This year has been a bit of a belter for me music-wise with some great releases from heavyweights and old favourites as well as a few new acts and surprises.
I hate trying to do proper numbered top tens so instead I’ve just given my favourites in no particular order but split out into to broader categories of ratings.
Top of the Pops
(my 9 & 10 out of 10 albums – ‘zomg amazing’)
The Next Day – David Bowie
Yeezus – Kanye West
Bangerz – Miley Cyrus
Artpop – Lady Gaga
Bloodsports – suede
Random Access Memories – Daft Punk
The Big Dream – David Lynch
Best of the Rest
(7 & 8 out of 10 – ‘bloody good but not perfect’)
The Minutes – Alison Moyet
Exile – Hurts
Tales of Us – Goldfrapp
Days are Gone – Haim
Pale Green Ghosts – John Grant
Kiss Land – The Weekend
Seasons of Your Day – Mazzy Star
Innocents – Moby
Three – Charlotte Church
Dead Ends – The Rumour Said Fire
Could do better
(6 & 7 out of 10 ratings – ‘a few belters and a bunch of fillers’)
Swings Both Ways – Robbie Williams
The Marshall Mathers LP2 – Eminem
Rewind The Film – Manic Street Preachers
Closer To The Truth – Cher
Great song but the album was a bit rubbish
Roar – Katy Perry
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding
New act that deserves a mention on the basis of one song alone
Take Me to Church – Hozier
Man of the year
David Bowie – For being the best at keeping a secret ever.
Woman of the year
Miley Cyrus – For cultural whiplash due to her unexpected smackdown on the pop landscape
Performance of the year
Artpop at Swinefest – Lady Gaga
Because sometimes the simplest move is right.
‘Moment’ of the year
Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus
For straddling the zeitgeist as well as the ball.
Gig of the year
Suede – Glasgow Barrowlands
Because that’s where I go, and that’s what I do..
Most anticipated for 2014
Ultraviolence – Lana Del Rey
Artpop volume 2? – Could just be a scurrilous rumour
More suede please!
All words by Susan Sloan.