Nothing I say about these albums can do them justice as I am wholeheartedly in love with both. If you’re yet to spin these cuts I implore you to do so, they’re truly things of beauty. The only thing that separated one and two? Sampha’s vocals – easily my favourite musical discovery of 2011. Roll on 2012…
(2) The Roots – ‘Undun’
‘I Remember’
(1) SBTRKT – ‘SBTRKT’
‘Trials Of The Past’
Continuing the roll into awesome-ville are two musical projects I have had on sickening repeat. Now I know No.4 is an EP rather than an album but guess what? I write this blog so if I want to put an EP in I’ll put in EP in godammit… plus when it’s one of this calibre I don’t think there will be much contention.
(4) Darkside – ‘Darkside’
‘A1’
(3) Metronomy – ‘The English Riviera’
‘The Look’
Aw sheeeeet, rolling in at 6 & 5 we’ve got some USA representatives creating some of the best indie of the past twelve months. Let’s hear it for…
(6) The Antlers – ‘Burst Apart’
‘Parentheses’
(5) Real Estate – ‘Days’
‘Younger Than Yesterday’
‘
We interrupt this week’s album countdown with an important (and work related) post. Hypem, that #1 music blog aggregator of all that is good and holy has the below track at No.1 (as of 21.12.2011) and you know what? It was one of my colleagues who sorted it all out. Yes mate, huge props.
Sunday Girl- ‘Where Is My Mind’
Bringing the muthafukin’ folk-tinged pain today are two of my favourite musical characters, both delightful and both with superb albums in 2011.
(8) Timber Timbre – ‘Creep On Creepin’ On’
‘Bad Ritual’
(7) Bon Iver – ‘Bon Iver’
‘Perth’
From here on in the music gets all kind of cray cray good…
(10) Peaking Lights – ‘936’
‘Hey Sparrow’
(9) Jay-Z & Kanye West – ‘Watch The Throne’
‘Who Gon’ Stop Me’
There are no words today. Literally I have no words, I can barely think let alone articulate my thoughts into high-larious sentences so instead I’m going to bosh out numbers 15-11 on my albums of this year and for each give a taster of their outright greatness. So many other quality records didn’t make the cut but you know what? That’s life… and it’s a cold-hearted bitch. Without further ado I bring to you:
(15) The Weeknd – ‘House Of Balloons’
‘High For This’
(14) White Denim – ‘D’
‘Street Joy’
(13) Blood Orange – ‘Coastal Grooves’
‘Sorry We Lied’
(12) Modeselektor – ‘Monkeytown’
‘This’ (feat. Thom Yorke)
(11) Active Child – ‘You Are All I See’
‘Playing House’
Do you know what I like? Fierce Panda Records. Do you know what I like more? Competitions where I can win dope shit. Combine the two and you’ve got a little suttin’ suttin’ I’d be hyped about (Fierce Panda + Competition = Fierce Panda Competition… if you didn’t get that shame on you, SHAME).
The gist? In conjunction with your friendly neighbourhood Spotify, Fierce Panda are asking contestants to compile a 10-track playlist from their sterling catalogue of work to be put before the powers that be to be judged and praised to the high heavens. We’re talking potential tracks from Death Cab, The Maccabees and The Walkmen amongst other distinguished alumni so let’s face it, you can’t really fuck this up. Should your 10-part selection be deemed the best of the best then you could be a winner, that’s right, not a loser – a WINNER.
Yeah yeah, I like making playlists and all but what do I get out of it? Bodacious Fierce Panda prizes that’s what kiddo. Expect some quality records and maybe even a congratulatory high-5 from the big dogs (in no way guaranteed, in fact this will not happen, just high-5 your pal and pretend). In addition the good folk at The Orchard are throwing in six months of Spotify Premium credit like the absolute gents they are – I don’t even have that membership. No lie.
If interested click on the link below for some greater and probably more accurate information regarding how to enter and get involved. Eeeeasy blud.
Competition link: http://www.fiercepanda.co.uk/news.php?story=282
Oh wait, is this a Fierce Panda tune? Damn right it is, I ain’t no idiot.
The Walkmen – ‘I Lost You’
Last night as my pal and I debated our top albums from the year that was two thousand and eleven my head began to hurt. Not simply because using my brain to think often causes this reaction but because I couldn’t slim down the list to a stealth ten. I’ll put it out there, we the general public have been graced with some sterling records over the past twelve months (I of course disregard anything put out by that devil incarnate Bieber and those that seek to follow in his baby shoes). It therefore seems callous and cruel to praise some to the high heavens when other worthy acts are disregarded – however let’s put things in perspective, this isn’t a question to solve the global economic crisis or put a rest to the storm surrounding Lana DR’s weeeird lips. No no, decisions need to be made and soon you shall see my highlights on this very blog.
As a taster I offer up Kurt Vile’s ‘Baby Arms’ taken from the cracking ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’ which may or may not make it onto the podium. Having heard it for the first time in yonks last night I went home and listened to the whole album track for track and it slayed me just like before. Sure it made me morose as hell but what’s a little solemnity now and again? As long as you don’t kill yourself mind… yeah, maybe ration this stuff out.
Kurt Vile – ‘Baby’s Arms’
I’ve been indie of late, very indie indeed… not saying that this is a bad thing, it’s just that today’s offering has knocked me firmly out of my winter blues and made me yearn for the beats of summer. Having had it smashed around inside my head for the better part of this arvo I now feel like I want to start a riot – a big ol’ dance party, no holds barred riot. Where can one do this on a Wednesday night in London town? Answers on a postcard s’il vous plait.
Dada Life – ‘Kick Out The Epic Motherfucker’
Blame It On My A.D.D. 