The Best Albums of 2010: John Doran and Matthew Bennett

Today's best-of-2010 top fives come from a pair of writers who, it's safe to say, are moonlighting rather when contributing to the BBC Album Reviews. John Doran is editor of the award-winning website theQuietus.com, and Matthew Bennett is deputy editor over at the similarly gong-laden Clash magazine. Here are their favourites of the year (neither five is ranked).

John Doran (reviewed albums)

Swans - My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky

After 30 years of plugging away at the fringes of no-wave, industrial and alternative rock, this is hardly the moment that Michael Gira gets welcomed in from the cold but one can almost sense a thaw of sorts. After 14 years leading Angels of Light, he chose 2010 to revive his Swans moniker. Instead of a retread of old nihilistic noise landscapes, he has presented a selection of Americana songs ramped up with hypnotic guitar drones, tolling bells and the noise seeping in from lumber yards. A beautiful and disquieting album.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Liars - Sisterworld

When the avant-rock trio Liars relocated to LA, frontman Angus Andrew's encounters with housebreakers, pornographers, drug fiends and the homeless inspired a concept album of sorts. Sisterworld is like their version of Brazil or Blade Runner, with the only escape from modern urban life being one of daydreaming escapism or perhaps even madness. It would be a stretch to say that this is 100% accessible, but it is a 100% satisfying mix of their leftfield roots and the more approachable rock of their 2007 self-titled album.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Salem - King Night

While this album seems to have split the vote entirely, I find its mix of gothic keyboards, shoegaze, lo-fi, juke drum programming and chopped and screwed vocals entrancing. And, they've stumbled on a sound which is completely unique, something that should be celebrated rather than criticised. Its murky and reverberating soundscapes contrasted with clean beats speak of unspecified trouble and illness. An album for the times.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty

Given that Big Boi's disc was the most satisfying side of Outkast's 2003 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, it's been frustrating to have to wait seven years for his follow-up album. But it can be said now that it was worth it. From the scratched-up occidental rap of Daddy Fat Sax to the menacing cough syrup stumble of You Ain't No DJ, more than anything it's a real pleasure to hear Big Boi having such a ball right across the board.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Cathedral - Guessing Game

It was hard to see where English doom revivalists Cathedral would go after The Garden of Unearthly Delights in 2006, given that it seemed to bookend their entire career. But Guessing Game - a philosophical double metal album with hints of prog, psych and assorted esoterica - was so rich with original ideas and, more importantly, killer riffs that it seems to have revitalised them completely.

Cathedral on BBC Music

theQuietus.com (external link)

Matthew Bennett (reviewed albums)

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Poly-rhythmic rave jazz that belongs to another universe as Alice Coltrane's great-nephew goes next level in a homage to the spirit of his recently passed mother.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Actress - Splazsh

The producer's producer? Actress sculpts rough sounds into beautiful ideas of rhythm and shade. Neither post-dubstep, neo-house nor part of the new burgeoning industrialism, Actress operates in a grey area that can only be described as ahead of any forming genre.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

A warped, occasionally formless folk album made with synthesisers which sounds more like this chamber-pop troubadour is juggling galaxies than flanking Animal Collective.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Nedry - Condors

Sounding like a starry eyed Björk meeting PANTyRAiD in the sky above Fritz Lang's Metropolis, this is dystopian disco for your widescreen.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

Drenched with more life in his opening monologue than most of us can fit into an entire lifetime, Gil Scott-Heron is back from 16 years of homelessness, drug addiction, federal jail and severe illness. Teaming up with XL's Richard Russell he bridges the gaps that separate numerous generations to forge one of the most personal listening experiences of 2010.

Read the BBC review and listen to previews

Clash magazine (external link)