Music - Part 38 - Twenty Twelve Twenty

Twenty Twelve Twenty

I’ve discovered some great stuff this year – it’s always difficult when you’re born with an eclectical taste in music, but, so very rewarding when you find things to satisfy your soul.  It often think it would be far easier if I liked JLS or Adele or One Direction, but I feel nowhere near as exciting as finding D.E.A.D. or My Jerusalem, or, being given the chance to interview Princess Chelsea, or re-discovering Swans Way.  I’ve also been recommended a firm of oven cleaners by Vince Clarke, but that’s another story.

So, here they are (with loads of links - if you’re vaguely interested), in no particular order:

1.       Survival & Resistance – Adrian Sherwood

Six years in the making and well worth the wait.  The master of modern day dub at his very best.

2.       Pure Form – Portion Control

Highly underrated but massively influential, returning with a huge slice of punk/electro angst.

3.       Fly On It – The Apples

My new favourite Israeli, funk, disco, sould, hip-hop, scratching, instrumental band.

4.       California Star – Martin Stephenson & The Daintees

Probably Martin’s finest ever album.  Need I say more?

5.       Voxpop Puella – Helen McCookerybook

Telling of the seven ages of woman.   Original and beautiful.

6.       Lil’ Golden Book – Princess Chelsea

Superb album from the New Zealand writer/producer/Goth.  A uniquely unique album.

(My interview with Princess Chelsea here)

7.       With Us Until You’re Dead – Archive

An album that left me lost for words.

8.       Ssss – VCMG

Depeche Mode founders Vince Clarke and Martin Gore re-unite after 31 years with an analogue album of addictive quality.

9.       The Politics Of Envy  – Mark Stewart

The return of one of Britain’s most original artists.  Was it worth the wait?  Damn right it was! 

Exorcism of Envy – Mark Stewart

Politics is ripped apart and pieced back together again – incredible stuff.

10.   Preachers – My Jerusalem

A superb album of remarkable quality.  I’m a believer.

11.   The Fugitive Kind (Expanded Edition) – Swans Way

Re-released with extra stuff after 28 years.  A forgotten classic.

12.   Little Episodes – Ian McNabb

Ninth studio album from grossly underrated songwriter.  A lesson in acoustic recording.

13.   The Rough Guide To The Music Of Ethiopia

An album that I wasn’t expecting to find as interesting as I did.

14.   Xorcism EP – The Spaceape

Strictly speaking, not an album, but, it’s my list and I’ll do what I want with it.  Amazing stuff.

15.   The Search Engine – DJ Food

Matt Johnson and JG Thirlwell guest on the DJs first album in 12 years.  Worthy of mass appeal.

16.   The Spirit Of Talk Talk

Thirty years after Talk Talk appeared on the music scene, thirty acts cover their songs.  Superb interpretations.

17.    S.T.I.L.L.D.E.A.D. – D.E.A.D.

If this is ‘death dub’ then I like it.

18.   Bish Bosch – Scott Walker

One of the most original and compelling albums I have heard of late.  I don’t want to live in Walker’s world, but, don’t mind visiting occasionally.

19.   Kaleidoscopio – Transmisson 13

Unsigned, solo artist from Manchester.  Album of tremendous quality, made with love and passion.

20.   Lucifer In Dub – Peaking Lights

Wow, wow and treble wow!  The Lucifer album is given the dub treatment and the result is a stunner.

That’s all folks – keep listening!