Advent Artists: Mumford & Sons/Communion
- Dec 03, 2010
Ben Lovett, member of Mumford & Sons, co-founder of Communion Records and all-round top fellow, is the latest music star to pick his best music of 2010 in our Advent Artists series, following Bellowhead and The Charlatans.
As well as naming his favourite singles and albums of the year, the Communion/Mumford & Sons man offers a Christmas wish and reveals his personal highlight of 2010.
Agree with Ben's choices? Let us know on Virgin Red Room Twitter and Facebook, and look out for a new Advent Artist every day on Virgin.com.
Top 5 Albums of 2010
5. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Possibly the most anticipated album of the year, well, for me at least. Arcade Fire were yet to put a single foot wrong and here with their third studio album they did far from that. The texture is rich and dense but not muddled. The lyrics are abstract but somehow feel personal and the eponymous overall theme of the album comes through in each song. The Suburbs feels like Arcade Fire finding their stride, after Funeral and Neon Bible, which were both fantastic records, but The Suburbs sounds like they've settled into their own skin. Big Album.
4. Warpaint - The Fool
I'm listening to this album as I write this. In fact I can't get enough of this album right now. I think there's a good chance that Warpaint will become my favourite band of 2011. These four women from LA first found their way onto my ipod with their EP Exquisite Corpse, for no reason other than my friend, Alessi, used to love co-drawing spontaneous illustrations which is called drawing an Exquisite Corpse. So I like the idea of applying this method to music and had a listen to the EP. I fell in love with it and waited for The Fool to be released. It's hard to describe their music or contextualise it as I don't know anything quite like it, especially right now. It's psychedelic in essence but there are great songs at the core of each track. My favourite track is Shadows, definitely worth tasting that song before diving into the full meal.
3. The National - High Violet
In High Violet, The National have made a classic album. Such a beautiful record, true to form, it's masterfully understated. Matt Berninger's voice kills me. His singing style magnifies the weight of the lyrics ten-fold. And that's saying something, considering the lyrics are already weighty. It's almost the sort of album that should be read whilst listened to. And the production is spot on, it's probably my most referenced album this year when it's come to discussing production qualities of a record, and recognising "how to do it right".
2. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
Laura has obviously played a massive part in the development of Mumford & Sons. She gave us a lot of our first gigs, supporting her, and kept half the band in work when we couldn't afford to only do M&S. I'm probably the only one qualified [in M&S] to offer up an objective massive thumbs up to this record as I was the only one who didn't play on it! The evolution and maturity of this, Laura's second album, is staggering. And I know that has come from none other than Laura herself. I heard a lot of these tracks as they were born and were introduced into the live show whilst Laura was touring her debut [Alas, I cannot swim] and they've translated fantastically to record. However, if you do ever get a chance to see this talented lady live, I would seize it.
1. The Black Keys - Brothers
A true contemporary blues-rock duo create a no nonsense album. Strong from start to finish, everyone needs an album to put on full volume on long drives, and this is mine for 2010. Head rocking, foot tapping glory. I've been a fan since Attack & Release but this record is less safe, which I like. It's full of soul and melody. Personal favourites are Too Afraid To Love and the big single off this record, Tighten Up.
Top 5 Songs of 2010
5. Beach House - Silver Soul
4. Johnny Flynn - Howl
3. The National - England
2. The XX - Islands
1. Ellie Goulding - Guns & Horses
Favourite moment of the year:
There have been many favourite moments of what has been the favourite year of my life, but I think it was possibly arriving home after 6 weeks touring America to Glastonbury, and walking out onto that stage to be reminded of what coming home can really feel like to a band.
Christmas Wish:
My wish this Christmas is that everyone who I know and love finish this year with a smile on their face. Whatever the reason is, just a bit of genuine happiness would go a long way.
As well as being in Mumford & Sons, Ben Lovett runs the brilliant Communion Records with Kev Jones, home to fantastic artists such as Matthew & The Atlas, Pete Roe and Daughter. Above and below are a few download links to give you an idea of what Communion is all about.
Read more of the year's best bands choosing their own favourite albums and singles of 2010 in Advent Artists:
Advent Artists 2 - The Charlatans
Greg Rose
