It's that time again.
I've listened to quite a lot of stuff this year and I've taken the
time to go through what's been rocking my trusty iPod. Some of my
favourite bands have released albums this year, and I've discovered
some new stuff too. I like lists (appeals to my OCD, I suppose) so
here's my list of what's been good for me in 2015.
There's probably a list to be made of the stuff I regularly skip - but this is way more fun!
10 – Faith No More –
Sol Invictus
Rock's
favourite perverts returned and followed some festival appearances
with their first album in 18 years and it turned out to be well worth
the wait. Varied, driven, and full of ideas, from the riff-driven
'Superhero' and 'Cone of Shame' to the unpredictable 'Black Friday'
and eerily nice 'Sunny Side Up', this album had a bit of everything.
Extra credit is given to any major band who release a comeback single
called 'Motherfucker'.
9
– Palm Reader – Beside The Ones We Love
Falling
somewhere between the technical savagery of The Dillinger Escape Plan
and the tortured fury of Converge, this Woking based quintet released
an album that could make you want to mosh like crazy and feel their
pain at the same time.
8
– Napalm Death – Apex Predator, Easy Meat
It
would be doing them a disservice to call Napalm Death consistent:
they churn out a great album every few years and have been doing so,
perhaps a mid-period lull aside, for over 30 years, but they never
rest on their laurels enough to be called 'consistent'. That a band
can remain this committed, furious and inventive for so long is
admirable and this latest effort keeps the bar nice and high. This
time they've tried some sinister slow stuff which slots in nicely
alongside their trademark breakneck tempo shifts and frantic riffs.
Keep it up, guys.
7
– Gallows – Desolation
Sounds
Changing
their singer (and releasing a dour 2nd
album) has certainly dented Gallows' momentum in terms of popularity
but on the strength of 2012's eponymously titled third album there is
plenty left in the tank. On this, their 4th
record, Alexisonfire's Wade McNeil continues to prove what a talent
he is; more versatile and his predecessor, his voice flourishes on
songs like 'Bonfire Season' and 'Death Valley Blue' while the songs
have also become more interesting. Far from being a straight-up punk
record, they have developed some twisted riffs ('Leviathan Rot'),
epic choruses ('Bonfire Season'), while keeping the same bitter fury
they always had ('Leather Crown').
6
– Refused – Freedom
The
2nd
band on the list to have reformed after breaking up in 1998, Refused
are back and as angry as ever. Not so much a hardcore band any
longer (1998's The
Shape Of Punk To Come
put paid to that), Refused's comeback album mixes riff-driven
rockers, industrial-style repetition and upbeat funky guitar to make
a fine collection of tunes. Top tune here is post-colonial criticism
'Francafrique', using a quote from Conrad's Heart
Of Darkness,
chanted by children, to unsettling effect, totally incongruous to the
upbeat tune. Genius.
5
– Hawk Eyes – Everything
Is Fine
I
saw up and coming Leeds band Hawk Eyes open for Black Spiders a while
back and I was impressed enough to pick up their 2012 album Ideas.
This, the brilliant follow-up, sees them fulfil their considerable
potential. Think of the heavier elements of Britrock: off-kilter
riffs, great hooks and memorable choruses, Hawk Eyes show their
influences and push beyond them. They sound full of confidence here
and rightly so.
4
– Baroness – Purple
A
late arrival in the year, Baroness followed up their 2012 double
album (and a horrific near-death experience) with a further
progression of their sound, further away from the angry Mastodon
imitations of their early records, even ditching some of the 70s prog
from last time to make something immediate, uplifting and fun.
3
– Clutch – Psychic
Warfare
After
rediscovering their mojo on 2012's Earth
Rocker,
Maryland's finest non-cookie based export returned with another rock
and/or roll masterpiece. Quite what Neil Fallon drawn on for lyrical
inspiration is beyond me but when he can pull bonkers tunes like 'X
Ray Visions' and 'Firebirds', I'm just pleased that it exists.
Clutch are the finest of rock bands right now: riffs, choruses, the
tightest damn rhythm section, and just enough weirdness to stand out
from the crowd. Brilliant as ever.
2
– Therapy? - Disquiet
My
favourite band have been on form of late, with Crooked
Timber
and A Brief Crack
Of Light
being among the best records of their career. They took their time
with Disquiet
and it was worth the wait: opening song and first single 'Still
Hurts' is a barrage of riffs and pain, Andy Cairns' personal brand of
darkness still the catalyst and missing ingredient that sets them
aside from everyone else. 'Tides' is an infectious
hit-that-will-never-be, 'Deathstimate' rides a monster riff, hiding
an atmosphere of gloom and mortality and 'Helpless, Still Lost' is
among my top 3 songs of the year. This is an album for people who
embrace the dark side of themselves and see the world through that
prism. It doesn't sound like an album from a band 25 years into a
career but that's exactly what it is, and I count myself lucky to be
one of their fans that are still paying attention.
1
– Enter Shikari – The
Mindsweep
Well,
this one surprised me. I hated these guys when they started up; they
seemed like arrogant posh kids, too cool for school and the band du
jour
of hipster teenagers. I hated
them. Until a few years back when I heard 'Arguing With
Thermometers'. Here was a rock song that kids could dance to, while
learning about climate change; a message and a sense of humour in one
danceable package, it was smart, fun and it rocked. I started paying
attention and I'm glad I did. Always a crossover band, Enter Shikari
have evolved from writing rock songs a throwing in a bit of dubstep
or some trance keyboards; those elements are still there but now feel
more organic and they are a more rounded band because of it. The
sheer quality of the tunes on offer here has made it my number one of
the year. 'Anaesthetist', 'The Last Garrison' and 'Torn Apart' are
anthems; big on choruses and full of strong messages, catchy and
important. The epic 'Myopia' and slow burning 'The Bank Of England'
would have been filler material on their previous records, but here
they are standouts. The change in this band has been a long time
coming but they're finally hitting the heights.
I
once heard Enter Shikari dismissed as Lostprophets imitators. I
never bought into that logic even though I was never a Shikari fan.
Even when people still liked them (long before their singer started
doing private gigs in prison), Lostprophets could never dream of
being this inventive, intelligent and fun. I love being proved
wrong, and it seems I was wrong to dismiss these guys.
So
there's my top 10 of the year. There were some bands who remained
consistent without pushing any boundaries (Lamb Of God, Slayer, High
On Fire), some who have taken a couple of steps backwards (Torche,
Cancer Bats), and some who have narrowly missed out on being on this
list (Rolo Tomassi, Slaves). Special mention must go to Funeral For A
Friend; formerly favourites of mine, their latest record was less
than great and they've decided to bow out gracefully. A shame, but
admirable.
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