Uncut's Album of the Year Award

As a subscriber to the Uncut music magazine, I was more than interested to read over its Album of the Year “long list.” Such lists always give people, like me, a chance to cast a critical eye over the choices and also to reflect on my purchases over the same period.

Four CDs I have bought are on the Uncut selection here: The Duke And The King with “Nothing Gold Can Stay”; The Low Anthem – “Oh My God Charlie Darwin”; Wilco – “Wilco (The Album)”; Bob Dylan – “Together Through Life.”

Of that quartet, I put The Low Anthem at the top of my list.

Some others nominated by Uncut I have sampled on various sites without wanting to add to my collection. There are CDs listed I have not listened to but I’ve just caught up with White Denim’s “Fits” and it’s a ragged, daft collection of tracks.

I’m surprised The Felice Brothers’ “Yonder Is The Clock” or Sam Baker’s “Cotton” have not made it on to the magazine’s list. Both yield moments of great music, lyrically as well as melodically. Both would have been worthy winners.

Anyway, for what it’s worth, and with no knowledge of the Uncut judges’ tastes or musical preferences, I’ll predict that either The Duke and The King, or The Low Anthem or Grizzly Bear’s “Veckatimest” will win outright with White Denim an outside bet.