#23 Frank Turner, Jamie T, Hot Hot Heat

Classic Album



Frank Turner - Love, Ire & Song

I am convinced that although this album isn't necessarily regarded critically as a classic, I think it probably will go down as such in the future. After Frank's recording breaking 10th straight Reading & Leeds festival performance and 2012's Opening Ceremony performance he does get a bit more commercial recognition. Love, Ire & Song is his 2nd solo album and the first I heard and I was a fan immediately with tunes such as Reasons Not to Be an Idiot, Substitute and Long Live the Queen and so many more. Brilliant!

2016 Album

Jamie T - Trick

I write this the day after its release so I have only been able to give the album a rudimentary listen but it definitely seems to be more in the mould of 2014's Carry on the Grudge than his earlier releases. This isn't a bad thing by any means but means it has a very serious sound rather than the the upbeat sound of the first 2. Initial tracks that stand out are Power Over Men, Dragon Bones and Joan of Arc.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Hot Hot Heat - Elevator

This is a really leftfield recommendation, but for some reason it came into my head for this page. Don't get me wrong it is a great album and full of fun despite in places having some emotastic lyrics such as "Running with scissors isn't smart, you tripped and cut open my heart" but yeah a great pop punk album with songs such as Goodnight Goodnight and Running out of Time being the stand outs.

#22 Radiohead Day

Classic Album



Radiohead - OK Computer

Any number of Radiohead's albums could have been listed as their classic but 1997's OK Computer is for me easily their best. I can turn on just about any track from this album and be amazed. I was initially impressed by singles paranoid android and No Surprises (of which I did a great Mbira cover) but over time I grew to love the lesser known tracks on the album such as Let Down and Lucky. Overall just a wonderful, near perfect album.

2016 Album



Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

On first listen I really didn't like this very much, it is like a lot of Radiohead's newer material a bit drony sounding if you aren't really paying attention, Thom Yorke's voice has never been my favourite but on further listening it is ok. It is definitely not up there with their best for me but I would go back to it. I couldn't though give you any particular recommendations as it all kind of blurred into one for me.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Radiohead - Kid A

I would guess this would be one of your favourite Radiohead Albums, this album was their 4th and released directly after OK Computer and is the turning point in the band's career as they experimented with a more electronic sound, for me personally I prefer the earlier rockier sounds but there is definitely a place for songs such as Everything in its Right Place.

Other Radiohead albums that I would highly recommend are The Bends (1995) and In Rainbows (2007) which was the first album of any real importance that was released as a 'pay what you want', as a student at the time I unfortunately paid nothing..

#21 The Beatles, Barry Hyde, The Libertines

Classic Album



The Beatles - The Beatles (The White Album)

Technically called The Beatles but everyone knows it as the White Album. A double album, so plenty to listen to here including classics such as Back in the USSR, Helter Skelter and While my Guitar Gently Weeps. It also has the poppier side to it with the reggae infused Oh-Bla-di Oh-bla-dah. For me though I really like Revolution 9. Its a strange album in parts sounding almost unfinished as some recordings are less than perfect but if anything I think this adds to it.

2016 Album

Barry Hyde - Malody

You may recognise this man's face? He is Barry Hyde, the lead singer of The Futureheads but if you are expecting this solo project to be all guitar riffs and vocal harmonies you are very much in the wrong place. Malody is as the title suggests a downbeat, melancholic work and talks of Hyde's battle with depression amongst other topics. It is deep and sounds nice enough but it never really grabbed my attention, title track Malody probably the best on the album

Ant's Random Recommendation



The Libertines - Anthems For Doomed Youth

If we were going just by my thoughts every Libertines album would be rocking up in the classics section but that isn't necessarily to everyone's opinion. This 2015 album, the Libertines first in 11 years was either going to be great or terrible and luckily enough it landed on the good side. It contained a couple of re-worked oldies such as You're My Waterloo as well as a load of brand new tracks including my favourites, Gunga Din, Heart of the Matter and Fury in Chonburi although I like every song on the album. It wasn't just me though critics on the whole agreed it was a good come back.

#20 Bob Dylan, Blossoms, Tune Yards

Classic Album



Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde

Another recommendation that I got from Dad, as Bob Dylan has so many albums that I have never heard I asked and he said that this was his favourite. I gave it a listen and it is good, very rambly but that is what you expect from Bob Dylan, I can see though why it is heald in such high esteem. I feel it probably won't be your favourite though.

2016 Album

Blossoms - Blossoms

This album by new band Blossoms is another contender for my personal album of the year. I heard of the band when they toured with the Libertines earlier in the year and despite me not getting tickets for the show I listened to the band and I was instantly impressed by the song Charlemagne. As the year has gone by they released a number of singles which just heightened my interest and since the album dropped in early August I have listened non stop. I really like Getaway, Blown Rose and Smashed Pianos.

Ant's Random Recommendation

 

Tune Yards - Nikki-Nack

This is an album that I think you will enjoy. I can't remember how I first heard Tune Yards but it was the album previous to this one and I really enjoyed and then I heard 2 songs from this album on FIFA 15 and they were instantly among my favourites on the game. Tune Yards is a one woman, quirky multi-instrumentalist, if I had to put into a genre I would say experimental Indie, Water Fountain is my favourite from the album.

#19 Talking Heads, Zayn, The Holloways

Classic Album

Talking Heads - 77

This debut from the American band was released in?? You guessed it 1977. It is one of Dad's favourite albums. You may well recognise the voice of lead singer David Byrne from various many cameos he's made for artists such as N.A.S.A. and Norman Cook's Brighton Port Authority. Its a quirky thing labelled in the 'Alternative' category with the song Psycho Killer being the most famous track.

2016 Album



Zayn - Mind of Mine

I feel I shouldn't tell you who this artist is before you listen just in case you pre-judge but my journalistic integrity says I must. Zayn Malik is the former One Direction man who actually makes quite good R&B/Electro music. His first single Pillow Talk I tried my best not to like but it always kept creeping into my head and making me want to listen more. The album isn't something I will be raving about for years to come but it isn't by any means terrible.

Ant's Random Recommendation



The Holloways - So This is Great Britain?

Have you heard of them? What a band The Holloways were. Despite my love though this album will never make it as a classic, not just because I'm one of about 3 people who ever bought it but it just isn't produced that well, I love all the individual songs massively but as a whole it doesn't have that flow that make it perfect. You will know most of the songs through my constant playing I'm sure but some of the ones you might not know as well as the Two Left Feets and Generators that are still super duper amazing are 'Happiness and Pennyless' and 'Nothing for the Kids'.

#18 White Stripes, Fat White Family, Alt-J

Classic Album



White Stripes - Elephant

This was one of my first favourite albums when it was released in 2003 I couldn't stop playing it. It of course contains the mega hit '7 Nation Army' which is undoubtedly incredible but it constantly moves from rawkus rock to gentles blues and country throughout. Favourites of mine include "You've got her in your pocket" and "hardest Button to Button". The controversial duo really hit a winner with this album which was their 4th album but the first that got the band any mainstream recognition.

2016 Album

Fat White Family - Songs for our Mothers

Fat White Family are one of those bands that gets massively over-hyped by publications like the NME. I have never seen them live but they are always being talked up as one of the best live bands around at the moment but unfortunately for them on the basis of what I hear on their albums I have no intention on paying for a ticket. Songs for our Mothers is their 2nd album and I enjoyed the single 'Whitest Boy on the Beach' initially but it had little lasting charm. Fun Fact though from facebook stalking I see that Patrick Cowling is friends with one of the bands members.

Ant's Random Recommendation

  

This 2012 album from Alt-J was another that was massively hyped up and at first I didn't want to like it but it is undoubtedly brilliant. It is a kind of psychedelic indie sound with loops and synths and guitars and whiny vocals which sounds like it wouldn't work but it just does. Matilda is probab;y my favourite but to be brutally honest they are all really strong and all this from a band who's name derives from the short cut key for drawing a triangle on an apple mac.

#17 Oasis, We Are Scientists, Futureheads

Classic Album



Oasis - What's the Story (Morning Glory)

What is there to say about this 1995 album that hasn't already been said, it took two Manchester brothers and made them into international superstars. Of course it contains Super classics such as Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger but also songs that I prefer such as the beautiful Champagne Supernova and She's Electric. I usually class myself as a Blur man over Oasis but you can't argue that this is a great album.

2016 Album

We Are Scientists - Helter Seltzer

We are Scientists are another one of those bands who have been around for years constantly churning out new music that no one really takes much notice of and this album on the whole is similar. Its a decent listen through but doesn't really stand out as something I would listen to more than once or twice. There is one song though from the album that I do really like, "Buckle" which has become one of my favourite songs of the year so far.

Ant's Random Recommendation

The Futureheads - Rant

This release from The Futureheads is anything but normal, the Sunderland 4 piece known for twangy guitar riffs and fast paced tunes take a step back with this piece of genius from 2012. What is so strange about Rant? I hear you ask. Well the whole album is done entirely A-Capella. The album is filled with instrumentless covers of their own and other musicians music as well as traditional folk songs. It was such a jump into the blue and it really worked for me at least and I made it my favourite album of 2012.