10 from '10

This is most definitely not an albums-of-the-year thing, as no-one's asked and I'm not quite so self-important! Plus, given that it seems to be illegal not to rate The National's grandiose and shimmering High Violet top, there wouldn't be much point. Nevertheless here are ten records not reviewed on this blog that I'd suggest seeking out - if not before midnight then ASAP next year.

Chumbawamba - ABCDEFG (No Masters)
With trademark wit and harmonies, the mighty Chumbawamba's "meta-album" on the subject of music is another treasury of engrossing titbits and stories. Singing about George Melly, James Hetfield and Richard Wagner, the band (now on sabbatical until the summer) are unafraid to cast a wide net. ABCDEFG delivers catchy and captivating songs.

Beach House - Teen Dream (Bella Union)
Victoria Legrand's sultry vocals hold the interest over wintry, minimalist melodies, as the Baltimore dream-pop duo generate light-touch gravitas that is coldly sober and prettily heady. The nuanced Teen Dream has not been overhyped.

Ruarri Joseph - Shoulder to the Wheel (Pip Productions)
For someone so obviously influenced by Bob Dylan, Ruarri Joseph carries the tag with ease. Vocals, guitar and harmonica craft mature, thoughtful, maybe even commercial songs - and Shoulder to the Wheel contains just enough gems to be a thoroughly rewarding listen. One to watch, and support.

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms (Columbia)
Factory was an early shout for single of the year; and though unsurpassed by the remainder of the record, is by no means out of place on the Horses' slickest set yet. Balancing the anthemic with the intimate, delivering winning harmonies and hummable melodies this is inspired summer alt. rock.

Musée Mécanique - Hold This Ghost (Souterrain Transmissions)
Named for a penny arcade museum in San Fransisco, Musée Mécanique produce meditative music on their refined debut: sorrowful, otherworldly, delicate and introspective. It is also comforting and calming - gentle hope brightening the haze with flecks of cheer. Their lilting laments form an impressive and promising first album.

Laura Veirs - July Flame (Bella Union)
July Flame is a simple but glittering record, capable of exquisite beauty. Veirs is accumulating quite a catalogue of impressively consistent records - and this is as fine and worthy an introduction as anything before.

Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can (Virgin)
Rambling Man earned Marling a first Folk Award nomination and is the stand-out song from the Berkshire-based singer-songwriter's stronger second release. Spirited, literate and determined, this is a stoical, steely and very accomplished album.

Jenny & Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now (Warner Bros.)
I should declare that Rabbit Fur Coat was one of my albums of the last decade, so it is hardly unexpected that Jenny Lewis's latest venture, with boyfriend Johnathan Rice, so delights. Equally, there should be no surprise at her proficiency in making music with a partner, remembering Rilo Kiley. Whatever, this is a collaboration of rock n roll sensibility, indie tinge and pop delivery. Infectious, engaging, just lovely.

The Burns Unit - Side Show (Proper)
An eight-piece Scots-Canadian collaboration between luminaries including Karine Polwart, King Creosote and ex-Delgado Emma Pollock might have struggled to total anything approaching the sum of its parts. Fortunately and skilfully, despite disparate backgrounds and a diverse set of songs, the textures are so well woven that the album is surprisingly seamless. "Supergroup" billing is as unavoidable as it is unenviable but creditably, Burns Unit never threaten to disappoint - and Side Show should have been centre of attention.

Robert Plant & Band of Joy - Band of Joy (Decca)
Backed by a line-up including Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin, Plant's latest release means he has contributed to albums charting across six different decades - but what's more impressive is his enduring credibility through more phases than the moon. His Led Zep past is brilliantly irrelevant to Band of Joy, (in one sense because the original incarnation of the group formed before his collaboration with Page) but mainly because this album, like Grammy-guzzling Raising Sand before it, is bigger than albatrosses and pedestals. The Alison Krauss duets were exquisite and Band of Joy echoes the spirit and the sound - but Plant is master of dodging his own shadow. Band of Joy is a great album all in its own right.