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

Tristram - Accident & Artifice

It is a great time to be a folk band in the UK with the continuing success of Mumford & Sons, not to mention Laura Marling's foray into the top forty charts, and the consistent publication of upcoming folk bands in popular magazines like NME (Villagers, Grizzly Bear and the list goes on...), if anything, the insurgence only looks like it is going to gain speed rather than falter.

With 'Accidents & Artifice', Tristram, a four piece band who met in Brighton quickly moving to London shortly after, show that with this, their second EP to date, they are more than ready to not only work with the success in the genre currently, but to, given the almost stagnant nature of the folk sound, help it to evolve into something more upbeat and original. Most folk bands are happy to rely on a minimal sound, concentrating on the guitar and well crafted lyrics, but from opener 'Dust Disturbed' and its follow up 'Song For Laurie', it's fairly obvious that Tristram have a high level on focus on driving drum beats too, filling any space left with haunting cello. 'Rhyme Or Reason' showcases Tristram Bawtree's ability to write infectious vocal melodies, harking back to Nick Drake's 'One Of These Things First' while fourth and final track 'Coelacanth' sees Tristram slowing down the pace for a more reflective sound.

'Accidents & Artifice' is an accomplished EP, my only criticism is that it is just that, an EP, only four tracks and it seems to be over just after it has begun. Great things await this band if they can ride the wave of folk popularity long enough to record a full length.

3.5 / 5

Tristram Myspace

Everything Burns - Home

What happened to all those metalcore, emocore, hardcore, or whatever plus the word core bands that I listened to when I was seventeen (let's not go into how long ago that actually was please)? Generally, they disappeared, because let me level with you here....they just weren't very good. Obviously the good ones are still around with Glassjaw, Norma Jean and on the lighter side Finch, still recording and touring but there is still room for another band to muscle in on the act, could that band be Cornish based Everything Burns?

Debut album 'Home', released on the ever growing UK metal label Rising Records ticks many of the boxes that a metal band should, highly technical and driven guitar play underpinned by frantic but at the same time intelligent drumming and also, the dreaded screaming that became somewhat cliché and over-used for my liking in the genre. What Everything Burns have that many don't, is a knack for melodies, with every song anthemic in its own right, opener 'Scars', alongside fan favourite 'Me Vs You' showcase this and the band perfectly, with the emphasis on emotive lyrics alongside passionate singing (not to mention, they ignore the tired scream verse sing chorus formula).

Until today, I would have happily said that emotional metal is dead, but I'm glad to say that Everything Burns are definitely here to prove me wrong. This release obviously isn't going to win everyone over, but with a ever growing touring schedule and this album behind them, they are hot on the heels of the genre's heavyweights.

3.5 / 5

Everything Burns Myspace

Allie Moss - Late Bloomer

Television has a strange way of turning us onto certain music, whether it is a well placed song in the softest romantic part of our favourite American drama, or a musical accompaniment to an advert, we are often subliminally force fed music we perhaps wouldn't have heard from otherwise, and such is the case with me and Allie Moss.

'Corner', the fantastic piece of music featured in the latest BT infinity advert is only one tenth of the songs contained on Moss' debut album 'Late Bloomer', so what can we actually expect from this album, is it acoustic singer song-writer genius, or merely just one small flash in the pan?

'Late Bloomer' firmly has its feet in the acoustic pop middle of the road music section, it isn't different enough lyrically to be with the likes of Laura Marling but it does spark of Katie Melua, just with more maturity and less depression. It's radio friendly and soft on your ears, your mum will probably like it, but while this is something that I would normally fight against, with 'Late Bloomer' I just can't and while the winter is heavily upon us, I am desperately needing something full of beautiful melodies to remind me of the summer, and for me, this album is it.

Expect big things from Allie Moss if this album is anything to go by, a fantastic talent.

4 / 5

Allie Moss Myspace

Allie Moss - Late Bloomer

Television has a strange way of turning us onto certain music, whether it is a well placed song in the softest romantic part of our favourite American drama, or a musical accompianment to an advert, we are often subliminally force fed music we perhaps wouldn't have heard from otherwise, and such is the case with me and Allie Moss.

'Corner', the fantastic piece of music featured in the latest BT infinity advert is only one tenth of the songs contained on Moss' debut album 'Late Bloomer', so what can we actually expect from this album, is it acoustic singer song-writer genius, or merely just one small flash in the pan?

'Late Bloomer' firmly has its feet in the acoustic pop middle of the road music section, it isn't different enough lyrically to be with the likes of Laura Marling but it does spark of Katie Melua, just with more maturity and less depression. It's radio friendly and soft on your ears, your mum will probably like it, but while this is something that I would normally fight against, with 'Late Bloomer' I just can't and while the winter is heavily upon us, I am desperately needing something full of beautiful melodies to remind me of the summer, and for me, this album is it.

Expect big things from Allie Moss if this album is anything to go by, a fantastic talent.

4 / 5

Allie Moss Myspace

Johnny Flynn - The Water

Many of my friends have for the better part of two years, been trying to convince me of the genius that is Johnny Flynn and I have always dismissed it, claiming his music to be uninspired, dull, everything that leaves a bad taste in your mouth when people mention the word folk.

'The Water' despite featuring the brilliant Laura Marling (because lets be honest, who isn't a massive fan of her?!), still does nothing to change my opinion. If this track is anything, it is a stone, cold and emotionless, this doesn't stir me into feeling anything and it certainly doesn't make me want to buy Flynns latest album.

Avoid.

1 / 5

Johnny Flynn Myspace Page