Albums of the Decade

Being the sad git that I am I thought I should also list my fave albums of the decade as we come to the end of the 'noughties' not sure if I like that word. What other word is there to use ? hmm we'll stick with that one then!!
Ok then albums of the decade? Decided to limit it to a top ten as opposed to a 100 or something like that cuz that would have taken too much time as I'd keep changing my mind. I also decided to limit only one album per artist otherwise it would just be a list of SK/Kristin/TM/Wave/Laura Veirs/Radiohead albums. It is anyway though I've limited K to one entry. Hey come on that was tough for me.
Not going to give a review just a straight list, so here we are my fave albums of the 'noughties' (as of time of going to press!!)

1. SLEATER - KINNEY - THE WOODS

2. 50 FOOT WAVE - GOLDEN OCEAN

3. LAURA VEIRS - YEAR OF METEORS

4. PJ HARVEY - STORIES FROM THE CITY, STORIES FROM THE SEA

5. RADIOHEAD - IN RAINBOWS

6. MIDLAKE - THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER

7. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS - ABOTTOIR BLUES/LYRE OF ORPHEUS

8. SUPER FURRY ANIMALS - RINGS AROUND THE WORLD


9. FIERY FURNACES - WIDOW CITY

10. THE STREETS - ORIGINAL PIRATE MATERIAL

Favourite Albums of 2009

1. BIG SEXY NOISE - S/T
And what a big sexy noise it is. Lydia Lunch’s new project has a drawling sleaze all over it. At times though it reminds of the smokey drawl of Morphine. In a year dominated by folk collaborations and sweet songstresses it just stood out.

2 CONOR OBERST AND THE MYSTIC VALLEY BAND - OUTTER SOUTH
One of the most prolific songwriters on the planet gets a bunch of mates together and sets off to Mexico. Result a belting album. What shines through here is that its players are having a fun time. Lyrically not always light but even then it has a smile on its face. Can’t believe this is barely mentioned anywhere.

3THE DECEMBERISTS - THE HAZARDS OF LOVE
Fact one, they don’t make a bad record. Two, Colin Molloy’s probably the best around at putting a story to melody. Three, not many bands can get away with an almost prog epic of 17 tunes, with reprises!! That apart this is a great listen.

4THE COATHANGERS - SCRAMBLE
I just love this album, Yeah ok an all girl band playing shouty punk, right up my street I know. The love runs deeper here though as it reminds me of early 52’s and just has a good time along the way.

5. THE XX - S/T
One of the discoveries of the year though not much of a secret now as it seems to close to the top of most lists. Very atmospheric and moves along with melody and texture. A hypnotic journey.

6. SUPER FURRY ANIMALS - DARK DAYS/LIGHT YEARS.
I think this is the Furrys best album since Phantom Power. Typically eclectic its song craft seems to hold up better than their last effort. Furry’s back to their best, always a pleasure.

7. THE VICTORIAN ENGLISH GENTLEMANS CLUB - LOVE ON AN OIL RIG
At last the second from the Veg club, recorded with the now departed Emms on drums. Great eccentric shouty choruses and I think a more complete album than the first, though that came out so long ago………………..sorry Lou.

8. HOCKEY - MIND CHAOS
Don’t care, I like this quirky and poppy , full of sing along choruses. They’re from Portland too.

9. MAMA LUCKY - PERMANENT STRANGER.
A album put together by Jim White and vocalist Linda Delgado aided by Tucker Martine. Swampy Americana is the best way to describe it I think. As with most of his work Martine's production on the rhythm section is superb.

10. CATE LE BON - ME OH MY
Gruff Rhys mate and Welsh songstress’ debut. A really beautiful record of haunting vocal and quirky melody. Of all the folky solo female releases this to me stands head and shoulders above them all.

11. SILVERSUN PICKUPS - SWOON
Good to hear that some bands are developing their sound and getting better as they go along, a rarity these days. Swoon is better and more accomplished than the very good last album Carnavas.




12. SONIC YOUTH - ETERNAL
Eternal indeed the youff still sound relevant. This is even a better record than Rather Ripped it has a more spontaneous energy somehow.


13. RAMONA FALLS - INTUIT
A beauty spot in Oregon also a spot of beauty on a cd. One of the guys from Menomena it's just one of those records that keeps surprising you with every listen.


14. THE DEAD WEATHER - HOREHOUND
Well when the genial Jack White recruit’s the fantastic Alison Moshart it’s always gonna be good. It took a while to love to tell the truth. An album that will be looked at in 10 years time as a masterpiece, I think!


15. WILCO - ALBUM
Another band with a return to form in my opinion. If Gram were still alive this is what he’d sound like.


16. WETDOG - FRAUHAUS
Not a lot known about these mostly German I think. Fact is I like their sound and good shouty punky stuff and yes girls with guitars, I'm getting boring now I know.

17. VIOLET VIOLET - THE CITY IS FULL OF BEASTS
The Norwich trio return with a much more accomplished record . Good and loud, brash, short sharp shocks. Ah just the way three girls should play. If that sounds sexist I’m sorry, poetic licence!!

18. PJ HARVEY & JOHN PARISH - A WOMAN A MAN WALKED BY.

Another collaboration for PJ and JP. A dark bluesy album with typical passionate vocal from Polly. Truth is here there isn't a bad song on this record.

19. SLOW CLUB - YEAH SO
A beautiful and simple folky record. Well written and performed.
20. CHARLOTTE HATHERLY - NEW WORLDS
Our Charl’ returns with a new record the gun for hire takes time out of her busy schedule. Joking apart the strength here is its running order peppered with catchy licks and tunes you forget the odd ‘iffy’ tune because the album runs well. And who is ever gonna argue with lovely Charlotte.

A good year for music I think the strength is in the depth. On first reflection there were not many stand out albums but the fact here is that the last few listed are as strong as first few listed. There were many other good albums too I could have listed 50.

Malkmus & The Jicks

The Deaf Institute, Manchester. 10/12/09.

Decided to to this one for a couple of reasons one to catch up with Dame Janet and also it seemed strange Malkmus was playing such a small venue.

I was off this day so it gave me chance to get to Manchester early, spend some money in Piccadilly records and mooch. After something to eat local to the venue I made my way and got there about 7:10 ish, doors were at 7:30.

Got myself a drink and stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the venue. There was a young lad sat on the stairs fiddling about with his phone after a few moments he looked up at me and asked "are you from the Isle of Man ?".

"Er no but I do visit frequently as my girlfriend lives there, why do you ask ?".

He pointed to the three legs of Man badge on my bag. Ah that gave it away then. We started chatting, he himself was from Douglas but was over in Sheffield Uni. We talked for a while mostly about music. It was the first time he'd been to the venue and I was telling him what a lovely little venue it was. We soon got let in and he fell in love with the place immediately. We took a position at the very front of the stage. Support band were called Glasrock, not sure if that's how you spell it. A six piece that found it difficult to fit all on the small stage. Wasn't sure if I liked them but they weren't bad. Malkmus came on soon after with Dame Janet looking very well. I was stood just to SMs right which is the best position as he tends to stand a little 'side on' so to speak. He also has a tendency to kick out with his left foot which a couple of times came close to catching me in the head. They played a very good sharp set of about 10 -12 songs finishing with 'Baltimore'. Janet was on typically super form too.

On the way out I managed to have a nice little chat with Janet. She asked if I was going to ATP that weekend. Unfortunately not. I asked her if there was any Quasi material in the offing, 'yes' she replied it's all done and "in the can" due out next year. I also asked if the SK DVD was ever going to see the light of day. She said that it would and was all down to Lance (Corin's husband) who was busy!!