Favourite Records of 2009 (Part Three)

Aidan Moffat & The Best Ofs - "How To Get To Heaven From Scotland"
Following last year's album of spoken word prose, the former Arab Strap frontman returned with his first solo album of proper songs. Feeling like some kind of ramshackle late night lock in, the songs are a mix of rollicking stomp along shanties and slower musings of a man leaving behind his younger self. Where once his songs were full of deviant sex, dissected breakups and rampant negativity, this record finds Aidan Moffat sounding somewhat positive, content, romantic and, dare we whisper it, maybe even a little happy.

Morrissey - 'Years Of Refusal'
With hindsight, the album's title may have be seen as tempting fate. Semi-ironic and almost apt for a year which saw Stephen Patrick Morrissey hit by illness, by gig cancellations and by, quite literally, a pint glass. Thankfully, before all the mayhem ensued, he managed to release a record of beefed up, muscular songs that lacked any subtlety but was choc full of great tunes and classic Morrissey titles. His voice may not be what it was and his lyrics may not be reach the heights they used to but his knack for a great melody remains. Refusing to play the game by anyone's rules but his own, Morrissey has ended the year with no record contract and an uncertain future. Deja vu anyone? If history is repeating itself, let's just hope we don't have to suffer another 'Maladjusted' before we get another phoenix like rise from the flames.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - 'The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart'
Sweet, naive, and immense fun, the debut record from The Pains Of Pure At Heart is the kind of record that transports you right back to your early teens. A heady mix of disarming innocence, shoegazing wooziness, twee indie and pure pop delight, these 10 songs are the sound of teenagers having the time of their life before the cynicism and toil of adult life grinds them down. Chances are this band have better records in them but they'll never again capture the pure delight, joy and enthusiasm contained in their self titled debut.

George Pringle - 'Salon Des Refuses'
To describe it crudely, this is the sound of a posh girl reading her diary over some DIY electronica. Part bored teenager, part urbane hipster, George Pringle documents the world around her in a whirl of post-modern, poetic prose. Mixing pop culture references with insights into her own life, there's a certain amount of detached disdain to the whole thing. Both a fondness for and a loathing of the things that fill her days. With lo-fi beats stuttering and pulsing behind her, 'Salon Des Refuses' paints the picture of a bedroom based Holly Golightly.

Aidan Moffat & The Best Ofs - big blonde (live session version)
original version available on 'How To Get To Heaven From Scotland'

Morrissey - black cloud (live at the BBC)
original version available on 'Years Of Refusal'

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - come saturday (live acoustic session version)
original version available on 'The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart'

George Pringle - we coould have been heroes (live session version)
original version available on 'Salon Des Refuses'

mp3 / music / records of 2009 / aidan moffat & the best ofs / morrissey / the pains of being pure at heart / george pringle

Favourite Records of 2009 (Part Two)

Jarvis Cocker - "Further Complications"
Aside from my questionable ability to alphabetise, the inclusion here of Jarvis' second solo album should come as little surprise. I've written about it a few times this year already and it remains one of the most thoroughly enjoyable records of 2009. The songs are harder and his lyrics are sharper than his debut and despite most songs dealing with various middle age losers, Jarvis proves he most certainly isn't one of them.

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
It's long. It's sprawling. It lacks any obvious pop hits and compared to previous Flaming Lips' records, it's a bit of a downer. But despite this, or maybe because of it, 'Embryonic' is their best and most consistent record since 'The Soft Bulletin'. A deliberate step away from the celebrational, unifying sound that had become their schtick, 'Embryonic' finds the band returning to a more experimental approach. The songs are more groove based, the overall sound more psychedelic and with Wayne Coyne's vocals either distorted by vocoder or hidden in the mix of layers, 'Embryonic' feels like the work of a unified and equal band.

Florence & The Machine - Lungs
With a bunch of promising demos that kicking around the internet and a mass of media hype, 'Lungs' came burned with a heavy weight of expectation. Thankfully it didn't disappoint. Depending on your point of view it's either pop with an indie edge or indie with a pop edge. Either way, in a year of interchangeable female singers, Florence stood out from them not only with her massive mane of red hair and unique styling, but with a powerful voice and a collection of well crafted songs that mix raucous guitars with delicate harps, fierce aggression with haunting femininity.

The Horrors - Primary Colours
Did anyone predict this? Talk about wrong footing their fans and haters alike. With Portishead's Geoff Barrow on production duty, The Horrors came back with a startling new direction that bore little in common with their first album. From cartoon goth rockers to shoegazing krautrockers in one record. Instruments swirled, Faris crooned and the songs rode along on rhythms rather than riffs.

Jarvis Cocker - I never said I was deep (live stripped back session version) original version available on 'Further Complications'

The Flaming Lips - I can be a frog (live session version) original version available on 'Embryonic

Florence & The Machine - kiss with a fist (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Lungs'

The Horrors - three decades (live session version) original version available on 'Primary Colours'

mp3 / music / records of 2009 / jarvis cocker / the flaming lips / florence and the machine / the horrors

Favourite Records of 2009 (Part One)

Bat for Lashes - Two Suns
One of the first standout records released this year, it seems like ages since 'Two Suns' was released. And frankly it's taken some time to fully appreciate the scope of this magnificent record in all it's glory. Richly layered with tribal drums, programmed beats, haunting pianos, choirs of voices and Natasha Khan's own chillingly clear enunciations, 'Two Suns' is an intelligently ambitious, deliciously lush and richly rewarding record.

The Dead Weather - Horehound
The near annual appearance of Jack White in my yearly round ups continues, albeit in yet another guise. Neither as stripped back as The White Stripes, nor as polished as The Raconteurs, 'Horehound' is a rough, dark, murky, scuzzy blues rock record shot through with the dangerously seductive vocals of The Kills' Alison Mossheart. The whole thing has an urgent, untamed feel to it that both menaces and thrills in equal measure.

Bob Dylan - Together Through Life
From a bizarre run in with the law, to a curious Christmas release, 2009 has been a bit of a strange year for old Bob. Thankfully inbetween the oddness, he found time to continue his latter period musical revival with yet another great album. His first UK number one album in nearly 40 years, 'Together Through Life' sounds like Dylan is having the time of his life. Whether a result of the spontaneous manner of it's creation or simply the addition of a rather jovial accordian into the mix, these 10 songs continues his exploration of various traditional genres, yet sounds more vital, fresh, relaxed and playful than anything he's released in a long time.

Eels - Hombre Lobo
I'm not sure if it was finally reading E's book 'Things The Grandchildren Should Know' that did it, but this year I developed a greater appreciation for Eels. The fact that 'Hombre Lobo' is amongst their most coherent and musically enjoyable records certainly helped. Essentially an exploration of one character's two sides, the record is part sweet and sentimental love songs from a wallflower romantic and part jagged rock from an obsessed love reject.

Bat For Lashes - sleep alone (live session version) original version available on 'Two Suns'

The Dead Weather - so far from your weapon (live session version) original version available on 'Horehound

Eels - tremendous dynamite (live session version) original version available on 'Hombre Lobo'

mp3 / music / records of 2009 / bat for lashes / the dead weather / bob dylan / eels

They couldn't and they wouldn't have

The cull is complete.

Down from 29 albums to a slightly more acceptable 17.

Now all I've got to do, is sit down and write about them. As with previous years, the list will not be classed as the best albums of 2009, rather it will be my favourite albums of 2009. Note the subtle difference. I make no claims for them being the most innovative, the most ground breaking or the most awe inspiring, sonically adventurous records. They are merely the 17 records that have entertained and excited me the most over the last 12 months. The records that I would definately recommend you buy. Nothing more, nothing less.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before we get to the list we have this post. A kind of holding post cynically aimed at buying time by distracting you with a tracks from albums that almost made it. Almost but not quite. These are the records that were good but not amazing. Records that merely sparked my world rather than setting it on fire. Records that are good in part but which, for me, don't quite hold together as complete, coherent wholes. But if you like what you hear, they may be worth you investigating further.

Band Of Skulls - blood (live session version) original version available on 'Baby Darling Doll Face Honey'

Malcolm Middleton - ballad of fuck all (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Waxing Gibbous'

Idlewild - younger than america (live session version) original version available on 'Post Electric Blues'

My Latest Novel - I declare a ceasfire (live session version) original version available on 'Deaths And Entrances'

Graham Coxon - sorrow's army (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'The Spinning Top'

Julian Plenti - only if you run (live session version) original version available on 'Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper'

PJ Harvey & John Parish - black hearted love (live session version) original version available on 'A Woman A Man Walked By'

Franz Ferdinand - katherine kiss me (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Tonight:Franz Ferdinand'

mp3 / music / band of skulls / malcolm middleton / idlewild / graham coxon / julian plenti / pj harvey & john parish / franz ferdinand / my latest novel

I bought some wine and hopped a train

Things have been a little quiet round here the last week or so.

For which I apologise.

December always proves to be a busy month and frankly, finding the time to sit down and write isn't easy at the best of times. A slew of birthdays, early Christmas parties and a trip to A&E following an unfortunate elbow in the face at football have all come along to occupy my time and take me away from this here blog. December is also the time of year for list making. And no, I'm not talking the kind of list that starts 'Dear Santa...'. I am of course referring to the never ending onslaught of year end lists in which we all attempt to prove what distinguished taste we have compared to our fellow list makers. Currently my shortlist for favourite records of the year stands at the rather large and unsightly number of 29. A figure which suggests an inability to focus on the task at hand and one which requires some trimming. So I'm currently in the process of lopping off the metaphorical deadwood records that, while offering some enjoyment, are far from great.

The problem I'm finding, is not that there have been too many great records released in 2009. Rather, that there have not been enough great records. Sure there are plenty of records I've enjoyed. 29 of them in fact. I counted. There just aren't that many that stand out as immediate choices. As I said not long ago, last year there were two distinct records that blew me away, standing head and shoulders above everything else. This year there isn't one. Not for me anyway. For the first time in as long as I can remember, there is not one record that I could single out as being the record of the year. I could easily name the records that I've listened to the most, but I'm not entirely sure that, were I to come up with such a thing, any of them would make it into my list of 50 favourite records ever. And that may well be the first year in a long time I could comfortably say that.

If anything, the thing I'll remember most about 2009, the red thread that connects most of the records I've heard this year, is the musical equivalent of treading water. The number of bands that have produced records that sound like they're simply reworking their previous output has been astounding. I'm not saying they're making bad records, it's more that they're caught in a musical vacuum. Lacking any sonic shocks or progression in sound, they're simply sticking to that which is safe, easy or obvious. They're not stretching themselves, meaning they run the risk of becoming generic versions of themselves. Threatening their own survival by turning into something resembling their own tribute act.

So here I sit, mulling over my list of 29 records, wondering which ones shall be sacrificed in order to be able to publish a far more coherent and defined list. A list that will hopefully suggest some ability to critically evaluate. I'm not entirely sure what the final figure will be, but I can assure you that it will not be decided by coming to a round figure. Rather it will be reached when I can no longer see anything else to trim. Where to remove another record would be for the sake of having an even figure. So I shall that task now, removing 'Varshons' by The Lemonheads.

As enjoyable a record as it is, it is far from a vital record. As cover records go, it's hardly essential. If anything, it feels more like an aside. A kind of vanity project. A stop gap between proper releases. I'm not exactly familiar with all of the originals but it doesn't strike me that Evan Dando has particularly brought anything new to the ones I do. Unlike Cat Power who manages to reinterpret songs and inject something of her own personality into other people's words, 'Varshons' sees The Lemonheads cruising through familiar country, 70s rock and power pop territory. Only 'Dirty Robot', the Kate Moss duet, manages to bring anything new to the staple ingredients. With Evan Dando vocoded into the title character, it's a track that manages to be remarkable for all the right and wrong reasons. Coming on like a Flight Of The Conchords off cast, it manages to be both the record's highlight and also the song you're most likely to skip after a few listens. Chances are if you're a fan of Evan's laconic, stoned country twang, you'll enjoy 'Varshons' but it's hardly an essential addition to his back catalogue and therefore, not one of my records of the year.

The Lemonheads - waiting around to die (Townes Van Zandt Cover Live Acoustic Session Version) original version available on 'Varshons'

mp3 / music / the lemonheads

Little things I should have said and done

I'm guessing there's isn't a single person that doesn't like this song.

Or at least can't relate to it.

Feel free to be the exception to the rule but it just seems to be one of those songs that strikes a chord with just about everyone. An eternally relatable song. Crossing generations, genders and genres with it's stark honesty. It's raw, bare emotion. All defences and pretences lowered. Presenting a situation I'm sure we've all experienced and it doing it so perfectly. One of those rare songs that gets everything right. Where the lyrics, the music and the sentiment work in such harmony that to add anything more would simply lessen it's power. An undeniable classic that I'm almost certain would be impossible to mess up. I don't think it's unfair to say that the definitive version is undoubtably Elvis Presley's. Not that there haven't been a few attempts to take that particular crown from The King. According to Wikipedia, there are over 300 recorded versions of this song, which I'm guessing would put it up there with 'Yesterday' as one of the most covered songs ever. Personally, I have a bit of a soft spot for the version done by the Pet Shop Boys but today I'm giving you a newer take on it.

Here Noah & the Whale shoot it through with their familiar flavour of melancholic folk. From a sparse, spaced beginning, the song grows in stature. The music building in confidence as the narrator, does until a rather uncharacteristically bold sloppy guitar solo bursts through like the tears finally breaking through a dam of pent up regret. It may not top Elvis but in it's own little way I think it brings something new to the song.

Noah & The Whale - always on my mind (Elvis Presley cover live session version)

mp3 / music / noah & the whale

Pick your Fantasy Festival

The news that U2 are to headline the Glastonbury Festival seems to have been greeted with a mixed reaction.

Some disparaging, some encouraging.

Personally I couldn't care less because once again, I'm not going. That said, if I was going, I wouldn't especially be bitching about U2 because Glastonbury is so big, with so many alternative stages, that the chances of me ending up infront of Bono and his massive ego are slim to none existant. I'm pretty sure that it would be nigh on impossible not to find another far more preferable alternative to watch. As far as I'm concerned, no festival lives or dies by one headliner. You'd have thought people would have learnt that from the whole Jay Z debacle back in 2008. Not that you can please all the people all the time. The only way you could guarantee you'd be 100% happy with a line up, is if you could pick it yourself. A statement which, conveniently enough, leads me into the reason for this post.

Sony and Last FM have teamed up to launch a new Fantasy Festival game. You get to name your festival, then pick your ultimate line-up and enter it into leagues to compete in popularity against other festivals based on the play statistics generated by Last FM's users. As a self confessed music obsessed geek with a bit of a competitive streak in me, there's no way I wouldn't love this. And if you're like me, I think you'll love it too. You have to choose 15 acts and the only concession you have to make is that your line up can't cost more than one million pounds. Having just picked my own, I've got to say that deciding within the limitations of the budget isn't quiet as easy as it might seem and there are one or omissions that I'm a bit gutted about. Overall though, I'm pretty happy with the line up. Now all I need to do, is find a way of making it a reality.

And while I get on with thinking how to raise the dead, you can check out the line up for 'To Die By Your Festival' and then get on with the task of creating your own festival. I've started a league so feel free to click here and join it and see who can top the festival season. The question is, will you pick a line up you really want to see or will you cynically go for the high points scorers in order to win the prizes? While you make your decision, here's some tracks from a selection of the acts you can see with your virtual ticket to 'To Die By Your Festival' coming to an imaginary field near you soon.

Radiohead - where I end and you begin (live session version) original version available on 'Hail To The Thief'

Elbow - scattered black and whites (live session version) original version available on 'Asleep In The Back'

Wilco - deeper down (live session version) original version available on 'Wilco (The Album)'

Cat Power - baby blue (live session version)

mp3 / music / sony / fantasy festival / radiohead / elbow / wilco / cat power