Known mainly as the post-punk band who crash-landed that crucial five years too early, 2019 saw Richard Strange resurrect the Doctors of Madness for one of the darkest albums of the year with the searing nine-minute title track being a damning inditement of the state of this septic isle. Terrifying at times but never less than engaging, this really was a triumphant comeback from this most under-rated of bands.
19. THE ALARM - "Sigma"
Intended as a thematic follow-up to last year's "Equals", "Sigma" actually proved to be the superior album of the two with a much more immediate approach than its good but occasionally slightly obtuse predecessor. "Blood Red Viral Black" and "Brighter Than The Sun" were the requisite fist-in-the-air anthems we've come to expect from Mike Peters over the years while "Armageddon In The Morning" was a truly heart-stopping ballad. One of the strongest Alarm albums for a good few years make no mistake.
18. SNUFF - "There's A Lot Of It About"
Seeing a first new album in six years from Snuff is always guaranteed to cheer up your day. Realising it's arguably their strongest since the glory days of the '90s really is a cause for celebration. Songs like "Kings Of The Spanish Oi Scene", "Summer's Over" and "Hey Boff" were pure catchiness which wouldn't let go of your brain. It's a real pleasure to report that Snuff are back and firing on all cylinders - bring on the live gigs for this one!
17. THE DARKNESS - "Easter Is Cancelled" (Review here)
Showing a more complex side to Lowestoft's finest, "Easter Is Cancelled" proves that they're still very much a relevant band in 2019. While the likes of "Live Till I Die" and "In Another Life" had plenty of hooks to keep the long time fans happy, "How Can I Lose Your Love?" and "Rock 'n' Roll Deserves To Die" saw them pushing the boat out a bit by adding some new tricks into the book without losing the anthemic qualities that have always been this lot's strong point.
16. THE HANGMEN - "Cactusville" (Review here)
Now into their fourth decade as a band, the Hangmen's fifth full album saw them taking a more acoustic based approach to their work, (similar to labelmates the Supersuckers on "Must've Been High") and doing it to good effect with Jimmy Jones' desolate skid row laments suiting the backing just perfectly. Dare I say it, quite possibly the Hangmen's strongest record since their debut 30 years ago.
15. JIM JONES & THE RIGHTEOUS MIND - "CollectiV" (Review here)
"CollectiV" sees Jim Jones and his crew continuing their nocturnal travails through the sort of unearthly swamps probably last inhabited by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. This is an album where deathrock, scuzzed-up garage rock and spooked out goth collide with each other to fascinating effect. One of the most atmospheric and engaging things your reviewer heard this year and all the better for it.
14. THE SPECIALS - "Encore"
Let's be honest, no-one really expected this. When the Specials reunion in the earlier part of this decade ended with both Neville Staple and Roddy Radiation leaving acrimoniously plus the untimely passing of drummer John Bradbury, it seemed that was that. However, "Encore" was an unexpected triumph for Terry Hall, Lynval Goulding and Horace Panter, sounding solid, tuneful and relevant with Hall's acerbic observations on the world not having got any less sharp with the passing of time. Treasure this band, it's good to have them properly back with us again.
13. GINGER WILDHEART - "Headzapoppin'"
"Headzapoppin'" unfortunately got slightly overshadowed by the all-conquering Wildhearts comeback album that was "Renaissance Men" but even so, it showed the more varied side of Ginger's songwriting with "Yorvik (My Hood)" and "Pound Coins And Kitchen Roll" providing the more spiky upbeat moments and "Love Is" and "Saturday Matinee" providing the more reflective ying to the heavier moments' yang. Safe to say that fans of Ginger's songwriting have definitely been a bit spoilt this year.
12. PETER PERRETT - "Humanworld" (Review here)
Given how long the gap between albums by Peter Perrett usually is, seeing a new effort just two years after the sublime "How The West Was Won" was a pleasant surprise indeed. Although not quite up to the sky high standards of its predecessor, it was still a fine effort with the immediacy of "I Want Your Dreams" and "Once Is Enough" being balanced out by the more dreamy "Heavenly Day" and "Master of Destruction". Perrett remains one of the great British songwriters and it's good to see him hitting a creative hot streak in recent years.
11. RICHARD HAWLEY - "Further"
Maybe Richard Hawley's most immediate record to date, "Further" also happens to be one of his best for a while. If some of his other efforts tend to be the sort of things that are appreciated best with repeated listening, "Further" grabs you from the off with the tunes fair jumping out of the speakers at you on the likes of "Off My Mind" although elsewhere it emanates the same trademark warmth and comfort we've come to expect from the guy. An impressively strong offering.
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