THE RIFFIEST RIFFS ALBUM: Touché Amoré – Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me A proper fist-in-the-air, heart pounding, lyrically scything record of this magnitude has not filled these ears since Glassjaw’s debut album. Personal, bleak, mature, yet ferocious and youthful it’s a record that will forever cement 2011 as a time of turbulence and change. These tales of on the road trauma and of distance pulling apart relationships with family, friends, and lovers are thrilling. There really is no doubt that these young Americans have given hardcore a fresh diversion. Now we’ll see how everyone fights to stay on the path. Favourite Track– Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me RUNNERS-UP: Mastodon – The Hunter, Young Legionnaire – Crisis Works
THE INTRIGUINGLY AMBITIOUS FOLLOW-UP ALBUM: Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Strike the first few notes of opener Perth and I’m instantly transported elsewhere. Sadness and joy are spliced within Justin Vernon’s solo debut, and the same is true of his elegant, cathartic falsetto melodies on his debut full-band record. The use of space, orchestration, scintillating electric guitars and percussion all allow this record to bloom, seed, and grow in your mind. It’s a tough record to listen to but there’s a resounding triumphant note within that snatches it from overwhelming gloom. Best Track - Perth RUNNERS-UP: Fucked Up – David Comes To Life, Johnny Foreigner – Johnny Foreigner vs. Everything
THE MIND-WARPING HIP HOP ALBUM: Death Grips – Ex Military Aggressive shouting. Sparse, ear-crushing bass. Striking samples. Death Grips sound like they’d kill you by eating your head. It’s an incredibly bruising experience, akin to the brutality of a metal or hardcore album. But it’s within these churning, knuckle-grinding megaton blasts to the face that you’ll find the real soundtrack to 2011’s turbulent times. Best Track - Guillotine RUNNERS-UP: The Jet Age of Tomorrow – Journey to the 5th Echelon, Clams Casino – Clams Casino
TOLD YOU SO!” ALBUM Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones A step up from 2009’s Poetry of the Deed which, despite great songs, was imbalanced dynamically due to FT using a full band. Now Frank’s solo ideas and the band’s additions seem more cohesive and launch the songs into the stratosphere. The highlight is One Foot Before the Other, easily the heaviest thing Frank has put to record since Million Dead’s Harmony No Harmony in 2005. The record is diverse, lyrically impeccable for the most part and expertly mixes what we’ve come to expect from the man (singalongs, rabble-rousing choruses and a nod to rock and roll history) and some surprises (very loud guitars, acapella folk song, gospel choirs). Probably the best example of his talents to
date....and for all the doubters, he’s headlining Wembley Arena next year. Incredible work. Favourite Track– I Am Disappeared RUNNERS-UP: Vessels – Helioscope, Chris T-T – Disobedience: Chris T-T sings AA Milne
THE “WE CHAMPIONED THEM FROM THE BEGINNING…
THE BEST ‘DESTROY THAT AWFUL CHILLWAVE GENRE’ ALBUM Esben & the Witch – Violet Cries Chillwave is a sappy, watery, blurry damp squib of a genre – if indeed we can call it that. Luckily, the promising aspects – waves of guitars, atmospherics, haunting vocals –are skilfully put to astonishing use by this young Brighton threesome. In their hands, these elements become ominous, threatening, and overwhelming. They are quite happy to allow mountainous peaks of distortion to claw at the sky while Rachel Davies’ searing voice sails up and through them. It’s a considered, furious, disarming work that bodes well for their future. Best Track– Warpath RUNNERS-UP: Tim Hecker – Ravedeath, 1972, Jewellers – Sleep Education
THE BEST EP The Appleseed Cast – Middle States This nimble four track EP by one of the best bands from the US is a wonderful primer for what promises to be an Album of the Year in 2012. The runners up are just as excellent – new Future of the Left material will always be warmly received, Chino Moreno of Deftones and Sean Lopez of Far create a Sacremento supergroup called ††† (Crosses), Glassjaw return with a new sludge-dub sound and Tall Ships are one of the best independent UK bands around. Best Track– End Frigate Constellation RUNNERS UP: Future of the Left – Polymers Are Forever, ††† - †, Glassjaw – Coloring Book, Tall Ships – There Is Nothing But Chemistry Here
AND FINALLY… THE INCREDIBLE AND UNEXPECTED
MASH-UP ALBUM Wugazi – 13 Chambers (Wu-Tang and Fugazi) Two of the best bands from two of the best genres ever. Merged. Undeniable. Best Track– Shame On Blue
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