Top 100 of 2010: #2 and #1!

...of if I'm honest, these two deserve to be tied number 1, but I'll go with what my heart says (awww) and keep the ranking as it is.

So, in second place is an album of epic proportions - it's due for general release in 2011, but as I've been a fan since first hearing their self-titled way back in 2008 (back in the days of musical n00biness, awww) I'm on the band's email list, so I had a chance to hear this before it went on general sale. My name is going to be in all future editions of this album! :)

I'm talking about a band called Amplifier - a Manchester trio that hammers home some incredible riffs like the golden days of Muse, but with some futuristic progressive elements, or in short this would would be tagged as Space Rock, and it's a mamoth double album. I'm talking about The Octopus, an album that's been in the making for 4 years and has finally reared its beautiful head at the fag-end of the year.

2. Amplifier - The Octopus

For the first time, we also hear some piano and brass instruments added for the music to truly sound biblical. The riffs sound like it would crawl under your skin, and unlike Have One on Me, it doesn't fall into the trap of feeling too long, even though it's a double album.


It's a monsterous, epic, awesome album that I'd recommend it to everyone that likes some good ol' rock-the-f*ck-out music. So number 1 must be something like a quadruple album right? Errr...no. It's actually an R&B album that does all the little things perfectly; it's catchy, has more styles than Lady Gaga, and in some cases highly under-rated. It's incredible to think that it's her debut album too...

1. Janelle Monae - The Archandroid (Suites II & III)

I don't know why I love this album as much as I do, but it's one of the most colourful releases of the year without any doubt. It's got incredibly catchy songs with some great lyrics, and even a guest appearance by Big Boi (yaay!) - it's Funk, Art-Pop, Bowie-esque, Electronic, and big-band Jazz etc. all in one album. It's music schitzophrenia at its best.

And that's that. 2010 is over! Oh wait...Gorillaz have released another album!? Oh shucks...

Nevermind! There's about 4 2011 albums that I wanted to hear that's already leaked. Here's to another 100 great albums next year!

Top 100 of 2010: #3

3. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

I'm not a Kanye fan by any means; in fact I've always thought he was a bit of a "jackass" as Obama would put it, but I've never denied his musical talent. On Twisted Fantasy we see him get a load of his celebrity friends together to create a wonderful album full of diverse styles; an unforgetable Nicki Minaj power verse in Monster, and even a bit of Aphex Twin-sampling in Blame Game. In short, this is an album that surprised a lot of people on how good it actually is. I'd never thought I'd write about how Kanye West has delivered one of the albums of the year.

It's undeniably good - not quite 10.0 Pitchfork good - but close enough. I feel quite bad putting it down in 3rd place considering one of the two albums that's coming up is due for general release in 2011 (even though it was fan-ordered in 2010, so I guess it counts) This album should also be noted for Runaway, which is one of my favourite singles of 2010.

Top 100 of 2010: #4

4. Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me

This was my favourite album for a looooong time, but eventually it was beaten by 3 others right at the cigar-end of the year. I think what made it lose its top spot was the fact that it's over 2 hours long, and in reality it's either hard to listen to it in one go without distraction, or you could be slightly (just slightly) bored, especially during the middle of disc 2.
That's just a very minor criticism though, as it's a fantastic listen overall. The first disc alone could've been named my favourite CD of the year, with such tracks like Easy, Baby Birch, and the fan-favourite Good Intentions Paving Company, it's easy to see why it earned so much positive critical attention.

In any other year, this would probably be my number 1, and for a lot of reasons this has been my favourite listen all year. She's an exciting artist and I cannot wait for her next batch of songs.

The top 3 wont come until Boxing Day, so from myself I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Top 100 of 2010: #5

I'll start off by saying that the top 5 was ridiculously hard to order. I've enjoyed all 5 albums immensly but at the end of the day, only one can be my number one! /cheeeeese

So, I decided with much remorse, that my 5th favourite album of the year is...

5. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

I'm disappointed because it has some of the best music he's ever released, and it's such a sad feeling to know that he probably wont tour or release a full album ever again. Drunk Girls is like if Bowie decided to do some Dance-Punk songs, and it's packed with some great moments - I Can Change (a playful little dance track that has synths to tie you up in a knot), One Touch (sounds like Matthew Dear came along for the ride) and the fabulous Home. But one track stands-out miles from the crowd for me; in fact, it's my favourite song of 2010 - Dance Yrself Clean. It starts off quiet enough, building up some steam as it goes along, and by this point (the first time I heard it that is) I thought I wouldn't hang around much, but then those synths are so...I can't quite put my words on it, but it goes crazy, like The Knife just tagged along or something. It's a brilliant song, and recently awarded the title of Atease Web forum's best song of 2010 - nice one!

Top 100 of 2010: #6

6. Deerhunter - Halycon Digest

Probably the biggest surprise of 2010 for me. I really like Microcastle, and the whole weird-ass vibe it gives out is a nice listen if you fancy something different. So when I first heard Halycon Digest I was wondering if it was the same band - it's no longer too weird to put it into words, but full of playful melodies and sweet, sickly left-field Pop songs.

Amongst them is one of the best songs of 2010; Helicopter. It's like nostalgia music wrapped in glitter - bloody brilliant in other words.

Top 100 of 2010: #7

7. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

And the award for the most bonkers album of the year goes to one of Warp Record's most exciting artists. Combining experimental Jazzy elements with some boomin' beats, throw in some Psychedelic elements, and a handfull of guests including Thom Yorke, and you've got one of the most lively and interesting albums released all year.

Quite hard to take-in all at once the first time, but I don't think that really mattered to me because I loved it from the moment I put it on.

Top 100 of 2010: #8

8. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today


Lo-fi Pop at its best right here. It has so many styles within one album that it's like listening through a million different records at once, but it somehow manages to work - from the lovely Pop melodies of Bright Lit Blue Sky, to the Post-Punkish finale of Revolution's a Lie.

A special mention to Round and Round - one of the best songs I've heard all year, and is the highlight of one of the most interesting and fun albums I've heard this year.

Top 100 2010: #9

9. The National - High Violet

For a band that I'd only heard a couple of albums before hearing this, this came as quite a pleasant surprise. All the songs are memorable and have their own little drawing point, and it's definitely up here with Alligator for me.
I guess what I love about this album is the fact that even though it's not the most original sounding music on the planet, but they get the basics spot-on; great melodies, lyrics, music...it's just a fantastic record to listen to full-stop.

Top 100 of 2010: #10

10. Tomorrow, In a Year - The Knife, Mt Sims & Planningtorock

I think this album splits a lot of people's opinion on the normal music album format - for starters it's an opera based on Charles Darwin's On The Origin of Species, which sounds incredibly complex, which pretty much is; 2 CDs packed with some of the most bizarre sounds you'll hear all year, and this being the definition of a difficult album to listen to.

Approach it with an open mind however, and it becomes a real journey into the unknown. It steadily grows - much like evolution itself, before coming into present day with some synths that sounds like The Knife we all know and love. I admit it takes a lot of patience at times to get through it all, but it's so worth it. It's a great album that I keep visiting from time to time, just to get a sense of peace. It's wierdly soothing...

Top 100 of 2010: 15-11

15. The Besnard Lakes - ...Are The Roaring Night

I think this band get a bit of unfair press for being labeled "the next Arcade Fire", just because they feature a husband and wife duo and create some of the best music you'll hear all year. For me, they're like a more orchasteral version of Pure Reason Revolution mixed with some Shoegaze elements - Albatross is such a wonderful song, but opening the album is the two-part epic Like The Ocean, Like The Innocent. These two tracks show that they can create great songs no matter what length, and I'm very much looking forward to their future releases.

14. Sleigh Bells - Treats

Along with Fang Island, this was one of the albums that put the fun back into music. Their music is quite simple - the lyrics are everyday-like and so is the melodies, but the guitars pack such a punch, it's impossible to ignore it. That's why I love this album - you get some sweet sickly vocals in the foreground whilst there's carnage behind it. In reality it shouldn't work, but it somehow does. It's some of the coolest Pop music I've heard all year.

13. Perfume Genius - Learning

Quite simply - one of the most stunning albums I've heard all year. I got into this one quite late too, but better late than never! The music is largely stripped back and you can bearly hear the vocals, but it's quite similar to last year's Hospice album by The Antlers - it's very melancholy and tender, but because of its Lo-fi production there's also an air of mystery to it. For me anyway, it was one of those albums that made me go "wow" on first listen.

12. Caribou - Swim

I've always liked Caribou, but never really loved his music until I heard Swim. It has some of the most interesting Electronic music all year - combining some aspects of Shoegaze, Dubstep and brass elements to this already varied record. It might take a while to get used to the weird happenings in the music, but it's a great album that keeps getting better with each listen.

11. Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope To The Sky

It starts off with a bang (infact, No Words/No Thoughts reminds me of the song Hun Joro by Sigur Ros) and so should an album that's the first one released since 1997. It's a terrifying return to form, and the album is quite a difficult listen at first, but it opens up the more you hear it. In a nutshell - it's one of the most powerful records I've heard all year, and very nearly made my top 10 before it was bumped back thanks to a very, very late entry...

Top 10 starting tomorrow! Yay!

Top 100 of 2010: 20-16

20. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

This was probably the album everyone was looking forward to. Whether you were a fan of their music or not, there was much hype and wonder at how this album would turn out to sound. It doesn't sound anything like previous 2 albums; introducing synths to their pallette of sounds which gave the songs that extra dynamic edge to them. Sprawl II is undoubtedly the star of the album - Regine singing at the top of her game whilst the music drew influences of Heart of Glass and some of The Knife's more optimistic moments from Deep Cuts. With a rumoured new album out in 2011, Arcade Fire will be a force in the music world for years to come.

19. Twin Shadow - Forget

Another great little discovery - it sounds like the soundtrack to Autumn and has some great little moments that make this album a very nice listen. To me, it's a tight, consistent album in comparison to Arcade Fire (to those who thought my placing of The Suburbs was too low) and its fanbase is growing quickly by the looks of things.

18. Hans Zinner - Inception OST

Having another soundtrack may be a little off, but I don't think I could not include this - for starters, Inception is probably my favourite film of the year, and part of that reason is because the music that came with it was stunning, and was a success factor in my eyes. When I listen back to the soundtrack I can replay the film in my head so easily, even though I've only seen it once.

17. Fang Island - Fang Island

Happy Hi-5 music would be the best way to describe this album. It never fails to raise a smile at least, and it's one of this year's most unique sounding albums. It's perfect in length as well, so you can have that quick little boost after a long hard day. I know I sound cheesy as hell, but I'd like them to play at my parties one day. Imagine the fun...

16. Menomena - Mines

Such a fantastic record this is - I got into it late though because I was in Kos when it was released, so I had to play catch-up. It's one of my favourite Rock records of the last few years actually, and after the massive disappointment of The Resistance last year, it's great to know that not every band is going down that cheesy stadium-path that everyone seems to be doing these days, Definitely a great album with some fantastic songs in there.

Next batch of 15-11 is coming tomorrow! It should be snowing a-plenty here too, so I'll have plenty of time to do it anyway.

Top 100 of 2010: 30-21

30. Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

A beautiful record that should be heard by everyone who has an interest in music. Whether folk is your thing or not, I don't think anyone could deny how some songs (Kids on The Run, King of Spain, Love is All) come across as great songs that you could listen to over and over. I think what hit me most was Kristian Matsson's vocals - it's fragile, but in a way that sells the songs to you in a positive way. Definitely one of my favourite artists or 2010 too.

29. Drums of Death - Generation Hexed

"His music is a blend of techno, old school house, punk rock and electro" Whoa, I had to check this album out! I love a good dance album, so when Drowned In Sound gave it a good review, I couldn't pass on the chance to hear it. I'm glad I did too - one of the most under-rated records around, it sounds like the 1990s dance scene had come back to life and got its glowsticks out. It had that lovely voodoo-edge to it that I haven't heard from albums I've listened to thus far. He's been touring with Hot Chip and remixed tracks for Tricky and Franz Ferdinand - I think it's time he got recognition for his own material now.

28. Owen Pallett - Heartland

Heartland was one of the first albums I heard this year, and it's still one of my favourites too. I love the blend of strings with harsh electronic sounds, but it doesn't sound overdone and overblown like Age Of Adz did with Sufjan Stevens, and I think Mr Pallett got the balance just right on this record. It's full of wonderful melodies and some bizarre imagery that makes you want to come back for more, even though some of it is a bit violent!

27. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles II

If I hadn't seen them live in October this year (6 songs - but 6 great, crazy songs) then this album wouldn't be so high up. Hearing the songs live has made them catchier, crazier, and injected a bit of "oomph!" that has that feeling of rush and adrenaline of going to gigs. Now I really like this album, despite it being overlong. Baptism and Celestica are great songs, and the newly released song Not In Love (with Robert Smith!!) is also a bit of CC magic. Also, who samples Sigur Ros with some gritty electro beats!? Only Crystal Castles of course.

26. Forest Swords - Dagger Paths

This is one of the most surprising releases of the year. It was only released a few weeks ago in fact, but so fresh is the music that it's instantly clicked with me. Imagine a Burial for Wirral, or a more instrumental Fever Ray - that level of creepiness is evident throughout and it's almost impossible to pigeon-hole the album to a specific genre. I can't really describe it - listen and see...

25. Four Tet - There is Love in You

Another album that was released early on in the year, this has just grown and grown as a record. It's a wonderful listen because I always feel warped in the beats that just keep pounding, and it's one of the most rewarding listens this year - I've developed into a bit of a Four Tet fan thanks to this album.

24. Beach House - Teen Dream

It's so close this year, as this great album is way down in 24th. I did ignore this album for a long time too, but I heard Norway thanks to a free MP3 by Pitchfork, and I was suddenly blown away as to how beautiful the song was! I had to listen to the album, and I'm glad I did - wonderful Dream-Pop that features some fantastic vocals by Victoria Legrand. Utterly hypnotizing.

23. Pantha Du Prince - Black Noise

Another artist whom I've become a fan of this year. I think this album is such a rewarding listen because it features some excellent beats and textures that really draws you in from the go.

22. Matthew Dear - Black City

One of the three electronic albums that really grabbed my attention this year, this was one of the hardest albums to get into at first, but continued listens made me realise how great it is. The vocals are weird, and the beats even more so, but it represents the gloomy, grotty nature of dance venues all across the world. From the industrial Closer-esque You Put a Smell on Me, to the progressive Black City - this album is full of great songs and moments.

21. Robyn - Body Talk

A wonderful Pop record full of catchy hits, which also houses two of the best Pop songs this year - Hang With Me and the frankly brilliant Dancing On My Own. Robyn released a trio of mini-albums this year, each with their own highlights, but in the end I had to put the full Body Talk album on here, because whilst it is a tad overlong, it's still a great album that oozes hooks and Robyn's Swedish cuteness. She's been on fire this year really.

Top 100 of 2010: 40-31

40. Daft Punk - Tron Legacy OST

Daft Punk are finally back, but not as we know them. I would've prefered them to do an album on their own terms instead of a soundtrack to a Disney film, but beggars can't be choosers I guess. There's still glimpses of old Daft Punk in there, but occupied with orchasteral elements it comes across in a more interesting way, to put it lightly. I'm not sure if I want Daft Punk to go in a string/electro direction in the future (whether they really want to or not) but at the moment, I'm enjoying this album as it is!

39. Anais Mitchell - Hadestown

Quite a long album that takes you on a mythological journey that's based on a live "folk opera", and it wont be the last album with the word "Opera" tied to it. One of the surprises of the year, because I'm still quite new to folk, but the more artists and albums I discover within the genre, the more I grow to love it. This is one of those records that makes me realise folk can be so much more than just an acoustic guitar.

38. Autolux - Transit Transit

My first impressions of this was that it was...well... quite dull if I'm honest. However, over time and listens, it grew on me and made much more sense. I love Shoegaze, so I thought I'd check this album out since their debut in 2004 was of a Shoegaze-esque sound, and I was initially disappointed that this album lacked it. Now though, I don't really care as the songs sound more focused - with Spots and Supertoys coming out as my personal favourites.

37. Gil-Scott Heron - I'm New Here

I pretty much ignored this album until the Summer, when I thought I'd might as well give it a listen as it had good reviews across the internet. I'm glad I did now too - it's a very good album from start to finish in just under 30 minutes, and because of the short length, it isn't drawn out but rather much more personal in its short running-time.

36. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor

Ah great; another concept album. Hang on, this is quite good! As much as at times I'd like to *possibly* mute the singer's shouting at times, I do like the emotion that comes pouring out of this record. I do feel like I under-rate this album at times, but it's made my top 50 at a respectable position, so I guess it did quite well!

35. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

This was hyped to death, but then again it turned out to be a great record. I just feel that it could be one or two tracks shorter though, because at certain songs I start to get a little bored. At Glastonbury this year they didn't get the best review (I personally thought they were good, but I've been a fan of the band since I was 9, so maybe because I knew the songs I was impressed?) There was no doubting that it needed a few more uptempo songs to get thr crowd going earlier than they did, but the PB songs came across good-if not spectacular- live. Still, Damon Albarn is a bloody genius.

34. Actress - Splazsh

And now we turn to Techno! Thank you Atease, yet again you've found me an exciting new artist I can dig my teeth into. Now, this album is full of great dance tracks that reveal a new little detail each time you listen to it. I'd like to hear it in full blast one of these days - good earphones sometimes doesn't cut it.

33. Kno - Death Is Silent

Another rather obscure album. I only found out about this through Rate Your Music and not the review publications (I don't think I've seen a review of it anywhere bar the fan reviews on RYM) I'm glad I did check it out though; despite it's glum lyrical content, it's a good Hip-Hop album that I really enjoy listening to. Now to actually find a review for it...

32. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot

From one Hip-Hop album to another - this time it's one-half of Outkast Mr Big Boi's turn. I don't think I could praise it more than by just saying that I really enjoy listening to this album, as it's full of catchy songs with some funny moments thrown in too. He's also collaborated with one of my top 10 artists...

31. Grinderman - Grinderman II

I just...loved this album straight away really. I don't know why - maybe it's that raw Rock sound that's present throughout, but whatever it is, it makes me want to listen to it over and over. Whatever it is, it's definitely a great album that deserves the "universal acclaim" tag is has currently on Metacritic.

Top 100 of 2010: 50-41

And here we go...

50. These New Puritans - Hidden

One of the first albums I heard this year, it continues to grow and expose new sounds and landscapes through the music. We Want War is one of my favourite songs of the year, and while I enjoy listening to the album, there are a few moments where I think "this song could be better", but those are minor complaints, as this is a great listen from start to finish - combining Foley techniques to make every detail heard, and every sword strike deadly. This was NME's number 1 album of the year, and even though this is way down in 50th for me, it definitely deserves the praise it gets.

49. Interpol - Interpol

It seems you either love or hate this album judging by the reaction. For me, it's probably tied 2nd favourite alongide Antics (behind Turn on The Bright Lights of course) and why I like it so much is because it's a lot darker than its predecessors. Some songs do feel flat (Try It On (The "no fucking way" line...really!?)) but the highlights make it up. Always Malaise and The Undoing both provide the dark undertones that I like from Interpol, and for all the flak it recieves, I like this album so much that I'm going to see them next March!

48. Warpaint - The Fool

One of the bands to watch in 2011 - all girl-group Warpaint has made an impressive debut album that has some beautiful songs. Undertow is certainly one of them, and it's recently grown a lot on me that it's one of my favourite songs of 2010. How do you know when a group is very good? When your Westlife loving sister sees them live on telly and calls them "crap"! You know they've done something right if they offend Westlife fans.

47. Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Weird pop at its best. It tails off second half of the album, but the first half could've pushed it into the top 25. The Children, Ambling Amp, O.N.E....all fantastic songs that made me fall in love with Yeasayer's music. Such a shame it went downhill after Love Me Girl.

46. 65daysofstatic - We Were Exploding Away

Seeing these guys live made this album really come alive. The energy it gives out is incredible, and it's packed with great songs to dance to. Your brains will explode away if you're not careful enough.

45. No Age - Everything In Between

This made a late dash to cross over the top 50 border, but I think it fully deserves to be here. A great album that I wasn't keen on at first, but like all great albums it grew on me until I could feel comfortable with the songs and style.

44. Glasser - Ring

A great album that was one of the surprises of the year! Glasser - AKA Cameron Mesirow - creates a beautiful Electro Pop album that sounds like a less intense Fever Ray. A great album that really needs more attention than it's currently getting.

43. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

An album full of great little treats. Not the most original artist in the world, but for her age she's incredibly talented and writes such beautiful songs. I can't wait to hear what she does in the future.

42. The Black Keys - Brother

Slightly overlong, but within the album lies a lot of great melodies and songs that stay with you for a long time. The album cover is witty and just states the bleedin' obvious, but don't let that put you off - it's popping up a lot in the "End of Year" charts everywhere, and rightly so.

41. Jonsi - Go

Jonsi live is something else entirely - Tornado is one of my favourite songs of the year, and it was incredible live too. It's just a wonderful album from start to finish - creating wonderful sounds and imagery through some of the most inspiring music. Iceland finally has a male Bjork to treasure.