You know, I’ve just realised that I’ve liked an awful lot of records this year, and I might still be going at this in June. Still, I’ve started and I’m bloody well going to finish. We Skye-folk don’t know the meaning of ‘outstaying your welcome’, and I’m not about to learn it now…

Sigur Ros – Meo Blódnasir

I don’t think I really have to say much to introduce this band; we’ve written a fair amount about them here already (here and here, for example), and it is probably enough to say that they are pretty popular round these parts. This is one of the shorter tracks from Takk, but it is quite representative of the beauty of the whole. A fabulous record from a fabulous band.

Malcolm Middleton – No Modest Bear

On a completely different tack, and to be quite honest, on something of a different tack from his album Into the Woods, here’s Malcolm Middleton in thumping-drummed, electro-punk mode. Much of Into the Woods is of a similar kind of quiet, introspective material to that of the mighty Arab Strap, perhaps a little more upbeat. But this is the record of someone enjoying themselves, and while you still can’t dance to it, you might nonetheless be able to shoogle your bahookie about a bit.
Christmas bonus: Malcolm Middleton – Burst Noel

Goldfrapp – Fly Me Away

I really love Alison Goldfrapp. If I was slightly less well balanced, I’d probably be hiding in the bushes outside her house right now. Supernature was a great record, with some great dancin’ tunes (for me, Supernature‘s bopfactor is only slightly lower than the first couple of tracks on Madonna’s new record and the entirety of Girls Aloud’s Chemistry). Ooh La La is a real highlight, but many of the other tracks on the record also stand out, and Fly Me Away is a lot of fun; well worth a listen (if you haven’t already).

Stellastarr* – Sweet Troubled Soul

Now I have to admit, that while I really like Harmonies for the Haunted, it isn’t one of my records of the year. This track, however – is flippin’ awesome. It came on in the office one day while I was listening to the album (and thinking that I wasn’t that hugely struck by it), and it just blew me away. Trying to decide whether it deserved to be posted, I listened to it on the way into work yesterday; by the time I’d reskipped to listen to it for the fourth time, and I knew that I’d be sticking it up here. It’s just that great.

I will be back; for I still have much work to do here.

Megaupload links:
Sigur Ros – Meo Blódnasir
Malcolm Middleton – No Modest Bear
Malcolm Middleton – Burst Noel
Goldfrapp – Fly Me Away
Stellastarr* – Sweet Troubled Soul