Well Alt-j it was then. When their debut was released in the UK
on 28 May, 2012 the initial reaction from our sources was very
positive with Clash, music OMH and the BBC being particularly
enthusiastic. Only The Fly and Mojo weren't singing their
praises.
The US release in September, however, brought their ADM rating
crashing down with Pitchfork being particularly scathing.
Check out who described the album as "pompous whimsy" and and
who deemed it "electrifying" here
For the record here's how our ADM sources rated this year's
nominated albums. (Roller Trio were not reviewed by the majority of
our sources. Our ratings are calculated to the second decimal
point).
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7.9
Plan B
LIll Manors
On a production level, this album is cutting-edge, on a lyrical
level it is brutally brilliant. It will melt your ears and your
heart.
The Daily Telegraph
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7.9
Jesse Ware
Devotion
Such a strong début from such a promising talent that
offers qualities and sounds we all forgot we liked.
Line Of Best Fit
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7.8
Django Django
Django Django
Surely this debut won't be topped in 2012.
The Guardian
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7.6
Alt-J
An Awesome Wave
Like many felt when The xx released their eponymous LP, it seemed
too complete and rounded to ever be a debut. Alt-J are similarly
composed. Young, yet somehow void of naivety. Vibrant, yet
artistically matured.
Clash
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7.6
Richard Hawley
Standing At The Sky's Edge
An impressive record and one which will surely feature in many
best of lists come the end of the year.
The AU Review
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7.4
Michael Kiwanuka
Home Again
A wonderful collection of exquisitely arranged and performed
soulful grooves.
Entertainment.ie
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7.2
Field Music
Plumb
Plumb is polite and smart, arranging its unceasing collection of
hooks like books on a shelf.
A.V. Club
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7.0
The Maccabees
Given To The Wild
The album is beautifully structured, leading from spare and
shimmery beginnings into harder, weirder and more varied
territories.
NME
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7.0
Lianne La Havas
Is Your Love Big Enough?
Lianne La Havas is the biz, and Is Your Love Big Enough? rises
effortlessly to the occasion.
The Irish Times
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7.0
Sam Lee
Ground Of Its Own
Sam Lee is a shining and original talent on the British folk
scene.
Evening Standard
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6.8
Ben Howard
Every Kingdom
Comparisons to greats like Nick Drake and John Martyn are
well earnt, because Ben Howard appears to have wiseness beyond his
22 years.
This Is Fake DIY