The Skinny's Top 10 Articles of 2015

It's that time of year again where we come over all retrospective and take a look back on the year just passed. We've already rounded-up our favourite films and albums from 2015, and now it's time to look at what you – loyal readers of The Skinny – liked the most in the last year. You came, you saw, and some of you even left comments; here are the ten most popular pieces from across the website in the last twelve months.

#1: Under the Influence – Thurston Moore

Ahead of sets at Live at Glasgow and Liverpool Sound City in May, the Sonic Youth frontman shared five of his favourite LPs. From the jazz of John Coltrane and Sun Ra Arkestra to an appraisal of Ramones self-titled debut that features Thurston's run-ins with Joey and Johnny, Moore shared the stories behind the records. 

#2: The Skinny's Albums of 2015

Our music writers emerged from lengthy discussions at the start of the month with a list of the year's 50 best albums. Returning riot grrl trio Sleater-Kinney top the list with their comeback album No Cities To Love, with the acclaimed 2015 albums from Sufjan Stevens and Kendrick Lamar rounding out the podium places. Read the full top fifty, an eclectic mix ranging from avant-garde techno to the return of hip-hop royalty.

#3: Under the Influence – Korn's James "Munky" Shaffer

The Korn seven-stringer recalled some of the most potent records in his extensive record collection back in January. Munky picked out ten records ranging from hip-hop essentials by N.W.A. and The Pharcyde to classic albums from Nine Inch Nails, Deftones and Faith No More.

#4: The Skinny Food and Drink Survey 2015, Scotland

We've just finished counting up your votes for our 2016 Food and Drink Survey, and we'll let you know the winners next month. You were very interested in this year's best pubs, cafes and restaurants – find the full list of your favourites here as well as all the details you'll need to track them down.

#5: Doug Stanhope on controversy, outrage and Twitter

"I'm thinking of putting an FAQ on my website for shit like 'where do you get your ideas from?', or 'why did you decide to be a comedian?' I'm sick of answering that shit." The acerbic US comedian was on vintage form when we caught up with him ahead of his UK tour. Stanhope held court on Twitter outrage, edginess in comedy, and why writing feels like "taking a huge dump". His words, not ours. 

#6: The Skinny Short Film Competition

Our Short Film Competition returned in 2015, and proved more popular than ever. We received over 100 submissions, with Bryan M Ferguson winning this year's competition for his film CAUSTIC GULP. Watch the winning film in the player above – Ferguson will premiere his new film at Glasgow Short Film Festival next year.

#7: Neil Young – The Monsanto Years

"Neil Young is angry again." Young's 36th album takes aim at the growing trend of corporate greed, destructive capitalism and legislative maladministration the world over, with compelling results. Young and co return to the UK for a series of arena gigs next summer – you will like him if he's angry.

#8: Fifty Shades of Grey

EL James' best-seller went down badly on its release back in February, described as a "cynical, perfunctorily directed, guileless, sexless and artless re-tread". Our reviewer reckoned Fifty Shades might be "the worst collection of words ever written that weren't daubed in crayon," and it's safe to say that the film wasn't up to much either.

#9: Tame Impala – Currents

"Heady funk rhythms permeate the record and resolutely form the basis of Currents, seeping into Tame Impala’s psychedelic forcefield." We caught up with Kevin Parker earlier this year to discuss the album – read our interview with the Tame Impala frontman here.

#10: Altrincham Market House

"If your only experience of a food hall is at the top of an escalator, then ready yourself for a culture shock." Our Northwest food and drink editor was bowled over by the Manchester food market, housing some of the region's best food producers, as well as some impeccably dressed puppies and small children.