Albums of 2011 : Numbers 16 and 15

....in which we get all folky and introspective.

16 - Loch Lomond : Little Me Will Start a Storm

The Portland, Oregon, band kicked up a quiet storm with this lovely record, their fourth full-length. Combining the lush instrumentation and harmonies of Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire and The Decemberists, and with Ritchie Young's voice calling to mind Michael Stipe, Colin Meloy and Jonathan Meiburg, such a mix was unlikely to fail. Whether it's the slowly rousing 'Blood Bank' or the fragile gems of 'Elephants and Little Girls' and 'Egg Song', the beauty unfolded slowly on what was the definitive "grower" of 2011.

15 - Fleet Foxes : Helplessness Blues

Things got darker and broodier on Fleet Foxes' second album, but at the same time the brilliance of Robin Pecknold's song writing seemed to double and strengthen. This album delved deeper into folk and blues territory, songs lasted longer and were allowed to meander and make fascinating diversions. At times it was almost a Pecknold solo record, but the instrumental passages showed that this was very much a band effort, from a bunch of guys who still have so much to give. Stunning.

Albums of 2011 : Numbers 18 and 17

18 - Mogwai : Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

It's hard to think of Mogwai now as veterans of the post-rock scene, and even of the Scottish music scene as a whole, but almost 15 years on from debut Young Team that's the reality. Following a rather hit and miss period which produced a couple of below-par studio albums but also a thrilling live record, Hardcore came across like an overview of the various 'Gwai guises over the years - thunderous riffs, noise, quietly beautiful passages, and even some straight-ahead indie rock. More than that, it was definite return to form, and by adding a second disc of orchestral magnificence and then the Earth Division EP, 2o11 was Mogwai's finest year for some time.



17 - Low : C'Mon

Another band in the veteran category, Duluth's finest have been going quietly at it since 1994, and with C'Mon they easily proved there's life in the old dog yet. I honestly thought that 2005's The Great Destroyer sounded like something of a goodbye from the band, and with suddenly appearing to have a revolving door of bassists since the departure of Zak Sally, it seemed to me that Low might be no more. But regrouping after the drab Drums and Guns, Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker found their mojo again. All you need to do is listen to opener 'Try to Sleep' to know you're in the presence of classic Low, and epic centrepiece 'Nothing But Heart' is simply stunning, and one of the band's finest moments of the past 17 years. Welcome back, and here's hoping there's still plenty more to come.

Albums of 2011 : Numbers 20 and 19

20 - Radiohead : The King of Limbs
Announced suddenly, released ahead of schedule and almost more of an EP than a proper full-length, yet Oxford's most famous sons' eighth studio record was still something of a triumph of the experimentalist married to the band's more traditional sound. There was the skittering, off-kilter dance of 'Lotus Flower' and 'Bloom', but the final trio of 'Codex', 'Giving Up the Ghost' and 'Separator' point straight to why a Radiohead album is awaited with such baited breath by most music fans. Sure, it might have been something we've kinda heard before, but it was done brilliantly. Add in the remixes found on TKOL RMX 1234567 and it's a mighty fine body of work.

19 - The Middle East : I Want That You Are Always Happy
Formed in 2005, released a record in 2008, split up, reunited to release this album in 2011, and now they've gone and split up again. Australia's The Middle East have never made things easy for themselves, and also never really seemed entirely happy being in the belly of the music industry machine. It's a shame, because with I Want, they produced an epically beautiful record of, at turns, fragile and rousing alt. country. Cracking harmonies, layers of instrumentation, wonderful songwriting....they'll be sadly missed.

Albums of 2011 : Numbers 25 - 21

Alright? Let's go!

25 - Okkervil River : I Am Very Far
Will Sheff's band couldn't quite match the majesty of their last two records, but I Am Very Far still contained some wonderful tunes, rousing moments ('The Valley'), beautiful interludes ('We Need a Myth') and some of the most personal songwriting Sheff's committed to record . If you want your indie rock well-read and wearing a crumpled suit, Okkervil River are still the premier band, and the go-to guys.

24 - EMA : Past Life Martyred Saints
Erika M Anderson produced one of the most intense and visceral experiences of 2011 with this album, laying bare her personal demons on top of abrasive Sonic Youth style guitar abuse, and sparse folk interludes. Thankfully, Anderson seems to have avoided the problems that led to the implosion of previous band, Gowns, and found a fitting outlet for her immense talent.

23 - My Morning Jacket : Circuital
After the distinctly dodgy Evil Urges, Jim James and co returned to something approaching their best form with this record. It's the usual mix of country beauty, Disney soundtracks and heads-down rocking, but done with a passion that's been missing for a few years. Live, they're still something special, and a must-see. With Circuital, MMJ edge a little closer to capturing that spirit on record.

22 - I Break Horses : Hearts
Scandinavia is where it's at this year, with many fine records coming from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This album, a Swedish entry, contained some of the finest shoegazing married to solid pop tunes that I've heard in a while, with Maria Linden's honeyed voice soaring over the MBV-esque guitars and programmed beats. It was released on 4AD, the perfect home for the band's icy cool.

21 - TV On the Radio : Nine Types of Light
Recovering from the death of Gerard Smith, TVOTR surprised everyone with the low-key release of what turned out to be testament to the power of the band. Switching from soaring balladry to confrontational rants, the key to the joy of the record was, as usual, the wonderful vocals of Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone, married to the genius production of David Andrew Sitek.

To hear a selection of tracks from these albums, there's a handy Spotify playlist via the link below:

http://open.spotify.com/user/andrewahannah/playlist/1JSSXOvJVU8yIbiGw6fNGA

Albums of the Year : apologies and explanations

I always thought I was John Cusack's character. Turns out I'm really Todd Louiso....

Aye, it's that time of year again.

By way of introducing the start of the countdown tomorrow, I'm here to explain my reasoning in compiling my top 25 of the year. Basically, it's records I've heard and loved in 2011, not influenced by other websites or magazines, just me and my thoughts on what I've loved this year.

There are some fine records that haven't made the final cut, so apologies in advance to, in no particular order: Treefight for Sunlight, Mountains, Peggy Sue, When Saints Go Machine, Gang Gang Dance (really sorry, that was tough), Tyler, Battles, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Jonathan Wilson, Beirut, Destroyer, Braids, The Dodos and Julianna Barwick. Still, Julianna's on Korallreven's album...

I should also add that I've not really listened to either Bon Iver's or PJ Harvey's records. I admire both, but for some reason I've just not listened to the albums from start to end. I'm sure youse'll get over it.

So that's it. Tomorrow, we kick off from number 25......ooooh, who will it be?

Yeti Lane - Song of the Day

Not sure this strand of The Line Of Best Fit has appeared here before at 78s Don't Wobble, but I've written a small piece to accompany the site's Song of the Day for today!

It's called 'Analog Wheel' and it's by Parisian outrockers Yeti Lane. A slice of Gallic brilliance, it combines a Krautrockin' groove with the shoegaze of MBV, and you can read more (and listen of course) by doing the clicky link thing.

It's out via Sonic Cathedral, and what promises to be one of the albums of 2012 follows in March next year.

Interview : Samantha Crain

Samantha Crain has a great voice. That much is true. She also has a knack of telling a great story. Add to that her take on country music and you've got three things that I love quite a lot.

So, it was a pleasure to have an email chat with the young lady when she was here on tour in November, and I did it all for you. And The Line Of Best Fit, obvs.

So to read all about it, as Professor Green sez, and hear some music, click here!