(not sure if this has been done)

So what get’s your vote.

For me its Arcade Fire – Suburbs

Give me some inspiration for music to listen to over xmas….

JLS

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjI4kvAd2QM[/video]

Steve Mason ‘Boys Outside’.

Pinkerton

Steve Mason has been on heavy rotation in my stereo for months, absolutely superb album indeed. The new Massive Attack was also awesome (definitely a grower rather than a first listen knockout though), I’ve also been listening to Brandi Carlile’s third album a hell of a lot too (this is probably my favourite track)

For me it’s probably The Pretty Reckless – Light Me Up.

American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem .

So far, The National – High Violet.

High Violet…probably what I’ve listened to most. Fantastic.

Elbows new album – the one they’re making that hasn’t been released yet! Come on boys the wait’s killing me!!!!!! Got tickets for next year and can’t come quick enough

Tricky, (sorry, not Tricky), tricky choice I mean). Kind of a toss-up between The Suburbs, and Laura Marling’s second album I Speak Because I Can. There are other good albums this year, but those two stand out consistently as the best this year. Looking forward to Elbow’s new album, but that’s for 2011, and the O2 gig should be good. Laura Marling should have another album next year as well, as will Gemma Hayes and The Dears, so deciding on a best for next year’s going to be very difficult.

This is one of my favorites of the year. A collection of covers perhaps my favorite being a cover of the Cure’s lullaby

Man Alive – Everything Everything
.
I haven’t listened to anything else much for what seems like months and I’m not tired of it yet

Tough to pick one but John Grant edges it. Notable mentions for Midlake, Gayngs & Caitlin Rose

Every Time I Die – New Junk Aesthetic gets an honourable mention as well 🙂

edit – nvm I just realised it’s 2009.

Very easy one for me, 65 Days of Static’s We Were Exploding Anyway. Officially not the sort of music I like.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRcSQXpC0Pg&feature=fvst[/video]

Do like the Suburbs by Arcade Fire, and REALLY like Hawks by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan.

Oooh difficult one.
soooooo many good bands out at the moment and rich variety of sounds.
I will have to go with The Saturdays-missing you

Strange choice Roper.

I’d have to say Baths – ‘Cerulean’. It’s a grower and therefore the one I’ve played the most. Took a while to like it and now it all makes sense.

Autolux – Transit Transit

The new White Denim download was a blinder, but I’m guessing thats an acquired taste.

Also got some serious mileage out of the Beat The Devil’s Tattoo by BRMC.

Also, Ellie Goulding – Lights/Bright Lights.

That Steve Mason Lost & Found track is ace. Never heard of him 😳

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem

I like these a lot too

Another vote for The National – High Violet. Amazing album.

Loving ‘The Black Keys – Brothers’ at the moment. It’s probably a close second to ‘Turin Brakes – Outbursts’

Laura Marling – I speak because I can

Paul Cary – Ghost Of A Man

I listen to a lot of music. And you wont read about this album on most end of the year lists. But impress your freinds with what will be one of the big new records of next year when someone big re-releases it or it remains a cooler tha thou hipster hit.

But it’s great; garage, rockabilly, lofi. With songs. Actual songs. Great lyrics. Sounds fantastic.

Get it here for free legitimatley – http://www.candydinner.com/download/paul-cary-ghost-of-a-man/

Be interested to hear if anyone bothers to download it and what they thought.

Be interested to hear if anyone bothers to download it and what they thought.

Well, erm, I guess it’s a bit like the White Stripes if Jack White wasn’t such a great guitarist and they couldn’t afford decent production. Prefer a bit more originality, personally. Cheers for the link though, I do like to check out free stuff.

In defence of Paul Cary.

I for one don’t really like the White Stripes. Jack White does not appear to have a humorous bone in his body and with that type of music I think you need to not take it so seriously all of the time.

The rough production of the Paul Cary is part of the attaction for me.

I agree with DezB’scomments.

I don’t think it’s the production it’s the lack of originality or imagination that’s the problem. Being a life long fan of blues, blue grass and folk music you get used to listening to it with poor equipment or production. The character of the song or band are still there. Unfortunately with Cary I think his songs are missing quite a lot.

(p.s. the Saturdays was an anti- “I know rare bands so that makes me cool” sort of thing. Didn’t really work though 🙄 )

Not trying to start an argument about it, but for “rough” production that works, check out De Stijl. The Paul Cary production is more what I’d call “feeble”.
Sorry!

I’m wi’ BoardinBob on the John Grant vote. Outstanding.
To be fair, I’ve not bought much else (Phantom Band and then some older releases), but reading this thread and seeing some of the magazine polls, I’ll cherry pick, and spend some of my xmas money wisely.
I do like Steve Mason’s work as well, now you mention it.

Derek Trucks Band – Roadsongs

http://www.derektrucks.com/news/derek-trucks-band-roadsongs

The Antlers – Hospice (2009, but I only discovered it a few months ago)
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLm2gInV4A[/video]

Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzjERZU3wbY[/video]

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_-pm6DFmrA[/video]

Best album of year for me is Optimo – Fabric 52

It’s a really unusual, high quality dance music mix – highly recommended.

Not heard a lot of what else has been released though tbh. Arcace Fire CD arrived today but will be opened by wife on Xmas day.

Sample track – 44a (hardwax forever!)

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI50fktDVmM[/video]

That Shed stuff above sounds alright – a bit like early Carl Craig in his 69 era.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_47_CHdzHI&feature=related[/video]
So so very good.