Review: Top Albums Of 2009 (II)

The moment all music lovers have been waiting for, part 2 of the NME-Europe top albums of 2009. There were some class acts among positions 11-20 (click here if you haven't read part 1 yet), but the real cream of the crop is here. As promised, a couple of surprises along the way. Enjoy!


10. Camera Obscura - 'My Maudlin Career'
Camera Obscura have certainly managed to make themselves heard this time without compromising the style which has seen them reach cult status in many countries. Read full review.






9. Muse - 'The Resistance'
From the very start of Muse's much-anticipated fifth studio album 'The Resistance' you are aware that this is quite simply the complete aural experience, which confirms their status as top dogs on Planet Rock. Read full review.






8. Manic Street Preachers - 'Journal For Plague Lovers'
Whilst there are undoubtedly similarities between this 'Journal' and the original 'Holy Bible' - starting with the cover art provided by Jenny Saville -,this is not just another attempt at an earlier winner. Read full review.





7. Placebo - 'Battle For The Sun'
Less glam, less goth, more rock and a blinding album is the result. Hats off to Molko and Co for yet another cracker.






6. Morrissey - 'Years Of Refusal'
If, as he declares, he really has only five years left, we must treasure every offering until D-day arrives and there's no better way to start your personal homage than by getting your hands on a copy of 'Years Of Refusal'. Read full review





5. The Cribs - 'Ignore The Ignorant'
It is clear that Mr. Marr has been instrumental - in all senses of the word - in the development of their sound. Read full review.






4. Overspill Poets - 'Thompson Falls'
It has it all. You want musical poetry? Try 'The Neon Lights Are Beautiful'. Something a little more powerful? How about 'Independence Day' and 'Northern Star'? Meanwhile, 'Boxing Gloves' or 'Summer' keep all nostalgics satisfied. Read full review


And so, the podium awaits...

3. Second - 'Fracciones De Un Segundo'
Everything about Second is very 'Brit'; the look, the sound, the voice and in the previous three albums they even sang in English most of the time! This is the first totally Spanish album, but what doesn't change is the sublime combination of catchy pop songs and heart-searching ballads. The added expertise of producer Carlos Jean means this is Second's most complete album to date. Read full review.







2. The xx - 'XX'
From the moment 'Intro' springs to life, The xx's sound, quite frankly, captivates the listener. The more you hear, the deeper you are drawn into their lair and once you're in there, forget about escaping. Read full review.







1. The Temper Trap - 'Conditions'
Dougal Mandagi's falsetto vocals are angelic, the melodies are exquisite and there's not much else to add - 'Conditions' speaks for itself. Read full review.





So, congratulations to the chosen few. In particular, my hat goes off to two bands; first of all Overspill Poets. By their own definition they are "the poor cousin" 0f the Top 10. One thing I will say is that if your immediate reaction to position Nº 4 was "Overspill Who?", then you should go straight to ReverbNation.com and check out the tracks from 'Thompson Falls'. Secondly, if you'll pardon the pun, I think the fact that Murcian boys, Second, have made it into an international Top 10 is quite a feat for a Spanish band. However, making the top 3 is no less than they deserve after a career spanning 12 years and 4 albums (and at the moment it's difficult to find a rival for them on the Spanish indie scene). 'Fracciones De Un Segundo' is quite simply a fantastic album - had it been released by a British band I'm sure the other NME would have raved (and this time with good reason). Still, you the learned reader know that the most reliable music opinion is here on the alternative NME (the continental one), so why not take my word fot it and can see what Second are all about by clicking here.

Lists are subjective and this one will hopefully stimulate some debate or, at least, make you check out a couple of bands you previously had no idea about. NME-Europe is proud of it (in fact, it's getting into the list idea, so the Top Tracks and Top Albums of the 00s lists are in the pipeline!), it's up to you to approve or not.

NME-Europe Live: MTV Murcia Night

Some might wonder why NME-E has waited three months to comment on this event. This delay has nothing to do with not having time - this site has practically been taunted into writing something and MTV and Placebo are both to blame. Let me put you in the picture:

The 26th July should have been a night to remember for the Region of Murcia. The first of 3 programmed concerts, contracted by the local government at no small cost, saw MTV arrive in Cartagena to offer its MTV Night with a line up seldom seen in these parts; local - and increasingly national - heroes, Second; national stars, Amaral; and internationally famed, Placebo all set to delight an estimated 30,000 fans.

Appearing in front of their biggest crowd ever (probably), local group Second had the opportunity to show the world what they are capable of and did themselves proud. Their set, with top tracks 'Rincón Exquisito' (see video), 'Más Suerte' and the outstanding 'Rodamos' should have been the perfect warm up for international stars Placebo, who somewhat strangely appeared before Amaral.

Amidst mild hysteria, Brian Molko and Co swaggered on to the stage and broke into 'Kitty Litter' with a sound which soon had spectators going wild. A 'pequeño problema' held up the start of their second track, 'Ashtray Heart' but the faithful fans were more than happy to continue bouncing around the place - no one suspecting anything at this stage.

Six tracks in and a few moments of technical crew meddling in bewtween, Molko storms off stage and the rest of the band scurry off behind him. Moments later, an MTV presenter has the unpleasant task of explaining how these things happen at live events but Amaral would be out in next to no time.

'Amaral? Where the f%$k are Placebo?' was the general reaction from an increasingly anxious crowd (the beer had also run out in the tents, bad news). This must be some sort of a mistake. Placebo, the night's main attraction, are only going to play 6 tracks? 'All this for just 30 minutes', complained the bloke next to me having gone on a 600km round trip to see his beloved Goths. Much to our bemusement, later disgust, it was true; Placebo were no more to be seen and the vast majority of the punters trundled off home in disappointment, leaving Amaral to take stage to an understandably annoyed mob.

NME-E, amazed and extremely peeved by goings-on, promptly wrote to Placebo demanding an explanation as to why they could treat fans with such disrespect. Nobody had even noticed the supposed 'technical hitch' which had led to the disappearance, which meant that most were as displeased as I was. Naturally, I didn't receive a reply. What did appear the following day was an official statement on Placebo's website claiming that they'd had to call time on the gig early due to technical difficulties they'd never had before and which meant they couldn't offer the quality they wanted or their 'fans deserved'. They also promised to make it up to us as soon as they could - needless to say nothing has come of this.

As days went by, NME-E's disappointment level waned - mainly as I decided to think about the positives, Second, rather than dwell on the negative. Indeed, I'd almost forgotten about this until last night, when I stumbled across the MTV World Stage programme during a bout of zapping.

Much to my disbelief, I saw Placebo on stage in Murcia, recorded on July 26 2009!!!! The show which was unilaterally cut short due to technical difficulties was blasting out of my TV speakers, Brian Molko all smiles. What a sound, what a voice, what a bloody con!

How can a band fail to carry on with a gig because they are unable to offer their beloved fans a quality show yet allow the first five songs to be broadcast as if nothing was wrong? Is that any way to show respect? Personally, I think not and thus this post is written.

Not that anything will come of my rant, but at least people, Brian Molko and his cronies this time - but who knows who'll be next, should reflect on how Joe Public, dutifully represented by NME-Europe, pays the price for the ego-centric melodramactic carry-ons that certain prima donnas display.

Always look on the bright side of life, though, so here's Second's opener 'Rincón Exquisito'. Technical problems indeed...

Album Reviews: June's Top Of The Pops

Another busy month ahead of the summer festival period. Here's what June had to offer:

Camera Obscura: 'My Maudlin Career' (rating 9/10)
Camera Obscura have certainly managed to make themselves heard this time without compromising the style which has seen them reach cult status in many countries. Read more.






Manic Street Preachers: 'Journal For Plague Lovers' (rating 9/10)
Whilst there are undoubtedly similarities between this 'Journal' and the original 'Holy Bible' - starting with the cover art provided by Jenny Saville -,this is not just another attempt at an earlier winner. Read more.




Cooper: 'Aeropuerto' (rating 8/10)
There are few surprises on 'Aeropuerto', lyrically sound and incisive backed by a tight Power Pop sound with apparent influences as wide-ranging as The Kinks, Paul Weller or Teenage Fanclub, which means there's generally something for everyone. Read more.




And there was more...

Placebo: 'Battle For The Sun' (rating 9/10) Less glam, less goth, more rock and a blinding album is the result. Hats off to Molko and Co for yet another cracker.





Little Boots: 'Hands' (rating 2/10) One of those moments when you regret having a gut feeling. Commercial pish and not really worth a review, but I don't want anyone else to make the same mistake as I did.



Kasms: 'Spayed' (rating 6/10) Brash and certainly not for the light-hearted, but seems to lose its way a little after the opening tracks and ends up being a bit noisy!




Eels: 'Hombre Lobo' (rating 8/10) There's something about songwriter E which is bizarrely addictive and 'Hombre Lobo' merely serves to extend the myth. Sublime combination of country and rock keeps the punters happy.



Kasabian: 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' (rating 8/10) Kasabian maintain their swagger, but also branch out to host a variety of sounds on this at times chaotic piece of work. Psychotic psychadelia, but with some bouncing tracks.



Read May's summary.