ALBUMS OF 2010

10.BEACH HOUSE - TEEN DREAM
                                 
Finally, at their third attempt Beach House fulfil their early promise. A remarkable album.of ethereal  melodies and reverberating instrumentation. Consistently strong throughout,Victoria Legrands rich,earthy vocals are complement Alex Scallys multi instrumentation perfectly. Awe inspiring.

9. ZOLA JESUS - STRIDULUM II
Stunning gothic sound from Nika Rosa Danilova.  Reminiscent of early Siouxsie And The Banshees and The Cocteau Twins,certainly as anthemic. Still with the ability to sound original. Huge sounding songs that soar throughout highlighting Danilova's operatic trained voice. Darkly brilliant.

8. SHOUT OUT LOUDS - WORK
Criminally overlooked band who just keep getting better. This third album from Sweden's finest is their most complete and mature album to date. Great production from Phil Ek bringing out the harmony and lush tones of the band. Big choruses and wistful nostalgia show the band finally finding their own sound.

7. THE MAGIC NUMBERS - THE RUNAWAY

Still suffering from over exposure from their debut album of 2005. TMN prove how accomplished a band they are. Romeo Stoddart yet again comes up with heartbreakingly beautiful lyrics filled with melancholy and regret. The sumpteous string arrangement by the late Robert Kirkby swells the sound of a band comfortable in their own skin.

6. LISSIE - CATCHING A TIGER


Lissie Maurus proves that she is in this for the long haul with a collection of understated folk songs and bright n breezy pop. Expressive and impressive vocal range adds weight to the wry, poetic narration. A career  trajectory akin to Stevie Nicks is a distinct possibility.

5. SARAH BLASKO - AS DAY FOLLOWS NIGHT

Massive in home country of Australia and on the evidence of this stunning album it will only be a matter of time before her star rises in Europe. Packed full of reflective melodies. Emotive and haunting, Blasko's distinct vocals and her charming, affable nature add weight to an already impressive collection of songs.

4. THE DRUMS - THE DRUMS 

As much as we tried to avoid the hype surrounding this New York 4 piece their debut album was impossible to ignore.Synth sounds and jangly guitars give weight to the surf pop sound which makes the album instantly appealing.

3. ARCADE FIRE - THE SUBURBS


Thought that Funeral couldn't be bettered ? Think again. The worlds most unlikely stadium band have produced a masterpiece that just gets better with time. Intimate and grandiose at the same time Win Butler's vocals give a looming sense of darkness to the wonderment and depth of the multi instrumentation. A classic.

2. ROSE ELINOR DOUGALL - WITHOUT WHY

Most pleasantly surprising album possibly ever !. When she left The Pipettes we was expecting never to hear from Rose again.Having concentrated on developing her songwriting and vocal  abilities before starting on this collection of songs she has produced an album mature beyond its years. Sad, reflective and forlorn. Killer melodies, beautifully textured and reminiscent of The Sundays. A unique record

1. BEST COAST - CRAZY FOR YOU

This was always the sound of our summer but we didn't expect to still be playing it daily into the bleak mid winter. As hard as you try to resist it this album will get under your skin. Bethany Cosentino's lyrics of brazen naivety, colour songs about boys, weed ,summer and (her greatest inspiration) cats perfectly .It's grunge, it's lo fi, it's sixties girl group, it's bright as a button and it's wide eye innocence will warm your heart.





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