My top 3 albums of 2011 come as a bit of a personal surprise. It seems that I’ve turned from ‘city slicker’ whose lullaby is a police siren to bucolic gal next door who feels nostalgic at the sound of a country drawl and a banjo.
3. Sparrow and the Workshop – Spitting Daggers
If you want folk and angst on the same platter then go no further than Sparrow and the Workshop’s stunning second album. A collection that offers joyful peaks and moody troughs plus a sack load of erratic guitar, bass, drums- the whole shebang really. It’s bold and it’s confident which leaves me thinking that lead singer Jill O’Sullivan could be heading to Karen O, or even PJ, like stardom. (review)
Faded Glory by Sparrow and the Workshop
2. Pearl and the Beard – Killing the Darlings
I started listening to Pearl and the Beard on Boxing Day and I haven’t had Killing the Darlings off since then. It’s nostalgic without you having to have been there, which is the key to my heart- take note potential suitors. Killing the Darlings is completely mesmerising and terribly intelligent, as well as being just a little bit on the side of twee. I’m glad that Mumford & Sons got there before Pearl and the Beard because I want to keep these all to myself.
Pearl and the Beard – Sweetness
1. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
It will come as little surprise to most of you reading this that good ol’ Peej has taken the top spot in at least one of The Blue Walrus’ Top Albums of 2011 Lists. I’d go as far to say that I’d be a little disappointed with the rest of the crew if they haven’t mentioned PJ at all in their lists this year but that’s another problem for a less festive day. For any artist to attempt to describe a whole country, especially one with so many idiosyncrasies and identities, is commendable even if it does fail miserably. For someone to succeed whilst allowing for their own personal take to be embellished throughout AND to win their second Mercury Music Prize for it must be a goddess.