Iddy's top 100: 3,2........1!

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! (is now playing in your head)

So it's time to end this long list with the final 3. It's been so bloomin' stressful to try and order everything out, and unlike last year, there wasn't a definitive number 1 this time, and the order changed so many times over the last month.

Ask me again it might change, but I'm fairly certain this is it.

3. Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact

WARNING - this album will either drive you nuts and you'll curse me for putting it this high, or chances are you really like weird, Psychedelic Pop with squeaky female vocals...you'll fall into one or the other.

I really, really love this album, and it's hard to explain why. First of all, the lead single is a 12 minute slow build-up of a burst of happiness (the album opener Glass Jar), and then after that the album never really lets up. It goes from extremes to extremes, even includes a guest vocal performance by that guy from Hot Chip...y'know, that guy.

Then you have those random dance breakdowns, and believe me when I say it sounds fabulous when you're slightly drunk on wine at 1am on a Friday... Sounding interesting? Like I said at the start, it's a hugely divisive album. Don't say I didn't warn you.

2. Andy Stott - Passed Me By/We Stay Together

WARNING #2, these two mini-albums (released as one "big" album) WILL destroy your headphones, and I mean that in the way that it will reach the lower frequencies because it's such a bassy listen. 

But I love this guy...I mean, pure bass love <3 Passed Me By is something like "swamp Techno", where it's devilishly dark and moody, while We Stay Together features longer, more progressive tracks that juggernaut. Like Bassy music? Want to listen to something...slightly different this year? Listen to these two. 

By far and away the best "discovery" I made this year (thanks Atease)

Damn it, this is still number 1...

...It's a modern day classic if you ask me...

1. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

A lot of things have been said about this album already and I'm not going to re-write all that. Instead, I'm just going to say that this album is just about the most perfect listen I've heard all year, there are no weak moments at all, and it's incredibly easy to love - I bought it for my mum and it's one of her favourite albums now!

It's also strange considering before her album was released, I was optimistic yes, but no-one was prepared for an album this good. We all know she's a bit of a legend, but it's great to see an artist still pushing their creative peak at the tender age of 40.

..and that's the end of 2011!

Thanks to those who've been reading. I know I'm not the best writer and all that, but I always like to make these lists and then look back over them at a later date. That, and it's also nice to celebrate good music, isn't it?

Merry christmas everyone, hope you all have a great 2012.