The Black Keys - El Camino

El Camino is the seventh album from The Black Keys released in December on Nonesuch Records, and is co-produced by Danger Mouse.
Brothers, although I didn’t mention it in my Top 10 of 2010 has grown to be one of my favourite albums of all time and I couldn’t wait to hear El Camino when it came out and although it’s a real good album, it’s not quite on par with Brothers but I might change my mind after I’ve played it a few more times.
Everything has pretty much been done right with this record, the songwriting is spot on and every song, pretty much like it’s predecesor, has the ability to carry it’s own as a single and it’s for this reason I decided to pick it as my number 1.

Favourite Songs: Gold On The Cieling, Little Black Submarines, Sister, Hell Of A Season & Nova Baby

Foster The People - Torches

Torches is the debut record from Foster The People released on Columba Records in the UK. Arguably the best album released this year the band, initially a solo project of Mark Foster, has developed into something between an indie rock and a synth pop dancefloor band and their sound is quite difficult to pigeon hole.
Pretty much the entire world has heard Pumped Up Kicks which was also the first song I heard (in Topman!) which lead me to listen to the album on Spotify, and it was that good I brought it on CD more or less within a week of first hearing it.
For a very long time I had this down as my album of the year. It’s such a good album. Extremely catchy songs, and although most people will have heard Pumped Up Kicks, it’s about the most down tempo song on the album and the rest of the record it’s much more upbeat.

Favourite Songs: Helena Beat, Call It What You Want & Houdini

Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix

‘Fix’ is the third album from Bombay Bicycle Club, and if you’ve been following me for the past 3 years you’ll know how much I like them. Their debut was my favourite album of 2009 and the second album, the acoustic record was my number 2 (topped only by Delphic’s debut). Their 3rd record represents yet another transition and although is a return to the electrical guitar based sound on the first record, it’s definitely a development.

Instead of the guitar riff sound on the first album, the presence of synthesizer and pedal loops is much more prevalent on this record as is the inclusion of Lucy Rose on backing vocals, who only serves to strengthen BBC’s sound even further. She made Flaws the record that it was and she also makes ‘Fix’ the album that it is. Her voice perfectly compliments Steadman’s on backing vocals and elevates the record to the next level. Although at times it is easy to get lost in the album, it’s a record that only gets better as you become more familiar with it. Lights Out, Words Gone is easily a contender for song of the year.

Favourite Songs - Lights Out Words Gone, Shuffle, Leave It, What You Want, Still

Thrice - Major / Minor

If Beggars represented the completion of Thrice’s transition into an Alternative rock band, then Major / Minor exists to complete that legacy. An extremely solid album that in my opinion, lacks slightly in lyrical content when compared to it’s predecessor but makes up for it with extremely tight songwriting. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to listen to this as much as I’d like to because I haven’t been able to pick up a copy but thanks to Spotify I’ve been able to hear it before I buy it and it’s definitely on my shopping list for 2012.
This album also marks what could possibly be the end of Thrice as a “full time band” following a statement from Dustin on Thrice.net that the band wasn’t breaking up but taking a break…

Favourite Songs - Yellow Belly, Cataracts & Call It In The Air

The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar

The Big Roar is the debut album from Welsh band, The Joy Formidable and released at the start of the year on Atlantic Records.
When I first heard this record I thought i’d already heard the album of the year. It’s an alternative heavy guitar based record that isn’t afraid to deviate at times into a progressive rock behemoth and for a debut record, there is a showcase of musical talent and experience on display.

Although this clocks in at number 5 in my lost, a nod of mention should go to Friendly Fires - Pala, Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones, Metronomy - The English Riveria & She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas which are all great albums but haven’t made it into my top 5.

Favourite Songs: The Magnifying Glass, Austere, A Heavy Abacus & Cradle