Take various reprobates from the Senseless Things, the Wonder Stuff and the Skuzzies and put them together and you'd maybe be expecting some spit 'n' sawdust indie punk, right? Wrong. "Dark Is The Night" was a throwback to when goth rock really was majestic, swooping and fascinating by equal turns instead of the horrible whining of emo - just listen to "DK" below for proof. Credit to the Deadcuts for pulling off such an accomplished record at the first time of asking.
9. THE URBAN VOODOO MACHINE - "Love, Drink & Death"
Still as wonderfully unpredictable as ever three albums in, "Love, Drink & Death" saw the Urban Voodoo Machine taking a more epic approach to their music with the likes of "Loretta's Revenge", "Crazy Maria" and "Jimmy Cuba" being the sort of twisted odes to the downtrodden in society that Paul-Ronney Angel and co do so well while the raucous likes of "Pipe And Slippers Man" (video below) and "Hid The Bottle" prove that they can still do polka'd up party anthems as well as always. Another very worthwhile addition to the UVM canon.
8. ZOMBINA & THE SKELETONES - "Charnel House Rock"
Back after an extended break, it's a pleasure to report that the Skeletones' fourth album finds them just as wonderfully warped as ever and not afraid to throw everything including the kitchen sink into making an album. "Charnel House Rock" saw them putting demented hellbilly hoedowns, ferocious Misfits style horror punk and tribal drum chantalongs all alongside each other with no regards given to conformity. A true treasure of a band and an album and one you really should check out if you've not already - if you need further proof then listen to "Tonight There Will Be No Survivors" below.
7. CJ WILDHEART - "Mable"
Back after a lengthy absence, CJ's comeback album saw him taking the events of the last two years of his life and using them to create a focused and tight slice of pop-punk - listen to "Kentucky Fried", "Down The Drain" (video below) or "Next To You" for proof that Ginger isn't the only accomplished songwriter in the Wildhearts. The follow-up is hopefully due in 2015 and hopefully it can keep up the high standards of this album.
6. THE QUIREBOYS - "Black Eyed Sons"
Rapidly following up last year's "Beautiful Curse", the Quireboys' seventh album saw them very much in business as usual territory but when business is this good, why the hell would you want to change that? Ten tracks of whiskey-soaked bar room blues that will get your toe tapping and a smile on your face from the Stonesy "Lullaby of London Town" (which you can listen to below) to the lovely closing ballad "Monte Cassino". And they even threw a free acoustic CD and live DVD in with it - talk about value package of the year!
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