Albums of the Year: #10-#6

Here we are, then, into the top ten… Be sure to let me know if you disagree or think I’ve missed something, of course!

#10: British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall

After four albums’ worth of trying to hammer themselves into the mainstream public consciousness, British Sea Power’s fifth doesn’t do as well as Mercury-nominated Do You Like Rock Music? sales-wise, but critically and sonically it’s their best work yet. Marrying studio prowess to their tried-and-tested band-next-door model, Valhalla Dancehall becomes an album not forgettable in a hurry.

Video: “Who’s In Control”

#9: Polinski - Labyrinths

Polinski’s full name and job title might be obvious to fans of his band’s music - he’s Paul Wolinski, programmer for 65daysofstatic. I was drawn to this album by the video for “Stitches” (which you can see just below) which very literally made every hair on the back of my neck stand up at once. And continues to do so. As a solo artist he moves away from the bombastic guitar of 65dos and dives headfirst into synth noise, with pretty spectacular results.

Video: “Stitches” (feat. Big Black Delta)

#8: Slow Club - Paradise

I must say I completely wrote off Slow Club’s second effort after hearing “Two Cousins” for the first time. I honestly couldn’t believe a band who had crafted such a defined sound in their debut could throw it away to make something so brusque. Of course, humble pie was served as I actually spent time listening to the album, as I discovered the sound has expanded, not changed.

Video: “Two Cousins”

#7: Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix

Londoners Bombay Bicycle Club have spent the last three albums placing where their sound lies in probably the most organised experimenting of its kind ever seen in the industry. I don’t even think they’ll stop with this, a wide-ranging waltz through the most tropical aural terrain ever crafted. It has appeal in spades, and manages to improve on everything they’ve done to date.

Video: “Shuffle” (not an official video!)

#6: Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting

Haven’t you heard? Dream-pop is so in this year. All you have to do is string a few notes together on a piano, stick on some distorted drums and— Actually, it’s not quite that simple. It can either come out as garbage, or come out as a work of magical shoegaze-pop genius which excites and titillates more and more with every needle drop. Guess which category Shapeshifting slots into.

Listen: “Peripheral Visionaries”