Monthly Archives: April 2011

What A Lovely Guy

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The rise of Elbow in the last few years has provided a lovely change to the last few meteoric rises of bands I’ve loved.

Kings Of Leon made two brilliant rock albums before making a decent third album and a poor, massively selling, fourth album. I didn’t even bother buying their fifth one…

Arctic Monkeys produced a brilliant debut album, then a very average one. Then ‘Humbug’ was just plain dull. I doubt I’ll get their next one.

The Seldom Seen Kid

However, Elbow broke into wider consciousness with their album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, and it’s a cracking album. With songs like ‘Starlings’, ‘Grounds For Divorce’ and ‘One Day Like This’ it deserved all the praise it got. I’m just surprised it got the praise.

Now its follow up ‘Build A Rocket Boys!’ has been released and clocked in at Number 2, a lovely sight to see considering the terrible state of the charts. This album already sound fit to match ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ and I’m very much looking forward to seeing Elbow again at Leeds Festival this summer. I reckon ‘Open Arms’ will be one of the highlights of the summer.

Build A Rocket Boys!

But music aside it’s lovely to see nice people succeed in any walk of life, and Guy Garvey certainly seems like a nice guy. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything bad said about the man and you can’t help but like him from his interviews and the passion he puts into his music.

I recently read that when asked about what makes him happy, Garvey responded by saying a quiet pub and a bloody good chat. Isn’t that just brilliant? He’s a ‘rock star’ in a big band and that’s all it takes to make him happy.  He’s also mentioned that one of his main interests is bird watching. In an age where pop stars make ludicrous demands and have huge ego’s it’s refreshing and relieving to see that normal people can still make it big.

NME recently did a list of the nicest people in music and Garvey ‘topped’ the list despite no numbers actually being allocated. All in, it just seems right to reckon a guy who is an excellent lyricist with a lovely singing voice and who is a genuine all round good guy.

Guy Garvey

 

Top 10 Albums 2010

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This list is purely my opinion obviously and I’ll be doing it in ascending order. If you don’t know the bands you should check out a track or two, which I’ve helpfully recommended.

10. Vampire Weekend – Contra

Contra

 

Having put out an impressive self-titled debut in 2008, Vampire Weekend managed to maintain the standards set by their first album. They kept up their personal quirky style despite the huge success they’d encountered.

Key Tracks: California English, Cousins, Giving Up The Gun

Falcon

 

9. The Courteeners – Falcon

Similarly to Vampire Weekend, The Courteeners had put out an exciting first album a few years ago and also kept up the standard for their second album. There was a slight change in style with some softer, slower songs but no dip in quality.

Key Tracks: Sycophant, The Opener, Will It Be This Way Forever?

8. Manic Street Preachers – Postcards From A Young Man

Postcards From A Young Man

 

The Manic Street Preachers did what they do best and made another brilliant album. But what did you expect from Britain’s best band? If all they make is entertainment then at least they do it better than almost everyone else.

Key Tracks: All We Make Is Entertainment, A Billion Balconies Facing The Sun, Postcards From A Young Man

Codeine Velvet Club

 

7. Codeine Velvet Club – Codeine Velvet Club, Vanity Kills

I was disappointed when The Fratellis split up but Jon Fratelli went on to form an even better band with singer Lou Hickey to make this wonderful album. Sadly, the band has since split but we’ll always have this album to remember them by.

Key Tracks: I Would Send You Roses, The Black Roses

6. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang

American Slang

 

Having become aware of The Gaslight Anthem through The ’69 Sound I eagerly awaited to see if the follow-up album could match its predecessor, and I was definitely not disappointed. Fast, catchy and exciting – they’ve become one of America’s best bands.

Key Tracks: The Spirit Of Jazz, American Slang, Old Haunts

I And Love And You

 

5. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You

I had never heard of The Avett Brothers (Who’ve been about for 11 years) before this album but I’m mightily glad I have now. A tremendous, varied album mixed with fun short songs and powerful ballads.

Key Tracks: Slight Figure Of Speech, Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise, Tin Man

4. Eels – Tomorrow Morning

Tomorrow Morning

 

The third of the current trilogy of Eels album and the second in 2010, Tomorrow Morning found E in a happier mood than on the previous album. E remains the best songwriter in the world and delivered as ever on this album.

Key Tracks: The Man, Spectacular Girl, I Like The Way This Is Going

 

Beachcomber's Windowsill

3. Stornoway – Beachcomber’s Windowsill

My favourite folk band Stornoway delivered a hugely impressive debut album, the best of 2010, full of beautifully crafted songs. They were the best new band of 2010 and this record is testament to their quality even if they remain a small band. Here’s hoping they can keep up this standard in the future.

Key Tracks: I Saw You Blink, Fuel Up, We Are The Battery Human

2. The Futureheads – The Chaos

The Chaos

 

The Futureheads were one of the most consistent bands of the ’00s with three excellent albums. The Chaos simply continues this trend. Packed with catchy sinalong songs and talented harmonies the band yet again hit gold. The best British album of the year.

Key Tracks: Sun Goes Down, Jupiter, The Chaos

1. Eels – End Times

The middle of the trilogy was one of E’s saddest albums to date. It was no surprise that one of his albums made album of the year, it’s simply a reflection of talented the man is. A truly touching album, End Times is a perfect example of the quality all bands should aspire to achieve with their music. Having two albums in the top five for the year, with Hombe Lobo all having been in 2009′ top five continues to cement Eels in their place as the best band in the world, by quite some distance.

Key Tracks: A Line In The Dirt, Nowadays, Mansions Of Los Feliz

End Times