These are in no particular order, and the only criteria that these albums satisfy are that I like them. I’m afraid that I’m not going to make any hyperbolic statements of greatness, but what I will do is run down some records that for me were memorable, got played a lot, and that I basically loved. You might disagree. Well, I forgive you.

Since finally loading it onto my iPod I have had Royksopp’s Junior on heavy rotation. This, along with Kokayi’s Robots and Dinosaurs and Warpaint’s The Fool, is a record that found favour with some of TMS’ roving correspondents, and all I can say is that they called it right. Especially in Kokayi’s case. Being the unadventurous fool that I am, Robots & Dinosaurs is not the kind of record that I would normally listen to. But it’s a wonderous thing. I love it, and you will too.

Some things in 2010 were a surprise, some weren’t. Danger Mouse had a good year, which wasn’t a surprise: Broken Bells was super, and the official release of his collaboration with Sparklehorse, Dark Night of the Soul, gave him two top records as far as I’m concerned. Mogwai’s Special Moves, similarly, was never going to be less than amazing; and there’s little surprise that Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs was as good as it was. Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach, The Black Keys’ Brothers, Teenage Fanclub’s Shadows were also as good as expected. Same with Midlake’s The Courage of Others (even if it never quite scales the heights of Van Occupanther).

Perhaps it’s the surprises of 2010 that capped it as what felt like a vintage year. Some of these are groups that had somehow passed me by earlier in their careers, but even if I got to them late, then better late than never. Sea of Bees’ Songs for the Ravens, Marina & The Diamonds’ The Family Jewels (yes, Marina’s tracks got a lot of play in 2009, but so what!), Sparrow and the Workshop’s Crystals Fall, The Phantom Band’s self-titled debut, and Broken Records’ Let Me Come Home are all records I’ll be reaching for in years to come (I think you could have guessed that I liked the Broken Records album). It’s pleasing that so many of these originate in Northern Britishshire, but I will not indulge in national chauvinism at this time. Maybe tomorrow.

If I was to leave this post with one record ringing in your ears – not necessarily because it’s the best of the year, but because I think you should remember and should go and buy it – it’s Panico’s Kick. That is definitely an LP that livened up 2010 in grand style. As I said at the time: this album is one that will pick you up, throw you around and drop you onto the floor. And then it’ll give you a kiss, because it’s lovely.

Happy Holidays to everyone!