An album of the year: Beacons of Ancestorship

Tortoise- Beacons of Ancestorship

In terms of new releases, this year has been very good for folky/poppy records, such as the Grizzly Bear and the Dirty Projectors LPs; and for bowel-shakers such as Kong, Future of the Left. But I have been waiting for something really interesting and engaging, and no band better fills that slot than Tortoise.

I have read a few different reviews on the album, and they fall into the same trap of reviewing the album next to the bands earlier output, rather than on the merit of the album itself. YES- this is a Tortoise album, and you know what to expect. BUT- they are so damn good. Tortoise are an extremely varied and eclectic band, who are comfortable with anything from jazzy dancey numbers, to electroey post rock stuff; and both suit them tremendously. Personal favourite "Prepare Your Coffin" shows Tortoise's versatility best, mixing their jazzy elements with some lovely sounding keys.

If you are a fan of Tortoise beforehand this isn't going to surprise you; but if listened to without previous preconceptions it is a genuinely interesting and rewarding listen, with huge amount of variety that keeps you interesting over the whole album. A grower, for sure my friend.

8.7/10- Rewarding.

An album of the year: Farm

Dinosaur Jr- Farm

We all know Dino. We all know the hate-hate relationship of J and Lou is what makes/made this band interesting. We all know Bug/You're Living All Over Me are classics.

Getting the original line-up back together was always going to be a GRAND idea, as the albums that didn't feature the original line-up didn't share the same magic; but 2007's Beyond didn't quite match all our Indie-kid wet dreams. It featured too heavily on J's guitar histrionics, rather than focusing on the songs themselves. Farm, however, doesn't suffer from the same problem. Farm shows J at the top of his songwriting game, with 'Pieces' and "I don't want to go there" being up there with his best songs. Two songs from Lou, also show that Dino are back in full force.

They have hardly reinvented their sound, but they have truly reinvigorated it, and I love them as they are, so don't go changing guys...basically, it ticks all your Dino Jr boxes- loud guitars, catchy hooks, moany vocals. Done.

8.2/10

An album of the year: Snake Magnet

Kong- Snake Magnet

It seemed to take FOREVER for this album to come out, with most of these tracks being around since 2007, so the excitement and possibility for disappointment were high. Quick back story: Kong (2 parts Oceansize, 1 part Lo-fi Radio) a band that you will instantly love or hate as they are anything but subtle...but I instantly loved them. They are an amazing sonic assault, that rocks and rolls, stopping and starting, screaming and shouting, that is pretty intense over the whole album; and initially the album is pretty damn exhilarating. But has the album got lasting qualities? Hmmm I dunno....I really thought I was going to love this album, it has everything I love- scratchy distorted guitars, complicated/stop-starty rhythms, with that Shellac "I'm going to kill you" kinda eerie vocals.......but Kong are hardly a loveable band, and Snake Magnet is not a loveable album. It may be one of the best albums this year, and it is an intense experience that will make all albums of 2009 seem tame; but repeated listens may not follow.

8.0/10 - Sometimes this album just is too much of a punch in the gullet