Has 2010 been a good year for good albums? Well, I’d say yes it has and here’s a list of reasons why…
Royal Variety by Seal Cub Clubbing Club,
Duppy Writer by Roots Manuva meets Wrong Tom,
Sequins Save Lives by Mushi Mushi
Logic of Chance by Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip
Unicorn by Chewlips
Burning Your House Down by The Jim Jones Revue
But I’m meant to be choosing my best of the year, and although all of the above are really good, I have a tie for my best. I really can’t choose between Topp Stemning På Lokal Bar by Casiokids and Teen Dream by Beach House, as I find both of these albums much more than just really good. The Casiokids album has me jumping around the flat like a lunatic when it’s being played, or if I’m walking to work listening to it there’s a smile on my face and bounce in my step. As for Beach House’s offering this year, it seems to have quite the opposite effect, I can sit deathly still, almost hypnotised, just listening intensely from start to finish. Neither of the albums have a bad track between them and I know I’ll be listening to both of them repeatedly for a long time to come.
Now as for gigs, I could give you a list as long as my arm that I’ve enjoyed this year, but here are three that have stood out for me…
Beach House/Lawrence Arabia at Islington Mill 11/02/2010
The Hornblower Brothers at Islington Mill 05/03/2010
Casiokids at Fac251 (Dot to Dot Festival) 30/05/2010
Casiokids by Polyvinyl Records
Beach House – Norway by Hipstersw/kids
Ooh, just remembered I saw Air this year too. Bloody marvellous.
Simon.