It's that time of year again, the JO'B's Xmas CD. I miss the physical thing, though it cost me a fortune to burn them and post the damn things. But a playlist is MUCH easier so here you are, my top 50 (well, 52) tracks of the year...oh shit, I forgot Chime School!.
1. Run Run Run - The Libertines
As Pete Doherty swaps hard drugs for cheese, family life and red wine, The Libertines returned after a decade with the fourth album, All Quiet On The Eastern Front. This, its opening track, is stompingly good.
2, Anonymous In Los Feliz - The Vaccines
The Vaccines are basically the Status Quo of indie. I like Status Quo.
3. Prisoner Of Beauty - The Limiñanas (feat Bobby Gillespie)
Bobby Gillespie collaborates with French rockers to great effect.
4. Midas - Wunderhorse
Best thing they have released so far.
5. Don’t Let Me Go - The Black Keys
The Black Keys go pop.
6. I Want To Be You - Lime Garden
Indie fineness from Brighton presenters of what they call "wonk pop".
7. No Caffeine - Marika Hackman
Her best album so far, this is its standout track.
8. Perfect Storm - Jane Weaver
More quirky, odd synth magnificence from La Weaver - sadly, Mrs JO'B just cannot get on with her voice, so only played when she is out.
9. Big Cat Tattoos - Hamish Hawk
10. The Tower - Future Islands
The most played song on my Spotify Wrapped selection from this year.
11. Burst Of Laughter - Underworld
My fav track from this year's Strawberry Hotel.
12. Clementine - Yannis & The Yaw
One of the last things recorded by the late, great Afrobeat drumming legend, Tony Allen, with Yannis from Foals.
13. Favourite - Fontaines DC
A band so barnstormingly good. Anyone who has bought tickets to see Oasis reform in order to cash in and let you down, but not see these guys live needs a very serious word with themselves.
14. Johnny Good Man - Pixies
Pixies doing what Pixies do, rather well.
15. They Sold My Home To Build A Skyscraper - Gruff Rhys
Does Wales have skyscrapers? Genuine question.
16. The Feminine Urge - The Last Dinner Party
They get slated for being posh and privileged (let's be honest though, it's always dodgy white blokes who do this, so it's really jealous misogyny). This is great and they are quite prog. Which is a good thing.
17. The Gin One - Nadine Shah
Who doesn't like gin?
18. Water Underground - Real Estate
19. The Last Remaining Light - Far Caspian
Mrs JO'B and I missed seeing them support Real Estate, due to the need for food. But after beer I bought the album anyway and it's marvellous. Gentle indie tunes.
20. Audacious - Franz Ferdinand
Arty Scottish indie stars back and big.
Good Blood Mexico City - Elbow
A fabulous gig at the O2 this year, and this was the standout new track.
22. Prep-School Bangers - Vampire Weekend
Indeed, a "banger".
23. The Human Race - Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band
Liverpool's answer to Love, he just gets better and better.
24. TPA - Bad Bad Hats
25. The World’s Biggest Paving Slab - English Teacher
26. Remi’s Car - Kelley Stoltz
Any song about The Stone Roses' mercurial drummer is well worth a spin.
27. All Comes Down To This - A Certain Ratio
47 years into their career and making their best ever albums. Amazing.
28. My Golden Years - The Lemon Twigs
70s cheesy-tastic.
29. Flying Fish - Paul Weller
Weller, innit?
30. Goldy - Eels
A song about the bond between a man and his goldfish. Obvs.
31. Violent Times - St Vincent
32. Gaslight - Travis
Catchy as hell, this is a great return to form.
33. Heal Yourself - Primal Scream
Best album they have made in years.
34. Freckles - Thelma Plum
I love freckles.
35. Low Sun - Hermanos Gutierrez
These guys are basically Khruangbin. I cannot pronounce their name either.
36. This Is Who I Am - Celeste
The theme tune to The Day Of The Jackal. Out-Bonds the last few Bond tunes.
37. Like A Woman - Lady Blackbird
38. Rebel Soul - Michael Kiwanuka
The man desperately needs to write some fast songs, as this new album is very much mid-paced, but this is its standout. And don't get me wrong, he is a modern soul legend.
39. Symptom Of Life - WILLOW
Daughter of Will Smith dismisses any nepo-baby bullshit by making a cracking record.
40. Nobody Loves You More - Kim Deal
Pixies, turned Breeder, turned Amp, turned solo star.
41. She Cleans Up - Father John Misty
Best album he's done for a while and great to have some upbeat tunes as his usual big music production style.
42. Day Off - King Stingray
Heard on the radio in Australia in the autumn, it was a case of shazam it on the radio, to pre-ordering the new album before the song had finished playing. The album is excellent. A mix of indigenous and non-indigenous Aussie musicians, making catchy as hell pop music.
43. No Surprise - Warhaus
Languorous, stylish Belgian pop.
44. Round - Personal Trainer
Dutch Pavement, but funky.
45. Champion - Pom Poko
A Norwegian band, named after a Japanese Heisei film about racoon-dogs. Again, obvs.
46. Vitamin D - Melin Melyn
Welsh psychedelic pop marvellousness.
47. Fool - Prima Queen
Their debut album comes out in 2025, will be getting, another The Great Escape discovery.
48. Another Day - SACRED PAWS
The return of my favourite post-punk, folk Afrobeat pop band.
49. Afraid - Desperate Journalist
Brilliant indie from a band born a decade or two too late, they would have been huge in a different life. I love them dearly.
50. BLAH BLAH BLAH - The Clockworks
Brilliant Galway indie stars, with sharper words than Noel Gallagher ever managed and bigger tunes. Seen them twice this year, really amazing live.
51. Change My Mind - NewDad
Dreamy Irish indie, channelling New Order, Ride and Pixies, which i managed to forget when this was 50 tracks long, so it went up to 51 tracks...
52. Illegal Things - Full Flower Moon Band
I forgot this as well, so it had to go to 52. See our Great Escape review...
Well, that's it, another cracking year. Do save it, and give it a spin while you're checking the turkey or nut-roast on the big day. See you in 2025!
Stay safe, and if you enjoyed this, please subscribe (see link below), x
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