Must Have Albums for January 2010
New year, new website and now time to introduce a new monthly feature where we list our album picks for the forthcoming month. January 2010 is packed with some killer releases, some that we have already been lucky enough to hear and some that we are looking forward to with fevered anticipation.
Midlake ‘The Courage of Others’
Release date: 25th January
We love this band and after the gorgeous ‘Trials of Van Occupanther‘ we felt that they dropped off the radar a little whilst paving the way for others including The Fleet Foxes… so the release of ‘ The Courage of Others’ nearly four years later has been far too long in the making. Going by the tracks we have been lucky enough to hear, the wait has definitely worthwhile, we just hope the album lives up to expectations.
Release date: 11th January
We have only played through this a couple of times and must admit it was not as instant as their self titles debut, but we do know people who have lived with the album a lot longer than us who are raving about it. I love an album that gets better with each listen so keep checking for a full review later this month after heavy rotation.
Four Tet ‘There is Love in You’
Release date: 25th January
Kieren Hebden has been a busy man of late but despite the fact he has helped record some great albums including last years hotly tipped XX LP and rumoured Burial collaborations, there has been no sign of a new Four Tet album… that is until now. We can all look forward to another amazing album from one of the masters of Electronica. I have heard nothing yet but will be posting up videos and tracks as and when they come through.
Release date: 25th January
As you know we have already featured Beach House in our US tips for 2010 and once you hear Teen Dream and see them live I am sure you will be in complete agreement. Beach House have been honing their craft for a good few years now and all was worthwhile as they worked towards perfecting their sound for Teen Dream. Like with Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective in 2009 I feel that Beach House have released their best LP so far. You can be sure to see them high on the critics lists for 2010.
Erland and the Carnival ‘E&TC’
Release date: 25th January
After a somewhat ramshackle show supporting ‘The Leisure Society’ in late 2009, my expectations for E & TC were not that high but this changed from the very first listen of their debut album. Gentle psych guitar, haunting vocals and Hammond organ are awash throughout the album. Add to this the experience of Simon Tong (Verve) and they have successfully updated the 60’s folk rock sound in the same way that the Coral updated psych and Garage on their debut.
Others to watch out for include:
Delphic ‘Acolyte’ Release date: 11th January. Heavily featured on the DB site so not a lot more to say at the moment but check back for a full review on release.
Spoon ‘Transference’ – Release date: 25th January. Back with their 7th Album and going by last year’s ‘Ga Ga Ga’ they are still on fire.
Fools Gold ‘Fools Gold’ - Release date: 25th January. If you like Contra by Vampire Weekend then maybe give these guys a go as LA’s Fools Gold have definitely been listening to the same Paul Simon and Fela Kuti albums.
