It seems like only yesterday that this blog was just knee high to a spacehopper and yet, here we are, sharing the magical 100th post. A century of nonsense, name-dropping and noodlings. Remarkable really.
To celebrate, today ShoutAboutMusic begins the countdown of the 20 finest musical offerings to be released during 2010. If we were being traditional, this would be a list the 20 best albums but this is the interweb baby and ShoutAboutMusic is a blog. It's time to embrace the age of the mp3 download. We're being ruthless. We're cutting the wheat from the chaff. We're taking no prisoners with stodgy album fillers.
Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, ShoutAboutMusic reveals the 20 finest tracks of 2010...
20. BAND OF HORSES 'older'
One of the lesser-heard tracks from the exceedingly good Infinite Arms, 'Older' saw the Seattle boys basking in warm alt-country sunshine. It ticks all the boxes:
> Impeccable harmonies? Check.
> Lilting lap steel? Check.
> Melancholy, sentimental lyric? Double-check.
Listen to it here.
19. THE LOVETONES 'city meets the stars'
One of Australia's most underrated talents, it's no wonder The Lovetones spent a chunk of 2010 touring the West Coast of the USA. 'City Meets The Stars' was just one of many highlights on their fifth record, Lost. Drenched in psychedelic organ and soaked in tears, the song still hints at hope and redemption, finishing with the tantalising line: "We are almost there."
Listen to it here.
Read the ShoutAboutMusic album review here.
18. CRYSTAL CASTLES 'not in love' (single)
The album version of 'Not In Love' was a muted, psychedelic affair; fascinating but hardly scintillating. But the single version was a masterstroke. A three minute blast of urgent electronica and yearning vocals (courtesy of guest Robert Smith of The Cure), it was like all the best dance music should be: at once thrilling, uplifting and emotive. BBC Radio One's Zane Lowe was just one of the music meeja types who raved about the genius of this tune (smart fella that Zane Lowe). Oh, and here's a clue to what's coming further up in the top 20: there's more Canadian music to come. Listen to it here.
17. OLD MAN RIVER 'religion'
Ohad Rein (aka Old Man River) returned in 2010 with Trust; an album influenced in equal parts by India and The Beatles. 'Religion' is a reflective meditation carried along on piano and slide guitar. Dealing with the meaning of love and faith, the song carries a neat lyric that raises more questions than it answers. But it makes you think, and that's a rare quality in pop music these days.
Read the ShoutAboutMusic interview with Old Man River here.
16. CROWDED HOUSE 'amsterdam'
Three years ago, Australia's favourite adopted Kiwis surprised everyone by not only coming back from oblivion - but also reaching a creative high with Time On Earth. In 2010, they followed that up with the rather underwhelming Intriguer - but it did have a few redeeming qualities and 'Amsterdam' was chief among those. It's an exquisite encapsulation of the freaky, unsettling vibe in the Dutch city. Listen to it here.
Next time on ShoutAboutMusic: the next five top tracks of 2010 will be revealed. Stay tuned pop-pickers...
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