2021 - The Albums

[Toontrev]

2021 looks to be going out with more of a whimper than a bang, again. Another year of lockdown(s) and brief glimpses of post-pandemic freedom from masks and vaccinations. The world has changed, lunatics have taken over the asylum and a Dutchman is the new Formula 1 champion!

But - music is still being made, creativity thrives under pressure, and new delights have emerged to keep us sane whilst surrounded by madness and despondency.

My first discovery of the year was Eefje de Visser's 'Bitterzoet' (Bittersweet), a hypnotic, surreal voyage that entrances and delights (don't mind the Dutch lyrics - it's the mood and atmosphere that matter).



2021 should have been her year, a hit album and major European tour were in the planning; things didn't quite work out that way - so she went and had a baby instead.

Another dose of eclectic weirdness - and this time from windswept Denmark - Efterklang 'Windflowers' is an optimistic ray of light for a sombre world. Uplifting and thought-provoking. Proof that Corona can produce good things.



After lying in a cupboard for decades, the tapes of a concert from 1965 were found and issued as John Coltrane 'A Love Supreme Live in Seattle', a sprawling blast of megawatt-intensity as Coltrane and co blaze through what must be his finest work. A rare opportunity to hear the master in action for those of us born too late for the Jazz Age.

Looking for something quieter - try Max Richter, the Corona-period has had him in the studio and the result is 'Voices 2' a follow-up to last years 'Voices' which was a cry for human respect and the right to exist. 'Voices 2' is an ambient work of calm beauty that must have Brian Eno going green with envy. Tranquility encapsulated.

From the same generation of contemporary classical/electronic crossover artists is Olafur Arnalds 'Some Kind of Peace`



At the moment, this is my contender for 'Album of the Year' as it has just about everything you could want: delicate songs, gorgeous atmospherics and stunning production. Arnalds best work to date and rivals 'All Melody' from his sparring partner Nils Frahm. This record is truly worth a listen (be warned - it will find a place in your heart).

If having your heartstrings pulled is your thing - get hold of Elbow 'Flying Dream 1' which has them in quiet introspection on the stage of a deserted theatre. The lockdown has given this wonderful band the chance to show what they are capable of with a sensitive, melancholy warmth.

"Poor old Fret - he's gone all soft!". Stop sniggering at the back there and crawl in submission at the feet of Samantha Fish 'Faster' - then tell me who's soft!



To round up this look back at 2021; a taster for 2022 Tangerine Dream 'Probe 6-8 (EP)' points the way to a new album from TD with a new lineup that is still following the path laid down by the late, great Edgar Froese. Something to look forward to.


These were the new releases I did hear this year - in-between manically rebuilding my former vinyl collection and obsessively pursuing the likes of The Durutti Column and Nektar.

So what other excellent music have I missed out on, anyone?

[Lindsayt]

Were there any mainstream original music releases in 2021 that got a dark green DR rating?
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list/year/desc

[CN211276]

Were there any mainstream original music releases in 2021 that got a dark green DR rating?
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list/year/desc

Looked at the first page and am familiar with three of the albums. The Alice Cooper one sounds good to these ears, the Pretty Reckless one ok but the Whitesnake one is spoilt by compression, as is all of their most recent releases.

[Grumpytim]

Been an odd year, more OK'ish albums than really good ones.

[CN211276]

more OK'ish albums than really good ones.

Has been like that for the past 30 years.

[slinger]

Some of the best albums I've picked up this year...

Del Amitri - Fatal Mistakes
Jackie Leven - The Mystery Of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery Of Death
Ruts DC - ElectrAcoustiC
V.A. - The Wanderer - A Tribute to Jackie Leven
Bernie Marsden - Kings & Chess (The first two albums in his new "Inspirations" series)
V.A. - ...Celebrate the Music of Peter Green and the Early Years of Fleetwood Mac
Gary Moore - How Blue Can You Get
Pistol Annies - Hell Of A Holiday

[Theo]

10 that come to mind for me. Mostly jazz:

Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders - Promises
Portico Quartet - Terrain
Alfa Mist - Bring Backs
Emma Jean-Thackray - Yellow
Hannah Peel - Fir Wave
Jaubi - Nafs at Peace
Nick Walters / Paradox Ensemble - Implicate Order
Lady Blackbird - Black Acid Soul
Rosie Frater-Taylor - Bloom
Neil Angilley Trio - Yambou

[Fretless]

The Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders looks to be an intriguing listen. I'll have to check that out.

[CN211276]

My twelve favourite albums of 2021 are -

Iron Maiden - Senjutsu
Alice Cooper - Detroit Stories
Accept - Too mean to die
U.D.O. - Game Over
Lucifer - iv
The Pretty Reckless - Death by rock n roll
Dream Theatre - A view from the top of the world
Neil Young - Barn
Suzi Quatro - The devil in me
Rod Stewart - The tears of Herculese
Blackmore's Night - Nature's Light
Robert Plant & Allison Kraus - Raise the roof

[Fretless]

'Barn' is one I need to get. Dream Theater's latest as well.