Tracks of the Year 10-1

Top Ten. Enjoy the holiday season!

10. The Drums-Down by the Water (buy)

Despite the near pop perfection of tracks such as 'Best Friend' and 'Me and the Moon', it was slow burner 'Down by the Water' which I felt best exemplified where their future could lie. A great 50s throwback ballad and it was a great way to end their set when I caught them in Leeds earlier this month.

9. Toby Tobias-Macasu (Motor City Drum Ensemble's Loft Party Mix) (buy)

Motor City Drum Ensemble has made plently of waves and lots of friends over the last couple of years. From his old school bangers to his deeeeep remixes, he's been everywhere on the scene and all over town. While his more high profile remixes of the year still the hit spot (Caribou- 'Sun' for example), his remix of Toby Tobias was nothing short of perfection. A simple catchy piano hook and a sultry female vocal together with MCDE's signature heavy rolling beat provided us with a fantastic summer house track. 

8. Onra-High Hopes (featuring Reggie B.) (buy)

This track may well be the cheeseist thing in the list, but who cares. It's 80s pop sensibilities together with it's quite ridiculous lyrics from Reggie B works perfectly. A homage to what was good in the 80s of modern soul and disco-boogie sounds works wonderfully here by French workaholic Onra.

7. Wild Nothing-Bored Games (buy)

For an artist and an album labelled as perfect 'bedroom music', Wild Nothing did none more so to fit this description than on 'Bored Games'. The scene is set with a lonesome fellow sat on his bed saying everything to his wall he'd much rather say to the girl he probably shouldn't be with (Mum probably wouldn't approve).One of the most exciting new acts of 2010.

6. Space Dimension Controller-Transatlantic Landing Bay (buy)

This young Belfast prodigy got a lot of people excitied this year with his eclectic mix of cosmic disco, house and electronica. This culminated in his mini album (double LP) 'Temporary Thrillz' released in November. Whilst all of the tracks are excellent, 'Transatlantic Landing Bay' really hit the spot on his recent RA podcast and has been on my record player ever since. A big 2011 for this young man is a certainty.

5. The Walkmen-Woe is Me (buy)

This track may have an outlandishly depressing title, but it's great song. Miss this song and more importantly this band at your peril.

4. The Fall-Bury Pts 1 & 3 (buy)

When this song begins it sounds like it's been recorded through a 1980s plasterer's radio; all scuzzy, dishevelled and barely audible. However it quickly moves into clearer territory and into a incessant stomp whilst Mark E. Smith puts his signature wisdom of the hour over it.

3. Retribution Gospel Choir-Hide it Away (buy)

By the first bar of 'Hide It Away', the opener of Retribution's Gospel Choir's second album 2 hits; it's a further indication that they have produced a fuller, more anthemic album away from their debut. While that was still excellent it was a much darker affair, and many of it's best moments, would end up on Alan Sparhawk's regular band; Low's last album Drums and Guns. Sparhawk doesn't let back here as he would often a on Low record. His recognisable voice hits home together with the searing guitar and rhythm section that makes the track uplifting and one of 2010's best rock moments.
 
2. James Blake-I Only Know (What I Know Now) (buy)

Wunderkid James Blake hit many high notes over 2010 with 3 notables 12" releases, more often than not without a dancefloor in sight which would set him apart from many of the early comparisons labelled against him. On 'I Only Know (What I Know Now)' he features his now recogniseable vocal loop which is tweaked suffciently to create thoughts of both hope and despair (Burial comparisons are easy to make but it's certainly justified and deserved high praise). A great talent one who is creating his own space in both terms of innovation and it's unique sensitivity.

1. The National-Afraid of Everyone (buy)

In an album blessed with greatness throughout there's still going to be little parts of songs that 'get you' and you end up rewinding the part of the song over and over to grasp it in full. When 'Afraid of Everyone' kicks in, the guitar crunches and the soaring 'oooh's fill the air, it's probably the most desperate moment in the album, but also my defining highlight of any track for me this year. Behind any contentment, often lies despair.