Well, the time has come. The only really certain thing on this blog is the end of the year lists of the best albums. 2010 are of course no exception, but before we get started on the top 15 I thought I should make room to mention some really good albums that didn't make the final cut for my top 15. Without any further ado here are some honorable mentions:
John Grant - Queen of Denmark
(Bella Union, 2010)
The former Czars vocalist returned with an album backed by Midlake. It reminds me somewhat of both Czars and Midlake, but also Rufus Wainwright. Great sophisticated seventies AOR/MOR sound all the way. In a way a natural follow up to Midlake's The Trials of Van Occupanther. "Where the Dreams Go to Die" are one of the truly outstanding tracks of the year. A great album.
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
(Drag City, 2010)
Joanna Newsom released nothing less than a tripple album this year. Quite a feat, and especially since it is a truly great album all the way through. Maybe not an album you will play from start to finish that many times - but a good album it is. In a time when downloads and streaming seems to be the way the record business wants to handle things it is refreshing that a young artist like Joanna Newsom does the complete opposite. On her way to become our generation's own Joni Mitchell or Kate Bush?
Citay - Dream Get Together
(Dead Oceans, 2010)
One of the albums that I have listened to most this year. A truly outstanding gem of great musicianship and hum-a-long-melodies. Really sounds like themselves and not any other - still you can hear the influences from the San Fransisco of '68, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac around '71 - ' 73. Great gig at small club MONO in Oslo also.
Motorpsycho - Heavy Metal Fruit
(Rune Grammofon, 2010)
One of my favourite bands released yet another good album this year. A sort of spacerock-opera with elements from classic rock, westcoast and lots and lots of prog. They kind of disappear somewhat up their own asses, but still in some strange way get away with it.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
(Merge, 2010)
Anticipated and great, but I still haven't quite gotten my head around this one. I have a feeling that it's an album I will be listening to also the next couple of years. It has that classic feel to it, but it isn't quite what I was hoping for. Great nonetheless. And it's a grower. I can feel it.
John Grant - Queen of Denmark
(Bella Union, 2010)
The former Czars vocalist returned with an album backed by Midlake. It reminds me somewhat of both Czars and Midlake, but also Rufus Wainwright. Great sophisticated seventies AOR/MOR sound all the way. In a way a natural follow up to Midlake's The Trials of Van Occupanther. "Where the Dreams Go to Die" are one of the truly outstanding tracks of the year. A great album.
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
(Drag City, 2010)
Joanna Newsom released nothing less than a tripple album this year. Quite a feat, and especially since it is a truly great album all the way through. Maybe not an album you will play from start to finish that many times - but a good album it is. In a time when downloads and streaming seems to be the way the record business wants to handle things it is refreshing that a young artist like Joanna Newsom does the complete opposite. On her way to become our generation's own Joni Mitchell or Kate Bush?
Citay - Dream Get Together
(Dead Oceans, 2010)
One of the albums that I have listened to most this year. A truly outstanding gem of great musicianship and hum-a-long-melodies. Really sounds like themselves and not any other - still you can hear the influences from the San Fransisco of '68, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac around '71 - ' 73. Great gig at small club MONO in Oslo also.
Motorpsycho - Heavy Metal Fruit
(Rune Grammofon, 2010)
One of my favourite bands released yet another good album this year. A sort of spacerock-opera with elements from classic rock, westcoast and lots and lots of prog. They kind of disappear somewhat up their own asses, but still in some strange way get away with it.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
(Merge, 2010)
Anticipated and great, but I still haven't quite gotten my head around this one. I have a feeling that it's an album I will be listening to also the next couple of years. It has that classic feel to it, but it isn't quite what I was hoping for. Great nonetheless. And it's a grower. I can feel it.
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