Its been a pretty average year. Bad weather, the countries down the toilet and their has been some disappointing music about. However, ther has been some tremendous albums.
Arctic Monekys - Humbug
Arctic Monkeys have always delivered quality but overhyped music. Alex Turners great lyrics and catchy chord sequences have helped these young men get top status in the music industry. This is the 3rd proper album they have released and it has been a disappointment. Yes, it sold well, but the lyrical masterpeices that seem to make up this album are lacking musically. There is not even one killer song. All Filler. The slide guitar introduced in this album is interesting but slowed it down significantly, thats not the Monkeys way. Lets hope that the next album is upbeat.
5.5/10
Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions
Who would've thought these Glaswegians could give world of rock such a shake up? The collossol songs that fill this album are married to melodic love songs that could bring tears to the eyes of the hardest man. Probably the best use of Orchestral music on a rock album since Metallica released their "S&M" album. Its shame it isnt mainstream enough to play a lot of these songs on main radio.
7.5/10
Enter Shikari - Common Dreads
Probably causing one of the best sites at the Reading festival 2009, Enter Shakari caused a tidal wave of fans to crowd surf into the hands of over worked security personel. They were playing their first single of this album "Jugganaughts" when that happened. The album houses a more mainstream and pop based selection of mature songs that sum up our feelings of "Broken Britain". Yet, these Emo-Electronic warriors have stayed edgy enough to keep old fans and make a lot of new ones. Mysterious and Agressive, its truly one of the best albums of the year.
7.5/10
Green day - 21st century breakdown
After singer Billy Joes battle with cancer, we expected a certain level of inspiration in this album. It didnt really happen. The first taste of "21st Century Breakdown" was the Pop powered single "Know Your Enemy", a repetative tune that would happily fit into boring 90's Pop-Rock. The next single "21 Guns" was a slight improvement on their previous attempt, but still lacked that Punk edge of American Idiot. However, the album does have some redeaming features. The title song "21st Century Breakdown" and "East Jesus Nowhere" show what this band can do using basic power chords and a bit of vibrato on the microphone.
6/10
Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Massive publicity gained for this band came the numerous adverts with these songs as their soundtrack. They toured with Oasis before they released this record, ironic really, the band they were carrying turned up, out played Oasis and have now probably taken their space in the market. The anthems that fly out of this album is incredible. Yes, fair play, they arent THAT gifted in the musical department nor the lyrics but what they do is make songs that can be shouted out at football matches or down the phone at girlfriends of drunken nights. West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylun has delivered supurb catchy songs that was will still be played on the radio for years to come. One of the albums of the year.
8.5/10
Manic Street Preachers - Journal For Plagued Lovers
After many fans slagged off their last album "Send Away The Tigers" for ripping off their own songs, their was mixed feelings when this came out. However, they delivered something the Manics are renouned for. Change. Their albums have slowly gone more mainstream until this one, it is a jewel that glitters all the dirty and real issues that effect the working class. The songs are much heavier which is the reason why it hasnt had much air play, unfortunately. The album art is reflection of the band going back to the days of "Holy Bible", using the same artist and sums up the feeling of this masterpiece. Using the "lost" lyrics of dead band mate Richie there is a feeling of depressed brilliance that you cannot escape.
7.5/10
Maximo Park - Quicken the heart
What can i say? I wish I had singer Paul Smith's abilty to write love songs. Mind blowing masterpieces of lyrical genius. Each song captures a moment, a feeling and emotion that i have yet to find in any other artist. This album takes a few listens to get into, but when you realise what this album is about you're hooked for life. It doesn't matter that it isnt as dynamic as the previous albums because what the songs lack in speed they make up for in substance. Each minute of this collection tells a story of love and heartbreak that should be kept close to anyone. Basically, "Quicken The Heart" does exactly what it says on the...uhhh...cover.
7.5/10
MUSE - The Resistance
When original MUSE fans who worshiped albums like "Absolution" and "Origin of Symmetry" found out, in the 5th real album, ended up a 3 part orchestral symphony. The reaction was mixed. How dare they totally change their music? "Undisclosed Desires" is almost R'n'B! How dare they? Well that reaction was fair enough i suppose. Look past this change in ideas and what you find is an 11 part mad house of perfection. There isn't a boring song on the whole album. "MK Ultra" is something that music hasnt really heard before, it is synthesised, yet definately rock, yet definately not. Its so hard to get your head around. This libary of magnificance is an equal to the Big Bang theory. If you believe in it then it is life affirming.
8.5/10
Paramore - Brand New Eyes
Dramatic songs balence out the emotional fillers on the Christian Emo's
lastest platform. Lacking in real substance it doesnt really get you to listen to it over and over. However, the "Twighlight Saga" has meant that the confused love song "Decode" has reached people who dont like this music usually, and thus the albums sales have shown their audience has grown and shows no sign of stopping. A few cracking songs on a pretty average album.
6.5/10
The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant
The Cribs recruited "The Smiths" guitarist Johnny Marr for "Ignore The Ignorant" and it has payed off. He has given "The Cribs" a music more structured format and a 'radio friendly' sound. However, it sounds like "The Smiths" and not the exciting 21st Century Indie that was so sucessful in "Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever". Songs like "Cheat On Me" are something different, its a change but not for the best unfortunatly. Disappointing but still worth a listen.
6/10
By Dai Wells
Arctic Monkeys have always delivered quality but overhyped music. Alex Turners great lyrics and catchy chord sequences have helped these young men get top status in the music industry. This is the 3rd proper album they have released and it has been a disappointment. Yes, it sold well, but the lyrical masterpeices that seem to make up this album are lacking musically. There is not even one killer song. All Filler. The slide guitar introduced in this album is interesting but slowed it down significantly, thats not the Monkeys way. Lets hope that the next album is upbeat.
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