Here we are at the pointy end of the countdown.
4 selections by critics and fans, 1 selection by critics and sales.
| 5 |
Daft Punk |
Random Access Memories |
Critics + Sales |
One of my personal favourites this year. What's not to like about Daft Punk + Nile Rogers? Fun to dance to. Fun to listen to. Unlike much dance music it stands up well to repeated close listening.
| 4 |
The National |
Trouble Will Find Me |
Critics + Fans |
It's nicely produced, atmospheric, etc. But I don't feel like it's advancing the state of the art as laid down by Nick Cave or Joy Division or some other confessional singer/songwriters. Certainly listenable and enjoyable - but I was kinda hoping for more.
| 3 |
Nick Cave and The Bad
Seeds |
Push the Sky Away |
Critics + Fans |
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...speaking of which. The real deal. 120 years on and still going strong.
| 2 |
Vampire Weekend |
Modern Vampires of the City |
Critics + Fans |
This one is growing on me slowly. Dense arty indie pop rock.
| 1 |
My Bloody Valentine |
m b v |
Critics + Fans |
What is it with shoegaze this year? Another album that just missed out on the list was the industrial shoegaze Sunbather by Deafheaven.
Amazing that this is #1 on the list when it isn't on iTunes or Spotify. You need to buy it from the artist's site. I appreciate the immersive and experiential nature of shoegaze - and this is probably as good a contemporary example as you'll find anywhere. I would have said it's not for everybody - but clearly a lot of critics and fans have made the effort to track it down and vote for it.
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