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Post by raliverpool on Dec 23, 2010 21:16:16 GMT 1
Raliverpool Year-end 2010 thread
In this opening post I will include the eventually recap of my Top 100 "singles" & Top 40 studio albums I bought this year, which has not been a vintage year for chart music, but thankfully a very different story outside the Top 40 and the Radio 1 playlist .....
Top 40 Albums of 2010
1 John Grant - Queen Of Denmark
2 Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
3 Beach House - Teen Dream
4 Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
5 Take That - Progress
6 Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
7 Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
8 Rumer - Seasons Of My Soul
9 Robyn - Body Talk
10 Marina & The Diamonds - The Family Jewels
11 Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
12 Warpaint - The Fool
13 Plan B - The Defamation Of Strickland Banks
14 Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation
15 Owen Pallett - Heartland
16 Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)
17 Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
18 Vampire Weekend - Contra
19 MGMT - Congratulations
20 Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From a Young Man
21 Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
22 Coral - Butterfly House
23 Cee-Lo Green - The Lady Killer
24 Leddra Chapman - Telling Tales
25 Broken Bells - Broken Bells
26 Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love
27 David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love
28 Mark Ronson and the Business Intl - Record Collection
29 The Like - Release Me
30 Sarah Blasko - As Day Follows Night
31 Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea
32 Bryan Ferry - Olympia
33 Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom
34 Robert Plant - Band of Joy
35 Phil Collins - Going Back
36 The xx - xx
37 Pipettes - Earth vs. the Pipettes
38 Jamiroquai - Rock Dust Light Star
39 Scissor Sisters - Night Work
40 Goldfrapp - Head First
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Top 125 Singles of 2010
125 Sugababes - Wear My Kiss (8wks 23-15-10-7-6-7-20-30)
124 M.I.A. - Born Free (3wks 9-11-24)
123 Ellie Goulding - Your Song (7wks 4-5-10-15-24-37-37*)
122 Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way (6wks 27-8-5-4-16-27)
121 Delphic - Doubt (8wks 31-14-7*-2-12-22-37)
120 Afrojack ft Eva Simons - Take Over Control (7wks 7-8-7-10-17-27-35)
119 Benny Benassi, Kelis, APL, & Jean-Baptiste – Spaceship (7wks 14-5-4-5-8-16-28)
118 Dizzee Rascal ft Daniel Pearce - Dirtee Disco (7wks 4-4-4-6-8-18-28)
117 A-ha – Butterfly Butterfly (The Last Hurrah) (8wks 17-14-12-10-10-13-22-31)
116 Pearl & The Puppets – Make Me Smile (7wks 21-14-11-11-14-20-32)
115 Diane Birch - Fools (5wks 22-16-14-11-11*)
114 Corinne Bailey Rae – Closer (7wks 20-14-10-10-17-28-40)
113 Goldfrapp - Alive (8wks 39-7-5-4-7-15-24-36)
112 Hot Chip - One Life Stand (6wks 2-6-13-26-34-37)
111 Robyn - Dancing On My Own (7wks 11-11-13-18-25-36-40)
110 Timbaland ft SoShy & Nelly Furtado - Morning After Dark (6wks 5-3*-5-24-31)
109 Midlake - Fortune (5wks 15-10-10-18-27)
108 Janelle Monae - Cold War (6wks 23-14-13-20-31-37)
107 Amy MacDonald - This Pretty Face (7wks 25-16-9-7-9-19-31)
106 Debbie Gibson - I Love You (6wks 9-7-8-21-29-36)
105 Rick Astley - Lights Out (8wks 36-25-15-13-14-17-22-30)
104 Kanye West ft Pusha T - Runaway (7wks 14-11-9-12-22-33-32)
103 Cee-Lo Green - It’s OK (7wks 24-14-8-6-4-3-3*)
102 The xx - Islands (6wks 22-9-8-11-23-35)
101 Monarchy – Maybe I’m Crazy (8wks 18-8-7-6-6-10-18-30)
100 Massive Attack ft Hope Sandoval - Paradise Circus (5wks 8-8-18-28-39)
99 Lissie - Cuckoo (7wks 29-16-12-11-15-24-38)
98 Black Francis - Six Legged Man (5wks 4-7-12-18-25)
97 Duck Sauce - Barbra Streisand (4wks 2-2-13-28)
96 Eminem - Not Afraid (5wks 5-7-12-19-33)
95 Pipettes - Our Love Was Saved By Spacemen (6wks 13-3-2-13-23-31)
94 MGMT - Flash Delirium (8wks 29-21-11-6-4-9-17-28)
93 Adam Deacon & Bashy Ft Paloma Faith - Keep Moving (4-3-2-1 Go) (5wks 17-13-13-20-33)
92 Clare MaGuire - Ain't Nobody (5wks 22-7-14-24-38)
91 Timbaland ft Katy Perry - If We Ever Meet Again (8wks 25-17-11-8-7-9-25-38)
90 Melanie Fiona - It Kills Me (6wks 13-10-13-20-32-38)
89 Marina & The Diamonds - Oh No (8wks 20-9-6-3-3-7-15-29)
88 Manic Street Preachers ft Ian McCulloch - Some Kind Of Nothingness (8wks 29-14-7-6-9-11-15-24-24*)
87 Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude (9wks 8-5-3-4-11-17-23-31-31*)
86 Cherry Ghost - Kissing Strangers (7wks 18-11-9-10-15-23-31)
85 The Like - Wishing He Was Dead (6wks 9-9-10-14-22-33)
84 Orianthi - According To You (7wks 18-13-10-12-18-26-38)
83 Lissie - When I'm Alone (8wks 29-16-8-7-11-16-27-39)
82 Kylie Minogue - Better Than Today (7wks 10-9-6-8-15-23-34)
81 Brandon Flowers - Crossfire (10wks 17-12-10-15-23-15-13-15-22-34)
80 Example - Last Ones Standing (6wks 9-7-6-7-17-30)
79 Jamiroquai - Blue Skies (7wks 28-13-7-5-4-16-25)
78 Kanye West - Coldest Winter (2010 3D Remix) (5wks 11-6-13-15-26)
77 Temper Trap - Love Lost (7wks 11-6-5-8-13-21-32)
76 Rox - My Baby Left Me (9wks 19-15-13-6-6-13-17-22-40)
75 Sheryl Crow - Summer Day (8wks 27-21-13-6-4-7-16-27)
74 Lady GaGa ft Beyonce - Telephone (7wks 40-11-2-6-8-13-22)
73 Monarchy - Love Get Out Of My Way (6wks 13-6-6-7-15-31)
72 Tone Damli - Butterflies (7wks 24-7-5-3-10-19-33)
71 Marina & The Diamonds - Shampain (7wks 12-6-3-12-21-28-38)
70 Lucky Soul - White Russian Doll (8wks 9-5-4-5-10-16-26-37)
69 Ben Montague - Haunted (9wks 24-8-5-9-9-12-16-23-38)
68 Leddra Chapman - Summer Song (8wks 13-8-6-6-10-14-19-30)
67 Mark Ronson & The Business Intl ft Boy George - Somebody To Love Me (8wks 17-13-10-5-7-10-18-18*)
66 Teenage Fanclub - Baby Lee (9wks 10-7-7-8-11-16-19-25-34)
65 Susanna Kay - Off The Hook (7wks 6-3-3-7-12-19-33)
64 Beach House - 10 Mile Stereo (7wks 10-5-5-5-10-20-34)
63 Kanye West - Power (8wks 14-11-9-8-13-22-26-38)
62 Eliza Doolittle - Skinny Genes (7wks 5-4-4-5-11-19-30)
61 Spark - Revolving (7wks 17-2-3-6-13-22-38)
60 Lisa Mitchell - Oh Hark (7wks 3-3-5-7-16-24-31)
59 Belle & Sebastian ft Carey Mulligan - Write About Love (6wks 6-4-4-8-15-35)
58 She & Him - Thieves (9wks 27-14-8-7-7-10-20-28-40)
57 Lady GaGa - Alejandro (11wks 25-22-19-17-12-11-7-10-16-24-32)
56 KT Tunstall – (Still A) Weirdo (9wks 7-5-5-6-8-13-18-29-38)
55 Diana Vickers - Once (12wks 21-12-8-7-8-10-8-7-9-14-22-36)
54 Amy MacDonald - Don't Tell Me That It's Over (10wks 34-16-10-9-9-11-12-23-24-37)
53 Corinne Bailey Rae - I'd Do It All Again (7wks 13-7-5-12-25-31-39)
52 Goldfrapp - Believer (7wks 6-4-3-4-11-20-38)
51 Lissie - In Sleep (8wks 34-11-7-4-9-17-24-32)
50 Paul Weller - No Tears To Cry (10wks 21-28-25-29-29-21-21-25-13-24)
49 Lissie - Everywhere I Go (6wks 40-19-12-8-5-5*)
48 Arcade Fire - Ready To Start (8wks 15-5-3-6-8-12-18-32)
47 Laura Marling - Devil's Spoke (9wks 11-8-7-6-8-10-24-32-40)
46 Coco Sumner & Fyfe Dangerfield - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (7wks 6-2-3-8-14-25-37)
45 Miike Snow - Silvia (7wks 9-4-2-5-14-22-34)
44 Beach House - Norway (8wks 16-11-6-4-8-16-20-29)
43 Robyn – Indestructable (10wks 33-17-12-5-2-3-4-6-15-15*)
42 Safura - Drip Drop (10wks 20-9-6-6-6-5-4-10-21-37)
41 Katy Perry ft Snoop Dogg - California Gurls (12wks 26-17-14-11-9-5-5-1-4-9-17-29)
40 Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait (10wks 5-2-3-7-10-15-21-31-32-35)
39 The Human League – Night People (7wks 19-3-2-2-3-7-7*)
38 Rumer – Aretha (9wks 7-2-3-3-4-6-13-22-30)
37 Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow - Shame (8wks 10-3-2-2-2-10-19-30)
36 Leddra Chapman - Story (7wks 6-2-3-6-12-17-25)
35 Keane ft K'naan - Stop For A Minute (7wks 26-5-3-5-15-20-29)
34 Plan B - Prayin' (13wks 38-34-34-31-27-20-14-9-6-5-11-18-33)
33 Warpaint - Undertow (8wks 9-4-2-2-12-20-30-40)
32 Pipettes - Call Me (9wks 21-14-11-2-3-7-14-25-40)
31 Diane Birch - Valentino (9wks 13-8-4-2-2-5-12-20-38)
30 MGMT - Congratulations (6wks 2-2-5-9-19-32)
29 Mumford & Sons - The Cave (11wks 26-14-10-9-4-4-7-14-19-28-36)
28 Sleigh Bells - Infinity Guitars (10wks 26-3-2-3-4-12-24-31-35-39)
27 Hafdis Huld - Action Man (8wks 8-2-2-2-5-12-21-31)
26 Donkeyboy - Ambitions (8wks 2-2-5-9-12-18-27-38)
25 Scissor Sisters - Fire With Fire (10wks 9-6-3-3-2-2-5-14-21-31)
24 Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill (7wks 14-2-3-7-12-19-33)
23 Fyfe Dangerfield - She Needs Me (9wks 6-2-4-13-27-28-26-28-35)
22 Beach House - Zebra (8wks 2-2-4-7-9-15-24-40)
21 Joanna Newsom - Good Intentions Paving Company (7wks 1-1-6-10-13-19-32)
20 David Byrne & Fatboy Slim ft Florence Welch - Here Lies Love (7wks 1-1-3-12-19-31-37)
19 Alicia Keys - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart (8wks 4-3-DSQx13wks-2-2-4-10-16-25)
18 Kelis - Acapella (8wks 1-2-2-3-6-11-19-31)
17 Mark Ronson & The Business INTL - Bang Bang Bang (9wks 40-32-15-4-2-5-11-18-28)
16 Quincy Jones ft Amy Winehouse - It's My Party (9wks 1-1-1-7-14-22-30-38-38*)
15 Cee-Lo - F*** You (8wks 31-3-1-1-4-9-16-31)
14 I Am Arrows - Green Grass (10wks 8-1-1-1-1-5-9-17-27-36)
13 Pipettes - Stop The Music (12wks 3-3-8-5-3-2-3-6-12-20-27-35)
12 Rumer - Slow (10wks 4-2-3-2-4-8-17-11-20-34)
11 Kele - Tenderoni (9wks 9-2-1-1-4-8-15-28-40)
10 Gabriella Cilmi - On a Mission (12wks 9-3-2-2-1-1-1-5-9-15-20-30)
9 Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (11wks 40-6-4-3-17-x-RE 9-4-3-2-1-1*)
8 Robyn - Fembots (8wks 12-1-1-1-4-8-15-30)
7 Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now (6wks 1-1-1-1-2-2*)
6 Goldfrapp - Rocket (10wks 1-1-1-2-2-3-9-17-28-33)
5 Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood (10wks 9-1*-1-1-4-9-17-23-29-40)
4 Broken Bells - The Ghost Inside (9wks 33-1-1-1-3-6-12-20-29)
3 Manic Street Preachers - (It's Not War) Just The End Of Love (9wks 4-1-1-1-1-3-9-19-31)
2 Take That - The Flood (13wks 1-1-1-1-1-2-14-22-28-34-22-35-35*)
1 Katie Melua - The Flood (13wks 40-16-1-1-1-1-1-1-4-10-17-28-37)
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 23, 2010 21:23:18 GMT 1
Raliverpool's Top 40 albums
Please Note: I have included a handful of late 2009 studio album releases that I did not hear or own until 2010. Likewise I have excluded all compiliation; Retro (i.e. Bruce Springsteen - The Promise); Greatest Hits; Live & Glee* Cast (* sorry I like them = a guilty pleasure of mine) albums.
This leaves me with a shortlist of 54 studio albums in alphabetical order:
Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom
Amy MacDonald - A Curious Thing
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Beach House - Teen Dream
Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love
Brandon Flowers - Flamingo
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Bryan Ferry - Olympia
Cee-Lo Green - The Lady Killer
Christina Aguilera - Bionic
Coral - Butterfly House
Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea
Crowded House - Intriguer
David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love
Duffy - Endlessly
Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
Ellie Goulding - Lights
Goldfrapp - Head First
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Hurts - Happiness
Jamiroquai - Rock Dust Light Star
Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)
Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
John Grant - Queen Of Denmark
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Katie Melua - The House
Keane - Night Train
KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit
Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
Leddra Chapman - Telling Tales
Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From a Young Man
Marina & The Diamonds - The Family Jewels
Mark Ronson and the Business Intl - Record Collection
MGMT - Congratulations
Michael Jackson - Michael
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation
Phil Collins - Going Back
Pipettes - Earth vs. the Pipettes
Plan B - The Defamation Of Strickland Banks
Robert Plant - Band of Joy
Robyn - Body Talk
Rose Elinor Dougall - Without Why
Rumer - Seasons Of My Soul
Sade - Soldier Of Love
Sarah Blasko - As Day Follows Night
Scissor Sisters - Night Work
Take That - Progress
The Like - Release Me
The xx - xx
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Warpaint - The Fool
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 23, 2010 21:57:04 GMT 1
#40 to #11 albums updated in packs of threes: 40 Goldfrapp - Head First Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Shiny & Warm www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzRFwrEXUPoA strange, disappointing album. Definitely sounds better taken on a track by track basis, rather than listening to this brittle 1980s synth pop in one whole sitting. (Which is why the three singles made my Top 125; yet the album is only 40th out of 54). For me Alison & Will are better the less commercial work they do. Hence why Felt Mountain, then Seventh Nature are my two favourite albums of their's; and this is my 4th favourite only ahead of Supernature. 39 Scissor Sisters - Night Work Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Something Like This www.youtube.com/watch?v=myXibFPIqCwAnother underwhelming album tipping its hat to the pre SAW synth pop 1980s...... and not doing it as well as that decade managed. Whilst they needed to change stylistically from Ta-Dah; they certainly produced a competent set with solid songwriting; helmed by Stuart Price who did a disappointing job on another album that fell short of my Top 40 countdown. Alas highlights are all to few for my liking with the lead single (Fire With Fire) being by far the best track on it. 38 Jamiroquai - Rock Dust Light Star Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): She's A Fast Persuader www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLyEEQhXS3oThe "prat in the hat" returned after a five year break with a creditable attempt at updating his band's jazz/funk/soul/dance sound, without upsetting his existing Stevie Wonder/Roy Ayers/Simply Red liking fan base. As you would expect after a five year absence, this is a rather solid set of songwriting, but it is clear that the best days are behind Jay Kay and his band. |
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 23, 2010 22:34:36 GMT 1
37 Pipettes - Earth vs. the Pipettes Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): I Always Planned To Stay www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FrY1Gna_W0The Pipettes really should have changed the name of the band after the loss of Rosay & Riot-Becki; with Gwenno sister the awkwardly charming Ani drafted in as a replacement and the dramatic change of sound from classic 1960s Spector/Motown girl groups of their wonderful debut; to this sonically early 1980s Blondie, Bananarama, Altered Images sounding record produced by 1980s producing veteran Martin Rushent means this is a completely different identity even though Monster Bobby is still calling the shots and the Cassettes are still there as the backing band. Alas, the songwriting is more patchier than the debut; even if for me the highs are nearly as strong and as frequent as on their debut (three "singles" have made my Y/E Top 125). 36 The xx - xx Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Crystalised www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pib8eYDSFEIAt the time I was rather pleased that this Alternative Electronic outfit won the Mercury Music Prize with this sculptural soundtrack. But in retrospect I think this album could be this generations Play (Moby) rather than Dummy (Portishead). For what it is a rather good album. But a bit too coffee table and one dimensional for my total liking. 35 Phil Collins - Going Back Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Goin' Back www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrxFpcaNlCU.... and at the other end of the scale ...... Let's cut the Phil Collins is a joke crap. This album of 1960s Motown & Stax soul covers is far more heartfelt; better executed and delivered with more passion and honesty than anything Simon Cowell's annual meat factory will ever manage. Hence why I like it.
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Post by Jordan on Dec 23, 2010 22:51:17 GMT 1
3 of those are in my top 100 this year, as well as The xx which was my #23 in 2009  |
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 23, 2010 23:00:08 GMT 1
34 Robert Plant - Band of Joy Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSaYpgjy-94Running with the music of his duet album with Alison Krauss (Raising Sands); old Led Zep's Percy has made a similarly roots/blues sounding album, but with a bit more brooding and traditional folk music thrown in for measure. Not as good and less coherent as Raising Sands, this is still a rock solid 7/10 effort. 33 Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Love Is My Disease www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRHqO-XkMTUOn her 4th album, a December 2009 release, more of the same quality retro soul songwriting, with a clean sound, albeit more electronic than previous efforts, but the warmth and passion of her quality voice remains. Of course Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart and Empire State Of Mind are the stellar stand outs. But the rest is another solid selection of songs from an artist who has yet to make a worse than 7/10 studio album IMHO. 32 Bryan Ferry - Olympia Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Heartache By Numbers www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LrPiMtXwlcFeaturing tracks cannibalised from the aborted Roxy Music comeback album featuring Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, and Andy MacKay. This album has both the shimmering eeriness of the early Roxy, as well as the sophistication of late Roxy. But with a modern soundscape added to it without resulting to the ghastly autotune. Enjoyable, atmospheric, and a great cover of Song Of The Siren thrown in for good measure.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 23, 2010 23:27:00 GMT 1
31 Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): The Blackest Lily www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO7KrgALE2kA less commercial effort than her debut for obvious reasons after the sudden death of her husband and member of her band, this album has more depths. Sure there is nothing as brilliant as Put Your Records On or Like A Star, but that not to say this is not a good album. The only issue I have is with the lyrics where the obvious subject matter is talked about in the past and present tense to jarring effect. 30 Sarah Blasko - As Day Follows Night Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): All I Want www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX1RgyCl1XsAnother 2009 album, from Australia's answer to Feist or Beth Orton. This jazzy, electronic, folk album is rather rewarding listening to it as a whole. Even if individual tracks have difficulty standing apart from each other. 29 The Like - Release Me  Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): He's Not A Boy www.youtube.com/watch?v=42p2nERiNFkAfter a 5 year break this US girl group (who play their own instruments) return with a retro 1960s sounding album produced by (Back To Black) producer Mark Ronson. This live sounding production works very well on this an album. A great use of the old 1960s style Vox organ too. Very authentic sounding.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 24, 2010 0:01:11 GMT 1
28 Mark Ronson and the Business Intl - Record Collection Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Record Collection www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjoEA1vaKkMAll original songs this time, a new wave early 1980s sound and much more of a band effort results in a far more cohesive effort than his second blockbusting LP. Vocalists include Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow); Amanda Warner (MNDR); Q-Tip; Rose Elinor Dougall; D'Angelo; Boy George .... and a dodgy sounding Mark Ronson! But the standout track for me is the title track featuring grime rapper Wiley & Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon. 27 David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Why Don't You Love Me? www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEIq0alyit0Who wants a concept album about the life of Imelda Marcos? written by the former bass player of the Housemartins and the lead singer of Talking Heads??? ..... Come back!! 22 tracks of kooky, fun, exotic and theatrical '70s and '80s club pop is probably 10 too many, but when the differing female vocalists include the likes of Florence Welch (- the Machine), Róisín Murphy, Camille, Candie Payne, My Brightest Diamond, Allison Moorer, Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, Martha Wainwright, Natalie Merchant, Sia Furler, Santigold, Nicole Atkins, and Kate Pierson then you'd suddenly get all intrigued. 26 Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): I Didn't See It Coming www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UeFaayyw3oStuart Murdoch and co continue their rich vain of superb Rab C. Nesbitt meets Ray Davies songwriting full of detail, painting pictures and vignettes on the follow up to the excellent The Life Pursuit. The title track proves that Carey Mulligan is a better singer than Kate Winslett; and another vocal cameo from Norah Jones is welcome. But the stars of Belle & Sebastian albums as ever are the songs this time with a tint of Motown about them.....
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 24, 2010 18:15:47 GMT 1
25 Broken Bells - Broken Bells Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): The High Road www.youtube.com/watch?v=G96e3o4wFIgThis duo are James Mercer (The Shins) and Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley). Admirably they both end up making music that neither has made before making something more meandering and less uptempo than their previous work. For me an album that plays better as a whole than by the sum of its parts even if it is a little too one dimensional. 24 Leddra Chapman - Telling Tales Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Edie www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XwKTQAMKo4This independent young female folk/pop singer/songwriter whom has received airplay by BBC Radio 2 has a vocal tone reminiscent to Dolores O'Riordan, but unlike Diana Vickers is not annoying to watch. This is a lovely engaging album full of quality songwriting even if musically it is slightly twee and slight sounding due to its independent under produced nature.. 23 Cee-Lo Green - The Lady Killer Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Fool For You www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClF28G5MIHsTo be honest I think this album is a grower due to the versatility available on the album. We all know the monster hit single; and the follow up (It's OK) is nearly as good; but there is more quality goodies to come from this album which I can easily envisage having chart action until the third quarter of 2011. A great singer, and a decent colourful lyricist, it is clear that he loved classic 80s pop (like Culture Club; Prince & Wham!) as much as the usual 60s soul legends (Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Marvin Gaye; Smokey Robinson....).
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 24, 2010 19:11:58 GMT 1
22 Coral - Butterfly House Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Walking In the Winter www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrR_u1Ff_xMNow on their 5th proper album, the Scouse psych revivalists' have produced arguably their most conventional album to date. Don't be confused it is still very much in Syd Barrett 60s Pink Floyd territory, but this time the songs seem a bit less left field and more pop savvy, and more contemporary sounding. But don't panic their motifs and hooks are definitely still here in abundance on this accessible album. 21 Gorillaz - Plastic Beach Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Empire Ants www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FR5XvKCcu0Picking up from the excellent Demon Days, this album is musically excellent, but for me is let down under the weight of too many vocal cameos, many of which don't work. Tellingly my two favourite tracks on the album both feature Damon Albarn vocals. Still role on the new Blur album recording sessions in January 2011 .... 20 Manic Street Preachers - Postcards From a Young Man Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Postcards From a Young Man www.youtube.com/watch?v=czvUR6-5xHwThis time around the Manics return to the celebratory sound of Everything Must Go making big, bold, brash, hook friendly anthemic stadium pleasers that frequently over reaches itself. Whilst the album can't possibly maintain the standards of the opening three tracks this is still a very good enjoyable album.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 24, 2010 19:44:13 GMT 1
19 MGMT - Congratulations Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): It's Working www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyaDTiXH3R4I admire any band who has the balls to chuck away a winning formula on a debut album, to move to musical pastures new; and that is exactly what these guys did. Any moronic Chris Moyles Radio 1 listening/X-Factor watching person expecting another mega commercial Kids or Times To Pretend will be sorely disappointed. Good!!! This leaves us real Later With Jools Holland music fans to appreciate what a interesting duo they are, on the brink of greatness. This time around their influences include 1980s psychedelia reminiscent of the Spacemen 3 and Teardrop Explodes/Julian Cope; the Flaming Lips and 1970s Pink Floyd to produce a far more rewarding, impressive album as a whole then their more shop friendly debut. 18 Vampire Weekend - Contra Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Horchata www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkUQ-OBazbcFirst up, I must admit I was sorely disappointed by their debut, which I felt was under cooked and under produced; and the songwriting was patchy, even though they clearly had massive potential. This time around they have kept the same Afro beat, hip-hop-pop, choppy beat template of their debut, but they have clearly improved and got more confident as musicians; the album has a fuller better produced sound, and the standard of songwriting has been upgraded as well. 17 Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Goodbye England (Covered In Snow) www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt1dmt-ZqycLike my #18 album, this sophomore album ups the songwriting, musicianship & production ante of the debut Alas I Cannot Swim. Laura's enigmatic smoky voice shines through out on this folk album perfectly backed up by the Mumford & Sons. As does the lyrical matter of love, sex, death and nostalgia.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 24, 2010 21:38:18 GMT 1
16 Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Wondaland www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv10t488ZpoFirstly, this album is 70 minutes long, about 20 minutes to many. But even so it would be far higher in my countdown apart from one thing which is her try too hard mannerisms, image and performance remind me of James Brown, and I was not a big James Brown fan compared to other 1960s soul legends. This album is incredibly ambitious, so fair play to Puff Daddy (or whatever he calls himself this week) to allow her so much creative freedom. To call this an RnB album would be like calling a 1970s Bowie album Rock; or Led Zeppelin's output Heavy Metal; as musically whilst one foot is parked in music of black origin, the other is all over the map. Her lyrics are similarly bonkers. May be it is one of those albums which require more detailed listening to, but I think there are 4/5 tracks of filler that can be culled which would improve the listening experience. 15 Owen Pallett - Heartland  # Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Lewis Takes Off His Shirt www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G-cqAehehAThe Canadian singer-songwriter and violinist produced a wonderful spacious, symphonic, alternative sounding album, that rewards on repeated listens, as each track or soundscape goes to a different part of the same musical pallet. Sure this album might be a bit too prog-rock and musically free form for your liking, but I like this album a lot. 14 Paul Weller - Wake Up The Nation Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Grasp & Still Connect www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8wecmJbdHQCarrying on from his career rejuvenation (22 Dreams) last studio album, "the Modfather II" has continued his rich vein of creativity by replacing that rich pastoral sprawling album, with a more economical, crisper, sharper, viscereal, pulsating album but keeping the former's ability for left turns such as the Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) featuring "7&3 Is the Strikers Name"; the New Orleans inspired "Trees" or the quite brilliant retro soul of "No Tears Left To Cry".
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 24, 2010 22:08:48 GMT 1
13 Plan B - The Defamation Of Strickland Banks Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Hard Times www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkEmwky7zT8Yes, this album is squarely in the Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Duffy Retro 1960s soul camp. But when the songs are consistently this good; his voice is this good; and the videos compliment the loose concept of the album perfectly, then it becomes a lot easier to over look the lack of originality and musical invention compared to his début. In short, a good old fashion proper album stocked full of (potential) hit singles. 12 Warpaint - The Fool Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Shadows www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf_0Wapy3rIThis LA based female four-piece act have produced a great debut album full of shoegazing inspired dream pop/art rock (but one act ploughing a similar field has done an even better job and is higher up my countdown). They remind me to some degree of 90s outfit Mazzy Star. This Rough Trade act first came to my attention via their cover of Ashes To Ashes on the "We Were So Turned On" David Bowie tribute album for Warchild. This band are definitely one to watch as hopefully they will receive wider exposure for their November album release, with their next single "Shadows" out in January 2011. At least they are now on NME's radar. 11 Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Winter Winds www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkYMuch like the Plan B album, this is a record that the music snob in me should not like. But the songwriting, performance, and melodies are so damn strong it is so easy to overlook the lowest common denominator 21st century Americana meets 21st century UK folk sound as this band are unpretentious, and unapologetic about their surprise global success, as they are doing the same thing that The Eagles did back in the early 1970s before they went huge a few years later.
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Post by Maximo Mark on Dec 24, 2010 23:08:21 GMT 1
A good read so far. After you said that the worst album you've bought this year was by a duo I'm a bit worried that my album of the year hasn't featured when Beach House are one of only two duo's you've not yet posted....
I hope Robyn and Arcade Fire are in the top 10, and I expect Rumer, Rose Elinor and Joanna to be in there. After that I'm not too sure though.
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Post by Earl Purple on Dec 25, 2010 22:49:01 GMT 1
Belle & Sebastian was another of those albums I just bought because of their name then never got round to listening to.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 26, 2010 13:06:44 GMT 1
10 Marina & The Diamonds - The Family Jewels Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Hermit The Frog www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgiAribnCAMNeon Gold's 2010 female singer/songwriter Marina Diamandis has sadly gone the same way as Neon Gold's 2009 female singer/songwriter Little Boots (& 2011 female singer/songwriter Spark will go), and made a great interesting pop record where the public have failed to respond in the same positive manner that the music critics did. Sadly for the X-Factor loving Joe & Jane Public, this album and artist with a very distinctive voice is too quirky, challenging and knowing for its/her own good as they preferred the ultra bland/major label Ellie Goulding debut instead. This album does a masterful job of navigating through numerous styles and genres whilst maintaining a uniform sound to it, full of undeniable bite and unforgettable hooks. In 2009 I Am Not A Robot (#6), Obsessions (#41) & Mowgli's Road (#44) all made my personal year end chart. You wont be surprised to know she makes 3 further entries in my 2010 year end singles chart. 9 Robyn - Body Talk Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Call Your Girlfriend www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJnjNw6rbeIOK, I admit I'm feeling slightly smug that I did not buy Body Talk Vol 1 & Vol 2 and hung on to wait to buy the full album, because this is a great pop album full of great left field pop music. Unlike a lot of people I had a problem with Dancing On My Own because it sounded like aliens had planted a monster Kylie or Britney hit single in her brain as it just sounds wrong sung by Robyn, as its too obvious and conventional IMHO. But the rest of the album has enough lyrical & musical quirkiness, twists and turns, full of joyful, moody, dancy, intimate, and bold pop to confirm her Robyn album was no fluke.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 26, 2010 13:38:11 GMT 1
8 Rumer - Seasons Of My Soul Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Am I Forgiven? www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQa1L9UT1CMIf only all Radio 2 friendly music sounded as good as this! This Karen Carpenter meets Laura Nyro (that combination in itself is a great head start) sounding singer has released a wonderful strong solid debut which is immediately engaging, and gently engrossing. Sure it lacks originality but its luxurious, strong and elegant sounds are matched by lyrics that are written from experience and not some ruined by some Mariah Houston type diva singer. 7 Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Kingfisher www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n1a4dSmYB0Following four year's on from her wonderful, challenging Ys album, the MGMT Kids starring artist (currently dating one of Saturday Night Live's comedy troupe The Lonely Island) released this sprawling 3CD 18 track sumptuous album. In many ways there is just too much music too listen to (14 of the 18 tracks are over 6 minutes long), so it fails to be as coherent as Ys was, and because of the sheer amount of music to listen to some of the more meandering, less hook friendly tracks are forgettable as a result when they possibly would not otherwise be. But what is here is still very much in the mellower/harp playing Joni Mitchell meets Kate Bush territory, which for my listening tastes is very good news indeed. Of the 3 CDs; CD's 1 & CD 3 are excellent, but are relatively let down by CD 2. Ironically CD 2's best track In California stands out more due to the relative lack of quality surrounding it.
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Post by Maximo Mark on Dec 26, 2010 13:48:36 GMT 1
A agree with what you've said about how Robyn released her album. I didn't buy either the first or second in the hope that she'd release all three together or as some sort of box set. She generally picked the right tracks, although you might want to check out 'Cry When You Get Older', that was my favourite on Part 1 after 'Fembot' and 'Dancing on My Own'. The acoustic versions of the two singles are lovely as well.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 26, 2010 14:48:38 GMT 1
6 Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Devil In A New Dress www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8ejqE3ktFUNow this album certainly does what its title says. Like so many greats in all professions, it is how you come back from adversity that shows your true mettle. And my goodness Kanye has come back strong and hard with this ambitious, cerebral, introspective, brash, provocative, self-conscious, and frequently messy album. He is helped by a wonderfully eclectic set of samples and beats; a bigger supporting cast than the movie The Towering Inferno; and his usual hit and miss written and delivered rap lines that leave you in awe and admiration one minute and cringing the next. In fact I will go as far as saying ....... "Yo, College Dropout, I’m really happy for you. Imma let you finish. But My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the best Kanye West album of all time." 5 Take That - Progress Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Kidz www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEzOaEDvbi4The UK's best selling album of 2010 title of Progress suggests the band's new sound would be a merging of Take That Mk.II and recent Robbie Williams fare, the reality was far better. Progress is something entirely new Take That Mk.3 and the strangest, most ambitious and most exciting record any of its creators have ever been involved in. Stuart Price, whom lets be honest did a poor job on Kylie's & Scissor Sister's 2010 albums compared to his best production work helped lower expectations for me prior to hearing this album, but wow the sonic groove and texture on this album is sensational, musically sounding close to Depeche Mode & Muse at their best. As for the songwriting .... for the first six tracks it is near perfection, as is the Barlow sung Eight Letters, and only the Mark Owen sung What Do You Want From Me stinks the place out. Robbie Williams has not sounded this great and inspired since Sing When You're Winning, and Gary Barlow must be given the kudos he deserves for dropping into the sweepers role with his backing vocal harmonies and strong sense of tune-smithery. One thing is certain only an incredible album by an even more unexpected source would stop this being my favourite British album of 2010.
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Post by raliverpool on Dec 26, 2010 15:33:40 GMT 1
4 Arcade Fire - The Suburbs 1st Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH_7_XRfTMs2nd Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Suburban War www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNdqoQWz34E.... And for the first time in their history Montreal's Arcade Fire have failed to be #1 in my Year End album chart countdown. Musically this album has found a middle ground between the darkly optimist debut; and the heavier more serious follow up. Multiple spins reveal this album to be a spirited, mature, yet at times sentimental & celebratory album. Pleasingly, they sound less like the acts that clearly influenced them, and more as if they are developing their own sound. But the Hunky Dory Bowie-esque title track, and the imagine Robyn rewriting Blondie's Heart Of Glass "Sprawl II" are classics in any music fans language. But at 16 tracks I feel this album suffers from a little too much flab around the middle of the album, that the three albums ahead in my countdown have got rid of via editing prior to release. 3 Beach House - Teen Dream 1st Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Real Love www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0toW_SJf-42nd Fave (Non Top 125 Y/E Single track): Better Times www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPoGhXcrLgQThis is the Baltimore boy/girl duo of Victoria Legrand & Alex Scally who released their third album in January. I first heard them and fell in love with their hypnotic dreamy indie pop (think Animal Collective making a chill out album, and you get the idea) when they did a Radio 2 Radcliffe & Maconie session in December 2009, and returned in March 2010. The duo's mix of Cocteau Twins electronics and chiming guitars added with Victoria's swooning androgynous voice is a winner. Then add a sturdy set of songs that don't outstay their welcome, and you are left with an album that you will play again and again. This is the first of three studio albums I rated 10/10 this year. If you like this album, then I recommend my Year End #1 album.
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