On A Ragged Tip: 9 Bands For ‘09

Then: Psych, garage, funk, lo-fi, prog - pick any prefix to the word ‘rock’ you want and the thrillingly eclectic Crystal Antlers can match the task. With last year’s to-the-point titled EP troubling the higher reaches of our best medium-players of 2008, it’s hard to foresee April’s full debut not doing likewise on a more important list come December. Their by-all-accounts even more impressive live show should not be missed when they swap Long Beach for a comprehensive stint in Europe from the end of this month.

Now (Dec '09): As you'll soon find out, the above mentioned debut, entitled Tentacles, is unlikely to feature among our pick of the year's best. After blowing us away on stage earlier in the year, the album was a minor let down but with good reports coming from their CMJ performances, don't write em off just yet. 

Then: The first female solo artist to sign to the beacon of UK Hip Hop, Big Dada, Speech Debelle will give a country shy of Hip Hop stars (particularly female) a bright and shining one this year. Accompanied on her debut by a set of guests - Tunng, Micachu (see below), Roots Manuva and Lotek Hifi - to complement her rich, folky and lyrically thoughtful sound, the album may likely become a very important release.

Now (Dec '09): Very important release is right, Speech Therapy only went on to win the ruddy Mercury Prize, a surprise to most it would seem bar Speech Debelle herself. Ragged Words are still reeling from not placing an audacious tenner on the result after Speech blew us away in an early year session for our sister site Bandstand Busking.

Then: The Glasgow-based four-piece with the best on-stage composure we’ve seen in a guitar band since Interpol are set for a busy 2009. Once they get Uni exams out of the way that is. Before they do, May’s debut - currently being mixed - is already getting our pulses racing having been recorded under the guidance of Jolyon and Ken Thomas, the latter being responsible for Sigur Ros’ Agaetis Byrjun and Takk, as well as both Hope Of The States records and M83’s Saturdays=Youth.

Now (Dec '09): We Were Promised Jetpacks have had an extremely solid 2009. After spending the first six month buried in university books, the four have been on the road since owing to the success of their very good/seriously good in places debut. Having returned from a debut US tour with pals The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, WWPJ embark on their first major European stint in January.

Then: Looking back on it, when we first caught site of Gentle Friendly supporting High Places late last year, we didn’t really convey in enough detail just how exciting the London duo were. With the pair’s ravishing debut EP Night Tapes still ringing in our ears, there’ll be details a plenty this year. Spring’s release on Upset The Rhythm and more live date can’t come soon enough.

Now (Dec '09): We're scratching our heads a little as to how 2009 got away from Gentle Friendly so much. Okay they released their full debut Ride Slow late in the year - a good opening salvo - but, bar the standard No Age London support slot, were pretty anonymous on the live circuit. Hmmm. More in 2010 perhaps?