Also, contrary to the general belief of "the death of vinyl", there has been a turn in vinyl sales/releases to the positive!
2010 has made me a happy vinyl fetishist and electronic music aficionado.
Here is my top 10 of 2010, which could easily have been a top20, or 30..
Alphabetically......
+Caribou - Swim (City Slang - SLANG9550055)
Computer Pop that works both over- and underground. Do believe the hype.
+Four Tet - There Is Love In You (Domino USA - DNO229)
Sounds like noone and nothing else. As usual.
+Hyetal - Phoenix / Like Silver (Orca - ORCA002)
It's all about 'Phoenix' here. I think it's the finest moment in dubstep history this year. It's cheesy with its SID style synths and epic theme song styled harmonies, but somehow it works anyway without becoming kids' music. Just a truly amazing song that I will still look back at fondly in 20 years time.
+Inigo Kennedy - The Shard (Token - TOKEN14)
I have always preferred Inigo's deep and melodic music to his more straight jacking techno, and this is possibly his most beautiful and soothing release to date. It doesn't hurt that the Marcel Dettmann Remix is one of his best works either. Summarized: Two great artists, both at their best, on one of the strongest techno labels out there.
+John Roberts - Glass Eights (Dial - DIALLP22)
I wonder under what grim circumstances John grew up, seeing how mature music he makes at such a young age. A stunning debut LP and best house album of the year.
+Martyn | Roman Lindau - Berghain 04 | Part I (Ostgut-Ton - O-TON37)
The Martyn track really made me realize the potential of the techno/house/dubstep fusion. It changed my whole outlook on producing.
+Matthew Herbert - One One (Accidental - AC40CD)
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this one, because I have never kept track of Matthew's music. As an album it's a bit up and down and momentarily it delves too deep into "indie rock land", but there's one song - 'Milan' - which I think is this year's best pop song and that alone would be enough to put this in my top10. I've always had a very very weak spot for Plaid and this song has that typical skewed Plaid feel. Come on and believe me now!
+Model 500 - OFI / Huesca (R&S - RS1006)
Much anticipated comeback from Juan Atkins. The critics' response was rather underwhelming, but that doesn't change the fact that this was one of the year's most infectious songs.
+Ramadanman - Fall Short / Work Them (Swamp 81 - SWAMP:006)
WORK THEM! WORK THEM! WORK THEM! WORK THEM HA! WHAT? COME SEE! GHETTOSTEP
+Take - Only Mountain (Alpha Pup Records - APR 028)
First off, I don't know the first thing about the LA Beat scene. Kr!z made me check this (and a whole lot more) out, and it's been one of my most current records on rotation this year. Sadly I listened to it too much while playing 'Plants vs Zombies' so I am having a hard time hearing it now without thinking of buds and moonwalking..
To sample and/or buy all the charted records:
