This year, there appears to have been more music than ever and with the introduction of the likes of
This year, there appears to have been more music than ever and with the introduction of the likes of Apple Music and, to a lesser extent, Tidal, there’s been more ways than ever to hear it. We’ve tried to bring it to you in as many ways as possible but the best way is usually just to write about it or playlist it.We miss things though. It’s inevitable. We have a small team of people who have lives to lead up and down the country and across the globe, and whilst we’d love to force them to work for free for ages, the government are already doing that to plenty nationally, so we don’t.By way of apology for the things we’ve missed, it’s only right that you’re as best informed as possible before the year ends.Without further ado, we’ll be posting about a load of great records that we think deserve a place in your Top 10, or that we haven’t already reviewed this year.The RockersDinosaur Pile Up – 11:11As far as I’m concerned, DPU are one of the most underrated rock bands in the country. Now with three records under their belt, they stand up alongside northern bretherin Pulled Apart By Horses and Drenge as one of the last remaining bands in Britain with nothing but unadulterated rock and roll coursing through their veins. 11:11 is the rightful and darker continuation of Matthew Bigland’s solid output of utter belters. Whilst Nature/Nurture dabbled in the poppier sides of rock, from the homonymous lead single it was clear that the other side of this coin was being explored. It’s riffs for days to the point that I can barely tell you the favourite tracks from it simply because it plays through like a train chugging through the pennines at night, and I mean that in a good way!Listen to: “11:11″, “Anxiety Trip”, “Grim Valentine”Drenge – UndertowIt’s unlike albums as dark as Drenge’s second to feature so heavily on our minds at the end of the year. The simple truth however is that if you put Drenge in any room, turn down the lights and plug in their newly three piece instruments, they won’t disappoint. If you thought their debut was exciting but a little juvenile, I implore you to wrap your ears around Undertow. Drenge are now a fire breathing band covered in everyone else’s sweat. Of course, when you put on “We Can Do What We Want”, the all-kicking all-punk rock mosh off, it may feel like Drenge haven’t grown up at all, but in the content of their tracks now, is a method to the chaos and in terms of listening to the record from A-Z, it makes for a more enjoyable experience for all.Fightstar – Behind The Devil’s BackIt’s fair to say that this is by far the heaviest record in our contention this year. In the first 20 seconds of “Sharp Tongue”, Fightstar remind us how lucky we are to have them back and they refuse to take their foots off the pedal. Even in slightly cringey, instantly dated moments, you remember that Charlie Simpson’s signature vocals will be back in a few seconds and it hardly distracts from anything happening around it. When you hear their comeback single “Animal”, it takes everything not to shout it out in public. Fightstar are essential and we’re very glad that the reformation of Busted won’t damage that fact.Listen to: “Sink With The Snakes”, “Animal”, “Murder All Over”. -- source link
#dinosaur pile-up#fightstar#drenge#charlie simpson#albums