Albums of the year 2024

Welcome to my annual blog where I list my favourite albums of the year.

My album of the year is Bill Ryder-Jones sensational lechyd Da. I was gutted his joint tour with Gruff Rhys didn't venture north of the border. I kinda regret not travelling down south or over to Ireland to see them. Both have released incredible records. 

Here are 15 albums I've enjoyed through 2024. A top 5 and then a further 10.

They include a number of albums that have been enjoyed across our household and I'm delighted that my youngest daughter Rosie is taking time to listen to albums and not just singles. I think Taylor Swift has played a big part in this. Albums by Taylor, Dua Lipa, Becky Hill (not in this list but still great), Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo (released in 2023) are played regularly in our house and cars. I'm so pleased that so many creative, talented and cool female songwriters and performers are making such brilliant music.

Hopefully Santa comes good with Gracie Abrams tickets for Rosie and I!

lechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones

Quite simply a masterpiece; deep, soulful, melodic, inventive and melancholic. Utterly beautiful from start to finish. Ryder-Jones is rarely in a hurry, finding riffs and melodies, singing in a gorgeous hushed whisper, bringing in strings, choirs, horns and lovely dashes of psychedelia when he needs to. Exceptional songwriting, musicianship, arrangements and production. 

This Can't Go On - official video

Sadnesss Sets Me Free by Gruff Rhys

Recorded in just 3-days, there is a gorgeous fresh feeling to this record. Rhys is as inventive as ever as he lets his imagination run wild with his lyrics. Gruff's natural sing-song voice is soothing and he finds melodies with ease.

Bad Friend - official video

Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

Recorded to tape in Lenker's analogue studio, hidden in a forest, there is a stunning intimacy to this album. Three musical friends joined Lenker, the tape never stopped. Each song feels delicate and special.

Fool - official video

The Secret Of Us by Gracie Abrams

I discovered Gracie Abrams through my daughter Rosie who fell for her magnificent single Close To You. The hook in the bridge - I burn for you, but you don't even know my name may be my bridge of the year. I fell for it too and enjoyed sitting down with Rosie to watch YouTube videos of Gracie performing live and checking videos from her catalogue. Zoe eventually fell under Gracie's spell too.

There is a lovely authentic feel to Abrams work - visually and on record. Her songwriting is exceptional, many of her songs (like Risk) develop into fast-flowing words and melodies that seem to come effortlessly. 

God I'm jumping in the deep end

It's more fun to swim in

Heard the risk is drowning

But I'm gonna take it, I'll bend 'til I break it

You'll be my favourite mistake

This is a very strong album indeed and Gracie has just been announced for TRNSMT. Hopefully Santa comes through with tickets for Rosie and I to go and see Gracie at the Hydro in March.

Close To You - official video

Pomegranate by Tess Parks

A welcome late discovery. This is dreamy cinematic garage psychedelic guitar music that is easy to get lost in. Scuzzy and fuzzy at times, with shoegaze/psych effects at others and chiming on Crown Shy, which also introduces some lush strings. Parks sounds beautiful and cool as she sings you don't get mad at the sky as it starts to rain in the opening song Bagpipe Blues.  Tess now has 5 albums to her name, including 2 with Anton Newcombe. Fans of Brian Jonestown Massacre will love.

Running Home To Sing official video

Bubbling under

Tigers Blood by Waxahatchee

I've updated my blog on January 22nd 2025 to include this wonderful album. I'd read about it numerous times, but I'd only listened to a couple of songs. Now, on a cold but beautiful winters day with a nice mug of coffee, I'm listening to the album for the second time in a row. It's lovely and should probably have been in my top 5. MJ Lenderman (see below) plays guitar in the band. Both play the Barrowland in June and I'm getting tickets on payday!

Bored - official video

Viva Hinds by Hinds

Dreamy, trashy, thrashy, brashy garage pop with dashes of shoegaze and psychedelia, I can't wait to see them play Saint Luke's in February. I actually think the album will make even more sense after seeing them live. Do you ever find that?

The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You - official video

Short n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Wow! Super cool and sassy pop. Innuendo's galore, sugar coated choruses, enough hooks to floor Rocky, lyrics that are clever and funny, cool beats and sublime production. Impeccable pop. 

Espresso - official video

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

What a pleasant surprise! The debut album by Kim Deal arrived in late November, that alone was a bit of a surprise. You would expect cracking guitar sounds (they are present - of course), but maybe not have anticipated it's strings, horns, hushed vocals and exceptional variety throughout. WARNING - Are You Mine? is a tearjeker.

Nobody Loves You More - official video

The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

A very hotly anticipated album in our house, particularly among our (now) 10-year old Rosie who considers herself a Swifty! I Can Do It With A Broken Heart is absolute pop perfection (check my blog) while Swift's songwriting is exceptional; telling tales, pouring scorn, being open and reflective, super confident one minute and full of self doubt the next. All with a lovely self effacing humour. The closing section of opening song Fortnight is sublime, the way it flows is stunning.

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - official video

Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman

A late discovery via 6Music. Lenderman released this album in September, his fifth since his eponymous debut in 2019. I'm making my way through them. Lenderman is certainly prolific, he is also in the band Wednesday. Raw, stoned indie guitar sounds with a country edge, storytelling, humour and reflection are at the heart of his sound. Right up my street.

She's Leaving You - official video

A Dream Is All We Know by The Lemon Twigs

I missed these guys at Saint Luke's and I'll really need to make sure I catch them next time they are in town. Effortlessly talented with guitars, harmonies and songwriting, the D'Addario brothers fuse 60's and 70's sounds with ease; glorious harmonies, jangling guitars, fuzzed guitars - they can do it all. Simon and Garfunkel one minute, Big Star the next.

My Golden Years - official video

Dreamers On The Run by BMX Bandits
A fresh band of Bandits have captured the melodies, arrangements and flourishes that are in Duglas T Stewart's head perfectly. Lush, emotional and soulful. The title track is a particular favourite and possibly a career high. BMX Bandits celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2025 and I look forward to seeing them in Saint Luke's in late January.

Dreamers On The Run - official audio

In Giraffe by Adventure Team 

Think early Fanclub meeting Dinosaur Jr for a jam session. Lovely guitar sounds and cool melodies that veer off on beautiful tangents at times. I really enjoyed seeing these guys play BLOC earlier in the year.

Bummed Out (live)

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa

Following up the immense pop of Future Nostalgia wasn't going to be easy and Dua Lipa certainly took her time (4-years), but Radical Optimism was worth the wait, while not being (pardon the pun) radically different from the predecessor. Houdini and Training Season were ace singles, while These Walls is an album gem. Dua's Glastonbury headline set was superb - a stadium/club/dance show. Huge in scale at times, super intimate at others.

These Walls - official video

Previous albums of the year

2010 - Shadows by Teenage Fanclub, This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem, Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

2011 - Love & Lemonade by Futuristic Retro Champions, Jonny by Jonny, The Quickening by Remember Remember

2012 - One Day I'm Going To Soar by Dexys, Electric Cables by Lightships, Light of the North by Miaoux Miaoux

2013 - Big Inner by Matthew E White, Reflektor by Arcade Fire, A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart by Bill Ryder-Jones

2014 - Morning Phase by Beck, Tied To A Star by J Mascis, Stay Gold by First Aid Kit

2015 - Beyond The Silver Sea by Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Matador by Gaz Coombes, Modern Nature by The Charlatans

2016 - Pii by Stephen Solo, Say It All With A Kiss by TeenCanteen, Here by Teenage Fanclub

2017 - Adios Senor Pussycat by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band, How The West Was Won by Peter Perrett, Erratic Cinematic by Gerry Cinnamon

2018 - And Nothing Hurts by Spiritualized, Impossible Stuff by Carla J Easton, Babelsberg by Gruff Rhys

2019 - Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka, Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains, Pii3 by Stephen Solo

2020 - Fugitive Light & Themes of Isolation by Andrew Wasylyk, Weirdo by Carla J Easton, Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

2021 - Endless Arcade by Teenage Fanclub, Mirror Mirror by Pearl Charles, The Umbrellas by The Umbrellas

2022 - Poster Paints by Poster Paints, 11 by SAULT, Dear Scott by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

2023 - The Ballad of Darren by Blur, Nothing Lasts Forever by Teenage Fanclub, Blind On a Galloping Horse by David Holmes ft. Raven Violet

Bill Ryder-Jones at Room 2 Glasgow

Bill Ryder-Jones rode into Glasgow for his show at Room 2 on a wave of positive reviews and declarations of love for his new album lechyd Da.

I caught Bill playing a rare solo show at Broadcast in Glasgow around this time last year. It was an extremely intimate show with probably no more than 50 people there. Bill was taking some new songs out on the road to test them out. I loved the show at the time, but I appreciate it all the more now, knowing I was part of an audience that were included on Bill's journey to releasing the wonderful lechyd Da.

Tuesday night was my first time in Room 2, a venue tucked away in Central Glasgow in Nelson Mandela Place. Entrance is via a lane and then a narrow corridor down to a basement. As with any basement venue in Glasgow, there are issues with viewing the performance. Room 2 is definitely more suited to club nights as a low ceiling and several metre wide pillars had fans in the sold out show jostling for position. 

Thankfully, after getting some beers in, we skirted right back round the room to the entrance and positioned ourselves side stage for an excellent view. Sadly, Lizzie Reid, who was due to support last night, had to pull out unwell. I have yet to catch Reid live and hope to rectify that at some stage this year.

What can you say about Bill Ryder-Jones?

Bill and his band (a 7-piece, including Jones) came onstage to a huge roar. Glasgow has fallen big time for his talent and the quality of lechyd Da has only strengthened the bond.

I Hold Something In My Hand opened proceedings, Ryder-Jones whispered vocals, the changes in tempo, the flourishes, the flows ... beautiful. If some people in the crowd were struggling to see the show, then there were no complaints about the sound.

Nathaniel Laurence, who also plays with Michael Head, was on lead guitar. The band also included drums, cello, bass, keyboards and slide guitar. Bill switched between acoustic and electric, his in-ear monitors seemed to really help him with his gorgeous hushed and whispered vocals.

After opening with a trilogy of songs from lechyd Da, Bill dipped back to 2013's A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart for Part 2, Hanging Song, Anthony & Owen and Wild Swans. The latter contains a gorgeous lazy guitar solo before everything collides together again to create a beautiful racket. The chiming guitar sound is delighful. One of my favourite Ryder-Jones songs.

Don't tell me that it's over

It's not over, til I say it's over 

From Wild Swans to Wild Roses, the band were in full flight, Bill looked happy and there were widespread smiles through the crowd.

Daniel could bring a tear to a glass eye, while a super tender Seabirds was utterly sublime. At this point it was just Bill and his acoustic guitar onstage. We were all in the zone. Spellbound. 

There was a moment when the bar staff were emptying glasses, but Bill just nodded towards them and smiled. Nothing was going to break this spell, this moment he was creating.

I don't care what you're running from

I would follow you

This was special. The band returned from their break with Bill introducing them all fondly. The magic continued with I Know That It's Like This (Baby), the tender opening song on lechyd Da, Bill was almost kissing his microphone as he sang so beautifully that it was like a lullaby. 

Nothing To Be Done was epic. It's like  distant cousin of Mercury Rev's Deserters Songs. Psychedelic soul and bliss. The band got into a groove and we all got lost in the music. Bill poured his heart out - I just don't see myself getting past this one. On record, there is a children's choir singing along with Ryder-Jones at times. It really tugs on the heart-strings! 

With a 10-minute curfew warning, we were into Two To Birkenhead, to the particular delight of the guy in front of me. There was a real zip to the intro and the band gelled with ease.

Did I mention Mercury Rev? This Can't Go On closed the show; piano, strings, Ryder-Jones giving himself some encouragement to get himself together, recognising that this can't go on. The song is the centre-point of lechyd Da; psychedelic and pure emotion. It's gorgeous and somehow simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. 

Lets hope Bill returns to Glasgow later in the year. 

I Hold Something In My Hand

Trust me #67
I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones

I have attempted to write a blog on Bill Ryder-Jones lechyd Da album a number of times. I start, stop, I delete, try again and then accept that I cannot put my love and appreciation for this sublime album into words. In short, I think it is a masterpiece.

"It's been incredible making this album. Despite all the life stuff that's happened, it has brought me immense happiness. I've always rallied against it when people ask if making a record is cathartic but I'd have to admit that this one really was." Bill Ryder Jones

Released on 12th January, after only a couple of listens, I found myself messaging friends to say that the album of 2024 was already out in the world. Two months on, I still feel that way. I took a 2-week break from the album and when I returned to it, I found even more across the 13-songs. 

The cover of Bill Ryder-Jones lechyd Da

lechyd Da is 48-minutes long, but time will stop when you listen. Ryder-Jones goes deep, pouring his heart and soul out over soaring and tender strings and soulful horns and conjuring words, melodies and feelings that tug hard on my heart strings. 

I love the full album and I might try to write a full blog on it at some point in the future. But ahead of Bill visiting Glasgow's Room 2 tomorrow night, I thought I would focus on one of my favourite songs - I Hold Something In My Hand. Surely I can start and finish a blog on one song ... right?

Well, it was difficult to choose only one! I'll write another one on This Can't Go On another time!

There is a beautiful gentleness to I Hold Something In My Hand. The way Bill brushes and picks at his acoustic guitar as he sings of his need for, and addiction to, drugs;

I hold something in my hand

Feeling sick but better

We belong together

Ryder-Jones is caught - recognising his addiction, questioning should it mean that much to me? The playing and production is utterly sublime and the song goes really dreamy after Bill sings;

Better sick than feeling

What's the sense in feelings?

I could just drown them out

There is a beautiful instrumental section and then mournful horns are introduced at just the right time for the closing mantra.

Now I can't be caught without

So Jase can you sort me out?

Jase can you sort me out?

I can't be caught without

Can you feel that? The horns, the strings and Bill? Sheer heartfelt emotion, honesty, rawness and beauty. Soul. I Hold Something In My Hand is 3 minutes and 5 seconds of intimacy and openness, of admission, guilt and recognition. Genius songwriting, production and arrangement.

Official video

I Hold Something In My Hand is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE 

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

Dreaming Of You

Trust Me #25 

I'll be blogging on The Coral's fantastic new album Coral Island next month.

Before then, I thought I would write a bonus Trust Me blog on their 2002 single Dreaming Of You after watching a sensational performance from Later with ... Jools on the iPlayer.

CLICK HERE if you can't see the video embedded below.

Dreaming Of You is a 2 minute 20 second slice of pop perfection, brimming with the confidence of a band totally in the zone, full of complete belief in their playing style and talent.

A funky bass riff introduces a rhythm that could easily have been influenced by skiffle, with a melody played on an organ/keys and then over the top of that are glorious backing vocals and the voice of James Skelly.

The Coral make full use of their 100 seconds. At 1-minute 25 seconds an 'oh yeah' introduces an instrumental section with xylophone and yearning backing vocals until 2-minutes when Skelly comes in with a final chorus.

Only 22 upon release, Skelly displays raw and rich soul in his vocals that portray love and lust mixed with realisation and honesty. Look at the incredible Later footage above, he is totally going for it, his band are totally on it, they are all in the zone. They look like a real gang, Bill Ryder-Jones on guitar, still in his teens, looks cool as a cucumber, they all look unphased to be on the Beeb's flagship music show, determined to use their time and smash it out the park. They do!

The first verse is only 2 lines, straight into the chorus that ends with a bitter kiss off.

Up in my lonely room

When I'm dreaming of you

Oh what can I do

I still need you

But I don't want you

The second verse is doubled in length, Skelly has realised it's gonna hurt, but I'm gonna have to say goodbye. Then it's into the instrumental before one final rasping chorus.

Dreaming With You is a glorious burst of pop soul, everything you could want from a band in their teens and early 20's. Unfiltered, heartfelt music delivered with urgency and passion by a band who have always been in their own bubble, as beautifully demonstrated on their new album. Check the original video HERE

You can listen to all the songs I've featured in my Trust Me series in a playlist by searching for Everything Flows Trust Me on Spotify or by CLICKING HERE

You can also read about the previous songs I've written about by clicking on the links below.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

Never Ending Mixtape part 30

Welcome to the latest additions to my Never Ending Mixtape playlist on Spotify. I've listened to a lot of music since the last update, so there is actually more on the playlist, but I'll save some of them for the next blog.

We begin with an epic from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, we have (relative) newbies from J Mascis and Bill Ryder-Jones, we travel back with The Creation, Love, Flying Burrito Brothers and Gene Clark, we have some beautiful indie guitar songs, new discoveries like Sam Evian (pictured below), and plenty of older tunes I have enjoyed discovering.

Check the sublime instrumental by The Byrds and the blissful Should I Take You Home by Sunny and the Sunliners, while The Pastels tune with Make Up is absolutely stunning.

You can search for the playlist on Spotify by typing in Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape. Play from the start, the middle or scroll towards the end for the latest additions. Or do what I love to do - press shuffle and enjoy.

There She Goes, My Beautiful World - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
On The Roof - The Feelies
O My Soul - Big Star
Elastic Days - J Mascis
One - Carole King
Recover - Bill Ryder-Jones
Home and Dry - Tracyanne and Danny
Hey! How Does Everybody Know - Arthur Russell
Try And Stop Me - The Creation

Older Guys - Flying Burrito Brothers
Easy Come, Easy Go - Grant McLennan
Dying Day - Orange Juice
Near You - Teenage Fanclub
Sugarcube - Yo La Tengo
Tiny Spark - Brendan Benson
Love Lots Of Lovin' - Lee Dorsey
Now It's On - Grandaddy
Easy - Mesadorm
Tell Me When It's Over - The Dream Syndicate
On Her Own - Gene Clark
Stranger in a Strange Land (instrumental) - The Byrds
I Really Love You - Dee Dee Sharp
Should I Take You Home - Sunny and the Sunliners
I'm Begging You - Chicago Pete
Heartaches - Art Neville
Nowhere Near - Yo La Tengo
Need You - Sam Evian
The Train - Los Brincos
CUENTAME COSAS YUYAS - Los Ros
One Step Ahead - Aretha Franklin
That's How Heartaches Are Made - Baby Washington
Gather 'Round - Love
Handle With Care - Traveling Wilbur's

End Of The Line - Traveling Wilbur's
Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley
Beat Control - Tilly and the Wall
Do the Whirlwind - Architecture in Helsinki
Crawl Babies - The Pastels
Rough Riders (Make Up Remix) - The Pastels and Make Up

Albums of 2013

I have bought and enjoyed a good number of albums in 2013, probably quite a bit more than last year.

I've only just discovered the Kurt Vile album and I have still to buy John Grant and Jon Hopkins.

I'll no doubt discover a few gems released in the last 12-months further down the line, but for the time being, here are my top 10;

Big Inner by Matthew E White
I blogged about this back in February and described it as 'poetic, beautiful, hushed, thoughtful and the playing, singing and production is just outstanding'. Nothing has changed other than the fact I have just fallen further in love with it. A work of beauty.

It's Not About War by Chris Grant
Recorded in his garage on an £80 laptop, this album contains some of the best songwriting and love songs that I have heard in a long time. Grant has complete confidence in his skills and songs and it shows. 'I Am The One' and 'Like A 45' are just stunning.

My blog upon release in October declared; 'It's Not About War is a fucking beautiful album. Chris Grant sings from the very bottom of his heart, the passion and truth in his vocals match the open and honest lyrics.'

Reflektor by Arcade Fire
An outstanding album, what would you want from one of the world's best and most ambitious bands? Some production by James Murphy? Check. Bowie backing you up? Check, a wide range of songs across a sprawling double album that lets the band explore their talent and sound? Check. Brilliant. Their show at the Barrowland will stay with me for a long, long time.

A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart by Bill Ryder Jones

Contemplative, gentle, melodic, rustic, homely, dreamy, lovely… this is a rather gorgeous album. 

Slow Summits by The Pastels
I don't think any band sound as comfortable with their sound as The Pastels. It's just so…them. They produce pop gems and glorious laid back grooves and just run with them. The joyous indie pop rush of 'Check My Heart' is glorious while 'Summer Rain' shuffles and flows.

The Next Day by David Bowie
This album was a surprise in many ways. The secrecy surrounding it created an almighty buzz, the songs offered great depth for the listener to delve into. Bowie was on form, sounding great and producing some outstanding material; reflective at times, biting at others.

Random Access Memories by Daft Punk
Could it live up to the hype? Well that would be difficult as the hype was incredible and the success of 'Get Lucky' probably overshadowed the album. However if you wanted some robots to make an album in 2013 then Random Access Memories delivered the goods; wildly eclectic and crazily addictive.

Understated by Edwyn Collins
A very soulful album; stomping at times, tugging at the heart strings at other. Edwyn's show at the ABC in the spring was a delight and his recent show at Mono was incredible. An artist who keeps on giving and long may that continue.

Kingdom Of Wires by Kevin Harper
A stunning self released solo album by one of Scotland's best songwriters. Kev's solo performance at King Tut's back in the summer was exceptional. The album sees Kev wear his heart on his sleeve and bare his soul. The guitar playing is sensational, echoing the Foo Fighters and classic American indie bands.

The Bones Of What You Believe by Chvrches
Hyped beyond belief, could Chvrches deliver? They certainly could. This is what I wrote in my blog review in September;

'The Bones Of What You Believe' is a fascinating album, extremely polished pop on the surface, often with darker, menacing undertones. The production is crystal clear, staying clear of the trap that many modern acts fall into - that of over-production. The songs have space to breath, there are hooks galore with synths (lots of them) beats and bass combining in a glorious manner and Lauren Mayberry's vocals are delicious; sweet at times, capable of anger, revenge, hurt and heartfelt emotion at others.

I listened to the album for the first time in a month or so this week and it actually sounds better. If anything I overplayed this when it came out. I am currently kicking myself for not buying tickets for their Barrowland show in March.

Honey by TeenCanteen

So my sisters band TeenCanteen release 'Honey' via Neu! Reekie Records this weekend. Only it's not a record, it is actually a cassette! Not just any old cassette but a delicious honey scented cassette!

Each tape comes wrapped in lino print on seeded paper which you can plant and when you do, a small patch of wildflowers will grow! A download link is thankfully included for those without cassette players.

On to the song...

'Honey' was recorded at the Old Mill Studios in Strathaven and is mixed by Bill Ryder-Jones, formerly of The Coral, now striking out on his own via Domino Records.

'Honey' is a beautiful song, a cross between a polished 60's girl group ballad mixed with the raw edge of punky Throwing Muses style guitar pop.

The melody and lyrics hooked me instantly (not that I'm biased or anything).

He is fun, like the sun, and he never complains

But I'm a mess, I confess, I am more like the rain

He is perfect like a cirlce

And a summer shade of purple

He's the crash of the wave, he makes me misbehave

He's the only one I want, so it pains me to say

That I'm a square trying to fit in a circle

And I am red when I want to be purple

........

The contrast between the slow and considered verses to the raw and fast flowing chorus that has a real sense of freedom is refreshing. There is even a good old fashioned false ending at one point.

We just talk about the weather

Not the fact that we're together

But he knows I'm so in love with him

That I'll stick around through thick and thin

Like honey

There are some glorious harmonies and the lyrics are heartfelt but with a sense of humour.

I look forward to hearing what TeenCanteen have to offer in the future.