Total Cave-In

OK, here we are with the records that floated my boat last year – the infamous Captain’s Picks. I make no claim to be pushing back the frontiers of rock criticism with this selection.. no claim at all, other than I listened to this stuff since it came out, and it still sounds good. Sure, a few magazines picked the same things as me.. almost. So they have good taste.

No frills this year, no ‘Ones To Watch’ or all of that lark – truly, I wouldn’t know. When I find someone I’ll let you know right away. What got on my wick this year? Two things worth mentioning. Pacific Ocean Blue – what’s that all about? In fact, let’s not hold back – all things Wilson related. Classics? No. Don’t get it, never will.

And to the umpteen British indie bands who seem to be content with their lot – god knows why – either get to work and produce something worth listening to or pack it in, because a bunch of old blokes and their mate made you look a bit irrelevant this year. And that can’t be a good thing.

Top Ten:
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
Paul Weller – 22 Dreams
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
The Ruby Suns – Sea Lion
Lightspeed Champion – Under The Lavender Bridge
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age Of The Understatement
Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster!/We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
A.A. Bondy – American Hearts

Bubbling Under:
The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
The Black Angels – Directions To See A Ghost

I Could Listen To This Song All Day: Hayes Carll – She Left Me For Jesus

The Toppermost Of The Poppermost: Duffy – Warwick Avenue

The ‘Didn’t They Do Well’ Award For Old Folks In Rock: Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul. Nice one.

Play It One More Time (Remastered Oldies & Re-issues):
David Bowie – Live Santa Monica 72
Neil Young – Sugar Mountain Live At Canterbury House 1968
New Order remasters