10. 'NW Apt' by Band Of Horses
We begin the countdown with the mellowest track on the list. Taken from their latest album ‘Infinty Arms,’ ‘NW. Apt’ contains all the trademarks of BOH’s sound: dreamy vocals, driving guitars, and a feeling of clean simplicity that is so characteristic of their music.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
‘The Funeral’ from the album ‘Band Of Horses’
‘Is there a Ghost?’ from the album ‘Cease to Begin’
9. 'My Obsession' by Killswitch Engage
Now for something completely different. Squealing guitars? Check. Tight, heavy drumming? Check. The harrowing scream and sorrowful siren of frontman Howard Jones? Check! This is Killswitch doing what they do best: melodic metal with a raw edge.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'Still Beats Your Name' from the album 'As Daylight Dies'
'Arms Of Sorrow' from the album'As Daylight Dies'
8. 'Memories' by Weezer
9. 'My Obsession' by Killswitch Engage
Now for something completely different. Squealing guitars? Check. Tight, heavy drumming? Check. The harrowing scream and sorrowful siren of frontman Howard Jones? Check! This is Killswitch doing what they do best: melodic metal with a raw edge.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'Still Beats Your Name' from the album 'As Daylight Dies'
'Arms Of Sorrow' from the album'As Daylight Dies'
8. 'Memories' by Weezer
It may have been 18 years since the release of their debut but Weezer prove they still have a few killer choruses left in them with their latest album, 'Hurley'. No, it will not go down as one of Weezers' iconic albums, but lets be honest, with 'Pinkerton', 'The Blue Album' and 'The Green Album' in their back catalogue, it's always going to be tough to top their glory days. And that's what 'Memories' is about, getting old, but still rockin' out.
Other Tracks to Check Out
'Why Bother?' from the album 'Pinkerton'
'Say It Ain't So' from the album 'Weezer' (The Blue Album)
7. 'The Northern' by Alexisonfire
What a band, what a song. The release of 'Old Crows/Young Cardinals' signalled a change in the band's sound as they moved into more mainstream territory. 'The Northern' (which was released in 2010 so it counts!) is one of the best songs on the album, blending all the musical factors that make this band so great: distorted riffage, thumping drum beats, collosal choruses and the trademark triple assault of their vocal line-up.
Other Tracks to Check Out
'Boiled Frogs' from the album 'Crisis'
'Little Girls Pointing and Laughing' from the album 'Alexisonfire'
6. 'Islands' by The xx'
Winner of the 2010 Mercury Prize and many other music accolades, The xx's debut album drips with indie cool. 'Islands' captures the bands' effortless minimalistic charm at its best, with its simple riff and calming vocals. it's the kind of track you can just lose yourself to. So turn it up, give your asymmetrical haircut a ruffle, and chill out to one of the coolest bands out there.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'Crystalised' from the album 'xx'
'Basic Space' from the album 'xx'
5. 'Destabilise' by Enter Shikari
Say what you like about Enter Shikari, but in a world of identikit bands peddling the same four chords, at least they offer something a bit different. Their last two albums have seen the band improve on their dance/metal dynamic, and their latest release 'Tribalism' positively bristles with pumping grooves and menacing chuggage in equal measure. 'Destabilise' is shrouded in the band's infectious energy, from the first note to the last, and the balance struck between dubstep/dance and hardcore/rock is absolutely masterful.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'Labyrinth' from the album 'Take to the Skies'
'Zzzonked' from the album 'Common Dreads'
4. 'American Slang' by The Gaslight Anthem
Now for some blue-collar American rock. 2010 has been The Gaslight Anthems' year, with 'American Slang' (the follow up to 2008's sleeper hit 'The '59 Sound') achieving public and critical success, turning the band into a household name. TGA's sound remains as soulful and earthy as ever, with Brian Fallons' rough-and-ready voice and catchy lyrical hooks leading the way. 'American Slang,' the lead single from their third album is another tale of everyday struggle and everyday optimism that warms the soul as much as it pumps the blood. Oh, and it has a hella-catchy chorus, which is always good.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'Meet Me By The River's Edge' from the album 'The '59 Sound'
'I Coulda Been A Contender' from the album 'Sink or Swim'
3. 'Coffee and Cigarettes' by Jimmy Eat World
Another album for 2010, another set of stellar tracks from Arizona's finest. A standout tune from their latest album 'Invented,' 'Coffee and Cigarettes' is a song that shows Jimmy Eat World at their most infectious. There's nothing complicated about it, no bells and whistles, just a first-rate blend of hooks, melodies and a killer chorus that'll burrow into your consciousness and won't let up for weeks. In a good way. Also, if you head over to the Gigs page you can read a review of their live show at the Bristol Academy (14/11/10) on their Invented Tour (it was awesome!).
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'23' from the album 'Futures'
'Goodbye Sky Harbor' from the album 'Static Prevails'
2. 'Dog's Blood' by Alexisonfire
'Dog's Blood,' the latest EP from Alexisonfire, is a bold if flawed release from the hardcore quintet. Its four songs presented the listener with a harder, rawer sound, at a level that the band have never attempted before, and harked back to their screamo-punk roots. The opening track, which makes this list at number 2, achieves this effect most convincingly, combining the visceral and distorted with the beautiful and poignant. This song rocks, and by the time Dallas Green unleashes his final vocal flourish for the outro, you'll be convinced too. If you like what you hear, head over to the Albums page to check out the full review of the EP, as well as the album version of the track 'Dog's Blood.'
Other Tracks to check Out:
'Mailbox Arson' from the album 'Crisis'
'Sharks and Danger' from the album 'Watch Out!'
1. 'You've Seen The Butcher' by Deftones
It's undeniable, 'Diamond Eyes' by Deftones is one of their best albums yet and one of the best heavy albums of the year. 'You've Seen The Butcher' is the epitome of their sound, both graceful and brutal, at times sweeping and at others gut-wrenchingly blunt. The whole band get to show their talents, with obtuse rhythms and driving riffs, as well as a career-best vocal performance from Chino Moreno. Yes, in a way it is an album that will always be entangled with the tragic events which occured during it's recording (Chi Cheng, the original bassist, is still in a comatose state after being involvoed in a car accident in November 2009) but it is also a demonstration of the band's mastery over their genre. It is the sound of a group perfectly in touch with their sound. 'You've Seen The Butcher,' Raucous Reviews' 'Top Track Of 2010,' is simply irresistible.
'Diamond Eyes' is reviewed on the Albums page if you would like to find out more.
Other Tracks to Check Out:
'Minerva' from the album 'Deftones'
'Combat' from the album 'Saturday Night Wrist'
