Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2010, Part 5

15. "Islands" -- The XX
Smoothest grooves of the year came from The XX, including their hit "Islands." London-based The xx's debut CD was actually released in late 2009, but their CD hit it big here across the pond in 2010. The xx also won this year's prestigious Mercury Prize.



16. "Skinny Genes" -- Eliza Doolittle

British singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle (real name: Eliza Sophie Caird) burst on the scene this year with her self-titled debut. Pop ditty "Skinny Genes" went on to become a big hit in the U.K.



17. "Dear God 2.0" -- The Roots (feat. Jim James and Monsters of Folk)

The Roots are a reminder that, through some hard work, you can have it all. Being the house band for Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night" has given the live hip-hop crew more exposure than ever -- and yet The Roots still had time to release the critically acclaimed CD "How I Got Over." The group even perfomed at Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity. It's good to be the Roots. Here, they collaborate with Monsters of Folk's Jim James for a new spin on that group's "Dear God."



18. "Tighten Up" - Black Keys

I didn't think I could like this Black Keys track any more... and then I saw the video and fell in love with it all over again.

More tomorrow! Previously:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2010, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2010, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2010, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2010, Part 4