The Fall: Ersatz G.B.

There's been a lot of crappy things about the past week (organization restructures at work, another bloody cold, watching £100 of fireworks take about 90 seconds to go 'bang' etc etc) ... But the week will be remembered largely for the being able to spend lots of time listening the upcoming album By The Fall, "Ersatz G.B."

For those of you unacquainted with The Fall (where have you been for the past 30 odd years and equivalent number of studio albums !!!), you may not realise the trepidation that can precede listening to new stuff ... Fall albums can be stunning, average or train wrecks with the past few erring on the pretty damn good, albeit inconsistent.

Here, the same lineup that delivered the last two albums (something of a record in the world of Mark E Smith) churn out the most consistent Fall album in many a year.   Now the challenge here is to assess consistency v quality and after 20 or so listens I'm gonna say we're in (by Fall standards) 9/10 for consistency and 7.5/10 for overall quality ... Trust me, this is a pretty special place to be!

One thing that has to be said is that Mark's songwriting and vocals sound incredibly fresh in that he sounds 20 years younger.  "Taking Off" for example, sounds like it could have come from 1992's "Code: Selfish".

The two exceptions to this nostalgia are "Greenway" and "Monocard" which are as rough, dirty and excellent as they come (I pity the cat and the dog at this point).

Ela takes vocals on "Happi Song" but otherwise we have the best example in years of the genius of Smith ranting over a gas-tight band.

Trepidation over, brilliance confirmed ... Roll on next year where we will no doubt go through it all again!

8.5 / 10

Released 14/11/11 

New look ...

Realised that my blog site had been ignored for too long and needed to work out how to use the thing again to get ready for the usual 'Top X Albums of [Insert Year]' drivel coming up.

I may start to add some more stuff here for no-one but me to read, bit I've said that before !

My Albums of 2010

… and yet again I sit in front of a PC, sorry scratch that, I’m all iMac and that these days, to write some nonsense about the music I’ve discovered, enjoyed and raved about during the year.

I don’t claim for a second that the following represents the best of the year, it’s my list of my favourite stuff which is a pretty important distinction as it immediately means that your opinion of my list doesn’t count !!!

So, my 2010 in music …

First, the stuff that didn’t qualify for my top 20 … this falls into 2 camps:

1. Stuff that I discovered in 2010 that was technically released in 2009

2. ‘Best Ofs’ and live albums (because Stephen Currie says these don’t count !!!)

There was lots of stuff that I found in 2010 that didn’t make the list for the reasons above, but I have to highlight 2 albums from 2009 that just can’t be ignored … both of which were found by exploring strangeglue.com’s (RIP?) top 50 of 2009.

Late Discoveries

There Will Be Fireworks – “There Will Be Fireworks”

I still remember the first time I heard this masterpiece … from the opening sonics and spoken word intro of “Columbian Fireworks”, it was clear that this was worth some serious attention … when the opening track opens up into a Mogwaiesque wall of sound and then falls away into the structured beauty of “So the Story Goes”, it’s clear something special is playing.

The (now) wife of a friend apparently described this as ‘Murphy music’ given the Scottish accent vocals and clean indie sounds that I appear to gravitate to and it’s fair to say that the whole structure and sound of this ticks lots of my musical boxes … the references here are many and varied given the eclectic structure of the album and I defy anyone to listen to “Guising” & “Off With Their Heads” and not be blown away by the genius and maturity of the experience.

I’ve lived with this album for almost a year now and I’d seriously have to say that if someone asked me now to list my top 10 albums of all time, this just might make it … its stunning !

And it has to be considered that these guys recorded and distributed this themselves with no recording deal … currently working on album no.2, I just hope it comes close to the brilliance of the debut. Regardless, I will always hold this piece of work up as a reference point … I thought I was getting too old to be blown away by new music … thanks guys !

The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Hometowns”

Debut from the Canadian alt country / indie outfit that stands out for its consistency across 13 tracks that never lets up in its power, impact and longevity.

If listening for the first time, it’s worth pointing out that the opening couple of tracks can be fairly hard going and don’t initially signal the quality of what’s to come … but if you get as far as “Don’t Haunt This Place” I guarantee you’ll stick with it and won’t be disappointed.

Also currently recording album no.2, I really hope I can list that in next year’s list !

Best ofs & Live Albums

Mr Currie confirmed some months ago that best ofs and live albums don’t count so I have to state here and now that the following albums would have made my top 20 without question had they been allowed:

Mogwai – “Special Moves’

The album to accompany live film “Burning”, the world’s most sonically stunning combo define their career to date with a collection of live tracks that can’t fail but blow you away.

If exploring Mogwai for the first time, start here and make sure you get the version that includes all 17 tracks or else you will miss out on some the highlights.

Regardless, I defy you to make it all the way through “I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead”, “Hunted by a Freak”, “You Don’t Know Jesus” and “I Love You, I'm Going To Blow Up Your School” (quality hi-fi gear required) and not be physically and emotionally moved … if you do, all I can say is “see you, your dead inside!!!”

Mono – “Holy Ground”

Recorded in New York in 2009 with full orchestra, Japanese instrumental post-rockers display that maturity and brilliance that brings them on par with Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor … leaning heavily on 2009 studio album “Hymn to the Immortal Wind” (my no. 2 album of last year) this performance takes things to a new level for the band.

I caught them in New York earlier this year minus the orchestra and have to say the experience was unreal but the added dimension of the ‘classical’ backing appears to add something special to this type of sound and typified perfectly on this occasion … buy it, immerse yourself and be all the better for the investment!

Elliott Smith – “an introduction to …”

I don’t have the time or talent to summarise the Elliot Smith story for those who don’t know it but to call him another tortured genius that was ‘taken’ too soon would tell about 10% of the story.

Elliot died in 2003 (a week after my wedding, I remember hearing the news during my honeymoon) from stab wounds to his chest. His girlfriend claimed the wounds were self-inflicted and like many great music industry deaths, I suspect we’ll never know.

Although a ‘best of’ could never do the great man’s recording history justice, it’s a great place to start … ‘singer / songwriter’, ‘man with guitar’, ‘intelligent balladeer’ … however you want to describe Elliot Smith, it won’t even come close!

Right, onto my top 20 … no detailed reviews of each as I don’t have the time and no-one will be particularly interested!!! Just a comment or two to justify why I’ve included it …

Top 20 of 2010

20 iLiKETRAiNS – “He Who Saw The Deep”

Despite most previous output from the Leeds outfit being based around history lessons in a post-rock (with vocals) stylee, “He Who Saw The Deep” is a much more accessible, if ultimately shallower, experience that takes some time to get into gear.

Advice for the uninitiated is to head straight for “These Feet of Clay”, “Sirens” & “Sea of Regrets” before judging the album … if you don’t like those, forget it !

19 Belle & Sebastian – “Write About Love”

Exemplars of twee indie pop return after a four and a half year hiatus with arguably one of their strongest albums to date.

This is a grower that takes several listens to appreciate … I had written it off after first listen and only a positive review on a website made me take a second ‘look’ … some beautifully crafted tracks as always … still twee !

18 Pg.lost – “In Never Out”

No top 20 of mine would be complete without an obscure post-rock / instrumental offering.

Sweden’s Pg.lost follow up the inconsistent, yet superb, “It’s Not Me, It’s You!” with a much more considered album that, again, takes a significant investment of time to fully appreciate.

The opening minutes of “Prahanien” make you wonder if this album I ever going to get going but by the time it closes with the 12 minutes of “Gomez” the urge to hit ‘repeat all’ is overwhelming .

17 Foals – “Total Life Forever”

Not as ground breaking as “Antidotes” but probably more consistent … the bar was so high it was always going to be difficult to match expectations.

Then again, anything that has “Spanish Sahara” on it can’t go unrecognized can it?

16 Malory – “Pearl Diver”

German electronica / dream pop / shoegaze outfit deliver an hour of genius that takes you in many directions that are all ‘nice’ … opener “Floating” typifies what’s to come by weaving around a central concept while firing off in several directions over its 7 minute duration.

Record label Club AC30 really does look like one cool place to be right now!

15 The Radio Dept – “Clinging to a Scheme”

More Swedes !

This time retro-indie tunesmiths with a smattering of pure pop / dance thrown in for good measure.

Think ‘Belle & Sebastian’ meet ‘The Field Mice’ meet ‘Badly Drawn Boy’ meet ‘Beats International’ (seriously, check out the beats on “Never Follow Suit” !!!).

14 These New Puritans – “Hidden”

I don’t have the talent to describe this piece of work in any way other than to say stunning experimentilisation that just works on every level …

The official line is:

"Six-foot Japanese Taiko drums, a thirteen piece brass and woodwind ensemble, sub-heavy beats, prepared piano, a children’s choir, Foley recording techniques (including a melon with cream crackers attached struck by a hammer, used to simulate the sound of a human head being smashed), and the ethereal voice of Heather Marlatt from dream-pop group Salem."

Only issue I have with this description is the flawed genre definition of Salem as ‘dream pop’ ??!!!

13 Gorillaz – “Plastic Beach”

What do you get if you take Damon Albern’s art project and add a dash of Snoop Dogg, Gruff Rhys, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, Lou Reed, Mick Jones, Mark E. Smith, Paul Simonon, Kano, Little Dragon and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and the concept of the end of the world?

… second on of the day is “Where’s North from here?”

12 Interpol – “Interpol”

Saying that the latest Interpol offering is ‘darker’ than previous output would suggest that we are talking about a place where even night vision wouldn’t cut it … and that would be unfair (just) …

Largely slated by the great and the good of the music ‘press’ I would argue that this is Interpol’s most complete album to date.

Yes, it’s inconsistent and bleak but this is Interpol … you won’t see next year’s X-Factor winner having a go at covering epic “Lights” will you? … not a bad thing … not a bad thing at all !!!

11 Air Formation- “Nothing to Wish For (Nothing to Lose)”

The return of shoegaze was exemplified in 2010 with Air Formation’s fourth (and strongest) offering.

If you can get past the first couple of minutes of opener “Three Years Pass” that make you think you’ve put The Cure’s “Disintegration” on by mistake followed by Matt Bartram’s opening vocals sounding like either he can’t sing or he forgot his in-ear monitors that day … you’ll be treated to a wave of sound that transport you back to the golden days of Ride, Slowdive and Chapterhouse.

Too many stand out tracks to mention with a level of consistency that deserves way more recognition than it got.

10 Wild Nothing – “Gemini”

Jack Tatum’s one man collective goes all retro indie and shoegaze on us in this with more Belle & Sebaistian, Field Mice and Ultra Vivid Scene references than you can shake the proverbial stick at!!

9 The National – “High Violet”

They said it would make the “Alligator” v “Boxer” debates redundant by blowing them both away however, for the record, I still believe that Boxer remains the better, erm, ‘record’

Having said that, this remains a great album by a band rising in stature by the day … I can envision R.E.Mesque status in a few years … I just hope they don’t go the same way creatively!

8 LCD Soundsystem- “This is Happening”

So is this really James Murphy’s swansong? If so, it’s not a bad way to go!

Not an album that grabs you from first listen but repeated exposure reveals structure and complexity that rewards more and more with every visit.

As always, the Talking Heads references are present and correct and supported by clear Daft Punk and Velvet Underground influences.

7 Steve Mason – “Boys Outside”

Ex-Beta Band man Steve Mason bears his soul on the depression years in the first album recorded in his own name after dabbling with other solo personal such as King Biscuit Time and Black Affair.

Must have been a tough process to write but is an example where facing the demons can produce the best results … “Let Her In” typifies the intensity with lines such as “ … and to the children I never had, here is the love, I was your dad … there is a reason that I never got to hold to hold you tight but what it is I’ll never know …”

Not an album that will cheer you up after a bad day but one that should be explored by everybody that want’s more from their music than a good tune.

6 Beach House – “Teen Dream”

Third album by the Baltimore duo that also falls into the ‘dream pop’ genre (I must be mellowing in my old age !!!)

A top choice of many of the music mags in 2010, standout track “Norway” provides a good reference point for what this is all about.

Perfect winter chill out stuff.

5 Frightened Rabbit – “The Winter of Mixed Drinks”

Selkirk’s Scott Hutchison’s once solo project continues to expand and deliver more and more intense indie angst. There’s not many who could deliver a track about suicide contemplation in an upbeat indie pop style such as “Swim until you can’t see land’.

Anyone who hasn’t seen the band live yet has probably missed out on the sheer impact they can have in small venues where they hold silent audiences in the palm of their hand … reports from the recent sold out Barrowlands gigs are that their increased popularity has brought the trendy ‘NED’ brigade that can often ruin the experience for most. The price of success I suppose but I hope it doesn’t shift Scott’s focus from continuing to deliver what he does so brilliantly.

4 Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”

How to follow the brilliance of “Funeral” and the overblown pomposity of “Neon Bible”? MMMmmm … how about a full-blown concept album about the experiences of growing up in the ‘burbs?

Summed up by the line “If I could have it back, I’d like to waste it all again” most people will relate to at least some, if not most, of Win & William Butler’s references.

Musically consistent and a lyrical masterpiece … “The Suburbs” is a great way to respond to the criticism of “Neon Bible” but will be a hell of an act to follow.

3 The Fall – “Your Future Our Clutter”

The NME review of ‘YFOC’ referred to The Fall as “the best new band in Britain” which, on first read, seems a bit mental considering that they have been around for 35 years and churned out 28 studio albums in that time! The review clearly referred to the continued reinvention of the band by Mark E Smith which sometime delivers and often doesn’t.

‘YFOC’ delivers, big time!

Definitely the best Fall album since 2005’s “Fall Heads Roll”, possibly the best since 2000’s “The Unutterable” and in ‘Bury Pts. 1 + 3’, probably track of the year !

2 The Walkmen – “Lisbon”

As for many, my intro to The Walkmen was being blown away on hearing “The Rat” around 2003 … I immediately bought their only album available at the time (2002’s “Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone”) only to find that:

· it didn’t have “The Rat” on it

· none of it sounded remotely like “The Rat”

Initial disappointment was dispelled when I realised just how good that album was.

The follow up album “Bows + Arrows” did include the “The Rat” but by that time I was hooked on the more angular and raw sound that these guys appear to make out of next to nothing.

Pretty much everything they’ve done since has been up there with the nest for me with (2008’s “You & Me” was #2 in my list for that year).

“Lisbon” doesn’t disappoint and stands up with the best of the band’s output.

Possibly an acquired taste … but I suggest you get acquiring !

1 Warpaint – “The Fool”

OK, so where the hell did this come from?

LA, all girl, alternative rockers who have been messing around since forming in 2004 end up pulling this masterpiece out of nowhere.

An album all about layers of sound, similar to the post-rock genre but topped off with the stunning, ethereal vocals of Emily Kokal and track that build and drift off in all directions.

I’m not sure exactly what it is about this that makes it my top choice by far for 2010 … but I guess I have a bunch of musical buttons that this happens to press ... mostly all at the same time !!!

Albums I Wish I Had Heard Before Doing My Top 10 of 2009 #1

There Will Be Fireworks "There Will Be Fireworks"

My Top 20 Albums of 2009 ...

I had planned to write war & peace for each as I had in 2007 but couldn't because:

1) I don't have the time

2) I can't be arsed !!!

3) I have 20, not 10 !!!!!!!

So, with choices, placings and comments open for abuse, I give you ............

20) We Were Promised Jetpacks: “These Four Walls”

Not sure if it’s just me or whether 2009 really has been a seminal year for Scottish bands (there’s more than one in my list this year). Very confident debut by one of many good new jock indie rock bands around today, it’s nice to see that Frightened Rabbit aren’t alone.

19) Brand New: “Daisy”

While reading online reviews for an album that appears later in this list I came across a recommendation for another band who also appear later. While reading reviews of the latter (confused??!!!) I came across Brand New and reviews of “Daisy”. While most were positive, there appeared to be a theme of reviewers identifying that Brand New had changed musical direction on all of their 4 album releases … this was interesting enough to check out Daisy.

On first listen, this is confused alternative Americana, further listens reveal structure, layers and influences that produce a remarkable album.

18) … And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: “The Century of Self”

Texans Trail of Dead sit squarely on the border between art-rock and post punk and often dabble with progressive tendencies … the opener “Giant Causeway” leads you to believe the prog element will be in gear here as it reminds you of an excerpt from the Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy theme !!!

It will always amaze me that these guys are not huge as they stand head and shoulders above most of their peers. Conrad Keely’s song writing and delivery deserves at least the recognition of Jack White et al …. In my humble opinion of course. I sleep comfortably knowing that I recognise the talent even when most others don’t … your loss !!!

17) Camera Obscura: “My Maudlin Career”

I defy anyone to listen to Camera Obscura and not be totally besotted with Tracyanne Campbell’s beautifully delicate vocals. Coupled with the near perfect song writing, arrangements (the string and horn arrangements are by Björn Yttling, of Peter Bjorn and John) and production, My Maudlin Career delvers another great album from another great Glasgow based (proper) indie band inspired by 60’s pop.

16) Yeah Yeah Yeah's: “Its Blitz”

I cringed when I heard Nick Zinner was ditching his guitars for this and though we were in for a cheesy retro electro-fest. No fears though ... the guitars are still here, they just go through some mega techno pedal configuration before hitting yer lugs !! Amazed that their earlier albums have been listed in top 20’s of the decade when this has been overlooked.

15) Bombay Bicycle Club: “I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose”

Yeah, silly name, cheesy indie pop riffs but well worth listening to over and over again to appreciate the subtleties and maturity in play here. A bit Foals, a bit Maccabies but bloody good stuff.

14) Dinosaur Jr: “Farm”

The ninth studio album from J. Mascis et al and the follow up to 2007’s post reunion of the original line up “Beyond”. It unmistakably J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph, its nothing new but its as consistently good as anything they’ve released in a long time.

13) Biffy Clyro: “Only Revolutions”

I’ve been a Biffy fan since they release “The Vertigo of Bliss” back in 2003. That was a spiky, alternative album that took many listens to even work out the structure of most of the tracks. Since then they have started to become a bit more mainstream and accused of being the Scottish Foo Fighters and I have to admit that I got less and less enthusiastic about each release … albeit I have them all. I didn’t expect much of “Only Revolutions” but have loved it since the first listen.

What’s wrong with being the Scottish Foo Fighters anyway ???!!!!

12) Julian Plenti: “Julian Plenti is Skyscraper”

The solo incarnation of Interpol’s Paul Banks, Julian Plenti is Skyscraper is to Interpol what Casablancas’ “Phrazes for the Young” is to The Strokes … except for one thing … Julian Plenti is on my list !!!!!!

Where Casablancas obviously wrestled for a long time to come up with a deliberately quirky collection of tracks, Banks rattled out this in a short period yet still managed to progress beyond the shackles of his day job.

What starts sounding like a decent Interpol album develops into a wonderful statement intent for either Julian Plenti, Interpol or, hopefully, both.

11) Caspian: “Tertia”

Almost the best instrumental post-rock record of the year … almost !

10) Ian Brown: “My Way”

After several brilliant albums, Ian Brown let himself down with 2007’s “The World is Yours” … I still feel guilty that he was affected by our meeting in New York while he was mixing that album, maybe no though !

Ian knew his previous effort was not up to par and committed to record an album based on the same principles that Michael Jackson had for ‘Thriller’, including the rule that if any track could not be considered a possible top 5 hit, it was binned.

“My Way” certainly appears to have been recorded using the technology around in the days of ‘Thriller’ given its constant barrage of cheesy loops and beats that sit just below the surface of some of king monkey’s finer work … OK, this is the guy who wrote ‘I am the Resurrection”, “F.E.A.R.” and “Keep What Ya Got” so that was a bold statement but this really is fantastic stuff.

09) Stellastarr: “Civilised”

Perhaps not musically justifying its place, but for the sheer enjoyment it gives listening to one of the worlds most under rated (especially live) bands, it had to be here. “Civilised” loses itself a bit for a couple of tracks in the middle so if you give it a listen for the first time, hang in there.

Its nice to have them back, if only for the chance that I’ll be able to see bass player Amanda Tannen in the flesh again someday soon

08) Silversun Pickups: “Swoon”

Often (and wrongly) cited as Smashing Pumpkins wanabies, this follow up to 2006’s “Carnavas” was highly anticipated. It still amazes me how Brian Aubert approached song writing as few of the tracks here have any kind of traditional structure while still being very accessible.

Anyone who hasn’t heard this should play “The Royal We” and “Panic Switch” back to back and very loud … then go back and listen to the whole thing.

07) Monsters of Folk: “Monsters of Folk”

I always knew there would be a Conor Oberst album in this year’s list but I hadn’t guessed it would be this one !!!

I’ve struggled with his other 2009 release “Outer South” and may well, on reflection, regret not having it anywhere here. When I first saw reviews for “Monsters of Folk” I was prepared to hate it …

I’m not a My Morning Jacket Fan and haven’t been a huge fan of most of the post Bright Eyes Oberst but have to say that, despite its roots, this is a stunning collection of many different styles delivered by a bunch of guys on top of their game.

Travelling Wilbury’s for the .net generation? … so ???!!!!

06) Arctic Monkeys: “Humbug”

I have to admit to being a huge Arctic Monkeys fan from the very beginning ... one doubt I had was what they would do after the initial childhood observational song writing style had nothing left to deliver … “Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not” was based heavily on reciting adolescent memories from the early days in Sheffield and what it missed out on musically was more than made up for in lyrics.

“Favourite Worst Nightmare” had matured musically however was still in the same vein, it was all beginning to dilute lyrically though.

Stereophonics had been in the same position after their first two albums and whereas they decided to crawl up their own arse, Arctic Monkeys chose another path …. Go dark, go heavy !

This is the album that makes Arctic Monkeys fans decide whether they are going to invest in continuing a musical development journey or just remember the happy times when bouncing around to “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor etc”.

I personally don’t subscribe to the view that Josh Homme influenced the direction of this album in any way, I think the band wanted something very specific from him and he delivered … they all did.

05) Manic Street Preachers: “Journal for Plague Lovers”

I’m not even going to attempt to say anything original about an album that has been so widely discussed and deeply dissected as this.

Suffice to say that I think the band managed to deliver something quite special from Ritchie’s last lyric collection and especially in their ability to return to the darkness of “The Holy Bible” instead of building on the commercially successful platform that “Send Away the Tigers” had provided.

I saw them playing this live in London this year and it was quite a spectacle … so many years after Ritchie, these guys still miss him like it was yesterday … and now they’ve nae lyrics left !!!!!!!

04) De Rosa: “Prevention”

For me, this will always be associated with memories of the time leading up to the birth of my son.

I was working from home for a few weeks before he came along and listening to lots of random stuff based on loose recommendations etc. I was reading a Mogwai forum one day when read that Barry Burns had played piano on most of the new De Rosa album so I downloaded it.

It took several listens to get into, but this was constantly on my ipod while I was painting bathrooms, building furniture etc. They were due to play Aberdeen the week after Fraser’s due date but as he was late, I couldn’t go … they have since split up and the chance to catch them live has gone.

I’ve listened a couple of times in recent weeks to see if it stands up and still believe it is a beautiful (albeit ‘nicely’ flawed) record.

03) The Twilight Sad: “Forget the Night Ahead”

Having seen The Twilight Sad live many times and loving the brilliant debut “Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters” (2007), I still didn’t see the development that happened to allow this album coming.

While retaining the wall of sound guitars from the debut, “Forget the Night Ahead” introduces much more complex arrangements in additional to James learning that he can actually sing a bit !!! Tracks like “I Became a Prostitute” and “Made to Disappear” point to a potentially more commercially attractive direction but here’s hoping they retain the hometown edge

… definitely the highest placed album in my list from a band from Kilsyth !!!

02) Mono: “Hymn to the Immortal Wind”

Mono’s early albums had them tagged as the Japanese Mogwai, not unfairly given the similarity of the debut “Under the Pipal Tree” (2001) to the early Mogwai recordings. Over the years though, while both retaining the flawed tag “post-rock”, its fair to say that musical similarities are much more tenuous and Mono have established themselves as one of the world’s premier instrumental rock bands.

“Hymn to the Immortal Wind”, is a stunning collection or sound scapes that one minute remind you of epic film soundtracks and the next minute have you grabbing for the volume button as your ears start to bleed.

01) Manchester Orchestra: “Mean Everything to Nothing”

I discovered Manchester Orchestra just this year while reading online reviewed of the Silversun Pickup’s “Swoon”. “Mean Everything to Nothing” hadn’t been released at the time and I grew to love them through previous release “I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child” which was in a relatively mild alt. rock America styleee. There were one or two classic tracks on there that made me want to hear more.

“Mean Everything to Nothing” is a different beast to “I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child” … its more confident, much louder and Andy Hull has developed a vocal style that can both scare young children and make grown men greet (listen to "I Can Feel a Hot One", after a few glasses of wine just after becoming a dad for the first time !!). The band admitted that they wanted the album to be in two halves, the noise of the first and the calm of the second … it works, but needs the investment to get to the end.

Impossible to single out tracks but special mention to “Shake it Out”, and aforementioned “"I Can Feel a Hot One". Probably an acquired and specialist taste but one that ticks most musical boxes for me (on many levels) … one of the best albums I’ve heard in many years.

Top 10 Albums of 2008

I had my list done weeks ago and had planned to do the whole blog review thing as I did last year but circumstances mean that I haven't had the time, the energy or the inclination.

The other thing I failed with was to limit the list to 10 ... I did the whole paired decision making process to systematically narrow down a list from 20 to 10 but my number 10 and 11 came out with the same score and I couldn't split them ... therefore, my top 11 of the 2008 are:


11. TV on the Radio - "Dear Science"
10. Sigur Ros - "Með suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust"
09. Conor Oberst - "Conor Oberst"
08. Spiritualized® - "Songs in A&E"
07. The Wedding Present - "El Rey"
06. The Fall - "Imperial Wax Solvent"
05. Glasvegas - "Glasvegas"
04. British Sea Power - "Do You Like Rock Music"
03. Foals - "Antidotes"
02. The Walkmen - "You & Me"
01. Mogwai - "The Hawk is Howling"

Album: Foals - "Antidotes"

By the time you get to my age its uncommon to hear anything in music that’s even close to being original … most stuff sounds like a direct copy of someone from a previous musical generation or some kind of fusion of two or three influences that can easily be extracted after a few listens … it can all get a bit predictable and dull …

Foals are no different … to me they sound like many things I’ve heard before … but all the better for it … this is a stunning album that takes many, many listens to fully appreciate but grows in depth and quality every time you hit the play button !!!

On hearing the early singles, someone asked me who I thought the influences were … my instant reaction was Mars Volta meets Haircut 100 !!! I’ve changed my mind now, Antidotes shows way more maturity than the early demos & singles and has me thinking of Talking Heads circa “Fear of Music” (1979) and “Remain in Light” (1980), Gang of Four's "Entertainment" (1979) with a bit of early Spandau Ballet chucked in for good measure … there’s a splash of Echo & the Bunnymen in there too but you’ll have to work hard to get some of that !

On early listens of Antidotes , it all sounds pretty much samey … if it wasn’t for the fact that most of my favourite albums had the same effect I wouldn’t have spent much time on this but I’m on about 50 repeat listens in now and its all making sense !

This is not a lyrically deep piece of work, far from it, in fact I actually have no idea what any of the tracks are about, and I don’t care. This is an album of rhythms and layers … the rhythms are obvious, the layers take time.

Stand out tracks are difficult to pick … the obvious targets of “Cassius” and “Balloons” actually blend into the album well and don’t jump out at you like singles can when listening to albums. For me, the peak is the 3 minutes into “Two Steps, Twice” when, following a slow build up it completely changes direction, reminiscent of half way through Radiohead’s “Bodysnatchers” … I just have to witness this live … the ’91 summer of love flashbacks will be trippy !!!

“Antidotes” isn’t very original, it’s not something we haven’t heard before and it’s possibly light on lyrical depth …. But its utterly brilliant !