10 Albums...

A musical theme for this post - the world is keen on lists...reading them, writing them, commenting on them... so it's my turn to do my favourite ten albums of the last decade.

I've tried to follow a few basic rules, only one album from each band, no greatest hits, no live albums (on the basis that they are usually greatest hit's in front of an audience). I make no apologies for my lack of "cool", for my personal tastes - if you disagree with my choices...make your own list, I'd love to read it!

These are in no order, all 10 are brilliant, and usually chosen to be played purely for the mood they create, or the mood I'm in...

Anathema - A Natural Disaster
My introduction to the band, re-reading an old magazine and the review jumped out at me. Truly beautiful, dark yet uplifting, full of life yet morose. This is the music of dreams, and, to my mind, their most complete achievement.

Mostly Autumn - Passengers
It may be a cliche, as it's generally held that this is their best album, but for me it genuinely is. Again it was my introduction to the band, an introduction that amazed and inspired. Listening to earlier albums shows this is what they were working towards, sadly I don't think they've reached quite so high since.

Opeth - Damnation
Maybe a slightly contentious choice - I do really enjoy Opeth from Still Life to Watershed, the death growls and the acoustic - but this album has been played by far the most according to my iTunes. The beauty, the gentleness, the hint of bite underneath. Such softness, yet such dexterity.

Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade Of Grey
A dark mystery, a concept album based around one evening, one dream in the subjects life. No clues have ever been given by the band as to the true meaning - I've never wanted to dig deep enough to find out, preferring to let the sounds and words wash over me, teasing, encouraging.

Riverside - Out Of Myself
Probably the hardest choice of all, as I could happily put their first 3 albums in a Top 10 list. Sheer brilliance from beginning to end - this is the music I wish I could write, could perform, could claim as my own. The Same River is one of the best opening tracks to an album I've ever heard

Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
A lot of people's least favourite PT album. My first introduction (again) and to me the perfect mix of their earlier more ambient days with their later use of whole album concepts and heavier sounds. Contains one of my all time favourite songs - Arriving Somewhere...But Not Here

Wolverine - Still
Little known, yet brilliant. Their third album (my first, again!) and so much better than the previous two. A perfect mix of softness and anger, melancholic for the most part, an album to enjoy over and over again

Mermaid Kiss - Etarlis
Jamie, one of the two main members of MK follows me on here, but this takes it's place on merit alone. A concept album based on stories told between Jamie and Evelyn. It's the sound of Wales, of history, of fantasy...so beautifully mixed together and presented. Great story as well, should be made into a book (a film, a play...? )

Demians - Building An Empire
Another debut album, the work on one man with a beautiful vision. More uplifting overall, slightly dark in places, Demians belongs alongside Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Pink Floyd... A new album due this year is eagerly awaited

Votum - Time Must Have A Stop
An odd choice this, whether I'll still be listening to it in ten years I don't know, but at the moment I can't stop pressing play. More metal than most of my other choices, but still full of twists and turns this has caught my senses and just won't let go!