Is it already that time of year again? Jeez, has 2010 flown by. Saying that, we’re finding it hard to remember albums that came out further back than last month, so we’ve asked some of our favourite artists to share their records of the year with you lot (so we don’t have to).
Dominic, Mogwai
‘Daughters’ by Daughters
It's a bit of a departure from their older albums which were fairly abrasive and took a lot of living with. The latest record however is immediately accessible. The songs are compact, straightforward and packed full of hooks. The new direction has rubbed up fans of the older material the wrong way but for me, there's not a single dull moment over the span of its eight songs. It's a massive step forward in their sound, which is why I've been coming back to it all year.
Mayor McCa
‘An Introduction To... Elliott Smith’ by Elliott Smith
I have to admit I don't listen to a lot of modern music, so that’s why this is my favourite release of 2010. Although none of these tracks are new it's an excellent collection of some heart-breaking songs and a gentle reminder of the great songwriting talent we lost not so long ago.
Mike, Wonderswan
‘Turning On’ by Cloud Nothings
This is my favourite release of 2010 because it’s a fantastic raw guitar-pop record. ‘Stay Awake’ and ‘You Are Opening’ are highlight tracks for me. They're noisy in the best possible way, complete with out-of-time drums and home recorded lo-fi brilliance.
TEETH!!!
‘Untitled Album’ by E+E
E+E is the ghost child of LA artist Elijah Crampton. The music on the album is a world unto itself – think strip lights, the sound of the pinball machine, shopping malls, the world’s cutest animals, methamphetamine, Britney Spears’ breakdown and the loneliness of staring at a computer screen for 12 hours a day – you get my drift? All the tracks are totally alien, but become somehow familiar. It’s daunting pop – a 2010 definition of mainstream culture.
Billy, Blacklisters
‘That Joyless Vibe’ by Normal Man
The other week, outside a pub in Leeds I was given this Normal Man Album. It is, and they are, incredible! Think Black Flag, Flipper and Pissed Jeans, that sort of thing. They are totally fearless and care very little about who they upset or who likes them. Music is at its best when it's uncompromising, and Normal Man pull no punches. The pick of their tunes is ‘Black Hitler’ about Idi Amin. It will end your life.
Iain, Part Chimp
‘Small Craft on a Milk Sea’ by Brian Eno
You've got a bit of everything in this record: dubstep, krautrock, electronica, avant garde, ambient, post-rock, noise, prog – it's all over the place. You’ve got to respect Eno for releasing an interesting contemporary record, when he's widely regarded as 'establishment'.
Dylan, Cloud Nothings
'Self Titled' by The National Orchestra A Of The Republic Of Mali
I don’t really listen to a huge amount of new music, and my favourite release of 2010 is a reissue. This album is out on a label called Mississippi Records that releases a lot of old blues and world music. I really love world music, and this is a really great album - one that I've listened to loads this year.
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