CUCKOO'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011

People keep saying new music is crap but I don't believe it. Out of the 50 albums or so that I reviewed this year, I can honestly say I'd recommend atleast 80% of them which is pretty good. Granted I did do some digging to find some of this stuff...but it's worth it when you find it.

It wasn't that tough a decision to narrow down my top 10 seeing as I awarded only 10 albums with 5 "stars".

(click on the names for the mini-reviews)

10. BLUE SKY BLACK DEATH / Noir

9. THE CURE / Bestival Live 2011

8. PJ HARVEY / Let England Shake

7. THE WAR ON DRUGS / Slave Ambient

6. VESPERTINA / The Waiting Wolf

5. TOM WAITS / Bad As Me

4. ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD / Knife Man

3. LYDIA LOVELESS / Indestructible Machine

2. LYKKE LI / Wounded Rhymes

1. FRANK TURNER / England Keep My Bones


Some honorable mentions go to:

BANG DATA / Maldito Carnaval
BLINK-182 / Neighborhoods
DIRTY BEACHES / Badlands
DOOMTREE / No Kings
DUM DUM GIRLS / Only In Dreams
DAVID LYNCH / Crazy Clown Time
JEFF MARTIN 777 / The Ground Cries Out
PUSCIFER / Conditions Of My Parole
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS / Songs Of Man
VARIOUS ARTISTS / Drive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

PJ HARVEY / Let England Shake [2011]

20 years into her career, PJ Harvey has delivered her finest album to date with Let England Shake.
A bittersweet love letter to her home country and it's wars, all bent on hopelessness, loss and scathing criticism of your leader's choices. With Mick Harvey (no relation) and John Parish at her side, Harvey's produced a richly textured album that's something between airy dream-pop & melodic folk rock complimented with beautiful lyrical storytelling.
Never one to mince words, Harvey will probably chase off quite a few listeners with her opinionated lyrics but that's part of her charm. She's bold, smart and supremely talented. The triumphant Let England Shake showcases this talent quite nicely.

5 Autoharp ditties out of 5

Songs Of Note: On Battleship Hill; Written On The Forehead

PJ HARVEY / Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea [2000]

Taking a break from the raw, dirty and aggressive sound of her previous albums, Polly Jean Harvey opted for more of a melodic, positive sound on 2000's Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea. It may not pack the angry punch of her earlier work but Harvey still keeps her passion for music firmly intact.
Charged with a brand new lust for life but a careful understanding of the dangers it could bring, Stories is a beautifully composed album best listened to at night with a glass of wine and a canvas to paint on.
It's not the Harvey we were used to but certainly one we could bear to hear some more from. A career highlight indeed.

4 Yorkes out of 5

Songs Of Note: A Place Called Home; Kamikaze