2017 has been a somewhat subdued listening experience for me albums-wise but what I did enjoy listening to, I really enjoyed. So in no particular order (except for the Top 10) are the albums that filled the Flipside ears with delight this year.
A special mention goes to Dawn Chorus by Hidden Orchestra, a beautiful album that successfully married found-sounds and atmospherics using bird-song, nu-jazz and references to stunning UK locations. In contrast, Sleaford Mods delivered a visceral set of reasoned rage and tight beats that took the duo's abilities to another level. Great comebacks for The Waterboys, LCD Soundsystem and Sparks, another impressive and educational LP from Public Service Broadcasting and pin-sharp songwriting from Wire, Michael Head and Isabelle Antena ensured this music-fan stayed loyal to previous winners. Four Tet's Kieran Hebden was on point and triumphant amongst the year's electronica elite with the tidy New Energy.
1 - Hidden Orchestra - Dawn Chorus
2 - Sleaford Mods - English Tapas
3 - The Waterboys - Out Of All This Blue
4 - LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
5 - Isabelle Antena - Sous Influences
6 - Public Service Broadcasting - Every Valley
7 - Sparks - Hippopotamus
8 - Wire - Silver / Lead
9 - Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band - Adios Senor Pussycat
10 - Four Tet - New Energy
Bubbling under:
OMD - The Punishment Of Luxury
The Charlatans - Different Days
Girl Ray - Earl Grey
Kevin Hewick - Driven By Love, Driven By Hate
Saint Etienne - Home Counties
Cult With No Name - Heir Of The Dog
Elbow - Little Fictions
Mogwai - Every Country's Sun
Gary Numan - Savage
Binker and Moses - Journey to the Mountain of Forever
Worth investigating:
Bonobo - Migration
Wolfhounds - Untied Kingdom
Brian Eno - Reflection
Kreidler - European Song
British Sea Power - Let The Dancers Inherit The Party
Future Islands - The Far Field
Penguin Cafe - The Imperfect Sea
Ariwo - Ariwo
Slowdive - Slowdive
Jane Weaver - Modern Kosmology
Richard H.Kirk - Dasein
Mr Jukes - God First
Dislocation Dance - Are We There Yet?
Spare Snare - Unicorn
Blancmange - Unfurnished Rooms
Vessels - The Great Distraction
The Church - Man Woman Life Death Infinity
Robert Plant - Carry Fire
Brockmann Bargmann - Licht
Martin Carr - New Shapes Of Life
Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy
White Sea - Tropical Odds
The Distractions - Kindly Leave The Stage
Rose Elinor Dougall - Stellular
Bing & Ruth - No Home Of The Mind
In addition, there's a Playlist of my Top 101 tracks of the year, here
A special mention goes to Dawn Chorus by Hidden Orchestra, a beautiful album that successfully married found-sounds and atmospherics using bird-song, nu-jazz and references to stunning UK locations. In contrast, Sleaford Mods delivered a visceral set of reasoned rage and tight beats that took the duo's abilities to another level. Great comebacks for The Waterboys, LCD Soundsystem and Sparks, another impressive and educational LP from Public Service Broadcasting and pin-sharp songwriting from Wire, Michael Head and Isabelle Antena ensured this music-fan stayed loyal to previous winners. Four Tet's Kieran Hebden was on point and triumphant amongst the year's electronica elite with the tidy New Energy.
1 - Hidden Orchestra - Dawn Chorus
2 - Sleaford Mods - English Tapas
3 - The Waterboys - Out Of All This Blue
4 - LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
5 - Isabelle Antena - Sous Influences
6 - Public Service Broadcasting - Every Valley
7 - Sparks - Hippopotamus
8 - Wire - Silver / Lead
9 - Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band - Adios Senor Pussycat
10 - Four Tet - New Energy
Bubbling under:
OMD - The Punishment Of Luxury
The Charlatans - Different Days
Girl Ray - Earl Grey
Kevin Hewick - Driven By Love, Driven By Hate
Saint Etienne - Home Counties
Cult With No Name - Heir Of The Dog
Elbow - Little Fictions
Mogwai - Every Country's Sun
Gary Numan - Savage
Binker and Moses - Journey to the Mountain of Forever
Worth investigating:
Bonobo - Migration
Wolfhounds - Untied Kingdom
Brian Eno - Reflection
Kreidler - European Song
British Sea Power - Let The Dancers Inherit The Party
Future Islands - The Far Field
Penguin Cafe - The Imperfect Sea
Ariwo - Ariwo
Slowdive - Slowdive
Jane Weaver - Modern Kosmology
Richard H.Kirk - Dasein
Mr Jukes - God First
Dislocation Dance - Are We There Yet?
Spare Snare - Unicorn
Blancmange - Unfurnished Rooms
Vessels - The Great Distraction
The Church - Man Woman Life Death Infinity
Robert Plant - Carry Fire
Brockmann Bargmann - Licht
Martin Carr - New Shapes Of Life
Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy
White Sea - Tropical Odds
The Distractions - Kindly Leave The Stage
Rose Elinor Dougall - Stellular
Bing & Ruth - No Home Of The Mind
In addition, there's a Playlist of my Top 101 tracks of the year, here