#185

Pleased to see Hurray for the Riff Raff on here. It’s in the top 5 this year for me, along with Valerie June.

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#186

I listened to the Cigarettes After Sex album more than most this year. Admittedly, it was likely partially due to its fantastic sonics. With a decent stereo, it’s like they’re in the room. Excellent recording.

#187

chucking another vote Priests way. I’ve absolutely rinsed that album this year, they may wear their influences on their sleeves but they wear them well. incredible live band as well.

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#188

My ten year old daughter LOVES the first wolf alice lp. She listened patiently to the new one a few times and eventually said “no thanks dad, I think we should stick to the REAL wolf alice songs”.

Damming review right there.

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#189

What would you say are those well worn influences?

#190

Quite surprised by how many of the top 10 I’ve not actually listened to, but there are a fair few albums that’ll probably be on my end of year list as well.

I’m a bit surprised at how little Toby Driver’s album is being featured on end of year lists. I realize it’s pretty specific, as it’s essentially comprised of goth-folk ballads but it’s easily one of my favourite albums from this year.

#191

They’re great threads - I discover so much through them too!

I still need to give Desperate Journalist’s debut a spin - how does it rate against Grow Up?

#192

Finally getting round to listening to these.

LOVE the Wolf Alice record, not sure why I completely ignored them in the past. I think just bits and pieces I heard from them made me think they were NME indie landfill shit…how wrong was I.
Really enjoying Jane Weaver and the EMA record.

The Noveller record bored me, not sure that’s a top 5 album.

#193

I know they’re not necessarily cool any more but I really loved the new Elbow album, thought it was their best since AITB, plus I’m sure it was number one in the community AOTM in Feb so there must have been some love for it. Other ommisions for me include : Aldous Harding, Thurston Moore, Fleet Foxes, Quicksand, Part Chimp, Godspeed, Mount Eerie, Torres, Sussane Sundfor

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#194

Yep, I’m a big fan of it.

#195

I liked the Elbow album when it first came out, but I haven’t listened to it in a while and had kind of forgot about it. Not sure it’s their second best, but it’s got some strong songwriting and very nice production. Should give it another spin.

#196

Actually I meant cast of thousands, so maybe my third favourite then

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#197

I’m with you that Wolf Alice do the shoegaze sound very well and hence my fondness for parts of this album…I get the appeal and the number 1 placing and I think if I was younger I would love this band…as it is I do like them and are pleased they are around…but for me the original acts still do it best and hence my pick as Slowdive as comfortable #1 …

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#198

Its my favourite Elbow album (although in all honesty I haven’t spent loads of time on them over the years) but I lovely the sonic touches, the production, the percussion. Mr Garvey is a man of strong taste and elements of that (the love for Talk Talk) seem to feed into this…

#199

Good shout on Torres… excellent record.

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#200

listening to this Julie Byrne album for the first. shit man, its good.

thank you guys.
x

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#201

Happy that Sylvan Esso got a mention. Surprised that Jens Lekman didn’t.

I think my favourite album is still going to be Bodies Of Water - Spear In The City, but unless everyone clicks on this link and listens then I doubt they’ll be in anyone else’s list. They’re my favourite Arcade Fire type Canadian band that aren’t called Arcade Fire… or even of those that are called Arcade Fire. Plus they made a good album!

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#202

I totally agree…I’d say the majority of people here probably dig what they dig regardless of skin type or gender…certainly never been a factor that has made me rate one album above another…I am sure there are some underlying influences and social conditioning that might affect one’s tastes (I personally prefer shoegaze to hip-hop - maybe that says something although I also love jazz and gospel) … I don;t think we can be prescriptive about listening tastes beyond encouraging people to check out a wide variety of stuff…and avoiding bands with very negative ideologies like Skrewdriver…my top 5 is predominantly white but contains a mixture of race, gender and genres (jay som, kamasi washington) -its not by design…simply that I liked those 5 albums above the others…I have just read Jasper’s follow up post though and understand what he’s getting at

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#203

forgot about this band - thanks for the reminder!

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#204

Surprised there was no room for chastity belt. I absolutely love cloud nothing but their new one was fairly crap.

Got lots to check out from this list but do feel there are a fair few that have snuck in because of the popularity of the artist regardless of the quality of the record.