Top 10 albums of 2010
Posted under: And so another great year of music fades away to herald the start of what I anticipate to be a really exciting year of new releases in 2011!
Here is my top 10 of what I have really enjoyed listening to in 2010 (in no real order as I love them all equally.
Loney Dear – Sologne
A real under the radar band, Loney Dear from Sweden came up trumps in 2010 with what I think is their best effort yet. Stronger songwriting than the previous 2 albums (Loney Noir and Dear John) it’s exhilarating and melancholy whilst being joyous and confessional. Fans of Arcade Fire may like this and in my opinion it’s slightly better than their current album.
Beach House – Teen Dream
Baltimore outfit Beach House returned in 2010 with a third album chocka block full of dream pop. I first got into these as 6 Music had opening track ‘Zebra’ on pretty heavy rotation. This is a real headphones experience, one to play in the wee hours to enjoy. Wonderfully trippy in parts (3rd track Norway for example) a band to watch out for in 2011.
Belle and Sebastian – Write About Love
I’ve always been a fan of these and the last 2 albums (Dear Catastrophe Waitress and The Life Pursuit) really stepped them up a gear from early releases. This carries on in the same vein with a serious 1960′s influence. Opener ‘I didn’t see it coming’ and the title track are standout moments. The Scottish rockers finest hour so far!
Philip Selway – Familial
Phil Selway needs no introduction to fans of Radiohead! The debut album from the Radiohead drummer is a delightful experience and one of Bella Union’s most eagerly awaited releases last year. Phil Selway has a great voice – no doubt spending all that time with Thom Yorke helps! Standout track is ‘By Some Miracle’.
múm – Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know
múm are a slightly bonkers Icelandic group with a tiny tip of the hat to Sigur Ros at times but are a lot more accessible (they sing in English for a start). Not quite as immediate as previous album ‘Go Smear the Poison Ivy it’s music that needs attention. Reminds me of Sufjan in parts and is the only album I own that features a Jews harp!
John Grant – Queen of Denmark
A stunning debut from former Czars frontman John Grant. Backed by Midlake, Queen of Denmark is a deeply personal album full of heart wrenching songs and at times dark humour. It’s made it to just about every top 10 list in every magazine I have read and justifyingly so. This is proof that John Grant has finally arrived.
Bombay Bicycle Club – Flaws
Hailing from Crouch End, London Bombay Bicycle Club are a band which fans of Mumford and Sons may like as it’s in the same mould as them but not as pompous just a lot more stripped down. Standout tracks are ‘Rinse Me Down’, ‘Many Ways’ and a wonderful cover of Joanna Newsome’s ‘Swansea’.
Sufjan Stevens – The Age of Adz
Sufjan returned in 2010 with what I can only call ‘folky electronica’. The albums second track ‘Too Much’ reminds me a little of Radioheads’ ‘Idioteque’ especially at the start of the song. Like all Sufjan’s albums it’s a bit of a slow burner but a perfect soundtrack for when I am coding as it just flows in the background without distracting me.
Midlake – The Courage of Others
The third release from Denton’s finest brought a sea change in style in contrast to the previous two albums. Gone is the electronica of the first and the Fleetwood Mac influences of the second, this time we get a flavour of english folk with guitars and flutes a-plenty. A brave but stellar album which has given the base to attract a whole new audience.
Admiral Radley – I Heart California
This highly anticipated debut album from members of Earlimart (Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray) plus ex members of Grandaddy (Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch) didn’t fail to disappoint. Echoes of Grandaddy at their best in parts, this is a fun outing and very enjoyable. A real highlight of 2010!
