Pugwash – “Giddy”

Strictly speaking it’s not a ‘new’ album, it’s a compilation of the best bits from their previous 4 albums, but as it was released this year and it’s the first time their music been released officially in the UK I’ve included them. Without doubt this has been the best thing I have heard all year and a major discovery for me. There’s been few occasions in 2009 where I’ve got an album and love it so much I can’t wait to get to the nearest stereo to hear it. I’m frightened of playing it too much in case I get sick of it! Influence-wise it pushes all my musical favourite buttons, The Beatles, ELO, XTC, High Llamas, are all clear influences in there without the band being  sound-alikes or derivative. I’m seriously thinking of giving up because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write a song as good as “My Genius”. Pugwash are now signed to Andy Partridge’s Ape Label and all their previous Ireland-only released back catalogue , hopefully, will be re-released everywhere, so look out for them.

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Bill Callahan – “Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle”

If it wasn’t for my recent Pugwash conversion I probably would’ve said this has been my favourite album of the year.  Although I’ve heard of Bill and his Smog moniker I’d never heard much of his music until I came across this. It was the opening track Jim Cain that drew me in, it was very reminiscent of Lambchop’s album Nixon, which I love. The closing track Faith/Void is one of the best songs I have heard all year and I’m totally behind it’s sentiment.

Richard Hawley – Truelove’s Gutter

Much as I’d liked his previous album, Lady’s Bridge, this was Richard doing what he does best, mining that rich seam of melancholy and melody he does so effortlessly. This is up there with his wonderful previous albums such as Late Night Final and Coles Corner. It’s takes a while to get into but once it has you – it never leaves you. Beautiful.

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Super Furry Animals – Dark Days/Light Years

Never ones to make a bad or even weak album the Furries returned this year with a stormer. Perhaps it’s a little more experimental and strange than their previous (underrated IMO) album Hey Venus! but still packed with great tunes. One of the most consistantly great UK bands. Cherish them while they are still around!

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The Cribs – “Ignore the Ignorant”

I’d never really took much notice of The Cribs until I got hold of a couple of their previous albums this year and was bowled over. I’d wrongly lumped them in with a number of so called ‘landfill indie’ bands but in fact found out they are really rather good indeed. Now, with the addition of the legendary guitarist Johnny Marr, their sound has more texture. Perhaps Johnny’s best collaboration since Electronic or, dare I say it with Morrissey in The Smiths?

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BEST OF THE REST

Other honourable mentions include… Manic Street Preachers – “Journal for Plague Lovers”, Joe Pernice – “It feels so good when I stop”, Wilco – “Wilco (the album), and M. Ward – “Hold Time”