John Grant. Queen Of Denmark. Stunning.

Laura Marling: I Speak Because I Can
Midlake: The Courage of Others
Eels: End Times

Also like the new ones by ...

Tom Mcrae - Alphabet of Hurricanes
Fyfe Dangerfield - fly yellow moon

Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
David Ford - Let The Hard Times Roll

Also liking the Lucky Soul, She & Him and Hole records, but not had any of them long enough for them to pass the long roadtest criteria.

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
John Grant - Queen of Denmark (a "Transformer" for 2010?)
Massive Attack - Heligoland
MGMT - Congratulations
Goldheart Assembly - Wolves and Thieves (sounds like Jellyfish)
Field Music - Measure

you wonderful people, thank you

Gothic Road.
.............that's all.

plus:- Midlake - The Courage of Others.
Caribou - Swim.
Natalie Merchant - Leave your Sleep.

Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea - this is surprisingly good

Grovesnor - Soft Return - catchy synth pop from Hot Chip guy as recommended on this site a few days ago...

Hooba Dooba - despite the stupid title it's an excellent album.

Joanna Newsom's Have One on Me, but I realise she's not everyone's cup of tea.

Laura Viers' latest, July Flame, is simply stunning and I fail to see how anyone could dislike it. A modern classic, with song quality ranging from "excellent" to "perfection".

If Joanna's is the new Astral Weeks, Laura's is Moondance.

Delphic's 'Acolyte' if you ignore the fact it sounds a bit like New Order (not a bad thing)

Chew Lips' Unicorn is really wearing well, and not just a flash-in-the-pan eighties bleepfest a la La Roux. Genuinely good voice.

Goldfrapp's 'Headfirst' is really good too.

Just realised this is all a bit electronicy, which isn't my usual guitar-based-rock, but all good nonetheless.

This Is happening - not out yet, but available to hear online, endlessly and John Grant - queen Of Denmark, album of the year, by a country mile.

I dislike Weller generally but have taken a real shine to Wake Up The Nation. Trees is lovably mad.

Other 2010 fave raves:
Transference by Spoon - I love this band, they can do no wrong
Contra by Vampire Weekend
Congratulations by MGMT

...spot the eternal indie kid...

Also like

Besnard Lakes are the roaring night
Midlake courage of others
Dirtmusic BKO
Roky Erickson
Eels

Been a good year thus far and much more to look forward to

this really works. have bought John Grant thru Amazon and Laura Marling thru Napster. Thank you again

Thea Gilmore's Christmas album is really good

But also how about Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip?

Their new album, the Logic of Chance, is fun, danceable, and thoughtful and shows that Thou Shalt Always Kill was not just a one-off. Tracks like Great Britain and Get Better.

...Soft Return. Glad to see someone else has picked up on it. He's playing in London next Monday and I can't wait.

If you're in the mood for something a little more left-field, in the ambient/modern classical/drone sort of genre, I can recommend Richard Skelton's "Landings", which is unequivocally my favourite album of 2010 so far.

Following the death of his wife Louise, Skelton pieced the album together from field recordings of wind over the Pennine moors, combined with his own sparse stringed instrumentation. It's a raw, stark, compelling work.

For more details, see:

http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2010/01/richard-skelton-landings/

The Defamation Of Strickland Banks.

60/70s soul stylings with London raps and a (loose) storyline about a soul singer sent down for something he didn't do. Whilst in jail he kills another prisoner (in defense) and that's pretty much it. But the songs are great, the production gives it a lovely tough edge, and there's enough energy in it to light up London.

You'll probably have heard the single She Said - it's one of the worst tracks.

towards the end of last year but I only heard it a few months ago and can't live without it

spotify:album:35nz3QHHNBhp7AGNC5Psnb

The answer is Joanna Newsom; her album is simply STUNNING!

Also definitely worth a listen is Jaga Jazzist, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Avi Buffalo and probably some more too.

Oh, and the new Tracey Thorn album comes out in a couple of weeks - you should investigate. It's rather good

Midlake - Courage Of Others
John Grant - Queen Of Denmark
Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

for me so far this year has been Measure by Field Music. It's the first album in a long time that I've listened to where the pleasure is in listening to it as an album in its entirety and recognising that it was made on that basis rather than just as a collection of songs. In this day of instant access and track by track downloads it's a rare feat for an act to be able to engage on that level and to such a high standard.

I've also enjoyed Laura Marling's album and do believe that she is the real deal in the sense that she is more than the hype. There is a depth to her that will hopefully come out more if she's given the time and freedom to mature.

seems like it needs a listen. Did quite like The Czars.

Of those recommended above, one I didn't really get was the Midlake album. Not a patch on Van Occupanther imo.

Can I add Danny and the Champions of the World "Streets of our Time"

Upcoming in the next few weeks - Band of Horses, Tracey Thorn, The National and best of all..The Fannies!!!!

seems to be the public's choice at the moment, so I'll have to investigate that myself.

Meanwhile, I recommend the following:

Field Music- Measure
Goldheart Assembly- Wolves and Thieves
Two Door Cinema Club- Tourist History

Brothers. Not officially out yet but if you are on mFlow you can buy it for £5.49.

Heartland a rather wonderful chamber pop album, agree about Field Music too, a brilliant album

...is Marina & the Diamonds 'The Family Jewels'. Really good album in the vibe of Kate Bush/Tori Amos.

Also.
Hot Chip. One Life Stand.
Gorillaz. Plastic Beach.
Delphic. Acolyte.

but I think Joanna Newsom is a pile of shit. Uncut have a rather fab cd of new American music this month - an excellent compilation marred by putting the screech owl harpist on the end of it.

Anyway, back on track - John Grant and Natalie Merchant are vying for album of year so far, closely followed by Field Music and MGMT.
A big shout too for Danny and the champions of the World. One of lifes mysteries is why Grand Drive were not a household name.

...with your sentiment regarding album reviews of late (except The Word, natch). Why are so many reviewers easily pleased? Are they on commission?

Despite our complaints a few goodies have slipped through, some already mentioned;

MGMT - Congratulations
Field Music - Measure
Caribou - Swim
The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack
Broken Bells - Broken Bells

a couple of others were a bit of a letdown;

Goldfrapp - Headfirst
Midlake - The Courage Of Others (good, but the songs were much better live)

I had John Grant's disc in my hand the other day. Should've bought it then, but will get it soon. Looking forward to a few other imminent releases;

The Black Angels (my favourite 'modern' band)
Interpol
LCD Soundsystem
UNKLE

But my favourite purchase so far this year is this;

http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk/releases/?id=18676

An excellent collection containing some rare gems.

I've been listening to this non stop for months , it's beautiful.

Weller's album is really great, I also like Gorillaz and Willie Nelson's new one with T-Bone Burnett

Furniture - The Wrong People. I had to wait 24 years for a CD of this.
Field Music - Measure. First disc, anyway.
The Pony Collaboration - If These are the Good Times. Came out late last year, I had to give both my copies away to prevent driving my loved ones mad. I'll have to buy it again.

Has received numerous plays, and still enjoying it

This track, in particular, is superb:

Delphic - uberindie but excellent
Natalie Merchant - astonishing range of lyrical inspiration
Spoon - as good as ever
Contra by Vampire Weekend - ridiculously listenable

According to iTunes, the 2010 albums I've listened to most frequently are:

Contra - Vampire Weekend
Headfirst - Goldfrapp
Teen Dream - Beach House
Oddblood - Yeasayer

(Apparently my most listened to album so far this year has been XX by The XX...)

Outbursts is lovely.

Other than that, I'll put my "X" by Goldfrapp and Midlake.

1. Marina & the Diamonds - Family Jewels
2. Drive-by Truckers - The Big To-Do
3. Josh Rouse - El Tourista
4. Roky Erikson with Okkervil River - true love cast out all evil
5. Billy Cobham - Palindrome
6. Frightened Rabbit - Winter of Mixed Drinks
7. Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune
8. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
9. Adam Green - Minor Love
10. Chew Lips - Unicorn

Thought I'd love the Weller album, it promises so much, but I'm not particularly sold on it. Yet.

Best so far this year imho are;

Besnard Lakes - epic, gorgeous,rocking!
Laura Marling - tougher than her first and with better songs. How many times can you say that about the proverbial 'difficult' second album?
Massive Attack - back to doing what they do best, with great collaborations

'All modern music is rubbish...'

But thanks to this thread I am currently really enjoying the new Eels, Natalie Merchant and Goldfrapp.

Despite being a fan, I wasn't fully aware of the Merchant and Eels records.

Thanks Word people. :-)

Vampire Weekend - as Trevelyan says, ridiculously listenable
Field Music - ambitious and varied prog-pop
Gorillaz

Also liked Jonsi, Eels, Magnetic Fields, Midlake and The Radio Dept.

Have heard the upcoming National and it might be the best of the year yet. Also looking forward to the Fannies and Divine Comedy

I really like most of Melissa Auf Der Mar's new one from this year, especially the track Isis Speaks;

Infinite Arms album is stunning. Not out til 18th May, but, as was seen on Later, their new stuff is as good if not better than previous.

The most joyous, uplifting music I've heard in ages!! Guaranteed to put a soppy smile on your face.

Seeing as how it was released so close to the end of last year, not sure if it was too late for Best Of 2009 lists. As a middle aged man who should know better, I am amazed how many quality tracks there are on the album. They have of course got he worst name since another favourite of mine, Toad The Wet Sprocket, but the album has lots of great hooks and gets better the louder you play it.

1. These New Puritans - Hidden
(Post punk experimental hip hop - see "My Night In With...)

2. Thee Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra - Kollaps Tradixionales
(Epic post rock with big tunes - see "My Night Out With...)

3. Efterklang - Magic Chairs
(Scandinavian post rock with upbeat choruses and electronic pop moments)

4. The Album Leaf - A Chorus Of Storytellers
(Pastoral and strange, yet deeply affecting californian loveliness)

5. Massive Attack - Heligoland
(A true grower, I like this more every time I hear it - weird and experimental, melancholic yet beautiful)

6. Jonsi - Go
(A bounding puppy of a record - wide eyed and hopeful, plus some gorgeous moments like "Grow Till Tall")

7. Race Horses - Goodbye Falkenburg
(Indie pop like they used to make in the old days - fun, bouncy, memorable and with stupid lyrics about Grandmothers and cake)

8. Tunng - ...And Then We Saw Land
(More folk than their previous albums, but still good songwriting shines through)

9. Mos Def - Mos Dub
(A mash-up of Mos Def's raps and old reggae and dub tunes - available free at mosdub.com - well worth a download)

10.Four Tet - There Is Love In You
(The warmest computer music you will hear all year - there is heart at the centre of this - some great unexpected moments too)

Due to my renewed subcription it popped through the post the other day. Can't stop listening to it, particularly the title track. Was fortunate to see him play with the Czars in Nice n'sleazy about 10 years ago [shudder to think], and his voice then was just beautiful, knee trembling stuff. Nothing showy, he just sings but holds a note for such an effortlessly long time. So glad to see him emerge with such a brilliant album.

I really don't like John Grant's music, I'm sure he's a fine fellow but his music is pish to my ears.

thank you, I am not mad

John Grant (again)
Corinne Bailey Rae, Hot Chip, Gorillaz and Goldfrapp are on the upper side of good (but not utterly amazing).
The David Byrne/Fatboy Slim Imelda Marcos thingie is well worth investigation (especially the very lovely book/DVD combo).
James' One Night Stand is (surprisingly) excellent.
Sampledelic restrained mayhem in the form of Junk Culture's West Coast is well worth investigation.
Rufus Wainwright's latest is a bit of a dirge, but if one is in the mood, it's good for a wallow.
She & Him Vol. 2 is a joy, joy, joy.

That is all.

John Grant

Laura Marling

Field Music

Joanna Newsom

Laura Viers

Anais Mitchell

Spoon

Jonsi

The Chieftains & Ry Cooder

Fionn Regan

Yeasayer

The Besnard Lakes

Caribou

Josh Rouse

Danny & The Champions of The World

The Avett Brothers

& Coming soon...

The National

Josh Ritter

Teenage Fanclub

the new Steve Mason album Boys Outside. Always thought The Beta Band generally promised more than they delivered, but his new solo album is really worth investigating. Really good songs, with a modern electro-ish production from poppy knob-twiddler Richard X. I'd really recommend this for anyone who vaguely liked The Beta Band.

Also agree on the shouts for Delphic. Ludicrously indebted to New Order, but if you're going to rob from anyone it may as well be them.

The new Solomon Burke album Nothings Impossible is bloody brilliant. Produced by Willie Mitchell his voice is in magnificent shape. Mind you I reckon he could sing the telephone directory and make it sound good.

Johann Johannsson - And in the endless pause there came the sound of bees

Sweet Billy Pilgrim - OK it was last year but saw them this year supporting Portico Quartet - so they were new to me this year

I have purchased John Grant's 'Queen of Denmark'.

Boot-licking praise, or arse-kicking criticism will be dished out accordingly upon listening of said record.

and The Dap Kings "I Learned The Hard Way". Classic, fresh soul/r'n'b. Had this been released in 1968 it would have been deemed a soul classic.
The melodies are stunning and the horn arrangements are to die for. Their strongest record so far.

Also from 2009 (I know), if you haven't heard it, Dex Romweber Duo "Ruins Of Berlin". Incredible garage-hillbilly-country-noir record. You may know Dex as one half of Flat Duo Jets who have had a huuuge influence on Jack White when he was a young lad. This record needs to be heard. Git it and turn it up! Very strong set of tunes Guests include Neko Case, Rick Miller (Southern Culture On The Skids, Exene Cervenka (X) ).

so far - Evelyn Evelyn by Evelyn Evelyn.

Thanks Tiger Tiger for posting an alternative view of Sharon Jones. I love her first 2 albums and read a review of this latest release that wasnt very kind. It put me off a bit but you have restored my faith and I will take the plunge.
If you leave your address with the Word team I have a rare cd of remixes by her label mates of her best songs from first 2 albums. They are quite radically different in some places. It was possibly my most played in car cd of 2008/9 - would be happy to burn you a copy if you are interested.

Loads of good stuff this year

O Emperor are a Cork based band though they all come from Waterford. They are young but like the presenter said they make music that sounds much older than their years. No album yet but singles and EP on iTunes. I recommend Ghost of My Heart.

Staying on the beautiful front, I love the sound of Horse Feathers Thistled Spring. A bit like Nick Drake meets Ryan Adams.

And thanks to the Liberal Democrats for using this track on one of their party political broadcasts. Eno is a supporter, I understand. It's a few years old but just great.

...this time of year; I need to listen to music that has a lot of happy energy, so though I agree with the beauty of a lot of the mentioned albums, I can only listen to a couple of tracks before I have to switch to something that can pick me up from a slumped position on the floor.
The albums that keep me happy right now are:
Contra - Vampire Weekend
Darwin Deez - Darwin Deez ( even "The suicide song"... )
And then we saw land - Tunng

Her last was the best Jarvis Cocker LP of the last ten years. IRM is the best Beck LP of the last fifteen years. She's not the world's greatest singer, but she seems to stand at the centre and inspire great work from those around her.

Kid Sister - Ultraviolet (on Spotify)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & the Cairo Gang - The Wonder Show of the World
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma (streaming on MySpace)
Liars - Sisterworld (on Spotify)

Bonobo Black Sands. Last of a dying breed...intelligent dance music with soul and no little invention.

Off to check out Queen In Denmark now...good work fellas (and ladies..).

Midlake - Courage of Others

Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast (Out June but US edition available since Jan)

Also the Fall's new one is fab, plus I'm really looking forward to Hurts, The National and Band of Horses.

Four Tet - There Is Love In You
The Fall - Your Future Our Clutter

no one's mentioned Four Tet, and then saw it at the bottom. ANYWAY.

1. THIS IS HAPPENING - LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
2. THERE IS LOVE IN YOU - FOUR TET
3. PLASTIC BEACH - GORILLAZ
4. LEGOLAND - MASSIVE ATTACK
5. HEAD FIRST - GOLDFRAPP
6. THE DEFAMATION OF STRICKLAND BANKS - PLAN B
7. COSMOGRAMMA - FLYING LOTUS
8. BLACK NOISE - PANTHA DU PRINCE
9. I SPEAK BECAUSE I CAN - LAURA MARLING
10. THE COURAGE OF OTHERS - MIDLAKE
11. THE SHIFT - BLOOD EVERYWHERE (That's enough thanks - Ed)

a Massive Attack release I am not aware of?

I've recently seen a crackin' film (Kick Ass) and read an excellent book (Ian McEwan's Solar) but it had occurred to me that it was a less than vintage year for music. Just bought the Avi Buffalo album and that has renewed my faith in 2010. I'd also give a mention to El Goodo. Why is it that everything the Super Furry Animals touch turns to gold?!

... is the best thing I've heard in at least a decade.

John Hiatt's "Open Road" is a return to form after the indifferent "Same Old Man".

And Arthur Russell's CDs have been around for a while but I'd never heard of him until yesterday - sounds good from what I can find on the Net.

I'd better listen to John Grant too, apparently.

I agree with the praise for John Grant, Gorillaz, Joanna Newsom, and Sharon Jones. Avi Buffalo's self-titled debut is worth a shot as well.

I seem to have a Laura Marling-shaped blind spot. I've listened to it a few times, but I don't quite see why everyone's raving about it. (Yet.)

The Golden Archipelago by Shearwater

Not sure whether some of these came out at the end of last year but . .

Field Music - Field Music (Measure) - can't see this being betterd this year.
Local Natives - Gorila Manor
Jesca Hoop - Hunting My Dress
These New Puritans - Hidden
Race Horses - Goodbye Falkenburg
Erland and the Carnival

Gil Scott-Heron _
'I'm New Here'

Jose James _ 'Blackmagic'

Because of the Massive bringing all of this new stuff to my attention, and a very generous rejoining offer from emusic that enabled me to purchase them. I am now the owner of albums by
John Grant, Dan Le Sac, Vampire Weekend,Field Music,Beach House (who I'd never heard of),Besnard lakes, and Laura Veirs. And on first listen they all sound great, so thanks to everyone.

Double post

The overlooked (stealth) release - Warm Robot by Jen Olive

....quite lovely.

I cant reccomend highly enough

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Massive attack - Heligoland.

Both are excellent.

The National's new album, up there with anything I've heard this year

I can't imagine there will be a better album for me this year. I can't stop listening to it. They have hugely a rich back catalogue behind them and it still might be their best record yet. I bought all their records back in 2006 but it was only with their live album/DVD last year that I became totally obsessed. Best rock band in the world right now, bar none.

PS Can we have a big article on them in the magazine please?

john grant's queen of denmark (maybe there should be a 'massive' meetup at his jazz cafe gig next month)
shearwater's golden archipelago
the national's high violet (admittedly only had it two days but it's had three plays so far and i think it's possibly their most coherent set of songs yet)
oops forgot phosphorescent's here's to taking it easy (thank to mr hepworth for the glowing review, i'd never heard of them before but they are superb

and top of them all
califone's all my friends are funeral singers

if the next six months throw up another five as good as these i'll be deliriously happy

Grovesnor, Soft Return for me.

The Tories back in power flips me back to the early 1980s so the melancholy hope of a 'gentle revolution' within this electro pop sound feels rather apt.

Not a flawless album but full of energy and mood variety and a nice change from the new folk/country genre that feels so dominant right now.

Great album cover too.

Brother sounds really strong after a couple of listens over the weekend and I think it will be in my best of 2010 already.
BUT
Really don't like the album cover concept, seems a very smart-arse way to say we couldn't think of anything good.

After all the recommendations; really impressed. Sounds great.

Another thumbs up for the Avi Buffalo album - chiming guitars always sound great in hot, sunny weather :-)

Lovely

MGMT - Congratulations. A great sound. I saw their Glastonbury set on TV the other day and the songs off the first album sounded much better than the original recordings. This second album is a less instant but, I suspect, more enduring collection. Lets hope its lack of hit single material doesn't mean it will slip under the radar.

LCD Soundsytem - This is Happening. I love the production on this. It reminds me of Bowie's late 70s stuff - and Drunk Girls obviously borrows quite heavily from Boys Keep Swinging. The lukewarm reception this received from critics is really suprising. Having not heard the first two albums maybe this sounds fresher to me than it does to existing fans.

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach. I bet they regret headlining Glastonbury.. Up to that point Damon Albarn seemed unable to put a foot wrong. A shame then, as this is the most exciting album this year by a long way and the contributions from Snoop Dogg, Gruff Rhys and Lou Reed are exceptional (just a shame Mr Reed ballsed it all up at Glastonbury).

And an honorary mention for The Coral whose Butterfly House I have yet to hear but I'm sure it wont disappoint