So 2012 is over, done with, ended, finished. Hope you all enjoyed Christmas and the New Year celebrations. This is a bit belated due to family time (a lot of it) and I’ve been sourcing and sorting the best of 2013 to come! My favourite albums of the year, a mixture of personal favourites and what I feel broke the mould a little bit to make something quite excellent. I’ve tried giving little reviews and opinions so I hope there’s not a lot of rambling and crap! Lets flip things around by starting where I left off, scroll on down through if you will. As for 2012, it’s been good but gone too quick for the little I’ve actual done. I’m a bit scared of 2013, not for superstitious reasons but because a new year is an instant reminder just how fast time goes. I’ll make it a good one, just you wait! :)

25) Matt Skiba & The Sekrets-Babylon

I’ll admit it; I am quite the fan boy of Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio fame. I’ve stuck with that band for a long time now and even picked up other ventures by Matt. This album is made of new recordings and demos taken from his solo album aptly titled Demos. Solo oldies like “Haven’t You” “How The Hell Did We Get Here” and “Angel Of Deaf” are a warm welcome, showing a more finalised and clearer sound than the old versions which lead to some strong tracks. Newer tracks “All Fall Down” and Falling Like Rain” show Skiba hasn’t lost his skill to pen a great tune, even if the latter does sound too much like Alkaline Trio but it’s probably my favourite track. The only bad point is the obvious by sounding too much like his main band but that’s exactly what he wanted to do, so well done Matt.

24) Bruce Springsteen-Wrecking Ball

Ah the Boss is back, with an ever more relevant album just like previous records of his. He’s always been the Robin Hood of music if you must, but instead of taking money, hes taking words and views of bigger, more important people (politicians and money bags) and twisting them into songs for the lesser known worker. The whole album works on unity in deprived times, hard workers struggling with the strain and costs of living. Opener “We Take Care Of Our Own” shows exactly that and makes for one of the more darker toned tracks whilst still giving you that hope. “Easy Money” and “Death To My Hometown” have a more traditional country style side to them and will make every drunkard in the pub have a sing song. “Rocky Ground” makes for something interesting using shared vocals with a female over a paced out electronic drum pattern, leading into an almost rap/gospel breakdown. Standout track for me is the cheek blushing, love smitten “You’ve Got It” that praises a loved one in every positive way one person could.  I’m an old romantic so it works very well for me.

23) Jack White-Blunderbuss

For a start, it was no surprise that he finally did a solo album. The man is always writing this or recording that. Perhaps his crazy perplexion is down to no sleep. Anyhow I’ll just say this album is good, very good but doesn’t leave a mark on any of his projects (except for Dead Weathers first record) “Missing Pieces” and “Sixteen Saltines” kick things off very well with the first setting the place for the latter to take flight. “Love Interruption” is nice to see Jack be a little quieter and gentlemen like with his lyrics and delivery. The hip swivelling “I’m Shakin’” is a real groove buster of 60s bars and disco blues that will get the blood flowing. There’s a lot of diversity here which makes for a great solo record but if you want more of a specific flow then you’d be better off picking another of his projects and sticking with that for a play through. Just make sure you comeback to this.

22) Lostprophets-Weapons

The recent revelations about Ian Watkins couldn’t have come at a worse time. This album was well on its way to putting them back on the fast track. It’s the closest things they’ve done since “Start Something” and they managed to get it out pretty quick after their last effort “The Betrayed” Opening track “Bring ‘Em Down” pulls the cord straight back to earlier times of the band to create a very nostalgic sound for old fans.  “We Bring An Arsenal” is more for the fans of their sound around the time of hit single “Rooftops” and “Another Shot” will bounce you back to an even earlier sound. Two of my favourite tracks “Jesus Walks” and “A Song For Where I’m From” mix all things Lostprophets into a very satisfying outcome. They picked a great name in the form of “Weapons” as this album proves it’s as powerful as the real things. Hope it all goes o.k Ian; I don’t want this band to go away when you’re this close to being important again.

21) The Lumineers-The Lumineers

These guys came from nowhere and kind of hit it from the start. There lays a problem with this though as it makes for an almost unfinished album but a very listenable one at that. Tracks are kept sweet and simple which works for the accessibility of it all and will throw out the occasional gem. “Classy Girls” is one of these that will build quite nicely throughout and “Submarines” really shows some influence from Cold War Kids. The songs struggle to stand on their own but together tell a rather quaint tale of lust and the kind of stories you’d probably hear from an old man at the bar who will always say he lost that girl next door. “Slow It Down” does exactly what it says and has some similar tones to softer Gaslight Anthem and Bruce tracks there. Listen to these short memories of theirs and enjoy your own at the same time.

20) Feeder-Generation Freakshow

Feeder are like a best friend of mine that I haven’t spoke to for some years. Mainly because there last album “Renegades” tried to be something they’re not but with this offering they must of thought “well we are Feeder, might as well sound like Feeder” and they’ve done exactly that. The massive pick up and run for your life to chase your dreams single “Borders” ticks all boxes for a great return for Feeder. Things then continue to plough through with “Idaho” continuing the theme of getting away from things and starting a fresh. Picking up on their tender, more heartfelt oldies the track “Quiet” paints the picture of what undoubtedly goes through your mind when you’ve lost out. You get heavier and distorted spikes like the guitar in “Generation Freakshow” sounding like “Godzilla” from the album “Comfort In Sound” which fans will love.

19) Offspring-Days Go By

Another band from back in the day proving they can still do it. Now Offspring have always been taken with a pinch of salt and you need to do that here. Especially with “Cruising California” although I love that song regardless! “The Future is Now” and “Secrets From The Underground” remind us that they haven’t aged one bit in their style of music.  “OC Guns” is a mould breaker on this record, maybe not so much within their back catalogue but with a dub-reggae theme throughout its quite chilled. A re-recording of Dirty Magic from their 1992 album “Ignition” is an almost needless addition but “I Wanna Secret Family (With You)” has all signs of the classic Offspring that you fell in love with when your teen angst reached unhealthy levels.

18) Mystery Jets-Radlands

The consistent strength of previous Mystery Jets records can’t really be found here but the curiosity of a more raw sound is exciting. They ditched the synths from “Serotonin” which made me feel dismayed as I loved that album, in fact it’s still one of my favourites to this day. They did however pick up a few acoustics and a hitchhiker in the desert to make a very.....well country record. Title track and opener “Radlands” sets the mood and shows they still have heart out there in the sand and dust. A lost Blaine pours out “We’ll be together until hell, until hell freezes over” so although the sexual desire and fun of Serotonin may be gone, the opposite effect is there. “You Had Me At Hello” brings back the naughtiness about “having you” here, there, over there, on that, on this, in there, I’m sure you know what I’m getting at. “The Ballad Of Emmerson Lonestar” is quite obvious a ballad and has classic Mystery Jets shared vocals and harmonies are full force. Their wit also creeps in to turn tracks like “Greatest Hits” and “Sister Everett” into very fun affairs. Despite spending a lot of time away from home it’s clear the boys have become men, but do it the correct way by keeping a bit of cheek and tongue there.

17) Ellie Goulding-Halcyon

This starts off on a very weak note, opener Don’t Say A Word is a right mumble of vocal jibber but it very quickly picks itself back up. The following track My Blood restores faith in a more familiar sound of hers before leading into the cracking single Anything Could Happen, now things are all in a safe place. She’s definitely embraced more electronica with this record with most songs ending in a over the top vocal display. Figure 8 and the her cover of Hanging On bring out the more hefty, deeper synth to set out more of a floor filler sound. You can also tell she’s been seeing a bit of Skrillex on the side. You’ll find a lot of emotion floating around as well, especially in the tracks I Know You Care and album closer Dead In The Water which rounds off this affair very tidily.  All in all it’s nice to see Ellie putting more into these tracks based around love and life to make for more developed, interesting collection of songs.

16) The Milk-Tales From The Thames Delta

This album shouldn’t really work. Considering just how this band manages to cover so many genres on one album could usually lead to a disaster but in this case it avoids that outcome very safely. Admittedly the base of their sound works off a jazz/jive vibe. Especially with singer Claire Robbin crooning away like some male Winehouse. Examples of the genres getting spiced and mixing up are usually found towards the end of a track. The end of Hometown breaks down into some electro hip hop dub style and Nothing But Matter starts with the standard reggae shared vocals over a very simple verse and chorus but chucks in some little “wub wub” drops which are a nice little surprise. Single B-Roads is a standout track and once again throws out something odd in the form of a retro Pacman ending. One of my least favourite tracks Picking Up The Pieces sounds too messy delivered in a boxing movie montage style, although the gospel like vocals at the end save this just. Chip The Kids is a very poppy number with guitar and brass elements that’d probably work on a S-Club song. It all makes for a very groovetastic and swingful party full, more suiting for a disco I’d say.  

15) Walk The Moon-Walk The Moon

I’m going to go all out here by saying I LOVE this record simply because there hasn’t been a new, good, fun electronic band for some time. Now the only real reason it’s been placed here and not at the top is although it’s a great collection of songs it just doesn’t present itself as an album very well. That’s my only real quibble with it. The ways I see are like Vampire Weekend mixed with Friend Fires. The massive single Anna Sun may be the biggest hipster tune since Mr Brightside or more likely to be something not yet heard by the mainstream. It’s a joyful frolic that captures summer evening, friends and good times all in one catchy package. The almost sleazy and yet incredibly smoochy and mysterious Jenny is the “you can’t have what you see” story delivered in a very up tempo fashion eliminating the threat of a sad affair like most tracks based upon that same situation. Sample lyric “Jenny’s got a body like an hour glass, I wanna be the sand inside that hour glass taking it slow” paints all you need to know. More tender longing moments are found here, in Shiver Shiver for example with its “shall we get intimate again?” Closer track I Can Lift A Car makes for a sensible choice, almost as if the tracks that focus on getting what you can’t have failed and you just gotta show off, yah know by lifting a car. This album excels all in good fun, and it’s extremely good fun at that.

14) Of Monsters And Men-My Head Is An Animal

Don’t know whether or not it’s just with folk music you tend to get more of a story feel with an album or if these guys just ticked every boxed right from the start. Sounding like a stripped back Arcade Fire for the majority of the record, these bunch of Icelandic musicians easily shine by themselves. Although release tail end of 2011 in Iceland, it took until 2012 for this to be release worldwide. May as well start with the big boy Little Talks which will or has undoubtedly been in your head for some time. For a folk song to contain a hook found in that single is a bit of a rarity. Six Weeks shows the band aimer for bigger again with a sound that should have Mumford worried. All throughout this record you’ll encounter songs about fighting your demons and bettering yourself from these obstacles. It’s a great autumn/winter warmer and will do you nicely for times when all you want to do is stay in, out of the cold.

13) Green Day-Uno, Dos, Tre

Green Day came back with a fairly ambitious trilogy of albums promising a return to roots which originally left me at a loose end. I was a fan of the more epic, stadium sized Green Day and thought a return to roots was a step back. Lucky these albums reassured me that they can tone done the opera and be that “garage” band again. Obviously with 3 albums worth of material you start to ask if that’s just too much and yes, yes it is. If you took all the standout tracks from all 3 and compiled them onto 1 you’d have a legendary album but instead it’s a little strewn out. Uno has big tunes Carpe Diem, Kill The DJ and Sweet 16. Dos has Lazy Bones, the creepy Nightlife and the sweet tribute to the fallen Amy Winehouse simply titled Amy. Meanwhile finisher Tre gives you X-Kid, Dirty Rotten Bastards and The Forgotten. Now those on one album would make for a fabulous Green Day adventure. By no means are the other tracks just fillers or boring, it’s just after 3 albums within 4 months of each other, it gets a little tedious. If you’ve ever liked or loved Green Day then listen to these, you won’t be too disappointed. You may not have another Dookie but you’ve got something almost as special.

12) Enter Shikari-A Flash Flood Of Colour

The obvious stands here and that is this one needs to be played loud, as loud as anything can go. Since they got a bit too political on their last effort it’s a warm welcome to see a bigger focus on a selection of some proper good tunes and music to go with it. This album is filled to the brim with aggro, albeit layered with some gut crunching guitars, drums, bass and those “dub wub wub” sounds that teenagers love these days. But with Shikari it always boils down to having more material to keep the live shows going at a strong and oh boy it does exactly that. The two extremes of electronica and heavy rock go to different ends here and pretty much turn it up to 11 on both scales (really wanted to say that!) Personal favourites Search Party and Pack Of Thieves are little gems on unity that shine so bloody bright and closer Constellations is one epic end that evolves throughout. If you want some aggression in your life and need to let some anger out then this’ll do just fine, or if you like good loud music, this’ll do just fine.  

11) Passion Pit-Gossamer

This album is meant to focus on the struggle of financial times and the cost of living rising. Opener Take A Walk supports that very well with a care free approach around it. Quite literally taking a walk to forget it all. I’ll Be Alright is the classic Passion Pit sound with all its squeals and spikey electro around every corner. Constant Conversations lays perhaps the slowest track on the record yet with the highest pitched vocals. One of my favourite standout tracks, Love Is Greed, showing that perhaps being all loved up isn’t the healthy thing for you. The brutally deep emotional drive of Its Not My Fault, I’m Happy is a dark tale of actually being alright in an unavoidable situation all when it’s boldly claimed in the lyrics “it's not fair, still I'm the only one who seems to care” it flips around suggesting you’ll never quite be alright. Closing track Where We Belong has all the markings of an early Patrick Wolf song with its odd bass patterns and floating lyrics. This whole record covers pretty much all aspects of lives problems and troubles of growing up but manages not to bum you down. It’s a silver lining for everything.

10) Lucy Rose-Like I Used To

I was worried this would become your average female acoustic album of trendy ramblings. When this was released though I was so surprised how well it all works. My main issue with any acoustic based musician is that a whole album worth of material could potentially bore me but this didn’t happen at all. I could so very easily listen to this again and again. Whether it’s purely down to her winter warming vocals or the fact that the majority of tracks have a good amount backing to them presents a more complete finish. One of my favourite tracks is Lines which provides one of the strongest choruses found on this and another being Watch Over with its strong resemblance to a Bombay track, mainly due to the more playful arrangements of the instruments. A softer song, perhaps the softest is closing track Be Alright, it touches on finishing moments of beauty and leaving things just as they are or were. You may find this record a bit too sweet but if you enjoy all those perfect sweeter moments of life then you’ll cherish this.

9) Yellowcard-Southern Air

Love this album purely because it goes to show that pop-punk or punk-rock (whatever you’d like to call it) is far from dead. Continuing their return back to the music scene after previous effort When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes we find a more comfortable Yellowcard. It clearly shows that although the band never really ended on a bad note, they’ve come more accustomed to playing and writing again. Opening track Awakening is a song of coming back around and realizing you’re doing better now but still remaining thankful. One of the singles, Always Summer is a trademark Yellowcard song with the violin layered across power chord driven choruses. Here I Am Alive features guest vocals from Taylor Jardine of We Are The In Crowd fame and presents a more pop direction accompanied by a simple chorus about surviving it all and picking yourself up. The strongest lyrical number comes in the form of Telescope and once again features Taylor. It’s a story of capturing that special moment although not necessarily with a partner as singer Ryan said he wrote this about his Aunt Steph who unfortunately passed away. The line “My only hope, you're my telescope” is a thank you note from him to her for all her guidance and I’m sure a lot of other people can relate to that sense of gratitude and devotion. The whole thing comes to an end with title track Southern Air that supplies more crunchy verses and ties up the album with a thankful chorus about home. If you’ve ever enjoyed listening to pop punk but have always wanted more attention to lyrical style then this’ll do you fine. I just wish the sun was back out and this could soundtrack my summer again.

8) Tribes-Baby

They may well be your bog standard band from Camden town but there about as close as you’ll get to the real thing or the Libertines at that matter. Tribes may present themselves as an indie boy’s wet dream with their battered guitars and equally ripped clothing but the dedication on this record speaks way above that. Big single We Were Children starts all sloppy with a knackered guitar before tearing into a distorted verse and eventually balancing out in a very sombre chorus. Rinse, repeat and you’ve got some strong foundations. Following track Corner Of An English Field which makes for one of my favourites begins like a cross fade between Lucy In The Sky and a Blur record. You can find quieter moments here in Halfway Home and more anthemic ballad Himalaya where singer Johnny lays it all down with “does it move yah, the state I’m in” Another two singles, one being Sappho that tells a story similar to The Kinks Lola and the admittedly ripped off Clash track When My Day Comes makes for more great sing-alongs. There is once again a song in the style of another big band, that being The Cure as the intro to Walking In The Street sounds like a Robert Smith dream. Sure there is plenty of likeliness on this record to other big artists out there but it shows that Tribes aren’t afraid of showing what gets them motivated and going. There is even a echo of Lennon and the fab four in one track. It’s hard for a British, Camden, London, guitar band to really different themselves from everything before although I think Tribes are safely on their way there.

7) Dog Is Dead-All Our Favourite Stories

A great indie pop album here, although it’s been redesigned a bit by a new major label for the band, still manages to outshine a lot of its competitors. When it comes to hitting the mark for a specific song they do so all too well. The pondering Any Movement will create questions about any real form of meaning in love and life. The little droplets and sprinkles of saxophone dotted around various tracks is a nice addition and reminds me of a long lost Rumble Strips sound (you still around guys!? Where’s that 3rd album?) The uplifting pop undertones take a very proud forefront on single Talk Trough The Night which puts a friendly image of times gone by with the people who matter most to you. It also makes for a top festival tune and perfect for reminiscing over a lovely summer. Teenage Daughter was the most recent single to be taken from this and they couldn’t have picked a stronger track. With a chorus that pulls you in, also making you care about the song and maybe even the story behind it. I guess my real fondness for this beauty is although its release was in the autumn. I already felt very comfortable and knowledgeable about the songs. I’d only heard a couple of singles and didn’t rate them very highly back then but when coupled together from start to finish this outing makes for an easy listen and far from a boring one.

6) The Killers-Battle Born

Waited a long time for this, although we had Brandon’s solo album and drummer Ronnie had a Big Talk record out, it’d been four years since the last Killers outing. When this all kicks off with Flesh And Bone it leaves you worried, mainly due to every opening track on all previous albums of theirs have been massive, this sadly isn’t but it does show the new musical direction of this album very well. It’s time for following track and lead single Runways to take centre stage and it does exactly that. With a chorus powerful enough to lead an army and a verse that tells a better love story than Twilight, it’s a belter from the Las Vegas soldiers. New single Here With Me brings the tissues out for a very modern day romance as Brandon sways with the words “Don't want your picture on my cell phone, I want you here with me, Don't want your memory in my head now, I want you here with me” and the whole track is backed with big theatrical orchestral moments. I’ll briefly touch on another single Miss Atomic Bomb which will lead you on from Mr Brighstide, it’s a very nostalgic outing. The Killers have always had some country sand in them and it creates the barn dancing frolic of From Here On Out which is the most joyful of songs on Battle Born. The title track is also the closer and shows that these lads have grown up well. This album would suggest that there happy with where they’re going and so they should be. The Killers will be around for a long time yet.   

5) Jake Bugg-Jake Bugg

At only 18 here we have what is probably the most honest straight up person in music right now. Sure the Oasis comparisons are there and so they should be. Given the time Jake Bugg could become a legendary name like Noel Gallagher. If you have a good set of lungs, both your feet, a warm heart or a fine pair of ears then this album should get you moving and excited in at least one of these places. Tracks 1-4 (Lightning Bolt, Two Fingers, Taste It, Seen It All) are absolute belters of youthful days of fun and danger. A “bare your soul” moment appears with Broken as it’s almost as if Jake drops this lad/boy ish approach and lets his emotions show briefly (just like a real boy eh?) it’s nice to see a young lad in touch with tender moments of lives events of love, you call almost call it reassuring and relatable. Although from Nottingham he often portrays more of an American country western style that sounds just as comfortable and fitting as the more British style tracks. Someone Told Me and Fire can stand up for that statement. I think what was nice about this album is that you really don’t get popular guitar records these days. For this to top the charts and to see a lot of people enjoying makes me feel good that music isn’t quite over yet in Britain.

4) The Vaccines-Come Of Age

With this record Vaccines set out to prove that there’s much more to them than writing simple three chord songs and to reassure us they’re not just some indie fad. They did exactly that. A year and a half on from their debut, they’ve presented us with a more mature band that know how to handle their sound. This album focuses on the notion of growing up and dealing with its repercussions through all aspects of life. In terms of sound change it’s nothing that drastic although with a less noticeable produced feel to its predecessor and with a rougher, raw feel to it makes this well with reflecting on the theme of careless youth. The track Aftershave Ocean sounds like Chilis with its 90s high pitched guitar and single Teenage Icon puts heavy emphasis on issues of teenage years, albeit with a silver lining approach. Stripped down track Weirdo has a strewn out indie beach surf rock vibe which helps turn a would be creepy song into something more delightful. Another easily misinterpreted song is the mod rock I Wish I Was A Girl where Justin sings about trying life out for the other team but instead of wanting the mundane things like nice boobs and a bum it’s about the attention a female can so easily obtain as opposed to being a boy, almost praising the female form which is nice to see. In the end for me I’ve always had a soft spot for The Vaccines. Mainly because they’ve always had something out around the time that just speaks for me and eventually sticks in my heart. Whether it was the finer moments of life with their debut that I and they enjoyed at that time or with this new addition sound tracking the progression through teenage years to young adulthood, I’ve loved having them there. Looking forward to the next time I need them.

3) Spector-Enjoy It While It Lasts

Can you remember when indie disco was around and still fun? Well whether that be a yes or a no, you can count on this being spot on the mark. Spector presents them as perhaps the smartest band on Earth that won’t always take themselves as seriously as they should. The album sounds like a constant battle between being suave and being a joker. They tackle every day scenarios with wit and charm whilst still being cocky. A preview of this wit can be found in Chevy Thunder as lead singer Fred hits out “give me a minute while I fix my tie, give me a minute while I take my life” sounding like the bored rich kid. Grey Shirt & Tie has a dark Depeche Mode tone to it and Friday Night, Don’t Ever Let It End has a great group vocal interlude accompanying with keyboards which would make Duran Duran or Human League jealous. Big single Celestine has your enormous indie disco guitars and still manages to tie itself to 80s giants of disco. It ends of Never Fade Away and lends itself as a gentle reminder that things never really do end, you are all important as the next person in the story. The whole adventure of nights out, romantic nights...sometimes gone wrong and a hallmark to sounds gone by is a hugely entertaining one. The title Enjoy It While It Last has nothing to do with the lifespan of the band but a simpler meaning that everything happens for a reason whether it’s good or bad, just try to enjoy it. I sincerely hope Spector continue to peak.

2) Alt-J-An Awesome Wave

Ah Alt-J, now the public favourite and all round household name Alt-J. I’ll start by saying I haven’t had as much pleasure in listening to an album from beginning to end like this one for a very long time. I’m sure by now you’ve all heard at least one song from them and the general phrase “they are so different” which doesn’t even come close to the praise they deserve. Back in May when this arrived in my hands I dropped everything (conveniently on my lunch break) and did nothing but sit and listen to this. Now the only con I feel this album has is also its strongest pro, because it’s a fantastically made album which makes me listen to it in its entirety but if to say one of these tracks popped up on shuffle, they’re a little weaker. The 3 interludes just seems too much filler for my liking. A standout track for me, Something Good, has an almost hiccup drum pattern and a chorus that’s so mellow yet haunting. Dissolve Me is another favourite of mine with its light hearted beach circus ride keys accompanied by a darker ghost ride bass line. The constant change and surprises that lie within Fitzpleasure still continue to please me. Putting aside the public band wagon that could lead to a dreadful 2nd album (hopefully not) I’m also very happy with the well deserved Mercury Award, really well done! (motivation for a decent 2nd album) it’s excellent to see a band write an album nowadays that works from start to finish. I will say that despite these tracks not standing well on, the only reason for me not putting this as my No1 because of that, although I could stick this at joint 1st I guess...

1) The Gaslight Anthem-Handwritten