Our music specialists have gotten together to choose the best albums of the year in the categories of Pop and Alternative, Folk and World, and Country, Soul and Jazz. Here are their picks.
Best Pop/Alternative Albums of 2010
Isbells
Isbells
Our reviewer said, ‘Fans of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and all things
folksy rejoice – for Isbells are the beardy new kids on the block
... This is a record gorgeous in its simplicity, with a slow,
smouldering burn that eventually totally enraptures the
listener.’
Down The
Way
Angus & Julia Stone
Our reviewer said, ‘A cracking album ... production values have
been enhanced and they stretch out a little more as their
confidence as artists grows. But it’s their songs that stand out;
they’re both clearly good songwriters and I suspect this album is
going to break big-time around the world.’
High
Violet
The National
Our reviewer said, ‘I don’t think The National can do any wrong,
and High Violet just helped convince me. England made
hairs stand up on my arms.’
Le
Noise
Neil Young
Our reviewer said, ‘Neil Young plays his songs solo and electric
through a rig collaborator Daniel Lanois put together for the
acoustic set. The results are as sonically and lyrically innovative
as only these two artists could be, and fans of both will not be
disappointed.’
Leave
Your Sleep
Natalie Merchant
Merchant took over a year (and 130 musicians) to record this album,
which sees her exploring many new directions, including Chinese
& Celtic folk, jazz, R&B, and bluegrass. Our reviewer said,
‘This is a grand project and does take a few listens to sink in,
but her magical voice and the quality of the musicians are a
delight.’
July
Flame
Laura Veirs
This stripped-down album uses atmosphere and tension as the
connective tissue for its songs. Veirs challenged herself with odd
tunings on her nylon-string guitar, and did away with her full band
for most of the album.
Halcyon
Digest
Deerhunter
Our reviewer said, ‘An almost perfect album with tracks that make
me smile and riffs that have moved me to tears. But then, I cry at
Worksafe ads.’
Harper
Simon
Harper Simon
Our reviewer said, ‘Being the son of one Paul Simon surely carries
a weight of expectation under which many would crumble. That Harper
Simon’s debut album is so assured and beautifully crafted is a
testament to a talent that shows no sign of wilting under a rather
large shadow.’
The
Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Our reviewer said, ‘The Suburbs sees this Montreal
seven-piece in a more contemplative mood than their fans may be
used to ... From the stripped-back pop of Modern Man, to the lush
balladry of Suburban War, Arcade Fire has delivered another record
brimming with breadth and beauty.’
Band of
Joy
Robert Plant
Our reviewer said of Plant’s new collaboration, ‘It is definitely
rockier than Raising Sand, but does still retain a ‘rootsy’ feel. I
look forward to hearing it again and again.’
Best Folk/World Albums of 2010
Lucy and the Wolves
Martha Tilston
British folk singer-songwriter Martha Tilston expresses herself in
her trademark, endearingly direct, poetic manner, examining
relationships in an accessible, universal way. The songs are
exquisitely set and the musicianship is faultless: a mesh of
violins, viola, cello, double bass and, unusually, trombone.
Ali & Toumani
Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate
In 2005, the late guitarist Ali Farka Touré and the kora player
Toumani Diabaté released In the Heart of
the Moon, which went on to win a Grammy. Here, the two
Malian musicians get together again, providing a feast of plucked
tones and entrancing rhythms.
Mulatu Steps Ahead
Mulatu Astatke
A rich new album of Ethio sounds, perfect for all fans of world
music, jazz and the bestselling Ethiopiques series. Mulatu
Steps Ahead explores new directions in fusions of Western jazz
with Ethiopian modes, moving forward the pioneering sound Mulatu
developed during the 60s and 70s.
Goanna Dreaming
Shane Howard
Our reviewer said, ‘Shane Howard’s latest album is a broad,
sweeping opus, covering his familiar environmental and indigenous
concerns ... This is a blend of history book, travel diary, and
personal and political writings, set to some great country/folk
rock guitar work ... An incredible piece of work.’
Afrocubism
Afrocubism
World Circuit, the label that brought the world Buena Vista Social
Club, presents the original idea for that project – a stellar
collaboration between acclaimed Malian & Cuban musicians,
featuring Grammy Award winners Toumani Diabate and Eliades
Ochoa.
Best Country/Soul/Jazz of 2010
Tides of
Time
Liz Stringer
A unique project album, with Liz performing unaccompanied and
laying down all her instrumentation alone. The ten tracks have been
hand-picked for the intimate and understated recording style on a
vintage 8 track, with a lone engineer in a converted church in
Melbourne.
You Are Not Alone
Mavis Staples
Our reviewer said, ‘In one of the most exciting collaborations in
recent years, You Are Not Alone sees gospel soul queen
Mavis Staples continue her recent resurgence and team up with Wilco
main man Jeff Tweedy ... Never less than inspiring and uplifting.
Essential.’
Harlem River Blues
Justin Townes Earle
Our reviewer said, ‘Having released two of the very best
country/roots albums of recent years ... Earles continues to prove
endlessly worthy of his esteemed namesakes and has shown once
again, with Harlem River Blues, that he is the real deal
and a performer of immense ability and charisma. Great stuff.’
Jasmine
Keith Jarrett & Charlie Haden
‘Even by the lofty standards of Keith Jarrett, this is something special ... This dignified sojourn through the tin-pan alley canon has the gravitas and unaffected directness of Jarrett’s now-classic solo standards disc, The Melody at Night With You.’
I"m New
Here
Gil Scott Heron
Our reviewer said, ‘A pioneer of rap and jazz-funk and one of the
most political songwriters of his time, Scott-Heron returns after a
lengthy spell ... And what a return it is – his voice may be a
little more weathered, but the passion and intelligence remain.
Well worth investigating.’
See our full range of music here. Including our range of vinyl albums.
Our 'best of 2010' lists thus far:
