Headphones On

I set out this year to finish the end-of-the-year write up I never finished last year. Life got in the way, it seems to do that. Rather than scrap the thing all together I'm going to make a few general statements about what touched me the most. You don't have to agree with me, I might prefer you didn't. That's the thing with sound... it creates a truly personal experience in each listener's mind. What I hear, you might not... and that's OK. But each and every one of these records hit an emotional chord with me...

1. Midlake - The Trial of Van Occupanther
(Bella Union)
If I were to judge the record of the year by simply the number of songs on each record I have rated as five stars in my iPod, Midlake wins easily. Individual songs don't make a record a complete masterpiece though. Even though every song on The Trial of Van Occupanther stands alone, Texas band Midlake has made one hell of a collective magnum opus. Forget what you've heard about the new Fleetwood Mac or Steely Dan. Seriously, forget it. Midlake may live and die with their mid-70s record collections but this album is a complete reinvention of yesterday's sound to become a modern classic. Overflowing with longing desperation, loneliness and the world inside of one's own head, the rural world of Van Occupanther is nothing less than brilliant. I have to stop myself from talking about this record anymore because my words cannot match my enthusiasm for this record. If you approach this record without any preconceived ideas, it might steal a little bit of your soul.
Listen to: Bandits, Head Home, It Covers The Hillsides, Young Bride, Roscoe

2. The Kooks - Inside In, Inside Out
(Virgin)
I won't stand alone in this call, but I might be heckled for it. It was cool in March to know of and love the Kooks... it's not cool anymore but that doesn't make this record any less addictive. That doesn't make me stop bouncing around to "She Moves In Her Own Way", "California" or "Sofa Song". Say what you want about The Kooks and their (yes ridiculous) battle for pop press in the UK, this was one of the most surprising records from a bunch of kids in years. The energy and the pluck had me charmed from first listen and continues to. A debut record so good they had to release a live acoustic version to appease the fans. Who does that with their first record? I look forward to much more from the Kooks while I'm praying that the brilliance of the three minute pop song isn't going to be limited to this first record.
Listen to: She Moves In Her Own Way, Seaside, Naive, Sofa Song, You Don't Love Me

3. Field Music - Write Your Own History
(Memphis Industries)
There isn't another band that I listened to more this year than Field Music. There isn't another band that captured my imagination and heart this year more than Field Music. Why then is this record not my #1 of the year? To start with, it's not really a record... at least recorded for the purpose of putting a complete creative thought sent forth into the world. While Write Your Own History is a collection of b-sides and rarities, that doesn't stop it from being one of the best musical collections of the year. I know what you're saying to yourself... 'what is this? bands only release a b-sides and rarities record when they're washed up or haven't got anything to say... not after ONE record?'. Stop yourself right there Mr/Ms Negative. I'll give you the words of Field Music themselves from the cover of this record... "When Memphis Industries suggested releasing the b-sides to Field Music's first three singles compiled onto a CD as a companion to the album, our response was 'only if it can be presented as what it is' - and specifically, that it isn't an indication of how much music we've created as Field Music, but instead a compilation of the different music we'd been making and the ideas we'd try to realise prior to the rather neat situation which is currently presented." For a "non-record" it might be the strongest Field Music release to date.
Listen to: Alternating Current, Breakfast Song, You're Not Supposed To, Test Your Reaction

4. The Format - Dog Problems
(The Vanity Label)
I have been listening to Dog Problems for six months, and I still don't really know anything about The Format, anything other than it's hard for me to turn this record off. Every song on this record is addictive and somehow each and every one get better on repeated listen. The liberal use of horns draws me in, but it's the piano kerplunks and enthusiasm that start my toes a'tappin. It's a record that I can't help but smile to as I listen...
Listen to: Dead End, Dog Problems, Matches, The Compromise, Inches and Falling

5. Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
(Astralwerks)
Oh man does this band have the ability to piss me off. I know how great a live Phoenix show can be after dragging myself (with a 100+ degree fever) to see them on the Alphabetical tour. I still first think of that ridiculous "Camel" tour as an example of what to NEVER do when trying to "conquer" America. Anger aside, every single time I listen to this record my toe taps, my hips shake and I can't help but dance around in my mind chair. Lucky for me this album now reminds me of driving up PCH to Malibu and not the annoyance of their summer tour.
Listen to: Rally, North, Consolation Prizes, Sometimes In A Fall, Napolean Says