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2010 In Review

• 16th Dec 2010

2010 is fast coming to an end and it’s time to look back on the musical year. I’m not claiming this as a Best Of, just a personal view of what has appealed most to my tastes over the last twelve months.

I’ve seen a lot of live shows this year, probably a couple of hundred bands in total if you include support acts. And I do – this is how bands start out in the real world. The grind of touring, coming on early and playing to half full venues. But the good ones take the experience and when the big break comes they are ready for it.

So let’s start with some good support acts who I hope will go onto bigger things in 2010.

• The Chemists, an excellent Indie band from Bristol with one fine album under their belts already. With a twin guitar sound and a fine frontman they are ready to take the step up.
• Envy Of The State. Quite simply the best young rock band out there. They stole the show from InMe when I saw then live with a blistering set full of power and quality.
• The Imagineers. A Glasgow indie band with just a touch of Spanish flair to their sound. They combine subtle melodies with infectious hooks and I’m looking forward to seeing them play as headliners.
• Caitlin Rose. A very talented singer from Nashville who should be a star. Wistful and folky with the expected country touch, she has a perfect pop voice. I saw her play an acoustic set and hope to see her play with her band next year.

And the best live performances I’ve seen? There have been some very good ones, so it’s a difficult question, but here are my highlights.
• Band of Skulls. The blues rock trio from Southampton are excellent musicians and know how to entertain.
• The Gaslight Anthem. The New Jersey rockers toured in support of their third album and gave a stellar performance.
• Jim Jones Revue. Old school rock n roll, played fast and loud. A great live band.
• Emma’s Imagination. Emma Gillespie, winner of Sky 1’s ‘Must Be The Music’, has a quite wonderful voice and will be a huge star.

There have been many fine albums released over the past twelve months. It’s been a lot of fun to go through everything I’ve listened to, and it took a while to narrow it down. Here are my personal favourites.
• The Promise, Bruce Springsteen. The music may have originally been recorded 30 years ago, but this release shows that the songs Springsteen rejected for Darkness On The Edge Of Town could have formed another excellent album or two.
• Band Of Joy, Robert Plant. The old master returned with a new band to produce a quality album that includes rock and blues, new songs and covers. And his voice is still quite superb.
• American Slang, The Gaslight Album. A masterpiece of serious songwriting, crashing guitars and pounding drums. Rock music at its best.
• Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle. This one is a real grower because of its diversity. A New York album of southern music with a touch of rock and folk mixed in.

So there you have it. My take on the music of 2010. Feel free to comment – I’m sure there will be a few different opinions out there.

I’m looking forward to more good music next year. Roll on 2011!