My reader will certainly agree that this site is a close second behind Pitchfork when it comes to eagerly anticipated best of lists. So without further ado, here we go:
- Wild Flag: What can one say that hasn’t been said. Maybe supergroups shouldn’t be eligible.
- PJ Harvey: A return to form, and I know everyone agrees.
- Wye Oak: Solid growth and a shock to me from a band that I thought would always be an opener last year.
- Fucked Up: I’ve already said this is the world I want to live in. The fact that this is 4th says something about those in 1-3.
- The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: Upped the shoegaze and won my heart. That won’t shock anyone who’s been around me for the last 20 years.
- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Nostalgia? Maybe, but there are some really catchy tunes here.
- Deer Tick: People will groan when I say (again) that this is the best new Replacements album in the last 20 years
- We Were Promised Jetpacks: I like as much as the debut, maybe more because I find it a little more mature / accessible. Probably why others hate it.
- We Are Augustines: Pela’s gone, and those days are, too, but this will do for now.
- Yuck: Surprising addition to me, I suspect this might not stand, but there are some really good songs on this album. They should be looking over their collective shoulders for Youth Lagoon.
There are some that I suspect are missing and so I’m going to try to do a top 20 next month. Let’s see how close I got.
Also, I’m hoping I’ll do a ‘surprisingly disappointing’ list. *glances towards The Antlers*.