Top 10 Albums Of The Year So Far

This year has been a pretty good year for music so far. This is my top ten of the best albums released this year.

10. "Exile" - Hurts. I waited a long time for this album to come out and I was worried that it wouldn't when the duo said they'd forgotten how to write music but obviously, it wasn't true. This album is a great follow up to their debut, "Happiness", continuing the moodiness that they captured so well the first time round. Listen to Hurts on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Exile-Hurts/dp/B00AO2T9VU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370856703&sr=8-1&keywords=hurts.

9. "I Love You" - The Neighbourhood. I saw this album on my download site and clicked on the link purely because of the album artwork and it was one of my finds of the year. It is nice and dark which I like but was a bit more more synthy than I'd been used to. I think from the the opening bars to the first song I was a little bit in love with this album. Listen to The Neighbourhood on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Love-You-The-Neighbourhood/dp/B00C2KCM0M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370857103&sr=8-1&keywords=the+neighbourhood.

8. "Random Access Memories" - Daft Punk. Oooh controversial! I put Daft Punk here because although I think the album is great, the genre isn't 100% my thing and so I feel there where albums that I would listen to more often than this one and enjoy more. Daft Punk have taken the world by storm with this album. Practically everyone was singing "Get Lucky" a month ago or so and it is definitely my favourite chart topper of the year. The album is full of other great tunes to get you dancing and will definitely be one of those albums that goes down in history as one of the best. Listen to Daft Punk on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Random-Access-Memories-Daft-Punk/dp/B00C061I3K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370857591&sr=8-3&keywords=daft+punk.

7. "Wish to Scream" - Tribes. This is the follow up to the band's successful debut, which was loved by all and hailed one of 2011's albums of the year by many, but didn't get the same standing ovation when it was release last month. Yes there was a lot of new ideas and yes it wasn't necessarily the bangy crashy Tribes of late 2011 but it was still an amazing album. Listen to Tribes on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wish-To-Scream-Tribes/dp/B00BLDHQ5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370857989&sr=8-1&keywords=tribes+wish+to+scream.

6. "In Love" - Peace. This is a gorgeous laid back album that will be played more and more as the summer goes on. It's another indie record that I like quite a lot. Peace where one of those bands we were told to look out for at the start of the year and they didn't disappoint. Listen to Peace on Spotify or buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Love-Peace/dp/B00B9608R4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370859322&sr=8-1&keywords=in+love+peace

5. "Modern Vampires of the City" - Vampire Weekend. Their 4th studio album kicked off the summer with the release of "Diane Young" and "Step" rattling around indie fans heads throughout April and May. "Step" proved to be a triumph using Pachabel's Canon as a foundation which can be risky but they pulled it off to make one of my favourite tracks of the year. Listen to Vampire Weekend on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Vampires-City-Vampire-Weekend/dp/B00BB22GQM/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1370859820&sr=1-1&keywords=vampire+weekend.

4. "The Messenger" - Johnny Marr. Ah rejoice, he's back! When my Dad and I found out Johnny was coming back we went into a little hype for a few months. It is full of excellent tracks that reach out to the old Smiths fan everywhere. My Dad still plays back the videos we filmed when we went to see him live in Birmingham. Listen to Johnny Marr on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Messenger-Johnny-Marr/dp/B00AG22JHY/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1370860256&sr=1-1&keywords=johnny+marr.

3. "180" - Palma Violets. This is definitely the indie album of the year, Palma Violets are a revolution! I wasn't sure on them at first but they have become one of my favourite bands. The album is just pure fun to listen to you can tell that the boys are enjoying the moment whilst it's definitely there. It's a great album for the summer. Listen to Palma Violets on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/180-Palma-Violets/dp/B00AE1VXD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1370860805&sr=1-1&keywords=palma+violets.

2. "Opposites" - Biffy Clyro. So far this has been the rock album of the year. The band had everyone waiting for near enough 5 years for the release of their 6th studio album and from the fans perspective, they didn't disappoint. The album consisted of 20 tracks which made up for their absence and had some great stadium anthems on their too. It really is amazing. Listen to Biffy Clyro on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opposites-2CD-DVD-Biffy-Clyro/dp/B009AWRF9I/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1370861111&sr=1-2&keywords=opposites+biffy+clyro.

1. "I Once Was An Eagle" - Laura Marling. At the start of the year I didn't think anyone would beat Biffy to the top album wise but last month they were smashed by Laura Marling's beautiful 4th album. The songs are like poetry and the Indian influences throughout the album blew me away the first time I listened to it - it was a magical moment. Listen to Laura Marling on Spotify and buy the album at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Was-Eagle-Laura-Marling/dp/B00BQWR9BO/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1370861471&sr=1-1&keywords=laura+marling+once+i+was+an+eagle.

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Directioners, why you so angry?

As much as I'm not fond of NME's review writing at the minute, the NME Awards are still my favourite music awards ceremony of the year.

It was a good night for a lot of my favourite musicians - Biffy Clyro won best British band, Johnny Marr won Godlike Genius, Palma Violets won best new band. Although the success of my music collection did put a smile on my face, I was ecstatic to see One Direction getting worst band and Harry Styles getting villain of the year but not everyone shared my view as you probably know.

Styles, respect to him, took his award with a pinch of salt and showed that he could be a grown up about the "tongue and cheek" award saying 'And thank you to NME for my award tonight. Gotta take the rough with the smooth eh?' - I'd like to say the fans showed as much respect for themselves when they found out about One Directions success at the ceremony...

Almost straight after Harry's tweet, his following sharpened their pitch forks for yet another rant at someone for daring like anything other than vaguely attractive young men singing, with the aid of autotune, other people's songs. The only good thing about the situation is now 11,274,851 know there is something beyond chart music as I'm sure that about 75% of that sum had never heard of NME before that. 

Fans wrote very angry letters, YES LETTERS, to NME as well as a number of very aggressive tweets saying "I'M GOING TO SHOOT YOU IN THE FUCKING HEAD" and "MY BAAABBBYYYYY HOW IGNORANT PEOPLE CAN BE !!!! PIECES OF SHITTTT!". But why are they so angry?

I understand they are hurt that their favourite people in the whole have been slagged off  (I would be) but to me, I'd take 1D's success at the NME awards as a complement. Firstly, NME have considered One Direction as a band which is a lot more than their readers would consider them and isn't it what Directioners have wanted for years? To have One Direction seen as a band? Secondly, lets face Harry Styles is an arse. How many women has he bedded in the last year? As a girl, I can honestly say this is one of the reasons he's so unattractive - HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN, he just picks and chooses which women he wants when he wants and that to me is utterly repulsive! I mean it really is a low to be hated more than David Cameron but he deserves it. Cameron, as much as he is a posh twat, is a family man who loves his kids and his wife and as much as he's not doing a good job at running the country, I get the impression he's a pretty nice guy.

Styles' 19th birthday party photos are enough to put you off him - £3k bar tabs, cake fights, band member getting close to strippers - it's pathetic! He's a silly 19 year old who is too big for his boots and I hoped his award would give him a reality check but to be fair I think it has made his ego even bigger.

Of course not all Directioners are bad, I have Directioners as friends who were hurt but understood the fact that it's obviously other people's opinion and dealt with it. Harry too, he just took it as another award to add to his collection and was very civil. The problem these days is their is a fine line between loyally following musicians and being emotionally and mentally unstable.

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Johnny Marr - "The Messenger"

On Monday, Smiths fans all over the world celebrated 30 years of life changing music. This as well as the news of Johnny Marr's solo album coming out next year has put fans in a bit of a good mood but wait, there is more... Marr has also released his first single from the album "The Messenger" which for me, has caused great excitement. I'll say now, I prefer Morrissey and I've been brought up to think that by my Dad because "Marr broke up the band" but I really like this, even though it's from an "old" artist, it still sounds really new and current. I would recommend having a listen!!

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Why I love Morrissey

When I'm asked about Morrissey, the one thing I always say is "I hate my parents because they grew up in the 80s. I would have love to have grown up in the 80s because I could be very much in love with Morrissey without it being creepy.".

Now you may now say that I would not like to have live 30 years ago. Thatcherism had taken over Britain and everyone was depressed because the Tories were cruel, merciless arseholes and didn't give a crap about your everyday working class family but I would answer you with the question, how different is that from today?

"I've been dreaming of a time when the English are sick to death of Labour and Tories, and spit upon the name of Oliver Cromwell and denounce this royal line that still salute him and will salute him forever" - Irish Blood, English Heart.

The thing I love most about Morrissey is that he isn't scared to tell you what he thinks, especially when it come to politics. When it comes to politics, Morrissey hates everything to do with it, having criticized both the Labour and Conservative parties in the past. One of the best things I think he has done politicly has backed Johnny Marr when he forbade David Cameron for liking the Smiths saying, "I would like to, if I may, offer support to Johnny Marr who has spoken out to the media this week against David Cameron. David Cameron hunts and shoots and kills stags – apparently for pleasure. It was not for such people that either Meat Is Murder or The Queen Is Dead were recorded; in fact, they were made as a reaction against such violence.". I agree with Morrissey and have had to remind people that they cannot like the Smiths and vote Tory at the same time because it goes against everything the Smiths stood for.

"Close your eyes and think of someone you physically admire and let me kiss you, let me kiss you" - Let Me Kiss You

Morrissey is obviously a tortured soul when it comes to love. Having never had a partner who has been open to the public and never stated his sexuality, it is easy to understand why people may think he is gay. Although never publicly revealing a relationship, Morrissey writes some of the most beautiful love songs of all time and I get the impression that he has had his heart well and truly broken at some stage in his life to be able to write such works of art. If there is one thing I love about Morrissey it is this: every time I hear his music, my heart really does go out to him. Every song is like a new chapter in a book of his heartbreak whether that is him having a good old moan or having a day were it's unbearable.

Throughout my life, Morrissey has been threaded through in different places. The man didn't just influence my Dad's music taste and political view when he was my age but he is also influencing mine and thousands of other peoples lives 30 years on and will continue to do so for years to come.

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