Top 20 of 2014

Hi

I've given up on writing a new intro for this - it's going to be the same every year so we should all make our peace with it now.

Below is my Top 20 of 2014 but a few words before you continue...

You won't agree with me.  Some of you will think I'm pretentious for including a raft of songs you've never heard of.  Some of you will think I'm too 'mainstream' in my choices.  Some of you will think this is a massive exercise in showing off.  And that's fine.  My opinion is no better or worse than yours and my choices are no more or less valid than yours would be.  This is just my opinion - you might not like it but I can't help that.  But before you grumble to yourself or tell me I'm an idiot, try and do this yourself.

The "rules" are simple - any song that has been released (as a single, on an album or even as demo/give-away) is eligible to be included.  Pick 20 that represent your favourite and don't include more than one per artist.   I added a rule of my own where I'd limit myself to maximum one choice where collaborations had occurred.  So for example, both Arctic Monkeys and Alex Turner individually made the 2011 Longlist but I would limit myself to a choice from one.  This is only to add variety.  You can find the Top 20 of 2011, Top 20 of 2012 and Top 20 of 2013 by following the links.

The list presented below is given as Track name - Artist (Album).  They are not ranked in order of preference or greatness but rather the order in which I personally think they make a good playlist.  I'd love to hear what you think so get involved in the comments or tweet me @BroooOwl and tag your posts #top20of2014

1.  Southern Comfort - The Orwells (Disgraceland)   This is quite simply guitars and drawling lyrics and superbness.  In my opinion, the album has some absolute belters like this (and Bathroom Tile Blues) and this is a great way to kick off this year's list.

2.  My Silver Lining - First Aid Kit (Stay Gold)   First Aid Kit are probably top of my list of bands to see live.  I'm yet to see them perform much to my own disappointment.  I love their country twang and this song is quintessential FAK for me.

3.  When You Walk In The Room - Architecture in Helsinki (NOW +4EVA)   Another band I'm determined to see live at some point in the future.  This is proper pop gold and jumps out from an excellent album.  Their previous albums are all a little different so well worth checking out too.

4.  Love Test - The Growlers (Chinese Fountain)   The Growlers' album has a very 50s feel to it which is hard to describe until you listen to it.  It's almost as if you'd expect to hear Buddy Holly vocals over the top of it.  I came across this pretty late this year but it's an instant favourite and this track particularly is excellent.

5. Banging On My Door - High Hazels (High Hazels)   There's a couple of albums where picking a favourite is almost a coin toss and this is one of those.  The opening track has a hint of Vampire Weekend about it, whilst others are reminiscent of Alex Turner solo work.  Banging On My Door just edged it in the end but you should get the album - I can't do it justice here.

6.  It's Not Serious - Hospitality (Trouble)   This just flows from the start and has a chorus that you'll be humming to yourself for hours afterwards.  It's the stand out track on the album for me but quite some way,

7.  Pretty Girls - Little Dragon (Nabuma Rubberband)   I've been in love with Little Dragon for years since hearing "Ritual Union" (hunt it down and listen to it!) and whilst this isn't quite up to that impossibly high standard, it is very good.

8.  Quiet Love - Erland And The Carnival (Closing Time)   Another album where you could stick a pin in the track list and pick a winner.  I was tempted to include "Daughter" because I personally find it very moving but on balance I think this is my favourite track from an exceptional album.

9.  My Sad Captains - Elbow (The Taking Off And Landing Of Everything)   Guy Garvey is criminally under-rated in my opinion.  His ability to write such fantastic songs goes over-looked by most people and really that ought to change.  I was lucky enough to see Elbow this year and they didn't disappoint.  This is simply fantastic.

10.  Are You OK? - Dum Dum Girls (Too True)   If you're after a throwback to some cool 80s girl group sound then stop everything and listen to this.  If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was a Bananarama track and think what you like but there's nothing wrong with that at all.  

11.  Gooey - Glass Animals (Zaba)  Slowing things down a bit with is Glass Animals.  It's a peculiar but good album and this really stands out for me.  It's difficult to explain so it probably makes more sense if you just have a listen - I think you'll enjoy it.

12.  Pretend - Tinashe (Aquarius)  I had Tinashe described to me as "a bit like Aaliyah" which is really all you should need to know if we're being honest.  The album doesn't disappoint and whilst I think this suffers slightly for the inclusion of A$AP Rocky I can overlook it given how much I like the song overall. 

13.  How You Got That Girl - Ex Hex (Rips)   You could almost describe Ex Hex as Dum Dum Girls with attitude.  The guitars are excellent and this is one you'll be nodding along to.  My daughter loves the chorus and I think it's a bit of late 90s throwback which you can't help but like.

14.  Pumpkin Noir - Happyness (Weird Little Birthday)   Slow, soft and subtle.  There's just something about this that makes you feel like you're sitting in an Ohio field on a summer's day.  It has a very familiar quality that I can't pin down but I absolutely love it.

15.  Zombie - Jamie T (Carry On The Grudge)   The album that'd I'd been most eagerly waiting for in 2014 didn't disappoint.  As with most music, Jamie T isn't necessarily for everyone (which is fine) but I really love the images his music conjures up.  I defy anyone to listen to "Zombie" and not be tapping along by the start of the second chorus.  

16.  Alone In My Home - Jack White (Lazaretto)   An odd love/hate relationship with Jack White this year for me.  The album is great and this track is exceptional.  My live experience was a disaster but I'm not holding that against him (I'm sure he's relieved to hear that...).   Jack White does a lot and does it all very well - this is no different.

17.  Sexotheque - La Roux (Trouble In Paradise)   I'm glad La Roux is back this year.  It's been five long years since her self titled debut with it's myriad catchy hits and I'm glad there's a second record.  Where 'Trouble In Paradise' is catchy, it's very catchy and "Sexotheque" is one such place - enjoy!

18.  Lonely Daze - Kate Tempest (Everybody Down)   I'm fairly sure there's nothing I can say about Kate Tempest that hasn't already been said a lot better by other people a million times before.  It's hard to pick out a track from an album that tells one story across all the tracks but this is a wonderful snapshot.

19.  Suffering You Suffering Me - Slow Club (Complete Surrender)   Slow Club go from strength to strength with every record and I'm immensely happy to already have tickets to see their home-town gig in Sheffield next year.  I adore Rebecca Taylor's voice and it's at its best on this song.  Another album where choosing a favourite is damn near impossible.  

20.  Red Eyes - The War On Drugs (Lost In The Dream)   I'll admit I was a little surprised to see 'Lost In The Dream' at the top of so many 2014 album lists.  It was one of those I don't remember how I found but I've definitely enjoyed listening to it.  "Red Eyes" is the stand out one for me and a great way to close the 2014 list.

As with last year, there's some music I've been disappointed in, some other good albums that didn't make the cut and others that I'm ashamed to say I've not even managed to buy yet!  The Royal Blood album didn't do it for me (which is sure to make me unpopular in a lot of circles).  I saw them support Arctic Monkeys and gave them the benefit of the doubt but it's just not for me I'm afraid.   Amen Dunes and their Love album just missed out as did Catfish & The Bottlemen and (surprisingly) Kylie.  For those who would point me in the direction of Sharon Van Etten, St Vincent or Future Islands, in some ways I'm way ahead of you, but in others, I'm obviously way behind.  My apologies.

The "award" for my Album of the Year this year is a no-brainer.  Everybody Down is absolutely without doubt one of the best things I've listened to in the last 5 years (and that's saying something).   Kate Tempest is supremely talented and has already achieved so much without so many of us even realising it.  Listen to her album, buy her poetry and just be overawed. 

The 2014 Live Performance Of The Year is also reserved for Kate Tempest.  When you've listened to the album (which again, I insist you do), try and imagine what it would be like hearing it performed live.  Ahead of the show I couldn't quite see how it would work and not lose the essence that makes the music so good.  Watching her walk out to a HUGE amount of music and then kick of "Marshall Law" acapella to a hushed room was probably my favourite music moment of the year.

If you made it this far, then thanks for reading.  Hopefully you'll find something new you've not heard before.  We'll do it again this time next year eh?

Happy New Year

Andy

Top 20 of 2013

Hi

I've given up on writing a new intro for this post as last year's is fine so I've lazily lifted it and reposted here...

So below is my Top 20 of 2013.  A few words before you continue...

You won't agree with me.  Some of you will think I'm pretentious for including a raft of songs you've never heard of.  Some of you will think I'm too 'mainstream' in my choices.  Some of you will think this is a massive exercise in showing off.  And that's fine.  My opinion is no better or worse than yours and my choices are no more or less valid than yours would be.  This is just my opinion - you might not like it but I can't help that.  But before you grumble to yourself or tell me I'm an idiot, try and do this yourself.

The "rules" are simple - any song that has been released (as a single, on an album or even as demo/give-away) is eligible to be included.  Pick 20 that represent your favourite and don't include more than one per artist.   I added a rule of my own where I'd limit myself to maximum one choice where collaborations had occurred.  So for example, both Arctic Monkeys and Alex Turner individually made the 2011 Longlist but I would limit myself to a choice from one.  This is only to add variety.  You can find the Top 20 of 2011 and the Top 20 of 2012 by following the links.

The list presented below is given as Track name - Artist (Album).  They are not ranked in order of preference or greatness but rather the order in which I personally think they make a good playlist.  I'd love to hear what you think so get involved in the comments or tweet me @BroooOwl and tag your posts #top20of2013

1.  Jubilee Street - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (Push The Sky Away)   There are a few albums from this year where picking one song above the others is a really tough ask, and the latest offering from Nick Cave is one of those albums.  This was one of my early favourites and so just edged it, but Mermaids or Higgs Boson Blues could have edged it.  Great tune to start things off.

2.  Picasso Baby - Jay Z (Magna Carter Holy Grail)   Probably one of those tracks/artists that you either love or hate which is a perfectly reasonable point of view.  I think MCHG is a pretty solid album but I particularly love this one.  If you have the time to spare, watching this YouTube video where Jay Z talks about music as art is well worth 11 minutes of your time

3.  Diane Young - Vampire Weekend (Modern Vampires of the City)   Vampire Weekend are one of those bands that I love for a multitude of reasons (off the wall lyrics, unique sound, incredible vocals) and whilst there new album didn't quite hit the same heights for me as the previous two, this is incredibly catchy

4.  Best Of Friends - Palma Violets (180)   Guitar music at some of its best, great music and catchy lyrics you can't help but sing at the top of your voice.  A great summer tune to have blaring out in the car with all the windows down.

5. Love Spells - Bleached (Ride Your Heart)   I can't remember where I heard about Bleached from but this album is one of the catchiest I've heard all year.  This is another one where there are a bucket-load of summery songs to go through.  It's all very familiar sounding music but that's definitely not a bad thing.  Love Spells is my favourite off the album.

6.  Falling - Haim (Days Are Gone)   I'd venture that it's likely you've only not come across Haim if you've been living under a rock or something similar this year.  A rare album where the Hit Parade and I agree - a belter from start to finish.  I could have probably picked any track to make the final 20, but this is my favourite.

7.  Please Don't Say You Love Me - Gabrielle Aplin (English Rain)   I picked this up fairly late in the year but I struggle to get this tune out of my head once I've listened to it (and not in a bad way).  I also really liked November from the album so if you like this, I'd check that out too.

8.  Strong - London Grammar (If You Wait)   Another album I didn't get round to until about November time for some reason or other.  I watched them perform on Later... on BBC2 and was immediately sucked in.  Strong has an odd blend of a Florence & The Machine mixed with Massive Attack that's a bit too difficult to explain.  Definitely one of my favourite tracks of the year without a doubt.

9.  Color Yr Lights In - The Besnard Lakes (Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO)   A strange one this.  Most of the album can pass you by quite easily unless you're specifically listening to it and doing nothing else.  The first time I listened to it, I was preoccupied with other things until this track came on, when I stopped everything.  It's probably a good album to have on late at night, but this song is really good.

10.  Pink Rabbits - The National (Trouble Will Find Me)   This is definitely in my top 5 albums of the year - it's brilliant from start to finish quite frankly.  Pink Rabbits is basically some of the best lyrics you can imagine, stitched together with some wonderful piano (which I can't seem to learn).  I can't urge you strongly enough to listen to this one.

11.  Waiting On The Doorstep - Filthy Boy (Smile That Won't Go Down)  I'll be up front and say that this is what you'd class as a but of a "comedy" song which normally wouldn't get a look in on a list such as this.  The problem is that this is so funny and catchy that you'd can't help yourself.  I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for children but give it a listen - I'll say nothing more so I don't spoil it.

12.  Van Der Graff - Courteeners (Anna)  Anna is (in my humble opinion) a much improved effort compared to the Falcon album of 2010 which is a good start.  Sadly it does tail off a little after the first half for me but the opening tracks are Liam Fray at his best.  Van Der Graff's lyric about "splitting up like the A57" is fantastic and I do love this song. 

13.  So Good At Being In Trouble - Unknown Mortal Orchestra (II)   I heard this very early on in the year and I've played it for just about everyone I've talked to about music since.  The album is good too but there's something so funky about this track that I really love - soulful and laid back is how I'd best describe it.

14.  You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover - The Strypes (Snapshot)   If you like raucous guitar music then The Strypes are definitely for you.  The album has a bit of a 1950s feel to it in places which is frankly wonderful.  Again, I struggled to pick a track for the shortlist but this one is pretty simple, and simple is often the best.  Great song.

15.  Cut Copy Me - Petula Clark (Lost In You)   It came as a bit of a surprise to me that Petula Clark was still recording anything to be honest.  The album is a.... bit of an assortment I think.  Hearing an 81 year old covering Gnarls Barkley isn't an everyday occurrence (and not something I'd necessarily recommend) but Cut Copy Me is fantastic.  Next To You is also a great track (and sounds oddly like a Eurovision entry) and also worth a listen.

16.  Breakfast At Sylvia's - Skint & Demoralised (The Bit Between The Teeth)   It greatly saddened me to hear that Skint & Demoralised won't be recording albums after this, the third and final installment.  I think the third album is the best they recorded and whilst Breakfast At Sylvia's may not technically be the best track on the album (the sheer passion and honesty in Amores Perros probably takes that title), I do love it and it's one of my all time favourite Skint & Demoralised songs.

17.  Happy To Stay - the Michael Ainsley Band (Cyclone)   I've seen the Michael Ainsley Band a few times this year, doing support at local venues in Wakefield.  They've got a pretty catchy repertoire which is no bad thing either.  Happy To Stay reminds me a little of some early Green Day (not sure if that's what they were going for but it's nothing but a compliment).  A great song to jump around to.

18.  Further Away (Romance Police) - Lissie (Back To Forever)   Lissie's album is quite frankly brilliant and it's matched by her live performance.  I saw her in Manchester this year and I've rarely seen anyone perform with as much passion as she did.  The title track to this album is exceptional but it's just edged out by this.  The guitar solo reminds me of Fleetwood Mac (though I'm sure someone would tell me I'm mistaken)

19.  Better Than That - Miles Kane (Don't Forget Who You Are)   Another entry for anthemic guitar music which is no bad thing.  This album has some absolute belters on it but this one stands out just above the others for me.  The lyric "Maybe it's the time and place / Or maybe it's your stupid face / That's turning me on" is a particular favourite of mine.

20.  Snap Out Of It - Arctic Monkeys (AM)   Another year and another Arctic Monkeys track on the shortlist.  I think this year it'd be difficult to accuse me of local bias as AM is, by general consensus, the album of 2013.  I'll save my gushing praise and let you read any of the reviews (or better, just listen to it!) before you make your mind up.  As with Nick Cave and a few others, it was almost impossible to pick a favourite off AM.  I was mostly torn between No 1 Party Anthem and this tune, but because I sing this one with my daughter, I've decided to pick this.  Definitely the toughest choice of the whole shortlist.

As with last year, there's some music I've been disappointed in and some other good albums that didn't make the cut.  Kurt Vile's new album fell a little short of my expectations following the debut offering of Smoke Ring For My Halo in 2011.  Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but I just maybe expected too much.  Kanye West's album grew on me the more I listened to it, but still fell a little short for me.    Daughter missed the final 20 by a short length, as did Yeah Yeah Yeahs with Sacrilige.  And for some pop whimsy, check out Cody Simpson's La Da Dee (from Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2).

The "award" for my Album of the Year this year goes to Arctic Monkeys.  AM is a superb LP in my opinion.   This is the link to the Google search for "AM Review" - pick one at random and read it.  And then listen to the album again and again and again.

I've added another new category for 2013 which is Live Performance Of The Year.  If I'd not been criminally ill on the night of the AM gig (something I don't like to talk about), I suspect Arctic Monkeys would have been walking away with this one too.  As it happens, seeing Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Manchester Apollo completely blew me away so I think they win hands down.  You must try and see them if you get chance,

If you made it this far, then thanks for reading.  Hopefully you'll find something new you've not heard before.

Thanks

Andy

Top 20 of 2013 - The Longlist

Hello

Its that time of year where I start reviewing the new music I've listened to over the past year.

If you're not too familiar with the approach, you can see the 2011 Longlist and 2011 Shortlist posts by clicking the links.  The 2012 Longlist and 2012 Shortlist are also here if you fancy reading!  Basically anything which has been released since Jan 1st 2012 is eligible.  I've narrowed down about 45 albums and EPs to a Long list of about 90 tracks.  I'll then go through and select a Top 20 of 2013.

It's a good way to review the year and find some new music along the way.  Hope you enjoy.

Cheers

Andy

Artist	Album	Track
About Group	Between The Walls	Walk On By
About Group	Between The Walls	All Is Not Lost
About Group	Between The Walls	Untitled
Arctic Monkeys	AM	No 1 Party Anthem
Arctic Monkeys	AM	Snap Out Of It
Arctic Monkeys	AM	Arabella
Arctic Monkeys	AM	One For The Road
Bleached	Ride Your Heart	Looking For A Fight
Bleached	Ride Your Heart	Outta My Mind
Bleached	Ride Your Heart	Dead In Your Head
Bleached	Ride Your Heart	Love Spells
Bromheads	Choro	Winnebago
Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs	Clarietta	Things We Be
Courteeners	Anna	Are You In Love With A Notion?
Courteeners	Anna	Van Der Graff
Courteeners	Anna	Marquee
Daughter	If You Leave	Youth
Daughter	If You Leave	Still
Dutch Uncles	Out Of Touch In The Wild	God Boy
Esben & The Witch	Wash the Sins Not Only the Face	Shimmering
Esben & The Witch	Wash the Sins Not Only the Face	Deathwaltz
Everything Everything	Arc	Kemosabe
Filthy Boy	Smile That Won't Go Down	Waiting On The Doorstep
Filthy Boy	Smile That Won't Go Down	That Life
Filthy Boy	Smile That Won't Go Down	Charm Of The Dangerous Minx
Gabriel Bruce	Love In Arms	Greedy Little Heart
Gabriel Bruce	Love In Arms	Zoe
Gabrielle Aplin	English Rain	Please Don't Say You Love Me
Gabrielle Aplin	English Rain	Alive
Gabrielle Aplin	English Rain	November
Girls Names	The New Life	Pittura Infamante
Girls Names	The New Life	Drawing Lines
Haim	Days Are Gone	Falling
Haim	Days Are Gone	If I Could Change Your Mind
Haim	Days Are Gone	Forever
Jay Z	Magna Carter Holy Grail	Picasso Baby
Jay Z	Magna Carter Holy Grail	Holy Grail
Jay Z	Magna Carter Holy Grail	Part II (On The Run)
Joe Gideon & The Shark	Freakish	Snake Candy
Joe Gideon & The Shark	Freakish	You, The Pole And The Rastafarian
Kanye West	Yeezus	Bound 2
Kurt Vile	Wakin in a Pretty Daze	KV Crimes
Lissie	Back To Forever	Back To Forever
Lissie	Back To Forever	The Habit
Lissie	Back To Forever	I Don't Wanna Go To Work
Lissie	Back To Forever	Further Away (Romace Police)
London Grammar	If You Wait	Strong
London Grammar	If You Wait	Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me
Mazzy Star	Seasons Of Your Day	Flying Low
Michael Ainsley Band	Cyclone	Happy To Stay
Miles Kane	Don't Forget Who You Are	Better Than That
Miles Kane	Don't Forget Who You Are	Taking Over
Miles Kane	Don't Forget Who You Are	Don't Forget Who You Are
Neko Case	The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You	Night Still Comes
Neko Case	The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You	Local Girl
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	Push The Sky Away	Jubilee Street
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	Push The Sky Away	Higgs Boson Blues
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	Push The Sky Away	Mermaids
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds	Push The Sky Away	We Real Cool
Palma Violets	180	Best Of Friends
Palma Violets	180	Step Up For the Cools Cats
Parquet Courts	Tally All the Things That You Broke	You've Got Me Wonderin' Now
Petula Clark	Lost In You	Cut Copy Me
Petula Clark	Lost In You	Next To You
Public Service Broadcasting	Inform Educate Entertain	Spitfire
Public Service Broadcasting	Inform Educate Entertain	Theme From PSB
Public Service Broadcasting	Inform Educate Entertain	Night Mail
Serafina Steer	The Moths Are Real	Lady Fortune
Serafina Steer	The Moths Are Real	Disco Compliation
Skint & Demoralised	The Bit Between The Teeth	Amores Perros
Skint & Demoralised	The Bit Between The Teeth	Breakfast at Sylvia's
Skint & Demoralised	The Bit Between The Teeth	When Saturday Comes
Stereophonics	Graffiti On The Train	Indian Summer
The Besnard Lakes	Until In Excess, Imperceptile UFO	Color Yr Lights In
The Julie Ruin	Run Fast	Just My Kind
The Julie Ruin	Run Fast	Party City
The National	Trouble Will Find Me	Pink Rabbits
The National	Trouble Will Find Me	Hard To Find
The National	Trouble Will Find Me	I Should Live In Salt
The Strypes	Snapshot	Blue Collar Jane
The Strypes	Snapshot	You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover
The Strypes	Snapshot	Hometown Girls
Unknown Mortal Orchestra	II	So Good At Being In Trouble
Vampire Weekend	Modern Vampires of the City	Diane Young
Vampire Weekend	Modern Vampires of the City	Obvious Bicycle
Vampire Weekend	Modern Vampires of the City	Unbelievers
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	Mosquito	Sacrilige

Top 20 of 2012

Good evening

I was going to write a new intro for this post but I thought I'd check last year's first.  I think it's fine as it is, so I've lazily lifted it and reposted here...

So below is my Top 20 of 2012. &nbs`;A few words before you continue...

You won't agree with me.  Some of you will think I'm pretentious for including a raft of songs you've never heard of.  Some of you will think I'm too 'mainstream' in my choices.  Some of you will think this is a massive exercise in showing off.  And that's fine.  My opinion is no better or worse than yours and my choices are no more or less valid than yours would be.  This is just my opinion - you might not like it but I can't help that.  But before you grumble to yourself or tell me I'm an idiot, try and do this yourself.

The "rules" are simple - any song that has been released (as a single, on an album or even as demo/give-away) is eligible to be included.  Pick 20 that represent your favourite and don't include more than one per artist.   I added a rule of my own where I'd limit myself to maximum one choice where collaborations had occurred.  So for example, both Arctic Monkeys and Alex Turner individually made the 2011 Longlist but I would limit myself to a choice from one.  This is only to add variety.

The list presented below is given as Track name - Artist ,/i>(Clbum).  They are not ranked in order of preference or greatness but rather the order in which I personally think they make a good playlist.  I'd love to hear what you think so get involved in the comments or tweet me @BroooOwl a.d tag your posts #top20of2012

1.  Girl Like Me - Ladyhake (Anxiety)   This was a tricky choice as so many tracks of Ladyhawke's second album are just amazing (Cellophane narrowly missed out here).  I was lucky enough to see her live with a friend of mine this year as well and she's definitely incredible.  Girl Like Me is a great way to kick this off.

2.  No Hope - The Vacccines (Come Of Age)   The Vaccines' second album is full of cracking tracks and choosing one of this album also proved tricky.  If my daughter had her way, I think we'd have Teenage Icon on here but No Hope just edged it for me - it's one where I think we can all relate to the lyrics at some point in our lives.

3.  Told You Once - Howler (America Give Up)   Some great guitar and a catchy chorus really make this one for me.  America Give Up is a good album overall as well.  I'd be surprised if you manage to listen to this without playing it in your head for a few hours afterwards

4.  The Swan - Cheatahs (Sans EP)   I came into Cheatahs pretty late in 2012 but with the quality of their two EPs, I'm glad I did.  It was a bit of a showdown between this and "Coared" off their other EP (also called Coared).  I think "The Swan" made it through due to some fancy guitar work, but do listen to "Coared" and let me know if you think it has a hit of "Monkey Wrench" by Foo Fighters as I'm convinced it does.  I suspect Cheatahs will be one to watch next year.

5.&nbp; Time Will Save The Day -

Ben Kweller (Go Fly A Kite)   I'm not sure where Ben Kweller came from to appear on my iPod this year but Go Fly A Kite is an album that surprised me a fair bit.  It's probably a bit poptastic in places (not necessarily a bad thing - try "Jealous Girl" to see what I mean) but this one is a real toe-tapper.  It's also one of those songs where you'll try and sing along but end up mumbling like an idiot.  What's not to like?

6.  I Belong In Your Arms - Chairlift (Something)   I will openly tell anyone I meet that Chairlift are one of the most overlooked bands ever as far as I'm concerned.  Maybe there's a whole gaggle of people who already know how amazing they are but I could count on one hand the number of people I've ever spoken to that have heard of them.  This is a great track from a quality album and was one of the first songs on the list for the final 20.

7.  Capricornia - Allo Darlin' (Europe)   I saw Allo Darlin' in Leeds in February and they played a great set with some great support.  The album isn't necessarily to everyone's taste I suppose - I occasionally find myself drifting from one track to another quite without knowing where each has ended, but this song stands out for me.  Beautiful and melodic.

8.  I Feel Better - Gotye (Making Mirrors)   Unless you've been living under a rock this year, you'll have struggled to escape Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know.  It's made it onto my daughter's playlist for the car because of its unmistakeable likeness to Baa Baa Black Sheep at the beginning.  Such pop whimsy aside, I do like the album and this track in particular is incredible.  I'm still astounded it's not some secret portal to the 60s.  It's brilliant and I think you'll love it.

9.  Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy - Jack White (Blunderbuss)   It seems anything Jack White touches turns to gold and this solo album is no different.  Great beats combined with piano and guitar make "Blunderbuss" one of my favourite albums of this year.  This track stands out for me in amongst a lot of good songs.

10.  Emmylou - First Aid Kit (The Lion's Roar)   I love First Aid Kit.   They're sort of my country music guilty pleasure, though with some of the music I've listened to this year, I'm wondering if I'm not becoming a full on country-convert.  "Emmylou" is a wonderful song and I defy you to be not singing along by the end.

11.  Leland - Cemeteries (The Wildernes)&nbcp;  This album is one that I think you need to listen to from start to finish to appreciate, so it's rare that you can pick a track out of the middle of it that holds its own.  "Leland" has a dreamy bassline that repeats and I'm always surprised when I find out it's less than 4 minutes long.

12.  Angels - The xx (Coexist)  I was concerned that The xx wouldn't be able to follow up their first album with an equally good second.  Fortunately there were no such problems.  This is another album where listening straight through (preferably with the lights off and your eyes closed) should be the recommended listening approach.  "Angels" is the opening track and sets the tone for the whole LP

13.  Au cinema - Lianne La Havas (Is Your Love Big Enough)   Another album I came to late in the year but I'm glad I did.  I was trying to articulate to someone why I like this track so much and think part of it is because of the way she accentuates all the syllables.  Hard to explain but give it a listen and I think you'll see what I mean.

14.  Nethertons Teeth - The Magnetic North (Orkney: Symphony of the Magnetic North)   The Magnetic North feature Erland of Erland and the Carnival fame.  I'll be honest when I say that this is a bit of an odd album but there's something familiar about the melody of this one that lets it make the final shortlist.

15.  (I Should Be) A Communist - This Many Boyfriends (This Many Boyfriends)   It was a while back now, but I think This Many Boyfriends were supporting Allo Darlin' when I saw them in February.  Regardless, this track is brilliant.  A bit of a New Romantics vibe to it with a catchy chorus.  Another one you'll be singing along to.

16.  Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding (Halcyon)   I know a lot of people aren't huge fans of Ellie Goulding but it's fair to say I am.  Her second album is a definitely a mixed bag but this one really stands out for me.  I think it fits in well with the rest of the playlist as well.

17.  Black Light - Diagrams (Black Light)   Diagrams are a bit of a mystery to me.  I'm sure someone told me I had to listen to them and if that was you, I'm very grateful.  "Black Light" narrowly beat "Ghost Lit" onto the list but your life will be a little bit richer for listening to both

18.  Down Here In The Dark - Blood Red Shoes (In Time To Voices)   This is a bit of a sultry sounding song with a slow beat to start off but picks up into something as it progresses.  I'll confess I'd not listened to much Blood Red Shoes before but I really like this one

19.  R U Mine - Arctic Monkeys (R U Mine (single))   Anyone who knows me won't be surprised to see Arctic Monkeys on this list.  They've had a quiet year after their 4th album in 2011 but this track has a lot of play on my iPod this year.  It's heavier than anything from "Suck It And See" but it's still amazing.  I'm a huge fan of pretty much anything Alex Turner does and this is no exception

20.  Down Into The Woods - Richard Hawley (Standing At The Sky's Edge)   Richard Hawley not winning the Mercury prize this year was a bit of a travesty in my opinion.  This is a fantastic album from start to finish and choosing one track off it was incredibly tough.  "Seek It" missed out by the tiniest margin and I'd really urge you to listen to it as well.  This song has some great guitar and Hawley's voice is excellent.

As with last year, there's some music I've been disappointed in and some other good albums that didn't make the cut.  The Killers' new album really let me down - I think they've just moved too far away from the stuff I really liked on Hot Fuss.  The New Alicia Keys album also didn't live up to what I was expecting.  Alt-J missed the final 20 by a short length - Tessellate is a great track in my opinion.  Whilst I know it was also pretty fashionable to like Lana Del Rey in January and hate her by summer, I really do like "Born To Die" and Diet Mountain Dew is a great track.

A new "award" for this year is my Album of the Year which this year goes to Ladyhawke.  Anxiety is a superb LP in my opinion and it's hard to pick a poor song off it.  If you were going to pick one album off the Top 20 (or the longlist), then I'd really make it this one.

As with last year, I've done aSpotify playlist of the Top 20 of 2012 for you to listen to.  Or at least I have in theory.  I'm a bit hopeless with Spotify playlists, something my friend Lorna will hopefully rectify for me if this doesn't work.  Give them a listen a see what you think.

If you made it this far, then thanks for reading.  Hopefully you'll find something new you've not heard before.

This is my last blog before Christmas, so I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and eat/sleep/drink as much as you like.  Hopefully you'll get a few decent presents too.  I'll be back before new year to give you my 2012 Review.

Thanks

Andy