Firstly, there are TOO MANY releases in October, and secondly, at least 16 of the 31 I listened to deserved to be in this highlights selection. However, as I'll be re-organising this section in 2014 I decided to whittle it down to ten as normal. Without further ado here is my hotly contested top 10 from October.
The Wave Pictures 'City Forgiveness'
my review (the 405)
A 90 minute double album full of inspired lyrics and audacious guitar playing. Surely their finest work to date.
I'm having trouble uploading images today so instead, why don't you watch the drummer do a little dance in this Darren Hayman directed video
Teeth of the Sea 'Master'
Somehow this lot are up to their third album already. Their by now familiar motif of rich synth work and kraut-rock percussion (with emphasis on the ROCK) is a joy to behold on 'Master'
Daniel Avery 'Drone Logic'
First brought to my attention by dropping mbv into a 6 music mix, this album is more 4/4 techno than experimental electronica. It's actually quite refreshing to hear the old-school material here. One this clicks with you, it's hard to leave it alone.
Lee Ranaldo and the Dust 'Last Night on Earth'
The definite upside to the demise of Sonic Youth as a unit is the complete sprawl of solo albums and projects. Here, Lee gets even freer to indulge his Paisley Underground style songs and Grateful Dead style wig outs. Superb.
Tim Hecker 'Virgins'
The whole 'Ravedeath'/ 'Dropped Pianos' thing has connected Hecker's work with church based imagery - in particular the church organ. This continues that theme, as it sounds by turns, large, cold, empty, and often strikingly beautiful. Perhaps more varied than previous releases, this is one to play to people who think he is only about the drone.
Laurel Halo 'Chance of Rain'
A striking follow-up to 'Quarantine', and an album to get completely lost in. Immersive electronica. There you go, new genre?! Seriously though, this is the kind of thing I wish Flying Lotus would do more of.
Lisa O'Neill 'Same Cloth or Not'
Shamefully, I haven't included many Irish releases in these "tens" this year. Well, here's one. Hailing from Co Cavan, and somehow connected with the Fence artists like James Yorkston, Lisa sings in her own accent and has written some great modern folk songs that suit her delivery perfectly.
Oneohtrix Point Never 'R Plus Seven'
The consensus on 'R Plus Seven' is that it is one of the finest albums that Daniel Lopatin has put his name to. It sounds amazing, that's for sure, and the pieces flirt with minimalism whilst still bringing that arresting glitch-type trademark of his. If you have any interest in electronica at all this is a must hear.
Black Hearted Brother 'Stars Are Our Home'
A sort of shoegaze supergroup would you believe. A trio comprising of Neil Halstead (Slowdive, Mojave 3), his regular producer Nick Holton and Mark Van Hoen (Seefeel), this is not simply the Halstead show. Instead it is tinged with space-rock and electronic beats, and manages to be something which is a healthy sum of its parts rather than some half-baked jam sesh.
Future of the Left 'How to Stop Your Brain in an Accident'
Rowdy, riotous, punk rock fun, but not in a stupidly crass way. Oh no, 'How to Stop Your Brain..' is an incisive slice through today's weird world which makes you sit up and listen. Someone described them as the Welsh Shellac, and although that does seem very niche(!) it is accurate.
