Essentials
Britsound's TOP 10 BRITISH ALBUMS OF 2009
2009 has produced some excellent British albums, and we are only interested in recommending only the very best of them - so that you save both time and money when you choose what to buy and listen to. So we are proud to present our Top 10 Best Albums of 2009. So, sit back and enjoy our list of the VERY best of 2009...
10. Echo & the Bunnymen –The Fountain
Over thirty years after their formation, The Fountain represents a stellar achievement for Ian McCulloch and the rest of the band. Even McCulloch admitted that this album was probably the best one they’d made since Ocean Rain. This album displays the kind of energy and passion you’d expect from an emerging band hungry to make an impression with their debut album. Instead you have a seasoned band unafraid of catchy guitar hooks and melodic songs washed in anthemic glory. Revitalized and reinvigorated, here’s an album imbued with the spirit of Liverpool, and it occasionally offers familiar flickers of albums past. Even Chris Martin couldn’t resist, and he makes an appearance on the title track. Accessible and enjoyable, The Fountain is a timely reminder that sometimes something fresh can come from those who have been around the longest.
9. The Wishing Tree – Ostara
A staggering thirteen years between this album, Ostara, and the Wishing Tree’s first album has resulted in something that has been crafted and perfected both lyrically and musically. Like a fine wine, Hannah Stobart’s voice has become richer and stronger, as evidenced on the title track and the song Fly. Her voice shimmers and soars over Rothery’s acoustic guitar foundations, and her vocal range is extraordinary. It’s almost as if her voice personifies the beauty of English folk music. It would be a crying shame if we have to wait another thirteen years before their next album.
8. Imogen Heap –Ellipse
Imogen Heap has always been an enigma both personally and musically. It’s difficult to fathom how she creates such interesting and varied soundscapes and then marries them with such mercurial lyrics to match. Of course, that’s the fundamental attraction. Listening to Imogen Heap is like listening to a secret movie you’ve never heard before and being drawn into its mysteries with no chance of ultimate comprehension. Ellipse is another fine example of how Heap is unafraid to venture to unlikely musical territories, as evidenced by the dark, smooth cascades of Tidal and Canvas. Much talk has rightly focused on how she enlisted the help of her fans through the internet to help her write the album, which proves how open she is to ideas and feedback. Imogen Heap is a next-generational artist who is already here.
7. Arctic Monkeys – Humbug
Surprise, surprise! The band that many assumed would disappear as quickly as they appeared has provided the ironic result of being actually rather good. All doubters would surely have been disappointed by the acerbic wit of Crying Lightning, and the rest of the album again demonstrates that Alex Turner has become a mature and exciting songwriter who plans on staying around. Gone are the flushed pop-punk pretensions of its predecessors; instead we have a slower album of rich, dark atmospheres and Alex Turner’s lyrical observations are turned inward for the first time. The result is an album that is grimly consistent, with a murky luminosity from start to finish. What comes next?
6. Jones – Hopeland
Not everyone could handle this album. The philosopher Theodor Adorno made the distinction between popular music and ‘serious’ music. In his opinion popular music could not assuage the soul with anything but temporal, shallow emotions. ‘Serious’ music (classical music in his opinion) was the only form that could move the listener deeply. Plus, serious music had to be listened to in its entirety in order to appreciate it. This is no classical CD, but Hopeland does demand to be listened to in its entirety for its full effect to be experienced. A departure from Miracle Mile, Trevor Jones has created an album of music and poetry that requires serious reflection from the listener. Those who do so will be enriched with music and words that speak of love and loneliness, of having experienced good days of the past, and anticipates glorious days to come. If you take this journey you’ll realize popular music can sometimes be ‘serious’ music too, and not many artists know how to do that.
5. Lily Allen – It’s Not Me It’s You
Could Lily Allen be anything except British? From her coquettish quips and lyrics to her disarmingly frank revelations (It’s Not Fair), Lily Allen has emerged as a quintessentially British pop star. On her second album, It’s Not Me It’s You, Lily’s songs are polished through their production and razor sharp in their lyrics. The Fear sees Lily nail mass-consumption culture even though she claims “it’s not my fault; it’s how I’m programmed to function.” Elsewhere Lily ponders on the personality of God and even strikes a chord of domestic sadness in Chinese when she sings “ I don't want anything more / Than to see your face when you open the door / You'll make me beans on toast and a nice cup of tea / And we'll get a Chinese and watch TV.” It’s precisely because Lily lacks glamour and offers relatable images of gritty, mundane British life that Lily is so interesting, intelligent, and popular. Now there’s a welcome combination.
4. The Enemy – Music for the People
There is something epic about this album. Maybe it was meant to be an album with a certain weight attached to it – as if the band is declaring their intent to become fully-fledged rock and roll stars. As a result it’s caused a stir with the fans, some of whom wanted the band to stay true to the sound of their debut album. But change is inevitable and somewhat brave. Within two years of their debut album, The Enemy is looking to flex their muscles and create memorable songs that truly rock. From the opening bombast of Elephant Song, to the swirling crescendos of Silver Spoon, this is a debut album that reveals that the three lads from Coventry are open to exploring new sounds and musical avenues. There’s nothing to be ashamed of doing that.
3. Athlete – Black Swan
2. Doves – Kingdom of Rust
We thought they had disappeared. Instead the Williams brothers were ensconced in Manchester crafting and recording their latest masterpiece. Still experimenting and pushing the sonic boundaries, Doves have created an album packed with subtle yet effective songs that seem to somehow capture a ‘northerly England’ hue within them. From the placid start of Winter Hill to the epic Jetstream, ‘Kingdom of Rust’ has its full measure of quintessential Doves moments. The best perhaps is the final song, Lifelines, when the song stutters to a lone guitar and vocal before an emotional climactic finish and the realization that few bands are capable of creating something so fully realized.
1. John Garrison – Departures
Those who have heard John Garrison's music know he has the voice and musical talent to move his listeners. Formerly with the band Budapest, Garrison has a track record for writing songs that have incredible mass appeal without the absence of integrity or substance. With songs like I Leave on Friday and Once Around the Block, Garrison demonstrates his wide range of guitar-infused jangle-pop to thoughtful acoustic balladeer. There is cohesiveness to this album that few albums this year (or any year) have matched. With impeccable production and gutsy vocal performances, here is a musician who already is delivering his best work without the preconditions of fame and success. But if there is any justice in this world then John Garrison will gain a larger audience from this album, which is full of songs that soar and shimmer in their emotional intensity. From So Close to Let’s Run, listening to ‘Departures’ means you'll go places emotionally that few albums are capable of taking you to. It’s hands-down one of the best British albums of this year, and Britsound’s choice as album of the year. As authentic as it gets.
Compiled by RQ
(c) 2009 Britsound & Britsound.com
