Had a lot of time to listen to music this year, with about 5 months off work in total, yet somehow I didn’t listen enough. The dance trend of last year has continued and I’m starting to question where my indie roots are going, without an Arcade Fire or Midlake album in sight. I think it was more that I just needed some happy music this year as my the last 6 months have been pretty shit. I’ve also picked up a bit of an ambient music addiction without even needing drugs! 🙂

1. Washington – I believe you Liar

Washington - I Believe You Liar
Washington - I Believe You Liar

A Brisbane girl by way of Papua New Guinea and now a Melbournite, I first noticed her when she supported Sia at the Hi Fi Bar and bought her EP then and there. I picked up an addiction for the song Cement off the EP when I was in Thailand and sucked down the full LP off iTunes when it came out. Drooled over her cool librarian looks in the italian themed video for Sunday Best and was stunned in to awe with the song How to Tame Lions. Can’t wait for her next Album

Most Played Song in itunes – How to Tame Lions
Washington Website

2. Sally Seltmann – Heart That’s Pounding

Sally Seltmann - Heart That’s Pounding
Sally Seltmann - Heart That’s Pounding

Cameron was my gateway to the introduction of her (I only knew her as New Buffalo and liked that period too). This album though was a lot more adult from her with lyrics that were easier to identify with. It’s been said that this album came out of gaining song writing confidence after her success writing the Feist song 1234. I recommended On The Borderline to everyone I spoke to – especially those that had a hard time getting out of bed. She may be a little “twee” and “girly” for some people, but when you are feeling like shit, this is a great album to kick you in the butt and get you moving. Lots of piano and 60s girl style beats.

Most Played Song in itunes – Set Me Free
Sally Seltmann Website

3. Tiësto – Kaleidoscope

Tiesto - Kaliedoscope
Tiesto - Kaliedoscope

I know it’s not a 2010 release, but I added it to my library in 2010, so it counts for me. This album is laced with great artists like Jónsi, Nelly Furtado and Kele from Bloc Party. What interested me though was obviously the Tegan and Sara track (being a huge fan) which turned out great – mix my still new dance fascination with my favourite indie/rock girls and see me grin. I thrashed this on my ipod while I was in Thailand – a country that loves youth and dance music (at least in the beach towns). There is not one song on this album I rated below 3 stars – all killer no filler!

Most Played Song in itunes – Escape Me (Feat. C.C. Sheffield)
Tiësto Website

4. Passenger – Flight Of The Crow

Passenger - Flight Of The Crow
Passenger - Flight Of The Crow

A bit of a departure from the previous album, this is moody folk piano sad songs for those introspective times. The guy who calls himself Passenger is an english dude who decided to busk around Australia and collaborate with a bunch of famous aussie musicians like Katie Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke, Boy & Bear and Katie Noonan. This album was my soundtrack to the breakup of my 14 year relationship because there is nothing like wordy love songs and a folk guitar to make you feel mournful. 🙂 Thanks kissability from twitter for the shoutout of this album which switched me on to it. If you like Damien Rice, you’ll love this album.

Most Played Song in itunes – The One You Love
Passenger Website

Sorry, only version of the song youtube has is a “Lost” tribute:

5. Mark Ronson And The Business International – Record Collection

Mark Ronson And The Business International - Record Collection
Mark Ronson And The Business International - Record Collection

A comeback from Boy George, a song with Simon Le Bon and the cool kids of Rose Elinor Dougall, Andrew Wyatt and Alex Greenwald – how could this fail? Sure, Boy George’s voice doesn’t have the power he had 50 000 snorts of cocaine ago but who cares with lines like “I used to know her when my home was sober”. Plus, as a bonus, you have jamaican drums! The title track is just as good with Simon Le Bon in control and who wouldn’t fall in love with a song about enjoying riding their bicycle – if Queen can do it, so can Mark. Put this on at a party and people won’t realise it’s the same album, yet they all groove as background. The cover is brilliant too. Good fun and I just want to hug it.

Most Played Song in itunes – Somebody To Love Me
Mark Ronson Website

And how is awesome is this video using old tapes of Boy George:


Mark Ronson – Somebody To Love (Official Video)
Uploaded by PayeTaChatte. – See the latest featured music videos.

6. Robyn – Body Talk

Robyn - Body Talk
Robyn - Body Talk

She released 3 albums this year, Body Talk 1, Body Talk 2 and Body Talk. It was a great way to spread out the joy, but if you aren’t interested in the slower versions of some of the songs, Body Talk is like the best of. Robyn is the voice of the jilted female, the woman overlooked for the pretty one and even the other woman. “None of Dem” is a menacing beat that restrains itself while pouring bile over everyone and everything (it’s awesome). Hang with Me is like the tour song that makes you wish you were her best friend and her lover – willing to be her support to her shining star. Call Your Girlfriend is about finding someone and accidentally falling in love with them but are attached – she makes it a sweet breakup. Dancing on my own is pop dance electro sad girl in the corner sweet brilliance. Oh Robyn, how I love you.

Most Played Song in itunes – Dancing On My Own
Robyn Website

7. David Guetta – One Love

David Guetta - One Love
David Guetta - One Love

Yep, another 2009 album, but I will forever associate this as 2010 since When Love Takes Over was the only thing I saw or heard anywhere I went in Thailand. Deservedly so since the Kelly Rowland song is pretty bloody awesome – my number 1 single of the year easily. Remixes of Black Eyed Peas, Kid Cudi and Akon just go off in the car, in the house, in the club, at the beach and in the kitchen. Great beats, great singers, great album.

Most Played Song in itunes – When Love Takes Over
David Guetta Website

8. Little Red – Midnight Remember

Little Red - Midnight Remember
Little Red - Midnight Remember

I’m a bit sheepish to admit that I discovered this band thanks to multiple plays on the Sunrise tv show on Seven. They kept advertising that Little Red were going to play live and just a snippet of “Rock it” was enough for me to go hunting for them. Driving base line, harmonies, piano and electronics with a lazy delivery about rocking it (a song that doesn’t rock out in the slightest). Slow Motion is another highlight, but the whole album is one you could put on in the car with your parents and no one would be offended in the slightest. These guys know how to craft a pop song, but they haven’t yet reached their peak in the album writing game. There are hints of 60s beach boys, 80s yacht rock and some soft blues/soul chucked in. The geekiness of these guys is part of their appeal for me.

Most Played Song in itunes – Slow Motion
Little Red Website

9. Vampire Weekend – Contra

Vampire Weekend - Contra
Vampire Weekend - Contra

Vampire Weekend have enough cred with me now that if they release an album I will get it regardless of whether I’ve heard it enough. If you don’t think they are talented, try playing one of their songs on Guitar Hero or Rock Band and see if you can sing or play the guitar fast enough – Cousins is a great one to try. It’s hard I tell you! They’ve kept with the wordy and african influences and although it doesn’t have an “A-Punk” song on it, it’s still a great second album after a huge amount of buzz coming of their first one. Who cares if the lady on the cover is suing them since she didn’t give permission to use it.

Most Played Song in itunes – White Sky
Vampire Weekend Website

10. Bersarin Quartett – Bersarin Quartett

Bersarin Quartett - Bersarin Quartett
Bersarin Quartett - Bersarin Quartett

I spent two weeks in hospital in August in a room with three other women. When one of them has Alzheimers at night and wants to have fights with the nurses, you need some way of relaxing or getting to sleep. This was my go to album for when I needed to tune out and heal. An instrumental ambient style album, yet with an orchestra and electronic beats it was enough to soothe my soul. “Oktober” is just a work of art while “Mehr als alles andere” has elements of Four Tet in it. Yes, 2008 was when it came out, but I’m breaking rules baby! Don’t try and listen to this album when you want to amp yourself up.

Most Played Song in itunes – Mehr als alles andere
Bersarin Quartett Website

Ones that didn’t make the list – only just

  • Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas – II (Similar to Bersarin Quartett for relaxation)
  • Kruder & Dorfmeister – The K&D Sessions  (For lazing poolside or in the chill lounge)
  • Various Artists – Long Gone Whistle (if only for Adalita’s version of Lonesome)
  • Mates of State – Crushes (Covers of their favourite songs – Laura is a highlight)
  • Goldfrapp – Head First (Started off strong, but somehow faded)

Comments

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1 thought on “Albums of 2010

  1. madram says:

    Looking fo some music to listen to over the christmas break, I rediscovered a certain ripped CD titled “Proof that alternative bands in the early 90s have melody” that someone gave me a while back…. Are you now saying that modern music has ambience too 🙂 Gosh, suddenly have this urge to dust off my old Jean-Michel Jarre and Mike Oldfield discs!

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