Everyone will be trying to tip the winner but here at Any Decent
Music we think the albums have already been judged.
Of the 12 albums shortlisted 11 have featured in the ADM chart
over the last 12 months. The only exception being Kit Downes Trio
who were not reviewed by the majority of our sources.
So get your money on The Modfather now.
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8.13
Paul Weller
Wake Up The Nation
Weller has jettisoned the more folkie elements that gave 22 Dreams
its reflective tone, reinforcing instead the rock and soul core of
his music
The Independent
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8.10
The XX
XX
For a debut album it's brilliantly realised and contains not an
inch of flab across its 11 songs. Debut album of the year? It's
beyond doubt.
musicOMH
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8.02
Laura Marling
I Speak Because I Can
Her first triumph: a collection of literary and emotional songs
to have you whooping with joy or fighting off tears, with tunes
that deliver new riches with each listen
The Guardian
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7.89
Villagers
Becoming A Jackal
A marvellous showcase for O'Brien: not only his voice and his way
with a tune, but also the way he weaves together words and images
in a way that simultaneously please and - yes - slightly frighten
the listener
The Line Of Best Fit
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7.66
Wild Beasts
Two Dancers
Doesn't so much follow up their debut as announce Wild Beasts as
one of our genuinely special bands, one that can compete - in terms
of both musical and lyrical ingenuity as well as sheer pop nous -
with any US act
Drowned In Sound
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7.66
The Foals
Total Life Forever
In broadening their horizons they've not sacrificed quality, every
note and sound is perfectly executed. Foals have made impressive
strides forward, and you'd be mad not to follow them
musicOMH
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7.41
I Am Kloot
Sky At Night
Sky at Night is the sound of a band that have never been more
comfortable in their own skin
State
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7.33
Biffy Clyro
Only Revolutions
Keeping up this level of creative, powerful and outlandish
melodic hard rock isn't just going to keep the band's head above
water - from here, they could part the Red Sea if they wanted
to
FasterLouder
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7.25
Corinne Bailey Rae
The Sea
The Sea is simultaneously sweet, poignant and, more than anything,
quietly inspiring
Eye Weekly
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6.77
Dizzee Rascal
Tongue N' Cheek
If it's less wilfully uncommercial than his earlier oeuvre, which
frequently made the listener feel like they were being mugged in
the middle of an amusement arcade, its distorted synthesisers are
still edgily thrilling.
The Guardian
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6.19
Mumford And Sons
Sigh No More
Angst-ridden indiscretions aside, 'Sigh No More' is a fine debut
from a band that's patiently picked up the tools of its trade, and
chosen the right moment to give them full rein
NME