Saturday 1 December 2012

The Gizzle Review's Albums of the Year

Happy 1st December!  As we approach the end of the year, it's customary to countdown the top albums of the year and The Gizzle Review is no different.  Enter our top ten albums of 2012.  Agree or disagree?  Sound off in the comments below...


10. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die


What we said:
"Those who have fallen in love with Del Rey's sad, sexy and sumptuous sonic landscape, however, will find plenty of enjoyment here. At the least, 'Born To Die' is the most talked about album of the moment. At its best, it's the seminal pop album of the year."




What we said:
"...Alt-J are certainly deserving winners [of the Mercury Prize], delivering a unique and artistic album of gently beautiful songs.  As we’re commanded on Bloodflood: “Breath in, exhale” and let the wave wash over you."




What we said:
"West is at the centre of it all, on both rapping and production duties.  It’s good to see he’s as ego-centric as ever, but creating this album has surely been a test of whether he can keep not only his own ego in check, but those of his collaborators.  For the most part, ‘Cruel Summer’ is a little bit special."




What we said:
" The result is a series of euphoric, widescreen anthems screaming for the volume to be cranked up."




What we said:
"It’s the nocturnal production that has proven most influential, however.  Complex layers of synth hooks, staggering beats and soaring vocals are standard, for an expansive sound that is at times overwhelming.  And with an average track length around the five minute mark, ‘Trilogy’ is as epic in length as it is in scope – this truly is Tesfaye’s opus and the future of RnB."



 

What we said:
"Poliça positively ooze cool and 'Give You The Ghost' is an album at the forefront of popular music development."





What we said:
"Moments of colour and fragments of melody will stick in your mind, yet at first listen these will pass you by. This may seem frustrating...but after perseverence the delights of 'Visions' slowly unfurl and then disappear, like trapping flower petals in a breeze. Each press of the play button is like starting anew, each track a fresh revelation."




What we said:
"Niki and The Dove have justified their increasing popularity with a collection of spine-tingling, powerful electro-pop tracks."




What we said:
"Ware's fusion of soul and dance, like the love she sings about, is an irresistible mix. Chic and seductive, her soft vocal and the inventive production combine to form one of the finest albums of the year."




What we said:
"Ocean's sexuality will undoubtedly increase the album's importance in overcoming prejudice in the hip-hop community and promoting compassion. Yet stylistically Ocean's spectacular production is at the cutting-edge of modern RnB; you can expect countless imitators over the coming months. Forget the controversy - this is an album of beautiful love songs that capture the thoughts of one brave man's vision, bringing the heart and soul back into R&B."




Honourable mentions:
* Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man
"Khan may be keen for us to see and hear the real woman, but it's her creativity, experimentation and sheer weirdness that have made her music so appealing."

* Passion Pit - Gossamer
"It may have a dark interior, but the exterior of 'Gossamer' is pure power pop, the two sides hanging in the delicate balance its name suggests."

* Errors - Have Some Faith In Magic
"This isn't just ambient music - there is much to take in, but what at first seems like sensory overload unfurls into a feast for the ears, demanding repeated listening."



*UPDATE*

Here's a handy Spotify playlist of the best individual tracks of 2012.  Three hours of pure joy.