Note: This is such a small list because of the small amount of new albums i've bought this year. The fact that i've only bought 17 albums from '09 shows just what I thought about new releases, although the only reason I never bought Backspacer is because I wanted to hear the other PJ albums in order.
Without further ado, here is the only list that is right regarding the top 10 albums for this year
10. Further Complications - Jarvis Cocker
I'll leave you a few seconds for your jaw to go back to its normal position.
Better? Whilst Jarvis had the best album of 2006, follow-up Further Complications lost all of the direction he seemed to have been taking after 4 years since Pulp went on hiatus. Now he's grown a beard and essentially became a creepy geography teacher, complete with tweed jackets. The social observations are there, as usual its the tongue-in-cheek stuff in his lyrics which makes you warm to him continually, but the sound behind it is bland. Maybe it's my deep idolisation for the man that's put him in this top 10, but although it is probably the most disappointing release this year (take a deep breath, Bellamy) it still gets on here.
9. Graffiti Soul - Simple Minds
They've come a long way from when they started in 1976 (with songs like that), my mum regails me with stories of going to see them in the place where I now (or where I last) get my hair cut and there's been ups and downs along the way. They're never going to regain the form of New Gold Dream, and stuff like Cry and Black & White certainly didn't bode well for them this time. Jim Kerr had said that they were close to chucking it but they never, and Graffiti Soul is what resulted. From the moody New Order Brotherhood-era-esuqe "Moscow Underground," the album never lets up, in what is a collection of mostly cheerful, radio friendly songs. While they may be more simple songs than the usual affair, it's all good stuff, showing that they certainly haven't lost their touch for making a good tune.
8. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
I've a feeling this would have been higher had it not came out in January, but it's worth its place here. Following their disappointing 2nd effort, Franz needed to go back to the drawing board and their roots for album #3, or risk fading into an obscurity matched only by Snow Patrols first two albums. Fortunately they never however, opening single and track Ulyssees signalling their arrival among the major players in the Scottish indie scene. Tonight is an album that will make you dance from beginning to end, highlighted by the production of Blood, an assortment of dub versions of songs from Tonight.
7. To Lose My Life... - White Lies
Britains third best post-punk revival band and probably the best band to appear in the last 3 years, their debut album came with a flurry of Joy Division comparions. Nothing close to that, obviously, but TLML was ten songs all beautifully crafted, with some brilliant stories told among them. Not a bad song out of the bunch, and they're a band with a bright future ahead of them, judging by this. Obvious stand-out is live favourite 'Death' (how cheerful,) but my personal favourite is From the Stars. Ironically this is probably the most JD-esque track, or at least as close as they've came. While I may have been seen as lambasting them a few months back, I do really like them, and wish them every success in the future.
6. Brand New Eyes - Paramore
It took me a while to get this album, i'll be honest. Going from stand-out albums in '05 and '07, I was eagerly anticipating this one. On the first few listens it was annoying drivel, but it was a grower. Brand New Eyes was an advancement for the band in so many ways, and while the part of the album that showcased this (the OMGYAYLOOKATUSWEREABANDWEREKEWL! part) contiunes to annoy the tits off me, the rest of it makes up. It's album full of energy, of hope and talent, and lets be fair, Hayley sounds hotter than ever, even if her hair's the wrong colour. It's also hard to believe that the oldest person is Paramore is 24, making this a seriously talented bunch of kids who already have 3 albums under their belts, securing a place in the top acts of today.
5. Only Revolutions - Biffy Clyro
What I thought would be the only album of the year to go to the top of my pre-determined list, Biffy's 5th studio effort only makes it that far. Only Revolutions is something unique for an album by a band which haven't always been at the top of the charts: it combines the bands roots with the newer, lighter sound. It sounds like Puzzle's best parts mixed with the mental stuff off of Blackened Sky. While it does feature the worst line of a song ever (see Born on a Horse), most of the album is inspires by singer Simon Neil's new marriage. While no good music is ever written when folk are cheerful, Only Revolutions has some stand-out songs. Bubbles, Mountains and Whorses being the pick of the bunch, and from a band that spent so long in the wilderness, Bify's new album will ensure them of the wider fanbase that they so deserve.
4. Sunny Side Up - Paolo Nutini
An unashamedly cheerful offering from Paisley's best-known chippy-employee, I only started listening to this album in November. I couldn't before then, because of his ridiculous new-found popularity. Don't get me wrong, he deserves it, but he was getting right on my tits. The almost sickening cheerful-ness of 10/10 and Pencil Full of Lead would still win over the coldest of critics however, and lead single Candy is the best song of 2009. While a short album considering it has 12 songs, each of those is worthy of inclusion, and it creates an ultimately fulfilling experience.
3. In This Light and On This Evening - Editors
Since it came out, I thought that this was #1, unquestionably. The 3rd offering from Editors was in a new direction, with increased use of synths and it made for some brilliant music. Rousing stuff, all of it perfectly executed and Papillon being 2nd best song of the year. This done the opposite of their 2nd album however, in that it wears off on you rather than grows. It falls down a bit in the second half, and it's a testament to its plus points that it's stayed up this high. It is an utterly sublime piece of music making, one of the highlights of the decade never mind just the year, and is without question Editors best album to date.
2. In the Cold Wind We Smile - The Xcerts
If you've no idea who this bunch are, then look them up, now. You will not be disappointed. The Aberdonian 3-piece have been active since 2001, only releasing their debut album in March of this year, and boy was it worth the wait. 10 songs, each one a beautiflly crafted slice of genius, Even the songs which attempt to pull off granduer, like Cool Ethan and Just Go Home do it magnificently, showing just how talented this bunch are. Do You Feel Safe and I See Things Differently are two of the best pop songs written this decade, and in its quiet moments, like Aberdeen 1987 (awful title but brilliant song) it still manages to feel like it fits the album. The album has so many different components, that on hearing them makes you scoff, but hearing it just makes everything click into place, and it really makes sense. A brilliant debut, and surely the ticket to success they deserve so much.
Wondering what's next? After all, this has been the year of some big releases, and while there more than a few disappointments, it's been a not bad year for it. So what's number 1? Is it Muse, the band of the decade? Is it Kasabian, the band who for no good reason want to be the next Oasis? Nope. It's a band fronted by a man who doesn't even regard it as his main occupation despite his acting career paling in comparison to his musical achievements.
1. This Is War - 30 Seconds to Mars
Name a film with Jared Leto in it.
Mind blank?
Could you even pick him out of a line-up?
Well it's non-threatening screamo's premier Henrik Zetterberg lookalike back with his brother called Shannon and some foreign bloke for 30stm's 3rd album. This follows the Only Revolutions recipe for success, combining their obscure stuff (name something off their debut, go on) with the hugely successful 2nd album. Also included are a few hundred or so fans to contribute backing vocals. On first listen, it sounds gimmicky and gets right up your trumpet, but after a few goes it all clicks. This Is War is an utterly fantastic piece of music, and even while it's an hour long, with about 4 songs at 6 minutes long, with what sounds like Latin monks chanting on closer L490 (told you it was weird) it still doesn't get old, at all. There's so many good tracks to choose from, Night of the Hunter, Closer to the Edge, the title track which may be their best song since Echelon, Alibi and something that was probably written in a COD4 session, Search & Destroy. It also says a lot that a band fronted by essentially a part-timer could get Kanye West to consider working with them says how important this band are. While his work never got on to the album (if someone has a version of Hurricane with Mr. My-Burd-Is-A-Blonde-Dyke on it, do please share it) it still remains an extremely good piece of music, and i'm to name it the best album of 2009. Just a shame it wasn't released till last Monday, and only made it to 31st in the charts.
Well there we go. If you disagree, tough tits, because i'm right!
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