Top 5 Albums of 2010

1. Iron Chic - Not Like This

This was a split release on Dead Broke/86’d and pretty much owned my August. Hailing from Huntingdon Station, NY, Iron Chic offer a lyrically deft variation of the style of music that has come to be known as orgcore. Whilst the album is engaging on a purely musical level, lyrically it’s an absolute titan. Introspective without being masturbatory, critical without being despairing, and ultimately uplifting. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

Oh, and you can get a digital copy from their Bandcamp for a price of your choosing.

2. Two Cow Garage - Sweet Saint Me

This album very nearly got the top spot. For all the reasons why it’s so awesome, check out the full length review we did back in September.

Grab it for the low low price of $0.50 (or your preferred price) over at Suburban Home Records’ Bandcamp page.

3. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

Definitely the weakest of their three full lengths, but considering how magnificent those two records were, that’s saying very little. The band continue to move away from an overtly punk/hardcore-tinged sound, which is no bad thing, but I did find myself missing the drive of Sink or Swim, which was already on the wane through The ‘59 Sound. That said, this is still a great album, and here’s hoping the fourth full length finds this sound consolidated by an older, more confident band.

Stream it from Rolling Stone. Seriously.

4. The Wild - Set Ourselves Free

Bit of a latecomer, this one. Physical format release on Asian Man Records, with the digital side of things handled by Quote Unquote Records (so, y’know, you can get it for free or what you like here). Like a cross between Defiance, Ohio and This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb, with a bit more polish and an eensy bit less bombast. Together Underground is my new favourite song, and it should be yours too.

5. Candy Hearts - Ripped Up Jeans & Silly Dreams

Purchase, NY’s Candy Hearts are one of my favourite discoveries of this year. Over the course of 2010 I’ve been making a conscious effort to look for more bands with female vocalists, and in Mariel Loveland I believe I hit the jackpot. Her vocals are sweet without being saccharine, with just enough emotion to add an edge without cartwheeling headlong into the over-dramatic. Musically, this is jangly indie-pop-punk with enough introspective moments to make this absolutely ideal music for sunny days, rainy evenings, and epic dance-around-your-room-in-your-pants sessions.

Get it for FREE at their Bandcamp page.