Blimey is that time of year again already? The R13 team have only just worked off last years Xmas pudding! We achieved this of course by furiously typing away throughout the year to bring you coverage of some pretty stonking CDs and live shows. "Ah but which were the best?" I hear you cry...as usual much blood was spilled, the odd tooth lost and all manner of hand gestures exchanged as we struggled to agree on a definitive list. As usual we failed dismally in reaching agreement so we thought it only fair to let everyone have their say and thus may we present the R13 writers pick of 2011:
Best Albums
Ross Pike
Altar of Plagues 'Mammal'
Black metal continues to morph and grow beyond the strictures imposed by the old guard back in Norway. Ireland's Altar of Plagues released an album teeming with atmospherics, new accents on established sounds and stuff you've never heard on a regular black metal record. The record needs to be heard in its entirety but 'When the Sun Drowns in the Ocean' is in particular, stunning.
Band website
Mastodon 'The Hunter'
Atlanta's favourite heavy rockers released their fifth studio record two years after the lengthy, prog infused cosmic rumination on life and death that was "Crack the Skye". This time they trimmed some of the fat (songs running to three minutes in length instead of fifteen) and reminded us of their lighter side on cuts like 'Stargasm' and 'Creature Lives'; kept the heavy shit coming and weren't afraid to show their deeply felt emotions on 'The Hunter' and 'The Sparrow'. It is fair to say that anything they turn their hand to is worth hearing.
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Insomnium 'One For Sorrow'
Melodic death metal, melodeath or whatever this is being called - it won't be everyone's particular cup of tea but Insomnium's latest is worth overcoming any misgivings you may have. Referencing the rhyme associated with magpies in this country and then coating the record sleeve in crows may seem incongruous but the music itself is at turns dramatic and lowkey; melancholic and blisteringly heavy. Highly recommended.
Band Website
Gavin Lloyd
Lower Than Atlantis 'World Record'
Only a year after releasing their brilliant 'Far Q' album Lower Than Atlantis returned with the stunning 'World Record'. An album that showcases a band that has grown into one of the finest rock bands in the country in very little time at all, 'World Record' is an album with killer songs from start to finish. Really a master class in modern day rock song writing with Mike Deuce's fantastic honest lyrics songs such as 'Deadliest Catch', 'Another Sad Song', 'Could You? Would You?' and of course 'Beech Like The Tree' all being perfect to be sung along at loud volume live and makes this one of the albums of the year.
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Omar Soliman
Miles Kane 'The Colour Of The Trap'
Fusing 60's pop with indie and still making it sound fashionable should be commended. To do it alone was brash but Kane pulled it off supremely.
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The Horrors 'Skying'
You cannot fault The Horrors for ambition. If Primary Colours had them clad in black and white then Skying saw them in brash technicolour. The album took their synth pop rock and brilliantly re-jig it as if paying homage to the 80s. Not only did it sound glorious but not at all odd, a triumph.
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Paul Chesworth
Chickenfoot 'III'
Trying to avoid the 2nd album syndrome they just skipped it, and named the sophomore album 'III'. Quality! Its a band effort this time round and boy do the songs stand out and make 'III' one of the essential rock purchases of 2011. With a combined age of 266, Chickenfoot blow off the cobwebs and show all the younger whipper-snappers how to produce a great rock album.
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Jim Ody
Dave Hause 'Resolutions'
Off the back of the Revival Tour with the likes of Chuck Ragan, Dan Adriano and Brian Fallon, Dave Hause has surprised me with producing a solo album that is better than the rest of these guys' solo/side-projects offerings. That in itself is a strong statement as not one of them hgave a duff album to us this year! The Loved Ones lead singer is able to give a touch of Springsteen with some Chuck Ragan-esque stripped down acoustic tunes. It's well written, with deep and poetic lyrics that smell earthy and natural. Hugely underrated, Dave Hause has given me the album of the year!
Review
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Hollywood Undead 'American Tragedy'
This is Metal/Rap at its best. The band's second album is much more polished than the fantastic debut album, that mix up strong rap verses with almost boy-band-esque choruses provided hooks and melodies that will stay in your mind for days. This is x-rated R'n'B with enough guitars and drums to keep those with a passion for Rock happy. They are more than a gimmick of a bunch of blokes in masks boasting their way through songs, and whilst the debut throw too many styles in making it sound disjointed, this flows nicely leading from musical genre to another seamlessly.
Review
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James Cartlidge
The Fall 'Ersatz G.B.'
Even after 30-odd years in the music industry, this proves that Mark E Smith can still create a thoroughly enjoyable, playful and coherent album. All the classic characteristics are present: the snarl, the underproduction, the cutting and sometimes hilarious social commentary - they're all here. Every track brings something to the record, and the current line-up really gel as a whole, with Eleni's keyboards giving a new depth to the already well-established Fall sound. To top it off, Smith sounds twenty years younger on some parts of 'Taking Off.'
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Tom Waits 'Bad As Me'
The next time Tom Waits takes seven years to make an album, I would let him off: this was worth the wait. As classic an album by Waits' standards as anything since 'Rain Dogs', showcasing everything a fan of his could ask for; comprising of both the heartfelt ballads and snarling rockers we're used to. On rockers like 'Chicago', 'Bad as Me' and 'Hell Broke Luce', we are given a forceful reminder that this is still the same man from who giants like Nick Cave got their inspiration, whilst also being treated to more fragile ballads like 'Back in the Crowd' and the bluesy 'Talking at the Same Time'.
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Radiohead 'The King of Limbs'
One of the best things about this album was its release alone. The pure surprise of the announcement, how on the night of its release it almost succeeded in killing social networking sites for a night, and how after some mysterious happenings, we got it a night early! It was a true internet event happening before your eyes in real time. Plus, it was the first album in a while where fans actually seemed to get excited about the package itself when it arrived - the 'newspaper edition' gave fans not only the CD, but two see-through vinyl, and tiny pieces of artwork, along with a newspaper itself. The music itself, however, was a different revelation altogether. A subtle exploration of beats and minimalism, 'The King of Limbs' saw an even more experimental Radiohead sound than 'Kid A', where intricate sounds were interplayed with drum loops that sounded like watered down dubstep in some places. All this combined with Yorke's inimitable vocals (If anyone made anything more hauntingly beautiful than 'Codex' this year, I'd like to hear it) made for a fantastic overall album. The single, 'Lotus Flower' was a perfect example of the new sound as a whole: playful video included. From the opening stumbles of 'Bloom' to the acoustics on 'Give Up the Ghost' on to the closing bars of 'Separator', this was possibly Radiohead's finest hour since 'OK Computer'. Such was its mystery and power, fans clambered all over the internet claiming there was a conspiracy that this album was but 'Part 1' of the 'King of Limbs' project (even though Radiohead themselves denied it): here's hoping the follow-up is half this good.
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Neil Richardson
Stereo Is A Lie 'Stereo Is A Lie'
Hard to believe that this was released in 2011, seems to have been played over and over that it is now as familiar as a childhood friend. Awesome debut from the indie rockers from Austin, Texas showing just why Austin calls itself "The Music Capital of the World". The album is as solid as any album you will come across; with each track good enough to be a lead track. Now, how do we get them over here to play live?
Review
Ringo Deathstarr 'Colour Trip'
Another Austin band, maybe there is something in this music capital of the world malarkey. No strangers from these shores having already popped over a couple of times, released this album early in 2011 full of distorted guitars creating fuzz rock meets shoegaze music with great boy girl vocals.
Review
Pascal Briggs 'The Mercenary'
Ok a bit of a cheat this one. Technically this album was released last year but, thanks to a hint from another artist, it only came to us this year. German singer songwriter is a description that would make most people run a mile at the thought but those that stay are treated to a real gem of an album full of great songs and none more so than 'Millennium', a real heart felt angry tale. Thank you Louise Distras for introducing us to this amazing talent.
Review
Emma Gould
*shels 'Plain Of The Purple Buffalo'
It was four years in the making for *shels sophomore full length, was it been worth the wait? The answer was a resounding yes.
Review
Band Facebook Page
Monument 'Goes Canoeing'
Monument make this mix of off kilter chords and odd harmonies combined with euphoric melodies sound easy but this record with it's intense layered sounds and complexity was obviously a labour of love. It comes highly recommended.
Review
Bandcamp
Andy Latham
Eureka Machines 'Champion The Underdog'
I cited this as a contender for album of the year back in April and it remains on the shortlist! A fabulous combination of great riffs, and big choruses with melody just oozing out of every orifice and the production is little short of sublime.
Review
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Max Raptor 'Portraits'
This is the one for me, 'Album of the Year'! There just isn't a bad moment on it; it's vibrant, current and in your face all at the same time. Still on the playlist 8 months after we picked it up, just brilliant!
Che Ballard reviewed it and agreed with me, which is just as well or there may have been fisticuffs!
Review
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Gemma Shaw (Photographer)
rwake - 'Rest'
Mastodon - 'The Hunter'
I'm not so good at writing reviews but they are awesome! :)
Best Single
Ross Pike
The Black Keys 'Lonely Boy'
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The best singles band in the world?
Vestals 'Into Night'
Glorious swooshy paisley shoegaze.
Radiohead 'Supercollider/The Butcher'
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Thom Yorke brings sexy back.
Gavin Lloyd
Enter Shikari 'Sssnakepit'
The first single to be released from Enter Shikari's third album showed that there is a lot to get excited about when it is released next year. As always mashing dance and rock between some frantic drum and bass and a brutal breakdown all topped off with one of the best choruses the band has ever written.
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Dappy 'No Regrets'
Perhaps a controversial choice but the N Dubz main man's first solo effort was a slice of pop perfection, containing a chorus so huge it's hard not to throw your arms in the air and sing along as loud as you can. Coming close to an urban power ballad, after constant spins it still sounds massive and is one of the most feel good songs heard all year.
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Omar Soliman
Lana Del Rey 'Video Games'
Proving that a brilliant song can still sneak into the charts the track announced Lana Del Rey onto playlists. Sultry, playful with a smidgen of restraint, Video Games gave just enough to send tongues wagging.
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Neil Richardson
Charlotte Eriksson 'The Glass Child / This Is How Ghosts Are Made'
It has been quite a year for Charlotte Eriksson, reaching number 2 in her native Swedish iTunes chart with her charity single 'I Will Lead You Home', playing over in America for the first time and releasing her first EP "The Glass Child", with second EP "This Is How Ghosts Are Made" hot on its tracks. Quite honestly I cannot decide between the two as to which one should be included on the list, so I am going to cheat and mention both. The latter release shows just how mature Charlotte Eriksson has become in the music world and is probably the better EP but "The Glass Child" just came out of the blue from an unknown artist and blew me away.
Review
Review
The Foreign Resort 'The Foreign Resort'
Another EP that came out of the blue to blow me away and yet another export from Scandanavia, this time from Denmark. The Foreign Resort combine post rock and shoegaze to create an atmospheric yet hard hitting EP. The Foreign Resort have been playing for a few years but despite having been over to America a few times, have yet to make the short trip across the North Sea to these parts, which does seem rather silly as their music will be loved here.
Review
Louise Distras - 'Heart Strings On A Hand Grenade'
Three tracks that feature Louise Distras with only her acoustic guitar playing some amazing folk meets punk tunes. All three tracks are heartfelt and about everyday life, which are played and sung both soulfully and angrily. All the tracks work perfectly live too.
Review
Emma Gould
Cloud Mouth 'That Ghost Is Always With Me'
With dense guitar distortion, screams, intense drums and a core of melody woven throughout, Cloud Mouth have an EP that really works its claws into you and won't let go.
Review
Bandcamp
Annabel 'Here We Are Tomorrow'
The tunes on this release brim with breezy melodies, layer on the scuzzy guitar and delight with off kilter riffs resulting in five songs you crave to hear over an over.
Review
Bandcamp
Best Live Shows
Ross Pike
Barn Owl, Lagan Legacy Barge, Belfast, April 2011
Avant-garde guitar mangling at massively reduced volume due to the venue restrictions. Strange but brilliant place and BYOB!
Review
My Morning Jacket, Somerset House, London 18th July
My first MMJ gig since they toured "Z" nearly five years ago and they took on the bigger stage with customary goofy aplomb courtesy of Jim James' capering and amazing songs.
Black Breath, Borderline, London, 14th July
Blackened hardcore from the States in a sweatbox venue and an uncompromising lesson in blitzkrieg rock and roll.
Roger Waters, O2, London, 17th May
The polar opposite to Black Breath grandiose, even a bit silly but nevertheless the way rock shows in arenas should be.
Gavin Lloyd
Sonic Boom Six
Despite being around for a number of years Sonic Boom Six really stepped things up this year, releasing singles such as 'New Style Rocka', 'Sunny Side of the Street' and 'Kids of the Multiculture' the band embraced a more accessible edge while still clinging on to their punk roots. Live the band have been providing fun times up and down the country with Barney Boom and Leila K being a double hit of superb frontman/woman showmanship respectively. Punters have been left with the feeling that they're watching the evolution of Sonic Boom Six from a great band to something truly special, if you haven't checked them out yet make sure you do in 2012!
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Your Demise
Your Demise have slowly but surely been working their way up the ranks, a band that always had more ambition and drive to push boundaries that they're debut 'Ignorance Never Dies' only hinted at. It wasn't until they acquired new singer Ed Mcrae that things really started to heat up. Their brilliant album from last year 'The Kids We Used To Be' retained their punishing hardcore sound but Mcrae's clean vocals added some much needed character to the band creating a sound that has been driving crowds mental over the past year. Hardcore grit combined with huge sing along choruses and heaps of front man swag from Mcrae has seen the band create chaos wherever they've played.
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Omar Soliman
Pulp at Leeds Festival
Back in Yorkshire and back in demand. After the mediocre showing from The Strokes, Jarvis Cocker and co proved that retro can be cool albeit even a little nerdy. The likes of Disco 2000 and Common People still sounded relevant for a new generation judging by the kids at the front. Yet it was Cocker's interaction that stole the show; dressed as the Geography teacher you'd actually take down to the pub he made a field in Leeds feel like his front room.
Paul Chesworth
Foreigner
Playing support to Journey, a reinvigorated Foreigner blew away the competiton with their brand of US hits, mainly down to the sublime quality of singer Kelly Hansen. On board since 04, he's given Foreigner a new lease of life that other bands in the same genre from the 80s can only dream of. Dare I say it, the 2011 Foreigner is possibly even better then the original Foreigner!
Jim Ody
Good Charlotte Shepherds Bush Empire 7th July 2011
Having seen the band play a disjointed and quite frankly awful gig at Bristol in 1995, I had not rushed to the band again, however I am glad that I did. This was not only the best gig of the year but one of the best gigs I have been to. The band have a new lust for life having produced an album that is as good as their first two offerings, mixing up big choruses with on tip harmonies and still with a dash of experimental that this time works. This gig seemed to reflect a mix of hysteria and general delight at seeing a band that no longer boast dismissive to the fans, but are humble and almost embarrassed by their success and wealth telling the crowd, "Go download our stuff for free and pass it on. We've made enough money already! We just want people to listen and enjoy our music." It was a highly energetic and well executed gig leaving all attending thoroughly satisfied!
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James Cartlidge
The National High Violet tour (Glasgow and Latitude Festival)
If The National's live shows give you anything, it's value for money. For the price of the ticket you will get two hours of wonderfully captivating performances of their new songs and classics alike, accompanied by good-natured banter between band and crowd, along with an often spectacular light show. The minute this band walk on stage, their adoring following change the atmosphere of the room entirely, as they launch into their fantastic live set. Not a second wasted: some songs will be heavy, anthemic rockers (Bloodbuzz, Squalor Victoria, Available, Abel) whilst a lot of the time is spent on their more heartfelt, lower-key, moody numbers, such as 'England', 'Exile Vilify' and 'Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks' (the latter often performed acoustically in the crowd on this tour). A purely stunning band to see. Do not miss them.
Adam Ant 'The Good, the Mad and the Lovely Posse' tour (Latitude Festival)
Comeback of the year. A lot of fans were on edge about his return to the live circuit after a certainly troubling time in his life, but his returning live shows can be described as nothing less than triumphant. He still retains the unmistakable style and swagger of his early days, and his presence on the stage simply lights up the room. The performances themselves are full of passion and energy, and it is clear that Ant is having fun once again. He and his new band rattled through the classics such as 'Stand and Deliver', 'Prince Charming', 'Dog Eat Dog' and 'Goody Two Shoes': it may have been nostalgia, but there was no denying the quality.
The Low Anthem 'Smart Flesh' tour (Norwich Arts Centre)
Possibly my surprise of the year: I expected them to be good, but not necessarily THAT good. Touring the new material off 'Smart flesh', The Low Anthem's gigs are intimate, often sparse affairs, but they put on a magical, captivating performance in the perfectly suited venue of a converted church. They open with a wonderfully moody take on 'Smart Flesh' and it is immediately obvious that their singer Ben Knox is one you cannot take your eyes off for too long. They are clearly accomplished musicians: swapping instruments between songs and harmonizing into one old radio microphone are commonplace. Each member can be playing an instrument at the same time, or there can be just one guitar playing whilst three of them harmonize around the same microphone, in the case of the absolutely beautiful rendition of 'Ghost Woman Blues'. Otherwise, they can rock, such as on 'Boeing 737' and 'Hey All You Hippies', but the highlights tend to be the subtly played, hymnal sounding folk ballads. Included in their set is a well-played singing saw during 'This god damn house' and their most famous B-side 'Sally Where'd You Get Your Liquor From?' Overall they play a magical performance - one you can pleasantly lose yourself in.
Neil Richardson
Talons - Vibe Bar
It's only the second week of 2011 and already we had one of the best gigs of the year. Talons released their debut album towards the end of 2010 and it literally blew us away. Their live show back in January did exactly the same and in doing so created a very high bench mark for live gigs for the year.
Review
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Hammersmith Apollo
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's first and only gig of the UK demonstrated why this band is consistently one of the top selling live bands over in America. The elaborate stage production coupled with a massive ensemble of fantastic singers and musicians made this a night to remember. The lasers and fire may have given the show a wow factor but it was the rock opera's music that made this show get on the list. Now we just need to get them all back over here again in 2012.
Review
Dananananaykroyd - Kings College
Last tour ever for our favourite Glasgow band to watch live and yet again they produced a show full of great music combined with their fun stage show, which often overspills onto the dance floor. No one could stop smiling despite knowing it will be the last time we see this group of guys play together, well until the reunion tour we hope.
Review
Emma Gould
The Skull Defekts - Swn Festival 2011
Swedish psych-drone-rock for piece The Skull Defekts put on a brilliant show to end the second night of Swn Festival 2012 at the Buffalo Bar in Cardiff.
Review
Myspace
The Good Wife - Swn Festival 2011
The Southampton four piece play exciting and nasty hardcore and channel the spirits of The Jesus Lizard and Oxbow, with raw vocals, seriously low bass, not a note wasted and an intense front man.
Review
Andy Latham
The Damned 35th anniversary tour
People that really matter know all about The Damned and they know that the chance to see the 1980 classic 'Black Album' played in it's entirety was just too good an opportunity to miss! The band didn't disappoint and delivered the kind of performance I would've wet my pants over 20 odd years ago (let's not go there).
Review
Eureka Machines Retro Bar, Manchester
Didn't review this at the time, just enjoyed it! Pokey little venue but when you get a really good band in there it sounds great and Eureka Machines fit the bill perfectly; the only gripe being that they didn't play 'Everything's Fine' but apart from that it was a fantastic show.
New Model Army HMV Ritz, Manchester Dec 2011
A late entry but one that's fully deserved. It's been a couple of years since I saw NMA and it's no exaggeration to say that they blew me away! Everything was just spot on; the set list showcased the best of the newer material alongside old classics and there wasn't a dull moment throughout. They always deserved to be bigger than they are and this gig just reaffirmed that. NMA have that unique quality of not sounding remotely like anyone else and defying categorisation. Brilliant.
So there you have it, our picks of all that was fabulous and groovy in 2011. Times are hard, there are riots down the road and the poop has hit the fan! Yet amongst all of this there are still some awesome sounds being generated by the great and the good. We don't know how they do it but to the musicians of the world, we salute you!
Thanks for sticking with us this year, we promise to return after Xmas, fatter, drunker and ready for another 12 months of rock and roll debauchery! Bring it on.