21: Old Silver Key - Tales of WanderingsThis mostly-instrumental album, which may be classifiable as blackgaze, incorporates elements of folk music nicely to go with textured layers of guitar noise. It's gloomy but has a good amount of energy to it.
20: Maria Taylor - Overlook
I've written about her before. It's her voice and the warm glow of the guitar feedback that make this album so intimate and its sentiment so heartfelt.
19: Austra - Feel it Break
Debut album from this Canadian synth pop group. I love the synth tones, which have a heavy sort of echo to them. It's sort of dance music but has a chilly atmosphere and outstanding vocals; whereas Maria Taylor's (see above) convey warmth, this album is sung with a strong, almost shrill voice that is nonetheless, disarmingly pretty.
18: Obits - Moody, Standard and Poor
Fast-paced post-punk with a great sense of urgency to it. Also, guitars that sound as hollow as this are always a winner.
17: Amebix - Sonic Mass
Amebix have generally been associated with hardcore punk, but this album (their first in 24 years!) is a blend of punk and metal. There's a rawness to everything, from the barked vocals to the grinding guitars. There's a lot of energy here for a band that formed 33 years ago. Not everything is dialed up to 11 though; the slow songs work really well, perhaps showcasing the powerful guitar sound better than the fast ones.
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