10. Goodtime – Colours of Darkness
“At a succint 33-minutes, Colours Of Darkness has a warm-toned comforting night-shade feel to it with hints of synthesizers and bright guitars more commonly associated with ’80s music. “
9. Le Galaxie – LaserDisc Nights 2
A debut album of block rocking VHS electro beats from one of the best (and most fun) live bands in the country this year.
8. Owensie – Aliens
“Aliens is a nine-song collection of classical guitar-led finger picking and falsetto, an introspective but uplifting album which certainly recalls the tones of Jose Gonzalez. “
7. Patrick Kelleher and his Cold Dead Hands – Golden Syrup
“Golden Syrup is more nuanced than its predecessor taking in gothic noir electronica, spectral pop, woozy ’80s synthesizers, “whacked-out ghost disco”, “kraut-disco” and Italo-influenced numbers.”
6. Lisa Hannigan – Passenger
Second album from Hannigan finds her spread her wings away from her past and become a truly confident and magnetising songwriter and performer.
5. Squarehead – Yeah Nothing
“Yeah Nothing is a dozen tracks of no-nonsense slacker indie pop, a fuzzy collection of lo-fi rock ‘n’ roll inspired by surf-pop, old school rock ‘n’ roll and bright guitars.”
4. And So I Watch You From Afar – Gangs
“The band’s sound hasn’t been refined or revamped drastically on Gangs but after two solid years on the road, it has been improved. They operate as a considered unit, and their music emotes more than many bands with singers are able to.”
3. We Cut Corners – Today I Learned I Could Go Home Backwards
We Cut Corners are Conall and John but their lyrically rich and endlessly emotive music belies their small number. Their debut album is the mark of a band who have spent time getting to where they are but burn brighter as time goes on.
2. Tieranniesaur – Tieranniesaur LP
“Tieranniesaur is 10 tracks of bright and breezy songs informed by all players. While Annie Tierney may be the voice of party, the five members of the band: Annie’s husband and fellow Yeh Deadlies member Padraig O’Reilly, Saileóg O’Halloran formerly of Feed The Bears, Sara Golding and Ian McFarlane and Ruan Van Vliet of Squarehead bring the atmosphere.”
1. Jape – Ocean of Frequency
“Perfection is a near impossible thing to achieve yet like its creator, Ocean Of Frequency’s mixture of sonics and melodies will draw you back in again and again. Another pleasing and progressive chapter in the Richie Egan and Jape discography.”
Nialler9 Readers’ Poll Irish albums of 2011 results
25. The Ambience Affair – Burials
24. LaFaro – Easy Meat
23. Yeh Deadlies – First Book of Lessons
22. The Minutes – Marcata
21. Rubberbandits – Serious about Men
20. Retarded Cop – You have the Right to Remain Retarded.
19. Little xs for eyes – S.A.D.
18. Hands Up Who Wants to Die – Buffalo, buffalo, buffalo, Buffalo
17. Ginnels – Ginnels
16. Girls Names – Dead to Me
15. Bell X1 – Bloodless Coup
14. Cian Nugent – Doubles
13. Cashier No. 9 – To The Death of Fun
12. Land Lovers – Confidants
11. Altar of Plagues – Mammal
10. Goodtime – Colours of Darkness
9. Le Galaxie – LaserDisc Nights 2
8. Owensie – Aliens
7. Patrick Kelleher and his Cold Dead Hands – Golden Syrup
6. Lisa Hannigan – Passenger
5. Squarehead – Yeah Nothing
4. And So I Watch You From Afar – Gangs
3. We Cut Corners – Today I Learned I Could Go Home Backwards
2. Tieranniesaur – Tieranniesaur LP
1. Jape – Ocean of Frequency
