Albums Of The Year

Albums Of 2015

We are fast approaching the end of the year. So it seems appropriate that I discuss what I think the best albums of the year have been.

Hooton Tennis Club - Highest Point in Cliff Town

Signed to a label that could previously boast the likes of Manic Street Preachers and currently feature bands as diverse as The Wytches and Temples, Hooton Tennis Club have a lot to live up to. Their album released in August 2015 scored solid reviews from various publications. "Highest Point in Cliff Town" makes this list because of its melodic tones and relaxed feel. First single 'Jasper' contains hazy guitars teamed with first album Swim Deep levels of atmosphere. There is also a feel of those bands who signed early to legendary label Creation. It sounds like a rebirth of Teenage Fanclub's debut. The album is extremely catchy and at times a bit silly. Track "P.O.W.E.R.F.U.L P.I.E.R.R.E" is the perfect track that sums that up. Front-man Ryan Murphy sings about tea leaves before launching in to one of the catchiest choruses of the year, 

P.O.W.E.R.F.U.L P.I.E.R.R.E

Drenge - Undertow

After the release of their aggressive, murky self-titled debut album, the Loveless brothers, aka Drenge, returned in 2015 with a second album to give Britsh grunge a good kicking up the backside.‘Undertow’ is the sound of a band who have found their feet. With an added bass player they were able to experiment with new sounds. Album opener ‘Running Wild’ feels gloomier and heavier, and would fit perfectly into an opening scene of a horror film. It sounds polished and dirty at the same time, creating a unique sound - an element that is ever-present throughout the album. 'We Can Do What We Want' is Drenge at their finest. The riffs are grimy with a slight blues feel about them. The song is centred around a highly addictive stomping groove, to which Eoin Loveless adds lyrics telling anyone who dislikes Drenge to fuck off. "No one tells us we are wrong and no one tells us when to stop". 

Standing In The Cold 

Peace - Happy People

In February 2015 Dom Boyce from the band told me that the biggest change Peace have gone through since their debut album 'In Love' made the walls shake in every indie club is the way Peace have written songs. 'In Love' saw the quartet develop musically, there are some serious hits on the album including 'Lost On Me' and stand-out track 'I'm A Girl" which is an instant classic with its heavy guitar based intro and catchy lyrics. As well as writing these songs which have the same power as "Lovesick" Peace can write songs with intricate melodies which has led to guitarist Doug Castle being dubbed as one the best guitarists of his generation.

I'm A Girl

The Wombats - Glitterbug

It is only natural for bands to progress. And with that, they will lose fans but potentially gain some too. This was the case when The Wombats released their third album "Glitterbug". Gone were the scuzzy guitar based riffs from their 2007 debut "A Guide To Love Loss and Desperation" and in their place came neon lights and synths. The album is very clean and crisp which is credit to the group and the producer of the album Mark Crew. Sure it does lack a bit of punch, but it more than makes up for that with immensely catchy songs with instantly memorable choruses. 'Emoticons' and 'Greek Tragedy' are examples of these songs that show the band in a new light and people may say that light is artificial but with the album sounding near perfect when played live, The Wombats have the chance to be playing bigger venues around the world.

Emoticons 

Palma Violets - Danger In The Club

2015 saw the return of Palma Violets who after touring debut album "180" for what seemed like an eternity released their second album "Danger In The Club". "180" was a rough and ragged album, but it was full of emotion, like flicking through drunk photos ten years after they were taken. "Danger in the Club" follows suit, but everything feels more together and enhanced. Yet it still has that same sense of pandemonium and energy, for instance when you hear tracks like ‘Gout Gang Go’ and ‘I Got It’ you can envisage that madness in your head. Palma Violets have achieved a youthful and joyful sound on their second album, which has the power to make you reminisce. It feels like a proper moment. 

Sauna Youth - Distractions 

Post-punk four piece Sauna Youth released their second album 'Distractions' in 2015 and although you may have missed it, you will know about them and the record sooner rather than later. The album is full of interesting sounds and spiky riffs. There are blends of old-school three-chord punk similar to The Buzzcocks and the sophistication of The Cure. There is even a slight hint of 70s pub-rock hidden away in track 'New Fear' the guitar sounds replicating Dr Feelgood, there is even a nod to The Human League's 'The Path Of Least Resistance" which is mentioned within the lyrics of the song. The music is very crisp, it has the sound of a band that have been touring and performing for twenty years.

Transmitters

Fidlar - Too

Fidlar definitely seem to have the feel of a band who live by the motto "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Too (their second release) takes elements of self titled album including the catchy riffs and big choruses and adds depth and a little bit of panache. The album as a whole is very catchy. Lyrically and instrumentally, this comes to a head on the opener '40oz On Repeat' which opens with some nasty, hard hitting drums and guitars but there are some interesting parts to the song. There are passages with acoustic guitars and what sounds like a toy piano which gives the song more personality. It's still a very rough album with some pop elements, 'West Coast' has a very sunny melody typical of California but mixed in to that we have the rough vocals making the song well balanced. 'Punk' is very abrasive and then 'Leave Me Alone' has a very new wave feel to it. This just makes the album more appealing, it's much more versatile than their
self-titled first album and with the constant changes of pace it feels very fresh.

Drone

New Order - Music Complete

Electronic music pioneers New Order returned in 2015 with "Music Complete" their tenth studio album along with guest appearances from La Roux, Brandon Flowers and Iggy Pop. Pop features on the track 'Stray Dog' in which he narrates a monologue over the top of a rudimentary electro-beat with some synths and piano. 'Stray Dog' is one the songs that doesn't immediately jump out. It doesn't really fit in with the album, it feels a little bit like an audiobook with some low-rent music thrown in. The stand-out track is without question 'Plastic'. It harks back to the days of the Hacienda in Manchester and this would not feel out of place on any New Order album. The intro slowly builds up and then the beat kicks in with the synths and Bernard Sumner's vocals are the centrepiece of the song. 'Tutti Fruiti' is a very funky song with a simple but powerful bass line - for once not provided by Peter Hook - it sounds a little bit like New Order's classic 'True Faith' but with added elements thrown in. The vocal harmonies and melodies are sharp which gives the album a very polished feel. Sumner's vocals still have that sad, melancholy style that just seem to fit the way New Order make music, bringing listeners back down from the music which is incredibly upbeat. 

Plastic

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