That's the UK Beat (Ranking Roger's version as opposed to Dave Wakeling's US version) for those wondering. Taking their classic ska sound and giving it a bit of a 21st century makeover, "Bounce" was a good 35 minutes of upbeat music with the Beat's trademark thoughtful lyrics lurking beneath the surface as demonstrated well by the video for the single "Walking On The Wrong Side" below.
54. SUEDE - "Night Thoughts"
A big brooding epic of an album which harked back to "Dog Man Star" in its scope (if not quite in the quality of the tunes therein but it wasn't far off), "Night Thoughts" was further proof that Suede in 2016 still have plenty to say with the sinister dynamics of the songs and Brett Anderson's soaring vocals combining to make it a very beguiling listen. The video for "No Tomorrow" is below if you want to judge for yourself.
53. THE MISSION - "Another Fall From Grace"
After the curveball which was "The Brightest Light" (an album which I really liked and was in my Top 20 albums of 2014), "Another Fall From Grace" saw the Mission return to their more trademark goth sound and I have to admit to being a bit disappointed the first time I heard it - it kind of felt like a bit of a step backwards after "The Brightest Light" (and it's predecessor "God Is A Bullet")'s more 'outside the box' approach. I'll admit though, it's a grower and tunes like "Met-Amor-Phosis" (vid below) and "Blood On The Road" will definitely creep into your conscience with repeated listening.
52. THE DESCENDENTS - "Hypercaffinum Spazzinate"
Packing 21 songs into just 42 minutes, it's obvious that age isn't making the Descendents any less urgent and for that we should be grateful. "Hypercaffinum Spazzinate" was a worthy addition to the veteran US punks' repertoire with the likes of "Victim of Me", "Beyond The Music" and "Comeback Kid" showing the fierceness that informed their best work is still very much intact.
51. KID CONGO & THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS - "La Arana Es La Vida"
A massively varied album from the former Cramps and Gun Club guitarist taking in everything from rockabilly through seasick swamp-rock to punk and psychedelia. And all with an impressive dose of energy and tunes. You can read Muggins' review of it 'ere.
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