It’s been a hit and miss year for rock music, with just a handful of high-profile releases, but plenty of surprise packages. In keeping with tradition, here’s my Top 20 rundown. Click on the links to take a listen on Grooveshark or Spotify.
1.) Dry The River – Shallow Bed
There were a few difficult decisions in the Top 20, but picking a top album was not one of them. Dry The River’s highly engrossing blend of folk and emo is nigh-on irresistible and sets the standard for their contemporaries to aim for.
2.) Bloc Party – Four
A triumphant return to form from Kele and his cohorts who remembered just how effective distorted guitars and thunderous riffs can be.
3.) Muse – The 2nd Law
Taking the ‘kitchen sink’ approach to songwriting, Muse threw everything at this third album and the result is a thoroughly adventurous record which improves with every listen.
4.) Jim Lockey And The Solemn Sun – Death
The record I’ve been waiting four years for Jim Lockey to record – Death throbs with powerful tunes, and excellent production values underpin this meaty new sound.
5.) Sonic Boom Six – Sonic Boom Six
Running Muse close to the wire as Britain’s most inventive band, SB6 went for an electro approach on their self-titled fourth album, resulting in some hard-hitting tunes and a bit of a classic ska-punk thrown in for good measure.
6.) Mumford and Sons – Babel
More of the same from folk-rock’s darlings – they may have cracked America with Babel, but will need to display more invention next time around.
7.) Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten
Five months ago I called this a strong contender for album of the year, and whilst it has faded in appeal after a few dozen listens, Handwritten remains a solid album full of big riffs and bigger choruses.
8.) Baddies – Build
First Danananaykroyd then these guys – for the second year running, I tip a band for big things, then they split up. Nonetheless, Build will stand as a fitting swansong for this dynamic quartet.
9.) Maximo Park – The National Health
Going back to their roots, a return to forum, call it what you like, this album is Maximo Park playing to their strengths and hitting heights not seen since their 2005 debut.
10.) Maps & Atlases – Beware & Be Grateful
Perhaps the most confusing album in my Top Ten – Maps & Atlases manage to blend together math rock and 80s pop into a delightful combination of charm and sheer technical brilliance.
11.) The Futureheads – Rant
12.) The Cribs – In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull
13.) Frank Turner – The Second Three Years
14.) Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly – Maps
15.) Pulled Apart By Horses – Tough Love
16.) The Beach Boys – That’s Why God Made The Radio
17.) The Killers – Battle Born
18.) Air – Le Voyage Dans La Lune
19.) Green Day – Uno!
20.) Tenacious D – Rize Of The Fenix
So, what can we expect from 2013? Well the year will surely get off to a great start with Biffy Clyro due to unveil their double album, Queens Of The Stone Age will return with Dave Grohl on drums, and Lostprophets will… oh, wait.
Until then, I leave you with my favourite video of the past 12 months, enjoy:
