2021 has been a rollercoaster year for most people. Starting in lockdown, eventually being allowed out to meet friends, go to the pub and even attend gigs again, only to find ourselves heading into familiar territory again as the year ends.
I appreciated like never before the six months of the year where we could meet friends old and new, and enjoy seeing some of my favourite bands – and discovering new ones.
Music has, once again, proved a beacon of light and hope in a mostly dark year, and again bands have come up with wonderful music, of all shapes and genres.
In 2019, my first year doing this website, I produced a list of my top 20 albums, (which you can read here), and last year expanded that to a Top 30 (read that rundown here).
2021 has produced so much good music that I’ve been unable to narrow it down that far, so I’ve settled for a Top 40. Some are self-released, others are on small indie labels, and one or two on majors.
Thanks to anyone who has sent me music to listen to this year, whether they’re bands, labels, PR people or fellow music fans. I try to listen to everything a few times and give it a fair review. I also buy far, far more music than I should…
As in previous years, any of the top half a dozen or so could have been my No 1, so I’ve tried to rank them by the wow factor they had when I first heard them, and how often I’ve gone back to them over the course of the year.
I haven’t included compilations, live albums or reissues, while others (The Wildhearts, Neville Staple, The Stranglers, The Last Resort, Los Fastidios, The Defects, The Derellas, and plenty more) are missing simply because I haven’t got round to hearing them.
There are plenty of other good albums I’d thoroughly recommend, who just missed out on a slot in my Top 40. Take a bow, and in no particular order (…deep breath…) Turnstile, The Offspring, Culture Shock, Ferocious Dog, The Fauves, Captain Rico and the Ghost Band, System Of Hate, Milk Lizards, Carol Hodge, Come Closer, Jim Lindberg, The Copyrights, The Courettes, Belvedere, Chaser, Grippers, Face To Face, Ruts DC, Rise Against, Public Service Broadcasting, and Skids. All are 7/10 albums or more, so well worth your time.
So without further ado, and in reverse order, here’s my Top 40 albums of 2021. All but one or two are reviewed elsewhere on this website, so click away, and I hope you find something new to your ears.
