I've bought or downloaded 69 albums from 2010, however there are a few I've not really listened to enough to form an informed opinion on, or which just clearly aren't for me so I've cut 9 out to make a top 60.

 

Those 9:

 

Band of Horses 'Infinite Arms'

Baths 'Cerulean'

Chew Lips 'Unicorn'

Deerhunter 'Halcyon Digest'

Diamond Rings 'Special Affections'

Magic Kids 'Memphis'

Pantha Du Prince 'Black Noise'

Royksopp 'Senior'

Tokyo Police Club 'Champion'

 

The other 60, I shall count down before Christmas before moving onto my singles after Christmas.

 

60 JJ 'No.3'

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We start with JJ, who released 'JJ No.1' and 'No.2' in 2009. I've never heard the first one but the second I thought was very good. However releasing a third album in less than 12 months might not have been the best idea, as despite the promise of lead single 'Let Go' (which was ok but not great) the album just sounded like cast offs from the far superior 'No.2'.

 

59 Fyfe Dangerfield 'Fly Yellow Moon'

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Fyfe Dangerfield was a slightly less surprising disappointment. Having long been a fan of his band Guillemots I was always going to check out a solo album by him, but I imagined that it would be far more laid back and acoustic and I was right, it's not really my thing but it's duller than I thought it would be. Lead single 'She Needs Me' is a good song though.

 

58 RPA & The United Nations of Sound 'United Nations of Sound'

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RPA & The United Nations of Sound are the newest band of former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. I'm not sure why I downloaded this as I've never really liked him but it's not that bad, but it really just boils down to being typical Ashcroft fodder that goes on for too long.

 

57 Interpol 'Interpol'

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Ahh Interpol. One of my favourite bands of all time, who's debut album 'Turn on the Bright Lights' was in my top 5 of last decade. So it just makes this album all the more disappointing. It's not a particularly bad album, it's just that everything is a re-hash of what they've previously done and nothing stands out as being above average, maybe 'Try It On'. Their sound really hasn't developed much at all which is a massive shame.

 

56 Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse 'Dark Night of the Soul'

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Danger Mouse (Gorillaz producer, half of Gnarls Barkley and creator of the legendary 'Grey Album') and Sparklehorse (a US indie band I had never heard of before). I had no idea what this album would be like, and I only gave it a listen because of the single 'Little Girl' featuring Julian Casablancas of The Strokes. Each song is a collaboration with a different artist who sings on that song (it's a very impressive list), and some of them are very good (James Mercer, Flaming Lips, Suzanne Vega), however the rest of the album I just don't like at all.

 

Highlights:

RPA & The United Nations of Sound 'Are You Ready?'

 

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse featuring Suzanne Vega 'The Man Who Played God'

I gave the jj album a listen but nothing really stood out and I haven't really been in a rush to listen to it again!

As for Fyfe's, I liked it much more than I thought I would! 'Any Direction' is the definite highlight for me.

 

'Interpol' was a huge disappointment. :( I do love 'Lights', but like you say, the album is pretty much a re-hash of past material. Shame.

Haven't listened to the other albums, although may have to give some of the tracks from 'Dark Night of the Soul' a listen!

55 Los Campesinos! 'Romance is Boring'

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Their first two albums were great. I thought their third would be make or break for them as their second album wasn't really any different in sound to their debut. Again this just seems to be more of the same but with far less addictive hooks. A massive step backwards.

 

54 Example 'Won't Go Quietly'

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Another album which could probably do with being cut down by two or three tracks. It definitely has its highlights but most of those have been released as singles, 'Watch the Sun Come Up' and 'Kickstarts' being the best of those. It's probably on par with his first album, but completely different aimed at a new audience.

 

53 No Age 'Everything In Between'

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After hearing single 'Glitter' I was impressed enough to check out the rest of the album. It's fairly consistant and Dean Spunt's vocals remind me of the Smashing Pumpkins....

 

52 M.I.A. 'Maya'

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I ranked her previous album 'Kala' as my favourite album of 2007, so I was always going to look forward to her follow up, yet I never really felt that disappointed in this one. She's not from the type of genre I listen to that much so I wouldn't usually expect to love something like it quite so much. This one is just so much harder to get into, although 'Born Free' is actually dreadful.

 

51 MGMT 'Congratulations'

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This is much more consistant than their debut album but it has nothing anywhere near as good as their big singles which probably makes it of around the same quality as 'Oracular Spectacular', just for differing reasons. It's a breath of fresh air to see a band come back and just do they want, really not caring about following up the success of their debut.

 

Highlights:

MGMT 'Brian Eno'

 

Example 'Something In The Water'

Only heard Example's album from these lists [/ignorant] It's alright. Left me a little under whelmed though if i'm honest. After 'Watch the Sun Come Up' & 'Won't Go Quietly', I expected more. However, all his tracks are so much better live.

I gave the jj album a listen but nothing really stood out and I haven't really been in a rush to listen to it again!

As for Fyfe's, I liked it much more than I thought I would! 'Any Direction' is the definite highlight for me.

 

'Interpol' was a huge disappointment. :( I do love 'Lights', but like you say, the album is pretty much a re-hash of past material. Shame.

Haven't listened to the other albums, although may have to give some of the tracks from 'Dark Night of the Soul' a listen!

Thanks! Some tracks on 'Dark Night of the Soul' are really good, it's just that half of it I don't really like. 'Any Direction' is decent enough on Fyfe's album, pretty much all the tracks are individually, I just find it all so dull and samey as an album.

Only heard Example's album from these lists [/ignorant] It's alright. Left me a little under whelmed though if i'm honest. After 'Watch the Sun Come Up' & 'Won't Go Quietly', I expected more. However, all his tracks are so much better live.

I wouldn't say it's ignorant, I doubt you'd like any of them anyway..... I think Example would definitely be someone to go and see live, I certainly would.

50 Janelle Monae 'The ArchAndroid'

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This album could so easily have been 20-30 places higher in my list, if only it was a bit shorter. There are 7 or 8 tracks which really are quite fantastic, but it's 18 tracks and 69 minutes long. I can't say I've ever listened to a decent album which is that long or with that many songs on it. Either/Or? Yes. Both? Not a chance. Whenever I listen to it in full I'm always waiting for about 20 minutes for it to finish.

 

49 Jonsi 'Go'

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As someone who only likes the odd song by Sigur Ros I can't say this album ever really got me particularly excited, but it was a pleasant surprise. It's not brilliant by any means but it's fairly consistant and the first couple of singles were both very good. His voice is so angelic.

 

48 These New Puritans 'Hidden'

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What I'd heard from the debut I thought was pretty poor, but this album was a complete change in sound, and very much for the better. The album was is much darker and much more imaginitve.

 

47 Cee-Lo Green 'The Lady Killer'

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This may be higher if I'd listened to it more, but it's still quite recent. There's nothing on the level of 'F*ck You' but then I would always been surprised if there was. It's certainly a decent enough listen.

 

46 Owen Pallett 'Heartland'

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I'd never heard anything by Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy before this album, but I was suitably impressed. I don't rate it as highly as a lot of people seem to, but it is a decent album nontheless.

 

Highlights:

 

Janelle Monae 'Faster'

 

These New Puritans 'Three Thousand'

45 I am Kloot 'The Sky at Night'

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I am Kloot have been around years and I've always quite liked them, but I'd never actually listened to one of their albums until this one. It was exactly as I'd imagined one of their albums would be. It's decent, very mellow and John Bramwell's vocals are excellent.

 

44 Local Natives 'Gorillor Manor'

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Local Natives have recieved a hell of a lot of hype this year but it took me ages to actually check out their album. I was left a little disappointed that I didn't think it lived quite up to the hype, but it's still a very good album.

 

43 Fang Island 'Fang Island'

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After loving the single 'Daisy' I thought that their album would be worth checking out. Whilst nothing is as good as the aforementioned 'Daisy' it's still a very good and energetic album.

 

42 Shout Out Louds 'Work'

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Sweden's Shout Out Louds weren't a band I'd heard much of before but what I had heard was decent enough. This album seemed quite different to what I had heard but I do enjoy it quite a bit, it certainly has its moments.

 

41 Broken Bells 'Broken Bells'

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A second album involving Danger Mouse, Broken Bells being a duo of him and Shins frontman James Mercer, two highly talented musicians. This album is definitely good for what it is, if nothing particularly amazing.

 

Highlights:

Shout Out Louds 'Show Me Something New'

 

Broken Bells 'The Waiting Game' / 'Mongrel Heart'

 

The next 5 are where 90% BuzzJack might get interested, before turning off again for the rest! :P

Brian Eno was one my least favourite tracks on Congratulations until I heard them play it live.

 

I've not listened to any Janelle Monae but she got a good write up in the Guardian today after supporting Vampire Weekend. I hadn't heard These New Puritans until I saw them supporting Suede at the Teenage Cancer Trust gig. I got the album on the strength of that performance.

The next 5 are where 90% BuzzJack might get interested, before turning off again for the rest! :P

Not Cheryl Cole? :o

Not Cheryl Cole? :o

:lol: No, but three of the seven albums in this list by female solo artists are in the next 5.

40 Magnetic Man 'Magnetic Man'

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Being honest, the majority of this album I don't actually like. This album has made me realise that instrumental dubstep is really not my thing. However the 6 or so songs which are actually good, I find so good that a top 40 place is deserving. Ms. Dynamite is interesting for the first time in her career, and the two singles are as good as anything that's made the top 40 all year, as is 'Crossover', their other track with Katy B.

 

'Crossover' (featuring Katy B )

'Fire' (featuring Ms. Dynamite):

 

 

39 Ellie Goulding 'Lights'

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This is a perfectly decent album, but it was also massively disappointing at the same time. A year ago all I knew were 'Wish I Stayed', 'Guns & Horses' and 'Under the Sheets'. They're easily the best three songs on it and even then the more polished version of 'Wish I Stayed' is no where near as good. It's pleasant enough but for all of the hype it's just a bit dull.

 

'Your Biggest Mistake'

'This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)'

38 Marina & The Diamonds 'The Family Jewels'

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When this was released it seemed fans of all types of music were heralding this as one of the best albums in years. I listened to it and thought it wasn't that good at all, so cast it aside and didn't listen to it again until about August. I soon realised that it is actually a very good pop album, but I don't think it's anywhere near as good as a lot of people. It has some very good moments ('Are You Satisfied?', 'Obsessions', 'Shampain', 'Numb') but it has some which I think are pretty average ('Oh No', The Outsider', 'Rootless').

 

'Hermit the Frog'

'Are You Satisfied?'

 

37 I Blame Coco 'The Constant'

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What is it with female solo artists who can releases consistantly good singles but can't translate the quality to a whole album? Again, the singles are magnificant. 'Caesar' featuring Robyn is one of the years best pop singles, and 'Self Machine' and 'In Spirit Golden' are up there too. But after that there aren't that many songs up to the standard, it's all decent and nice enough but that's it. Even the cover of 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' was better as a more haunting ballad with Fyfe Dangerfield.

 

'Party Bag'

'Turn Back On Your Love'

 

36 Blood Red Shoes 'Fire Like This'

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This is an album that's grown on me throughout the year. I wasn't expecting it to be so good but it's quite varied. Male and female vocals alternating throughout most of the album, with different tempo's too. The more rocky singles 'Don't Ask' and 'Light it Up' are both great, but they're better when it's turned down a bit, the album's highlight being the utterly beautiful 'When We Wake'

 

'When We Wake'

Two of my favourite albums this year were Marina's and Janelle's I have to admit, and both will be featuring very high up on my own countdown. You make a good point regarding 'The ArchAndroid' I admit, it could do with some severe cutting down. 'The Family Jewels' was for me an almost perfect album and I'd have to disgaree reagrding 'Oh No!' which was for me one of the highlights - though seeing as this was the case for many other of her more usually pop based fans I can again see your point.

 

Ellie's album was a bit of a non-event for me, I find 'The Writer' in particular one big Taylor Swift reject affair. Decent albums from Example, MIA and Cee-Lo Green aswell, though I was expecting something better from Example having adored all the singles. Same of course for Coco, though this seems to be a universal opinion on the album.

 

Not heard any of the others, but considering I dont expect we share much in common music taste wise 7 albums doesnt seem too bad :P

I do have a softspot for both Ellie and Marina's albums ... I think I might prefer Ellie's ever so slightly as it's more consistent, but then I think Marina has stronger material in her singles, 'Are You Satisfied', and 'Obsessions' ... shame alot of it sounds filler-ish. I think my favourite from Ellie's would probably be either 'Under The Sheets' (easily her best single to date), 'Your Biggest Mistake' or 'This Love...'

I've downloaded Magnetic Man's album, but I still haven't found the time to listen to it properly. Should get onto it asap. Ellie Goulding 'Lights' is alright. Not worth the over-hype it seems to get on this site, but it's a nice enough album. Marina & The Diamonds :wub: One of my favourite albums of the year and will definitely be Top 5 in my EOY albums chart :wub:

Brian Eno was one my least favourite tracks on Congratulations until I heard them play it live.

 

I've not listened to any Janelle Monae but she got a good write up in the Guardian today after supporting Vampire Weekend. I hadn't heard These New Puritans until I saw them supporting Suede at the Teenage Cancer Trust gig. I got the album on the strength of that performance.

 

I'm surprised Janelle Monae would've supported someone like Vampire Weekend to be honest, but she does seem to be one the more poppy/r&b females that appeal a fair bit to the indie crowd... 'Cold War' and 'Wondaland' are both really good pop songs. I reckon These New Puritans album would definitely sound quite good livel.

 

 

Two of my favourite albums this year were Marina's and Janelle's I have to admit, and both will be featuring very high up on my own countdown. You make a good point regarding 'The ArchAndroid' I admit, it could do with some severe cutting down. 'The Family Jewels' was for me an almost perfect album and I'd have to disgaree reagrding 'Oh No!' which was for me one of the highlights - though seeing as this was the case for many other of her more usually pop based fans I can again see your point.

 

Ellie's album was a bit of a non-event for me, I find 'The Writer' in particular one big Taylor Swift reject affair. Decent albums from Example, MIA and Cee-Lo Green aswell, though I was expecting something better from Example having adored all the singles. Same of course for Coco, though this seems to be a universal opinion on the album.

 

Not heard any of the others, but considering I dont expect we share much in common music taste wise 7 albums doesnt seem too bad :P

 

Yeah 7 albums is quite good really, I doubt the amount you've heard will be higher with the ones that are to come. You're definitely right about I Blame Coco, I've not really seen an opinion of the album which thinks it's really strong. I agree on 'The Writer' too, very boring!

 

I've downloaded Magnetic Man's album, but I still haven't found the time to listen to it properly. Should get onto it asap. Ellie Goulding 'Lights' is alright. Not worth the over-hype it seems to get on this site, but it's a nice enough album. Marina & The Diamonds :wub: One of my favourite albums of the year and will definitely be Top 5 in my EOY albums chart :wub:

 

I think Ellie and Marina are both the same on this site, they're both good albums but both get a hell of a lot of praise on here and I'm not sure they're worth it. I rank them about equal, but I can see why more people say Marina's is than Ellie's. You should listen to Magnetic Man, if only for the songs with featured artists.

35 Villagers 'Becoming a Jackal'

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Formed by frontman Conor O'Brien 2 years ago, Villagers have come quite a long way in a short space of time. Earning comparisons to Bright Eyes (I can certainly see why) and a Mercury nomination this for this album, it's a very solid piece of work, although the title track is by far the standout. The lyrics are very dark in places, and it's quite folky and acoustic in places, infact the only two performances I've ever seen have both just been Conor and not the other four members of the band.

 

 

'Ship of Promises'

 

34 Best Coast 'Crazy For You'

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I was first introduced to Best Coast by Ben in the CD Swap we did earlier this year. I liked the song enough to warrant downloading their new album, and my decision was vindicated. It's a very good, solid pop album, 13 short and sweet female-fronted pop songs, perfect for a summer's day!

 

'The End'

 

'Boyfriend'

 

33 Belle and Sebastian 'Write About Love'

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I've not heard massive amounts of Belle & Sebastian before but I thought their previous album in 2006 was one of the best albums of that year. This album is pretty puch typical of their sound, very twee, very poppy, very solid. I don't think it's as good or as varied as 'The Life Pursuit' but there are still some excellent tracks on here.

 

 

'Sunday's Pretty Icons'

32 Caribou 'Swim'

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I'd never heard anything by Caribou until this album and I was very impressed. Opening track 'Odessa' was number one in my personal chart and some of the rest of the album was up to the same standard. However I do find it tails off for a couple of tracks towards the end before picking up again. Definitely one of the best electronic albums of the year.

 

'Leave House'

 

'Jamelia'

 

31 The Drums 'The Drums'

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Just missing the top half is the debut album from New York's The Drums. Their 2009 'Summertime' EP was a brilliant piece of work and their album was one of my most anticipated of the year, and the single released immediately before it 'Forever and Ever Amen' was fantastic as well. However I was left a bit disappointed by it. It's a very good album, but it doesn't have the strength of the EP and they only put two songs from the EP on their album as well, but one of them was the only track off the EP I didn't think was great; 'Down By the Water'. It's a good album, and it's worth checking out but songs like 'Saddest Summer' and 'I Felt Stupid' would've greatly improved the quality of this.

 

'I Need Fun In My Life'

 

'Skippin' Town'