I have the last few years shared my favorite albums of the last 12 months in no particular order here they are-
Big green Field – Squid
A mad mix of New wave, krautrock, and post-punk it is a crazy mix of sources that is one of the most original records of the year I first heard them on my favorite radio show, Marc Riley he has turned my to so many good bands in recent years
Cavalcade – Black Midi
Another album rooted in post-punk and her with a chunk of industrial sound songs of cult leaders and Marlene dietrich the second album is maybe less frenzied than their debut was and an easier listen to the listener. As it was recorded with less ad hoc ness than the debut.
Eps – Cranes
A collection of their EP from the shoegazing band Cranes was one of the shoegazing bands collection of Eps was one of this year record store day offerings I had seen them years ago and brought the first album at the time the late 80s but hadn’t heard anything for years this was a trip down memory lane with Alison Shaw’s childlike voice and a heavy mix of guitars behind her.
A common term Anna B Savage
I love her voice it reminds me of Nico at her best her album is maybe the one I have played most this year
Henki – Richard Dawson and Circle
The Newcastle-based singer-songwriter joined with Finnish death metal band Circle for a series of songs with flowers as their titles but the songs are about various subjects like Lily a tribute to his mother a nurse.
Nick Cave – B sides and Carnage
Two albums this year the first a lockdown collection with Waren Ellis stripped bare recorded over lockdown one of his best records for years we also got the second series of b sides and other projects I brought the first collection and this maybe isn’t as good as the first selection but some lost gems here.
Blind Date Party – Bill Callahan and Bonnie Prince billy
Two of the greats of the alternative country scene team up for a covers album record in lockdown with a various guests I love the cover of Sea song they do one of my favorite Robert Wyatt tracks
Badgers of Wymeswold – The surfing Magazines
An indie supergroup of members of Slow Club and Wave pictures another Riley discovery Ten days of shiver and sports bar were played lots by Marc Riley both very catchy songs
Barn – Neil Young
His latest album 41st album is his best in years mellow in parts it harks back to his classic albums.
Spencer Cullum’s coin collection – Spencer Cullum
The Nashville based London artist is another gem from Riley something that echos back to the 70s in this collection of songs a modern take on Psyche pop an album that is underrated and worth listening to if you haven’t
An Album I also listen to was Martin Stephenson and the Dainteess who rerecord their This boys heart Album He has a few albums on Spotify but this isn’t there Martin has been around for years and is one of my favorite singers so this new recording which saw the album tracks rearranged and rerecorded was a gem to play alongside the original record so that is my dozen records what were your tunes of the year?