My Top 20 TV Shows of 2010 (and top film, gig)

10 Flashforward 

A crime that this was cancelled by ABC after improving exponentially as the first series progressed. This filled the 'Lost'-shaped hole in the schedules perfectly.  

9 Ask Rhod Gilbert 

Surprisingly funny and original concept for a panel show. Rhod's flatmate Lloyd was the star of the show. Like QI on drugs.  

8 Whites 

Brilliantly understated kitchen-based comedy from Alan Davies, with superb supporting roles from the cream of young British TV talent - Darren Boyd, Katherine Parkinson, Isy Suttie and Matt King.  

7 24 

2010 was the year we said farewell to Jack Bauer. And it was a fitting way to go, with the most gripping series of '24' in years. Dammit, Chloe.  

6 Raising Hope 

Heart-warming new Fox comedy from the 'My Name Is Earl' team. The concept is simple, but the laughs are plentiful, and there's a happy moral message in every episode.  

5 The Event 

ABC's loss (in cancelling FlashForward) is NBC's gain. 'The Event' is still in its early days, but it's already must-see TV. Plus it gives more screen time to Blair Underwood, who was brilliantly evil in the now-cancelled (and sorely missed) 'Dirty Sexy Money'.  

4 In-Betweeners 

Whilst there's a sense that it may now have run its course, the antics of the sixth-formers were as uncomfortable, cringeworthy and quotable as ever. I had to hide my eyes behind my own hands during the fashion show episode.  

3 Dive 

This was a BBC two-parter in August that most of the country probably missed. Stunning acting performances from Jack O'Connell (Cook from 'Skins') and Aisling Loftus in this story of sporting ambition and underage pregnancy.  

2 Southland 

Billed as LA's answer to Baltimore's 'The Wire', this was no ordinary cop show. Sure, there were fast-paced cases to solve, gun battles and car chases, but there was also time for the mundane day-to-day of the job to shine through. Ryan from 'The O.C' (Benjamin Mackenzie) excelled.  

1 The Walking Dead 

Frank Darabont's comic-book adaptation has been unmissable, the TV highlight of the year. Even if you don't like zombies, it's worth watching for the beautifully crafted landscapes littered with corpses, the ease with which Darabont conveys panic, the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic world. And of course, the acting of Andrew Lincoln, with the most convincing American accent I've ever heard from a British actor.   

Past winners 
 
2009 winner: Not awarded 
2008 winner: The I.T. Crowd 
2007 winner: Heroes 
2006 winner: Extras
2005 winner: Lost 

I've not seen many films, so my highlight would probably be The Social Network.  

Past winners
2009 winner: A Prophet
2008 winner: The Dark Knight
2007 winner: Superbad
2006 winner: Borat - Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
2005 winner: Maria Full Of Grace

My favourite gig of the year was the Rage Against The Machine victory gig in Finsbury Park on 6th June. You can read my thoughts on it here.

Past winners 
 
2008 winner: Jay Z @ Hyde Park, 3rd July 2008 
2007 winner: Muse @ Wembley Stadium, 16th June 2007 
2006 winner: Madness @ Benicassim, 23rd July 2006 
2005 winner: Queens of the Stone Age @ Kokos, 23rd August 2005

My Top 20 Albums of 2010

20

Everything Everything - Man Alive

Released: 30th August

Manchester quartet manage to avoid sounding like any other indie scenesters around at present thanks to a mish-mash of genres, Jonathan Higgs' distinguishable falsetto, and lyrics about war, surrealism and airbrushing.

Highlight: The "too-cool-for-school" choruses of 'MY KZ, YR BF' and 'Photoshop Handsome' have been deserving of their regular radio airplay.

19

Auf Der Maur - Out Of Our Minds

Released: 30th March

I don't know if anyone else is aware that erstwhile Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist, Melissa Auf Der Maur is still recording. But 6 years after her remarkable solo debut, Mel was back with 'Out Of Our Minds'. It's a macabre, proggy, conceptual album, but the guitars and bass are predictably stunning, and it plays very well as a complete piece of work.

Highlight: "Clear the decks, there's gonna be a shipwreck" implores Mel on 'Follow The Map'

18

Best Coast - Crazy For You

Released: 27th July

Bethany Cosentino's debut album was a critical success, but the praise was, in this case, totally justified. This is a sunny, breezy album filled with smile-inducing hooks, recalling the Beach Boys at their best.

Highlight: Album opener, 'Boyfriend' sets the tone perfectly.

17

Eminem - Recovery

Released: 18th June

Marshall is still seen as a comedy figure, a pastiche, in some quarters. Personally, I find him believable, and I do feel that this album, both literally and metaphorically marks a turning point in his life. This is a mature album, dark like 'Relapse' but without being held back by the same fears that hindered that album.

Highlight: 'Love The Way You Lie' is the song that 'Stan' wanted desperately to be.

16

I Blame Coco - The Constant

Released: 8th November

Sting's daughter was one of my finds of the year. I heard 'Please Rewind' on the radio, went to check her out at Latitude Festival (where her set was almost cancelled because of high winds), took my now-girlfriend to see her in a dingy basement on our very first date, and bought the album at the first opportunity. Vocally, she has plenty in common with her father. But her songs are infinitely more interesting.

Highlight: In a year filled with songs about the interaction between humans and robots, 'Selfmachine' is probably my favourite.

15

We Are Scientists - Barbara

Released: 14th June

We Are Scientists are the most consistent band around today. Their records all sound clearly identifiable as theirs, and yet they continue to mature and develop. Still better viewed live than on record, but 'Barbara' carries on where 'Brain Thrust Mastery' left off.

Highlight: 'I Don't Bite' is classic We Are Scientists.

14

Kele - The Boxer

Released: 21st June

I'd always suspected that Kele wanted to drive Bloc Party towards a more dance-orientated sound (see 'Flux', 'Mercury' and also his guest appearances on Tiesto and Chemical Brothers tracks). So this album is no surprise, with Kele exploring the full spectrum of electronica.

Highlight: Cheerleader chanting gives way to wobbling synths on opener 'Walk Tall'.

13

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Released: 22nd November

So much has been written about MBDTF over the past few weeks, that I couldn't possibly do it justice. Also, I'm still getting to grips with the album myself. But so far, it holds up very well. Kanye was never about the rapping, but the tunes and samples just work better on this album than on his previous efforts.

Highlight: Nicki Minaj's bit on 'Monster'. Jay-Z does his best, and then Minaj shows both Kanye and Jigga how it's done.

12

Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring

Released: 1st February

A turbulent year for Los Camps! but they maintain their extremely high workrate. By my calculations, they'd released 3 albums in 23 months by the time this was released. LC remain a garage experiment, and you wonder what they might sound like if they went for highly-honed professional production instead. I'm not convinced it would be an improvement. I like the ramshackleness of their albums to date.

Highlight: 'These Are Listed Buildings' is the best 2010 pop song that hardly anyone knows, but 'I Just Sighed, I Just Sighed, Just So You Know' is my favourite, courtesy of some delicious vocals on the chorus from Aleksandra, who subsequently left the band.

11

Hot Chip - One Life Stand

Released: 1st February

Those who know me know that I've long been a huge fan of "The Chip", and they continue to produce dazzling albums. 'One Life Stand' was more stripped down than previous efforts, but somehow retained an experimental style.

Highlight: 'Thieves In The Night' is an excellent album opener, setting the scene perfectly for what follows.

10

Mystery Jets - Serotonin

Released: 5th July

This one seemed to have flown under a lot of radars, despite some relatively successful singles. But it's a superb album. Mystery Jets have really carved a niche for intelligent indie-pop.

Highlight: 2010's best use of kazoos, on 'Flash A Hungry Smile'

9

Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

Released: 22nd March

Beautiful, ambitious, evocative work from the precociously-talented Ms. Marling. This was my late night chill-out CD all year long.

Highlight: It's all lovely, don't make me pick a single moment.

8

Marina & The Diamonds - The Family Jewels

Released: 22nd February

A surprise, in that I was expecting this to be a small handful of serviceable singles and a lot of filler. What it actually turns out to be is a rather coherent modern pop album, with changes of pace just when you'd expect/want them. Some say her voice grates, but I find it rather endearing.

Highlight: 'I Am Not A Robot' and 'Mowgli's Road' are both brilliant, but the chorus and backing vocals of 'The Outsider' will take some beating.

7

Robyn - Body Talk Pt.1/Body Talk Pt.2/Body Talk

Released: 14th June/6th September/29th November

Tough to decide which of Robyn's contributions deserve inclusion, so I've bundled them up together. 2010 has truly been her year, and these three albums would each make my Top 20 in their own right. Pop music for people who understand pop music.

Highlight: Everyone else seems to love 'Dancing On My Own' but my favourite is 'Dancehall Queen', with Robyn channelling her inner Jamaican.

6

Foals - Total Life Forever

Released: 10th May

I really disliked this album when I first heard it in May. But gradually, as the year progressed, I found myself revisiting it with increasing frequency. And yes, I'll admit my first impressions were totally wrong. It's an art-rock masterpiece.

Highlight: It's all good, but 'Spanish Sahara' builds and builds to a majestic conclusion.

5

Lostprophets - The Betrayed

Released: 13th January

Lostprophets were pretty much an afterthought in the world of nu-metal, but 10 years on from 'Thefakesoundofprogress', they're still going strong, and 'The Betrayed' is their finest album to date.

Highlight: Take your pick. Lead single 'Where We Belong' is epic stadium rock. 'Dstryr/Dstryr' is heavier and darker. 'Next Stop Atro City' might be the standout though.

4

Magnetic Man - Magnetic Man

Released: 11th October

Bringing dubstep to the masses, Skream and Benga are aided by some impressive guest appearances (notably Katy B and John Legend, but the highlight is Ms Dynamite's massive contribution to 'Fire')

Highlight: Ms Dynamite rapping over the crunching, distorted bass of 'Fire'.

3

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II)

Released: 23rd April

Perhaps someone at Fiction Records had a word with Ethan Kath, or perhaps it was the influence of the mercurial Jacknife Lee on production duties, but this was a much more accessible album than their debut ('Doe Deer' being the exception). As if uncomfortable about becoming more commercially viable, the duo then proceeded to give the album the exact same title as its predecessor, making it a nightmare in the 2010 world ruled by search engines. Kath is rapidly becoming the best producer of his generation, allowing free rein to the freakshow/sideshow that is Alice Glass.

Highlight: I already noted that 'Doe Deer' was my single of the year, but 'Baptism' is a huuuuuge tune, and both that and 'Celestica' would be a good starting point for anyone new to Crystal Castles.

2

Klaxons - Surfing The Void

Released: 23rd August

Oh. Just me, then. Klaxons' second album received an average reception from the journos, and had average commercial success. Maybe the lengthy gap between first and second album was a mistake. Or maybe it was no longer "cool" to like Klaxons. But 'Surfing The Void' deserves more praise than it has received. Klaxons tackled the "difficult second album" head on, and produced a work vastly superior to its predecessor. The title track took the style of 'Myths Of The Near Future' and brought it up to date. 'Venusia' might be the best thing they've ever recorded. And playing live, they continue to impress.

Highlight: 'Echoes' was a brilliant choice of Track 1 and a great lead single. It bridged the times between the two albums and screamed "hey, remember us?" at passers-by.

1

Delphic - Acolyte

Released: 11th January

January's a bad month to release an album, especially when it comes to making end of year lists, and even more so if it's your debut album. But 'Acolyte' was rarely off my stereo all year long. Much like the Friendly Fires debut last year, or even the Everything Everything and Klaxons albums mentioned above, this is the real sound of indie in 2010. The three-chord guitars are long gone, replaced by intelligent hooked synths, loops, samples and catchy choruses. 'Doubt' suffered from radio overkill, but 'This Momentary' and 'Counterpoint' were really special, and the album opener sent out a clear message - a mission statement from Delphic HQ to the British public. It's just a shame so few were listening.

Highlight: 'Clarion Call' is a succinct introduction and a brilliant opening to a perfectly-formed record.

Honourable mentions go to:

• Jenny & Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now (released 31st August)

• Tron Legacy - Original Soundtrack (released 6th December)
• Rihanna - Loud (released 15th November)
• The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang (released 14th June)
• Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (released 3rd March)
• Warpaint - The Fool (released 25th October)
• Fenech-Soler - Fenech-Soler (released 27th September)

PAST WINNERS

2009 winner: Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions

2008 winner: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

2007 winner: Britney Spears - Blackout

2006 winner: The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes

2005 winner: The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan

My Top 20 Singles of 2010

20

BoB ft. Hayley Williams - Airplanes

Released: 9th August

Video here

It's a pretty-enough tune and decent rapping from B.O.B, but the Paramore frontwoman makes it her own, and in the process, creates one of the surprise chart hits of 2010.

19

Bullet For My Valentine - The Last Fight

Released: 19th April

Video here

Aggressive Welsh rockers are fast becoming world-class. Dunno what it is about a killer riff and some insane drumming that just does it for me, but I've certainly been listening to this all year long. The guitar solo is at 2m 45s and the outro is worth sticking around for too (for those that appreciate these things).

18

Hot Chip - I Feel Better

Released: 19th April

Video here

Steel drums, synthy strings, and a vocal to die for. This song demonstrates why Autotune is not always a bad thing, and why Hot Chip are ALWAYS a very good thing indeed. The video is probably my favourite music video of 2010.

17

Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk

Released: Unknown (several times, I think)

Video here

Amongst a myriad of average indie singles from average British indie bands, 'I Can Talk' is a beacon of hope... sounds like a British version of We Are Scientists. Love the "uh-oh, uh-uh-oh" sampled backing vocal.

16

Alphabeat - DJ

Released: 31st May

Video here

Underrated track from the Danes, with a marvellous melody which brings to mind the 90s Europop of Snap and Ace of Base.

15

Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood

Released: 1st February

Video here

Sassy pop from one of the brightest new artists of the year. However the radio edit skips the best verse, and it has suffered from overkill to some extent. I can also understand why her way of enunciating every. single. word. might be annoying. But I like it. So there.

14

Kele - Tenderoni

Released: 14th June

Video here

Parts of the Kele Okereke solo album followed the tried-and-tested Bloc Party model, but the lead single was right at the dance end of his band's output, and just seemed to make sense, from the very first listen.

13

Example - Kickstarts

Released: 14th June

Video here

Another euphoria-inducing clubbing anthem, accompanied by rapping that does just enough to keep this interesting.

12

Foals - Spanish Sahara

Released: 17th April

Video here

A slow-burner of a song, from a slow-burner of an album which has matured with time and now sounds like a modern classic. Haunting vocals at the beginning from Yannis, which become ever more hopeful as the song progresses.

11

The XX - Islands

Released: 8th February

Video here

My favourite track off the Mercury-winning album - I love the interplay between the male and female vocals. Definitely wins "Intro of the Year" too.

10

Katy Perry - California Gurls

Released: 11th May

Video here

Mrs. Russell Brand had a great year, and this slice of bubblegum pop was stuck in my head for months. Incidentally, if you'd played this to me when I was 16 years old, and told me that I would end up loving songs like this, I'd have had you packed off to a lunatic asylum.

9

Biffy Clyro - Many Of Horror

Released: 18 January

Video here

Blah blah X-Factor blah blah. Fact of the matter is that this is properly great, and their duet of this with Marina (minus her Diamonds) at the NME Awards in February was sensational. The fourth of seven (yes, seven) singles released from 'Only Revolutions'. Biffy keep getting better and better. 'Mon The Biff!

8

Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

Released: 10th September

Video here

Ri-Ri is at the top of her game, but I wasn't expecting her to unleash ANOTHER anthem quite so soon. Will be heard in nightclubs for years to come. Could have easily had 'Rude Boy' and 'What's My Name?' in this Top 20 as well.

7

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly (ft. Shy FX) - Collapsing Cities

Released: 9th August

Video here

A surprising collaboration between the indie troubadour and the drum'n'bass legend, but the beats only serve to accentuate Mr. Cape's lovely voice. Another excellent video too.

6

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out

Released: 28th February

Video here

Needs no introduction (but I'll give one anyway)... ubiquitous chart-topper, massive bassline, and lyrics about both Uncle Fester AND Tinie's aunt's cupboard space. The junglist breakdown at the end scores bonus marks.

5

Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait

Released: 1st August

Video here

Praise indeed, given how I generally react to Arcade Fire (i.e. not positively), but this just has a really warm and satisfying feel to it.

4

My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)

Released: 28th September

Video here

Typically bombastic stadium mega-anthem from the emo brigade. As catchy a singalong as any in 2010. "Standing in... V formation" is another lyric of the year, as is "Shut up and let me see your jazz hands".

3

Nicole Scherzinger - Poison

Released: 25th October

Video here

In this post-Gaga world, it takes something special to get a pop song noticed. Former lead Pussycat finally achieves her potential with this huge floor-filler. It's got RedOne's grubby mitts all over it, and, frankly, it's a banging choon.

2

Kate Nash - Do Wah Doo

Released: 12th April

Video here

60s-inspired surf pop, but with the Nash-ster's trademark "edgy" lyrics. It made me happy all summer long, and for that, I am grateful. "I think she's a ...."

1

Crystal Castles - Doe Deer

Released: 17th April

No official video, but you can hear Zane Lowe ruining it here

One minute and thirty-seven seconds of pure mental. Distorted beats, violent shrieking - what's not to like? This was my single of the year from the moment I first heard it. I've seen Crystal Castles play live four times now, twice this year, and whilst Alice Glass is, admittedly, a tiny bit of psychopath, she's also a bewitching live performer. Ethan Kath stands in the shadows, but it's clear that he is the brains behind the operation, and for all Alice's screaming and wailing, this is his song.

Honourable mentions go to:

• The Futureheads - Heartbeat Song
• Klaxons - Echoes
• Mystery Jets - Flash A Hungry Smile
• Manic Street Preachers - (It's Not War) Just The End of Love
• Temper Trap - Fader
• Delphic - Counterpoint
• Plan B - She Said
• Diana Vickers - Once
• Brandon Flowers - Crossfire
• Muse - Resistance
• Robyn - Dancing On My Own
• Yeasayer - O.N.E
• The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
• Lady Gaga ft Beyonce - Telephone
• LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
• The Wombats - Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)

PAST WINNERS

2009 winner: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

2008 winner: Noah & The Whale - Five Years Time

2007 winner: Los Campesinos! - We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives

2006 winner: Justice vs Simian - We Are Your Friends

2005 winner: Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch

And the winner is.....

In my first year of university (2000-2001), my weekly essay deadline was 9am on Friday mornings. Which meant that Thursday night was 'Essay Panic Night'. Earlier each week, I would have done the required reading, and most weeks, I'd settle down to start writing on that week's topic at about 5pm on Thursday. At about 11pm, I'd be making good progress, but instead of sticking with it and finishing the essay, I'd go to the Phoenix Cinema and see a late-night cult film. I'd get back to college at about 1am, and carry on writing, normally completing the essay at about 5am, in time to catch 3 hours of sleep before my essay was due.

Why do I mention this here, now? I suppose it highlights one of my character traits. I'm good at starting tasks, less so at finishing them. And so it was with this countdown. Having successfully written about 99 of my favourite 100 songs of the Noughties in the last six months of 2009, I then failed to write about my overall #1 song of the decade. Despite adding it to numerous to-do lists; despite being quizzed about it frequently by friends; despite the comments of many strangers who had read the countdown and were intrigued to know about the top of the list, I never got around to completing it. Perhaps I lacked inspiration to write about it, or perhaps there was always something else more "important" on those many to-do lists.

Here we are then, a year later, and still, no #1. I decided recently that I had to rectify this, and knowing myself as well as I do, I set myself a simple rule. I would not write about my favourite singles, albums, gigs, films or TV shows from 2010 until I had written up my #1 song of the previous 10 years.

And it seems to have worked. Ladies and gentlemen.... may I present to you, my #1 Noughties Hit.

"I'm addicted to you, don't you know that you're toxic"

I wrote about Britney's tumultuous decade when I placed 'Break The Ice' at number 46 in my countdown. But for all the highs and lows, there is no doubt in my mind that Britney Spears' decade will be remembered for this. Her finest hour, her piece de resistance, her magnum opus. 'Toxic' was both a critical and commercial hit. Journalists praised its insanely catchy tune and admired the Britster's sultry, breathy vocal performance. The public loved it, worldwide, sending it Top 5 in multiple countries and achieving a #1 for Britney in the UK, Australia, Canada, Norway and Hungary. In her home country, the song was her biggest hit of the decade, giving her a gold disc for over half a million sales. It also won Britney her first Grammy, at the 2005 awards, for Best Dance Recording.

With Cathy Dennis on songwriting duties, alongside Bloodshy and Avant's production, Britney had herself a global crossover hit, although it was (famously) intended for Kylie Minogue. The pint-sized Aussie's loss was Britney's gain though. You'd certainly categorise it as a pop song, but thanks to Bollywood-style strings, warped synths, and a deliriously danceable tempo, it achieved broad appeal - a success on both the radio and the dancefloor. Even the indie kids (mostly) loved it. The video wasn't half bad either, which certainly assisted with the song's popularity.

It's taken me a long time to get here, but hopefully I've finally filled in the blanks, answered your questions and explained why I consider 'Toxic' to be the greatest song from the period 2000-2009. And now, I can get on with writing about my favourites of 2010. Hurrah!