Which raises the mystifying question, again: Why are the Brits so in love with this band? Why are Kings of Leon that rare bird - an American act that receives the vast bulk of its acclaim from across the pond? To those reading this in the U.K., what's the attraction (whether you personally share it or not)?
The Q EOY list is always something to savour, but they've really surpassed themselves this year by managing to shoehorn King Of Leon and Coldplay into the top 3.
I'm buggered if I can explain why KOL are so popular in the UK, but then I could say the same about Keane, Dido, Razorlight and a lot of the other garbage on this mind-numbingly banal list. And Q magazine itself, for that matter.
Every year has been called a bad year while it was happening. Wait a year before you call it a bad year.
I agree the best few albums this year aren't as good as the best few albums in most years this decade, but I think it might also have the strongest #20 album out of all years this decade. It's a deep year, with admittedly shallow heights.
Michael is right. This was not a bad year. It's just that most of the high profile artists disappointed, and those are the albums getting the attention. You've got to look for the good stuff, but it was certainly there.
True that Fleet Foxes (EP/LP) + TV are some of the few "grade A" albums of the year. IMO, only Deerhunter and Hercules & Love Affair deserve the same praise. I consider ALL the other 2008 albums as "LIST FILLERS". (maybe I am being a little harsh here... :) ).
I dont know what you lot are on about... Only by night is fantastic, just because the youth have embraced the band, doesn't mean they aren't making good music. Kings of Leon are ultimately, a band which makes great music and is loved by the public (in the UK). Give Only by Night to me any day over Dear Science. But not Return to....
