A few of the music mags have had features like this recently, so I decided to make my own version. The Skinny did a countdown of the top ten Scottish albums released between January 2000 and December 2009. This isn’t based wholly around Scottish artists – although there are a few in there!

10. Beck – The Information (2006)

I saw Beck support Radiohead at Meadowbank Stadium around the time this album was released. In my opinion, he completely stole the show, outshining Tom York’s band a million times over. It was absolutely brilliant, I could have gone home after his warm-up and have been quite happy. The Information, is a really great album. Favourite track – Think I’m in Love.

9. Nouvelle Vague – Bande a’ Part (2006)

Nouvelle Vague was an excellent find in one of the smaller tents at Connect Festival 2007. This album is all covers of previous big hits, set with elevator style music and different female guest vocals. On stage, Nouvelle Vague was full of energy, but this album is very chilled out with lots of lovely surprises. Favourite track – The Killing Moon.

8. The Twilight Sad – Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (2007)

Cumbernauld’s finest, the Twilight Sad rose to fame quite slowly but now have two successful albums under their belt. This was their debut and will always be my favourite. They supported Idlewild on their Scottish Fiction greatest hits tour, which is when I really sat up and took notice. With the most Scottish vocals you ever did hear, James Alexander Graham never seems to look at the crowd to whom he is performing. Lots of people have said this makes him a bit of an “arse” but I reckon it’s part of the charm. I’m actually listening to this CD right now and debating with myself whether or not this should have been higher than number eight. Favourite track – That summer, at home I had become the invisible boy.

7. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (2008)

This album brought us three massive club anthems in the form of Time to Pretend, Electric Feel, and Kids. Really though, who doesn’t want to jump around all silly when the beginning of Kids comes on, belting out the infamous “dodododododododooooo do”? It was certainly my favourite past time during the summer of 08. Oracular Spectacular was just different from anything else, it’s hard to explain why. Favourite track – Electric Feel.

6. Sons and Daughters – The Repulsion Box (2005)

Where have Sons and Daughters gone? The Repulsion Box was their debut album, following the success of EP Love the Cup. They seemed to just be getting into their stride – gigging constantly around Glasgow and taking part in a number of side projects. This album is lyrically dark and raw, but has glittery twists and allows the demure of the band to be what can only be described as ‘posey’. Favourite track – Rama Lama.

5. Beirut – Gulang Orkestar (2006)

Beirut is something of a phenomenon to me. This album is a folky-emperimental mix, with lots of obscure instruments, all of which are played by the one-man-band. I think the reason I like this CD so much is because it is really quite odd. It’s very chilled out and easy to listen to, and gives a lot of happiness-vibes. Favourite track(s) – Mount Wroclai, and Scenic World.

4. Rilo Kiley – More Adventurous (2004)

This was the third album released by Los Angeles based Rilo Kiley. Since then they’ve released Under the Blacklight which is also amazing, but this one has the leading spot for me. It reminds me of being in Port Patrick sitting on top of a shed roof with my best friend, drinking Malibu (why?) whilst a barbecue feast was being cooked up. This album is gorgeous, as is singer Jenny Lewis. If you’ve not heard it you should go grab a copy now. Favourite track – Portions for Foxes.

3. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (2007/08)

First full length album from this guy, self-released in 2007 and re-released the following year by 4AD. This album was widely acclaimed and has won a bunch of awards. I got myself a copy after reading Idlewild’s myspace blog, all of whom were going a bit crazy for it. I’m so glad, it’s beautiful. Looking forward to seeing what he does next. Favourite track – Skinny Love.

2. Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions (2009)

This has been on repeat on my mp3 player since November 20 when it finally came out. Feels as though we’ve been waiting for years for this as they released three singles from it before the album was finished. Every track is just the best thing you’ll ever hear. Definitely worth the wait. Biffy Clyro can do no wrong in my eyes. Favourite track – Bubbles.

1. Idlewild – The Remote Part (2002)

100 Broken Windows may have been voted the Skinny’s number one, but this is my personal favourite. I cannot believe it’s been almost eight years since it came out – I was only 15! and I still listen to it all the time! In an interview with Drowned in Sound, lead singer Roddy Woomble said the band felt like a group of collective songwriters during the writing process for this album. It was the third studio album they had released, and have kept going over the years. They now have six, and a greatest hits from 1997-2007. Another band who can do no wrong, I will continue to go see them live until they decide to call it a day. Favourite track – Tell Me Ten Words.

So there you have it. My ten favourite albums of this decade. And here’s the ones that just missed out -

11. Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)

12. Bell x1 – Flock (2005)

13. The Shins – Oh, Inverted World (2001)

14. Death cab for Cutie – Plans (2005)

15. Marmaduke Duke – Duke Pandemonium (2009)

16. The Music – Welcome to the North (2004)

17. TV on the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain (2006)

18. Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires (2008)

19. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight (2008)

20. Flaming Lips – At War with the Mystics (2006)

They have been recording since 1997 but this year Idlewild became an unsigned band when their label Sanctuary went into administration. They decided to fund their new album by asking fans to pre-order it, and those who did received their copies back in June.  

Post Electric Blues is a variety of folk, rock and pop, with the band sounding refreshed and their most comfortable since The Remote Part in 2002. It is a mix of Loch side sing-alongs and bigger, louder songs that should go down pretty well when they head out on tour again.

While their obvious influences from bands like REM are still there, the folk-rock cocktail of this album brings a sound that could only belong to them.

The song: (The Night Will) Bring You Back To Life features vocals from both Roddy Woomble and Rod Jones, and is very typical of Woomble’s solo album style, however it seems to be a duet which sees the musicians equally content in their production of happy indie folk.

The tone of the album is very hopeful, particularly on the track Younger Than America, which has melodic keyboard pieces reinforced by the enchanting guest vocals from Irish folk singer Heidi Talbot.

Idlewild have always been a band that has worked hard for their fans, and since their last studio album in 2006 they have had numerous gigs in special venues, such as the album-a-night at King Tuts last Christmas.

This is a Scottish band we can all be proud of, and there is a lot to look forward to as they embark upon their latest tour.

Post Electric Blues went on general release on Monday October 5.

The band

Roddy Woomble: vocals

Rod Jones: guitar, backing vocals and keyboard

Allan Stewart: guitar

Gareth Russell: bass

Colin Newton: drums

Track Listing