Albums of the Year, part II

To see the first part, click here.

#8 Postcards from a Young Man

Manic Street Preachers

The last year saw the Manics dealing with past on an album that also may be considered a comeback. Behind Postcards is a completely different story. Prior to the release, the band had announced this would be their last shot at mass communication, which is why it's a pop album to the core, aimed at the widest audience. But that doesn't matter since it's nothing short of powerful rock anthems and guitar solos. I didn't use to be a huge Manics' fan but Postcards changed that in an instant.

Best tracks: (It's Not War) Just The End Of Love, A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun, Don't Be Evil

#7 Interpol

Interpol

Another album I had been impatiently waiting for and still, I was surprised after I gave it the very first spin. It wouldn't be hard to doom Interpol's latest effort. The songs are seemingly heading nowhere as if the band were lost in their own world. Paul Banks' voice may sound distant and bored. But things are not so simple this time around. The album is a grower. All the band's trademarks are still present here and it's their most consistent work to date. It certainly stands as an important milestone in their career, and not just because the bassist Carlos D left after completion.

Best tracks: Success, Barricade, Always Malaise (The Man I Am)

#6 Congratulations

MGMT

Oracular Spectacular had some great singles. On the contrary, MGMT's sophomore album lacks them altogether. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's worse. In this case, it means the exact opposite. I'm an album listener, I like to play them from beginning to the end and hardly ever skip any tracks. Congratulations is just the sort of record, that aims at listeners like myself. It's forty-four minutes long, coherent body of work that flows smoothly towards the end, which comes just when you realise you want to hear more.

Best tracks: Flash Delirium, Siberian Breaks, Congratulations

#5 The Betrayed

Lostprophets

My first highly anticipated album of the year. A long story, spanning over three years, preceded the release, which was delayed numerous times due to problems with labels and producers. That being said, Lostprophets without wavering lived up to my expectations. The Betrayed is a rare case of a record, where a band succeeds at combining elements of all its previous efforts while accomplishing to sound renewed and different. This time, it's angrier, heavier, darker and with their best song since Last Train Home (Where We Belong).

Best tracks: Where We Belong, For He's a Jolly Good Felon, Sunshine

#4 American Slang

The Gaslight Anthem

It certainly wasn't easy living up to everyone's expectations after The '59 Sound. Fortunately, The Gaslight Anthem proved their previous effort didn't happen by chance and were able to create arguably even a better album. Every time I listen to American Slang, I have to admire the flawless production and Brian Fallon's heartfelt lyrics and singing. When it comes to incorporating past influences and inspiration and blending punk with 1960's rock n' roll while sounding utterly present and relevant, The Gaslight Anthem have no equals.

Best tracks: Stay Lucky, Boxer, The Spirit of Jazz

#3 High Violet

The National

There really isn't much to say about High Violet, except that it's damn good. In the competition for the best indie album of the year, it came close second. It's a typical grower. Initially, the songs hardly ever caught my attention as they're rather slow and seem to never take off. But once I gradually began to immerse into the captivating tunes and Matt Berninger's voice, I realised there's a lot going on underneath. High Violet is a very personal record, as well as it's mature. Plus, it features my favourite cover art of the year.

Best tracks: Anyone's Ghost, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Conversation 16

#2 Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

My Chemical Romance

It had been four long years of waiting for the band to release a follow-up to the highly ambitious Black Parade. After a long touring, contribution to the Watchmen soundtrack, scrapping of a completed album and yet another radical change of image (and haircuts), Danger Days finally arrived.

Because of the long wait, I wasn't sure if I cared about the band anymore. But then the trailer campaign struck and My Chem released the first single, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), and I was again on board with them. Danger Days sounds like a band having more fun than ever. From the tight production to Gerard Way's affective singing, the album sounds both typical MCR and completely different from what we used to hear from these guys. It's one hell of a ride and easily the best rock n' roll album of the year.

Best tracks: Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), Bulletproof Heart, Summertime

#1 The Suburbs

Arcade Fire

To be honest, I was mildly disappointed when I first heard The Suburbs back in the summer. At that time, it didn't seem to be a worthy follow-up to Funeral or Neon Bible. Fortunately, it grew on me like any other album, surpassing everything that's been released this year. Although, it's a concept album, where everything is heading towards the monumental peak on the closing track Sprawl II, each song works just as good on its own, mixing musical ambition with mainstream accessibility. The Suburbs may be the most epic effort of Arcade Fire's career, compelling, enthralling and gripping.

Best tracks: City With No Children, We Used to Wait, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)