#13 The Kinks, Iggy Pop, Kings of Leon

Classic Album



The Kinks - Singles Collection

OK so I am cheating on this one but unlike the others that I said had a lot of non album singles, The Kinks is almost all non-album singles so rather than going through 20+ albums that I don't know any of the songs I will recommend this. The Kinks are one of the best bands ever and their singles collection is breath taking. I saw the musical based on their career (Sunny Afternoon) and it was amazing. Personal favourites include Sunny Afternoon and Days.

2016 Album



As if Iggy Pop wasn't enough on his own on this album he is joined by Queens of the Stone Age front man Josh Homme and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders (plus a guy called Dean Fertita who I don't know). It is quite a slow paced, melancholic album that I enjoyed but I wouldn't want to listen to all the time. I particularly liked the track Sunday

Ant's Random Recommendation



Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak

This was the Tennessee band's 2nd album and the one that really got me into them with songs such as The Bucket, Four Kicks and Soft amongst a whole tracklist of gems. This album is a lot more raw than their later more popular records such as Only by the Night. Released in 2004 it was very much a cult favourite for a band who at the time were fairly small.

#12 The Pogues, Bombino, Tinashe

Classic Album



The Pogues - Red Roses for Me

A mixture of traditional Irish songs and MacGowan's own melodies makes The Pogues one of my favourite bands. It wasn't until I saw them live in 2012 that I realised that they were more than Fairytale of New York and the Irish Rover. This their debut from 1984 shows how much more they have to offer with MacGowan composition of Streams of Whiskey and the reworked traditional Waxie's Dargle being particular favourites.

2016 Album

Bombino - Azel

I can't remember how I first came to hear of Bombino but his 2013 track Amidinine was amongst my top 10 that year despite it being in Arabic which isn't my first language. Despite the language barrier it is clear to see that he is an amazing guitarist and this album which is a follow up to 2013s Nomad is another great one. Nomad was produced by an American and although had a very different sound, hadn't a western twang whereas Azel sounds very traditional and I love it.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Tinashe - Saved

I have literally just this moment found out that Tinashe now goes by the moniker of Rationale so I will have to go and listen to that but while I am researching that you should listen to 2010s Saved. It would be a lie to say that every song on the album is great but more than half are and those that are good are REALLY good. From when we first saw him supporting Noisettes I knew he would be a star. I imagine the name change came due to the American female singer also called Tinashe.

#11 Daft Punk, The Tribe, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Classic Album



Daft Punk - Discovery

Well this 2001 album needs no introduction as we used to regularly listen to this in our youth but I thought I would throw it in as you may not have listened to it in a while. What more could one want than some classic electronic dance music to get them through those long farm days. I am still a fan of the slower tracks, Digital Love and Something About Us most but the whole thing is a masterpiece.

2016 Album

The Tribe - Tribal Wave

Another complete unknown in my 2016 list. The Tribe were a band I saw live as part of the Sofar Sounds project (there may well be Australian branches of this, look it up). The Tribe are a Reggae Rap band from Swindon. Live they were fun and the leads rap flow was very smooth. The Rap ontop of some bouncy reggae bass means that this is the perfect summer album. Definitely a good listen to keep the spirits up towards the end of a long day.

Ant's Random Recommendation



Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever to Tell

This is the album that brought us Maps, a great song but not on the whole a good reflection of the album as it is much mellower than the short punkier numbers which make up the majority of the album. Date with the Night and Pin were other singles to come from this album and provided many a great dance back at University alternative nights. Whereas the Tribe would be a pick me up at the end of the day, this surely would be a motivator at the start