Albums of the decade - 97. Deerhunter - Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?

97. DEERHUNTER - WHY HASN'T EVERYTHING ALREADY DISAPPEARED?

Deerhunter have had a special place in my heart after 2008's stunning Microcastle. For them to penetrate the top 100, especially in 2019, speaks wonders of the fact that this is a band that always comes through.

I saw them live last in 2008, in Brighton, and they blew the house down in terms of playing, performing and piling on the quality. I don't remember any specific song but I remember the angular quality of the riffs, the molten lead of Bradford Cox's vocals and crimson lights flooding the stage. 

They're my epitome of intelligent rock and roll. This latest album is not only gonna be one of the best records of 2019, but will also sit with me as one of the band's greatest tokens. "Futurism" especially captures the vitality of effortless groove. I ran up the hill today and had it in my head even before I hit the play button. I had it on on the bus yesterday - yes I used a double "on" - and it will keep playing and burning in my thoughts. Playing me in, in flames.

albums of 2012 - 44. Guided By Voices - Let's Go Eat The Factory

44. GUIDED BY VOICES – LET’S GO EAT THE FACTORY

At the top of the year this came out and it was a good start to 2012. A lot of sketches, some might argue, but I loved how Guided By Voices flit from idea to idea, often in under 2 minutes. They’ve got just under 20 albums in their back catalogue now; so fucking prolific since 1987. There’s much music to read about and discover nowadays and even though I saw these guys live in 2003, I’d honestly forgotten how exploratory they were. Well shame on me. I'm a mockery of a sham. This is hardly meat and potatoes rock. It’s a burst of styles and a kaleidoscope of a journey. It’s a timeless sounding rock album that could serve as a good introduction to their prior work. This doesn’t need to be daunting though. I know that I for one am going to delve into their old stuff with glee.

BEST PLAYED: When craving creativity from an often turgid indie rock horizon. 

Albums of of 2012 - 50. Django Django - Django Django

50 – DJANGO DJANGO – DJANGO DJANGO
 This one built up quite a bit of momentum over the year, as an early 2012 release meant for a steady increase in attention. It’s nice when a record doesn’t get overhyped right in the beginning and then spins around like a Kathryn Wheel when the British Mercury Music Prize winner is declared in November. Django Django derive from the Beta Band and share their penchant for confident and smooth vocal harmonies. However, where the Beta band used bongos and such, Django Django utilize a lot of electronic production and drum machines to make things cosmic. It’s a little bit showy without being too subterranean; it packs the grooves but hardly blows over in the wind. It’s the sound of some experienced musicians having a lot of fun. So with their Mercury nomination lately: it has boosted awareness twofold. It's more likely to put them on the map rather than have them,crash and burn. Full beams ahead.

 BEST PLAYED: For starting the day to get in a good mood.