Lets start things off with the top albums of last year, just in case you missed them…
As it turned out, This Is Happening is the last album LCD Soundsystem will release following their split in 2011. And they really signed off with a superb demonstration of what this outfit were / are capable of. This album kicks off with the brilliant ‘Dance Yrself Clean’, a gradually building tune bursting into a keyboard crescendo, which really sets the tone for the whole record. Along the way the songs typically start with slowly building beats before kicking off, demonstrated by only one song being under 4 minutes. The album doesn’t really slow down until track 8 of 9, and it is full of the great beats, electronic commentary and dancy keyboard work you expect from LCD Soundsystem. My favourite album of 2010, Im eagerly anticipating the next project involving James Murphy.
Top tracks – I Can Change, You Wanted A Hit, Pow Pow
2) Shadow Shadow Shade - Shadow Shadow Shade
Shadow Shadow Shade seem to have flown under the radar somewhat, but for me it is one of the very best albums of 2010. To me this music is like a heavier, more condensed version of The Arcade Fire, without the orchestra. This is a short album which kicks off with a chanty rocking tune, and doesn’t look back. Filled with building epic tunes, chanty memorable choruses, good old fashioned guitars and soulful at times, this really is excellent stuff. While at times this really reminds me of early Strokes stuff as well as The Arcade Fire, they really have a sound of their own. ‘Pale Of Fern’ and ‘Suffocate Us’ are two of the very best songs on 2010. I really cannot see how this is not more popular.
Top tracks – Pale Of Fern, Did Not The Lights Go Out For You, Suffocate Us
3) Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
This is a great album from a new band with an excellent sound, which delivers throughout with memorable energetic tunes. Some of the best upbeat high tempo guitar music I’ve heard recently, it really reminds me of a mix of early Bloc Party and a little Vampire Weekend (only the better parts of Vampire Weekend though, who are generally annoying). Consistent, excellent songs throughout, Tourist History is a fantastic debut.
Top Tracks – Cigarrettes In The Theatre, I Can Talk, What You Know, Undercover Martyn
4) Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
I must admit that I’m not really a fan of rap music as such, but this album is superb and well worth its place on any best of 2010 list. As the title would suggest ‘dark’ is the theme of the album, but that doesn’t do justice to the variation in the songs throughout. This album is full of instantly memorable tunes and great collaborations, and musically speaking, this is excellent stuff. You can tell this is heartfelt from Kanye, and I’m confident anyone who listens to this would appreciate it.
Top Tracks - Monster, Power, Dark Fantasy, Runaway
5) The Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
I get the feeling that I am going to be disappointed by every album from The Arcade Fire since their superb debut ‘Funeral’, but The Suburbs still contains some excellent stuff. There are not so many epic tunes here as we’ve come to expect, and you get a definite feel that the band are trying out new things, which results in a mash up of different sounds and ultimately makes a very good album. There are still songs with the same orchestral build up (Ready To Start, Half Light II, Empty Room), but there is a real mix of heavier and softer songs though the rest of the album, and in ‘Month Of May’ the band are pretty much at their most rocking. I think it is possible to argue that the album is too long, and that you could probably drop 5 tracks to make it a better more succinct standalone piece of work, but this is nonetheless a great album.
Top Tracks – Half Light II, Month Of May, Wasted Hours
6) Clubfeet – Gold On Gold
Gold On Gold is a very listenable electronic album, which delivers solid chilled out dancy tracks throughout. It is difficult not to draw comparisons with Cut Copy, though the sound of Clubfeet is a little slower and darker on the evidence of this. There are comedy lyrics and entertaining song titles along the way (D.I.E Yuppie Scum is one of the most upbeat songs on the album..), as well as an electronic cover of the James song ‘Say Something’. Excellent stuff.
Top Tracks - Edge Of Extremes, Last Words, Pull It Together
7) The Black Keys – Brothers
The Black Keys have a very distinctive sound, which to me is basically old-fashioned bluesy rock. Some of the tracks on Brothers could have been pulled straight out of the 60s, 70s, or a Tarantino movie. You will feel like you already know a lot of the songs on this album after 1 listen, and you will probably recognise some from various tv and radio commercials. This is an excellent album for a band who look like going on to be huge.
Top Tracks - Howlin’ For You, Next Girl, The Only One, Ten Cent Pistol, Never Gonna Give You Up
8) Delphic – Acolyte
This is another excellent electronic album filled with keyboards, synths, and guitars. Many of the lyrics are delivered in a kind of tribal chanting style which works very well alongside the keyboard delivered beats, and the purely instrumental tracks on Acolyte. ‘Red Lights’ is without question one of the best songs of 2010.
Top Tracks - Red Lights, This Momentary, Halcyon
9) The National – High Violet
In keeping with previous efforts from The National, High Violet is full of beautiful, epic, dark guitar music. This is not quite as rocking as some of their earlier stuff, but it is without question a beautiful album, musically superb. Probably shouldnt listen to this if your on suicide watch however…
Top Tracks - Afraid Of Anyone, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Terrible Love
10) Wolf Parade – EXPO 86
Wolf Parade have a very distinctive sound, made up of catchy guitars and keyboards with unique wobbly vocals. Expo 86 is an excellent indie album, filled with instantly memorable guitar and keyboard tunes.
Top Tracks – Palm Road, Little Golden Age, Ghost Pressure
And the best of the Rest:
!!! (Chk Chk Chk) – Strange Weather, isn’t it?
Funky, dancy stuff, reminiscent of early 90s electro indie, particularly the Happy Mondays
Plan B – The Defamation of Strickland Banks
A huge change in direction from the angry social commentary of his first album, Strickland Banks basically sees Plan B become the male Amy Whinehouse.
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Some of Gorillaz best work, helped out by some very high profile collaborators.
Drums – The Drums
Heavily influenced by the Smiths, this is great stuff. Some excellent catchy tracks with memorable lyrics.
B.O.B – B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Very listenable poppy rap, with several huge popular songs.
Mark Ronson and the Business Intl – Record Collection
Ronson takes a much more hands on role than in ‘Version’ as part of this outfit. This album is full of funky and somewhat tribal offerings.
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
Some beautiful tracks from this orchestral, Arcade Fire-esque collaborative.
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Another solid offering involving Danger Mouse, this time working with the lead singer of the Shins. Very smartly produced indie rock.
The Futureheads – The Chaos
More catchy guitar riffs from The Futureheads, probably more direct and rocking than their previous two albums.
Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
Very easy on the ear bluesy country rock, with some excellent tracks.
Ghostland Observatory – Codename: Rondo
More electro guitar dance from this duo, with some excellent songs, and a few fillers. Not as good as Robotique Majestique, but will still have you dancing.
