#7 Patti Smith, Mystery Jets, Pulp

Classic Album



Patti Smith - Horses

This 1975 album from the most important lady in the Punk scene is one of my Dad's favourites. The Punk scene despite being one of the more progressive movements in music as far a race relations it wasn't particularly inclusive with women until Ms. Smith came along. This album was her debut and she is still going today with an aggressive Punk sound. The big single from this album was Gloria which is a tune!

2016 Album

Mystery Jets - Curve of the Earth

Now don't get me wrong I love the Mystery Jets, they have produced some great albums over the last few years but this is not one of them. I really could not get at all excited by this, in interviews they said they were inspired by Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (which should probably be in the Classic Albums section at some point) but that is not something that entices me. The first single Telomere was ok but not my favourite by a long shot. Maybe you will like though.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Pulp - Different Class

This 1995 Album from everyone's 3rd favourite Brit Pop band (after Blur & Oasis) is a bit of a banger. It has the obvious Common People and Disco 2000 but it has an overall fun vibe and is a good listen. Album opener Mis-Shapes may well be my favourite track

#6 The Libertines, KANO, Black Kids

Classic Album



The Libertines - Up The Bracket

A Modern Classic in my eyes at least, 2002s Up the Bracket is without doubt my favourite album of all time and I could recite any of the songs without the need of any help. This album brought with it the end of Brit Pop and ushered in the new wave of British Indie. Without this album there would be no Bloc Party, Razorlight, Franz Ferdinand etc. Obviously all the songs are essential but especially Time For Heroes and The Good Old Days.

2016 Album



KANO - Made in the Manor

Now this is some good 2016 Grime music right here. KANO was one of the breakthrough artists of the Grime scene and with 2005s Home Sweet Home he had a gritty album that had some mainstream success. In 2007 he got more success with a less hard hitting album and then he lost his way with a few poor albums but Made in the Manor is a return to form. I particularly like A Roadman's Hymn but there are quite a few good tunes on here.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

Do you know what I love this album, it is not deep at all but it has a great sound and is full of feel good tunes. I would have to call it Indie Pop with a 60s feel thrown in. You may well recognise the song that made this band, I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You. Not much else to say apart from this will just make you feel good and want to sing along.

#5 The Beatles, Digitalism, Akala

Classic Album



The Beatles - Revolver

My favourite Beatles Album, I think it would be fair to put just about all Beatles albums into this Classic Album category so I chose this. I remember once you saying something along the lines of Beatles all being cheesy love songs. This album proves that this is not the case, Despite coming out in the Free Love 60s it is full of quirky and original tunes. Some of my favourites are Eleanor Rigby and And Your Bird Can Sing.

2016 Album



Digitalism - Mirage

I think you will really like this one, pure electronica. I think we might have seen this band at Wireless or Field Day one time. I can't pick out any individual tracks from this as I just let it run through. Its ok, not going to make my top albums but I think this one is for you.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Akala - DoubleThink

Not actually my favourite Akala, that accolade goes to 2007s Freedom Lasso but probably lyrically the best one that he does. As you may guess from the title, the album as a whole is very highly influenced by George Orwell's 1984. I remember on my first few listens I genuinely got goosebumps listening to the lyrics on tracks such as Your's and My Children and Find No Enemy, they are so on point. This album was definitely a turning point for Akala, before it he was making good tunes that were intelligent but not too hard hitting and since this his music has been more like hard hitting poetry. I think DoubleThink is the right mix of the two.

#4 David Bowie Day

Classic Album



David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars

This is another of those albums that is regularly voted one of the best of all time. Released in 1972 it is often classified as 'Art Rock' but that is because it just wasn't like anything else when it came out so they had to make up a new genre. Despite containing classics such as the eponymous Ziggy Stardust and Starman, my favourite from the album is Rock'n'Roll Suicide.

2016 Album



David Bowie - (or Blackstar)

When I first heard the title track, a ten minute long arty piece I wasn't overly impressed as his previous, 2013s The Next Day was so brilliant. But then when Bowie died that song and the rest of the album becomes so much more poignant as it becomes clear that it is a farewell message. The video for Lazarus ends with him being locked in a closet. He died about a week after filming this and this becomes a clear link to a coffin. Although musically this is not my favourite album as a statement I cannot fault its genius.

Ant's Random Recommendation



David Bowie - Hunky Dory

Probably my favourite Bowie Album, it was released in 1971 it has on it the famous classics such as Changes, Oh You Pretty Things and Life on Mars but I think equally as good are Quicksand and quite possibly my favourite Bowie song overall Bombers. This album sounds more 'Indie' than others which is probably why I like it so much.

Other Bowie albums I recommend are The Next Day (2013), Scary Monsters (1980), Aladdin Sane (1973). They are all to my taste but you may well be more keen on Young Americans (1975) and Lets Dance (1983).

#3 The Smiths, Xylaroo, Modest Mouse

Classic Album



The Smiths - The Smiths

This 1984 debut from the Manchester band was one of only 4 albums recorded by the band. This isn't a classic in the same way (in my opinion) as Exodus or London Calling but is very solid and laid way for what they were to do later. Singles such as This Charming Man and What Difference Does it Make? are stand outs. With The Smiths though I think you should probably listen to some of their greatest hits compilations as well as songs Ask and Panic which are my favourites don't feature on any albums.

2016 Album

Xylaroo - Sweetooth

This band are a complete unknown and I only found them through a related artists bit on Spotify. One of my favourite albums of the year so far, Xylaroo are two sisters who sing along with acoustic guitars to make a sweet and pretty summer sound. Some of my favourite tracks are Sunshine and Narwhal.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Modest Mouse - Good News for People who like Bad News

You will remember the song Float On from playing on Rock Band on the XBox. Modest Mouse have been around for years and are usually a bit on the over pretentious side of Indie for me but this album gets it just right. Don't get me wrong it is still very pretentious but it sounds good and songs such as Float On and The Good Times Are Killing Me are brilliant. The album as a whole has very few bad points.

#2 Bob Marley, King Charles, Bright Eyes

Classic Album



Bob Marley & The Wailers - Exodus

Another album that immediately breathes classic with tracks such as Jamming, Three Little Birds and One Love I can imagine nothing better to listen to in the scorching Australian sun. Originally released in 1977 it still holds strong today as probably the best reggae album ever written. Near Perfect.

2016 Album



King Charles - Gamble for a Rose

This is a decent album, I will be up front it is not amazing and will not make it onto any of my end of year lists but it is listenable and in this 2016 category there will be some misses. King Charles himself I think is great, he has a cool style of guitar driven indie and he sings in a fast almost rap style. The best song for me on this album is first single Loose Change for the Boatman. Although this is a plug for his 2016 album, if you get a chance also listen to his debut album which is called LoveBlood and is brilliant.

Ant's Random Recommendation




Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning

Big Statement Alert! This is probably my favourite album ever (that wasn't written by the Libertines). It is an acoustic beauty that was released in 2005. Conor Oberst and his band take you through beautiful stories, some wonderful, some heart wrenching. Including my first dance song First Day of my Life, I genuinely love every song on this album. It is amazing