Best releases of 2010... so far
Posted by: Chief Chirpa on 26 March 2010
Unbelievably, the first three months of the year have almost been and gone, so how about a quarterly report? I guess I'm hoping to find a few recommendations from out of my comfort zone, so what's hit the spot? All posts considered - long, short, good, bad, and ugly. I'd love to know what everyone's favourites are for the year to date, here's mine...
A couple of let downs (Midlake, Yeasayer, Massive Attack) but here are some early contenders for my favourites of 2010:
Autechre - Oversteps Their most melodic, most accessible album in a while, with a lot going on. Much repeated listening necessary here.
Four Tet - There Is Love In You After a couple of great tracks last year, a real return to form. Lovely photographic paper for the cover too.
Joy Orbison - The Shrew Would Have Cushioned The Blow EP Another epic hands-in-the-air tune from the 22-year-old Pete O'Grady. I hope an album is on the way soon.
MGMT - Congratulations Already on their website, a difficult second album and a bit of a jump, but it's good in a Flaming Lips kind of way.
Delphic - Acolyte The future of pop music? Not really, but it's got some darn good tunes, and yes, it does sound like New Order.
And, my favourite of the year:
I'd not heard of French producer and DJ Florent Aupeti a few weeks ago, but I knew one of the tracks on this album, so took a chance on it. The production is impeccable throughout, the beats sound really fresh, and the basslines are DEEP. It's the kind of blend of tech house / dubstep that seems to have taken off in Europe recently, and for anyone curious, sit yourself down with a cup of tea, click on the above album cover and wait for the bass to kick in. (Howard, you know you want to.)
CC
A couple of let downs (Midlake, Yeasayer, Massive Attack) but here are some early contenders for my favourites of 2010:
Autechre - Oversteps Their most melodic, most accessible album in a while, with a lot going on. Much repeated listening necessary here.
Four Tet - There Is Love In You After a couple of great tracks last year, a real return to form. Lovely photographic paper for the cover too.
Joy Orbison - The Shrew Would Have Cushioned The Blow EP Another epic hands-in-the-air tune from the 22-year-old Pete O'Grady. I hope an album is on the way soon.
MGMT - Congratulations Already on their website, a difficult second album and a bit of a jump, but it's good in a Flaming Lips kind of way.
Delphic - Acolyte The future of pop music? Not really, but it's got some darn good tunes, and yes, it does sound like New Order.
And, my favourite of the year:
I'd not heard of French producer and DJ Florent Aupeti a few weeks ago, but I knew one of the tracks on this album, so took a chance on it. The production is impeccable throughout, the beats sound really fresh, and the basslines are DEEP. It's the kind of blend of tech house / dubstep that seems to have taken off in Europe recently, and for anyone curious, sit yourself down with a cup of tea, click on the above album cover and wait for the bass to kick in. (Howard, you know you want to.)
CC
The Owl Service - The View From A Hill
This is an absolutely delightful album if you like folk, taking its inspiration from the likes of Martin Carthy, Trees, Steeleye Span, Pentangle and a dash of Shirley Collins.
It's pretty much all trad. arr. involving the usual mix of murder, war, sex and of course, poaching, but beautifully arranged with a varied selection of instrumentation (or none) and voices. All of it is excellent, though my favourite is Willie O'Wimsbury who's tune Fairport fans will recognise as Farewell, Farewell (naughty Mr T claimed it as his own).
Oh, and it's a stunning recording.
What's more it's currently in Boomkat's Sale at a bargain £5.95.
Couple of tracks on Myspace
A track embedded on their label's website
This is an absolutely delightful album if you like folk, taking its inspiration from the likes of Martin Carthy, Trees, Steeleye Span, Pentangle and a dash of Shirley Collins.
It's pretty much all trad. arr. involving the usual mix of murder, war, sex and of course, poaching, but beautifully arranged with a varied selection of instrumentation (or none) and voices. All of it is excellent, though my favourite is Willie O'Wimsbury who's tune Fairport fans will recognise as Farewell, Farewell (naughty Mr T claimed it as his own).
Oh, and it's a stunning recording.
What's more it's currently in Boomkat's Sale at a bargain £5.95.
Couple of tracks on Myspace
A track embedded on their label's website
I think these 2 will be in my 2010 list along with Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep:-
Roky Erickson with Okkervil River. Astonishing!! Absolutely brilliant album.
Only these two so far:
In first place, by a long way:
In second place:
May add the Charlie Haden and Keith Jarret's 'Jasmine' to the list later after I have purchased a copy and listened seriously to it. Loads of goods stuff also discovered in 2010, but are technically back-catalogue albums, e.g. the Enrico Pieranunzi box set.
In first place, by a long way:
In second place:
May add the Charlie Haden and Keith Jarret's 'Jasmine' to the list later after I have purchased a copy and listened seriously to it. Loads of goods stuff also discovered in 2010, but are technically back-catalogue albums, e.g. the Enrico Pieranunzi box set.
She's a major talent. Didn't she could match her first album but this is at least as good.
Eels - Tomorrow Morning
After the anger of Hombre Loco and the desolation of End Times, this is the happiest (in E terms) Eels have been for some while. And it's great.
All my favourite Eels albums have those whimsical tunes set against quirky little arrangements and, as this is crammed with them, it's up there with my favourite Eels albums so of course, one of the top albums of the year so far.
After the anger of Hombre Loco and the desolation of End Times, this is the happiest (in E terms) Eels have been for some while. And it's great.
All my favourite Eels albums have those whimsical tunes set against quirky little arrangements and, as this is crammed with them, it's up there with my favourite Eels albums so of course, one of the top albums of the year so far.
Looks like Lontano hasn't visited this thread in a while. 
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bananahead:
This really is something special
So what was his 1st album about and that opening line? (Which can't be repeated here)
Talk about a change of style.
This really is something special
So what was his 1st album about and that opening line? (Which can't be repeated here)
Talk about a change of style.