2011 - Albums of the Year so far

1. Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and see
2. SOnance HOtel - Don't look behind you - Drummer from Humanzi's new project plays every instrument on the album and also has a great voice.
3. The Minutes - Marcata
4. Kasabian - Velociraptor
5. Miles Kane - Colour of the trap

Okkervil River-I am very far
Girls- Father.Son,Holy Ghost
Wu Lyf-Go Tell Fire To the Mountain
Yuck-Yuck
Panda Bear-Tomboy

From another forum I post on, my favourites with a short review of each. I hope you enjoy



#8

Ed Sheeran - +

A decent first effort from the young ginger. His fusion of beatboxing/rapping/singing works well throughout and tracks like 'Little Bird' 'This' and 'Drunk' stand out nicely. Ultimately a bit too cry-wanky for my liking.

#7

Four Tet - FabricLive

The best DJ mix I've heard this year. Lot's of interesting tunes on offer and some very rowdy moments. Will be on my iPod for some time yet.

#6

Jamie XX & Gil Scott Heron - We're New Here

A very good reworking of the late great Gil Scott Heron last studio album "We're new here". 'NY is killing me' is the standout track and rightly so. It packs a serious punch. Best listened to in it's entirety. Jamie XX knows his ****.

#5

Alex Turner - Submarine EP

His first solo project was to provide a soundtrack for the brilliant coming of age tale that was 'Submarine'. It's been a long time since i've seen a film where the soundtrack really adds something. There's only 5 tracks here but there are some beautifully knotty lyrics to untangle. 'Hard to get around the wind' sounds like Alex trying to pay homage to Bob Dylan and it works really well.

#4

Little Dragon - Ritual Unions

The Swedish electronic band have provided one of the years finest albums. Lot's of great tracks at various tempo's, some make you move, some make you sit back and admire the production skills on offer. 'Nightlight' is my personal favourite, i can't imagine anyone not being able to get their stomp on to this one.

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#3 Jehst - The Dragon of an Ordinary Family

I have only recently discovered Jehst and am very impressed with what I've heard so far. A very skilled lyricist and a top producer too. Lot's of different sounds and styles throughout, great use of sampling. It's shame that people like Tinie Tempah and Tinchey Stryder get all the recognition in the UK when Jehst is no where near their level of fame. Jehst can squeeze more profundity into 1 minute of track than Tinchy will achieve in his entire back catalogue.

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#2 SBTRKT - SBTRKT

SBTRKT (or subtract as I only recently discovered) has hit the digital, broken beats nail on the head. This album has got some serious basslines, coupled with abstract beats and smooth, soulful vocals from the likes of Sampha & Jessie Ware. The album works brilliantly from beginning to end and there are some sick transitions between tracks. SBTRKT shows his diversity going from tracks like Heatwave & Ready Set loop to much more dancefloor friendly affairs such as Pharaohs & Wildfire (featuring the amazing vocals of Little Dragon).
Not only does the album work well on the dance floor but it makes really great headphone music too.

2011's must buy album.

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#1 The Arctic Monkeys - Suck it & See

A triumphant return to form and my most played album of the year. The boys have matured from a hyped up bunch of youths who sang about nights out on the piss, to a much more poetic, melancholy style. Alex Turners song writing has come on leaps and bounds and there are some beautiful metaphors and analogies on display.

"You're rarer than a can of dandelion & burdock, and those other girls are just post-mix lemonade"

There is also a fair amount of diversity on display with this album. From the complex, two time framed 'Piledriver Waltz' to the more traditional Arctic Monkeys sound of 'Library Pictures'. So what does everyone else think? Was all the hype surrounding their first album justified or is it just 'ip dip dog **** rock and roll'?