And so to the third and final part of Live4ever’s 2011 retrospective. A year packed with some genuinely outstanding releases, 2011 has enjoyed some of the most unanimously acclaimed records of recent years; PJ Harvey has won seemingly every award up for grabs thanks to ‘Let England Shake’, Kate Bush has wowed everyone with her first record of the decade, while the likes of The Boxer Rebellion, FIGO and The Minutes have come to the party with equally impressive, under-the-radar efforts just as deserving of your precious time and attention.
To celebrate another year of great music, the Live4ever Ezine is offering two readers the opportunity to win a pair of Boom earphones; a prize packed with both style and sound quality. So to be in with a chance of winning, when you’ve been through the pick of the LPs which have been taking up our space throughout the year, leave a comment below telling us your own Top 5 Albums of 2011 to be automatically entered into our giveaway. Good luck!
25: Manchester Orchestra – ‘Simple Math’
“If you’re expecting a happy ending you won’t get one…An insight into a period in someone’s life and an appreciation of the importance of balance and thematic consistency.”
24: Noah & The Whale – ‘Last Night On Earth’
“This record’s worst moments are mere pitfalls; some not-entirely-thought-out tributes to their heroes…At its best though this music is nothing short of breathtaking.”
23: Miles Kane – ‘Colour Of The Trap’
“There are flashes of brilliance and a mellow direction that compliments his voice. Less an outstanding success and more a preview of greater things to come.”
22: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – ‘…High Flying Birds’
“Satisfying, and at times unbelievably good, it’s the kind of album that doesn’t tell the full story the first time round, but it’s a journey that warrants the repeat button again and again.”
21: The Answering Machine – ‘Lifeline’
“The range is incredible; from the pared down power of ‘Rules’ to ‘Video 8′s anthemic retro charm, this album is all about surprises and dimensions..”
20: The Vaccines – ‘What Did You Expect From…’
“Throughout the album…lies a certain hint of gloominess that gives you a peek into the knowledge that even The Vaccines have had their human trials and troubles.”
19: The Raveonettes – ‘Raven In The Grave’
“If there is anything that the dim tone of the new record indicates, it’s that while the raven may indeed be in the grave, The Raveonettes are still soaring high above it.”
18: Black Lips – ‘Arabia Mountain’
“The songs all seem to fit together as whole, not in the 70’s concept album sort of approach, but more so in the way in which the old garage compilations of the late-60’s.”
17: Paul Simon – ‘So Beautiful Or So What’
“Compact, concentrated, and as flavourful as a delicious gumbo that you can’t get enough of. Impressive, lyrically sublime, and as fragile as glass in some instances.”
16: Bon Iver – ‘Bon Iver’
“Admirable and completely the right track…The future, with jetpacks and hover cars and a truly great Bon Iver album, is coming. Just not yet, that’s all.”
15: Wild Flag – ‘Wild Flag’
“Wild Flag have got the charm of four people out there to do it, no hang-ups, no prisoners. Their unfussy sense of self-confidence says it all really – you’ve just got to be there to listen.”
14: The Kills – ‘Blood Pressures’
“A distinct turning point…not in terms of mainstream recognition or even enriched musicianship, but in solidifying their slot in today’s ever-changing popular culture landscape.”
13: Arctic Monkeys – ‘Suck It and See’
“Shows off the ongoing development in Turner’s songwriting craft…A celebration of everything they’ve achieved to date as well as a glimpse of what they could still become.”
12: The Horrors – ‘Skying’
“…content, experimental, luridly romantic and postmodern – a sonic journey into 80s post-punk dynamism from a group of musicians who never cease to surprise.”
11: FIGO – ‘Put It All On Black’
“FIGO can rest assured that in this instance quality, not to mention originality, significantly outweighs quantity in every sense of the phrase.”
10: Twin Atlantic – ‘Free’
“Fans will certainly find much to like in the record, while there are enough hooks to grab the attention of new listeners…We’ll be hearing a lot of great music from them for years to come.”
9: PJ Harvey – ‘Let England Shake’
“To close with a line from ‘England’ which…summates Harvey’s mindset …“I live and I die through England,” align your mind for the listen; and then may you Let England Shake.”
8: Fleet Foxes – ‘Helplessness Blues’
“Listening to the last murmurs of ‘Grown Ocean’s close harmony coda, the distinct and lasting impression is that of having heard sounds that will outlive generations.”
7: Zola Jesus – ‘Conatus’
“‘Conatus’ is strong enough and deep enough to stand up on its own two jewel-case-shaped feet. It’s every inch worth your time, your intelligence and your attention.”
6: Other Lives – ‘Tamer Animals’
“Words, lines, verses, entire songs are left open to interpretation. Nothing is set in stone, which suits roaming, restless music like this just fine.”
5: Laura Marling – ‘A Creature I Don’t Know’
“Like all the best bits of Paul McCartney’s career, this album celebrates wit and wisdom and an uncanny ear for tunes which will stick in your head.”
4: The Minutes – ‘Marcata’
“A complete work, a real start-to-finish album as a homage to the rock’n’roll greats, but totally their own at the same time. An underground classic debut from one of Ireland’s loudest.”
3: Kate Bush – ’50 Words For Snow’
“With every listen, this album will reveal another layer, another part of the story you’d never heard before. There’s a lifetime’s worth of listening here. Best get started.”
2: The Boxer Rebellion – ‘The Cold Still’
“The feeling that this is a band with the world at their feet is inescapable. Now go forth and tell that world your story, it is crying out to hear it.”
1: We Are Augustines – ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’
“Like trying to get your girlfriend to watch The Godfather for the first time, recommending ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’ is a tough prospect. It’s deeply beautiful and emotionally cathartic.”
Essential Listening 2011 series:
Live4ever’s Essential Listening 2011 – The Gigs
Live4ever’s Essential Listening 2011 – The Tracks
Live4ever’s Essential Listening 2011 – The Albums
Live4ever’s Essential Albums of 2011 is included on the Vouchercodes.co.uk Most Wanted Top 10 Lists, which is combining Best Of lists from a variety of sources to provide readers with the top choices in music, gaming, sports and more from 2011. Check out the Most Wanted blog here.
My Top 5 picks:
5. The Civil Wars – “Barton Hollow”
4. The Decemberists – “The King Is Dead”
3. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. The Black Keys – “El Camino”
1. Laura Marling – “A Creature I Don’t Know”
5. The Boxer Rebellion – The Cold Still
4. The Pierces – You and I
3. TV on the Radio – Nine types of light
2. Adele – 21
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Here is mine:
1. Noel Gallagher – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
3. Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde
4. The Black Keys – El Camino
5. Arctic Monkeys – Suck it and See
dEUS – Keep You Xlose
Kasabian – Velociraptor
Arctic Monkeys – Suck It And See
Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speading
Cults – Cults
5. Black Keys – El Camino
4. Miles Kane – Colour of the Trap
3. Arctic Monkeys – Suck It and See
2. The Strokes – Angles
1. Noely G’s High Flying Birds
1. The Rip Tide – Beirut 2. Philharmonics – Agnes Obel 3. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds 4. Suck It And See – Arctic Monkeys 5. Colour Of The Trap – Miles Kane
1. Noel Gallagher – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. Miles Kane – Colour of the Trap
3. The Horrors – Skying
4. Beady Eye – Different Gear Still Speeding
5. Arctic Monkeys – Suck it and See
5. Kasabian – Velociraptor!
4. Beady Eye – Different Gear Still Speeding
3. Arctic Monkeys – Suck It And See
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
In no particular order;
5. Jay Z and Kayne West – Watch The Throne.
4. Kasabian – Velociraptor.
3. The strokes – under cover of darkness.
2. The beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Commitee Part One.
1. The Streets – Computers And Blues
1. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
2. Kasabian – Velociraptor!
3. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
4. Miles Kane – Colour Of The Trap
5. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – ‘…High Flying Birds’
2. PJ Harvey – ‘Let England Shake’
3. Arctic Monkeys – ‘Suck It and See’
4. The Kills – ‘Blood Pressures’
5. The Strokes – Angles
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now
3. Yuck – Yuck
4. The View – Bread And Circuses
5. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
1. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
2.Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds-Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
3.Arctic Monkeys- SUck It & See
4.The Strokes- Angles
5.Kasabian- Velociraptor!
Your list is tops Oscar!!
Yeah Beady Eye!!!
1. Beady Eye (DGSS)
2. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
3. Kasabian (Velociraptor)
4. 311 (Universal Pulse)
5. Black Box Revelation (Shiver of Joy,EP)
1. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
2. The beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Commitee Part Two
3. The Strokes – Angles
4. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds(selftitled)
5 R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now
5. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
4. ‘Skying’ – The Horrors
3. ‘Pala’ – Friendly Fires
2. ‘Torches’ – Foster the People
1. ‘Suego Faults’ – Wolf Gang
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. Beady Eye – Different Gear Still Speeding
3. Neil Zaza – 212
4. Neil Zaza – Clyde The Cat
5. Kasabian – Velociraptor!
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. Kasabian – Velociraptor!
3. Arctic Monkeys – Suck It & See
4. The Strokes – Angles
5. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
http://trashjonny.tumblr.com/
Albums.
01. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
02. White Denim – D
03. Drive – OST
04. War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
05. The Raveonettes – Raven In The Grave
5. The Boxer Rebellion – The Cold Still
4. Arctic Monkeys – Suck It And See
3. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
2. Kasabian – Velociraptor!
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
1. Electric Six – Heartbeats And Brainwaves
2. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
3. The Music – The Last Dance: Live
4. Kasabian – Velociraptor!
5. IAMX – Volatile Times
1.- Beady Eye – ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’
2.- Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – ‘Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’
3.- Viva Brother – ‘Famous First Words’
4.- Kasabian – ‘Velociraptor!’
5.- Mastodon – ‘The Hunter’
1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2. Miles Kane – Colour of the Trap3. Arctic Monkeys – Suck It And See
4. The Beach Boys – The Smile Sessions
5. Tim Christensen & The Damn Crystals – The Damn Crystals
1- Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds- Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2- Miles Kane- The Colour Of The Trap
3- Kasabian- Velociraptor!
4- Kaiser Chiefs- The Future Is Medieval
5- Viva Brother- Famous First Words
1- Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
2- Kasabian – Velociraptor
3- The Black Keys – El Camino
4- Miles Kane – Colour of the Trap
5- Beady Eye – Different Gear, Stil Speeding
1 . Arctic Monkeys – Suck it and See
2. Yuck – Yuck
3. El Camino – The Black Keys
4. What did you expect from the Vaccines? – The Vaccines
5. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds –