Your Top Ten Vinyl Albums Of 2011

These 2011 releases or purchases?

anyway

Steve Earle - I'll Never Get Out of the World Alive

Shelby Lynne - Tears, Lies and Alibis.

Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat - Everything's Getting Older

Metronomy - The English Riviera

Including purchases of older birth:

Sigur Ros - Inni

Mogwai - Hardcore will never die, but you will

Pink Floyd - Dark side of the moon 2011

Danzig - S/T

Black Sabbath - Rhino remasters (S/T, Paranoid, Masters, Vol 4, Sabbath bloody Sabbath, Heaven and hell)

Ramones - First 4 on Rhino vinyl

Metallica - Ride the lightning (1st pressing on Megaforce Records)

Slayer - South of heaven (1st press Def Jam)

Slayer - Seasons in the abyss (1st press Def Jam)

JImi Hendrix - Winterland

At the moment

Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning

Opeth - Heritage

Memories Of Machines - Warm Winter

Joe Bonamassa/Beth Hart - Don't Explain

The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

> I have had enough of Tommy Walsh's Eco House

Not possible 

The best vinyl album of this year is an obvious choice, as one record stands head and shoulders above all others and is better than any of the reissues too. 

From Something's Rotten In The Back Of Iceland through Joy In Leeuwarden and Excavating Rita to Rock And Roll Is Full Of Bad Wools this is a wonderful, wonderful album. Of course, you could ignore it and risk going through life without ever knowing just how marvellous popular music can be.

90 Bisodol (Crimond)

'The title is from the lyrics to Tommy Walsh's Eco House. Crimond is the Jessie Seymour Irvine tune, as featured in brackets after the title "The Lord Is My Shepherd" in almost every wedding order of service. Just to let people know what tune it was going to be sung to on this occasion, as if anyone thought there was another tune. It's also a village in the north east of Scotland, near Peterhead'.

There have been some great records from Florence, Polly Jean and the Ozrics, but this is rather special. 

Hi Guido.  The genius behind Half Man Half Buscuit is Nigel Blackwell and I often stop to talk to him as we both walk our dogs locally.  I know him as the singer with HMHB but must admit that I have never really heard their stuff.  Pehaps this album is a good place to start?

Couple of best albums so far for 2011...

Washed out - Within and without

M83 - Hurry up we're dreaming

The Horrors - Skying

Radiohead - King of Limbs

I'd always recommend "Cammel Laird Social Club" as the best place to start with HMHB. However, it is not available on vinyl. The latest album is. Some of the early releases are still available on vinyl (never ever pay over the odds for them as Probe Plus in Liverpool can usually find you a copy). The debut "Back in the DHSS" made in mid 80s is raw, but lots of good songs. 

I've never spoken to Nigel, but Geoff at Probe Plus sent me signed copies of lots the singles. 

I've always loved what they did ever since Trumpton Riots (the beginning). If you want to hear some of their stuff then you can for free on their HMHB web site - check out the Audio section. Nigel doesn't do lyric sheets, so there is a HMHB Lyrics Project (here).

Lyrically they were always outstanding, musically they have improved and are quite accomplished on the latest record. The best ever song according to fans vote was a Country Practice, which tells a sad tale and is extremely moving.  

And you've got to admire somebody who says no to an appearance on The Tube because Tranmere Rovers had a home game (perhaps Nigel was hoping to see one of Dave Challinor's long throws - sort of Rory Delap with 10 extra yards).   

He also went to see a big record company about signing a deal, but gave them the £50 expenses back and went home. Geoff brings out all his records and a big record company just wouldn'y work. He is never going to write just for commercial success. 

He quotes his main source of inspiration as day time TV. 

All the best, Guy

Guy

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.  I shall now pay them a bit more attention and check out your recommendations.

Cheers

OK ignoring re-issues of which there were some excellent ones Grey & Pink (Caravan), McCartney II, Heaven in Your Mind (Traffic), Aqualung being four of the best, then my 8 selections, which I think are all 2011 new releases, are

1. 90 Bisodol (Crimmond) - Half Man Half Biscuit

2. Let England Shake - Polly Jean Harvey

3. Paper Monkeys - Ozric Tentacles

4. Ceremonials - Florence + the Machine

5. Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi

6. I Love You Go Easy - Devon Sproule

7. Revolution Road - Shelby Lynne

8. How to Become Clairvoyant - Robbie Robertson 

Guy,

Nice 8.

I cant fault them.

I have 7 of them,Flo to come i think? as its better than the first by a long way.

This is still in my top three at the mo though.

Still one of the very best this year imo.

Stu

Shame Kate's new album, While Mortals Sleep, is not available on vinyl, still it is a nice collection of festive songs with brass band accompanying her.  Christy Moore doesn't seem to release on vinyl any longer either. If they had been on vinyl then I'd have included them. 

Well probably not so cool to admit it, but this vinyl album is a collection of super songs and I really like it - it is definitely in my top 10. 

Guy,

These are both in my top 10 .

Noels brothers band.

Both very good albums.

Might have to make this a top 20 of 2011.

Stu.

Bought very little vinyl this year.  One stand out album is Wilco's The Whole Love.  Well worth a spin.

Peter