Nine Feet Underground

So, without further fannying about here are my top 10 (plus 3) favourite albums of 2018...and, for the avoidance of doubt (!), they are in no particular order... Suede 'The Blue Hour'  - An album that demands to be listened to in one sitting - a rarity these days - and one that deserves that attention.  It has been the soundtrack to my darkest days. Love. Bill Ryder-Jones 'Yawn'  - A latecomer to the list, but fuck me, what an album.  At times, listening to the words and how he sings them, I fear for him. It has an emotional intensity in the rawness of some of the lyrics that, well, I'm at a loss.  I don't believe I've got to the bottom of this album yet. May even supplant the Suede album. The track below is probably not the one I'd have chosen from the album, but it is amongst my favourites, so here is 'Don't be Scared, I Love You'... Hollie Cook 'Vessel of Love'  - This album came out at the start ...

This has been a long time in the making, but finally, almost a month into 2019, I've almost listened to all the albums I have from 2018.  If I don't complete this look back soon it'll be overtaken by the new albums from 2019 - and there already are some great albums from January and even more promised in February. (I should also add that albums I missed in 2018 are still being brought to my attention, this includes albums by Jonathan Wilson ('Rare Birds'), Steve Gunn ('The Unseen In Between') and Rezzett ('Rezzett LP')). Before I get into the top ten list I ought to say something about the albums that haven't made the list.  That's the subject of this post. Honourable mentions I guess you'd call these.  There were a lot of good albums in 2018, many of which contain 4 or 5 great songs or tunes, often including a smattering of other good tracks but, ultimately not enough to make the top 10. (Many of those songs do appear on my...

At this point in the year, with only 4 days remaining before 2019 begins, it seems like the perfect place to look back on my favourite music of 2018.  The list is slightly complicated because, as I write this, I still have something like 11 albums from the year I've not listened to fully. Thank you, Santa.  Or rather thank you to my wonderful family who are happy to indulge my addiction. Soon - but not before I've listened to the 11 (or maybe more) albums from 2018 I've not fully heard - I'll do a favourite albums of 2018 (I am pretty certain I know what will be number one, unless there are surprises) but for now, I'm doing songs. Friendly warning: At this point, reader, you may wish to scroll forwards to my 2018 favourite song playlists, thus avoiding a load of waffle, or - if you want to know why there are two lists (and a whole lot more besides) - read on... There's another complication of my own making: it arises because of my r...