2011 Top 5 Albums
Strangely enough I’ve never gotten into Bermudian music, so my iPod is never far away wherever I am. I seek my recommendations from a lot of places so please feel free. It wasn’t a great year for bands’ albums in my mind, but these were my top five:
1. Smother by Wild Beasts
I hadn’t listened to their earlier stuff before I got a heads up on this album and I’m glad I did. This is a smoldering, slinky analogue of tunes and it takes the crown as my favourite from last year.
Favourite track – Loop the Loop
2. 21 by Adele
When I read about Adele’s vocal cord problems I was as distressed as I would’ve been if Yann Kermorgant’s head had dropped off because Adele’s voice is a thing of wonder and it went straight to my heart. An album for the ages.
Favourite track – Rolling in the Deep
3. The Big Roar by The Joy Formidable
A brave debut especially the 7-minute opening number but there are some excellent brash and reckless tracks on this led by the bracing voice of Welsh lioness Ritzy Bryan.
favourite track – Whirring
4. Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay
A little alternative to some of Coldplay’s previous 4 albums, and it might lack some of the shameless goosebumps ballads like Fix You or The Scientist, yet it is still obviously a Coldplay album, if you know what I mean, and eminently listenable.
favourite track – Charlie Brown
5. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
This is awfully nostalgic for the good old Oasis days but after all these years who cares? More easy listening with headphones on than jumping around like a crazy in a stadium but a nice collection of songs by Noel and his new buddies.
Favourite track – Everybody’s On the Run
CA – I’m glad Noel Gallgher’s album found its way into your top five. As you suggest, it’s not exactly cutting edge but its pretty solid stuff and I like it. I went to see him and his HIgh Flying Birds at the Kentish Town Forum back in October and I’m pleased to say he’s still got it live as well. The whole of the new album got an airing (except Stop The Clocks if I recall correctly) with some Oasis classics thrown in for good measure. More foot tapping than crowd surfing, but I guess his audience is growing old gracefully with him!
Meatloaf, bat out of hell…. Classic, “classic” rock