Can't be arsed to write an essay, so here's my baker's dozen in order:
1.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart -
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
My favourite album of the year by quite a sizeable distance.Not seen this in any end-of-year lists so far, but this, for me, has been one of my most played and loved albums of this year. Yeah, it's shameless early MBV/JAMC grave-robbing, but that's the reason I love it. It takes me back to those great times. And for this reason, I'll be eternally grateful to this album for making me feel young again:)) This is Music to fall in love to/with. Frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't been more popular, it's perfect pop. Excellent.
2.
Wilco (The Album)-
Wilco
Another solid album from Jeff Tweedy and Co. They seem to have got over their 'difficult' period (which was also excellent. YHF is one of my all-time favourites), and seem to have settled into an accessible, dare I say, MOR, radio-friendly sound. That's not a criticism. This album is a pleasure from start to finish. The sound suits them, and they seem fresh and untroubled these days.
3.
My Way-
Ian Brown
what more needs to be said about this man? One of my heroes from way back. This is perhaps his most solid album. The music is fantastic, and his lyrics are in fine fettle. It sounds a bit like a hip-hop album, which suits his voice, never the best singer in the world, but he seems to have found a style which suits his obvious limitations. Unfortunately, as one review observed, it seems to have an air of finality about it. If so, it's a great way to bow out after an illustrious career.
4.
Humbug-
Arctic Monkeys
So then, that difficult third album. Mostly produced by Josh Homme, it's pretty dark and moody, as expected, but it's a mature effort. The shoutboxes and forums were awash with 'not as good as the first one' cries. Good. They've moved on, they're not teenagers in Sheffield anymore. Deal with it. Damned if you don't progress, damned if you do, it seems. After multiple listens, it reveals itself to be the equal to its predecessors, but the boo-boys obviously can't get past one listen, such is the limited attention span of the modern music fan. shame, it's a corker.
5.
Monsters of Folk-
Monsters of Folk
Whoah! A folk supergroup! Sounds very Travelling Wilburys/CSNY, doesn't it? The result of Conor Oberst, M. Ward and Jim James' collaboration is a stellar effort. The first half of the album is faultless, the second half tails off a bit towards the end. But with three of the biggest talents in American music at the moment, not much can go wrong. Excellent.
6.
It's Blitz-
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
When you've got one of the best guitarists in the business, ditching the guitars in favour of synths is indeed a bold move. But they lost none of their edge as they made a play for the dancefloor. Still one of the most exciting live bands around, this is an excellent addition to their canon. A long time fan, It's probably my favourite by them. That's saying a lot.
7.
Dark Night Of The Soul-
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse
Uber producer, danger Mouse and Mark Linkous, essentially Sparklehorse, combine forces for this corker of an album. I've loved Sparklehorse for years, but get this, he hardly even sings on it. Why bother when you've got a guest-list like this?: (deep breath) wayne Coyne, Gruff Rhys, Iggy Pop, Black Francis, Julian Casablancas, james Mercer, jason Lytle, Suzanne Vega, Nina Perssons and Vic Chestnutt. Wow! The album is in three very distinct 'acts' and hangs together perfectly. Awesome stuff. Oh yeah, and David Lynch is involved too.
8.
Album-
Girls
To be honest, I don't know too much about this band, as I live in China and miss a lot of the hype surrounding bands. But I picked up this by chance, and it's definitely a winner. Of course it was hyped on the internet, but well-deserved I think. Pretty laid-back, they seem to be able to toss off shoegaze-y-meets-Beach Boys melodies with relative ease. A surprising one, then, but a pleasant surprise. Just don't call me a hipster!
9.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix-
Phoenix
Phoenix have been burrowing away now, reasonably unnoticed, for quite a few years, tossing out albums every couple of years. Everyone seems to know them, but they never seem to have got that elusive mainstream support. All that changed with this, their fourth, and best album. It's a joy from start to finish, with no filler. Let's hope they can capitalise on this and get the success they so richly deserve.
10.
Merriweather Post Pavilion-
Animal Collective
Ok, let's get this out of the way. I didn't want to include this, because it seems to be everyone's number one this year, and doesn't need anymore praise heaped upon it. Then I decided not o be such a churlish twat. It's not my number one, but there's no denying that it's certainly one of the best records of this year, if not, this decade. If we'll still be listening to any of these albums in ten years, it'll probably be this one. From the cover in, it's a full-on, psychedelic treat. Nine albums in and they've struck gold. This is a classic album.
11.
Two Dancers-
Wild Beasts
A relative newcomer to this band, I missed their first album, and have only recently got into this album. It's eccentric, in the way The Smiths and Morrissey are/were. They're the obvious touchstones, both lyrically and musically. If you can stomach his voice, there's a lot to enjoy here. I predict good things for this band.
12.
Primary Colours-
The Horrors
I wasn't expecting this. Their first album was a steaming pile of dogshite, and they were just NME-hyped scenesters with more hair than tunes. I wanted to hate this album too, but my mate kept harrassing me through Facebook to listen to 'Sea Within A Sea'. well, I heard that, and I was gobsmacked. They've totally transformed their sound from wannabe goth garage band to a Krautrock/MBV/Joy Division/Psychedelic Furs behemoth of a band. The most unexpected, pleasantly surprising album of the year.
13.
My Maudlin Career-
Camera Obscura
I've been a fan of this band for a while now. They've gone from being a poor-man's Belle and Sebastian to, in my opinion, something even better. Their last album was a great record, but they have progressed (slightly), beefed up their sound, and this is a thing of great beauty. Its Spectoresque wall-of-sound approach is exquisitely orchestrated, and Tracyanne Campbell's gorgeous vocals and lyrics envelop you and warms the cockles. It's an album for lovers about love, whether in it or out of it, it's saccharine and bittersweet. It's one of the best albums of the year. Another band who have caught more attention this year. Good look to 'em. They deserve it.
There we have it then. Honourable mentions go to the albums released this year by:
Bat for Lashes,
Dinosaur Jr.,
Bad Lieutenant,
M. Ward,
Jamie T,
Fever Ray,
Doves,
The xx,
Air,
Kasabian,
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions,
The Felice Brothers,
Jason Lytle,
The Big Pink,
Neko Case,
Peter Doherty,
Julian Casablancas,
Soulsavers,
Lily Allen,
The Raveonettes,
Grizzly Bear,
White Lies,
Richard Hawley,
Florence and The Machine,
La Roux,
The Low Anthem,
Lady GaGa,
Dizzee Rascal,
The Drums and last but not least
Super Furry Animals
Sorry if I've missed any. I'm sure I have.
Cheers,
have a good Christmas and New Year.
xx]
M. Ward
