On Day 1 I decided I would listen to every record listed: you bastards – 642 different albums!! I’ve probably listened (some of these listens lasted for minutes and minutes) to around one hundred so far – my, what a strange bunch you are.
To be serious for a moment, thanks to everyone who voted and thanks for opening up these ancient ears to stuff I really, really had never heard of before.
351 albums were selected only once. Earning but one measly point ie being placed in 20th place were the following poor wee lambs
Anna Ternheim – All The Way To Rio
Buddy Guy – The Blues Is Alive & Well
Cher – Dancing Queen
Colin MacLeod – Bloodlines
Curses – Romantic Fiction
DJ Kush – Cosmic Yard
Ed Bennett/Decibel – Togetherness
Fly Vance – Live in London
Gregory Alan Isakov – Evening Machines
Hermit And The Recluse – Orpheus and The Sirens
Larkin Poe – Venom & Faith
Marcin Wasilewski Trio – Live
Papa M – A Broke Moon Rises
Protoje – A Matter of Time
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Years
Shame – Songs of Praise
Soulwax – Essential
The War And The Treaty – The Healing Tide
Tigercats – Pig City
Willie Hightower – Out of the Blue
Wombats – Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life
Let’s pick one of these unfortunates for an unexpected moment in the spotlight, over to you Sarah…
Should have added – sorry for the inevitable spelling mistakes: there are some weird names and titles out there
The following albums were only picked by one person but that one person gave it 20 points
Autechre – NTS Sessions
Bahamas – Earthtones
Deafhaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Frankie Cosmos – Vessel
Gabriel Kahane – Book of Travellers
Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – Everything’s Fine
Kurt Elling – The Questions
Les Big Byrd – Iran Iraq Ikea
Linda Ortega – Liberty
Loma – Loma
Melody’s Echo Chamber – Bon Voyage
Neil Young – -Tonight’s The Night Live
Philip Boa & The Voodooclub – Earthly Powers
Planet Battagon – Battagon Sympathy
Rheingans Sisters – Bright Field
Roger Waters – The Soldiers Tale
Shemekia Copeland – America’s Child
Soft Machine – Hidden Details
Teskey Brothers – Half Mile Harvest Aussie
The Innocence Mission – Sun on the Square
The Pony Collaboration – Everything Was Ages Ago
The Tangent – Proxy
Get on down with Melody and her Chamber https://youtu.be/XFV-eq1nGjY
Off to lie down in a dark room. More tomorrow
Hard work I am sure but I don’t undestand the ranking system. If they are in joint 20th place there will be only 19 albums above them?
What I mean is that if there were 642 unique albums nominated and 21 were the bottom ones with 1 point then they should be tied for place 622.
And then albums with 20 points would be considerably higher? One album getting 20 points would be above another getting 19 x 1 points.
I think he means they got 1 point because just one person named them, and did so placing them in their twentieth place.
Either way those are fascinating lists – the only two I have heard are the Buddy Guy and the Anna Ternheim (which is a lovely record)
Blue Boy is my kind of intelligent Boy…. and, yes, I could have phrased the 20th place/one point thingie
So wouldn’t it make more sense to rank the top 50 or so, rather than naming all the albums that are in the other thread anyway? Just trying to make the job easier!
Nah, this way is much more fun – all I have done so far is tease you with the records that only gained one vote times one or one vote times twenty. Do pay attention
Ok fair enough. Didn’t sleep well last night!
Nae probs – sleep well tonight. I suggest Glenmorangie
Gosh Lodes or whoever you are .
That’s a real labour of love. Bit disappointed I only bought 5 new albums last year now. Hats off or should that be chapeaux?
I feel guilty for not voting for Kurt Elling now. It’s a really good album.
I think what you are saying is that you should have placed Ryland at a modest Number 5?
If I remember correctly, I put Ry at a very modest number 32. How many points did that score?
Under the very fair points system I have applied the No.32 spot gained Ry a modest 76 points
I am just beyond ecstatic – seriously – that Mastersystem garnered more than one vote.
Not sure how many votes they got in total, but it was halfway up my list. Cracking album.
Well done Lodes.
Must say I had no idea of the point system when I voted.
Unsurprised Teskey Brothers were orphans but for lovers of Stax style soul voices give this a listen.
By coincidence, I just heard this on BBC Radio London. Good, innit!
Had never heard the Teskey Brothers before – that’s exceptional. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers @Johnny99
Check out the album.
What a voice! That’s fab.
It’s like waiting for Christmas.
Do we have ability to demand a recount once results are in?
No
Apologies PopPickers for the delay in posting today – been busy ferrying guests to and fro past the gilets jaunes
Here are Numbers 41 to 50
41. Father John Misty – God’s Favourite Customer : 78 points
42= .Mark Knopler – Down The road Wherever: 77 points
42= Trembling Bells – Dungeness: 77 points
44. Khruangbin – Con Todo El Mundo: 76 points
45= Josh Rouse – Love In The Modern Age: 75 points
45= Mary Gauthier – Rifles and Rosary Beads: 75 points
47. John Grant – Love is Magic: 74 points
48= Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino: 72 points
48= Charles Lloyd and Lucinda Williams – Vanished Gardens: 72 points
48= David Crosby – Here if You Listen: 72 points
Two of my choices in here David Crosby. I’ve dismissed almost all of his post-CSNY albums but c’mon you people -this is really good! As for Charles & Lucinda – just listen late at night, ok?
So instead try this https://youtu.be/vWLJeqLPfSU
As the excitement builds here’s 31 to 40
31. Big Big Train – Merchants of Light: 98 points
32. Idles – Joy As An Act of Resistance: 97 points
33. David Byrne – America Utopia: 96 points
34. Let’s Eat Grandma – I’m All Ears: 95 points
35. Oladur Arnalds – re:member: 93 points
36. Fatoumata Diawara – Fenfo: 87 points
37. Marianne Faithful – Negative Capability: 84 points
38. John Prine – The Tree of Forgiveness: 83 points
39. Teleman – Family of Aliens: 82 points
40. Olivia Chaney – Shelter: 81 points
Only one of mine in this lot is Let’s Eat Grandma – go girls, go!
Even though this sounds like Brian Eno was asked to do the soundtrack for The Bridge (Series 5) it is rather lovely https://youtu.be/oAhO5eegMfY
I’m disappointed Fatoumata only managed 36th.
Yeah, I felt the same
Glad to see Marianne Faithfull getting some recognition. She has a very underrated body of work and has turned out some great albums in recent years, choosing her collaborators wisely. I’m not usually in favour of artists ‘covering’ their own songs, but Faithfull’s delivery of As Tears Go By on this new album is fuelled by every single day of the rather colourful life she’s led since she first recorded it 50 odd years before, and I think this new version should now be considered the definitive one.
This. It’s a wonderful album.
The main thing these lists have encouraged me to do is to buy a little Bluetooth control for my phone so I can keep my phone in my pocket ( or on my desk) and stream songs while pretending I’m using a little mp3 player… I think Spotify or Amazon may be the main beneficiary!
Here we go with 21 to 30.
21= Jonathan Wilson – Rare Birds: 116 points
21 = Sons of Kemet – Your Queen is a Reptile: 116 points
23. GoGo Penguin – A Humdrum Star: 115 points
24= Calexico – The Thread That Keeps Us Up: 113 points
24= Gretchen Peters – Dancing With The Beast: 113 points
26. Suede – The Blue Hour: 108 points
27. Courtney Barnett – Tell Me: 100 points
28= Bennett Wilson Poole – Bennett Wilson Poole: 99 points
28= Gaz Coombes – World’s Strongest Man: 99 points
28= Robyn – Honey: 99 points
Nary of my selections in there so here’s somebody I had not listened to before (and to be honest he will not be troubling my turntable again) https://youtu.be/Eml1o1eCeKk
My top two are in this section.
As for Gaz Coombes, I never liked Supergrass, perceiving them as frivolous cartoon pop, but this album is a mature collection reflecting on life and the state of the world today. It took some time to worm its way into my affections but now I can’t get enough of it.
You are wrong about Supergrass, possibly basing your opinion on one (or two) novelty singles, they were a fantastic, versatile band who never made a bad album, and completely awesome live. Shame they never really got the success they deserved (outside novelty singles).
I’m prepared to admit my opinion is prejudiced. I do have two of their albums somewhere, the blue one and the brown one, but I haven’t listened to them for the best part of twenty years.
Give his previous album a go – I can’t imagine anyone who enjoys WSM not liking Matador.
Ok. I’ll try Matadour.
I just listened via Spotify to Venom & Faith by Larkin Poe, on your one measly point list. Blimey! They didn’t sound like that when I saw them back in 2009! Sounds a corking album to me
It passed me by this year (wonder how that happened) but yup a belter
The tension is so high you could cut butter with a knife… it’s numbers 11 -20.
11= Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour: 159 points
11= The Jayhawks – Back Roads and Abandoned Hotels: 159 points
13. Poppy Ackroyd – Resolve: 149 points
14. Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer: 147 points
15. Phosphorescent – C’est la Vie: 140 points
16. Jon Hopkins – Singularity: 130 points
17. The Decemberists – I’ll Be Your Girl: 128 points
18. Tracy Thorn – Record: 127 points
19= Field Music – Open Here: 124 points
19= Kamasi Washington – Heaven and Earth: 124 points
Over the past few days I’ve been coming to the conclusion that if I could do my own list again Poppy Ackroyd might well be my No1 but instead and almost as good here’s the mighty Jayhawks https://youtu.be/ppQIbEu3mps
You know what – that’s the Track Of 18 right there
Rubbish! I could barely stifle a yawn. Dull, dull, dull.
This, however, is bursting with life. Ironic really, given that it’s Prince’s final gift to the world, delivered via the medium of Janelle Monae.
Make Me Feel.
That’s my track of the year too. In fact, I played it to the wife with the quiz question of who was her mentor. She got it right. Very quickly.
Ooooh! Finally! Got two of these! Thought I was right out on my own little musical island up until this list.
That’s six of mine so far. Janelle Monae deserved better.
Asking for a stupid friend who can’t see the 4 albums they voted for anywhere? Stiil to come? He reckons he was the only person to vote for them. Or she was.
Unless your picks were among the 50 most popular or you were the only personne to plump for your number one selection you may not see any of ‘em on this thread..
(*but if you want a virtual hug, bring it in. Come on. Ooh that feels good*)
What Sewer said. I was going to add at the end of all this that if anyone wants the entire spreadsheet with every vote cast then PM me and it shall be done
@fortuneight – your No1 selection was mirrored by one other person (Bargepole, as it happens)
My friend thanks you.
Oh come on it’s Sunday morning here I’ve gotta get up and make breakfast…
The sun rises in a blue, blue sky although outside it’s literally freezing. In the cosy warmth of our kitchen as the maids scurry to and fro preparing a sumptuous breakfast I present Numbers 6 to 10.
Tune in a few hours time for the final Reveal!
10. Christine & The Queens – Chris: 160 points
9. Jeff Tweedy – Warm: 161 points
8. Elvis Costello – Look Now: 165 points
7. First Aid Kit – Ruins: 166 points
6. Paul McCartney – Egypt Station: 194 points
Jeff Tweedy should have obviously been higher-placed but new to my ears is the rather good https://youtu.be/wp3op-DYFG4
Laters….
That’s a great video, isn’t it?
Nope, nothing here. Come on, HMHB, come to my rescue in the final five!
Only voted for 2 and they are in this section.
Elvis and P McC
Who says we are old farts?
Gets even worse I’m afraid..we’re like at The Cutting Edge we are – if by Cutting Edge you mean slippers, a warm fire and the odd fart
I’m liking the second ten better than the first.
Perhaps the only real surprise in the Top Five ?
Nils Frahm – All Melody 199 points
No Surprise here – my number 1
Undeniable album, spectacular sound and textures
And hurtling in (at a very sedate pace) at Number 4
Richard Thompson – 13 Rivers 202 points
https://youtu.be/mFWWfvCK8d4
An extremely pleasant surprise at No.3. What a great bunch we are!
Half Man Half Biscuit – No One Cares About Your Creative Hub So Get Your Fuckin’ Hedge Cut: 210 points
Bri thought this was the only album of note released in 2018. I thought it was ho-hum. Most of you agreed with Bri
No2. Paul Weller – True Meanings 216 points
Not effin’ Ryland at your predicted top place.
Fix, I say, fix!
I will attempt some sort of analytical analysis anon but rest assured our No1 is Number One whichever voting process you use – whether it’s number of mentions, 20 points down to 1, the Formula 1 grid or whatever, Ry is the man.
Ry Cooder – Prodigal Son 349 points
Thank you for your hard work and by no doubt believable deliberations. I wonder if it will be remembered as long as Sufjan’s effort of a year or so back, the name of which escapes me, thank the lord. (Given I own em both, I can confirm Ry better than Suf tho’ but is is still far from his bestest, IMHO.)
You are a marvel, Lodestone. A seer, a sage and a showman; a master of the endless drumroll of a slow reveal. I am in awe.
Yes. Got to agree. Not just sterling work in your role as Tally Ho, but a true sense of theatre to your tantalising multi-day reveal. You were born for this, my friend..
Actually, peering at the stats the only way Ry could have been defeated was if the poll had been decided on the number of people who gave their favourite record 20 points. In that case Mr Weller wins but seeing nearly twice as many people voted for Ry ( virtually every position from 1 to 20) ….
Magnificent work Lodes – thanks for doing this so brilliantly. Ry is a deserved winner.
Not the most adventurous of lists, really, is it? But some great stuff there – not only the old farts, many of whom produced genuinely decent records, but also the likes of Janelle Monae, Christine and the Queens, Kacey Musgraves and Robyn.
If I had my time again I’d probabaly include the Arctic Monkeys which has really grown on me, and placed Chris higher. And although it’s very early doors, bugger me sideways but Van’s new album actually sounds great, completely contrary to all expectations.
Now then, must give Nils Frahm another chance….
That’s what I was thinking. Nils Frahm deserves another chance.
No he doesn’t – play Poppy instead ( the views of the Head Judge are always certain, sometimes Wrong)
It’s been a pleasure waiting for this over the last few days and thank you for your hard work.
Did I miss was the Low album in the list? Surprised if it didn’t make it.
And sorry everyone I did try the RC album, not for me I’m afraid.
Low surprisingly just missed the Top 50 by one point.
It’s like Brexit all over again. We wuz robbed.
And so to January and the HMV sale (BUY BUY BUY if only for @kid-dynamite and his ilk): I have hoovered up a lot of the recommended but unfamiliar to me ones from trustworthy names. And, dare I say it, that Paul Weller feller has indeed produced a corker that would have certainly made my top 5 had I not had a lasting prejudice based on his popularity. I think Changing Man was the last I bought by him.
Believe it or not, I haven’t heard a single album from the entire list! Not one! Wow. I might be on the wrong blog…..
Ah well, lots of recommendations to get on with then!
Are you sure you dialled the right number? Seriously, for me the best bit of all this has been the amount of new stuff for me to listen to
So far I have dipped my toe in Paul Weller (oo-er missus). Hmph….. nah, a bit too “soft” for me. He’s really mellowed over the years, hasn’t he? This sounds like something David Gates would reject for not being edgy enough…..
You have expressed my feelings exactly, especially “David Gates reject”. But as everyone knows is true “The People Have Spoken”
I don’t think mellower equates to worse. Indeed it had me minded of such mellow souls as John Martin at times. The penultimate track, just strings and Weller, is however truly shite, like the closing song on a bad and sentimental cartoon version of Tarka the otter or some such.
Thanks for the hard work, Lodestone. I have added many titles to my list of things to buy and listen to this year.
Wow I have 23 out of the top 50 which is a better ratio than Uncut or Mojo.
How Afterword am I?
Good effort Lodey.
Thanks for all the effort, Lodestone. And thanks to everyone else here, without this place I’d never have heard of the likes of Poppy Ackroyd or Sons of Kemet. I should probably give that Ry bloke a listen…
Another pat on the back for the number crunching, LoW.
The Paul Weller album is deserving of a place in the top list. It is a great album, rather than “another” Paul Weller album – one with a bit of longevity and distance to it.
I am going to investigate this Ryvita Cooper chap to see what all the fuss is about
👏👏👏👏
Not sure why you have posted four carrots but Love and Peace and thanks to you for listening
You made up that top 5 didn’t you? Actually that is sterling work, sorry that I doubted you, I was so unfair …
No interest in Ry, have been a huge Weller fan at times but one Spotify listen did not convince me of the new album’s greatness. Last one I loved was 22 Dreams.
From Lodestone of Wrongness to Lodestone of Ryness! And what a trip it was.
Even though I did not vote, I thoroughly enjoyed the way that you curated this project and look forward to exploring all those exciting names among the also rans.
Glad to see an appearance by Bagarmossen local heroes Les Big Byrd. And nonplussed to watch those other Stockholm faves, the Söderberg girls from Enskede get more points than Elvis Costello.
Well done, Lodey! We are lucky to have you!
what other music poll would have Nils Frahm and Half Man Half Biscuit in its top 5 of the year? Answer none.
Pleased that NF getting some broad recognition – go see him live if you get the chance.
Good work Lodey, even if the top end of the chart is largely uninspiring. I have just over half of the 50, but half of those probably won’t get many listens moving forward. But a good dozen or so of my own top 50 have come from recommendations from folk on here, so I do like looking through everybody’s individual lists.
Great work Mr. Lodes and much appreciated (even if Kacey didn’t make the top 10. Can only be because people hadn’t got round to listening, otherwise would have been the runaway winner).
Well done Lodes. You work and all those voters spurred me on. Yesterday, after perusing this thread, and unable to go for my usual lunchtime run (knee injury), I ventured out to the Creepy HMV.
As a result I now own copies of four of the top five plus number seven. Before that I only had number three.
HMV seemed more anxious to shift their (surplus?) copies of “True Meaning” (£4.99) than “Look Now” (£6.99). I helped them out with both of those plus “All Melody” and “13 Rivers” on the Two-for-£15 deal. I’d have gone for Prodigal Son too but, they didn’t appear to have it. They did have some Ry Cooder and I’m beginning to think I might have not have recognised it in the racks. My injury was making me a bit tetchy.
I’ve got history with Paul Weller and Elvis Costello. Their recent stuff hasn’t really bitten me – fingers crossed that I’ve got my expectations set at the right level for these two.
The assistant who served me, approximately one third of my age, enthused about “All Melody”.
I hung my nose over the Kate Bush I & II vinly boxes at £162 for the pair but resisted. If I win the HMV monthly £100 voucher draw I will return and do the decent thing.
Congratulations Lodestone, what an achievement and much appreciated by me…I know I’m in the right place with Costello, the surprisingly good latest McCartney, Half Man Half Biscuit and Weller all in the top 10. I’ve a long term relationship with all these artists and always WANT to like their latest. In 2018 I didn’t have to try too hard to!
“In 2018 I didn’t have to try too hard to” – with the names you mentioned that gives me some encouragement.