Future Of The Left9 / 10
It's not easy to combine humour, rock, wit and energy all in one volatile package but FOTL do just that.
And album number 2 really shook off the shackles of 'those' former bands, showcasing their ability to innovate and merge genres whilst still writing great pop-rock songs.
Almost perfect.
The Phantom Band9 / 10
Whilst all eyes were looking at The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, this wonderful troupe waltzed in out of nowhere and stole the hearts of everyone who heard them.
Ramshackle yet refined, retro yet modern, The Phantom Band's debut was a highly impressive reinvention of kraut rock.
Micachu9 / 10
On paper this is the kind of record I hate, featuring a hip young magazine darling and terribly 'now' production.
But it's wonderful; daring from start to finish, full of noises and ideas I've not heard anywhere else. Lurking under the hood of every song is a great pop song, rebranded as alternative indie.
8 / 10
Almost the rock album of the year; certainly 2009s most abrasive and loud listen. Deafening, scary, humourous yet precise and catchy, Kong's debut was 2 fingers up at American bands stealing all the limelight.
Pissed Jeans8 / 10
Brash, slightly obnoxious and vaguely laughable, King of Jeans is a juvenile riot from start to finish, encapsulating everything thats wholly desirable in the world of rock.
Vitalic8 / 10
Truth be told, I never expected this record to be THAT good. But it was superb. Catchy, louder than 'OK Cowboy' and sleeker from start to finish, it put electro back on the map after a torrid few years.
Moderat8 / 10
Grows on me with every listen. A great record from start to finish and one that defies any convention I throw at it. Suspect to see it even higher up this list when I've owned it for more than 3 weeks...
8 / 10
Not a perfect record, but with 4 of the years most perfectly formed songs on it, Juan Macleans second opus was a triumph, rivaling anything released on DFA in the past 3 years.
Part Chimp8 / 10
Back to their noisy best, 'Thriller' towered above most of the years releases with production that defied the confines of a soundsystem. And it contained half a dozen belting songs too...
worriedaboutsatan8 / 10
A brilliant little slow burner of a record that seems to turn every journey on public transport into a mesmerising undertaking.
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