Albums Of The Decade

My favourite albums of the past decade. It's really hard to rank albums and really every one is interchangeable because each has meant something special to me or been something of an obsession over the past decade at different times. It's also interesting to see since starting this blog how a lot of the albums on my end of year lists are now rarely listened to by me and some almost completely forgotten (I really don't think I've thought about Yuck, for instance, since 2011 but they are there on my list that year). These were chosen for a combination of most listens and the memories they bring back. I'm sure I've missed out some good ones though.

My Favourite Albums Of 2019

Every year I wonder if this is finally the year where my love for music leaves me and there are times where I feel nothing will inspire me. Then a record comes along, one like Lana Del Rey's Norman Fucking Rockwell for instance, that grabs hold of me and reminds me just why music has been so important to me all my life. For others it's a thing of their youth, a thing of nostalgia but, thankfully, for me it continues to be a huge comfort and joy. 

In 2019 there were plenty of albums that helped my love of music endure: a lot from old favourites but thankfully some fantastic new discoveries too. There were a few disappointments, but nothing devastating, and a few I loved that didn't make the list. If I had made it a little longer I would have definitely included Bat For Lashes' atmospheric ode to 80s vampire movies Lost Girls, Ryan Bingham's foot-tapping raw and rootsy American Love Song and the dark, witty storytelling of what would tragically be David Berman's last ever album, Purple Mountains. I may add them later, who knows but until then these are the 11 albums that made the cut...

Merry Christmas!

My Favourite Movies Of 2019

1. Extra Ordinary
2. Stan & Ollie
3. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
4. Midsommar
5. Booksmart
6. Dolemite Is My Name
7. Wild Rose
8. Us
9. The Irishman
10. The Dead Don't Die

Best Gigs Of 2019

I didn't go to as many shows this year but it was definitely quality over quantity as there were still so many memorable moments. 

Bat For Lashes at EartH

Bat For Lashes

EartH, 26 November 2019

There is something so elegant, ethereal and English about Natasha Khan, aka Bat For Lashes, that it's actually hard to imagine her living anywhere else but England. She seems to belong to the world of folk and fantasy that you can't find in any other place in the world. Yet, like Laura Marling, Khan has left us behind for California and her latest album, although full of 80s nostalgia, was inspired by some pretty American themes.

Weyes Blood at Electric Brixton

Weyes Blood

Ana Roxanne

Electric Brixton, 30 October 2019

I hate it when female artists are only compared to other female artists, which has definitely happened a lot to Natalie Mering aka Weyes Blood, but it's undeniable that Karen Carpenter's voice lives on in Mering's songs. Natalie Prass may look uncannily like Carpenter but Mering actually sounds like her. That said, the musical accompaniment she gives that voice is something utterly unique.

Hawksley Workman at St Pancras Old Church

Hawksley Workman 

St Pancras Old Church, 12 September 2019

When The Borderline sadly closed its doors for the last time last month it left Hawksley Workman without his usual venue, one that he has been regularly playing for the past 20 years. I've seen him play there many times and he had even earned a photo on their wall of fame, something Workman laments tonight, telling us how he impressed friends in the past with the fact that his picture was on display in the middle of Soho. Swapping The Borderline for the much smaller and extremely atmospheric St Pancras Old Church though certainly isn't a bad thing though if this show is anything to go by.

Farewell Daniel Johnston

There have been very few times where I have been so moved in concert that I've actually cried but it happened in 2007 seeing Daniel Johnston sing his beautiful song Some Things Last A Long Time at the Union Chapel. So sad to hear about his passing today. He had a troubled life but his music was able to transport you to a different place and touch your soul.

Rest in peace Daniel, you were one of a kind.

Jenny Lewis at Shepherd's Bush Empire

Jenny Lewis
Slow Moving Clouds
Shepherd's Bush Empire, 25 July 2019

There are few artists I would brave the hottest July day in UK history for but Jenny Lewis is certainly one of them. Her new album, On The Line, is already one of the year's best and despite a venue upgrade (this show was originally supposed to be at the much smaller Electric Ballroom), I knew Lewis' showmanship and sparkle would make this a gig to remember (and the air conditioning at the Empire didn't hurt either).

The Who at Wembley Stadium

The Who
Eddie Vedder
Wembley Stadium, 6 July 2019

Let's face it Wembley Stadium is just one of the worst venues in London to see a gig but when I was offered a free ticket (yes! free!) to see The Who, I could grin and bare it to see old Roger and Pete play live again, even from the back of such a vast stadium. If there's anyone whose music could fill a place as big as this, well, it has to be The Who.

Liz Phair at Islington Assembly Hall

Liz Phair

Annabel Allum

Islington Assembly Hall, 4 June 2019

I was such a music snob back in my youth and missed out on so many great bands because I foolishly sneered at them. But there were definitely a few albums that transcended any kind of snobbery: Nevermind was certainly one and Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville was without a doubt another. It was just a record that pretty much every fan of alternative music owned and agreed upon: it was, and still is, cool stuff.

Ex Hex at Village Underground

Ex Hex

Rattle

Berries

Village Underground, 29 May 2019

I arrived at Village Underground way too early but at the very least was surprised to find the band outside doing a photo shoot against a very cool graffiti background. (Edit: I found the actual photo on this blog!) I'd love to say I went up to the band and told them how awesome I thought they are and how much Mary Timony has meant to me over the years but sadly I chickened out and just watched as they posed and looked effortlessly cool. Still, maybe it's better I didn't make a fool of myself and the show itself certainly made up for it.

The Juliana Hatfield Three at Islington Academy

The Juliana Hatfield Three
She Makes War
Islington Academy, 21 May 2019

A Juliana Hatfield sighting on these shores is amazingly rare so to actually see her promoting her latest album, Weird, here in London with a band, and not just any band, the Juliana Hatfield Three no less, is a must-see experience. And she certainly did not disappoint, in fact it was a show filled with old and new favorites that proved just what an underrated treasure she is.

Ryan Bingham at the Union Chapel

Ryan Bingham
Union Chapel, 26 April 2019

Before the gig tonight, while waiting in line, a man dressed as Jon Snow (from Game Of Thrones) walked past me, a white husky dog leading his way. Did he go to the gig? I have no idea but I like to think he did because Ryan Bingham's earthy story-led country-blues would be the perfect soundtrack to any would-be heir to the Iron Throne.

Marissa Nadler at Oslo Hackney

Marissa Nadler
Oslo Hackney, 15 April 2019

The dry ice machine must have been running amok tonight at Oslo because when we walked into the venue it was like entering some mystical land. On one hand it was amusing but on another it was strangely fitting for a Marissa Nadler concert: very moody and the perfect setting for the gothic Ms Nadler to emerge. And with the support act having cancelled, it isn't long before she appears looking every bit like a modern day, folk noir queen version of Morticia Addams.

Ashley Monroe at Bush Hall

Ashley Monroe
Sean McConnell
Bush Hall, 30 January 2019

Sparrow, the latest album by country star Ashley Monroe (also of the supergroup Pistol Annies) is a lush, strings-filled affair, the music gently reflecting the emotion of the heart-felt, personal songs. It's a showstopper and one of the best records of last year. Yet, here she is alone on a stage in the beautifully, atmospheric Bush Hall, with just her powerful voice and an acoustic guitar and somehow it is as full and as affecting as all those strings and epic sounds. That's because beneath the wonderful production, Monroe is a brilliant storyteller, a fantastic songwriter and a powerful performer. All she needs is a guitar and she manages to captivate us all: she is spellbinding.