We continue this self-indulgent, navelgazing exercise…yay us! Misky & PM take it from here…

PM

Album of the year: Yeasayer – ‘Odd Blood’
One of those records which subtly shifts the course of music forever.

EP: Heavy Young Heathens – ‘Make Room For The Youth’

Single: Foals – ‘This Orient’

Film: Kick-Ass.
Funny, naughty, clever and British…what more could you ask for?

TV: How Not to Live Your Life (see: comment above)

Misky

Album of the year: Deerhunter – ‘Halcyon Digest’

Single: Rihanna – ‘Only Girl (In The World)’
Hey, you know what, it’s my guilty pleasure! I’m allowed…aren’t I!?

Film: How To Train Your Dragon

Gems of 2009:

Local Natives – ‘Gorilla Manor’
Unbelievably good album!

Blue Roses – ‘Blue Roses’
Beautiful voice, prolific songwriter

Other great albums of 2010:

Bonobo – ‘Black Sands’

Laura Marling – ‘I Speak Because I Can’

Laura Veirs – ‘July Flame’

Underdogs of 2010:

Here at Sloucher HQ we wanted to mention some albums that we haven’t been able to write about yet and which we feel haven’t been given the due attention and praise they deserve.

The Tallest Man on Earth – ‘The Wild Hunt’

Great acoustic guitarist with wonderful lyric writing abilities; the lyrics speak straight to my heart. I have no idea why this guy isn’t very well known, ‘The Wild Hunt’ is one of the most coherent and emotive albums of 2010. PM

 

 

Beach House – ‘Teen Dream’

A laid-back album of reverby guitars and echoey vocals, whose brilliance slowly creeps up on you more and more with every listen. Misky

Deerhunter – ‘Halcyon Digest’

Ethereal, delicate and otherworldly; I honestly believe ‘Halcyon Digest’ is a mind-bending phenomenal work of art. With a lead singer who doesn’t write lyrics until he’s standing up at the mic in the studio (the indie equivalent of ‘free-styling’) the record takes on such a unique sound that no other band can emulate it (although admittedly they do remind me a little of the Cocteau Twins!). Rather weird and wonderful. PM

Caribou – ‘Swim’

With a distinctive blend of electronica and soft vocals, ‘Swim’ is funky, danceable and vastly listenable. Misky

Liars – ‘Sisterworld’

This is one of the most peculiar and odd records I’ve heard this year (…possibly ever). I would go as far to say that it is downright creepy…doesn’t make it any less brilliant though. Misky

Foals – ‘Total Life Forever’
This is a very close runner for ‘Album of the year’ for me. I think that ‘Total Life Forever’ hasn’t been praised as much as it should have been. The fusion of prog-rock, indie and an unbelievably tight, funky rhythm section has created a truly special record. Foals have matured into a rousing and animated band that have reached farther than first expected to create a coherent, fresh album; simply leagues above their peers. PM

 

 

Tune in tomorrow for our last part!

Words: Misky & PM