I could wax lyrical about what an exciting year it’s been for music (if you look in the right places), or ramble on about how, having been exposed to so much new music and having attended an insane number of live shows in the last 12 months, that it’s hard to remember it all, and it would all be true. But it’s also rather redundant.
Similarly, I could give a brief two-line summary of each of the items in these lists, but I’d only be repeating myself, given that I’ve posted reviews for everything here. In fact,. I’ve posted in excess of 400 reviews since the year started. Most of them can be found at Whisperin’ and Hollerin’, but there are others scattered here an there across the Internet, notably at Music Emissions and here on my blog.
Suffice it to say that rather than being designed to impress with my ultra-cool or right-on selections, these lists are entirely personal based on what’s stuck with me or impressed or excited me during 2011 – which is why the albums that will make all of the other lists, such as those by Wild Beasts and Kasabian, both of which I panned, aren’t here.
Gigs are listed in chronological order; albums are in no order whatsoever. I couldn’t really pick a favourite, and they’re all great.
Gigs of the Year
Tears of Ishtar / The Falling Spikes – Fibbers, York, 19th February 2011
British Wildlife Festival VI – Brudenell Social Club / Royal Park Cellars, Leeds, 5th March 2011
Interpol – O2 Academy, Leeds, 22nd March 2011
TV Smith & the Valentines – The Duchess, York, 23rd March 2011
Earth – The Well, Leeds, 1st April 2011
Hawk Eyes / Castrovalva / Blacklisters / Dolphins – The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 22nd April
Rolo Tomassi – The Well, Leeds – 11th May 2011
Unsane – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 11th July 2011
Melvins – Leeds Irish Centre – 2nd November 2011
The Twilight Sad – The Duchess, York, 20th November 2011
Bubbling under: The Primitives / The Duke Spirit / Club Smith / Alvin Purple / Honeytone Cody / Viewer / Her Name is Calla
Albums of the Year
Amplifier – The Octopus
Cold in Berlin – Give Me Walls
Take a Worm for a Walk Week – TAWFAWW
Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1
Gay For Johnny Depp – What Doesn’t Kill You, Eventually Will Kill You
Scumbag Philosopher – It Means Nothing So It Means Nothing
We Are Enfant Terrible – Explicit Pictures
OvO – Cor Cordium
Dark Captain – Dead Legs and Alibis
Mika Vainio – Life (… It Eats You Up)
Bubbling Under: far too many to mention!
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