Now that we’re near the end of the year, I’ve tried to compile a list of my favourite albums of the year. There haven’t been as many new albums as in previous years, but here’s a few I like:

Studio albums:
Howard Jones “Ordinary Heroes” (Japanese Edition)
Emma Pollock “The Law Of Large Numbers”
Peter Gabriel “Scratch My Back”
Rose Elinor Dougall “Without Why”
Tracey Thorn “Love And Its Opposite”
Suzanne Vega “Close-Up Vol. 1, Love Songs”
Suzanne Vega “Close-Up Vol. 2, People & Places”

Live albums:
Sarah Blasko “Live At The Forum” (which is doubled in a Tour Edition of “As Day Follows Night”)
Ultravox “Return To Eden” (2CD+DVD)

There’s a few download EPs also worth mentioning:
Thomas Dolby “Amerikana”
Thomas Dolby “Oceanea”
Wang Chung “Abducted By The 80’s”

As far as reissues there’s been plenty of them, my favourites are:
A-ha “Hunting High And Low” (2CD)
A-ha “Scoundrel Days” (2CD)
A-ha “25” (Deluxe Edition 2CD+DVD)
Claudia Brucken “Love; And A Million Other Things” (2CD)
Howard Jones “Human’s Lib/Dream Into Action" (Remastered Editions) Box Set
King “Steps In Time”
Propaganda “A Secret Wish” (2CD)
Saint Etienne “Tiger Bay” (2CD Deluxe Edition)
Saint Etienne “Good Humor” (2CD Deluxe Edition)
Saint Etienne “Finisterre” (Deluxe Edition 2CD+DVD)
Saint Etienne “Tales From Turnpike House” (2CD Deluxe Edition)

There’s also been a few disappointing albums this year:
Sarah McLachlan “Laws Of Illusion”
OMD “History Of Modern”

What are your albums of the year?

Best new
Goo Goo Dolls - Something For The Rest Of Us
Ellie Goulding - Bright Lights
Owl City - Ocean Eyes

Biggest disappointments
The Drums - The Drums: nowhere near as good as I'd hoped
Sarah McLachlan - Laws Of Illusion: a rare failure by her standards
Duffy - Endlessly: no Bernard Butler at the helm and boy, does it show

Best reissues
Midge Ure - The Gift
a-ha - Hunting High & Low / Scoundrel Days
Curiosity Killed The Cat - Keep Your Distance

Now that we’re near the end of the year, again I've compiled a list of my favourite albums (and DVDs) of the year.

Studio albums:

Thomas Dolby “A Map Of The Floating City”
Peter Gabriel “New Blood”
Lamb “5”
Astrid Williamson “Pulse”
Heather Nova “300 Days At Sea”
Howling Bells “The Loudest Engine”
Ivy “All Hours”

Reissues / Compilations:

Howard Jones “The 12” Album / Action Replay” box set
OMD “So80s Presents”
Claudia Brucken “Combined”
Ladytron “Best Of 00-10”

Live Albums / DVDs:

A-Ha “Ending On A High Note – The Final Concert” (2CD + DVD)
Tegan and Sara “Get Along” (CD + DVD)
Howard Jones “Human’s Lib & Dream Into Action – Live at Indig02” (DVD)
Peter Gabriel “New Blood Live In London” (DVD, Blu-ray)