JOHN EMMS MUSIC REVIEWS

The best pop cd’s always contain some rock, some pop,R & B and even alt country. This year we put ROCK cd’s such as Black Country Communion 2 in the ROCK category. These cd’s are not in order. They are also ONLY what I have personally heard this year. Again, only what I have heard and played all year on my radio show

THE KOOKS-Junk Of The Heart-Revealing lyrics,  great melodies and if you saw the band on David Letterman or on tour they do it all with just four members.

DAVE STEWART-The Blackbird Diaries -His best solo cd, great guest players and one of the most natural sounding cd’s I have heard for the last 3 or 4 years. Amazing.

COLDPLAY-MYLO XYLOTO-Layered, complicated, uncomplicated, pure pop, smart and plenty of integrity

ADELE 21-Easily gets  my vote for simply plain killer talent. Often just voice, piano and superb vocal

BLACKFIELD-(above) Welcome To My DNA-Few artists this year have this much originality, heart and integrity as Steven Wilson and Aviv Geffen.  It’s the real thing

THE DECEMBERISTS-THE KING IS DEAD-Wow, simply put their best work of their career. Alt country supreme.

ROBBIE ROBERSTON-HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT-Personal songs, gorgeous production and Roberston at his most organic

CITY AND COLOUR-Little Hell-Dallas Green goes by his own cred. The music on this album sounds like Green has dug deeper than on any past effort. Gutsy

NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS-Confirms that Gallagher is in a great place. Confident, songwriting up to par and guess what?  His vocals are pretty damn good. 

JAMES MCCARTNEY-The Complete EP Collection-This is just going to plain catch people by surprise. Superb new talent.

THE MIDWAY STATE-PARIS OR INDIA-I have not heard a young band this organically in tune with their own writing and talent. Watch out. Pick this up.

DAWES-NOTHING IS WRONG-Exactly what I said. Great songwriting, alt county and pop-ORGANIC as all get out

RON HAWKINS-STRAITJACKET LOVE-Compelling songcraft, lyrically superb and hits you in all the right places 

JIM CUDDY-SKYSCRAPER SOUL-Cuddy simply knows what is right for him. In turn it’s great for us. Very Nice Work

AMOS LEE-MISSION BELL-My early fave of the year from Jan 2011. His best work to date. I always go back to it

ERIC CHURCH-CHIEF Best straight up country recording of the year.  Bar none. Wow!

No doubt, I have forgot something, but yes your right. No GLEE stuff in my pile

JOHN EMMS is a musician, radio host http://emms.podbean.com/  and long time music journalist www.johnemms.com