It’s that time of year again. A long time since I’ve blogged but you can always count on the fact that once the end of year lists start rolling in I won’t be able to resist sticking my two pennies’ worth in. I’m making a change from previous years; after reading this excellent article by Laura Barton I’ve decided to ditch the countdown approach of old. I’m simply going to share details of the albums that have given me the most musical enjoyment over the last twelve months. Commentary will be kept to a minimum – I’ll link to a taster to see if you might be keen and if you want to know more then leave a comment and I’ll respond.
The Decemberists – The King is Dead
An unashamedly rootsy album which sees a well-timed break from the concept approach favoured of late. Each track is stripped down to its core elements of throaty, impassioned vocal accompanied by music so raw it often feels like a live album. Slick production has been eschewed on this record and it set a trend which became a theme through the finer albums this year. Meloy always sounds great but whoever came up with the idea of getting Gillian Welch on board deserves the credit for turning a good album into a great one.
Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys
The first DCFC album to embrace the more electronica approach of the Postal Service but with less immediate melodies. The album still boasts some great moments of Gibbard flair for memorable hooks- the title track could be straight off the latest Arcade Fire latest record. It was an album that took me a long time to like but really hit home when I listened to it on my iPod when running; it too easily becomes audio wallpaper when left as background music. Doors Unlocked and Open is probably the standout track – indulging a slow build intro as has worked on past records. It marks a contrast to the vapid ‘You are a tourist’ which is nothing more than Gibbard by numbers and was a baffling choice of lead single. ‘Stay Young, Go Dancing’ neatly finishes off proceedings as a reminder that the crafting of wistful grin inducing pop may not have dominated this album but is a gift that has not been abandoned.
Ages and Ages – Alright You Restless
A very very retro record. Listening to it feels like peering in on a boozy how down. Expect scruffy guitars, handclaps, group singing, and an urge to reach for a bottle of the good stuff. If you like the idea of Jack White singing Creedence then this will hit the spot. They’ve been described as ‘raw choral pop’ and I can’t think of a better way to describe them.
Wilco – The Whole Love
The latest offering from Tweedy and pals opens with statement of intent; fractured, mixture of beats and Tweedy delivering an almost ethereal vocal; bit of a red herring as rest of album is uniformly warm respectfully borrowing elements of White Album and Abbey Road to deliver delightful songs (Capitol city in particular is pure Lennon/McCartney). ‘I might’ is classic Wilco – essentially the sound Spoon et al have sought to ape with union if percussion and bass to create sense of direction. Unlike many albums this year (including some on this list) it feels like a complete work, carefully crafted to leave an impression rather than a collection of barely related songs.
Beirut – The Rip Tide
A little surprised they haven’t been more heavily promoted given the recent trend of Mumford etc. No bells or whistles here; beautiful vocal delivery conveys simply crafted emotionally gripping songs. One standout element is how brass is used to add gravitas. So many bands of late have thought chucking in a tuba automatically adds weight when in fact most of the time it overpowers the song; not the case with Beirut.
Fruit Bats – Tripper
The old adage that anything associated with The Shins is worth listening to holds true with Fruit Bats. The vocal at times is akin to Jake shears. Don’t let that fool you into expecting an album of disco pop. ‘Banishment song’ could be Air, with glacial, sparse arrangements reinforcing the sense that separate elements have been carefully and deliberately arranged to produce a clean soundscape.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – It’s a Corporate World
Finally someone brought the fun to 2011. Flavoured with more than a light touch of hot chip this album pulses with innovation and a desire to entertain. There is a terrific flair for a hook and melody throughout the album balanced with a real ability to communicate both pleasure and introspection. To top it all off it contains a quite stunning Gil Scott cover.
Dawes – Nothing is Wrong
Honest simple melodic joy. There is an earnestness about Dawes which keeps them on the acceptable side of sentimental and encourages you to connect to the lyrics. If you are expecting unpredictable, innovative soundscapes then look elsewhere, but if you are partial to a bit of Josh Rouse and/or Jackson Browne then you really should give this a listen.
The Strokes – Angles
The posturing, ‘look at me’ cool of Is This It has gone and part of me is a little sad about that. However the switch from calculated indifference to bubbling exuberance has produced a gloriously positive record which is pitched firmly in the eighties. It might not scale the heights of Room On Fire (very few albums have) but this is destined for a place in my heart. For a large part of 2011 if you wanted a great going out record – this was it.
The Black Keys – El Camino
After a lot of reflective, introspective music threatened to engulf the musical landscape in 2011 thank fuck for the Black Keys. I am a lover of The Eagles of Death Metal and didn’t feel anyone else was quite capable of their raucous, scuzzy fun – then came El Camino. An absolute belter of a record that you want to start again immediately after it has finished. It might sound like an album stitched together from various other great rock bands but when it sounds like this frankly who cares?
The King’s Will – As The Power Falls
During the late summer surreal spectacle that was Manchester United’s humiliation of Arsenal, I was introduced through a friend to a fellow United fan. Surrounded by a sea of opposition fans in the heart of Highbury a friendship was quickly forged. Views on football, politics, etc were shared and all was will until it came to the issue of music. My new acquaintance revealed he was part of an electronica poetry outfit and he would love me to listen. As articulate and interesting as he seemed, the very idea of electronica poetry had me expecting a hellish cacophony of pretension which I would have to pretend to tolerate in a bid to appease my friend. Listen to the song below, chuckle to yourself at what a fool I was to doubt it, and then go listen to the rest King’s Will. Sometimes music is fun, but on a rare occasion music becomes necessary. This is the latter.
If you like and want to know more get in touch with the creator: @okwonga
Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know
The heavenly Miss Marling seems to have taken on a more experimental approach and it works magnificently. Clearly overflowing with songs so rightly putting them out there (Ryan Adams style). This is admittedly less cohesive than her previous albums, yet triumphs as a collection of dazzling independent songs. Capable of epic and gentle – often in same song like on the captivating Don’t ask me why.
Radical Face – The Family Tree: The Roots
An album packed with deceptively intricate arrangements bringing together reflective lyrics and variety of instruments. At times the Bright Eyes influence is clear but I would not be surprised to find Elliot Smith cited as an influence. Like Beirut they seem perfectly pitched for recent trends and in my view are superior to some of the ‘new folk’ groups already enjoying considerable success.
Adele – 21
Yes I know, this makes me deeply uncool. How can I select something that has sold loads of records, been ruthlessly promoted and provided the first dances for countless doomed marriages. Yet when you ignore all that, you’re left with a woman with a phenomenal voice, connecting with and conveying the emotion of some quite brilliant songwriting. I don’t believe commercial success should make you unworthy of critical acclaim so this is mine.
Yuck – Yuck
Oh God, Yuck are like, so trying to be the Smashing Pumpkins… I’ve heard this and largely agree with it. However I do think some people get bizarrely hung up on influences – they aren’t ‘ripping off’ Corgan and co, rather are producing some of the finest reverb soaked music around in a style not a million miles away from the early 90s. I can’t see a problem with it myself and have spent many an enjoyable run/cycle/drive relishing every track which could easily be a single in its own right.
Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire
By his standards Adams had been away for an unforgiveable length of time with fears that he might never be able to play again. Thankfully his creativity never left him and when the opportunity arose to get back in the studio the results are astonishing. It is far from a secret that I have long been an admirer yet if I’m honest the last two albums with The Cardinals were little more than decent. Ashes & Fire couldn’t be more different – inspired by Laura Marling, Adams rediscovered the fire to prove he is the finest song-writer of his (or arguably any) generation and the result is an utter masterpiece.
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