From bouncing to Band Of Skulls at SXSW, marvelling at the return of The Libertines at Leeds Festival, to serenading with Beach House at the Manchester Cathedral, there’s been plenty of great music Live4ever has been lucky enough to witness over the past twelve months.
But what has been the best of 2010? Who knows, we’re not here to tell you that, we’re sure you’ll have your own defining anthems already locked away, untouchable, in the memory banks. No, what we want to do is share some of the tracks and albums which have had us singing, smiling, gasping and above all dancing like a lunatic to during the year in the hope they might just have the same effect on you.
Once you’ve been through this part of our list, why not do us a favour and recommend your own stand-outs from 2010. Leave us a comment below telling us what has rocked your 2010 to be in with a chance of winning a selection of prizes from acts featured on our own rundown.
So without further ado, here’s Part 1 of Live4ever’s Essential Listening 2010: The Tracks.
50: Adam Parker – Smart Man
Released as Britain prepared for the 2010 General Election, the understated production couldn’t hide an underlying anger which skillfully captured the mood of the nation at the time.
49: Kina Grannis – Strong Enough
Winner of the Crash The Superbowl in 2007, US singer-songwriter Kina Grannis released her fourth album ‘Stairwells‘ this year, a highlight of which is this slice of crisp acoustic pop.
48: Sensorites – Just Because You Can
With a melodic hook echoing the leading lights of their adopted city Liverpool, Sensorites were able to speak for many in late 2010 with their simple, but effective refrain.
47: The New Pornographers – Your Hands (Together)
The Canadians returned in May with this typical slice of catchy rock, complete with flipping ninjas in the promo video, taken from ‘Together‘.
46: Sea Of Bees – The Woods
Julia Baenziger, AKA Californian multi-instrumentalist Sea Of Bees, released this wonderfully fragile piece of songwriting in November, displaying a vocal depth which would make Bjork proud.
45: School Of Seven Bells – Babelonia
Glorious right from the dance/guitar-fuelled intro, the track swims along thanks to the dreamy vocals and the head-in-the-clouds atmosphere.
44: Crystal Castles – Celestica
First single from experimental Toronto duo Ethan Kath and Alice Glass‘ second LP ‘Crystal Castles II‘, released in April this year through Fiction Records.
43: Doves – Andalucia
A new track made available on the Manchester band’s Best Of collection, ‘Andalucia‘ was a high point during what has otherwise been a tough year for the band.
42: Slow Club – Giving Up On Love
The final release from their ‘Yeah So‘ debut album, Rebecca and Charles saved the best for last with this insanely addictive single, which came complete with a promo featuring Mackenzie Crook.
41: The Kissaway Trail – SDP
The opening track from their ‘Sleep Mountain‘ album, ‘SDP‘ shows why Danish five-piece The Kissaway Trail were drawing favourable comparisons with the likes of Arcade Fire and Editors this year.
Be sure to visit Live4ever tomorrow when our countdown continues with The Essential Albums: 50-41.
Aren’t The New Pornographers from Canada?