Bearded’s Best Of 2011

Well, that's it folks, the year is almost at its end, and putting everything else aside, it's been a pretty good year for music. Okay, maybe sales are still down and bands/artists/venues/labels are struggling, but the ones who are fighting to show their art and do what they love are excelling in their efforts, and that's something we at Bearded Magazine want to celebrate.

Rather than compile a large meaningless list of records we've loved from independent bands over the last 52 weeks, we've decided to get the people who write the reviews to give us their favourite record of the year. And unlike any other list out there, this one will be completely different - filled by passion, and with no other agenda.

Keep supporting independent music in 2012, and that way we'll keep real music alive.


Beta Hector - Sunbeam Insulin (Tru Thoughts)
In a year, where Grime became the new Hip Hop, and the X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, and commercial 'house' music [and I use that term lightly] dominated the British music scene, Beta Hector really are like a breath of fresh air.
Perhaps I'm slightly sentimental about these genres, but Beta Hector's album Sunbeam Insulin is retro, futuristic trip hop, hip hop, 70's funk, 80's synth combined brilliance. One of the most eclectic and original albums of the year. It was released by the Brighton label Tru Thoughts in September and has been growing momentum ever since. With not much PR behind it, Sunbeam Insulin has created a buzz all of it's own. Take a listen, you won't be disappointed! Beta Hector
Lisa Jenkins


Iceage - New Brigade (Abeano)
If you'd told me last year that bunch of teenagers from Denmark would make my favourite album of 2011, I probably would have laughed at you. Shows what I know. New Brigade is adorable for its brilliantly ramshackle energy. It sounds like it was recorded in a single take on broken equipment in a dingy cellar, probably because it was. Packed with scuffed notes and incomprehensible lyrics, it's a warts-and-all document of band having a great time. That enthusiasm is infectious. Iceage
Runner up: White Denim - D (Downtown)
Huw Thomas


Other Lives - Tamer Animals (Play It Again Sam)
An Oklahoma quintet who deliver swooning gorgeousness with dissonant sideways flickers - like crossing a wide big sky prairie with hints of a storm blowing in the far distance. Beautifully orchestrated and infused with vocal gorgeousness by driving force Jesse Tabish. Other Lives
Runner up: 13&God - Own Your Ghost (Alien Transistor)
Norman Miller


The Haxan Cloak - The Haxan Cloak (Aurora Borealis)
Sound artist Bobby Krilic (for 'tis he) paints a picture with sound, using a pallette of string samples, percussive sounds and electroacoustic tones that skirts the edge of 'terrifying' and comes down slap-bang in the middle of 'ohmygodthere'ssomebodyinthehouse!'. Yep, far from soothing, but utterly gripping all the same. File next to Scott Walker's masterpiece The Drift and Khanate's diseased and paranoiac Things Viral. The Haxan Cloak
Runner up: Shroud Eater - Thunder Noise (self-released)
Paul Robertson


Monsters Build Mean Robots - WeShouldHaveDestroyedOurGeneralsNotTheirEnemies (Nice Weather For Airstrikes)
I've been fortunate enough to have spent the last six months of the year with this record. Through all the high moments it's accompanied my celebrations as much as it has picked me up when i've been low. But it's not the longevity of ownership that puts Monsters Build Mean Robots' second record at the top of my list, it's just the sheer beauty of the post-rock record which raises goosebumps under your skin, the skill and craft of the musicianship on display, and with it only being five tracks long, it's left me yearning for more. Great record label too! MBMR
Runner up: Thrice - Major/Minor (Vagrant)
Peter Clark


Hymns - Cardinal Sins/Contrary Virtues (Pink Mist)This reviewers album of the year, purely for being able to deliver a double disc debut album that offers an incredible look into the mindset of a young songwriter: the ridiculously complimentary mix of anguished vocals, sharp guitar riffs and almost robotic drumming makes for a revolutionary debut album that will ensure this band continue to endear themselves to fans and unknowns alike - whilst not really caring too much. Hymns
Francis Newall


P Money & Blacks - Blacks & P (self-release)
One of the most anticipated releases of 2011 and P Money and Blacks deliver. Both of these OGz artists have differing styles but when put together, the contrast really works; fusing grime and dubstep instrumentals with a host of relevent features. [favourite track : "One 16" feat. Big Narstie and Kozzie]. P Money
Runner up: SBTRKT - SBTRKT (Young Turks)
Deluzzion


Shlohmo - Bad Vibes (Friends Of Friends) Shlohmo
Sam Kelly


Wild Flag - Wild Flag (Wichita)
They might shun the 'supergroup' tag, but this album is proof that it's a fitting description. Wild Flag is everything you need in a record; bold, uncompromising and brilliant, flowing over with big choruses, thrashing drums and psych-edged freak outs, never faltering from start to finish. While a lot of new guitar records feel overdone and backwards-looking, Wild Flag dip into their influences and form a sound that's all their own, and it's a very welcomed wake up call. Wild Flag
Runner up: John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves (Upset The Rhythm)
Liv Willars


Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam (Brownswood)
An incredibly creative debut from the talented and sometimes downright weird Ghostpoet. This Mercury Prize nominated album bends and twists hiphop’s rules and comes out sounding uniquely haunting. By throwing in the darker side of trip hop, dubstep and stream of consciousness lyrics, this is a moody and power piece of work. Sharply observant words to eclectic beats and samples, its an album that stays with you long after its hit its climax. Awesome. Ghostpoet
Runner Up - Battles ' Gloss Drop'
Suzi Ireland