10. MARS VOLTA-FRANCES THE MUTE-stuff the concept and crap cover and marvel at the music; Zep, Miles Davis, Genesis et al smashed together in outrageously effective fashion. If it were shorter (triple vinyl!)it'd be higher up.
9. ROBERT PLANT-MIGHTY REARRANGER-The idea of an aging Rock "God" with muso tendencies could easily have went horribly wrong but old Percy nails a nice fusion of what he's good at and what he likes. He's been trying to do this his whole solo career-well done old guy.
8. RYAN ADAMS-COLD ROSES-Yes it needs edited but enough gems to sparkle as always. One day a fair amount of Adams dissenters will listen back and say "shit, we were wrong".
7. RYAN ADAMS-29-His least generic album of the year. Full of downbeat visions and haunted melodies that don't seem to go anywhere they should. His most personal lyrically and musically and continues to impress on each play. Not quite flawless but Elizabeth...could be my favourite song of the moment.
6. ARCADE FIRE-FUNERAL-Girvan it was released here this year therefore it's in. Controversial to some but enough kooky sparks and originality to satisfy. There's still something missing to my ears though.
5. NINE HORSES-SNOW BORNE SORROW-Another one that is still growing.Sylvian is in immaculate voice and the album has enough quality to escape the cliché that is dark lyrics fused with super smooth music, very impressive.
4. KATE BUSH-AERIAL-yes it is full of eccentric whimsy about artist turned housewife. Kate has managed to sound contemporary without damaging the core of her music. Its best moments are effortlessly brilliant and dreamy.
3. BOARDS OF CANADA-THE CAMPFIRE HEADPHASE-Their best record by a mile, consistently strong and musical.
2. SUFJAN STEVENS-ILLINOISE-It's already been said, the boy is something of a genius.
1. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM-LCD SOUNDSYSTEM-middle age and populist musical tastes means that you always need something with an edge and energy to keep up your credibility and of course this record both endorses and debunks that theory. The peaks of this crush most attempts at relevant energetic music and the influences fuse nicely.Kraftwerk, Can, The Beatles, PIL and Talking Heads haunt the grooves of this. Cool.
9. ROBERT PLANT-MIGHTY REARRANGER-The idea of an aging Rock "God" with muso tendencies could easily have went horribly wrong but old Percy nails a nice fusion of what he's good at and what he likes. He's been trying to do this his whole solo career-well done old guy.
8. RYAN ADAMS-COLD ROSES-Yes it needs edited but enough gems to sparkle as always. One day a fair amount of Adams dissenters will listen back and say "shit, we were wrong".
7. RYAN ADAMS-29-His least generic album of the year. Full of downbeat visions and haunted melodies that don't seem to go anywhere they should. His most personal lyrically and musically and continues to impress on each play. Not quite flawless but Elizabeth...could be my favourite song of the moment.
6. ARCADE FIRE-FUNERAL-Girvan it was released here this year therefore it's in. Controversial to some but enough kooky sparks and originality to satisfy. There's still something missing to my ears though.
5. NINE HORSES-SNOW BORNE SORROW-Another one that is still growing.Sylvian is in immaculate voice and the album has enough quality to escape the cliché that is dark lyrics fused with super smooth music, very impressive.
4. KATE BUSH-AERIAL-yes it is full of eccentric whimsy about artist turned housewife. Kate has managed to sound contemporary without damaging the core of her music. Its best moments are effortlessly brilliant and dreamy.
3. BOARDS OF CANADA-THE CAMPFIRE HEADPHASE-Their best record by a mile, consistently strong and musical.
2. SUFJAN STEVENS-ILLINOISE-It's already been said, the boy is something of a genius.
1. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM-LCD SOUNDSYSTEM-middle age and populist musical tastes means that you always need something with an edge and energy to keep up your credibility and of course this record both endorses and debunks that theory. The peaks of this crush most attempts at relevant energetic music and the influences fuse nicely.Kraftwerk, Can, The Beatles, PIL and Talking Heads haunt the grooves of this. Cool.