Albums of the Year 2011

1THE JAMES CLEAVER QUINTET – That Was Then, This Is Now
OZ Rated – 10/10 (View Review)
One of the few 10/10 records in the Ourzone offices this year and one that has had all of us at OZ HQ excited! That Was Then, This Is Now is a tightly coiled, explosive, circle-pit commander of an album that will leave you gasping for breath and surely propel The JCQ to greatness.

2 DEAF HAVANA – Fools and Worthless Liars
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
Many had waited a long time for the first full length since the departure of former front man Ryan Mellor, and Deaf Havana proved that it was more than worth the wait. Providing a more mature album that brings meaning and a sense of vulnerability, whilst still holding the foundations of the band who they’ve always been and will always be.

3THE WONDER YEARS – Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
It was always going to be hard to be successful in following an album like The Upsides but The Wonder Years managed to do just that. Serving up an album where their raw passionate vocals and immersive live shows are captured throughout.

4LOWER THAN ATLANTIS – World Record
OZ Rated – 10/10 (View Review)
The second of our 10/10 shortlisted albums this year which saw Lower Than Atlantis take a real step forward from their previous full length Far Q. World Record is great selection of songs that address many more issues than the staple topics of love and loss.

5YOU ME AT SIX – Sinners Never Sleep
OZ Rated – 7/10 (View Review)
Although Sinners Never Sleep has the lowest OZ review rating in the top 10, nobody can deny the scale of YMAS’s achievement in getting a number 3 album in the official UK charts. A great step forward for the UK rock scene.

6YELLOWCARD – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes
OZ Rated – Not Rated
Yellowcard made a very long awaited comeback with When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes and were welcomed with great praise, both from fans and press alike. They truly have mastered their craft.

7TURBOWOLF – Turbowolf
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
One of the most recent releases to feature in our top 10, Turbowolf is a highly innovative, joyously experimental rock and roll assault. Fun, fast and furious.

8WE ARE THE OCEAN – Go Now And Live
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
In April this year, We Are The Ocean made a glaring statement and a step forward worthy of praise from fans and their peers with Go Now And Live. A bold and impressive progression from the London based quintet.

9SIMPLE PLAN – Get Your Heart On!
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
This album marked the band’s return to their core pop-punk sound, which had been overshadowed in their previous couple of releases. Get Your Heart On! really embodies the charms of Simple Plan and has to be one of the best pop/rock albums of the year.

10NEW FOUND GLORY – Radiosurgery
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
Maturity suited NFG really well on their release of Radiosurgery, offering some of the best material NFG have produced for a long time.

WILDCARD: I AM THE AVALANCHE – Avalanche United
OZ Rated – Not Reviewed
Finally here is our wildcard album for the year…one that didn’t quite make the top 10 but we at Ourzone would like to recommend to all of you. Six years since their debut, I Am The Avalanche returned with their second full length. A heavier punk offering that is a must listen for any fan of the genre.

1DON BROCO – Big Fat Smile
OZ Rated – 8/10 (View Review)
Don Broco’s six track release this year showcased an array of talents. It was a real step up from their previous offerings and has well and truly put Broco on the map in the UK rock scene, leaving us very excited to see what they come up with next.

2MAKE DO AND MEND – Part & Parcel
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
Make Do And Mend managed to not only show the scale of their talents on this release but also encapsulated the raw passion that was so exciting and impressive on their debut full length released earlier this year.

3MARMOZETS – Passive Aggressive
OZ Rated – 9/10 (View Review)
Marmozets released their debut EP this year as a free download and received a great reaction from the press. An amazing record for such a young band, long may they continue.

4ARRANGE – Plantation
OZ Rated – Not Reviewed
A very well kept secret who we managed to discover towards the end of this year, Malcolm Lacey (who goes by the name of Arrange) released one of the most emotive records of the year for free download. We recommend you give it a listen, after all, it’s free!

5THE SUPER HAPPY FUN CLUB – Go Fun Yourself
OZ Rated – 8/10 (View Review)
Completing our top 5 is Go Fun Yourself. This mini album was The Super Happy Fun Club’s debut release and brought with it an undeniable and quite irresistible draw. Expect big choruses and a lot of fun!