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| The Morning Benders get prepared for their placement on the list |
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40) Kid Karate – Feel For You
Urgent, synth-rock from a band more renowned for their TV screen debut on Fade St ("and you fuck off") than their music career. It's impact wanes on repeated listens but that first listen is a knock-out blow.
Feel For You by KidKarate
39) Morrissey - Happy Lovers United
The re-released Bona Drag album unearthed this gem from the vaults, bringing dry self deprecation, and a jangly, simple tune, all the way from 1988.
38) British Sea Power – Zeus
Rollicking title track from the EP which bodes well for next years new album.
37) Broken Bells – The High Road
Like The Shins on acid, this is the glorious result of a collaboration between Danger Mouse and James Mervers, the lead singer of ...er...The Shins.
36) Avi Buffallo – What’s in it for?
Lo-fi, summery tune from another Sub Pop disciple.
35) Perfume Genius - Learning
Fragile and emotive work from Seattle resident Mike Hadreas. He wrote his haunting debut as a cathartic act to purge his own demons and has deservedly seen it gain international attention as a result.
34) Apparatjik - Antlers
Going against the trend that all supergroups need be loud and brash, the members of Coldplay, A-Ha and Mew combine to form a decidedly Scandinavian, tranquil sound.
33) Cathy Davy – Little Red
What a voice. Cathy Davey's work doesn't always hit home with me but this is a magical retelling of the childhood classic.
32) Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip – Get Better
If the duo's second album didn't quite reach the majestic heights of the debut overall, it came mightily close on occasion and most notably on the lead single - a call to arms for a broken society from a genius wordsmith, which is engulfed in a sumptuous beat. Their gig at The Workman's Club was a highlight of the year also.
31) Darwin Deez - Constellations
The title may allude to vast scope and infinite possibilities but this is in effect a simple, low key and unashamedly funky pop song. Extra points for that tache also.
30) Somadrone – Vapours
Redneck manifesto member Neil O'Conner has been a mainstay in the Irish music scene for quite some time now and the latest release under his Somadrone guise, Depths of Field, has been well received across the board. This is the most accessible slice from an album brimming with texture and intricacies.
Somadrone - Vapours by Somadrone
29) Cults – Go Outside
Arriving with virtually no information, this song swept into our ears with little fanfare, leaving the flowing, joyous melody to do the job instead.
28) Warpaint – Undertow
The all-female indie hipsters attracted equal amounts of love and derision this year but there's no denying the virtue of this hazy, mid-tempo, lead single.
27) Halves – Growing and Glow
Halves debut is an incredibly rich and rewarding experience; akin to finding yourself lost in the most detailed of forests, with a fascinating sight at every turn.
Growing & Glow by halves
26) James Vincent McMorrow – This Dark Old Machine
McMorrow's debut is an alluring affair, and in truth there could be half a dozen songs in this spot. That this song has grown on me so much in recent times is an indication of the album's depth and its enduring appeal from a singer-songwriter whose recent success is well deserved.
25) Tame Impala – Solitude is Bliss
Trippy and symphonic, never has a video reflected the songs content so well.
24) Spies – Liars Call Me King
The finest cut from a triumphant debut EP from this Dublin five-piece, who bear a slight resemblance with The National's heavier output. Brooding and strident riffs combine to underpin a wonderful concoction of baritone vocals and lyrics which are drenched in romanticism and intelligent introspection.
Download their debut EP for free over at Bandcamp
23) Pepper Rabbit – Older Brother
The soft strum of a ukulele, sun drenched vocals and a joyous climatic chorus: perfection.
22) Deerhunter – Revival
A captivating, sauntering tale from the outstandingly dreamy new LP.
21) Morning Benders - Excuses
Beautiful and joyous to the nth degree, this tale of lovers trying to rekindle those precious first moments is as emotive and stirring as it sounds.
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