Kalabrese
Rumpelzirkus [Stattmusik/Kompakt]
Prosumer (Panorama Bar): “This is house with a lot of personality. Rumpelzirkus aims for the soul and it hits you right where your love of truly felt house music resides.”
Kings Of Leon
Because of the Times [Columbia]
Silicone Soul (Darkroom Dubs): “Easily the best rock ‘n' roll band today. A sublime marriage of psychedelica, dub and good time rock n' roll. Perfect.”
Klaxons
Myths of the Near Future [Universal]
Nominated by Deepgroove
Kokolo
Love International [Freestyle]
Dicky Trisco (Disco Deviance): “Freestyle have had a great year, but I've gone for this release because it's fusion of afrobeat and post punk elements really hit the spot with me. Memories of Konk aside, it really has a very fresh sound.”
Kos
Zero To Hero [Familia]
Nominated by Nic Fanciulli
Krafty Kuts
Fabric34 [Fabric]
Skool Of Thought (Against The Grain/Supercharged): “Good old Krafty delivers a solid mix of all things breakbeat showcasing new talent alongside out and out legends, cleverly weaving and scratching together a cross section of hot talent and representing well his sets at Fabric. Looking forward to his Back To Mine CD next year.”
Steve Lawler
VIVA London [Renaissance]
Steve Lawler: “Shameless self-promotion, I know, but in general I’m very happy with this compilation – very happy indeed. I’ve even listened to it myself a few times…”
LCD Soundsystem
45.33 [DFA]
Mark Broadbent (We Love): “On constant play round ours all summer making listeners either seasick or deliriously happy but never wanting to take a jog!. Done as a Nike promotional tool and now on general release a must for any deserning music lover, or jogger.”
LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver [DFA]
Ben Gomori (Going Places): “Just an instant classic. Brilliant, inventive lyrics married to sublime disco-punk-pop and a wonderful variety of styles. You can keep on listening to it and find something new every time – it just doesn't tire.”
Perc (Perc Trax): “Initially a disappointment after their tearing debut album, this eventually it wormed its way into my mind. It does slightly have the air of being music for people past the prime of their youth, but when it’s this good, it’s hard to resist. In this area there is no one who can touch LCD/DFA as a label, live act, studio band or remixer.”
Gavin Herlihy (Leftroom/Kindisch/Moodmusic): “The golden rule for great album writers is that your first album kicks ass and your second gets sucked into a quagmire of bad songwriting and laboured mediocrity. James Murphy isn't one to stress himself out about living up to the reputation of his debut though, so Sound Of Silver stands tall and proud above it – and that's quite an achievement considering how loved his first was. I can't remember how many times I’ve listened to this over the year. For several periods it was on repeat play, a mark of a truly great album. And despite the hammering it’s still a pleasure to dive into.”
Deportivo Street Team: “Underground and overground – but like the Wombles – LCD Soundsystem make the connection between pop and the dancefloor and come up with something completely exhilerating.”
South Central: Rob: “It’s a bit of an obvious choice and we’re sure it’s going to be riding high at the top of most people’s lists but you have to give props to this album. They’ve certainly not fallen prey to the difficult second album syndrome. Indeed the beauty of it is that it sounds effortless.” Keith: “We like the way that this taunts you with thieir influences, and you say, ‘Hey, you ripped that from so and so.’ They’re kinda going, ‘Yeah, maybe, but now it sounds better.’ And they get away with it because they’re right.”
Also nominated by Deepgroove
Lights Out Asia
Tanks and Recognizers [N5md]
D:Fuse (Lost Angeles Recordings): “The blend of electronic and subtle alternative rock melody makes this a standout. Definitely on the chill vibe but very epic at the same time. Excellent use of vocals.”
Evan Marc
Emotional Ecology [Psybooty Records]
System 7: “For us this was a groundbreaking and mega-influential album. When one of the world’s leading downtempo artists Bluetech (aka Evan Mark) makes a good tech house album, it creates a stir. Listening to this opened doors for us to combine minimal grooves with our own downtempo signature sounds – expect to hear that influence on our next Mirror System release. Thank you Evan.”
Michaela Melian
Los Angeles [Monika]
Gudrun Gut (Monika Enterprise): “Fantastic artist, fantastic album, on a fantastic label (he he). And then there’s the title – Los Angeles is my second favourite city after Berlin. A must have.”
Merka
Beserka [Fat!]
Barry Ashworth (Dub Pistols/Dogtown Clash): “A bit more on an underground tip than my other two, but this album was something a bit special and Merka is definitely one to keep your eye on.”
Skool Of Thought (Against The Grain/Supercharged): “Merka injected some much needed musical elements and fresh ideas into the scene this year, something we also worked hard on with our Random Acts Of Kindness album. We probably won’t get the attention all the other anthem-led productions will, but it’s not all about that. Merka has created a real atmosphere around what he does, and avoiding cliches and trends, he has done his own thang. Respect.”
M.I.A
Kala [XL]
Nominated by Jim Hutchison (Hum+Haw)
Modeselektor
Happy Birthday [B Pitch]
Nominated by Jim Hutchison (Hum+Haw), Deepgroove
Thurston Moore
Trees Outside The Academy [Ecstatic Peace]
Mark Broadbent (We Love): “This absolutely sublime acoustic album from the Sonic Youth axeman shows a far more delicate and focused side to his cannon of work.Less eclectic and jazztastic than earlier Ecstatic Peace releases but still a very interesting proposition.”
The National
Boxer [Beggars Banquet]
My Robot Friend: “The National created a classic album of understated, slow burners that really gets under your skin with repeated listens. It is exceedingly rare these days that a band has thoughtful lyrics to match the depth of emotion captured in their music.”
Nice Inch Nails
Year Zero [Interscope]
Perc (Perc Trax): “Not the most fashionable album on this list, but Year Zero saw Trent Reznor finally switch from his standard soul-searching 'woe is me' lyricism to looking at the bigger picture of world affairs. Explosive production, mixing up some of the finest electronics I've heard in a long time with a glossy big studio sound. By far the album I've listened to the most this year and definitely the most influential on my own productions.”
Nomadic
Trek 19 [Touchin Bass]
Black Dog (Soma): “Loved this to death. The sound design and construction make it a pure pleasure.”
Onur Özer
Kasmir [Vakant]
James Mowbray (Four:Twenty): “Incredible ethnic techno from Istanbul. Laden with Arabic and Turkish instruments and undulating waves of dancefloor-satisfying bass.”
Panda Bear
Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
My Robot Friend: “This was the most beautiful, narcotic electronic album of the year, hands down.”
Pan-Pot
Pan-O-Rama [Mobilee]
Pan-Pot: “Our first album and also the first artist album on Mobilee.”
Theo Parrish
Sound Sculptures Vol One [Sound Signature]
Ben Sims: “True house music for those that know, Theo and friends come up trumps again with some truly addictive grooves. Soul Control alone I couldn't get out of my head for months, and Synthetic Flemm is acid house at its purest.”
A Place to Bury Strangers
A Place to Bury Strangers [Killer Pimp]
South Central: “There seems to be an underground movement in the USA which is dedicated to the revival of the real indie sound of the 80s. Sunnyday in Glasgow is one worthy mention, but we’re going for APTBS who seem to be intent on resurrecting the sound of the Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine 1986. It’s kinda like going to see those guys who do historic re-enactments of battles from civil wars – but done with effects pedals.”
Pole
Steingarten [Scape]
Gudrun Gut (Monika Enterprise): “Great cover. I love Pole and Poland, and we had a record released together. He is a real critic and a real supporter. Great music.”
