Albums Of The Year - Part 1: Numbers 30 - 21

Hello, and welcome. When I'm not writing blogs, or reports for university, I occasionally like to write about music. And whilst my words aren't likely to adorn the pages of the New Music Express, I still write in the hope that somebody will read what I've written, and they will check out the band I talked about.

Every year, like most of the music magazines - both in print and online - I work out my end of year "Albums of 2010" list (in this case). In the past this has just been for my own 'entertainment', but for the second year running, I've been asked to submit a list for the website I write for (Musos Guide). So here is my list, and the rules I try and keep myself to each year...

Albums must have been released in the UK in 2010
No compilation albums
No 'best of's / greatest hits / re-issues
Sales figures don't actually matter (unlike the Brit Awards)

It is incredibly hard to pick one album over another (if you don't believe me, make a list yourself!) and many hours have been spent with scraps of paper thinking about justifying my decisions. In the future my decisions may have slightly changed (they have in the past) or I may find something that I'll feel I missed out on. But for now, at the time of going to 'print' this list is final...

So anyway, feel free to read on, comment if you will, and maybe, just maybe check out some of the bands / artists you haven't heard of...

Paul

Number 30

The Count & Sinden
Mega Mega Mega

UK release date: 23rd August 2010
Domino






Whilst Mega Mega Mega is a pretty awful album name in which to start off this rundown, the musical content is thankfully much better. The Count & Sinden have been lauded remix-ers for a while now, and this record allows them the chance to truly create a name for themselves in the electro scene.

Download: After Dark (Feat. Mystery Jets) / Elephant 1234 / Hold Me (Feat. Katy B)

Number 29

Shy Child
Liquid Love

UK release date: 15th March 2010
Wall Of Sound






Three years have passed since the last Shy Child record, and its probably 18 months too long. Still capable of putting on a decent live show, the band have expanded their repetoire with a collection of songs just as catchy as their past material.

Download: Disconnected / Open Up The Sky / Liquid Love

Number 28

Sleigh Bells
Treats

UK release date: 21st June 2010
NEET Recordings






Signed as the first artists on MIA's new label, NEET Recordings, Sleigh Bells arrived on the scene carrying a load of expectation. Even a short listen offers the hallmarks of their label 'boss' but without the need to tip a toe into the muddy waters of world politics.

Download: Rill Rill / Tell 'Em / Infinity Guitars

Number 27

Sky Larkin
Kaleide

UK release date: 9th August 2010
Polydor






Sky Larkin are probably the only active and credible band in Leeds at the moment, which given the strength of the Leeds scene circa 2004, is a shame. Kaleide builds upon the critical acclaim from their debut The Golden Spike, and takes it to the next level.

Download: ATM / Kaleide / Year Dot

Number 26

Magnetic Man
Magnetic Man

UK release date: 11th October 2010
Columbia






I wasn't sure about this album at first. Dubstep (as a concept) isnt new, and a whole album of it seems like a horrendous idea. Yet somehow it doesn't feel like 'too much'. Add in some radio-friendly collaborations (with Katy B, Angela Hunte, and John Legend) and you're onto a winner.

Download: Going Nowhere (Feat. John Legend) / I Need Air (Feat. Angela Hunte) / Anthemic

Number 25

Simian Mobile Disco
Delicacies

UK release date: 29th November 2010
Smalltown Supersound






Delicacies is almost a 'side project' for Simian Mobile Disco, who have been releasing tracks from this album as 12" singles for a few months now. With each track named after a luxury foodstuff, I feel almost compelled to make a 'delicacies' pun, but I wont.

Download: Aspic / Sweetbread / Casu Marzu

Number 24

Four Tet
There Is Love In You

UK release date: 25th January 2010
Domino






This is an amazingly chilled out listen, and was arguably an album that shouldn't have been overlooked for the Mercury Music Prize shortlist earlier this year, purely because its so different to the rest of dance / electro music in the UK at the moment.

Download: Angel Echoes / Circling / Sing

Number 23

The Chemical Brothers
Further

UK release date: 14th June 2010
Parlophone






I'm not sure how many albums The Chemical Brothers have released now (wiki suggests 7) but this is the best in recent times, because they stick to what works (making decent music) and have stopped what doesnt work (collaborations with third-rate indie artists). Also, this album comes with a series of videos (from iTunes) which act as a reminder as to how good am audio-visual experience they are.

Download: Swoon / Escape Velocity / Wonders Of The Deep

Number 22

Mystery Jets
Serotonin

UK release date: 5th July 2010
Rough Trade






For a record with a title about a mood changing drug (hello wiki!) that improves happiness levels, the third release from Mystery Jets is abstractly bleak. Whilst there aren't any singles as instantly catchy as 'Two Doors Down' this is still worthwhile listening.

Download: Alice Springs / Waiting On A Miracle / Flash A Hungry Smile

Number 21

The Knife, in collaboration with Mt. Sims and Planningtorock
Tomorrow, In A Year

UK release date: 8th March 2010
Brille





So, er, yeah. This is an electronica based opera on Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of the Species'. Honest. Made for Danish performance group Hotel Pro Forma, Tommorow, In A Year is a reminder (were it needed) of exactly how good The Knife are, and also how long its been since they went on a 'hiatus'. Fingers crossed for new material next year...

Download: Colouring Of Pigeons / Seeds / The Height Of Summer

Well, that was numbers 30 all the way down to 21.
The next part will be coming soon...