ALBUM OF THE MILLENNIUM

The Maccabees 'Given to the Wild' (Fiction)

Some bands just aren't as big as they should be. Two remarkably astute albums in and The Maccabees are still battling for 'big 'n' great' status, least among those outside their cult fanbase. It's not like the songs haven't always been there, too. Heck, 'Latchmere' and its wave machine is still more a choon than anything off 'Born This Way'. And 'Given to the Wild' - by way of sugared, spacious soundscapes, now-customary tingly guitar-picking and singer Orlando Weeks realising his inspiriting Patty Mayonnaise-indie howl more than ever - is yet further proof these are waaaaay beyond most. 'Child' subsumes into some 'Game of Thrones'-climbs-Everest saga, as Orlando squeals the album's title atop silvery trumpets, while 'Ayla' keeps the pep juices flowing by futzing with piano, of all things. Love story 'Heave' turns the Eno-like, syrupy aerospace back on, only to sling itself head-first in with rapid, plucky guitars, as make-you-want-to-cry cries of "Are we so different?" strike above. It'll have you standing up in applause like you've just seen Katy Perry and Russell Brand fool all into thinking they were married. Closer 'Grew up at Midnight', though, is about the most stunningly beautiful and majestic few minutes the band have ever tailored, and the only way this album could have ended. Right now, The Maccabees just aren't as big as they should be. But more fool the world if this doesn't change that.

Albums Of 2011 - No. 10 to No. 1

1. Coldplay 'Mylo Xyloto' -
The happiest these have ever sounded results in yet another remarkable album, inhabited with fervency, bald-faced pop and one typically heartening concept.





2. Beirut 'The Rip Tide' -
Stupendous effort from Zach Condon and his reliable trumpet. Rest of world music, over to you.





3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' -
Who needs a lairy front when the songs are this sturdy? So worth the wait.





4. Bombay Bicycle Club 'A Different Kind of Fix' -
Accomplished, thoughtful indie from the most exciting band on the planet.





5. Elbow 'Build a Rocket Boys!' -
Pressure? What pressure? Guy Garvey's men prosper under that Mercury win with this.





6. Bon Iver 'Bon Iver' -
Loaded, wholehearted harmonies make for the year's most life-affirming album.





7. Chapel Club 'Palace' -
Pure proof that bands with no strings can still make the grade.





8. Lykke Li 'Wounded Rhymes' -
Kooky silk-pop but with the choons to match. Lady who?





9. Yuck 'Yuck' -
Loud-quiet schmaltz makes one heck of a comeback. So out-of-place, it's refreshing.





10. Blink-182 'Neighborhoods' -
Not quite the masterpiece we craved, but very nearly.

Albums Of 2011 - No. 20 to No. 11

11. The Wombats 'This Modern Glitch' -
Much, much too fun to care about the haterz.





12. Panic! at the Disco 'Vices & Virtues' -
A hooks-stuffed reminder of what made these so striking in the first place.





13. Death Cab for Cutie 'Codes and Keys' -
Fresh enough to lock down their place in history.





14. The Lonely Forest 'Arrows' -
Warm and fuzzy indie how it's sposed to be made.





15. Laura Marling 'A Creature I Don't Know' -
2011's preeminent folk record (from a woman).





16. White Lies 'Ritual' -
The new leaders of depressingly feel-good indie.





17. Example 'Playing in the Shadows' -
Fun, pompous and infectious as a cold.





18. Bright Eyes 'The People's Key' -
Conor returns to his delicate ways via a 'lectro sidewalk.





19. The Streets 'Computers and Blues' -
Skinner goes out with one triumphant bang.





20. Radiohead 'The King of Limbs' -
Soothing like 'In Rainbows' but surveys new ground, too.

Albums Of 2011 - No. 30 to No. 21

21. Benjamin Francis Leftwich 'Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm' -
2011's preeminent folk record (from a man).





22. Manchester Orchestra 'Simple Math' -
Intense and tranquil all the same. Stunning.





23. You Me at Six 'Sinners Never Sleep' -
Boys grow into men for prime pop-punk.





24. The Vaccines 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' -
Tuneful anthemia from a band here to stay.





25. Arctic Monkeys 'Suck It and See' -
Welcome back, boys. Finest since 'Whatever...'.





26. The Joy Formidable 'The Big Roar' -
Irksome frontlady aside, this is top.





27. Pete And The Pirates 'One Thousand Pictures' -
More sugary sweet indie ditties.





28. The Throne 'Watch the Throne' -
This could only have ever been masterly.





29. Ben Howard 'Every Kingdom' -
Still room for another folk supremo after this.





30. The Naked And Famous 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' -
Exciting debut. Could conquer all.

Albums Of 2011 - No. 40 to No. 31

31. Beady Eye 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' -
Actually not that shit at all.





32. Kaiser Chiefs 'The Future Is Medieval' -
Actually not that shit at all.





33. TV on the Radio 'Nine Types of Light' -
Probably their best album yet.





34. Rihanna 'Talk That Talk' -
Half is ace. The rest is not.





35. Florence + the Machine 'Ceremonials' -
Typically entrancing but at points too much.





36. Other Lives 'Tamer Animals' -
Captivating listen with bags' potential.





37. Snow Patrol 'Fallen Empires' -
Strongest since 'Eyes Open'.





38. Beyoncé '4' -
Not enough great shakes.





39. Adele '21' -
Just a lil' bit overrated.





40. British Sea Power 'Valhalla Dancehall' -
Another fine BSP instalment.