Last week, I declared The Zookeepers record to be "the album of the year so far, hands down". I was then chatting to someone earlier this week about the merits of doing a ‘records of the first half of the year’ list, rather than waiting until December for a 2009 round up. Then the excellent Ryan’s Smashing Life did exactly that.
So I felt like fate was telling me to create my own albums of the year so far list. Which is what I’ve done here.
I love this band. Manic schizo pop with humour and suss - could well be the album of the year come December 31st.
Just the kind of pop punk perfection we’ve grown to expect from let’s wrestle. But with added oomph in the production department. Witty lyrics often ridiculous (Diana hair) but always clever without being show off. Buy this album, you will not be disappointed.
As they say it themselves, they are the men you’ll grow to love soon.
Yorkshirecana bluegrass brilliance from Serious Sam. He plays a mean 12 string resonator, mixing songs about his home county with traditional southern folk stompers. There’s authenticity, there’s soul - someone to get very excited about. I’ll be posting a full review soon.
More about the album on Yadig Records
Serious Sam Barrett - Lay A White Rose from James Rhodes on Vimeo.
Genius lo fi punk rock - like Cody Chestnutt drip fed on The Gories and The Peechees. Basic pop punk with hooks a plenty and slinky cretin hop beats.
Younger lovers video is at the top of the page, just to confuse you.
You may be sick of hearing about them, but fight the music snob’s instinct to resist because White Denim truly truly deserve the hype. A frenetic rock masterpiece, fizzing with ideas and anchored in waves of familiar retro sounds. Genius.
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Black Lips style languid psychey garage rock. There’s a lot of this kind of thing about, and The Smith Westerns could just be the best of the bunch.
Twee without making you feel like you’ve overdosed on butterscotch angel’s delight, The Lovely Eggs charm you with their pop ditties and then suprise you with occasional bouts of NOISE.
The Dexateens in mellower mood, as captured by Lampchop producer Mark Nevers. A fantastic collection of camp fire country sing alongs, with the occasional moment of whoop ass.
Like Marcellus Hall from Railroad Jerk fronting Cold War Kids with their amps turned up to 11 and the drummer possessed by John Bonham.
It couldn’t be an artrocker.com list without a nod to Art Brut. Thankfully, their Black Francis produced third album is the band at their gleefull best. The lyrics are, of course, as witty and entertaining as ever - and the Pixieness seeping into the record through Frank Black’s fingers adds an extra sparkle too.
Alcoholics Unanimous video on YouTube
23 minutes of excellent old skool hardcore punk, with Eddie Argos-esque vocals. Chunky garage tinges to the guitar give the record a Hellacopters meets Minor Threat / early Dag Nasty feel. Top stuff.
Country inflected rock n roll with the necessary balls, rough edges and cheeky twists, made all the more interesting by Marc Bolan style rock pixie vocals from Erika Wennerstrom.
"You only get to appreciate what you do when you're not doing it," says bassist Rob Canning, slurping on a tea. "and now we're back, we're buzzing to go."
PART ONE: WELCOME TO 2008
ARTROCKER:...
Legendary rock photographer Steve Gullick has a retrospective at Manchester’s KRAAK Gallery running from March 12th til March 27th, featuring shots taken for NME and Melody Maker as well as his...
To accompany the review of Tune-yards’ Monday gig at Cargo, a few tasty shots of Think about Life, Trash Kit and New England native Merrill Garbus aka tUnE-yArDs.
Read the review of the night...
We have collected some truly heinous examples of recent album covers, from Empire Of The Sun’s Star Wars travesty to the banal evil that is Razorlight’s Slipway Fire. Discretionary...
Album art in this gallery was selected based on several simple traits: strong concept, fine graphics including creative typography and general lushness. The first three of ‘The Best Record...
Placebo pictures: just in - some photos of Placebo and Brian Molko from last week’s gig at the Glasgow SECC.
Also check out the review here
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Forgot to include Brakes
.. doh. Their Touchdown album is fantastic - I’d stick it in at number 7.1.Post new comment