Monday, 12 December 2011

Albums of 2011 : Numbers 12 and 11





You know it's getting good if these two can't make the top ten.....


12 - The Horrors : Skying

Channeling the spirit of, amongst others, Simple Minds and Psychedelic Furs, the formerly gothic chancers stepped it up yet again. If Primary Colours was something special, The Horrors surpassed that record by adding a scintillating pop sheen to the motorik grooves found on their second album. The best British album of 2011 by a country mile, they've got their eyes set firmly on a glittering prize. If My Bloody Valentine soundtracked a John Hughes film, it might sound a heck of a lot like this.




11 - Girls : Father, Son, Holy Ghost

It wouldn't surprise me if this was Pitchfork's album of 2011, and to be honest any other year it would probably make my top three of the year. Cribbing from the past yet sounding utterly fresh, Christopher Owens has an understanding of pop music like few other young men of his age. It's The Beatles, R&B, VU, Jonathan Richman and The Rolling Stones, yet none of them at the same time. A friend of mine said "they know how to play those 'sad girl songs' chords, don't they?" and that might best describe Father, Son, Holy Ghost - a record full of emotion, feeling, and wonderful songs.

Below is a link to a Spotify playlist for numbers 20 down to 11:

http://open.spotify.com/user/andrewahannah/playlist/3wIrwooNyfCSICApKDyAL2

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