My Top Five Albums Of 2010


The Xcerts - Scatterbrain
'Scatterbrain' saw The Xcerts move out from that distorted indie pop sound that reminded everyone of Biffy Clyro and put them in a genre of their own. Recorded with Mike Sapone (who also recently worked on Brand New's 'Daisy' album), 'Scatterbrain' is a dark, relentlessly visceral record that I personally feel, is the most vital British album released this year.
www.myspace.com/thexcerts


Meursault - All Creatures Will Make Merry
'All Creatures Will Make Merry' sums up everything that is fantastic about lo-fi records, honest, emotional and with a song craft that has yet to be beaten, this release hasn't seen Meursault explode into popularity but it has definitely set them up for a fantastic 2011.
http://www.myspace.com/meursaulta701


Deftones - Diamond Eyes
After recording the follow up to 'Saturday Night Wrist', 'Eros', bassist Chi Cheng was sadly involved in a near fatal car crash and has been in hospital since. You would forgive Deftones for having a break until Cheng is back, but luckily for Deftones fans they did the complete opposite and recorded a brand new album, 'Diamond Eyes'. Crafting a whole new sound for them, 'Diamond Eyes' is possibly Deftones at their heaviest, but it's Deftones at their best also.
www.myspace.com/deftones


Underoath - Ø (DISAMBIGUATION)
After losing the last of their original members (and perhaps the most talented musician in the band), it seemed almost inevitable that Underoath's latest album would be utterly terrible but by hiring former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison, they have possibly one of the best replacements they could ask for. 'Ø (DISAMBIGUATION)' takes a fair few of its cues from Norma Jean, it's angry, it's aggressive and it's utterly brilliant.
www.myspace.com/underoath


Foals - Total Life Forever
I utterly didn't understand the hype behind Foals debut album 'Antidotes', but it's follow up, Mercury Prize Nominated 'Total Life Forever' has me totally smitten. The mature second album, it moves away from the cliché NME friendly art indie sound of the debut and establishes itself as a completely original piece of art, that I really struggle to describe. Foals are a sign of the fantastic level of talent we have musically in this country and if you have any musical sense at all, you HAVE to own this record.
www.myspace.com/foals