My Top 10 Albums of 2019
Pre-amble
So here we are at the end of another year. I have bought many records, CD’s and even cassette tapes over this year. I have travelled around the world and picked up OG records when I can find them and new albums, mostly from my favourite online retailer,
burningshed.com or from my favourite store, Rough Trade Bristol.
There have been so many great album releases in 2019 but to make it to my 2019 top 10 there are certain criteria I have imposed on myself in order to keep the list to 10. So, many records that were released in 2019 that were live albums or reissues are not included here. So here are my self-imposed rules:
- I have to own the record on vinyl
- No live albums are included
- I have to have played the album more than 10 times for it to make the list
- The album cannot be a reissue
- It must have been released in 2019
- Albums only, no EP’s or 12” singles
So here goes. My top 10 albums of 2019 in reverse order:
10. Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Colorado
A real return to form for Neil Young who has had so many reissues this year but into his 70’s still remains a relevant, fabulous songwriter and performer.
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| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | Colorado |
9. Thom Yorke - ANIMA
An ambient masterpiece from Thom which could have come off the back or Radiohead’s Kid A. A stunning piece of work showing us that Radiohead and Thom are still out there.
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| Thom Yorke | ANIMA |
8. Jon Anderson - 1000 Hands
Jon Anderson returns with an expansive solo work built up over many years with so many famous musicians showing us that in his 70’s Jon still sounds as fresh as he did in the early Yes years. Still with a great voice, maybe the best voice in music today?
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| Jon Anderson | 1000 Hands |
7. Elbow - Giants of All Sizes
The last Elbow album, although enjoyable, did not really do it for me. However, Giants of All Sizes is an instant earworm and an album I can’t stop playing. Some great musicianship on this album, great songs and an all round winner.
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Elbow | Giants of All Sizes
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6. Isildurs Bane & Peter Hamill - In Amazonia
Peter Hamill gets invited to sing with Isildurs Bane and we get a superbly atmospheric album with a screaming vocal from Peter that harks back his tormented Nadir’s Big Chance from 1975, a favourite Johnny Rotten (John Lyndon) album. Bearing in mind that Hamill was 71 this year his voice is still amazing. I can not recommend this album enough.
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| Isildurs Bane & Peter Hamill - In Amazonia |
5. Pixies - Beneath the Eyrie
It was 2016 when the Pixies last album Head Carrier was released but not to much praise. Here a mere 3 years later We have an album which didn’t seem to get much press suddenly appear on the shelves of my local record store, Rough Trade, Bristol. I had to buy it and so grateful I did. To me it’s their best album since Bossanova in 1990. If you like classic Pixies then you’ll love this one.
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| Pixies | Beneath the Eyrie |
4. The National - I am Easy to Find
The National possibly one of my favorite bands. I first heard them with their album Trouble Will Find Me in 2013. An album I took a risk on and bought for the cover art. Ever since then I have followed the band and saw an amazing set they did at Glastonbury Festival in 2017. A superb performance with a drunk Matt Berninger, swigging red wine from a bottle which eventually made its way into the crowd. His delivery was intimidating yet controlled and seeing the band live you could really appreciate the band as a whole (A good reason to see music live). I am Easy to Find features many guest female vocalists including Sharon Von Ettington, Lisa Hannibal, Mina Trindle, Kate Stables and Gail Ann Dorsey (the late David Bowie’s bass player).
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| The National | I am easy to find |
3. Lana Del Rey - Norman Fkg Rockwell
Ever since I heard Lana’s album, Ultraviolence I have fallen in love with her music. I saw her perform at Glastonbury festival a couple of years ago. She was spell binding and her band were amazing. Laid back music, fab lyrics and a beautiful voice. For me it’s perfect West Coast music and has received a Grammy award for best album. Of all her albums Born to Die, Ultraviolence and Norman Fkg Rockwell and essential. I also got this on limited cassette tape!
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| Lana Del Rey | Norman Fkg Rockwell |
2. Coldplay - Everyday Life
Let’s get this out there -
I LOVE COLDPLAY. I have seen them live many times right back to their first album when they had a hit with Yellow. They never let you down. Great songs, amazing stage presence and yes, they play all their instruments. A really great bunch of friends who for me constantly take risks and don’t just turn out the hits, although every album has some. A Rush of Blood to the Head from 2002 is still, for me their greatest achievement, and their new album Everyday Life doesn’t disappoint. So many people see Coldplay and Chris Martin as the band to hate. It’s a shame that success is not celebrated in the UK. Around the world Coldplay are loved and you only have to see their live shows and the size of the crowds who flock to see them to realize how popular they are.
Everyday Life, Coldplay’s 8th Studio album, is an album of two parts: Sunrise and Sunset. The track listing was announced in local papers noticeably the North Wales Daily Post, where once Jonny Buckland (Guitar) had a holiday. Everyday life cuts across many genres and has to be heard on vinyl to be truly appreciated - it has been said it’s an “analog album” and doesn’t suffer from the issues of earlier Coldplay albums which are produced at too high a volume with poor dynamic range (namely Mylo Xyloto).
If you buy one album on vinyl this year consider this one.
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| Coldplay | Everyday Life |
1. Black Midi - Schalgenheim
Just when I thought nothing else could come out this year, and certainly not to become the number 1 in my top 10 albums of 2019! This album is a blend of post punk, punk, heavy rock, prog rock and more. Vocals that sound like Alex Harvey from the Sensational Alex Harvey Band) and David Thomas from Pere Ubu. I can’t currently stop playing this one from Rough Trade records. The first from Black Midi and I can’t wait to see them live.
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| Black Midi | Schlagenheim |
