POST CATEGORY : Lists

Best of 2012: w/ Cormac Brady (DJ/SEBP)

Co Brady

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012’, ‘favourite song of 2012’ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Enough chat from me, here’s Cormac Brady (SEBP/DJ extraordinaire) and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Album of the year: El-P – ‘Cancer for Cure’

Cancer for Cure is an intense piece of work, dealing with paranoia, escapism through substance abuse, loss, and ultimately the idea that we, society, are the world’s greatest problem. That’s not to say it’s un-listenable though. This album is a beast, it has enough venom and satire to tackle the subject matter in a manner that leaves you revitalized – this is a fight record, not a whinge. The lyrical delivery is sharp, aggressive and unapologetic, featuring a rake of top emcees that move comfortably within the boundaries of El-P’s dystopia. Killer Mike and Despot weigh in on Tougher Colder Killer, while Danny Brown and Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire feature on ‘Oh Hail No’, a cleverly titled ode to telling religion and blind allegiance where to shove it – “I’ve been told I was put here to fail, never ask me to hail”

El-P’s skills as a producer take on a new edge with each album he releases, Cancer for Cure hits hard, hi hats rattle in the background as bombastic hits rupture the abrasive synthlines. It’s the type of album you want to play loud as fuck and shove in people’s faces. I can’t write about this album without also mentioning R.A.P Music by Killer Mike. Another incredible album produced by El-P, reminiscent of Bomb Squad and confirming that Killer Mike is the best emcee in hip hop right now. Check it out. Anyway, the reason I picked C4C as my album of the year is because I’ve listened to it the most. Bam.

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Favourite song of 2012: Baauer – Harlem Shake

I didn’t pick this tune on the basis of its poetic endeavor  I could probably re-evaluate my decision here and pick another tune for very different reasons, but I won’t. Times are hard, we all need to lighten the fuck up and party more, this tune sound-tracked some great nights for me this year, so why not pick it? Throw it on loud and jump around with your mates before they all emigrate.

Favourite Irish song of 2012: Knoxville Morning – ‘Lighthouse Song’

The tune I’ve picked here is by my mate Ciaran, released under his Knoxville Morning project. It was the highlight of that record for me. It’s a heartwarming tune sang in an honest way and it speaks of a sanctuary from the madness that we all need.

Best of 2012: w/ Aoife from The Annulments

The Annulments

It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012’, ‘favourite song of 2012’ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Without further ado, here’s Aoife from The Annulments and her picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite Album of 2012: Nathan Conway and The River Valley Band – ‘Sonny Boy’

This year saw the release of Sonny Boy by Nathan Conway and The River Valley Band. We’ve been big fans since his debut, Run on Diesel with the T-Town Bottlestoppers a couple of years back. Conway has a serious gift for writing witty, salient songs – whether they’re about doing the dirt on your missus in a cheap motel, vampire bats, Jesus, or what’s in the making of a man – they always seem to be put across in the most direct, thought-provoking and fun ways. His singing voice is striking, to say the least – a south-eastern drawl hiding nothing. It’s one of those albums that every time you listen to it, you hear a different lick, a different nuance, a different theme. The River Valley Band are multi-faceted, talented musicians and for the breadth of moods and influences on Sonny Boy, it’s testament to their ability that each song is put across so well. To The Annulments, Nathan is one of the most underrated songwriters in Ireland at the moment – which seems positively criminal – so grab the opportunity to wrap your ears around this album, it’s bloody marvelous!

Favourite song of 2012: Tame Impala – ‘Elephant’

Recently enough a friend said “here, have you heard that Tame Impala song?” Cue the last month of listening to this almost on repeat. What a tune! If John Lennon had to soundtrack an episode of Buck Rogers I’d imagine it would sound a little like this. I believe the lads are from Perth, Australia and their music seems to be the type that could only have come out of permanently sunny climes. Looking forward to hearing more from them in 2013.

Favourite Irish song 0f 2012: Nathan Conway and The River Valley Band – ‘Troublemaker’

Should we have branched out here and thought about a different artist for our favourite song? Probably. But you would be very, very hard pushed to find a better song all year than Troublemaker. This song stopped me dead in my tracks the first time I heard it. I suppose in a weird way, the song asks ‘what would Jesus do?’ and paints him as a regular guy, “a married man too”. Again, Conway’s strength of writing shines through in something that is so simple, yet so direct. I guess a song like this makes you realise how much religion has stripped the humanity out of spiritual figures and when you get a glimpse of that again, it’s pretty stunning.

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Best of 2012: w/ DJ Robbie Coffey

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It’s that time of year when every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012’, ‘favourite song of 2012’ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Without further ado, here’s Robbie Coffey and his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite album of 2012: Killer Mike – ‘R.A.P Music’

Since Barry asked me to do this I’ve been revisiting a lot of great music from the likes of Grimes, Scuba, Kendrick Lemar & El-P but when it came down to it the album that impressed me most this year was R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike. Prior to hearing the album my only experience of Killer Mike had been his guest slot on Outkast’s 2001 hit ‘The Whole World’. When I read that he was releasing an album with El-P on production duties I was intrigued. When I heard the first snippets of the album I was excited. The thing that hit me most on my first few listens to that album was the beats. El-P has had a great year. After a few more listens I realized that, as well as having a great flow, Killer Mike had a lot to say. He demonstrates storytelling ability that even Slick Rick would be proud of on the track ‘JoJo’s Chilllin’. However, for me the standout track is ‘Reagan’ where he breaks down the effects that Reaganomics had and still has on his community. Powerful stuff from start to finish!

Favourite song of 2012: Danny Brown – ‘Grown Up’

My favourite song of 2012 is the rags to riches tale ‘Grown Up’ by Danny Brown. Great story, great lyrics, great beat, great video, free download. Sure it’s only great, get it!

Favourite Irish song of 2012: Damien Dempsey – ‘Born Without Hate’

The standout Irish song of 2012 for me is ‘Born Without Hate’ from Damien Dempsey’s Almighty Love album. Probably not Damo’s strongest album but it has a few gems like this! Features Kate Tempest.

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Best of 2012: w/ Jack Winn of Runaround Kids

The end of the year is neigh and every music website, publication and blog (including this one) are busy compiling end of year lists. This time around, I thought I’d shift the focus to the bands and artist’s who’ve played a ‘BarryGruff Presents’ show this year and ask them for their ‘favourite album of 2012′, ‘favourite song of 2012′ & ‘favourite Irish song of the year’.

Without further ado, here’s Jack from Runaround Kids with his picks from the year that was 2012.

Favourite album of 2012: Paws – ‘Cokefloat!’

I’m currently going for Cokefloat! by Paws. They played at Long Division in our native Wakefield in June, and we played a gig with them a few months after, I got the album and I’ve struggled to stop listening to it since. Special mentions for Midnight At The Sycamore Lounge by St Gregory Orange, the time and the lonleyness by Mi Mye, Canines by Shrag, Mumps, etc. by Why?, and This Many Boyfriends’ self-titled. I feel like lots of albums have passed me by this year, though.

Favourite song of 2012: Doctrines – ‘Ze’

‘Ze’ by Doctrines, one song split into 4 sections and released as an EP on Alcopop, and the best thing I’ve heard all year. We played with them in Brighton in July and it blew our minds. We all bought it, listened to it maybe 15 times the next day? More special mentions: ‘Atomic Arabian Facebuster’ by The Spills, and ‘Come On, Be A No-one’ by The Cribs. Though according to my iTunes stats, ‘212’ by Azealia Banks wins by a LONG way.

Favourite Irish song of 2012: We Are Losers – ‘Salt Lips’

‘Beautiful Day’ by U2. Just kidding, it’s We Are Losers! We toured around your lovely country with them, saw them every night, released a 12″ EP with them, and had the best time ever. Difficult to choose which song, but I think I’m going with Salt Lips, the song about getting a blowjob from a mermaid, for obvious reasons.

10 Hidden Treasures From The Vaults

Last week State compiled a list of 50 musical ‘Hidden Treasures’ from it’s contributors, including myself (you can read it here).  Afterwards I got to thinking about what other obscure or underrated material lurked in the dark corners of my music collection.

Now I don’t mean obscure for the sake of it. I mean the kind of record you were just lucky to pick up, get passed by a mate or something you just happened across online, which was overlooked or now all but forgotten. So, in no particular order, here’s a quick run through of 10 Hidden Treasures from the BarryGruff vaults, some of which may be familiar to you while others probably won’t.

Sluts of Trust – ‘That’s Right…That Cat’s Right’

This one from Glaswegian two-piece Sluts of Trust is taken their one and only album, We Are All Sluts of Trust, released back in 2004. ‘That’s Right…That Cat’s Right’ captures everything that’s great about them and the album, few, if any, match their raucous energy and sleazy somewhat perverse sound. It’s a great shame they more or less disappeared off the face of the planet after this, such a waste.

Duncan Lloyd – ‘Suzee’

Solo side-projects are one of the greatest sources of hidden gems, how many have slipped out with anyone barely noticing, as artists exorcise their creative demons? Step forward, Duncan Lloyd. Best known as the guitarist in Maximo Park, he released his solo LP Seeing Double back in 2008 which was as far cry from the high energy bowler hat hijinx of the day job. ‘Suzee’ is easily the catchiest and melodic cut from the album, capturing the rough, raw and no frills approach. And, yes, in case you’re wondering, no one really paid any attention to this.

Zero Boys – ‘Livin’ In The 80s’

Zero Boys are one of punk’s many underrated unsung heroes. Their 1982 LP, Vicious Circle is littered with loud, fast and raw punk rock anthems. ‘Livin’ In The 80s’ is just one of many snarling renditions but you’ll get the idea. 30 years later and Zero Boys still sound dangerous.

John Power – ‘Jumping Bean’

More noted for his time with The La’s and Cast, Power did however forge a credible, if overlooked solo career between the years of latter splitting and subsequently reforming. It was with Willow She Weeps, his second solo album, which saw him come into his own. Turning away from his pop/indie past in favour of powerful country blues. If one song shows this metamorphosis it’s ‘Jumping Bean’.

Ben Human – ‘Take Me To Las Vegas’

Ben Human is an illusive character, with mystery surrounding his real identity but rumour has it, he is in fact Ben Addison from the bands Corduroy & Boys Wonder. Regardless of who he is or isn’t, he has two albums of easy going and fun, sample filled electronica under his belt; Go Human Not Ape (2002) and Out Of Towner (2005). Taken from the latter, ‘Take Me To Las Vegas’ shows he’s quite exceptional when it comes to uplifting jazzy electronica.

Grantura – ‘Waves’

So far as can be reckoned Grantura released one album, In Dreams and Other Stories, in 2008 before disappearing into the sunset. Their album and brand of Americana is filled with cheerful melodies and intricate musicianship; it could easily soundtrack a sun soaked summer. ‘Waves’ is one of the high points from the LP with it’s vocal harmonies to melt even the iciest heart. Grantura are actually from London, although you’d never know on listening to them.

The Things – ‘Hold Me Down’

The Things will be a familiar name to anyone knocking about Dublin in the mid 00’s, others however, may not have been that lucky. A mix of rock ‘n’ roll and punk rock, they were fast, loud, and all with a dash of chaotic fury. ‘Hold Me Down’ is taken from their one and only LP, Some Kind of Kick, for shortly afterward the release they sadly parted company. Another great Irish rock ‘n’ roll band consigned to the annals of history.

Filthy Dukes – ‘Nonsense In The Dark’

Filthy Dukes might be a familiar name to some, due to their numerous remixes over the past few years but their debut album Nonsense In The Dark deserves some respect in it’s own right. The title track from the record saw them enlist vocal help from Orlando Weeks, of ‘The Maccabees’, to create a captivating piece of indie-influenced electronica that’s utterly chilled from start to finish, a real classic.

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Lo-Fidelity Allstars – ‘Battle Flag (Feat. Pigeonhead)’

Released in 1998 through big beat specialists Skint Records, How To Operate With A Blown Mind from the late ’90s was one of those dance records ‘okay’ for scruffy young indiekids to listen to. While the album is still a decent listen after all those years, ‘Battle Flag (Feat. Pigeonhead)’ remains a fine cut.

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Ian Pooley – ‘Bay of Plenty’

Pooley maybe a more recognizable name than others, a twenty year music career will do that. Anyway ‘Bay of Plenty’ is taken from the German producers excellent album Since Then (2000), which could be loosely defined as house music but it, like the album, has an unmistakable feel good samba vibe going on.

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BarryGruff’s albums of 2012 so far

We have just passed midway point of the year so what better time to take a look at my favourite albums of the year so far? So, yeah, here are my ten albums from the first half of 2012 and as always, feel free to give a shout out to some of your own favourites in the comments section.

10. Session Victim – The Haunted House of House

The Haunted House of House sees the German deep house duo of Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling explore their love of sampling, soul and disco along a rolling groove. Although it rarely breaks from a mid-tempo it is slick, classy and wrapped in a nice neat deep house package. A highly assured, accomplished and undeniable dance-able debut LP.

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09. Ghost Estates – Ghost Estates

Named after the thousands of abandoned housing estates following the collapse of the Celtic tiger building boom, Ghost Estates have already carved out their place on Ireland’s musical landscape. With three songwriters in the band, stylistically it’s diverse, taking in a mix of new wavey sounds, reach for the sky guitar anthems and straight up indie rock. This amalgam has seen them arrive at their own distinct sound of hazy electronica edged indie which send a shiver down the spine. It is said two heads are better than one, well, judging by Ghost Estates’ debut, three are certainly better than two. This is the best Irish indie album in a long, long time!

Ghost Estates – Never Forget

08. Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory

Attack On Memory is a heavyweight and rather muscular record. A short, sharp shock to the system, a proverbial kick in the bollocks if you like, taking in post-rock, indie, post-punk and pure unadulterated noise. Interspersed with bursts of scuzzy powerful indie we are exposed to a barreling barrage of loud, pounding drums, raw guitars and a Dylan Baldi sounding like a young Jake Burns. It is an absolute revelation, a terrific album and a must-listen to record of 2012.

Download: Cloud Nothings – No Sentiment

07. Gaz Coombes Presents – Here Come the Bombs

Gaz Coombes’ debut solo album, Here Come the Bombs, is more of an evolution of sound than a violent revolution against an approach which served him so well in his Supergrass days. The record is much more sombre, reflective and dark, some might even say mature but Coombes has retained the all to familiar oddball pop sensibility, playful energy. His gift for writing songs with hooks and catchy melodies remains a corner stone of his work too, even though as the record progresses the distortion is cranked up and interspersed with a glut of electronics and beats, samples and loops. Coombes’ debut is certainly more than alright.

Gaz Coombes Presents – Hot Fruit via The Soundfull

06. Miaoux Miaoux – Light of the North

Light of the North is the debut record proper from 26-year-old Glasgow based producer, Miaoux Miaoux. Fluid and uplifting, these sounds evoke moods a million miles from dreary rain soaked city of its birth as he hops from genre to genre. It is a stunning record which delicately pieces together beats, electronics, synths and acoustic guitars, with his pristine vocals gliding through a heavenly mist of lush harmonies, melodies, beats and electronics. One for fans of Caribou, Hot Chip and Jape. I have no doubt this would have featured much higher up the list had I not only got it less than a week ago.

 Miaoux Miaoux – Cloud Computer

05. Tennis – Young & Old

Young & Old is Denver-based husband-and-wife duo, Tennis’, second LP. The album is swathed in soothing ’60s sounds, syrupy melodies and smart, soulful pop songs with captivating, richly melodic purr of singer Alaina Moore’s stunning voice at the fore. There is a very real retro vibe, yet not at one time does it feel old, stale or tired. It is bright, breezy, charming and uncomplicated, most importantly, it is damn fine record.

Tennis – Travelling 

04. Mystery Jets – Radlands

Radlands sees Mystery Jets rediscover their sparkle following the mediocre Serotonin. Decamping to Texas to record the album, it sees them embrace a whole series of sweet Americana sounds. They haven’t lost sight of what made them such a great band in the first place; a blitz of wonderful indie, quirky eccentricity and a supreme ability to produce perfect pop songs. A thoroughly enjoyable and likeable record.

Mystery Jets – Greatest Hits

03. Conor Mason – Standstill

Standstill continues where 2009’s When It’s Over left off. It flows gently by, amid a sea of soft lilting vocals, whispering lyrical poeticisms and subtle instrumentation. It is permeated by an air of richness, comforting tranquillity and shrouded in melancholy. Standstill is a slow burner and requires patience, understanding and repeated listens to be fully appreciated. Standstill is a beautiful, simplistic and assured album and sometimes that is quite enough.

Download: Conor Mason – Misunderstood

02. The 2 Bears – Be Strong

The 2 Bears debut LP, Be Strong is a scatter shot across the entire scope of electronic music which feels like foraging through a fine record collection. It is a cheery, cheeky and joyous amalgam of sounds and a massive injection of positivity amidst a time of dreariness and uncertainty. It is a worthy ode to the past two decades of dance music, a fine soundtrack to any weekend and most importantly, a bloody excellent dance record.

 The Two Bears – Work

01. Django Django – Django Django

While Django Django’s debut album contains undeniable similarities with The Beta Band, they have far from copied or imitated. Part of the appeal is an ability to seamlessly blend genres and sounds from a melting pot of influences into a striking blend of understated indie, with an electro groove at its heart. Anchored by alluring harmonies and an undeniable groove which permeates the very core of this record, this is indie music to dance to. An inspired and wholly irresistible debut.

Django Django – Hail Bop

End of year final roundup, of sorts

Its been another year of ups and downs but matched too by tons of great releases, gigs, festivals and I’ve been introduced to so many great sounds and equally great people.

BarryGruff isn’t even two years old yet but it still surprised to have gotten this far and I’m even more surprised (and chuffed it must be said) that people give a shit about what I have to say. It is an absolute privilege and a joy to be sharing my musical thoughts and suggestions with people on a daily basis.

This might well be my final post of the year (well I’m going to try and have a wee break anyway) so I’ve put links to all my (and Johnny’s) end of year posts and a few other choice cuts in case people fancy catching up over the festive period. Before I go a massive thanks to everyone who’s sent music on, got me into things for free, done artwork, mixes and helped with BarryGruff presents, and, of course those of you who read the blog.

Where will 2012 lead and what will it have in store? No one knows, but while I like many others will probably find there future away from Ireland – whatever the case there will certainly be plenty of great music to rave about.

Top 5 new artists of 2011 /  ones to watch

BarryGruff’s Irish songs of 2011 Mixtape

BarryGruff’s Albums of 2011

Johnny Feeney’s albums of 2011

A few more choice cuts for 2011……

The other side of Blur (b-side mixtape)

A year in a blog mixtape to celebrate BarryGruff’s first birthday

Alex Turner – ‘Submarine’ EP

Factory Floor – Two Different Ways (Second Way)

Billy Bragg – Never Buy The Sun

Henry’s Funeral Shoe

dB Band – Stranger In The Alps

Top 5 new artists of 2011 / Ones to Watch

Photo: John Squires

One of my favourite things about music blogging is the steady stream of new and exciting music that comes my way. You never know what awaits you in your inbox each day or what might be found on another favourite blog. This year has been littered with some really impressive new and emerging artists, bands and acts – too many to be fair so bare with me and I indulge myself in yet another list, this time my top five new / breakthrough artists from 2011.

Gorilla Warfare Tactics

New York trio Gorilla Warfare Tactics broke through this year capturing the imagination of many hip-hop fans with their debut EP, Premier. The EP and subsequent singles saw them embrace the essence of old-school hip-hop, pitting Kid Dilla’s flowing verses with CakeXCrumbs’ old-school soul samples and head-nodding, bouncy beats into smooth feel good hip hop. Original beats and classic street level rap, GWT are one of the most promising hip hop acts I’ve heard in some time.

 Gorilla Warfare Tactics – The Tale of Mr. Street via ClarkWill47

By The Sea

Wirral 6-piece By The Sea come from arguably one of the richest sources of musical talent in the world, Merseyside. Their prodigious talent made itself known through the release of a slew of sublime singles in 2011. Their shimmering heart warming indie-goodness is steeped in 60′s psychedelia, as they channel in very different ways, parts The Byrds, The Coral and Shack with a joyous amalgam of lush breezy harmonies and summertime haziness. With talk of a record in 2012 we could be in for a treat.

 Download: By The Sea – Old Coasts

SertOne

It has been a big year for Portadown-born hip-hop producer SertOne, who’s debut EP The View From Above received widespread and deserved praise this year. It introduced us to his undoubted talent and skillful weaving of an electronic patchwork which combines his obvious hip-hop influences with his own unique qualities and ear for fresh electronic and hip-hop beats and silky samples. His live show impressed me too as did the release free album WIDTS. This guy is destined for a very bright future.

 SertOne – Astro-Bazaar

King Krule

King Krule (formerly known as Zoo Kid) is the moniker of London teenager Archy Marshall, who made quite an impression under both pseudonyms this year. His musical style falls somewhere between that of Billy Bragg and Jamie T. It is melancholic yet warm, assured and always sounds wise beyond his tender age of 17. The King Krule EP was released in November and established this standard. Sounding like a combination of two of my favourite artists, I’m expecting big things for KK in the future.

 King Krule – Portrait In Black & Blue

Moths

It has been a remarkable year for 18 year old Newbridge native Moths, AKA Jack Colleran, who’s chilled electronica sent blogs across the world buzzing with excitement. There’s little else to be written which hasn’t been already said about the guy. His music is as simple as it is slick, it is super chilled, fresh and organic sounding electronic jams. Now signed, the next year is going to very interesting for this very talented young man.

Download: Moths – Jimmy Francis

Albums of 2011: Johnny Feeney’s Picks

Last week I posted my list of top 25 albums of 2011. Needless to say there was a lot of great albums missing from that list which I had neglected to include or had not heard over the course of the year. 

This week its the turn of my frequent gig-going accomplice and foreign correspondent who covered Primavera, Johnny Feeney, to pick three albums from 2011 which were so criminally overlooked. Take it away Johnny!

Other Lives  – ‘Tamer Animals’

This second album from Other Lives, multi-instrumental 5-piece indie band from Oklahoma, is a moody, atmospheric affair. Densely layered and highly cinematic in tone, the mood changes breathlessly between haunting despair and, if not exactly joy, well at least the uplifting hope of something better to come.

The lush arrangements of ever-changing guitars, sweeping strings, blazing horns, twinkling keys, driving percussion and soaring harmonies propel the songs forward without ever feeling forced or becoming bloated. Repeated listens are rewarded with more and more revealed each time. But for a rather weak closing pair of songs, it could justifiably be labelled a masterpiece. An album to get lost in.

 Other Lives – As I Lay My Head Down

Veronica Falls – ‘Veronica Falls’

Rousing indie-pop is the name of the game on this debut album from London band Veronica Falls. The styles vary throughout – from the garage rock of ‘Beachy Head ‘ and ‘Found Love in a Graveyard’ to the surf-pop of ‘Misery’ to the beautiful girlgroup-esque ‘The Box’. The wonderfully triumphant closing track ‘Come On Over’ manages to fuse all these styles together into what has to be one of the tracks of the year.

The subject matter may not be the cheeriest (‘Misery is coming over me, Misery my old friend’, for example) but the jangling guitars, cheery harmonies and catchy, hook-laden riffs make for a highly enjoyable listen. Nothing in here is groundbreaking but what Veronica Falls do, they do very well. And clocking in at 36 minutes, this is a record that doesn’t outstay its welcome.

  Veronica Falls – Come On Over

Laura Marling – ‘A Creature I Don’t Know’

Not resting on her laurels after releasing last year’s critically acclaimed ‘I Speak Because I Can’, Marling came back with an even stronger set of songs for this her third album. Though still primarily a folk singer-songwriter, Marling successfully drifts into the previously unchartered territory of country rock and Americana while adding more punch to her music and more bite to her lyrics. The snarling electric guitars in ‘The Beast’ will testify to that.

In ‘Sophia’, Marling has written her strongest song to date. A brutally raw break up song, Marling sings “I’m a good woman and I never did say whatever it was that you did that day”, trusting the person (possibly Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons – they split late last year) will get their just desert on Judgement Day.  At the tender age of 21 and with three very fine albums already under her belt, Marling has set the bar unbelievably high for herself. It would be no surprise should she surpass herself once again.

 Laura Marling – Sophia

BarryGruff’s Albums of the Year 2011

It has been a great year for music and there’s been so many fine albums this, so much so that many which featured on the blog throughout the year didn’t even make the final cut. Without further ado, here is a personal selection of the top 25 albums from 2011. Feel free to recommend ones I have missed below and enjoy!

25. Squarehead – ‘Yeah Nothing’

24. Malachai – ‘Return To The Uglyside’

23. Cashier No. 9 – ‘To The Death Of Fun’

22. Crystal Stilts – ‘In Love With Oblivion’

21. The Rifles – ‘Freedom Run’

20.The Strokes – ‘Angles’

19. The Joy Formidable – ‘The Big Roar’

18. The Go! Team – ‘Rolling Blackouts’

17. Toddla T – ‘Watch Me Dance’

16. Modeselektor – ‘Monkeytown’

15. Miles Kane – ‘Colour Of The Trap’ 

Kane had already made quiet an impression during his time with The Little Flames, The Rascals and The Last Shadow Puppets, alongside Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys. His debut solo album saw the Wirral-born musician embrace his deep and abiding love for the ’60s whisking the listener on a whirlwind trip through a spooky ’60s parallel universe. It is a record which found a balance between the ladish swagger and pulse-raising rock’n’roll riffs and swooning heartfelt love songs.

 Miles Kane – Come Closer

14. Pete And The Pirates – ‘One Thousand Pictures’

It’s been about three years since they released their jangly upbeat debut Little Death and their forte remains well-observed, ditsy, easy on the ear indie. One Thousand Pictures is melancholic and beautiful, fragile and robust and rowdy and rousing without ever feeling forced or misplaced. Sanders timeless songwriting ability captures the everyday ponderings and personal portraits is comparable to Ray Davies in his pomp.

 Pete And The Pirates – Half Moon Street via Jaumita

13. The Streets – ‘Computers and Blues’

Mike Skinner decided to retire The Streets moniker by bowing out with one last album, Computers and Blues. It turned out to be the most enjoyable listen since Original Pirate Material with Skinner sounding more relaxed and assured rhyming over a stunning blend of garage and hip-hop beats and some old school ravey undertones. A great way to sign off.

 The Streets – Going Through Hell via highgerman

12. Hyde & Beast – ‘Slow Down’

Comprised of drummers from The Futureheads and Golden Virgins, Hyde & Beast, melted down all the best parts of  ’60s/’70s rock to paint a swirling psychedelic vision of pop from another era. Slow Down meanders slowly, slinking through a wonderfully organic songs which while sounding retro it still feels remarkably fresh, new and timeless.

 Hyde & Beast – (and the) Pictures In The Sky

11. Siriusmo – ‘Mosaik’

Berlin based producer Siriusmo has been producing music for the best part of a decade yet 2011 saw him finally release a long-awaited debut album. Mosaik sees the exploration through the psyche of an enigmatic genius. It is an eclectic patchwork of electronic music, a rollercoaster ride where you can never tell what is coming next; dubstep to disco, hip-hop to house, electro and the experimental.

 Siriusmo – Feromonikon via thesubs-blog

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