| The Rags A National Light (Grand Cake Records)  |
“It’s refreshing to discover a band dealing with the everyday complexities of Irish life and the many issues, social and political which are often left to the preserve of the folk fraternity. Their style and sensibilities has much in common with those of The Libertines and The Smiths, having the ability to comment substantially on social issues while wrapping it up with beautiful poetic lyrics, catchy hooks and cracking tunes.” BarryGruff |
| The Redneck Manifesto Friendship (Richter Collective)  |
“Friendship is a stunning album and could well see The Redneck Manifesto make the transition from Irish cult heroes to breakout success over the pond, considering that some of their Richter labelmates have already being making a wave or two out on the fringes. The masters are back: long may they run.” Electric Whipcrack |
| Fionn Regan Shadow of An Empire (Heavenly)  |
“Shadow of an Empire is undoubtedly a triumphant second album for Fionn Regan. It sees him both staying true to the folk sensibilities and off-kilter lyricism that helped him to create such mesmeric songs as ‘Put a Penny in the Slot’ and ‘Hey Rabbit’, whilst simultaneously teetering on the cusp of his comfort zone; both lyrically and musically. A truly refreshing album. ” 8/10, Ragged Words |
| Republic of Loose Bounce at The Devil (Fish Don’t Fear Nets Records)  |
“This schizoid attitude extends to the music, from the soulful pop of ‘How Is Your Brain?’ through the gritty shaking beats of ‘Satan Bounce’ and onto the raucous synth-punk of ‘Horse of Fire’. On ‘I Love The Police’ they even provide a cheeky flip of N.W.A.’s ‘Fuck Tha Police’. So, whether you’re disgusted or amused by the antics of Mick and his rogue’s gallery of chums, you will, at the very least, be entertained” 7/10, AU Magazine |
| Resurrection Fern Transcend Mortality (Own Label)  |
“Overall there’s real quality here in this album and in a different time would become a hit in the folk world. I think this album is worth the money I spent on it, and will be a keeper that I’ll return back to again and again.” 11/12, 2UIBestow |
| Richer Than Astronauts Richer Than Astronauts (Self Released)  |
“As well as the psychedelic organ wig-outs spread generously throughout, British and American indie plays a big role in RTA’s make-up: Orange Juice and The Fall play as much of a role as Pavement and The Lemonheads. It may not make them their forecasted riches, but as far as atmosphere goes, this affable album is out of this world.” 4/5, Irish Times |
| Roesy Fable (Own Label)  |
“He remains a valuable if underrated songwriter, then, yet one who will likely continue to be so if he doesn’t reign in his apparent restlessness. For all that, though, Fable is a career highlight: focused, cohesively thematic and strong-minded.” 3/5, Irish Times |
| Clara Rose A Portfolio (CRM Records)  |
“Take the best of the McGarrigle sisters, add a bunch of accomplished musicians and some finger clickin’ blues and you have Clara Rose.” Irish Times |
| R.S.A.G. Be It Right or Wrong (A Rare Production)  |
“It’s a captivating album, that will keep you coming back for more. An improvement on his debut, and a worthy contender for next year’s Choice Music Prize” Swear I’m Not Paul |
| Ben Sands Take my Love with You (Spring Records)  |
| The Saw Doctors Further Adventures (Shamtown Records)  |
“The collection of songs work well together and include a number of tracks many bands would give their right arm to be able to write.” GoldenPlec |
| Ann Scott Flo (Raghouse Records)  |
“A long record, there are times when reducing the tracks from 14 to 10 seemed like the wisest move, but just as its creator was in no rush to bring this music into the open, so too should the listener be prepared to be won over in instalments.” 3/5, RTE Ten |
| The Script Science and Faith (RCA)  |
“As with The Script, each song’s strength lies within its chorus. Most of the rhymes don’t stick after you’ve set the record aside but they’ll certainly have you bopping around during the moments you’re listening to it.” PopCultureMonster |
| Sharon Shannon Saints & Scoundrels (Daisy Discs)  |
“I really like ‘Saints and Angels‘ which Mike Scott sings, ’Cape Clear‘ which is a traditional air nicely played by Sharon, and ‘The Wild West Wagon Train‘ which is nice mix of the trad and non-trad music. The remaining tracks are a mix of different music styles, most are like the west of Ireland meets the wild west of the US, Shane MacGowan sings a song as well.” Culch.ie |
| The Shed Goldfish Love (Self Released)  |
“The Shed’s first album was good but this new one is brilliant!” Red Fm |
| Jude Shiels Without Silence (Brush Recordings)  |
“All told, Without Silence is an impressive debut” 4/5, Hot Press |
| Shit Robot From the Cradle to the Rave (DFA)  |
“It’s easy to hear the decades of dance music this guy’s absorbed and appreciate how he’s able to spin that into sounds that are at once reverential and future-forward. This doesn’t happen on every track, but when it does, it’s something special.” 7.1, Pitchfork |
| Chris Singleton Lady Gasoline (IRL)  |
“Singleton’s sprightly power pop and good-natured lyrics ensure that he’s never less than genial company.” 3/5, Q Magazine |
| Skibunny Hugs (Own Label)  |
“If you want an album that will feel right at home on any indie-disco play list, and you can happily wile away three quarters of an hour to, without requiring a great expenditure of effort, then this should be right up your street.” 6/10, All Gone Pop |
| Rob Smith The Juliana Field (Cocklebob Records)  |
“The Juliana Field sees Rob Smith mature as a songwriter and musician. It’s a good step forward from his debut.” NessyMon |
| So Cow Meaningless Friendly (Tic Tac Totally Records)  |
“Apart from there being too much noise and not enough music, and the melodics start becoming a bit samey after a while, it’s quite an achievement for someone on their own.” NickThinks |
| Solar Bears She Was Coloured In (Planet Mu)  |
“The record has a floating, undeniably cinematic feel throughout (the label specifically cites 1973 animated sci-fi classic Fantastic Planet), as evidenced by the oddly moving cosmic vibes on album standout “Neon Colony.”” Gorilla vs Bear |
| Somadrone Depth of Field (Skinny Wolves)  |
“Depth Of Field is an outstanding release, standing alongside Strands‘ debut album as the finest mix of rock, electronic and classical influences to be found anywhere this year. A late contender for your favourite Irish album of the year?” 4/5, State Magazine |
| Sounds of System Breakdown Sounds of System Breakdown (Self Released)  |
“Filled with techno Trojan dance beats, indie power riffs, post punk and the occasional moment of surprisingly un-cheesy melodies, the album is a triumph. As debuts go, Sound of System Breakdown have avoided falling into any of the common Irish debut traps. They don’t open with the best, they don’t lose their intensity and they sound damn good.” TicketsThere |
| Jeremy Spencer & Sean Leahy The Side Over (Own Label)  |
| Stand 100,000 Ways to Harvest Hope (New World Music)  |
“The album sleeve tells us that ‘These ten songs were recorded in nine days’. A lot of the time, when a band hands out a rushed record it can either show their excellence or their limitations. Simply put, 100,000 Ways … ain’t the latter.” PopCultureMonster |
| Stano Blind Sound (Loscann Records)  |
“‘Sleep Robin’ is the surprise ace. Recorded with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, this cinematic lullaby illustrates Stano’s maverick grace.” 3/5, Dubliner Magazine |
| Ivan St John Up To Snuff (Nestegg Records)  |
“If you’re looking for a domestic album with oodles of charm, you won’t go far wrong with this” 3/5, Irish Independent |
| Strands Strands (Casino Gravity)  |
“It begs to be listened to on the best pair of speakers or headphones you can find, inviting you to explore the endless subtleties and nuances carefully tucked away inside. This is an album that can, and should, be considered in a classical light, bearing as it does all the hallmarks of a composer that is confident, brave and, above all, immensely talented.” 4/5, State Magazine |
| Sunburnt Jets Low Flying Crow (Self Released)  |
“Warm-hearted pop songs written in a Japanese apartment and recorded in a Monaghan bedroom by ex-Green Lights’ dude Colin Boylan” On The Record |
| The Supermodel Twins Raincloud Free (Gohan Records)  |
“‘Raincloud Free’, unlike other obscure monikers we have heard in the past, does exactly what it says on the tin; delivering a blistering, 11-track, 35-minute collection of upbeat pop-rock songs in the mould of Weezer, Nada Surf et al, with a Beach Boys-meets Green Day dash thrown into the mix.” Limerick Leader |
| Susie Soho Where all the Ladders Start (Self Released)  |
| Sweet Jane Sugar for My Soul (Reekus Records)  |
“I could wax lyrical all night about this record but for those of you who like to rate things this one hits 9.75/10 on the Richter scale for me!” 9.75/10, Battery in Your Leg |
| Thread Pulls New Thoughts (Oaska)  |
“This is a record with real surprises, and moments of narcotic mesmerism. Rush out to buy this record, because it’s one of the best releases of the year.” Their Bated Breath |
| Tupelo Dirty Money (Own Label)  |
“So, with an authentic formula that scores where it matters, Tupelo make music that sounds as joyful to make as it is to listen to.” 4/5, Hot Press |
| Two Door Cinema Club Tourist History (Kitsune)  |
“A lot of the songs sound like singles, ‘What You Know’ would definitely be a contender, were it not ruined by a horrible instrumental section. All in all, there’s much more here to savour than not, making up for a fantastically accomplished debut album. They narrowly missed out on the final ten for BBC’s Sound of 2010 poll, and on the basis of this, the Beeb missed an opportunity. Definitely ones to keep an eye on, and until they make their masterpiece: This’ll do, Pig, this’ll do.” Swear I’m Not Paul |
| Villagers Becoming A Jackal (Domino)  |
“Since the dissolution of the Immediate a few years ago, you’d think that O’Brien may have gotten rusty, but if anything, his vocals have improved tenfold since then. His voice is glorious and soars on many of the tracks. ‘I Saw the Dead’ is a perfect album opener, with a wonderful entwining piano melody and enchanting vocals from O’Brien.” Swear I’m Not Paul |
| Von Shakes The Routine (I-NV-U Records)  |
“‘The Routine’ shows a band that have grown in stature since their debut EP ‘Mind Your Head’ and if they keep going in the direction they are, could grow to be a force to be reckoned with.” 5/6, NessyMon |
| Garrett Wall Band Hands and Imperfections (Mondegreen)  |
“Standout tracks include the wonder ‘Is There No Freedom’, ‘Better Days’ and ‘The Ballad of an Exorcism’. Garrett’s voice is as good as it was when I was a big fan of his solo work back in 1997. ‘Hands & Imperfections’ is a really good pop-rock album.” 8/12, 2UIBestow |
| Craig Walker Siamese (Discograph)  |
“Overall, ‘Siamese’ is a slow-burning yet meticulously produced set of hook-laden songs that rewards handsomely after a few listens. Moreover, it sets in train a new phase in Walker’s musical journey. It’s great to have him back” 8/10, Cluas |
| We Come in Pieces Before The Chains (Own Label)  |
“There isn’t a duff track here, it’s a short sharp shock with a bit of math rock here, punk rock there and a little vintage metal thrown into the mix on what the band describe as a “32 minute long album that deals with major sociological issues such as Die Hard, the shark from Jaws, blood and the effects of gangland crime in a modern urban landscape.”” Music Limerick |
| We Saw Heaven We Saw Heaven (Lefthand Productions)  |
“Written and recorded in bucolic surroundings prior to relocating to city living, the tracks successfully capture the quiet and rolling landscape of the countryside, with particular standouts being the erratically mispelled Watercolurs , the aptly titled Luminosity and the gorgeous harp-driven (courtesy of Eva O’Gorman) Ebb and Flow .” 4/5, Irish Times |
| We Should Be Dead Dreamstate (Pop4Pop)  |
“A sparkling slice of indie/dance/pop that falls somewhere between The Cars & early Madonna” Munster Express |
| Westlife Gravity (Sony Music)  |
“Complete with two complimentary cover versions amongst a host of blatant trademark Westlife numbers, Gravity doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, nor does it offer anything to take Westlife to another level; it’s just a good, strong consistent if safe effort to maintain their high standard. ” Contact Music |
| Windings It’s Never Night (Out on a Limb Records)  |
“Windings save their best track of all for last, however: bringing things full circle in its similarity to the record’s opening track, ‘Old Like J’ is another gentle reflection on aging, its yearning, folky vibe as enchanting as its lyrics are charming (“All I want is to grow old like J/From a teenage riot to a silvery grave”). It’s the perfect closer to a record that proves Ryan is just as impressive a songwriter when he turns the volume down.” 4/5, State Magazine |
| Yukina Swamp Disco (Click Oops Music)  |
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4 Comments
Hey Ronan,
Again well done on this list! It’s immense!
Just going to offer a wee inclusion to da list ….. I reviewed Sean Kangataran’s album during the year and he’s a Galwegian!
Peter
Thanks for the addition. Actually got the album myself based on your recommendation!
Great list ronan!
Fantastic list. Can’t believe there was so much awesome music this year!