View Full Version : My Review of 2011 [albums #50-1; songs #100-1]
Shaun
12-12-2011, 12:49 AM
I did this last year and have begun writing the countdown over on my blog, so thought I might as well share it with you :spin2: I've expanded on last year's lists though: instead of 30 there'll be 50 albums, and instead of 50 there'll be 100 tracks.
Just my opinion, so if you've come here to troll then bugger off :]
Albums:
#50 "Into the Murky Water", The Leisure Society
http://www.normanrecords.com/images/covers/d-thumbs/30/124780_thumb.jpg
It failed to set the world alight as much as their 2009 debut did, but there was still something beautiful about this band and their penchant for fully orchestrated folk songs.
#49 "Suck it and See", The Arctic Monkeys
http://covers.mp3million.com/0546437/200/Arctic%20Monkeys%20-%20Suck%20It%20and%20See.jpg
Despite an initial burst of enthusiasm from me, this album has largely dropped off the radar for me. Whether this is out of a fondness for their earlier material, a higher placing for Alex Turner's soundtrack on Submarine or just a whopping lack of tunes is irrelevant - this album wasn't without its charm.
#48 "Mirrors", U.S. Royalty
http://covers.mp3million.com/0556751/200/U.S.%20Royalty%20-%20MIRRORS.jpg
Bold, brash and rather bloody lovely.
#47 "Go Tell Fire to the Mountain", WU LYF
http://covers.mp3million.com/0553570/200/Wu%20Lyf%20-%20Go%20Tell%20Fire%20To%20The%20Mountain.jpg
The indie press might have raved about them like excitable lunatics, and it's certainly a decent album, but I can't really place it too highly here - again it's something I've loved for a brief period of time and feel little inclination to return to.
#46 "Bread and Circuses", The View
http://covers.mp3million.com/0540506/200/The%20View%20-%20Bread%20And%20Circuses.jpg
I started the year loathing them and have ended it with a big deal of respect for this, their third album, which packed more tunes than most indie bands can cram into a debut.
#45 "Born This Way", Lady GaGa
http://images.kalahari.com/ann/all/lg/600/914/347/153/6009143471535.jpg
I was slightly generous with my score of 8.5 for this back in May, but whilst it was easily a worse record than 'The Fame Monster', it had a solid selection of nonsense pop tunes that were just let down by some unoriginal ideas.
#44 "The Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2", Beastie Boys
http://monkeyboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Hot-Sauce-Committee-Part-2.jpg
One of only two reviews this year that's earned me death threats, but hey ho. The Boys had a triumphant return and, celebrity cameo videos aside, were on top form again.
#43 "Burst Apart", The Antlers
http://www.lyrics.as/images/album/thumb/Burst_Apart16312.jpg
A genuinely atmospheric, dark and brooding album that tried its best to dampen my summer.
#42 "El Camino", The Black Keys
http://therecordexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Black-Keys-El-Camino.jpg
I've yet to review this, but it boasts just as many solid tracks as last year's 'Brothers', which is slightly remarkable given the time that's passed.
#41 "Wasting Light", Foo Fighters
http://media.prefixmag.com/site_media/uploads/images/post/f/foo-fighters/foo-fighters-wasting-light2-1024x1024_jpg_200x1024_q85.jpg
'Walk' was my first choice of song for my iPod after stepping out of the house for a good fortnight or so, and this was their strongest album since One By One.
GypsyGoth
12-12-2011, 12:53 AM
The only one I've listened to is BTW :love:
Smithy
12-12-2011, 12:55 AM
Claudia [2] :
Ramsay
12-12-2011, 12:56 AM
Wasting Light and Suck it and See :love:
I really should check out Beastie's new album
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
12-12-2011, 12:56 AM
Claudia [2] :
[3]
Shaun
12-12-2011, 01:06 AM
before you get disheartened by a low Gaga placing Smithy, you should note I've reviewed 144 albums this year so far :tongue:
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
12-12-2011, 01:08 AM
cocknbullkid will be #1
Smithy
12-12-2011, 01:10 AM
before you get disheartened by a low Gaga placing Smithy, you should note I've reviewed 144 albums this year so far :tongue:
I'm surprised it's in your top 50 tbh :joker:
Shaun
12-12-2011, 01:13 AM
Albums
#40 - "Holy Ghost!", Holy Ghost!
http://static.gigwise.com/artists/Image/holyghost.jpg
If you're going to buy just the one synthpop album from 2011 - this is very much one of the frontrunners. Listen to 'Do It Again' now.
#39 - "Twist Again", Bodies of Water
http://image.kazaa.com/images/62/656605784762/Bodies_Of_Water/Twist_Again/Bodies_Of_Water-Twist_Again_2.jpg
I still much prefer the band's outings as 'Music Go Music' but if you're a little afraid of ABBA revivalism and fond of folky nostalgia, this won't disappoint.
#38 - "House of Balloons", The Weeknd
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VSJMcABGms/TZKHUt8FX4I/AAAAAAAAAlw/a1FsrkriACE/s200/TheWeeknd_HouseOfBalloons.jpg
I didn't review this when it came out because it totally escaped me, but having downloaded it a couple of weeks ago I found it surprising, exciting and basically what Bon Iver might have been had they worked more with Kanye West.
#37 - "Veliciraptor!", Kasabian
http://filtermagazine.com/images/sized/images/uploads/kasabian_VELOCIRAPTOR-200x200.jpg
It was totally daft but it's nice to see that at least one British mainstay has retained the ability to put out an album of original tunes *glares at Beady Eye*
#36 - "Angles", The Strokes
http://www.mp3crank.com/cover-album/The-Strokes-Angles.jpg
I really wanted to place this higher on accounts of its highlights, but a wobbly middle section was picked up upon by more reviewers than me - some brilliant songs though.
#35 - "Rolling Blackouts", The Go! Team
http://www.lyrics.as/images/album/thumb/Rolling_Blackouts16195.jpg
Energetic, vibrant, silly, catchy and wonderful. In that order.
#34 - "4", Beyoncé
http://images.artistdirect.com/Images/artd/amg/music/cover/8979695_beyonce_4_200.jpg
It was no 'Sasha Fierce', but nothing has made me so joyfully flamboyant this year than 'Run the World (Girls)'. WHO RUN THIS MOTHA?
#33 - "Nine Types of Light", TV on the Radio
http://sputnikmusic.com/images/albums/73376.jpg
Sadly accompanied by the death of bassist Gerard Smith, the alternative 00s gods put out a wonderfully eclectic album this year that was maybe a little too out-there for the critics.
#32 - "Adulthood", CockNBullKid
http://covers.mp3million.com/0573723/200/CocknBullKid%20-%20Adulthood.jpg
British popstars, and I mean pure popstars not Adele-powerhouses or Florence-weirdos, have been sadly lacking this year but one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
#31 - "Build a Rocket, Boys!", Elbow
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-997tY2HAayU/TYEU8Q6KtpI/AAAAAAAAAHI/lzuDc39c8cI/elbow-build.jpg
I don't care if they're boring, you try writing a song as blissfully beautiful as 'Lippy Kids'.
Jords
12-12-2011, 01:14 AM
Need the next 10 I only listened to BTW out of these too (and only know of Arctic Monkeys and Foo Fighters out the rest :laugh:)
Edit: I spoke too soon :tongue:
GypsyGoth
12-12-2011, 01:18 AM
I never got around to Rolling Blackouts, I might download that later.
Samuel.
12-12-2011, 01:19 AM
Have you listened to Section.80, Shaun? If there's one hip hop release this year that everybody needs to listen to, it'd be that.
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
12-12-2011, 01:19 AM
#32 - "Adulthood", CockNBullKid
http://covers.mp3million.com/0573723/200/CocknBullKid%20-%20Adulthood.jpg
British popstars, and I mean pure popstars not Adele-powerhouses or Florence-weirdos, have been sadly lacking this year but one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
http://i.imgur.com/t58Ub.gif
Shaun
12-12-2011, 01:20 AM
Have you listened to Section.80, Shaun? If there's one hip hop release this year that everybody needs to listen to, it'd be that.
Nope, never heard of it :( Shall have a look into it
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
12-12-2011, 01:22 AM
are you posting the full list tonight?
Smithy
12-12-2011, 01:22 AM
I hope Rebecca Fergodson is in the top 10
Shaun
12-12-2011, 01:22 AM
good god no (@ both of you)
Benjamin
12-12-2011, 01:57 AM
:laugh:
Shaun
12-12-2011, 01:57 PM
Albums:
#30 - "Mirrorwriting", Jamie Woon
http://covers.mp3million.com/0543034/200/Jamie%20Woon%20-%20Mirrorwriting.jpg
**** James Blake. This was the interesting post-dubstep solo album of early 2011.
#29 - "The Big Roar", The Joy Formidable
http://www.punknews.org/images/covers/the-joy-formidable-the-big-roar.jpg
It was just a refreshing surprise to see that Wales actually has good acts. Name me another one. Go on.
#28 - "21", Adele
http://static.gigwise.com/artists/Image/adele21.jpg
The statistics speak for themselves. A few dud tracks but at its best it was painfully and resonantly emotional.
#27 - "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds", Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
http://i43.tower.com/images/mm119142330/noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-cd-cover-art.jpg
I know I worshipped the pants off of it in my review but an enduring love for the top 25 has put this in a surprisingly low position.
#26 - "Submarine OST", Alex Turner
http://files.musicmp3.ru/bcovers/alb55243.jpg
The only soundtrack placing on my list, Submarine was a small but sweet collection of lovely songs culminating in the excellent Piledriver Waltz (which the full band sadly destroyed)
#25 - "Anna Calvi", Anna Calvi
http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drq100/q179/q17909uni67.jpg
It must have been quite frustrating for a breakthrough artist so noticeably similar to PJ Harvey to release an album this year, but Calvi brought a tonne of 50s Western influences for one of the coolest records of the year.
#24 - "On A Mission", Katy B
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqwjQc9MQ5I/Tf_p6QpGZxI/AAAAAAAAA3c/ZW2bYGSeHN8/s200/3289393.jpg
I slightly underrated this upon its release because of a little scepticism for the UK garage genre - and I still maintain that it's 90% ****e - but Katy B has pretty much dominated my party playlists this year.
#23 - "EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\", Glasvegas
http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117267644/euphoric-heartbreak-glasvegas-cd-cover-art.jpg
Another band that, prior to 2011, I loathed (mostly on account of lead James Allan's conduct in interviews and press appearances) but their second release was a deliciously dark and rich wall of emotion that was impossible to avoid.
#22 - "Wounded Rhymes", Lykke Li
http://images.artistdirect.com/Images/artd/amg/music/cover/8717647_wounded_rhymes_lykke_200.jpg
The only non-Brit in this segment, Lykke's debut back in 2008 failed to impress - but the classic rock-n-roll songwriting here helped reign in her passionate energy into something much more intriguing and attention-grabbing.
#21 - "A Creature I Don't Know", Laura Marling
http://cdn.recordshopx.com/cover/normal/2/28/286669.jpg
I'm beginning to think that Marling could record an album whilst sat on the toilet so long as her beautiful Joni Mitchellesque chords and vocals are present, and I'd love it.
Kate!
12-12-2011, 01:59 PM
You have very eclectic taste Shaun. Oooh, big word for a Monday afternoon :D
My fave is Gaga out of all these so far.
Roy Mars III
12-12-2011, 02:06 PM
Number 38 :worship:
Have you listened to Section.80, Shaun? If there's one hip hop release this year that everybody needs to listen to, it'd be that.
[2]
Smithy
12-12-2011, 02:17 PM
My fave is Gaga out of all these so far.
http://i.imgur.com/t58Ub.gif
Tom4784
12-12-2011, 02:29 PM
Anna & Lykke <3.
I agree with your thoughts on Angles.
Black Dagger
12-12-2011, 03:16 PM
Elbow are not boring and will never be boring, simply inspiring and uplifting. Pleased you have it so high <3.
Doogle
12-12-2011, 07:17 PM
David Guetta, LMFAO & Cher Lloyd are so gonna be top 3 I can feel it.
-doesn't read your reviews a lot or anything-
Shaun
12-12-2011, 07:18 PM
don't forget kelly rowland :@
Doogle
12-12-2011, 07:20 PM
Oh **** how could I forget. :o
"Artwork Watch: Blue tints are never a good sign. Ewww x 100."
:lovedup: x 100. I love that comment so much. :love:
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
13-12-2011, 09:52 AM
katy b :worship:
Shaun
13-12-2011, 07:09 PM
Albums:
#20 - "A Different Kind of Fix", Bombay Bicycle Club
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/Bombay_bicycyle_club_a_different_kind_of_fix.jpg
This was the year they progressed past the point of a one-hit-wonder in my mind (Always Like This) and this record possesses a great number of hooks and tunes.
#19 - "Dye It Blonde", Smith Westerns
http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117165704/dye-it-blonde-smith-westerns-cd-cover-art.jpg
Richly influenced by David Bowie, T. Rex and, more recently, Suede, it's naturally packed to the brim with a heap of glamrock goodness.
#18 - "Zonoscope", Cut Copy
http://product.nuji.com/small/abce6c94-1151-48b0-b517-addd570f56ca.jpg
Amazing tune after amazing tune. Along with Metronomy they've seen multiple tracks end up on my going-out playlist, and kickstarted summer that little bit earlier.
#17 - "Cults", Cults
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTNy6CJolqA/TfE_cO1B12I/AAAAAAAABOI/4LEjJF6tGVA/s200/cults-album-cover.jpg
I instantly fell in love with the pair once I heard 'Abducted', and that was just one of a selection of infectious, retro pop songs.
#16 - "Smother", Wild Beasts
http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117288389/smother-wild-beasts-cd-cover-art.jpg
I missed their first two albums entirely and have still yet to investigate them, but this stood out this year for me because of its intimacy, great songwriting and some excellent vocals (if you like Antony and the Johnsons, you'll like this).
#15 - "Lupercalia", Patrick Wolf
http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117292863/lupercalia-patrick-wolf-cd-cover-art.jpg
I'd always regarded Wolf as a pretentious outrovert that was all style, no substance, but this year's record totally turned that on its head. A beautiful, romantic album that's just laced with ecstacy and has soundtracked the recovery from a personal hell this year.
#14 - "The Golden Age of Apocalypse", Thundercat
http://image.allmusic.com/13/amg/cov200/drq200/q288/q28817pxpj0.jpg
I started the year hoping for another Janelle Monae and this was as good as I got - not to say I was disappointed. A dazzling and fascinating merge of classic jazz/R&B and futuristic landscapes that really grew on me.
#13 - "Skying", The Horrors
http://www.mobilechilli.com/images/bc/gb/products/K/1237168.gif
Listening to this is one of the closest experiences you might get to flying - just staggeringly epic and imaginative.
#12 - "Yuck", Yuck
http://img.mp3mixx.com/images/covers/17/1735146/alb_3666698_big.jpg
Almost every song here has ebbed away at my subconscious at some point this year and they really should've got more attention. Excellent, excellent songwriting.
#11 - "Within and Without", Washed Out
http://www.lyrics.as/images/album/thumb/Within_And_Without16474.jpg
Probably the sexiest album of the year (and not just because of the sleeve), it's an intoxicating record that resparked a very-much-dead love for synthpop.
Harry!
13-12-2011, 07:17 PM
Has listened to #45, #34, and #28 :D
Shaun is JLO's On The Floor going to be #1 in the singles list xoxo (Joke!)
Doogle
13-12-2011, 07:23 PM
I've heard Born This Way, Adulthood, Within and Without, 21, Katy On A Mission & 4 from them. I'm going to listen to the whole Top 10 though. :)
Shaun
14-12-2011, 04:32 PM
Albums:
#10 - "Gloss Drop", Battles
http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/BattlesGlossDrop.jpg
Genuinely one of the most fun records I've heard all year - dizzyingly energetic and full of weird grunts and guest appearances that all mash together to make one gooey, unusual mess (mess can be a good thing, right?) And as usual the drumming is superb.
#9 - "Conatus", Zola Jesus
http://www.thedwarf.com.au/var/plain/storage/images/submissions/contrib_content/conatus_zola_jesus/8814407-2-eng-GB/conatus_zola_jesus_album.jpg
For someone to release an album every year is quite admirable, but for them to improve in quality is quite unexpected: her previous two releases, as well as the majority of her extra singles and EPs, have often treaded too close on the line between art and boredom, but Conatus reigns in the hazy edges and polishes them into excellent, beautiful songs.
#8 - "Biophilia", Björk
http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/biophilia_bjork_jpg_300x300_crop-smart_q85.jpeg
In a year where I fell more and more in love with her, this seemed to polarise critics. I'm firmly in the fan camp, though, and Biophilia's thematic backstories and cohesive sense of minimalism made this a really gentle but fascinating experiment.
#7 - "The English Riviera", Metronomy
http://www.metronomy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/METRONOMY_THE_ENGLISH_RIVIERA_COVER_120mmSquare-300x300.jpg
Maybe there's a little bit of hometown bias in my placing of this album so high, but in all honesty can you blame me when it paints Torquay as some kind of tropical idyll? I've lived there 21 years, I can tell you it isn't, but at the same time the sunkissed bliss of this album made me think twice about that.
#6 - "Watch the Throne", The Throne
http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/popcrush.com/files/2011/07/watch-the-throne-cover.jpg
It's unlikely you'll see so much bragging and arrogant boasts on album again quite like this - choice quotes being "Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beats" and "I guess I'm getting high on my own supply" - but lately it's like Kanye can't do anything wrong by me. Tune after tune after tune but some heartfelt sentiment ('New Day' finds the pair hoping for the best for their future children) made this more than an ego boost.
#5 - "Helplessness Blues", Fleet Foxes
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61MAjartfSL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
It might not have strayed too far from the blueprint to their debut self-titled album, but this somehow excelled it. Mellow, poignant and opulent, it's like stepping into another world.
#4 - "50 Words for Snow", Kate Bush
http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/big_node_view/files/kate-bush-50-words-for-snow.jpg
Speaking of stepping into fantastic worlds, there's still noone as richly descriptive and simply beautiful as the undisputed goddess of music, Kate Bush. At first glimpse the long track lengths might put you off, but with a little patience the rewards are almost spiritual. Even the descent of a 'Snowflake' is poised with angelic vocals and sombre gentility - and this is perhaps my favourite Kate record since Hounds of Love.
#3 - "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming", M83
http://onethirtybpm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/M83-HURRY-UP-WERE-DREAMING-300x300.jpg
An endearing, exciting and innocently conceptual album, this touches virtually every aspect of nostalgia and emotion through the means of some brilliant, brilliant pop songs.
#2 - "Bon Iver", Bon Iver
http://planetill.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Bon-Iver-Bon-Iver-album-cover.jpg
Another act that it took me time to get into, Bon Iver's follow-up to the highly revered For Emma, Forever Ago far exceeded their debut in my opinion. The vocals are divine, the far-away romantic instrumentals shine beautifully and the emotion is heartbreaking.
#1 - "Let England Shake", PJ Harvey
http://17seconds.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/p-j-harvey-let-england-shake.jpg
This has been predictably anticipated as the #1 of many many lists and that's not to be taken for granted: the sheer power and overwhelming bleakness this record paints of modern England is undeniable. You'd have to be made of stone not to get shaken a little by this, and as usual Harvey's careful yet exuberant arrangements and unusual means of getting her message across continue to bewitch me, and pretty much the rest of the music world.
Smithy
14-12-2011, 04:37 PM
I've heard #3 :amazed:
Tom4784
14-12-2011, 04:50 PM
I've yet to get into 50 Words For Snow. I don't think I have the patience for it.
Doogle
14-12-2011, 04:50 PM
Heard 3 & 2. Bon Iver. :worship:
Shaun
14-12-2011, 05:26 PM
some kate fan you are dean :hmph:
Tom4784
14-12-2011, 05:34 PM
some kate fan you are dean :hmph:
It's the only album of her's I'm not fond of s0b.
Doogle
14-12-2011, 05:38 PM
I actually like the #1 album so far, on track 4. :amazed:
Shaun
14-12-2011, 05:50 PM
I thought you didn't like The Dreaming, dean :suspect:
but yah atm I'd say The Kick Inside > Hounds of Love > 50 Words > Sensual World > Never For Ever > Dreaming > Aerial > Lionheart > Red Shoes
Tom4784
14-12-2011, 05:56 PM
I thought you didn't like The Dreaming, dean :suspect:
but yah atm I'd say The Kick Inside > Hounds of Love > 50 Words > Sensual World > Never For Ever > Dreaming > Aerial > Lionheart > Red Shoes
It grew on me.
Hounds Of Love> The Kick Inside> Sensual World> Lionheart> Red Shoes> Never For Ever> Aerial> Dreaming.
I've yet to listen to Snow properly yet so I won't rate it just yet.
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
14-12-2011, 08:59 PM
cults :lovedup:
Shaun
15-12-2011, 02:06 AM
I'd find YouTube videos for them all but it'd take so much time and so few of them'd be watched and it'd use up loads of bandwidth
#100 - "Second Chance", Peter Bjorn and John
#99 - "She's Thunderstorms", Arctic Monkeys
#98 - "Color on the Walls (Don't Stop)", Foster the People
#97 - "Dead and Gone", The Black Keys
#96 - "Iris", Emmy the Great
#95 - "Live Those Days Tonight", Friendly Fires
#94 - "Turning Tables", Adele
#93 - "Feel So Close", Calvin Harris
#92 - "Changing the Rain", The Horrors
#91 - "Dear Friends", Elbow
#90 - "Americano", Lady GaGa
#89 - "Rubber Ball", Cage the Elephant
#88 - "Princess of China (feat. Rihanna)", Coldplay
#87 - "I Know Places", Lykke Li
#86 - "The Ballad of Mona Lisa", Panic! at the Disco
#85 - "The Beast", Laura Marling
#84 - "I Deserve It", CockNBullKid
#83 - "The Shield and the Sword", Clare Maguire
#82 - "Observe the Skies", British Sea Power
#81 - "Sun of a Gun", Oh Land
Jords
15-12-2011, 02:12 AM
Princess of China grew on you? :D
Shaun
15-12-2011, 02:16 AM
Yeah haha, I think I liked it when I reviewed it, was just a bit underwhelmed when I first heard it
Benjamin
15-12-2011, 02:17 AM
BSP. :love:
Shaun
15-12-2011, 02:19 AM
i totally forgot Torches for my album countdown :(
Doogle
15-12-2011, 06:55 AM
Ballad of Mona Lisa :love:
Shaun
16-12-2011, 12:47 AM
I'll post YouTube videos for the top 50. In the meantime...
#80 - "Parentheses", The Antlers
#79 - "End Come Too Soon", Wild Beasts
#78 - "Her", Tyler the Creator
#77 - "Desire", Anna Calvi
#76 - "Futura", Battles
#75 - "Sophia", Laura Marling
#74 - "Dirt", WU LYF
#73 - "Make Some Noise", Beastie Boys
#72 - "Lady Luck", Jamie Woon
#71 - "Reach A Bit Further", Wild Beasts
#70 - "Jealousy", Will Young
#69 - "Change", Glasvegas
#68 - "Crystalline", Bjork
#67 - "For Love I Come", Thundercat
#66 - "Machu Picchu", The Strokes
#65 - "Grace", The View
#64 - "A Dedication", Washed Out
#63 - "Still Life", The Horrors
#62 - "Hair", Lady GaGa
#61 - "We Found Love", Rihanna
#60 - "Paradise", Coldplay
#59 - "Armistice", Patrick Wolf
#58 - "Let England Shake", PJ Harvey
#57 - "Super Bass", Nicki Minaj
#56 - "No Church In The Wild", The Throne
#55 - "Mutual Core", Bjork
#54 - "The Morning Sun", Beady Eye
#53 - "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To", Kasabian
#52 - "The Plains/ Bitter Dancer", Fleet Foxes
#51 - "No Light, No Light", Florence + the Machine
Smithy
16-12-2011, 11:59 AM
Hair & Americano :lovedup:
Shaun
16-12-2011, 02:43 PM
omg and there was me thinking you'd like other songs :\
Smithy
16-12-2011, 02:47 PM
I do :hmph: I just chose those two by chance
Shaun
18-12-2011, 04:24 AM
#50 - "Bumper", Cults
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#49 - "Towers", Bon Iver
gv3Gtf94o6w
#48 - "Buoy", The Joy Formidable
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#47 - "Best Thing I Never Had", Beyoncé
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#46 - "Asthma Attack", CockNBullKid
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#45 - "I'll Be Yours", Those Dancing Days
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#44 - "White Limo", Foo Fighters
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#43 - "Ice Cream", Battles
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#42 - "Lucky Day", Nicola Roberts
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#41 - "House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls", The Weeknd
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Fetch The Bolt Cutters
18-12-2011, 10:13 AM
:amazed:
I'm really liking Cut Copy, I decided to look into a few of the artists mentioned on the Album countdown whose descriptions appealed to me, also enjoyed The Antlers! I'm listening to the songs I don't know in the top 50 that you've posted videos for at the moment, Shaun! CocknBullKid is good! :love:
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
18-12-2011, 12:46 PM
cocknbullkid is god
Shaun
19-12-2011, 05:11 AM
#40 - "The Words That Maketh Murder", PJ Harvey
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#39 - "Caffeinated Consciousness", TV on the Radio
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#38 - "Pumped Up Kicks", Foster the People
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#37 - "Perfect Stranger", Katy B/Magnetic Man
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#36 - "I Follow Rivers", Lykke Li
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#35 - "The Death of You and Me", Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
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#34 - "Imagine Pt. 3", Smith Westerns
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#33 - "Skin", Zola Jesus
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#32 - "Shuffle", Bombay Bicycle Club
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#31 - "Go! (feat. Karen O)", Santigold
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Niall
19-12-2011, 10:24 AM
Albums:
#3 - "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming", M83
http://onethirtybpm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/M83-HURRY-UP-WERE-DREAMING-300x300.jpg
An endearing, exciting and innocently conceptual album, this touches virtually every aspect of nostalgia and emotion through the means of some brilliant, brilliant pop songs.
Omg :amazed: :amazed: :amazed:
I Follow Rivers :lovedup:
Smithy
19-12-2011, 02:42 PM
Why did noone kick off about Foster The People wanting to gun down kids, but they did at Rihanna liking chains and whips and GaGa singing about a bloke that probably didn't even exist :nono:
Black Dagger
19-12-2011, 03:05 PM
Why did noone kick off about Foster The People wanting to gun down kids, but they did at Rihanna liking chains and whips and GaGa singing about a bloke that probably didn't even exist :nono:
Because their song was decent, while Rihanna's was ****ing terrible.
Shaun
19-12-2011, 05:34 PM
#30 - "Michicant", Bon Iver
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#29 - "Grown Ocean", Fleet Foxes
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#28 - "Walk", Foo Fighters
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#27 - "Abducted", Cults
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#26 - "Vessel", Zola Jesus
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#25 - "Codex", Radiohead
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#24 - "What the Water Gave Me", Florence + the Machine
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#23 - "Piledriver Waltz", Alex Turner
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#22 - "Lippy Kids", Elbow
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#21 - "Made in America (feat. Frank Ocean)", The Throne
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Shaun
20-12-2011, 01:05 AM
#20
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"Georgia", Yuck
Classic American nostalgia has long been a recurring theme in music and that shows in the music video, as well as many others this year, but few have remembered to pin up quality songwriting and massive, amazing hooks this year quite like Yuck.
#19
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"Yonkers", Tyler the Creator
I wasn't fond of the album at all and struggle to see the hype for Tyler as an artist when there were so many others in Odd Future worth it, but this music video and the verses make me sit up and pay attention every time. And he wants to stab Bruno Mars, which is good.
#18
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"Raconte-Moi Une Histoire", M83
The cutest thing I have heard all year. It might be silly but it perfectly encaptures the naivety, optimism and innocence of childhood and with a nice synth backing to boot.
#17
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"Katy On a Mission", Katy B
It makes me want to dance like a slut every time I hear it without fail. And it made me hate garage music just a teeny bit less.
#16
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"The Glorious Land", PJ Harvey
"What is the glorious fruit of our land? Its fruit is deformed children." The bugle seemed to annoy a few people but if anything it just symbolises the randomness, the collateral and inescapable elements of war.
#15
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"The Bay", Metronomy
The music video is a large reason for its inclusion here but it's a funky, enticing track that just inspires love for my home whenever I hear it.
#14
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"Where I'm Going", Cut Copy
The summeriest thing I've heard all year. Can't find a decent studio version on YouTube but I implore you to download their album, it's one of the best synthpop albums of the year.
#13
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"Murder to Excellence", The Throne
'*****s in Paris' seems to have gotten all of the hype this year but this has consistently been the highlight of their album for me. The vocal hook ensnares me every time and the themes and lyrics are pretty intense.
#12
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"Perth", Bon Iver
It's come close to moving me to tears on a couple of occasions this year... it's just sublime.
#11
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"Get Away", Yuck
That riff. That chorus. Omg. I want to place it higher now but I cba to change the placings :tongue: it's just brilliant.
Jords
20-12-2011, 01:20 AM
Suicide Policeman :lovedup:
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:23 AM
#10 - "Blue Jeans", Lana Del Rey
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I figured that I couldn't have two songs from the same person so high up, thus I have placed one quite lower than I might have done. This is my personal favourite of her songs so far, but I wouldn't say it's the greatest. Sounding a lot like "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak, this is now standard Lana: fatal romance, nostalgic footage, classic Americana and haunting, moody vocals.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:25 AM
#9 - "Weekend", Smith Westerns
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The riff on this just takes me back to T. Rex, David Bowie and other glam-rock icons and a musical age that was one of my favourites. The chorus, to, knocks my socks off and it's just a carefree little song that I love to get engulfed in with my iPod.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:27 AM
#8 - "Run the World (Girls)", Beyoncé
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This. slays. me. every. time.
There hasn't been a song that's made me want to dance more all year. It's my most-played song on iTunes and I burst into the dance every time I hear it in a club. It's a sensational sight, I can promise you that.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:35 AM
#7 - "Snowflake", Kate Bush
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"The world is so loud. Keep falling, I'll find you." :lovedup:
Her son has a pair of lungs big enough to give his mum a run for her money, and this ten minute epic documenting the fall of a snowflake is as lavishly theatrical as only she can pull off.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:37 AM
#6 - "Midnight City", M83
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Pitchfork placed this at #1 on their countdown and I can see why, but it's only just beginning to sink in as a synthpop classic for me. A hell of a tune though.
Jords
21-12-2011, 12:40 AM
Midnight City, love it sfm :lovedup:
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:41 AM
#5 - "Buy Nothing Day", The Go! Team
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This has endured the whole year to remain on my go-to playlist whenever I step outside, and whilst the summery vibes it gives off might long be gone, it's just a beautiful, beautiful song.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:41 AM
#5 - "Buy Nothing Day", The Go! Team
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This has endured the whole year to remain on my go-to playlist whenever I step outside, and whilst the summery vibes it gives off might long be gone, it's just a beautiful, beautiful song.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:43 AM
#4 - "Under Cover Of Darkness", The Strokes
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The album might've been lukewarm but this was the perfect comeback single for them and by far my favourite riff of the whole year. The foot-tappingly catchiest song of theirs since 'Someday', in my opinion.
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
21-12-2011, 12:44 AM
thats the first song from the top 10 i know
i love it :amazed:
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:45 AM
#3 - "Video Games", Lana Del Rey
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There are few musicians out there who I have taken a listen to and then immediately fallen in love with. She is one of them. The spookiest, most surprising hit of the year, it just sends shivers down my spine and I can't wait to hear more from her.
Jords
21-12-2011, 12:46 AM
Video Games :love:
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:49 AM
#2 - "Someone Like You", Adele
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It's amazing to think that this time last year I was considering including this on my 2010 list since I might forget about it. Sure, it exploded and I'm sure if you only go to the pop charts as a source for good music it might have even become annoying, but for me, there was something intensely personal about this record. It just taps at your emotions and turns you into a quivering wreck, and will rightfully go down as one of the greatest weepies of all time.
Shaun
21-12-2011, 12:55 AM
#1 - "Time Of My Life", Patrick Wolf
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I have a nagging feeling I put this on my 2010 list too, but since it only came out on album this year it's placing here :hmph: A sucker for strings, this has been far and away my most personal song this year and has documented the ending of an era. The lyrics resonate and the music was just made to soar to. It's a perfect song. Thank you for reading.
GypsyGoth
21-12-2011, 12:57 AM
The Go! Team :lovedup:
Jords
21-12-2011, 12:58 AM
Armistice, The Falcons >>>>>
:love: :love:
Black Dagger
21-12-2011, 06:03 PM
House, Falcons, Armistice, Together, The Days > Time Of My Life
Not that all his songs aren't ****ing perfect and their is a reason I'm mentoring him in a new game :D.
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
21-12-2011, 06:16 PM
*there
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