The everyman's band were back, and carried on the beauty from their all-conquering Mercury Prize-winning previous effort 'The Seldom Seen Kid'. In contrast, 'Build A Rocket Boys!' is softer, more introspective and quieter, but loses none of the beauty and innoncence of its predecessor. 'Lippy Kids' is a sombre, reflective ode that harks back to the band's youth, as does epic opener 'The Birds' and the delicate 'Dear Friends'. The best moment comes in this album's 'One Day Like This' - the warm 'Open Arms', with the chanted 'We've got open arms/For broken hearts' the top moment. Guy Garvey and Co. seal their place as one of the country's best-loved bands.
HIGHLIGHTS: The Birds, Lippy Kids, Open Arms
One of my favourite bands, they continue their red-hot streak. From the indie-guitar debut of 'I Had The Blues But I Shook Loose' to the brilliant folk strums of 'Flaws', their latest jump took them higher up the festival bills and up to third in the UK charts. 'A Different Kind of Fix' sees their ever-expanding horizons expand even further, with a new mixture of influences and sounds making up their most ambitious effort yet. From the folky opener 'How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep' to the heart-breaking piano-closer 'Still', it's a wonderful journey. And who ever thought you would dance to Bombay Bicycle Club? 'Shuffle' and 'Lights Out, Words Gone' beg to differ.
HIGHLIGHTS: Shuffle, Lights Out Words Gone, Still
The masters of pop-punk are back and their eight year break ensured one thing; they've grown up. The band have been through a lot in their hiatus; after the ugly break-up came three new bands, deceased producers and a near-fatal plane crash for drummer Travis Barker; and it comes through on their darkest effort yet. Themes of death, religion and family breakdown are clear in 'Ghost On The Dancefloor', 'Kaleidoscope' and 'Snake Charmer', but the Blink we all now and love are still there. It's almost a mix of their previous five records, from early punk spirit in 'Heart's All Gone' to their later stylings in 'Love Is Dangerous'. 'Natives' and 'Up All Night' show the magic is still there though.
HIGHLIGHTS: Natives, Up All Night, After Midnight
2011's undisputed best new band as they blitzed past all expectations; one of the top albums of the year, coupled with one of the show you had to see in the last twelve months. Drawing on The Strokes, they rejuvenated guitar rock just as people were again doubting its future. The album is a perfect example of their talent; their balladry in 'Wetsuit' and 'All In White', their anthemic brilliance in 'Post Break-Up Sex' and their instantaneous blitzkreg guitar-pop in 'Wreckin Bar (Ra Ra Ra)' and 'Norgaard'. 'If You Wanna' sees all these qualities rolled into one. Now hitting the big arenas supporting the Arctic Monkeys, expect to see these lads continue growing in 2012.
HIGHLIGHTS: If You Wanna, Blow It Up, Post Break-Up Sex
The post-Oasis feud lit up yet again in 2011, and it was Liam that struck the first big blow in the Gallagher row. While everyone expected an album full of simple raucous rockers, Little Brother surprised us with a melodic and, in places, beautiful record. That's not to say he didn't break out the guitars; 'Four Letter Word' is as good a rocking opener as they come, while 'Wind Up Dream', 'The Roller' and 'Standing On The Edge Of The Noise' are top-drawer tracks. 'Bring The Light' is a 50's-style piano rocker to add to the list, but the album startled with his delicate and pretty side; 'For Anyone' is as soft as Gallagher's been since 'Songbird', while 'The Beat Goes On' and 'The Morning Son' are ballads that would grace Oasis' catalogue. Beady Eye surpass the expectations.
HIGHLIGHTS: Four Letter Word, The Beat Goes On, The Morning Son
Another of the year's hugely anticipated returns came in the form of The Strokes, and 'Angles' wasn't as instant as their previous effort. Sure, lead single 'Under Cover of Darkness' was the most catchy song of their considerable collection, but the rest sees a varied and interesting listen. Ten songs, no weak spots and a new direction for the indie rock starters, the likes of climbing opener 'Macchu Pichu', 80's-influxed 'Two Kinds of Happiness' and the bouncing 'Gratisfaction' make it a very pleasing return from the New Yorkers. They may not get on in real life, but there is an attraction to The Strokes that means the five-piece remain at the head of the rock game.
HIGHLIGHTS: Macchu Pichu, Under Cover Of Darkness, Life Is Simple In The Moonlight
HIGHLIGHTS: Macchu Pichu, Under Cover Of Darkness, Life Is Simple In The Moonlight
Kasabian made their claim to the stadium-sized Best British Band title with a superb fourth album - all the hallmarks of a Kasabian album but bigger, better and catchier. 'Days Are Forgotten' is an anthem of the highest order, while 'Goodbye Kiss' is a genuine heart-break song and 'Re-wired' is a bouncing thumper that is already a staple of their live show. But it's still delightfully weird in places; the subvertive Serge shows his best in 'La Fee Verte', The Prodigy meets hard guitar riffs in 'Switchblade Smiles' and 'Neon Noon' rounds it off with an irrepressibly chilled and mellow high.
HIGHLIGHTS: Days Are Forgotten, La Fee Verte, Neon Noon
Arctic Monkeys continue their drive to the heights of British rock with their most melodic effort to date on their fourth album. Alex Turner's lyrical talents remain undiminished (don't let the rock-by-numbers teaser 'Brick By Brick' fool you) and perhaps even sharper than ever - 'Love Is A Lazerquest' and 'Reckless Serenade' are testament to this. Moving away from the night-time vibe of 'Humbug' but keeping that hard rock edge ('Don't Sit Down 'Cos I've Moved Your Chair', 'All My Own Stunts'), the Monkeys again remember how to have fun ('The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala', 'Library Pictures'). Currently the nation's best band.
HIGHLIGHTS: Don't Sit Down 'Cos I've Moved Your Chair, Reckless Serenade, That's Where You're Wrong
HIGHLIGHTS: Don't Sit Down 'Cos I've Moved Your Chair, Reckless Serenade, That's Where You're Wrong
Narrowly missing out on top spot, Dave Grohl thunders into second place with arguably the Foo's best album to date. Gone is the acoustic touches seen on the two previous efforts, 'Wasting Light' is all about screaming guitars, storming drums and soaring choruses. From the thumping opener 'Bridge Burning' to the delightfully optimistic closer 'Walk', it's the best collection of songs the seemingly-inflappable Grohl has come up with for over a decade. The jagged 'Rope' is the rock song of the year, 'White Limo' is as pure scream-punk adrenaline while 'Arlandria' and 'Dear Rosemary' are oustanding guitar anthems, but the album X-factor goes to the poignant 'I Should Have Known' - complete with a swirling bass cameo from ex-Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic. Superb.
HIGHLIGHTS: Bridge Burning, Arlandria, Walk
In a stellar twelve months of music, the Chief takes the title of best album with a stirring collection of alternative-rock anthems. Noel Gallagher may have done it all before, but still 'High Flying Birds' feels like a clean break and new start from Oasis, with more moments to build on the acoustic/rock gems that have made Gallagher one of the country's best ever songwriters. Epic opener 'Everybody's On The Run', the thumping 'Dream On', folksy twanger 'The Death Of You And Me' and anthem 'If I Had A Gun...' are all outstanding songs, while the groove-heavy 'AKA ... What A Life!' and tender ballad 'AKA ... Broken Arrow' complete his best rounded set of songs since the early 90's. Still the master of British rock 'n' roll, Noel Gallagher shows no signs of slowing, and appears to have taken to this solo malarkey like a duck to water.
HIGHLIGHTS: If I Had A Gun..., AKA ... What A Life!, AKA ... Broken Arrow.
So, there it is, another prestigious award for Noel Gallagher to add to his collection. In truth, it was extremely close in what has been an exceptional 2011 in music terms, with many worthy winners just missing out. But, Gallagher takes the title, and here's the Chief himself with an acoustic version of AKA... What A Life! Enjoy.
HIGHLIGHTS: If I Had A Gun..., AKA ... What A Life!, AKA ... Broken Arrow.
So, there it is, another prestigious award for Noel Gallagher to add to his collection. In truth, it was extremely close in what has been an exceptional 2011 in music terms, with many worthy winners just missing out. But, Gallagher takes the title, and here's the Chief himself with an acoustic version of AKA... What A Life! Enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment