number one

wild nothing – gemini

gemini was an easy choice, for anyone who knows me. this album has been my number one pick of the year since I heard it back in june. with revivalist retro lo-fi making it’s comeback (and taking up a large portion of this list) this was one album that took that idea but turned it on its head. paying homage to the eighties with a delicious mix of synth and jangly guitar pop, jack tatum has created something that sounds fresh, innovative and unique. Opener ‘Live in Dreams’ is a hazy cavort into what I can only describe as an incredibly warm record.

‘Summer Holiday’ was the first track I heard from the album and was automatically drawn in – those Johnny Marr guitars, the simple lyrics and that incredible earnestness in the essentially wordless chorus. From there, it’s continual gem after solid gem. The lilting and strangely hypnotic  ‘Pessimist‘, the traipsing beats in ‘Chinatown’ – there isn’t a weak song in sight. Closing with the title track ‘Gemini’, Wild Nothing has created a spectacular debut album. Releasing another two EPs soon after (Evertide and Golden Haze), with some absolute standouts like ‘Vultures Like Lovers’ and ‘Your Rabbit Feet’, I can honestly say his follow up album will be one of my most anticipated in a long, long time.

wild nothing – the witching hour

wild nothing – promise (from the cloudbusting single)

wild nothing on itunes

number two

beach fossils – beach fossils

twin guitars, loose drums, and a harmony. the fundamental ingredients of beach fossils’ self-titled debut album. It’s lo-fi at it’s best. They’ve also been hailed as one a hipster band (“hence why YOU like them” i hear you say. har har) But leaving the hype behind for a minute, this is one album that sounds like it might have been recorded in another era, then left to grow old in a dark corner somewhere until one day somebody stumbled upon it and thought, hey, this ain’t half bad. I can personally assure you, it’s not half bad. it’s not at ALL bad. The tracks are short, simple and catchy. ‘Youth’ is easily one of the best tracks off the album – it almost encapsulates the idea in itself. ‘The Horse’ and ‘Wide Awake’ are also excellent summer additions. Beach fossils have also released an ep with another of my favourite tracks of the year, ‘Face It’ (stay tuned for the best tracks of twenty ten, coming soon)

beach fossils – twelve roses

beach fossils on itunes

number three

the national – high violet

right from the opening track ‘Terrible Love’, it’s clear this album won’t be one for a cheery summer’s afternoon. high violet is an album of heartbreak and incredible emotion that spills out in every chord of every song. but even though it’s an album full of, essentially, doom and gloom, it’s still a terrific record and one that leaves you fulfilled. The national have a way with great crafting songs that it’s almost impossible choosing the best ones. ‘Anyone’s Ghost’ and ‘Sorrow’ are two that pulled on my metaphorical heartstrings, and the incredible, INCREDIBLE ‘Afraid of Everyone’ is easily one of the best tracks released this year. it’s also excellent to see the national getting more airplay and recognition – they really are one of the best acts around. number one band on my list to see at Sunset Sounds, without a doubt.

the national – lemonworld

the national on itunes