Deer Tick’s ‘The Black Dirt Sessions’ isn’t the cheeriest or danciest record released this year. But it is the best. Why? Because no other band hmanaged to craft an album as unflinchingly emotionally honest as this one. Like a great short story, Deer Tick’s songs have the ability to uplift at the same time as they shatter your heart into pieces.

Hearing this record made me buy the rest of their back catalogue. They also released a corking Christmas single. Just when I thought they couldn’t get any more brilliant I heard their cover of ‘Still Crazy After All These Years.’ This band are my favourite discovery of 2010, released my favourite album of 2010. Now I just need them to tour Europe soon.

Here’s a few examples of their greatness:

Christ Jesus