1. Jack White - No Name
My clear favourite this year. Best solo album from JW. Creativity through the roof (including the playful way it was initially released). Every song totally rocks it. Perfection.
Favourite song: Tonight (Was a Long Time Ago)
1. Jack White - No Name
My clear favourite this year. Best solo album from JW. Creativity through the roof (including the playful way it was initially released). Every song totally rocks it. Perfection.
Favourite song: Tonight (Was a Long Time Ago)
2. Bernard Butler - Good Greif
So much beauty and depth to both lyrics and the music. Stunning guitar. Listened again and again.
Favourite song(s): Camber Sands / London Snow
2. Bernard Butler - Good Greif
So much beauty and depth to both lyrics and the music. Stunning guitar. Listened again and again.
Favourite song(s): Camber Sands / London Snow
3. The Libertines - All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
For me, their most consistently good album. Seeing them live, it was great to see so many songs from this record were huge crowd pleasers. At the top of their game!
Favourite song: Shiver
3. The Libertines - All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
For me, their most consistently good album. Seeing them live, it was great to see so many songs from this record were huge crowd pleasers. At the top of their game!
Favourite song: Shiver
4. Paul Weller - 66
Up there with almost any of his previous records. A more serious, reflective Weller. Gorgeous ballads and some catchy tunes.
Favourite song: Ship of Fools
4. Paul Weller - 66
Up there with almost any of his previous records. A more serious, reflective Weller. Gorgeous ballads and some catchy tunes.
Favourite song: Ship of Fools
5. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
A long awaited return that feels like one of their best albums ever. Wonderful meandering intros, powerful and emotional.
Favourite song: A Fragile Thing
5. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
A long awaited return that feels like one of their best albums ever. Wonderful meandering intros, powerful and emotional.
Favourite song: A Fragile Thing
6. Pearl Jam - Dark Matter
Some brilliant PJ rockers here and some more reflective and moving stuff too.
Favourite song: Dark Matter
6. Pearl Jam - Dark Matter
Some brilliant PJ rockers here and some more reflective and moving stuff too.
Favourite song: Dark Matter
7. Crowded House - Gravity Stairs
Classic Crowded House. Crafted songs, many layers, beautiful, beautiful vocals and I love the Revolver-esque album cover.
Favourite song: Some Greater Plan
7. Crowded House - Gravity Stairs
Classic Crowded House. Crafted songs, many layers, beautiful, beautiful vocals and I love the Revolver-esque album cover.
Favourite song: Some Greater Plan
8. The Smile - Wall of Eyes
Loved it more the more I listened. The detail and nuance is superb.
Favourite song: Bending Hectic
8. The Smile - Wall of Eyes
Loved it more the more I listened. The detail and nuance is superb.
Favourite song: Bending Hectic
9. Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
Real variety of styles and moods over 11 superbly crafted songs.
Favourite song: Coast
9. Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
Real variety of styles and moods over 11 superbly crafted songs.
Favourite song: Coast
10. Smashing Pumpkins - Aghori Mhori Mei
A return to form that captures something of the 90s Pumpkins magic.
Favourite track: Sighommi
10. Smashing Pumpkins - Aghori Mhori Mei
A return to form that captures something of the 90s Pumpkins magic.
Favourite track: Sighommi