Bobby Hogg
New Member
The year is drawing to a close and I think now is a good time to begin considering the year's music in the form of the best albums.
I'll provide my list, in no particular order (or the order I remember them), and I hope people follow suit. Maybe I can learn about a record I should be keeping an ear out for.
Anyway:
Alligator by The National
Delightfully maudlin. Music this beautiful simply cannot be depressing.
(Come on feel the) Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
An album that manages to be sprawling and epic, yet at the same time intimate, honest and tender. Simply gorgeous. I've seen Stevens and his band live and their collective charisma makes their show a joy. They take you on a musical journey through the state. Long may his journey across the rest of the USA continue if he keeps producing music like this.
Takk by Sigur Ros
A return to form for the ethereal (yes, it always has to be used to describe Sigur Ros) Icelanders. () was more to be admired than truly enjoyed, I felt. It conjured up too much grey for me, whereas Takk is back to joyful Sigur Ros. The type of music you can listen to as you fall to sleep, or while contemplating the world on a clear day. Beautiful.
Had tickets to see them tomorrow night, but passed them onto a friend because I can't make it down to Dublin.
Cripple Crow by Devendra Banhart
I love this guy. Hugely prolific, very hard-working, but his music is effortless and playful. This album has a full band backing for the first time, with Banhart inviting all of his friends along for the ride. It works, it works very well. The sound is more fleshed out.
The songs may still be mostly nonsensical freak-folk (or Spanish), but it hardly matters when they are this easy to listen to. Any fans of acoustic rock or folk rock, pick it up and his earlier work.
Another artist I managed to catch live. Great at engaging the audience, and had plenty of time to meet everyone afterwards. No pretentions from him.
Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River
Not much to say about this other than it's great. Melancholic indie that rocks out occasionally. It's hard to imagine what a man has to go through to get a voice this tortured.
Probably some severe teen angst.
Love Kraft by Super Furry Animals
I love them. I love this album. It's possibly their most laid back work yet, from a band who are becoming increasingly so. The songs are still masterpieces of chaotic melody and political commentary concealed beneath a veneer of surreal humour.
Seen this band twice this year. Both times went home feeling thoroughly entertained, visually and aurally.
I'm Wide Awake It's Morning by Bright Eyes
He might be an absolute dickhead, but he can definitely write a great song. Or in this case, an album full of great songs. Emotional, mostly acoustic folk with a quavering voice that it is straining with honesty.
Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
The hype surrounding this band preceded them. Members who play with Arcade Fire (who released last year's stunning stand-out masterpiece Funeral) and produced by the lead singer from Modest Mouse. Anyone who enjoys those bands will love this.
The Magic Numbers by The Magic Numbers
Pure, honest, feelgood pop rock. Brilliant.
Another band I've seen this year. Their set was magnificent, the crowd loved them and they loved us. Genuinely nice people it would appear.
Trouble by Ray Lamontagne
This man's voice is astonishing. Absolutely perfect. He could make a bad song sound like a lullaby. Fortunately, his songs are actually rather good. An acoustic artist whose strength of voice is perfectly supported by a sparse, unpretentious backing. This is the type of music that I think will appeal to all ages.
I have seen him live this year also, and his voice was even more incredible live. A wonderful experience.
That's my list. I stopped at ten, but honourable mentions also go to Antony and the Johnsons with I Am A Bird Now (incredible voice again) and Open Season by British Sea Power. I never got round to picking up Springsteen's album this year either, for some reason.
Have at it.
I'll provide my list, in no particular order (or the order I remember them), and I hope people follow suit. Maybe I can learn about a record I should be keeping an ear out for.
Anyway:
Alligator by The National
Delightfully maudlin. Music this beautiful simply cannot be depressing.
(Come on feel the) Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
An album that manages to be sprawling and epic, yet at the same time intimate, honest and tender. Simply gorgeous. I've seen Stevens and his band live and their collective charisma makes their show a joy. They take you on a musical journey through the state. Long may his journey across the rest of the USA continue if he keeps producing music like this.
Takk by Sigur Ros
A return to form for the ethereal (yes, it always has to be used to describe Sigur Ros) Icelanders. () was more to be admired than truly enjoyed, I felt. It conjured up too much grey for me, whereas Takk is back to joyful Sigur Ros. The type of music you can listen to as you fall to sleep, or while contemplating the world on a clear day. Beautiful.
Had tickets to see them tomorrow night, but passed them onto a friend because I can't make it down to Dublin.
Cripple Crow by Devendra Banhart
I love this guy. Hugely prolific, very hard-working, but his music is effortless and playful. This album has a full band backing for the first time, with Banhart inviting all of his friends along for the ride. It works, it works very well. The sound is more fleshed out.
The songs may still be mostly nonsensical freak-folk (or Spanish), but it hardly matters when they are this easy to listen to. Any fans of acoustic rock or folk rock, pick it up and his earlier work.
Another artist I managed to catch live. Great at engaging the audience, and had plenty of time to meet everyone afterwards. No pretentions from him.
Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River
Not much to say about this other than it's great. Melancholic indie that rocks out occasionally. It's hard to imagine what a man has to go through to get a voice this tortured.
Probably some severe teen angst.
Love Kraft by Super Furry Animals
I love them. I love this album. It's possibly their most laid back work yet, from a band who are becoming increasingly so. The songs are still masterpieces of chaotic melody and political commentary concealed beneath a veneer of surreal humour.
Seen this band twice this year. Both times went home feeling thoroughly entertained, visually and aurally.
I'm Wide Awake It's Morning by Bright Eyes
He might be an absolute dickhead, but he can definitely write a great song. Or in this case, an album full of great songs. Emotional, mostly acoustic folk with a quavering voice that it is straining with honesty.
Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
The hype surrounding this band preceded them. Members who play with Arcade Fire (who released last year's stunning stand-out masterpiece Funeral) and produced by the lead singer from Modest Mouse. Anyone who enjoys those bands will love this.
The Magic Numbers by The Magic Numbers
Pure, honest, feelgood pop rock. Brilliant.
Another band I've seen this year. Their set was magnificent, the crowd loved them and they loved us. Genuinely nice people it would appear.
Trouble by Ray Lamontagne
This man's voice is astonishing. Absolutely perfect. He could make a bad song sound like a lullaby. Fortunately, his songs are actually rather good. An acoustic artist whose strength of voice is perfectly supported by a sparse, unpretentious backing. This is the type of music that I think will appeal to all ages.
I have seen him live this year also, and his voice was even more incredible live. A wonderful experience.
That's my list. I stopped at ten, but honourable mentions also go to Antony and the Johnsons with I Am A Bird Now (incredible voice again) and Open Season by British Sea Power. I never got round to picking up Springsteen's album this year either, for some reason.
Have at it.
