This list is more than just a list of every release of the year in Ireland, like Choice’s list here. This list allows you to listen to, read about, and sample a little bit of every single Irish album released in 2010. I tried to use album reviews from as wide a variety of Irish music websites and music blogs as possible.


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Halves It Goes, It Goes (Forever and Ever)

“Track after track on It Goes, It Goes… impresses and songs like ‘Growing and Glow’ and the haunting ‘Don’t Send Your Kids to the Lake’ each have a set piece, mood and manner that will stay with a listener long after the album’s fifty-five minutes are over.” 85/100, HighBrowse

Ham Sandwich White Fox (Route 109 Recordings)

“As soon as you hear the opening verse of ‘The Naturist’, the lead single, and opening track from Ham Sandwich’s second album, White Fox, you know they’ve grown. This is a better band than the Meath five-piece who released Carry the Meek in 2008. Now a four-piece, the band have become adults on this second album. It’s better in every way than the debut.” 4.5/5, Swear I’m Not Paul

The Harvest Ministers Strange Love Letter (Crayon Records)

“Tombstone Eyes is an upbeat pop song that ought to be blasting from FM radios the world over. Friday Night Seance is my favourite track at the moment, but most of the others are pushing it close. If you know their music, you know you’ll love this. If The Harvest Ministers have previously passed you by, perhaps it’s time to introduce yourself.” 4/5, Irish Times

Hermione Hennessy Songs my Father Taught Me (Handi Music)

“I do admire the scope and ambition of the album and it has many good things going for it. The album really does bring attention to the greatness of Christy Hennessy’s songwriting.” 9/12, 2UIBestow

Joanna Higgins Happy Ever After (Smooth Records)

Joanna Higgins – ‘Happy Ever After’

Hipster Youth Teenage Elders (Long Lost)

“His songs are also very clean and tight, offering hooks through masterful production techniques – echoing artists that range from Kumon Plaza to Crystal Castles. Synths are complemented with quirky Nintendo-era bleeps and blips, in other words, and it all somehow blends successfully.” Things As They Are

Hogan Boom (HB 001)

“Hogan have been around for a few years now and have just released the album ‘Boom’ from which the single ‘Five Years On’ is taken. It is a grower and after a couple of listens the track does draw you in more.” Nessymon

Humanzi Kingdom Of Ghosts (First Born is Dead Records)

“It’s punk, its rock; it’s a death disco bonanza of horrors. With Kingdom of Ghosts, Humanzi have proven that they’re only going from strength to strength. The song writing styles have grown far more diverse and been improved so much since the band’s debut album, Tremors. Yet they’ve retained the overwhelming power and raw energy they made their name on.” Tickets There

Identity Parade Identity Parade (Rocid)

“We love the debut album from this Dublin indie five piece. An enjoyable listen from beginning to end, Identity Parade offer up a blend of energetic, catchy, indie rock with an edge. What’s not to like?” Heineken Music

Alice Jago Born Stubborn (Self Release)

“Lisa Hannigan-esque quirky articulation, she’s a songwriter distinctly in control of her own voice – and it’s one that intimates sweet secrets well worthy of the listener’s cocked ear. A spirit-stirring debut.” 3/5, Irish Times

Jedward Planet Jedward (Universal Ireland)

“there are more thrills to be had in one minute of this album than in some bands’ entire careers. Jedward have made an album and the world hasn’t stopped spinning. Do we love it? Of course not. Do we hate it? Not at all. Will we listen to it again? Probably when our kids play it on repeat. Will we mind? Nah.” 3/5, State Magazine

Jogging Minutes (Richter Collective)

“There really is something special happening right now among Irish bands trading in rousing, urgent guitar music. From And So I Watch You From Afar’s ear-shattering full debut to Not Squares’ potential-dripping early singles, not to mention thrilling introductions from Girls Names and The Cast Of Cheers, it’s certainly been an exciting 12 months or so. Minutes, the fiery debut from Dublin three-piece Jogging, shows that trend has no intention of slowing down. It also proves that Belfast – or in the case of Adebisi Shank, a corner of Wexford – doesn’t hold a monopoly on the current thrilling turn of events.” 8/10, Ragged Words

John, Shelly & The Creatures Dinosaur (JSC)

“Overall, it’s a very impressive debut, and a quite cohesive record. Impressive from start to finish, this is the beginning of something good.” Swear I’m Not Paul

Jonny Rep Jonny Rep (Wangley Dan Records)

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JP13 Spooky Ghost Sound #5 (Self Released)

Jung Turks Liber Eth (Œjãipha)

“The debut full length album from this Irish based two piece. The album is kind of loosely based around the sounds of classical acoustic guitar and propulsive jazz like drum sounds, that’s just for starters though. It’s an ever evolving sound that can go from latin american folk to jazz rock at the drop of a hat. At times it sounds like some kind of skewed acoustic post rock thing blended with the kind of madness that is Mike Pattons’ Fantômas project. It’s an album with so many twists and turns that I could spend ages on each track. Its jazz, post rock, avant rock, folk and plenty more. A highly rewarding listen it must be said.” Road Records

The Kane Sisters Side by Side (Dawros Music)

Sean Kangataran Sean Kangataran

“The lyrics really stand-out on the album. There are tales of love and relationships, of beauty and self image, of loss and breakdowns and of prominent life journeys. These lyrics are well thought out and mean something to me. It’s one of those albums which I’ll hold important to me way off into the future.” 11/12, 2UIBestow

Una Keane Trees (Marabou Records)

“This long-awaited debut will evoke mutually-favourable comparisons with Julie Feeney, Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Carole King, among others, but it’s so much more than the sum of Keane’s influences. Her inventive piano invariably adds lustre and atmosphere to songs that avoid any sense of formula or predictability. In Trees she has delivered a noteworthy work that deserves not to get lost in the forest of new releases.” 4/5, Hot Press Una Keane – ‘Alice’

Kila Soisin (Kila Records)

“This album captures the true spirit of the Irish; it is full of passion, yet in an understated way and it is full of tradition in the form of the instruments used, as well as the structure of the songs. This is what makes the album so great, you feel the passion and you sense the tradition associated with the music. This album is truly spellbinding and I thoroughly recommend it.” 5/5, AllGigs

Kill Krinkle Club Abandon (Toy Ship Records)

“The vocals – both Justin and Elina’s are exceptional and swirl intimately together – are the icing on the cake of what’s already a compelling debut. Abandon sets its stall out early, and holds together more tightly than many of Kill Krinkle Club’s more-expensively produced peers can match.” 4/5, State Magazine

Bat Kinane A Lifetime to Kill (Voodoo Bones Records)

“Kinane will be the first to admit that he doesn’t have the strongest singing voice, however the personal emotions that run through all the lyrics on this album really mean that it needed to be him that sings these songs and the likes of the piano led Bruce Hornsby vibe of ‘No Turning Back’, or the beautiful acoustic number ‘My Song’, are more believable for having their creator sing them. ‘A Lifetime To Kill’ may not be the album you would have expected from a member of Glyder, however it is all the stronger for being so and is a fantastic and welcome change of pace from an extremely talented song writer.” Rocktopia

Ladydoll The Knife Thrower and his Wife (Subplot)

“The Knife Thrower And His Wife’ is a well produced mix of dark and surprisingly catchy tunes that at times show an originality and quirkiness that seems to be lacking in a lot of newer bands.” GoldenPlec

Lafaro Lafaro (STA)

“It’s a fairly solid album although it’s not really for everyone. LaFaro are definitely a band for more hardcore metal fans. They’re very fast and very loud and to someone who doesn’t listen to a lot of metal or prefers more melodic music they probably wouldn’t be as enjoyable.” Drop-d

The Last Tycoons The Last Tycoons (First Born is Dead Records)

“Many of the songs here are instantly memorable: ‘Seven Days (Off the Road)’ is a really catchy song with a lovely breakdown, ‘Alaska Hotel’ is a lovely piano-driven ballad. ‘The Love Song’ is another highlight. It’s a wonderful narrative-driven song, like most of the album. Overall, this is a highly accomplished debut from a tremendous new Irish talent. Definitely one to watch for the future.” Swear I’m Not Paul

Jinx Lennon National Cancer Strategy (Septic Tiger)

“Jinx Lennon is Ireland’s greatest living Irish songwriter, a Burroughsian state pathologist, bad conscience and protest singer all packed into a dark suit and shades. National Cancer Strategy is another bullseye. Someone give this man the freedom of Dundalk.” 4/5, Hot Press

Liberty Kings The Stage (Own Label)

Liz is Evil Failed Philosophy (Foad Musick)

“If this is what evil sounds like, I don’t ever want to be good.” Hot Press

The London Lasses and Pete Quinn By Night & By Day (Lo La Records)

“his music is so wonderful, it stuns us that all the major Festival venues in America are not booking and flying the Lasses in. The festival bookers are totally asleep at the wheel. Now, you’re not. Get this spectacular piece of musical, trad business. Marvelous.” LiveIreland

Vyvienne Long Caterpillar Sarabande (Happy Hazard)

“Here you find someone working to create their own kind of hush – sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, sometimes a little spooky – and giving you lots of reasons to have a duvet day. ” 3/5, RTE Ten

Lúnasa Lá Nua (Lunasa Records)

“Energy oozes out of every track. Most are sets of three, usually contrasting tunes, using different combinations of the instruments to vary the texture.” Bright Young Folk

Jimmy MacCarthy Hey-Ho Believe (Ride on Records)

“His eight-year sabbatical from album recording may have sharpened Jimmy MacCarthy’s appetite for performance, but his new studio outing reveals a man most at ease sticking to the road well travelled. His mastery of the obtuse lyric is evident in this oddly beatific collection.” 2/5, Irish Times

Stephen Maguire Irish Soul (SML)

“The Belfast-born Maguire has wrought a fine collection of songs that sensitively blend pop, soul and sixties rock.” 3.5/5, Hot Press

Imelda May Mayhem (Decca)

“The album, a whirlwind of ups and downs (downs being simply a softer take, not anything depressing), Mayhem ends on a fantastic cover of ‘Tainted Love’, possibly the best cover of the Soft Cell synth hit I’ve ever heard. If you’re going to buy an album at all over the course of the next week, month, year, I strongly suggest you get your hands on this explosive record from Imelda May. Because, in the wise words of my sister: ‘Her voice just oozes sex like!’.” Gaelick

Catherine McEvoy, Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh, & Micheal Ó Raghallaigh Comb Your Hair (Own Label)

“The music here is a feast of Irish tradition, with plenty of excitement to be had from these grand old tunes. I Buried My Wife and Danced On Top of Her changes dramatically into Petticoat Loose. A Chieftains favourite The Sunny Banks leaps out of a set of reels, the most striking version I’ve ever heard.” Irish Music Magazine

Eleanor McEvoy I’d Rather Go Blonde (Moscodisc)

“Eleanor McEvoy is back to her absolute song-writing best with her stunning new album. Her eigth album “I’d Rather Go Blonde” which is set for release 20th September is soulful and honest reflecting Eleanor’s perfect culmination of twenty years of beautiful songwriting. One listen to this album shows why Eleanor McEvoy has become one of Ireland’s most accomplished singer/songwriters.” Patrick James

James Vincent McMorrow Early in the Morning (Universal Ireland)

“Irish album of the year? Definitely. Actually, you know what this is…“The best album to come out of Ireland in a decade”. You can quote me on that.” Swear I’m Not Paul

John McSherry Soma (Compass Records)

“The guitar sounds fantastic, the piping is tight, it’s punchy, not too complicated, and it’s intimate! I love tracks like this because it really gives the musician room to breathe and play around a little bit.” Digital Darragh

Gavin Mee Breech Birth (Own Label)

“Breech Birth consists of well crafted tunes, nice voice similar to Ron Sexsmith, lovely harmonies, odd lyrics on some songs.” 8/12, 2UIBestow

Meljoann Squick (Own Label)

“Ultimately, this is an album to luxuriate in, and if it occasionally flags a bit, that’s no shame for an artist who is only just getting started. An encouraging debut.” 7/10, Ragged Words

Melodica Deathship Doom Your Cities, Doom Your Towns (Self Released)

“The duo of Tim (Exile Eye) and George (Deep Burial) have been making waves with their menacing live shows in the last year or so, even threatening to upstage MF Doom when they supported the Metal Faced chancer last month in the Button Factory. Three years in the making, their debut album Doom Your Cities, Doom Your Towns harnesses this stage alchemy on two hefty slabs of vinyl that’ll blow your speakers if you’re not careful.” 5/5, State Magazine

Liam Merriman The Night is Huge (Three Rivers Records)

Michael John A Truant and a Pirate (Self Released)

“A Truant and a Pirate is a much more stripped back affair than Michael John’s previous recordings, with an emphasis on simple acoustic folk songs. Opting for a home recording instead of working from a studio, the album is the product of a single microphone and Korg recording console. Mandolins, violins and cellos are introduced to add to the texture of the recording.” IMRO

The Mighty Stef The Mighty Stef and the Baptists (Own Label)

“While the nods in the direction of Nick Cave and Johnny Cash remain he seems more comfortable and at ease, he’s found ‘his’ voice and ‘his’ sound, freed from the shackles of his somewhat overbearing influences. ’The Baptist Record’ is The Mighty Stef’s most ambitious projects yet, the one fans knew he was capable of and he’s passed with flying colours. His best work yet.” Barry Gruff

Sean Millar Of the People (Independent Release)

“Every visitor to Dublin should be given a copy of this – to see the real Dublin in all its ragged glory.” Irish Times

Miracle Bell Light Shape Sound (MB Records)

“Hailing from Kildare and described as an electro/synth pop band, if you could play Miracle Bell’s debut album with the vocals stripped off then comparisons with the Klaxons and Foals would be fair. In fact opening track ‘Thank You Computer Man’ would be worthy of either of those bands” MEG

Diarmuid & Donncha Moynihan The Lights of Ranzanico (Own Label)

“Their long awaited new album, The Lights of Ranzanico, is a collection of beautiful original tunes fused with Irish and European melodies. It once again demonstrates their creative vision and extraordinary lyrical approach to music which has influenced many artists since they arrived on the Irish music scene.” Living Tradition

Mugger Dave What’s She Doing Here (Own Label)

“It’s a good old guitar driven rock n roll album, mixed throughout with harmonies and decent melodies, add a little dash of punk and perhaps even a trickle of ELO in a modern setting and you’re sorted.” 5/6, NessyMon

Gavin Mulhall Surrender to Reason (Own Label)

“Big sounding radio-friendly pop rock song from Gavin Mulhall. Enjoyable listen & hints at a decent debut album.” 2UIBestow

Keith Mullins The Great Atlantic (Keith Mullins Music)

“The Great Atlantic has a promising start and the production matches the shiny professionalism of the product design. The opening song has a jaunty journey feel, perfect for a rainy N17 bus journey or whatever route takes your fancy. There are great harmonies, it makes for a strong opener” MEG