Lists — December 31, 2010 at 11:15 am

Readers poll: Best new albums of 2010

Slicing Up Eyeballs Readers Poll

Three weeks ago, we launched the inaugural Slicing Up Eyeballs Readers Poll in an effort to gauge what this site’s frequenters think are the year’s best new albums and reissues. Now, with hundreds of ballots cast (and a major push by Crowded House fans over at the Frenz Forum), the results are in.

Below you’ll find the Top 10 new albums of 2010, as voted by our readers. The Top 10 reissues, box sets and compilations list is posted here.

See Top 10 new albums of 2010 after the jump…

Paul Weller, 'Wake Up the Nation'10. Paul Weller

Album: Wake Up the Nation
Backstory: The Modfather returned this year with his 10th solo album, which includes two tracks with former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Swans, 'My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky'9. Swans

Album: My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky
Backstory: Setting the Angels of Light aside, Michael Gira reconvened his legendary no-wave act for its first studio album in 14 years.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Nitzer Ebb, 'Industrial Complex'8. Nitzer Ebb

Album: Industrial Complex
Backstory: The electro-industrial act dropped its first new album in 15 years, with contributions from Martin Gore and Alan Wilder.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Lloyd Cole, 'Broken Record'7. Lloyd Cole

Album: Broken Record
Backstory: The former Commotions leader released his first full-band album in a decade, featuring his Small Ensemble bluegrass trio.
Buy it: Amazon.com

Gridnerman, 'Grinderman 2'6. Grinderman

Album: Grinderman 2
Backstory: Nick Cave and his guitar-heavy Bad Seeds spin-off returned this year with their second collection of electric gut-bucket blues.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Devo, 'Something for Everybody'5. Devo

Album: Something for Everybody
Backstory: The band’s first CD since 1990 features the core brotherly lineup of Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh and Gerald and Bob Casale.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

OMD, 'History of Modern'4. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Album: History of Modern
Backstory: The synthpop outfit returned with its first new album in 14 years — and its first with its classic lineup since 1986.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Bryan Ferry, 'Olympia'3. Bryan Ferry

Album: Olympia
Backstory: The crooner reunited with Roxy Music members Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay on his first new songs in eight years.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Killing Joke, 'Absolute Dissent'2. Killing Joke

Album: Absolute Dissent
Backstory: The landmark postpunk act’s original lineup reunited on record for the first time since 1982’s Revelations.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

Crowded House, 'Intriguer'1. Crowded House

Album: Intriguer
Backstory: Preceded by the single “Saturday Sun, ” this is Neil Finn and Co.’s second post-reunion album and sixth overall.
Buy it: Amazon.com, iTunes

10 Comments

  1. I think that if Duran Duran “All You Need is Now” were released in time for voting it would win hands down. However, it should be included in the 2011 poll next year as the CD release is in February.

  2. It got a few votes, but yeah, few people had heard it in time. It will definitely be eligible next year.

  3. Very much deserved top spot by The Crowdies & Intriguer.
    Frenz and fans are more than happy to support the band and songs that mean so much to us

  4. That’s a great list.

  5. Your reader’s poll was fairly similar to my best of list: 1) Killing Joke, 2) OMD but mine also included Front Line Assembly and left off Nitzer Ebb (since I erroneously had it on my 2009 list! – to my defense I bought it in early Dec 2009). I also included the late release of Shriekback too..

    http://www.thesoundofindie.com/

    Anyway, great list and great site. Best for 2011!

  6. realy good choice – intriguer is a record you can play on repeat for weeks at least, and there you can find even Beatles or Bowie or Stones of today and more if you listen – Everly bros for instance… ; )

  7. Good list, but I would like to add a mention for the album Act Your Rage by The Doughboys featuring Richard X. Heyman.

    Heyman’s classic first album Living Room was originally released in 1988 so I would think he fits the criteria for this website.

  8. Even though I’m a huge Crowdies fan, there is no way Intriguer should have made the top 10, let alone 1. It is easily the bands weakest album.

    This poll was clearly hijacked by the Frenz fan group/forum.

  9. THE CULT CHOICE OF WEAPON

  10. King Krak, I Rule the Game

    How was the best album completely missed? Alphaville’s Catching Rays on Giant. http://www.amazon.com/Catching-Rays-On-Giant-Alphaville/dp/B003ZKHKO6/

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *