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15 February 2011
The Americana-Uk Top Ten Lists of 2010
Its that time of year again when the great and the good (or the rogues and villains depending on your viewpoint) of Americana-Uk have put their heads together to come up with a definitive Americana top ten. As usual we could agree on nothing and repaired to the pub instead for a sweet sherry and a pipeful of ready rubbed. After mopping up the blood and having a communal hug however we have rested on the list that you will find below. Also listed are each writer’s individual choices – and a fine eclectic mix they are too. In general we categorised 2010 as a ‘funny old year’ – the consensus was that it was solid if unspectacular. Some of us had trouble whittling our choices down to ten and some of us had trouble making it up to ten. As you will see there are a good number of re-releases in our choices which quite probably says something in itself. Nobody really seems to mention the phrase ‘alt.country’ anymore but terms like ‘cosmic country’, ‘country soul’, ‘folk country’ and variations on these are prevalent. In these difficult economic times it seems as if the live venue will continue to struggle, the demise of the traditional record shop continues apace and we have had an internal debate as to whether we should routinely accept downloads for review or continue to ask for a physical product (i.e. cds). Some say yea some say nay – we shall see. In general we think that the (very, very) broad church that is ‘Americana’ is in good shape and we are particularly pleased with our spanking new website which we hope you are enjoying using. As usual we welcome your input because we are as nothing without our readership – please feel free to email us, use the forums and make use of the new comments feature on the website. Here’s to 2011.
Paul Villers
The Americana-Uk Editorial Team’s Top Ten of 2010
- The Duke and The King “Long Live The Duke and The King”
We said: “What we have here is a near enough perfect exposition of Americana – that crossroads (to paraphrase Levon Helm) where folk, blues and soul meet, shake hands and share a drink” - John Grant “Queen of Denmark”
We said: “Emotional, open, honest, humorous and on top of everything that magnificent voice” - Phosphorescent “Here’s to Taking It Easy”
We said: “Those previously beguiled by the stark beauty of Houck's earlier work can rest assured that the fuller sound does not overwhelm the delicate poise of his songwriting. It only exalts it further” - Great Lakes “Ways of Escape”
We said: “Despite talk of revoltionary wars in the record, it's not a revolution as such for the band - the tilt towards more organic instrumentation feels entirely natural and unforced. But have no doubt, it is a truly great record” - Drive By Truckers “The Big To Do”
We said: “After the disappointing “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” someone clearly reminded the Truckers that those amplifiers have an on switch – rocking” - Bellowhead “Hedonism”
We said: “Bellowhead have always been more than “just” a folk band, with their influences from electronic to world, rock to jazz, and this may be the first album in a new “Bellowhead” genre” - Justin Townes Earle “Harlem River Blues”
We said: “This is a good album that works its way further into the affections with each play. It's subtle, it celebrates love, it rejoices in physicality and there's a certain optimism that shines through even on the bleakest song” - The Sadies “Darker Circles”
We said: “It’s an autumnal record in sentiment and sound, full of muted beauty and the knowledge of what is to come is the consequence of the life lived” - JT and the Clouds “Caledonia”
We said: “'Caledonia' is ten songs of something a little bit country, a little bit soul, a slight jazziness, a glug of Motown and it is all wrapped up with tenderness” - The Miserable Rich “Of Flight and Fury”
We said: “an essential listen for anybody with sufficiently open ears, those looking for an antidote to the manufacturing process of modern music, a clarion call to those of us bloody-minded enough to yearn for something different, original and distinctive in our listening”
Mark Whitfield (Editor)
- Great Lakes “Ways of Escape”
Beautifully arranged and indeed written album from little known and now slimmed down Georgia based band, not be confused with the "swimming" variety - Ben Crum has released the album of a lifetime. - Woodpigeon “Die Stadt Muzikanten”
An epic by any standards, the Alberta eight piece collective produce the best work of their short career so far, with twists, turns and surprises along the way. - The Sadies “Darker Circles”
Possibly the best record the band have ever done, certainly in a long time - they've finally mastered the "live in the studio" sound that their live shows have hinted at for so long. - Phosphorescent “Here’s To Taking It Easy”
It's hard to remember such a warm sounding record being released in a long time and Matthew Houck's ear for a good melody is matched by few of his contemporaries right now. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy on pills. - Lightspeed Champion “Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You”
Follow up to the country-fied debut with less twang but some great tunes all the same, and a whole host of genres from chamber-pop to Bee Gees style disco. - Avi Buffalo “Avi Buffalo”
You can virtually feel the testosterone drip out of this record but through the horned up teenager haze, there's some beautiful melodies buried within there, not least of all what's probably the song of the year, the sublime "What's In It For." - Danny & the Champions of the World “Streets of Our Time”
The nicest bloke in music, Danny George Wilson, releases yet another album of classic sounding country-soul with his band of epic proportions, a genre which he almost owns himself he's that good at it. - Drew Danburry “Goodnight Danni”
There's still no justice in the world so long as Drew Danburry continues to get unnoticed by the mass population, but he keeps churning out exemplary albums full of heartbreaking melodies and words to make you laugh and cry. Really beautiful. - Quiet Loner “Spectrology”
The long overdue return of Quiet Loner aka Matt Hill, who once got voted AUK's visitors album of the year. Spectrology is a more sombre affair than its predecessor, but none the worse for it, and his way with words is still sometimes breathtakingly clever. - Kurt Hagardorn “Leaves”
A seamless hybrid of Beatlesque pop, classic country and Indiepop, stylistically varied and lovingly produced, Orgen based Hagardorn essentially writes great pop songs which stay in your head a long time after the last track ends.
Jeremy Searle (Deputy Editor)
- Chris Wood “Handmade Life”
The best songwriter in England today: "Hollow Point", the story of Jean-Claude de Menezes, is worth the price of admission by itself - Bellowhead “Hedonism”
The big band deliver a wild mix of folk and everything else that finally captures the power of their live shows - Jones “Keepers”
The master of thoughtful, literate pop brings a darker edge to his work - Richard Thompson “Dream Attic”
Bitter, biting and beautiful with guitar work to die for - Si Kahn “Courage”
Proper protest songs from a man who's walked the walk for half a century - Justin Rutledge “Early Widows”
Big risk, big reward, as Rutledge turns up the volume and records "as live" a powerful and haunting set of songs - Jim Ford “The Unissued Capital Album”
The best southern soul singer ever with his best album - Pete Seeger “Live in '65”
A double album with not an ounce of fat, this captures the old master at his peak, and shows how to entertain and amuse a crowd while still getting your message across - Justin Townes Earle “Harlem River Blues”
His best to date, a short sharp album of casual greatness that blends roots, gospel and old-time to wonderful effect - Ewan D Rodgers “From Hell, Hull & Halifax”
Low budget and gritty folk songs that are unlikely to win any awards but capture the essence of traditional music perfectly
David Cowling (Lead Writer)
- Sam Amidon “I See the Sign”
Everything I want from a modern folk record - Villagers “Becoming a Jackal”
One of those records that creeps up on you, I loved it before I even knew I liked it - Broken Social Scene “Forgiveness Rock Record”
Everything I want from a modern rock record - Surf City “Kudos”
Kudos indeed, an aural smoothie of Flying Nun - Orange Juice “Coals to Newcastle”
The early Postcard singles are justifiably lauded, surprise yourself with the strength of the later work - Titus Andronicus “The Monitor”
Forget the Civil War concept, the Hold Steady, the Gaslight Anthem your boys took a hell of a beating - Deerhunter “Halcyon Digest”
Tired of waiting for Bradford Cox and co to make a coherent consistent record, listen to this and you won’t be - LCD Soundsystem “This is Happening”
If this is to be the last record it’s a hell of a parting shot - Sadies “Darker Circles”
The sound of a band reaching autumn (in a mist and mellow fruitfullness kind of a way) - Surfer Blood “Astro Coast”
Along with Japandroids, Wavves, and No Age these Floridians are satisfying my deep need for noise and melody in equal measure
Soren McGuire (Interviews Editor)
- Turnpike Troubadours “Diamonds & Gasoline”
Oklahoma’s answer to The Old 97’s turned out to be 2010’s best band - Justin Townes Earle “Harlem River Blues”
If he keeps on making albums like this one, people will be naming their kids after HIM - Justin Rutledge “The Early Widows”
Canadian troubadour hires gospel choir, makes one hell of an album - Jamey Johnson “The Guitar Song”
The ambitious two-part country-opera with songs about talking guitars sounded like the Nashville ”Tommy” - Various Artists “Crazy Heart soundtrack”
The film of the year had the soundtrack of the year, including Ryan Bingham’s finest moment so far - Dylan LeBlanc “Paupers Field”
Beautiful one-man harmonies from the 2010 Americana It-kid - Buddy Holly “Not Fade Away, The Complete Recordings and More”
Long overdue box set from the Most Important Man in Music - Bleu Edmondson “The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be”
Modern Texas country didn’t get more American – or better – than this - Jeffrey Foucault “Cold Satellite”
Michigan troubadour plugs in, still makes grown men weep - Various “Divided By A Common Language, A Collection of UK Americana”
The 15 best reasons why we’re in this business in the first place
Ian Fildes (Reviews Editor)
- Emily Breeze “Penny Arcade”
A sneering rock n roll petrol bomb lobbed into the staid alt-country pond – Like PJ Harvey in a fistfight with Johnny Cash, only with better make-up and much louder guitars - Ann Scott “Flo”
A truly gorgeous and atmospheric work from Ireland’s best kept secret. A complete body of tantalising, beguiling and beautiful songs; there really aren’t many albums better than this. - Darren Hayman & The Secondary Modern “Essex Arms”
The ex-Hefner man continues to lead his alt-folk troupe through his Essex-Themed trilogy, with typically incisive lyrical exposes into the county’s pithy, if pastoral and poetic underbelly - Manic Street Preachers “Postcards From A Young Man”
After the abrasive raw nerves of their last album, a return to anthemic, class-conscious & passionate rock. Despite the occasional melodic euphoria, it is perfectly realised melancholy, desolation and warnings from history that remain intrinsic to the oeuvre. - Cherry Ghost “Beneath This Burning Shoreline”
They could have easily have sold out and ‘done a Coldplay’, but their long-awaited second saw Simon Aldridge get darker, denser & more poetic. The anthemics were more subdued this time, but they showed there is immense power in restraint - Lloyd Cole “Broken Record”
After a decade of sparse solo albums, an all too rare, full-on, alt-country band effort, packed with typically razor-sharp heart-ruptured songs. How long must one of England’s greatest songwriters be so under-appreciated? - Elvis Costello “National Ransom”
Never shy of attacking the big subjects, and embracing a naturally stately country/Rock n Roll background, National Ransom was a fine closure to what has surely been Costello’s most faultless decade of recorded output since the 70s. - Typewriter “Pictures From the Antique Skip”
Former Lucy Show frontman Mark Bandola returns from France and quietly makes the album of his career. Packed full of invention, surprises, and razor-sharp pop songs in disguise. This is art that rocks! - The Hussys “Tokyo Elephant Brothers”
Glasgow indie rockers decamp to a Loch Lomond caravan and make the sharpest acoustic pop album of the year, chock-full of tunes, originality, feisty wit, sex and personality - Winter Hours “Winter Hours”
More of a re-awakening than a Re-release of this forgotten Lenny Kaye-produced 1989 classic, which unwittingly paved the way for Pearl Jam, the Jayhawks, and every other ambitious Alt-Country rockers with one eye on indie credibility and the other on the stadium
Robin Hynes (Listings Editor)
- Horse Feathers “Thistled Spring”
Haunting, sparse, lush, perfect chamber folk that never fails to lift my spirits. - Dylan LeBlanc “Paupers Field”
Superb debut of country soul infused greatness from a young talent full of promise. - C W Stoneking “Jungle Blues”
He's mesmerising live, lost in a fantastical world of depression era hokum ... suspend your disbelief and you will be too. - The Miserable Rich “Of Flight & Fury”
Sweet, beautifully orchestrated, most exuberant chamber pop music that belies their youthful hedonistic narrative - Phosphorescent “Here's to Taking it Easy”
Good time traditional country-rock that retains Houck's trademark ragged lonesomeness. - Justin Townes Earle “Harlem River Blues”
For me this guy personifies the Americana genre, rockabilly, folk, blues, country, and this album showcases his plaintive voice and keen songwriting skills. - Kurt Wagner & Cortney Tidwell “Invariable Heartache”
Beautiful & poignant set of richly produced yearning country duets - Frazy Ford “Obadiah”
Soul influenced country goodness from my favourite Tanya - Southern Tenant Folk Union “The New Farming Scene”
UK’s finest folk-bluegrassers create beautifully crafted and compelling concept piece - I'm Kingfisher “Arctic”
New name, new direction with a fragile concept album from my favourite scandicana artist
Paul Kerr (Staff Writer)
- The Pines “Tremolo”
Moonlit poems set to crepuscular music, twilight hymns packed with arresting images and mysterious allusions. - Peter Case “Wig”
Vigorous display of ballsy rock from a man pulled back from the brink of death. - Pokey LaFarge “Riverboat Soul”
Rag time, blues and country delivered with heart and soul - Howe Gelb & Band of Gypsies “Alegrias”
Flashing guitars and flamenco stylings that is wildly exuberant with an effortless sense of cool. - Rich Hopkins and Luminarios “El Otro Lado”
Hopkins continues to mine the soul of Neil Young while remaining firmly on the TexMex border with the awesome title song. - Justin Townes Earle “Harlem River Blues”
A perfect slice of folk rock steeped in traditional styles and delivered with style. - Dylan LeBlanc “Pauper’s Field”
Warm and woody with pedal steel curling and gliding throughout, sweet as honey. - Peter Stampfel and Baby Gramps “Outertainment”
Ex Holy Modal Rounder and grizzled country blues man join up for a feast of weird and wonderful tales. - Visit “Think God”
Subversive country tinged album that simultaneously questions our existence and celebrates the human spirit. - Sally Spring “Made of Stars”
Rootsy Americana with twang guitar from a seventies singer on the comeback trail.
Andy Riggs (Staff Writer)
- Elton John & Leon Russell “Union”
After years of dross Elton makes a great record with Leon, also contains one of the best songs of the year 'Gone To Shiloh' with Neil Young sounding better than on any of his feeble records from the last few years. - Bruce Springsteen “The Promise”
Bruce on the cusp of greatness and puts his records firmly in the shadows. - Guster “Easy & Wonderful”
Does what it says on the cover, clever & thoughtful pop music. - Mary Chapin Carpenter “The Age of Miracles”
Some file MCC under AOR country, this welcome return kicks that into touch' - Jesse Malin “Love It To Life”
Jesse almost made it big in the UK a few years ago, this record came & went which is a great pity. - Reckless Kelly “Somewhere In Time”
Futher evidence that RK are more than just another country rock band - John Mellancamp “Rural Route”
Not so much a career retro more like a confirmation that JM is up there with the Neil Young. - Drive By Truckers “'Big To Do”
Indeed this record is - Doug Paisley “Constant Companion”
A low key country affair that rewards many listens - Tift Merritt – “See You On The Moon”
I'll forgive the session on Wogan, Tift is one of the best singer songwriters.
Scott Baxter (Staff Writer)
- John Grant “Queen of Denmark”
So sad & funny. It's taken only a week - The National “High Violet”
Men my age talking about my fears and the like - Tallest Man on Earth “The Wild Hunt”
Exuberant and joyous - The Delta Spirit “History From Below”
Kick ass rockers and great tales - v/a “The Dark Night of the Soul”
please see album title - Jonsi “Go”
Jonsi got his pop on and it fucking sang, dude - Field Music “Measure”
Underrated genius-ness. marvellous & detailed - Mike Patton “Mondo Cane”
Just fucking awesome. End - Bonnie Prince Billy and the Cairo Gang “The Wonder Show...”
.....it's Will Oldham..... - Kanye West – “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”
what?
Will Bray (Staff Writer)
- The Duke and The King “Long Live The Duke and The King”
Another glorious creation from Felice - Wolf People “Steeple”
Staggeringly brilliant record and so far out of it's time - Common Prayer “There Is A Mountain”
An ingenious experimental but rootsy record - Hacienda “Big Red and Barbacoa”
This is like hanging out in a sixties era Mexico - JT & The Clouds “Caledonia”
A little bit country, a little bit soul, a slight jazziness, a glug of Mowtown and wrapped with tenderness - Jim Jones Revue “Burning Your House Down”
It just rocks it's ass off! - Monkey Island “Luxe Et Redux”
A refreshingly good ol' fashioned rock album - Stornoway “Beachcomber's Windowsill”
A very addictive listen - Villagers “Becoming A Jackal”
Conor O' Brien or Conor Oberst? - Arcade Fire “Suburbs”
This is the record they should have made in the first place
Keith Hargreaves ( Staff Writer)
- Crass “Feeding of the 5,000”
world changing - Tom Petty “Mojo” –
world affirming - John Grant “Queen of Denmar”
skewed and brilliant - Mavis Staples – You’re not alone
soul for the soul - Phosperescence “Here’s to Taking It Easy”
bloody brilliant stuff - Lambchop “Nixon”
Lovely - Lambchop “Is a woman”
Even better - Gil Scott Hero “I’m New Here”
Never thought I ‘d hear his brilliance again but I did and it is - Drive By Truckers “The Big To Do”
Reaching another peak - Dan Mangan “Nice, nice, very nice”
Delivered on the promise of the Roboteering EP
Paul Villers (Staff Writer)
- JT and the Clouds “Caledonia”
A joyful noise – Americana soul/folk/blues that you can play right through and then play right through again and not get bored. - The Miserable Rich “Of Flight and Fury”
Easily matches their brilliant debut (which is a very, very tough job) - The Duke and The King “Long Live The Duke and The King”
Another Americana/soul mash up which pushes all the right buttons - Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed “Come and Get It”
Behold the man, behold the voice! Old style blue eyed rhythm and blues soul from the man with the best voice in popular bar none - Antony and the Johnsons “Swanlights”
The archbishop of angst does his piano balladry thing to brilliant effect and manages to use a horn section - The Baseballs “Strike”
Popular chart hits reimagined in rock and roll doo wop style. Tongue firmly in cheek – works for me! - Thomas Dybdahl “Waiting For That One Clear Moment”
Norwegian noise nuancer goes all electronica on our arses...nice work - Wes Finch and the Dirty Band “Songs From the Coleman Kitchen”
Coventry kid cooks up another corker - Donavon Frankenreiter “Glow”
Schmmmmmmooooooooooooooothe. - Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (30th Anniversary Edition)
This thing will be on my Desert Island never mind a Best of the Year
Maurice Hope (Staff Writer)
- Gurf Morlix "Last Exit To Happyland"
This is by far Gurf Morlix's best record; as wonderful lyrics backed by keen, hard hitting musicainship. - Peter Cooper / Eric Brace "Master Sessions"
Red Beet singer-songwriters Cooper and Brace aided by dobro and steel guitar legends,Mike Auldridge and Lloyd Green respectively have crafted a recording with a straight from the living room feel. - Paul Burch "Still Your Man"
Paul Burch is one of the finest cultivators of old music put to a fresh new, innovation twist - arguably the best of hisd kind. - Ray Wylie Hubbard "A; Enlightenment B; Endarkenment (hint there is no c)
Wall to wall country, blues that leaves no room for anyone to come near matching him - Justin Townes Earle "Harlem River Blues"
Justin Townes Earle brings a disarming charm and cultured sparkle to the Americana music scene. - Derek Hoke "Goodbye Rock'n'Roll
Simple melodies, great vocal harmonies with a fabulous duet thrown- in for good manner Hoke is another who brings a refreshing and skillful approach to the table. - Kate MacLeod "Blooming"
MacLeod's plaintive songs, vocals and general warmth show this gifted singer-songwriter in wonderful light. - James McMurtry - 'Live In Europe'
Texas singer-songwriter who pulls back none but strikes forward and outward with his hard hitting lyrics and unbending drive. - Darrell Scott "A Crooked Road"
Great singer-songwriter and all-round musician (he plays all instruments) and creator of material that gets better with ever play....Scott is one of the finest acts on this planet. - Annie Keating "Water Tower View"
Keatings crash and grab approach to songwriting is both refreshing and wonderful entertainment
Phil Edwards (Staff Writer)
- Kevin Higgins “Find Your Shine”
All the best singer songwriters come from Texas – everyone knows that. Some may argue against this fact but it’s true; the dissenters are wrong. The names go on, and now there’s one more to add to the list - Kevin Costner & Modern West “Turn It On”
So to sum up in an subtle elegant and clever journalistic way, what’s this album like? POWER AMERICANA RAWK! Never judge a book by it’s cover, or in this case, by his movies - James Dunn “The Bed We Made”
This guy just gets better and better. The second album (plus an extended EP) from one of the finest singer songwriters plying their trade today - Jake and the Leprechauns “At Midnight the Birdsong”
From the prog rock sounds of ‘Misunderstanding Entropy’ to the more basic ‘From Here To There’, it’s all here. Something for everyone then - Great Big Sea “Safe Upon the Shore”
This album is one of those that is instant from the off. First listen and you’re hooked and it gets better with every play. The Great Big Sea boys (plus numerous others) done good - Various “More Townes Van Zandt by the Great Unknown”
Steve Earle once famously said, “Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that” (to which Townes retorted “I've met Bob Dylan and his bodyguards, and I don't think Steve could get anywhere near his coffee table”). And that my friends, just about sums it up - Shawn Mullins “Light You Up”
Shawn Mullins has gone all Robbie Williams. Well, not quite, but not far off, especially on the funky title track. Mullins is back. Let’s hope he gets full recognition again this time around. And you’ll be pleased to hear that the title track is his only Williams impression! - Neil McLarty “Roseville Grand”
At The Lake’ opens this album as if it’s been stolen from James Blunt’s ‘Wisemen’ but soon takes on a different direction when the lyrics kick in. Well sort of; but the riff remains the same, even if the electric guitar howls like a wolf who’s paw has been trodden on. - Dylan LeBlanc “Paupers Field”
Even though this contains songs of the dead and buried, it’s not maudlin. A fine debut from a promising singer - Various “KGSR Vol 18”
Another spiffing collection of 20 live tracks recorded at the KGSR studios, adding to the canon series of fine CD’s. Check out The Avett Brothers’ “I And Love And You”; awesome
Kai Roberts (Staff Writer)
- Phosphorescent “Here's To Taking It Easy”
One of the finest additions to the canon of Cosmic American Music since the 1970s, brimming with lysergic beauty - Caitlin Rose “Own Side Now”
An remarkably accomplished and mature début album, replete with charm, wit, warmth and perspicacity - Anais Mitchell “Hadestown”
The best fusion of Americana, Orphic myth and 1930s social history you're ever likely to hear - The Duke & the King “Long Live the Duke & the King”
A masterpiece of psychedelic country-soul, fully showcasing their ever-developing vocal playfulness - Chatham County Line “Wildwood”
Proving once again that they're not only fine pickers, they're also the most accomplished songwriters bluegrass has - Mark Olson “Many Coloured Kite”
Another gloriously idiosyncratic and optimistic work from Olson, whose wisdom seems to grow with every outing - Wolf People “Steeple”
In an uncanny act of musical necromancy, Wolf People invoke the spectre of acid-rock and imbue it with new vitality - The Black Keys “Brothers”
Expanding their sonic palette elevates the Black Keys into the ranks of the finest interpreters of the blues - Infamous Stringdusters “Things That Fly”
The most sophisticated bluegrass musicians around embrace a more expansive production to create their finest album yet - Midlake “The Courage Of Others”
Whilst not as immediate as its predecessor, the sustained, haunting atmosphere will eventually grip you and never let go
David Harry (Staff Writer)
- Moris Tepper “A Man Called Shotgun Throat”
Tepper’s latest is his best yet, a whiskey soaked vision of the American West, from a true American troubadour - The Duke & The King “Long Live The Duke & The King”
The Duke & The King are currently the best live band on the planet and ‘Long Live The Duke & The King’ expands their musical palette with a worthy follow-up to last year’s 'Nothing Gold Can Stay' - The Sadies “Darker Circles”
After proclaiming this to be a disappointment, “a bit flat” and uninspiring I am a convert – it is in fact intelligent, enigmatic and brilliant - Drive-By Truckers “The Big To-Do”
After the disappointing “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” someone clearly reminded the Truckers that those amplifiers have an on switch – rocking - Wynntown Marshals “Westerner”
A ready-made answer to that perennial question, “What is Americana?” - Chatham County Line “Wildwood”
‘Crop Comes In’ might be the most beautiful song of the year - Swans “My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky”
Part Swans, part Angels of Light, it is not entirely clear what Michael Gira is trying to do at the moment – fortunately while he works it out we get to enjoy something intense, creepy, violent and truly unique - Joanna Newsome “Have One on Me”
Who would have thought a warbling harpist could produce something quite so intricate and fascinating? - Black Francis “Nonstoperotik”
What mid-life crisis? Eleven songs dedicated to one man’s love for vagina – next year expect the Pixies to release an album of Rod Stewart covers - Richmond Fontaine “Postcards from Portland”
Still the nicest guys in music, this is a testament to the power of their live sound
Lynne Pettinger (Staff Writer)
- The Dustbowl Revival “You Can’t Go Back to the Garden of Eden”
Maybe the best folk orchestra in town - Bellowhead “Hedonism”
Maybe the best folk orchestra in town - Fuzzy Lights “Twin Feathers”
Little red rabbit records rule ok - Last Harbour “Volo”
Little red rabbit records rule ok - Quiet Loner “Spectrology”
Little red rabbit records rule ok - Sarah Jaffe “Suburban Nature”
Seen supporting midlake one cold January evening in Leicester - Phosphorescent “Here’s To Taking it Easy
Bought on the back of a fine performance at end of the road festival - The National – high violet
They will never make a better record - Pete Molinari – train bound for glory
Chatham’s rock n roll hero - Tindersticks – falling down a mountain
I have loved this band since 1993; contains small innovations
Dan Wilkinson (Staff Writer)
- Rolling Stones “Exile on Main Street”
Wow! Now it is not just a great big murky mess it is surprising to me how good Exile actually is - Drive By Truckers “The Big To-Do” Once again the truckers deliver the goods with another fine collection of songs about drinking, death and scandal
- Neil Young “Le Noise”
There aren’t many who can hold the attention with just an electric guitar, voice and some noise but old Shakey is one of them. - Bruce Springsteen “The Promise”
The Boss really wrote a lot of good songs in the late seventies! - Johnny Cash “American Vi Ain’t No Grave”
The voice was ravaged and there is an element of sentiment in this choice but the man in black knew the end was near and boy did he use his time wisely - Band of Horses “Infinite Arms"
how to make anthemic music without sounding horrible - Gaslight Anthem “American Slang” OK so they are too close to Springsteen for comfort and a little cheesy but this was a welcome rush of energy in 2010
- Grinderman “Grinderman 2”
Thank God for Nick Cave and his itinerant bunch of scumbags. - Arcade Fire “The Suburbs"
A welcome return to form. - Mavis Staples “You Are Not Alone”
Two legends in superb form.
Jonathan Aird (Staff Writer)
- John Grant “Queen of Denmark”
Emotional, open, honest, humorous and on top of everything that magnificent voice. - Roky Erickson & Okkervil River “True Love Cast Out All Evil”
Only the hardest of hearts would fail to be moved by this remarkable album - Midlake “The Courage of Others”
Old and new blended to make an emotional masterpiece. - March of Dimes “From Those Who Were There”
Listening and loving at the start of the year, still listening and loving at the end - that is what a record should be - Dr John “Tribal”
The coolest and the grooviest tracks as the good Dr taps into a winning vein of N'orleans sounds. - Dust on the Breakers “American Reclamation”
A rich Gothic folk-Americana triumph - Giant Sand “Blurry Blue Mountain”
The not desperate sound and a mature artist who finally seems on the verge of wider recognition - C.W. Stoneking “Jungle Blues”
The raucous, bawdy, chilling sounds of early jazz, re-imagined - Dar Williams “Many great companions”
A perfect combination of "greatest hits" - beautifully written and sung - and rerecorded acoustic versions. - The Whybirds “Cold Blue Sky”
Bedford's finest purveyors of pleasing pure rocking Americana
