Here’s the thread to post your favourite and perhaps not so favourite albums of 2010. I tend to be very much an album person, so am rarely interested in singles alone, but maybe someone might want to start a songs of 2010 thread?
I’ve rounded up my favourites. My opinions are my own of course, you may have different opinions - in which case, please do share! I’m also looking forward to seeing your favourite albums in case there’s anything good I’ve missed. Last year I picked up a couple of good albums from people’s recommendations.
My top 4
GO - Jonsi
Jonsi, the lead singer of Sigur Ros, who boasts one of the most unique and distinctive voices in the music industry, released his first solo album and it’s a remarkable masterpiece. Fresh, original and unique and both ethereal and earthy, its lyrics are predominantly in English, allowing greater insight into the enigmatic Jonsi - to my mind he’s like an alien pixie who came to earth and lives in a secluded forest somewhere, feral and filled with life and lustre, but also with an element of sadness and loneliness. Hands-down this has to be the most unique and fresh album of 2010 - it pays no heed to trends, it’s an authentic artistic expression that feels pure, vital and alive. Much like life itself, it’s filled with joy, wonder and sadness. I love it. It makes me feel glad to be alive! Fave tracks: Tornado, Boy Lilikoi, Animal Arithmetic, Kolniour, Grow Til Tall
(I also recommend “Riceboy Sleeps” the album he released with his boyfriend Alex the previous year, which I believe is one of the best ambient albums in decades!)
INTERLOPER - Carbon Based Lifeforms
I LOVE ambient electronic music and this is one of the best albums in the genre I’ve ever heard. I fell in love with it immediately - it’s beautifully produced and totally immersive. I already started a thread for this, so I won’t say anymore. These guys are extremely talented. Fave tracks: M, Supersede, Init, Frog, Euphotic, Polyritmi
THESE HOPEFUL MACHINES - BT
The trance genre died for me a good few years ago, so I was astonished at how much I loved this. It’s so much more than just repetitive beats and grooves - it’s a masterful fusion of trance, pop, rock and ambient. Although it’s a double-album and the average length of each song is about 8-9 minutes, it’s remarkable that it never really feels stretched or padded out. There are some absolutely beautiful songs on here, although they unfold at their own pace - think epic 10 minute pop songs where the first chorus doesn’t actually kick in til the 3-minute mark. This has spoiled me for other electronic albums - it’s an extremely tough act to follow and by comparison releases by other electronic artists including Chicane and Schiller have fallen short for me. Fave tracks: Every Other Way, Forget Me, The Light in Things, Suddenly, The Unbreakable, Always, A Million Stars (just about all of them)
DISCONNECT FROM DESIRE - School of Seven Bells
Love this artist, and I think I prefer this to their first album Alpinisms. School of Seven Bells are kind of like the 21 century Cocteau Twins, or Enya on a heady mix of amphetamines and LSD! This album has stronger beats and rhythms and beautiful vocals. I found it thoroughly addictive, an irresistible slice of alternative electro-pop. Fave tracks: Bye Bye Bye, I L U, Dust Devil, Dial, Windstorm
Bookmarks