AlistairCampbell

I think its closer to a 7 at least

first 7 tracks are very good, the next 5 are pretty bad, the last track is ok.

You've correctly identified a number of the album's shortcoming- essentially some serious editing of both song and album length require. That aside, it's still well worthwhile for anyone after some big ass rock.

and totally agree its a change of direction they needed. I hope to continue to plough this furrow, I think it can bear richer fruit for them down the line. They've certainly not held back in committing to the new direction, and as this post is already showing opinion is very divided!

BTW Mike- how many listens did it take you to come up with that? Definitely a grower, took at least 5 listens before the album sat properly for me......still stand by my FOTL comment though :-)

..I did that once for a guy called Tony...it didn't end so well. For your own sake, I'll have to pass :-)

And FOTL didn't even need the help of a superstar producer...legends

...I was pretty underwhelmed on first listen TBH, perhaps a rush of blood to the head Sean?

It is definitely a record that improves on subsequent listens, but its not the classic it looked like being on paper.

On first listen the complete change of pace caught me out, they sound much more, well, sedate- gone is youthful excuberance, kinetic energy, this has been replaced with a kind of don't give a fuck steady plod. I guess Rolling Stone would describe this as a mature rock record...

The QOTSA influences really are as obvious and numerous as promised. This is both a blessing and a curse- the mix is bass heavy, driving bass lines and thudding drums with eerie guitar sounds and licks, which sounds great. However, for all the cool moments on the album they have inherited one of QOTSAs frequent shortcomings, they forget to bring the tunes, which makes the listening unmemorable.

Of course the test of time will tell whether I'll be eating my words. After 3 full listens I'm saying "that difficult 3rd album"- 50% of the album is pretty good, 50% of the album is dull - albeit even a dull Monkeys is better than most.

The best british rock record released this year is Future of the Left by a shitting mile, this I'm afraid doesn't even come close - 6/10

Stuart, you are right - music is at my fingertips, its up past my elbows. Thanks to the internet I'm armpit deep in music in all its guises, the good, the bad and the down right ugly. all. day. long.

Taking to the internet and researching music, bands, blogs and other music related bullshit is like drinking from a fire hose. Given this abundant jetstream of bands, tunes and albums coming my way I readily and regulalry rely on sites like Pitchfork (a site Mogwai pointed me in the direction of following a favourable review for a Rock Action band ), DiS, Boomkat, Coke Machine Glow etc to save me time and get me to the good shit quicker. Should I even be ashamed to say that I'd use Metacritic as a yardstick when looking for an avenue to pursue? Since using the internet as my main resource for researching and aquiring music I've made significantly less wrong turns, as well as opened up avenues I'm certain I'd never have made browsing a copy of Select/Kerrang/NME and cycling down to the local record store to make my purchase. There will always be a place for well informed writers and their valued opinions regardless of the received media.

I missed the ultimate thrust of your article - you talk about listening to the good old days listening to the radio and reading the NME for your musical cues and yet appear to be belittling internet users for doing the same. I would be interested to read what your ultimate muscial utopia would be for musicians, journalists and listeners alike in a world dominated by the presence of the internet?

P.S. Mogwai rock

seen them live at the great escape the last two years running.....and while there were no equinines on stage, they blew in a big way. However I suspect they will be a moderate hit in the indie world who live pseudo-eccentric english bands- for me however boring and unmemorable

reckon at least 3 of those are going to be in my top 10 for the year

..but finding it doesn't quite contain enough substance to make it a classic. still a good effort

A robust defence of your review, fans of Sunn O))) clearly appreciate this glowing dissection you've given the world. You also appear to have offended some who wish to police your apparant misuse of arbitrary numbers.

What a great way to open the album!

is my favourite Mogwai album...what tune is better than Xmas Steps?

really like the Hawk is Howling, its a great album, very consistent from start to finish. I'd give it an 8.

...and liked what I heard. Much easier to embrace than previous TVOTR records. the test of time will tell, but am looking forward to diving deeper with this one

that's a great version of 'Wolf Like Me' they did on Letterman.

Not heard the new album yet, waiting patiently for the offical release like a good boy.

disappointingly small tour of the UK, maybe they're going to a bigger tour next year?

and the point is?

Didn't get this shit, went upstairs and watched Beardy man instead, he was a million times more entertaining

..at the great escape.

on their MySpace page and make your decision.....its a grower

I hope they die screaming.

Radiohead have always maintained that their albums should be listened to as a whole, hence they never did a deal with iTunes 'cos tracks could be sold individually. I struggle to see how a best of is going to offer existing fans any thing worth shelling out for. In the context of each album these songs are classics. Regardless I'm going to playlist the two discs and see which is better......and whether I'd want to get my radiohead fillup from a best of rather than the albums

Fuck the fuck off, I'm trying to listen to Radiohead

for me is the March winner

probably my fav 'Grass album...not too sure about this Glange direction they've taken, tho the Beat it cover on myspace is entertaining

and why does everyone call public address systems Tannoys? clearly this is the type of shit that keeps you up at night mate...relax man ;-)

..its cos they like to wind up pedants like yourself. More likely cos reviewer was probably too young in 95 to have noticed Autechre's 3rd album was released, let alone have its various guises cemented into his brain.
Incidently how do you refer to the 5th album, LP5 or Autechre. And do you refer to EP7 as an EP, 'cos its really too long to really be an EP.

As for Quaristice, meh. I've not enjoyed an Autechre album end to end since I got Tri Repetae++ (I got bonus disc CD ed)

"like going to see someone you used to be in love with to find their new partner is a fool." kind of how i felt about the O2 show

...they were fucking mind blowing live if you caught them on a good day. Siamese dream tour at wolverhampton Civic and Reading 95 headline slot being the life affirming experiences you mention

it was liking watching another band impersonating the Pumpkins. I've seen the pumpkins 6 times (93, 95, 96, 97, 2000 and 2008) after a promising start I was bored shitless by the end - i ended up thinking what i am doing and what the fuck are they doing. a once great band, I felt like they were living for music and being in the pumpkins was essential to their own personal survival and life's mission, and we their audience were on an unpredictable journey with them. now it just looks like the souless cash in that its accused of being......they pull out the stops for the london show when all the record label corporate suites are rolled out at the O2 but don't give a fuck about a nottingham gig

to be fair a 23,000 arena is not an enjoyable place to watch any band, and the pumpkins noise histrionics were not help by the shit sound at the O2. But like Mike they should have called it a day at least in 2000 if they are unable to come up with new material to justify the come back. James and D'arcy's none appearance on this reunion speaks volumes about the wisdom of Billy's move.

thks

got this based on the review, so far so good....why has it taken me so long to find this group.

anyone want to recommend which of there other albums I should be checking out next?

there are some catchy tunes on there, but a couple of dull ones that make it a tad too long to keep me interested

as did you. really want to get hold that record!

Took a real while to get going, and still nothing has lit the musical touch paper this month. Enjoying Black Mountain, but know it will eventually be surpassed as the year unfurls. Will probably grab Sons & Daughters when I get the chance. Mars Volta, gave it a try, just not my bag at all. Yet to be convinced by Vampire Weekend, will try again next week. Lightspeed may get a listen based on his Buzzcocks appearance this week.

Word.

Guns n Roses - Appetite for Desctruction
Nirvana - Nevermind
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
Mogwai - Young Team
Dj Shadow - Endtroducing
Radiohead - Kid A (led me to Warp Records)

I'm 29. Older than all you DiS writer whipper snappers

catchy enough. listened to the album sampler on Last.FM sounded a little bit dull. going to pass on downloading this one

"No word as yet on cause of death of Turner's death".

beaten to death at a WI meeting?

http://music.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,2223431,00.html

LCD again....looking like a landslide across the board for James Murphy and co

....you gave it a 10. DiS album of the year, good choice, ace album, ace band

...can we all at least agree that 2007 has seen the release of some top class albums- the strongest set for a while IMO, 07 a vintage year?

LCD are my #1 as well. Good list, I think DiS and its readers know their shit when it comes to rooting out the tunes. well done all

I know LSF was 13, cos it says so right here http://drownedinsound.com/articles/2665004

I reckon

..that 10/10 is a pretty strong critical statement, I would have thought some sort of concensous is required before publishing a perfect score for an album, hence 17 seems low for AC?

..

Alex Denney is representing all those who are right about Strawberry Jam and the main DiS staff are representing all those who are wrong about it ;-)

so DiS reviews are completely unrepresentative? interesting

...you gave 10/10 but put it only 17th in your end of year list, explain?

I'd have it in my top 5 along with LCD SoudSystem, Radiohead, Battles and the Field

The UK dates are towards the end of June, possibly paving way for a turn at the annual glastobury mudfest??

again? or can you see Radiohead playing the O2 arena? :-)

Come on, really? even the most one eyed SP fan has to admit Zeitgeist is not even their 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even 4th best SP album, I'm not convinced it deserves to be gracing any end of year lists. sorry galante.

Either I've been putting more effort in or 2007 has been a year of some great albums, here's my top 12....

[1] - LCD Soundsystem - Sounds of silver
[2] - Radiohead - In Rainbows
[3] - The Field - From here we go sublime
[4] - Battles - Mirrored
[5] - Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
[6] - Gui Boratto - Chromophobia
[7] - Arctic Monkeys - Favorite Worst Nightmare
[8] - Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
[9] - QOTSA - Era Vulgaris
[10] - Modeselektor - Happy Birthday!
[11] - Deerhunter - Cryptograms
[12] - M.I.A. - Kala

for the name.

predictable list was based on your defence of HardFi. good british artists current and active right now that I'm enjoying - Aphex twin, autehcre, mogwai, boards of canada, chris clark, james holden, four tet, richie hawtin, electrelane, nathan fake, two lone swordsmen, Arctic monkeys.

the yanks maybe rocking the indie scene right now but Britain is still producing very talented musicians. Hard Fi I personally don't count as one of them. Nor do I think they'll last further than their 3rd album