Now Harry has already done the Official Grumpyrocker Best Albums of 2011 and I’m not going to steal his thunder with the Grumpypopper top 10 albums of 2011, although I may at some point reflect upon a few favourites that have crossed my path.

As I reflect upon the year that has gone there are a few people I owe a huge debt of thanks to, starting with Keith and Mike from the sadly defunct ukmusicreview (although Keith has now given life to Poppedculture) for giving me the opportunity to pen my views (there’s someone else I need to thank for encouraging me to realise I could do it, but I doubt they ever read my musings anymore) and since 25 May 2011 and my debut review of Mishkin’s Row Away From The Rocks EP (technically a re-review), I owe Harry a huge amount of thanks for allowing me the opportunity to provide my thoughts on releases that otherwise would not have darkened the Grumpyrocker doors…I’m now in some sort of awards acceptance speech like mode so; d-jaysea also needs a thank you for sharing the reviews - you’re always welcome mate when you feel able to, and of course where would I be without the tireless chasing of the lovely PR people, so thank you to Katie at Big Machine, Louise at AMP, Jay, James and Ellie at Prescription, Tom and Simon at ilikepress, James and Lisa at Hold Tight and all the other PR companies (and people I’ve missed – apologies) who have pushed reviews our way, without you all it would just be Harry grumbling about the state of metal music or his legendary and my personal posting favourite about Jools Holland’s Formulaic Tosh.

In reflecting on the musical year, to some degree, I am drawn to musings about how the end is nigh for CDs, followed closely by the end is nigh for downloads, which then does a slight about turn as it is announced there has been an increase in single sales during 2011 – Although it does all point to a thought about how we consume music in the future and ‘what is music for?’ A question I have never satisfactorily answered and will no doubt ruminate more upon during 2012. It also seems that in the absence of Mr Cowell, the X-Factor isn’t shining quite as bright and without any internet campaign it has been beaten to the Christmas No1 by a group of Service Community Wives (mind as it comes from a TV show, then I guess the power of TV is still strong) – however, speaking of internet campaigns the result which saw Matt Cardle being voted online-Guardian music single and album of the year is quite entertaining.

Despite none of what goes on the Grumpyrocker website being achievable without Harry’s input, time, effort and original vision I’m still going to ignore my first paragraph and ‘pollute Harry's site’ with my list of albums that for me have made 2011 memorable. Although before I do for me Elbow’s Build a Rocket Boys would have been a Mercury Music Prize winner if they hadn’t already written The Seldom Seen Kid, whilst my guilty secrets were Lady Gaga’s Born This Way and although the rest of the album dipped and rose like a day on the Bering Sea, Kasabian’s Velociraptor did contain the simply excellent Switchblade Smiles, however, I’m digressing from lurching the site into a moment that will have Harry force-feeding me Slayer for the next 12 months! Thankfully I’ve only come up with six albums, not because there wasn’t more out there, but I wanted to restrict myself to ones which were particularly memorable for different reasons:-

Number 6
The Kills – Blood Pressures

In a year when Jamie Hince was in the public eye slightly more for his marriage to Kate Moss, the subsequent road closures to two Cotswold villages and an appearance at Glastonbury. It might easily be forgotten that VV and Hotel released their fourth album Blood Pressures. It was a return to force for the duo after Mossheart had dallied with super group The Dead Weather, along with Jack White, and what Blood Pressures brought to The Kills musical catalogue was the strongest combination of dark, fuzzy guitar music they had produced so far.

Number 5
Little Roy – Battle for Seattle

For an album recorded without Little Roy having ever heard Nirvana until Prince Fatty and Mutant Hi-Fi all joined forces to produce this tribute to Seattle’s famous sons, it is remarkable how close to the original recordings Little Roy gets. Nirvana given a reggae beat sounds frankly too incredulous to work, but work it does as covered in my review for Poppedculture. The fact my kids can be found singing the Lithium line “I’m not gonna crack” says more about Little Roy’s interpretation of the original lyrics, than the Cobain angst ridden original.

Number 4
The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar

Rewind to the start of 2011 for one of the most excitingly anticipated indie rock releases from North Wales band The Joy Formidable. Personal anticipation already whetted by the Paul Draper influenced track Greyhounds in the Slips and The Big Roar didn’t disappoint. With Ritzy Bryan on vocals and guitar it marked another highlight for female leads.

Number 3
Mike Marlin – Nearly Man

For someone who was 49 when Nearly Man came out as his debut album, Mike Marlin made a statement that you are never too old to finally make it in the music industry. Nearly Man was an impressive debut and it quickly becomes apparent that David Bowie is not only an influence, but a vocal comparator, read more in my review back in July.

Number 2
Aaron Wright – Aaron Wright

I’ve anguished long and hard about these last two albums and they’ve changed places a couple of times. In a way Aaron Wright mirrors Mike Marlin, in the message that hard work can be rewarded in music. Aaron’s somewhat dishevelled hair style and penchant to come across as a busker, belies his emergence as one of Scotland’s finest young singer / songwriters. The fact that his debut album was filled with a supporting cast originating from Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura and Teenage Fanclub, gave an insight to how highly his contemporaries held his music qualities. If you need reminding of my thoughts in July then head over to my review and remember that glass of single malt.

Number 1
Hymns – Cardinal Sins / Contrary Virtues

To some degree when you review music, there’s a lot which you listen to for a bit, write a few words about and file onto your shelf to gather dust. Hymns’ debut album Cardinal Sins / Contrary Virtues has seldom been off my music roster both prior, during and after review, to such an extent I even managed to foist the album upon a Head of Humanities after he was intrigued by the atheist content having read my review; although feedback from that source was overtaken by the production of Desert Island Discs¹. Be that as it may, the quality of music on offer from Hymns is worthy of its position as top of my albums for 2011, for once its an album that is appropriate for the moniker Grumpyrocker and yes its worth turning Cardinal Sins / Contrary Virtues up to 11!

And what does 2012 offer, well with Mike Marlin’s new album Man on the Ground already on the turntable, a sneak preview of Black Moth’s debut album frustratingly not nearly being enough and rumours of something new from Sigur Ros I am excited as ever. I also have a hope that 2012 will be big for Mishkin as their Good Day To Die video was a particular favourite and can be seen after my live review of their gig in Darlington…here’s hoping to another cracking year in music; and to bastardise a quote from Charlotte Bronte "And, So Dear Reader, I Wish You A Happy New Year".

_{¹If anyone is interest my eight tracks were Dylan Thomas Under Milk Wood (opening scene, read by Richard Burton), Mansun Special / Blown It (Delete as Appropriate), Johnny Cash Folsom Prison Blues (live), Manic Street Preachers The Masses Against The Classes, Six By Seven 88-92-96, Sigur Ros Festival, DJ Danger Mouse 99 Problems and Sub Sub Spaceface.}