My standout albums of 2011

It’s been a plan for roughly six years now, but I’ve never quite got round to compiling a list of my favourite albums from the previous twelve months. That, and this year more than most reminded me of just how much I am confounded by shows like The X Factor. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I prefer my music to sound like it grew up in underground cafés and the grimy backstreets of suburbia, rather than national television.

It’s also been a big year for music. We’ve lost a few stars – 2011 was only a few days old when we learnt of the sad death of Paisley’s Gerry Rafferty. Blues guitarist Gary Moore passed away in February, and towards the end of the year was the tragic yet avoidable death of Amy Winehouse.

On that note, my favourite song from the late Rafferty. Simple, but timelessly wonderful.

 So, onto my list of standout albums from the past year, in no particular order. I’m loathe to call it my ‘best’ albums of 2011, for the simple reason that it’s just my opinion – and I would love to hear feedback on what you think (but do please keep insults to a minimum).

1. We Were Promised Jetpacks – In the Pit of the Stomach

We Were Promised Jetpacks owe a lot to Frightened Rabbit. Not only did the Selkirk five-piece invite them on tour with them a few years back, but the band also recommended Jetpacks to their label. The rest, as they say, is history, with Jetpacks having had a couple of high-profile support slots in America, and general widespread acclaim as one of the saviours of Scottish indie rock, (Hey, anyone remember Travis?).

It might be controversial, but I reckon In the Pit of the Stomach is a far better record than These Four Walls, the band’s debut album. Hurdling that ‘difficult second album’ tag with ease, the sound is a lot ballsier, and almost unsettlingly sinister in places. The songs still sound melancholy and dark, even if the subject matter isn’t, but there’s an overall confidence and something of a swagger to tunes like Human Error and the album’s first single Medicine.
(courtesy of FatCat records)

Rockier than Frightened Rabbit, and less bonkers than the excellent Sons and Daughters, Jetpacks might just be the heirs to Idlewild’s noisy indie crown. Excellent stuff.

2. Austra – Feel It Break

It was a bit of a struggle knowing where to start with Austra, a Canadian electronica band. I first became aware of them thanks to the video for their first single, Lose It, taken off their debut album Feel It Break. Having never taken LSD, I can’t accurately describe the effects but I can’t imagine they’d be vastly different to the trippy, ethereal video accompanying Lose It. In terms of what they sound like, think Depeche Mode fronted by Florence Welch, of Florence and the Machine. Or listen to their single Lose It:
 (courtesy of Domino Records)

Not much else to say about this really, and it’s worth pointing out that it was only after a lot of deliberation that this album made it into my top ten. It was a very close-run thing. Lovely stuff though, if you’re a fan of squelchy electronica.

3. Bwani Junction – Fully Cocked

I owe a big thanks to the guys at radar.scotsman.com, for bringing Bwani Junction to my attention. You might have come across the Edinburgh band’s song Two Bridges, the video for which sees the band repainting the Forth Rail Bridge blue, much to the chagrin of their boss. There are recognisable global influences in the bands’ playing, with offbeat rhythms aplenty and Caribbean-esque beats, something the band is quite proud of – and it does make them stand out. But, I can’t imagine doing anything with this album – quintessentially Scottish in so many ways – than sticking it on loud, and having a few beers and a few friends over, and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. However, I’ll let you make your minds up. Here’s the incredible, uplifting Two Bridges, from the second Scottish band in my list (and we’re only on number three!)

(courtesy of Bwani Junction’s YouTube)

4. Tycho – Dive

This album, courtesy of San Franciscan-based producer Scott Hansen (a.k.a. Tycho) is the perfect companion to a comedown; the soft soundtrack to sobriety. Fans of the wonderful Télépopmusik might like this album, as there are a few similarities between Tycho and the French electro trio. Full of echoey soundscapes, Dive provides a subtle background to, well, just about anything. It might be a strange choice for one of my standout albums of the past twelve months, but to me, it is perfect. Light and airy, and somewhat refreshing. Here is my personal favourite from the album (although picking just one was hard enough):

5. The Jezabels – Prisoner

I came across this band by way of Danny McAskill’s ‘Way Back Home’ video, which showed him on a journey from Edinburgh back to his hometown of Dunvegan on the isle of Skye, as their song A Little Piece was used as part of the soundtrack. The lovely thing about this album is that it manages to combine familiarity with originality – the Sydney four-piece grab you with a blend of indie, rock and disco pop that you swear you’ve heard before. The standout track is without a doubt the fantastic Trycolour (see what they did there?), a Pretenders-esque, hazy four minutes of dark and brooding indie pop, showcasing the heavenly vocals of Hayley Mary. A wonderful album that I’d urge you to investigate.
(courtesy of TheJezabelsVideos)

6. United Fruit – Faultlines

More Scottish rock, I hear you ask? The Glasgow-based United Fruit have made a big impression this year, being named one of the runners-up in the Scotsman Radar prize  and generally turning heads with their raw energy. Euan Robertson described their Scotsman Radar prize entry Go Away, Don’t Leave Me Alone as ‘refreshing, acerbic, visceral and cathartic’ and ‘everything music should be.’ Spot on. A noisy slice of inyerface rock, redolent in parts of Amusement Parks on Fire. They’re playing the Electric Circus in Edinburgh on January 26th next year – I’d highly recommend it. Meanwhile, to convince you, here’s the video for Go Away, Don’t Leave Me Alone, by director Nick Aiton. Points if you spotted the Forth Road Bridge’s second appearance in a music video in this list.

7. Dark Captain – Dead Legs and Alibis

Hailing from East London, the formerly-monikered Dark Captain Light Captain have slimmed down the name but not the tunes. Made up of ten acoustic-led masterpieces incorporating brass and strings, Dead Legs… is a superb exercise in woozy folk-pop. Imagine Elliott Smith, with a backing band. The same fragile vocals and intricate guitars. Summery in parts, cosy-by-the-fire in others, this is just a bloody good folk record. I’ve picked the second track, Submarines, as my standout. A bit Crowded House, a bit sinister, all good.

(courtesy of the band’s SoundCloud)

8. Conquering Animal Sound – Kammerspiel

Conquering Animal Sound might well be Glasgow’s worst-kept secret (and the fourth and final Scottish entry on my list). The duo, made up of Anneke Campman and James Scott create songs that sound like they belong in a musicbox. It’s rare that I describe a record as relaxing or peaceful, but Kammerspiel is exactly that – minimalist fragility, clinging to you like an early morning mist. Bizarre clichés aside, this is one hell of a beautiful record, and here is the lovely plinky-plonk of Flinch.

9. The Cinema – My Blood is Full of Airplanes

Don’t be put off by the name, as this isn’t another ’emo’ band singing about love, blood and death. The Cinema are a duo, who create the sort of music Maroon 5 would make if they weren’t pandering to a largely teenaged female audience. The band comprises Leighton Antelman, formerly of indie rockers Lydia, and Matt Malpass, Lydia’s producer. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact description for The Cinema’s music – certainly a departure from Lydia, but still recognisably indie. My standout track, The Wolf, contains my favourite lyric on the whole album – “You’re speaking all the right words, with all the bright words” – and is an absolute cracker of a tune.

10. Teddy Thompson – Bella

And last, but by no means least, the fourth album from the son of Richard and Linda Thompson. Bella is a bit of a departure from Thompson’s previous records – it’s not as easy, and requires a few listens to get into, but it’s worth it. Listening to the album all the way through, there are traces of Rufus Wainwright’s influence, but the songs are more personal than previous records. The touching Home is a tribute to his mother Linda, whilst his country roots are clearer than ever throughout. In the singer’s own words: ‘I was always attracted to songs that had a brilliant pun or a clever turn of phrase, but came from a dark, bitter place.‘ Thompson’s opening gambit in The One I Can’t Have is a perfect indication of his tongue in cheek, but dark humour: I was born with a love disease/it’s known as chronic hard to please/I want the one I can’t have.

That being said, here’s The One I Can’t Have; a classic Thompson track, and the pick of the bunch for me:

And there we have it; my top albums of the past twelve months. By happy coincidence, four of them are Scottish – and three from upcoming bands who are sure to become household names by this time next year.

But what about the “almosts?” The albums that nearly made it, or didn’t quite cut the mustard…….

Sons and Daughters; Mirror Mirror – Don’t get me wrong, this band – and this album – are excellent, but there was something missing with Mirror Mirror. It didn’t have the recklessness that came with This Gift, nor did it have the Glaswegian swagger of The Repulsion Box. But it was so very close, and nearly edged out Austra in my final list.

Bright Eyes; The People’s Key – I’ve heard Conor Oberst is a bit unpleasant as a person, but there’s no denying the fact that he makes some of the best modern folk around, under the guise of Bright Eyes. I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning was without doubt one of the albums of 2005 (has it really been that long?!) but The People’s Key was hugely disappointing. Overstated in some parts, and overtly cynical in others, as if Oberst was trying too hard to be Oberst.

Kassidy; Hope St – I saw Kassidy live on New Year’s Day this year, supporting KT Tunstall in a bitterly cold Princes Street Gardens. Although coming across as nervous (or maybe it was just the weather), it was clear the band had some fantastic tunes. Songs like Stray Cat, Oh My God and The Lost showed that the band knew their way around a tune, and I had high hopes for them. When Hope St was released though, I was a bit underwhelmed. Perhaps because I’d heard a lot of the songs on their EPs, or perhaps because there are a lot of filler tracks on the album, I’m not sure which. I’m hopeful that the band’s follow-up effort will change my mind, but sadly Hope St was a bit of a letdown for me.

Interview: Derek Couper, former chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament

The Scottish Youth Parliament is living proof that, contrary to popular belief, not all young Scots are apathetic when it comes to public affairs. Here, its outgoing discusses what gets his political juices going. 

What inspired you to get involved in youth politics?

I was involved with school councils and regional youth forums when I was younger, and it’s been a progression from there. I was a supporter of the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Bill of 2008 because I had worked with people with severe disabilities and knew the kind of difference that scientific developments could make to them.

What would be a typical day for you, as chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament?

It is a voluntary role, so I combine it with my studies. I do a lot of Youth Parliament work during the week, so on a typical day I come into the offices to meet the staff and perhaps discuss a campaign we want to run from our manifesto. I also write articles for newspapers and do keynote speeches at AGMs to raise the profile of the Youth Parliament. It’s useful for other organisations to have a younger perspective on some of the issues they deal with.

You’ve just stepped down as chair. How have you spent your last weeks in office?

Our biggest piece of work has been the manifesto. We consulted more than 42,000 young people – one of the biggest consultations in Scottish history. We’ve been working up to our main campaign, which will be chosen from five options: marriage equality for same sex couples, banning “Mosquito” devices, no nuclear weapons, a national guarantee of work experience and fairer public transport prices. We’ll develop a strategy for that.

What stands out as your greatest achievement, both individually and for the Youth Parliament as a whole?

Individually – meeting the Pope and the Queen. I introduced them to many of the representatives of the other youth groups I’m involved in and briefed them on their work during the Pope’s visit to Scotland. From the Youth Parliament’s perspective, we now sit on more cross-party groups than before, we have more media coverage and a greater impact on Parliament and local politicians.

There’s a lot of apathy among young people in Scotland regarding politics. How have you tried to tackle this?

There’s a disenchantment with politics. It seems self-serving to those who are removed from it. Politics is about local and national issues and what we’ve tried to do in the Youth Parliament is capitalise on the interests that young people already have. We try to make the link between these issues and Parliament; by campaigning on behalf of Scotland’s young people and showing them that we can make a difference.

What can schools do to try and encourage young people to get involved with politics?

They should allow students and young people to have a greater voice in their own education process – something Curriculum for Excellence wants to achieve. They could maybe allow them a greater say in their courses and how they are offered. I know schools are having a hard time making sure they have the same number of courses as before, particularly Advanced Highers. One of our campaigns is to have a pupil representative on every local education authority as an expert observer.

What can the Scottish Government do to help young people?

The biggest issue currently is youth unemployment. One in five young people is unemployed. There needs to be more focus on apprenticeships, guaranteed job places and funded college courses, and on making sure university tuition fees aren’t introduced in Scotland. Traditionally, for young people who didn’t have academic qualifications, there was always the opportunity of apprenticeships or practical college courses, but we’re seeing cuts in further education and in funded employment opportunities.

The Youth Parliament is non-party-political. Does this help increase diversity and make it more accessible to young people?

Exactly. It’s to encourage young people who aren’t interested in the formal process of politics, but care about issues and want to have a say. We also take MSYPs (Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament) from voluntary organisations that provide a voice for them and represent the organisation’s specific needs and aims. The Youth Parliament is more diverse than the Scottish Parliament; there are more women – in fact, it’s near to a 50/50 split, and ethnic minorities are very well represented, as are LGBT young people. They’re statistics we’re very proud of.

Who’s your political hero and why?

I admire people like Jimmy Reid. There was that famous quote when he pointed to a block of council flats and said that in them was a future prime minister, a famous ballet dancer and a footballer, but none of them would ever recognise their potential because of where they came from. That’s the type of politics I’d like to be involved with – realising potential, and helping young people to succeed, regardless of their background.

You were recently crowned Top Politician of the Future in the Scottish Sun’s Scottish Variety Awards. Can you see yourself with a future in politics?

I would like to go into politics to represent people. Eventually I’d like to stand for my home constituency – Livingston – but local politics is something I wouldn’t exclude either. For now, though, I’ll focus on studying towards my degree.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Born: Edinburgh, 1991

Education: Deans Community High, Livingston; second-year law student at Edinburgh University

Career: Outgoing chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament; co-convener of Children and Young People Cross-Party group; board member of YoungScot and YouthLink Scotland.

• This interview originally appeared in the Times Educational Supplement Scotland, on June 17th 2011

Staying connected?

Mark Zuckerberg must still be pinching himself. The creator of Facebook has seen his creation, a website that started out intended solely for students at Harvard University in New York, become the most popular social networking site amongst web users, overtaking MySpace and currently boasting over 350 million users worldwide. Reported to be worth over $300 million, Facebook has become more than just a social networking site – it’s become integrated into the English language, it makes regular appearances in the media, and it was largely responsible for ensuring that the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ secured an unlikely victory in the race to be crowned ‘Christmas number one’ in the music charts at the end of last year. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is rumoured to have a personal Facebook profile, and although he is one of very few British politicians to own a personal profile, (a handful of tech-savvy MPs have seemingly taken to using micro-blogging site Twitter more than Facebook) a quick search reveals that most political parties are represented in some form on the site.  Even Barack Obama paid tribute to the site, and its influence on younger voters following his victory in the Presidential election of 2008.

When Zuckerberg created Facebook, it seems safe to assume that he had little idea that, not only would it become a global phenomenon, but also that it would influence so many events. A quick flick through the daily newspapers usually brings up one or two references to the site. In recent times, a nurse from Glasgow was suspended for posting photos on the site that were taken in a hospital operating theatre, and thirty British prisoners had their accounts suspended by order of Justice Secretary Jack Straw, after serious misuse involving taunting and threatening victims and the families of victims. There are also cases of users creating ‘fake’ profiles for well-known celebrities, which understandably leads to issues, not only for the celebrity but also for those who set up the profile in the first place.

With young people generally avoiding politics save for a small percentage, Facebook could be a way for politicians to reach out to younger voters. Given that people use Facebook to plan social events, remember friends’ birthdays, and show their appreciation of certain celebrities among other activities, it would surely be beneficial for the major political parties to look into Facebook-oriented campaigns directed at those in the 18-24 age range. In the UK, there are 5,287,780 Facebook users in the 18-24 age category, and although it’s safe to assume that not all of them would be persuaded, and despite the levels of apathy in young people and the oft-heard claim that ‘politics doesn’t affect me,’ social networking, despite being a relatively new phenomenon, could attract the interest of young people and in theory increase voter turnout whilst simultaneously raising awareness.

From my experience in talking to people my own age about politics, it’s very difficult to try and dispel apathy among the 18-24 age range. Upbringing undoubtedly has a huge effect on whether or not a person is politically active. There was always a genuine interest in politics in my household, whether on a local or national, or even international level, during my formative years. It would have been very difficult for me not to have had an interest in politics, and not just because I’m well aware of how it affects me. I still wonder what my life would have been like had Thatcher not been in power when I was born, for example.

So despite the difficulties in erasing political apathy in young people, and despite the uphill struggle that the main political parties in the UK are facing at this moment in time, perhaps it wouldn’t be entirely fruitless if our politicians made more use of social networking websites, or at least explored the possibilities. I’m not for a moment suggesting that Facebook would be the perfect platform to try and boost interest in politics among young people, but I do think it would be a step forward.