Nite Songs Top 100 Albums Of 2022: Part 3 (40-31)
Time for the third part of our end of year countdown as we reach the Top 40. As always, feel free to cue up the old chart rundown music from Radio 1 if it helps enhance the experience for you...
***
Yes, it's easy to be cynical about Wet Leg but the truth is that when all's said and done they came up with a bit of a cracker for their debut album. It's quite simply fun music with a lot of the songs having an endearingly gleeful vitriol to them. Yet there's a serious undercurrent there as well with the likes of Wet Dream and Piece Of Shit having a genuine anger underpinning the playfulness. For once, a case of the hype being deserved.
***
39. KAE TEMPEST - "The Line Is A Curve"
Kae's first album since coming out as gender neutral is all about seeking solace in tough times, be that their recent struggles or the recent struggles all of us have had thanks to lockdown etc. Backed up by lush orchestration and with Tempest's usual thoughtful approach to lyrics throughout, The Line Is A Curve shows exactly why Tempest is of the most acclaimed artists of their genre.
***
38. BUZZCOCKS - "Sonics In The Soul"
The prospect of the Buzzcocks minus Pete Shelley was one that understandably had a few people gulping nervously but full credit to Steve Diggle and his bandmates for putting together arguably the strongest album that's come out under this band's name for many a year. Mixing the short sharp three minute bursts of power pop you'd expect with some more considered moments, you suspect that their former frontman is looking down from the sky and smiling at this album.
***
37. COCKNEY REJECTS - "Power Grab"
Power Grab was touted as the Rejects’ final album and it might just be their strongest since their classic first two. The key is to them mixing the punk and metal sides to their past output to great effect with Jeff Turner's unmistakable vocals being backed up by some satisfyingly meaty riffs from Mickey Geggus and a few unexpected twists and turns in there as well. If it does turn out to be their last effort then rest assured they've definitely gone out on a high.
***
If we were ranking this list on album titles alone then rest assured that Snuff would undoubtedly be at number one but Crepuscolo is a fine effort in its own right with Dunc and co on typical high octane rabble rousing form but also throwing in some unexpected more subtle moments just to keep you guessing. Oh and the title? Well, according to Google Translate, it means Bruschetta Golden Twilight Handbag Sock Cack Trumpet Lambretta Oxide Yellow, Ooooooh So Magnificent! So now you know.
***
Barrelling out of Mineappolis with the power of a hurricane, the Von Tramps have done a good job at picking up the baton from the sadly-no-more Amorettes with an added Donnas style punk spikiness to the format as well as the odd excursion into goth and dub. A supremely confident second album from this group - on this evidence, they've got a hell of a bright future ahead of them.
***
34. DIAMOND DOGS - "Slap Bang Blue Rendezvous"
Bouncing back in style from their slightly disappointing Recall Rock 'n' Roll And The Magic Soul comeback a couple of years ago, this double album saw the Diamond Dogs simply getting on with what they do best, barrelling boozed-up rock 'n' roll with a pint in one hand and an armful of Faces, Who and Stones albums in the other. The fact that even over 24 tracks you don't find your interest flagging is a definite testament to its quality.
***
An uncomfortable listen at times, Tegan & Sara's heartbreak album is a raw and honest heart on the sleeve collection of songs which try to make sense of the whole gamut of conflicting emotions that the end of a relationship can bring. Proof of the duo's sublime songwriting ability and a supremely cathartic album, this is a great album whether you need some solace in your darkest hour or just want to listen to some genuinely great and thought-provoking songs.
***
A great album which shows off RT-Zed frontman and Stiff Little Fingers drummer Steve Grantley's skill as both a songwriter and a lyricist. ZedNation takes the classic '77 punk template and gives it an all round 21st century makeover with the squalling guitars and snarled angry lyrics backed up by the odd unexpected incursion into rockabilly and goth. Proof that RT-Zed are anything but a side project on this evidence.
***
31. KID KAPICHI - "Here's What You Could Have Won"
Kid Kapichi are arguably the next evolutionary stage along the musical path that gave us Slaves and Sleaford Mods in years past with Here's What You Could Have Won drawing a line in the sand and daring the right wing establishment scumbags to step over it. At the same time, it's far from a one trick pony with several tracks easing up on the aggro to let the desperation bleed out to devastating effect. The potential of this lot is truly frightening - get on board now before they go supernova.
***
...and that's yer lot for this section of the rundown. Top 30 tomorrow, we'll see you then.
Comments
Post a Comment