My top ten albums of 2010 (No particular order)

1. Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

This is a band I really fell in love with at Glastonbury where I saw them on the new bands stage on that infamous occasion when "the boss" joined them, After that I really got in to the "59 Sound" and "Sink and Swim". They're a band which really have everything I look for the sound, the skill, the image and the attitude. I was a bit nervous pre release of the new one in case it didn't live up to expectations but it is excellent. Some of the songs may be a bit more polished but the quality of  them is undoubted, The old cliche is that they are a bit like the Clash playing Springsteen ( a reference the band themselves are now very tired of) but the fact is if you like the idea of a band playing old punk rock and rolls songs with a bit of heart you wont be disappointed.

2. Butch Walker and the Black Widows - I liked it Better
Butch Walker is a legend - who I hear you ask??? - well later I may do a full profile but for now just go out and buy this album (and all his others). This CD shows the full breadth of his repertoire. Going from the power pop (emphasis on power) of " Pretty Melody" and "Trash Talk" to the more acoustic/thought provoking "Don't you think someone". He is also not too afraid to take a humorous look at his past in "she Likes Hair Bands".
Seriously this is one of the most talented Musicians/songwriters ever.

3. Jesse Malin and the St Marks Social - "love it to Life
Similar to Butch this is a singer songwriter who has been around for some time but has never hit the heights his talent deserves (he had a brief spell when people picked up on him via his friend Ryan Adams),
Scarily Jesse was close to packing it all in but decided to have a go and making another rockier album in comparison to the more recent singer/songwriter stuff. It certainly pays off and its great to hear him performing with a full band sound. Songs such as "Burning the Bowery", " Disco Ghetto " and "Burn the Bridge" suggests he has decided he wants to just kick out and enjoy things again (as does the album title). If you want singer/songwriter stuff but with a kick this is for you

4. Semi Precious Weapons
Bit of a different one this - this band are on Lady Gagas label and supported her on tour - hold on, come back!!
This band really rock in old style Glam Metal way - the songs are rude and bad - If you want to relive the days of drinking JD in a rock club this is "awesome", Just listen to the song "Magnetic Baby" at full blast and you will be grabbing the bottle and the lipstick

5. Manic Street Preachers -Postcard from a young man
This is in my top 10 mainly because as a result of this I went to see their gig in Birmingham and they played the best set I have ever seen, It reminded me of how much I REALLY use to love this band, OK none of the songs are up there with You love us or Motorcycle Emptiness but there are some really good modern rock songs on here i.e. Its not war, Postcards, and all we are is entertainment.
OK so they appeared on strictly come dancing but NO one jumps on stage like Nicky Wire!

6. Fake Problems
Another relatively unknown band here in the UK and one which is really hard to describe, Sound is based around a kind of "Pop Punk" style but we're not talking about a Blink 182 style thing here, mainly because the song writing is way too good for that, It starts with a real "call to arms song" called ADT which will have you singing along and really wanting to see them live, My favourite track is "Song for Teenagers" a classic example of a really good "pop" song in the true meaning of the word.

7. Two Cow Garage - Sweet Saint Me
Guess its the effect of the TV series "True Blood" but last year I have really got in to the "Americana/Country/Punk" sounding bands i.e. the ones you could imagine playing in "Merlottes" whilst men drink whiskey and beer and women look hot. The best discovery of this type is Two Cow Garage. This album has songs you will want to sing, dance, drink and **** along to !

8. Blacklist Royals -Semper Liberi
A band in a similar vein as the Gaslight Anthem but perhaps with a rougher more punkier sound, Just looking at some of the song titles will give you an instant impression of this band "Rock N Roll", "Howling at the Moon", "Tennessee Blues" and "love in the back seat". This has been my go to album when I have had a bad day in the office and just want to get in my car and drive home as fast as possible (legally of course ;) ). Another album that HAS to be played at top volume and you're soon imagining you're on an American free way.

9. Imelda May - Mayhem
Bit of a different one to the rest of the list but still a great album, Imelda has a style and sound that just drips off old school rock N roll. Now I must admit I'm more of a fan of the more up tempo numbers which have a real 50s sound but even the slower ones offer a good change of pace which we all need at some times. Really annoyed I missed her at the assembly as would love to see her live where I am sure many of these songs would really come alive. If you're looking for something to listen to as you prepare to go to a burlesque night you could do a lot worse than this

10. Bruce Springsteen - The Collection 73-84
No real need for me to write a review of this other than to say you get 7 absolute classic albums in one nifty set, If you don't own these already or if you only have a Boss greatest hits CD then you really should buy this. AND at the time of writing you can buy it in Head in Leamington for just £12.99 - surely one of the best bargains ever!!