Review of the Year - Part 2

The second part of my review of the year is probably the most important. It's the album of the year. I'm doing them in top five, reverse order, to fit in with part one but readers should be aware that there isn't much difference between position 4 to 1.

5. Kanye West - Graduation

There seemed to be some dissappointment surrounding Kanye's third album. Not as far as I'm concerned. What it lacks in out right killer singles it makes up for by being a more concise body of work free of skits, filler and that other common hip hop problem of quantity of quality. It's got a darker more synth based feel, less reliant on the samples of old, and some of the rhymes are a little ropey but he's still the most exciting talent in commercial hip hop by some margin.

4. Kings of Leon - Because the Times

The single 'On Call' was the first song of Kings that I really loved so I wasn't sure what to expect from the album. It's as lean, snake hipped and down right rocking as the Caleb brothers themselves. The first track is an epic opener and it's pretty much foot to the floor all the way to the end. Rock doesn't get much more exciting.

3. Stephen Fretwell - Man on the Roof

In a sea of male singer songwriters awash with averageness (stand up Blunt, Morrison and Faulkener) Fretwell should be massive. Probably my most listened to album of the year. The kind of record you want to put on as soon as it's finished. Thoroughly recommended.

2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Was so nearly my album of the year and the would of gotten away for it if it wasn't for those darn meddling kids...

1. Arctic Monkeys - Worst Favourite Nightmare

Probably the best british rock album since Definetly Maybe. Anyone of 10 tracks out of 11 could probably of been a single. The songs are packed with ideas, tunes and great lyrics. It also get's better and better as it goes along. Loved it.