite Houston discs of 2010?