Guest top 10: Hatcham Social and Grizzly Owls

by Stephen McLeod Post to Twitter

Photo: Nick Gough

We finally wave bye bye to 2009 with our final two wonderful guests - Hatcham Social and Grizzly Owls

Hatcham Social Top Ten Albums

These are the albums I got most interested in this year and have been playing in my earphones constantly. Not in an exact order as such…more what I thought of as writing…I usually get into a band through a live experience so the albums I love are bands I fall for after coming into contact with them live in some manner and being charmed by them…

Horrors - Primary Colours

I dont need to give this any more press than its had but it is really one of only a couple of albums this year that really mean something and have the feeling of weight behind it. They are a band you can be a fan of - not enough bands like that.

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

First record of Camera Obscura that i really know and its beautiful. Reverbs are amazing. I have played this album alot. She has a beautiful attention to detail in her vocals and the sound of this album really magnifies that.

Wetdog - Frauhaus!

Its got the single Lower leg so thats enough. One of the best shows I saw this summer at Offset. Great band. They sound like people making music, not people planning music.

Electricity In Our Homes - We Agree Completely

I know I go on about them alot, but still the best band in London. Not quite a proper album(only 6 tracks) but means more than most other albums this year. This is a band that should be on the cover of magazines instead of the bankers underground that usually garners attention.

Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Pains Of Being Pure At Heart

I love this band. just beautiful pop songs. We had the best time with all the shows we have played with them. I think the best time I seen them play was at Isle of White festival when Tim Burgess put them on the Charlatans stage.

Crystal Stilts

The best show apart from No Age that I saw at SXSW this year. So so good. I wish I knew what they are saying when I listen. We played with them in New York too (Twee as Fuck vs NYC event) in a small downstairs venue called the Cake Shop. Perfect place to see them. Angular records sorting out the UK release here. Good work.

Vivian Girls

Saw these at White Heat last year and fell in love. Exciting noisey pop, like a real grunge or punk band. Loved the album, my brother and Jerome played a cover of one of the songs from album one at my birthday party in April. I really wanted to meet them in SXSW but never got round to speaking to them. Natural band.

Maccabees - Wall of Arms

We went and played with this lot and each night we went out to watch after and the songs from this record are wonderful, loved when we went to the states with them. A real warmth to the music, which is so refreshing. Listen to the song Wall of Arms and No Kind Words to Say and you will see.

Goodnight And I wish A Ruffled Mind Makes A Restless Pillow

Really good arrangements and songs. Very musical. Should have more recognition, but thats what happens when nobody can see an industry plan.

Neils Children X.Enc.

They put an album out and its something that should have happened ages ago. They influenced a lot of people. They recorded and produced all themselves. More people should know about this record.

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young

I have not heard it all yet. But what I have heard is enough to add him as a bonus no 11. A Julian Casablancas synthpop album. All that needs saying. Oh and the Youtube preview for the album is amazing.

Grizzly Owls’ Top Ten

1. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Reissues

"The lyrical content on these four records couldn’t be any more morbid, and that is why Nick Cave has our eternal devotion."

2. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - White Lunar

"Soundtracks, screenplays, novels, and two bands… Nick Cave has had major output as of late… and we couldn’t be any happier."

3. David Lynch Presents: The Fox Bat Strategy - EP

"Creepy, dreamy, rock ‘n roll… just how we like it."

4. The Beatles - Reissues

"It’s the Beatles… enough said."

5. Tom Waits - Glitter & Doom Live

"We know, we know… as of today it is not out… but it will be a 2009 release… and you know it is going to be phenomenal."

6. Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications

"Jarvis Cocker is back to doing what he does best… talking dirty."

7. Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Beware

"The man writes such beautiful music… it breaks your heart."

8. Daniel Johnston - Is and Always Was

"He always wears his heart on his sleeve and it always pays off."

9. God Help the Girl - God Help the Girl

"Those Belle & Sebastian boys sure know how to write great pop songs."

10. Morrissey - Years of Refusal

"Morrissey hasn’t been having a great year (hit on the head at a concert + fainting at a concert)… we hope he has a better 2010… His record is great though."