January 2013 is almost over and I am still working off 2012. Still despite the delay illness brought, I am glad to be able to post about my favourite Irish albums of the year. Again like my previous best of posts (which, strictly speaking should not really be titled best of), the albums featured here represent my personnel favourites rather than the best albums of the previous year. Some of these might have been released earlier than 2012 but seeing as I only came across them in this calendar year, I'm going to include them here.
Monorail - SleepersReleased in the middle of 2011, the album "Sleepers" is full of laid-back warm americana. A real summer album.
Twin Terrace - Twin TerraceOne of the first posts on the Eirecana blog, "Plural" is the debut album of Twin Terrace. Moving between the aggressive rock of "Our Friend The Atom" to the sumptuous evocative Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris like duet of "Victory Square", it has remained on the top played list on my ipod for most of the year.
Yngve & The Innocent - The Sadness of RememberingA real consistent piece of quality americana featuring some lovely lyrics and luscious piano throughout, with enough diversity to keep you listening for a long while.
The Quicksand Band - Approaching RainA mature, reflective collection of tracks, "Approaching Rain" is full of transformative songs than can transport you to another time and space just like the song above.
White McKenzie - AbsenceShort, sweet and a real rock album. Probably less americana, it nevertheless features some desert rock influences that will keep you engaged.
The Hot Sprockets - Honey Skippin'Along with Raglans, The Hot Sprockets are bringing blues rock back to Ireland. An album of rockin' delta blues. That alone would be good enough to include this as one of the albums of the year but tracks like "Long way from Home" demonstrate there is more to the band than just blues riffs. Just a very listenable album.
Stephen Young & The Union - Wilderness MachineAn album from 2011 that managed to weave its way into my middle ear this year and had remained there or thereabouts since. A top drawer alt-country album.
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters - The Devil in MusicA band I came across in late 2012. "The Devil in Music" features lovely warm vocals, great blues riffs and some slightly dark lyrics with melodies that have you humming along but looking over your shoulder at the same time!
Knoxville Morning - Knoxville MorningTo be honest, an album that originally I didn’t love but after some repeated listens, the gentle melodies and honest lyrics have managed to persuade me that me repeatedly listening to the album must mean I really like it.
Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band - Sonny BoyIt may or may surprise you to find that this is the most popular post on the Eirecana website this year. I put that down to the quality of the music rather than the writing. An album that was anticipated for a while this year that did not disappoint. Songs of country and soul covering themes of love, youth and innocence, it is an exceptional collection of melodies.
Honourable mentions also go to: Paul Creane & The Changing Band - Tommy Black and the Twelve Days of Lucy Kaplin - Devastating Ways The Lucky Bones - Together We are all AloneNormal service will resume hopefully in the coming days with some reviews and new music for your aural pleasure.
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