Features

A casual observer might think that the fine people of Gloucestershire did nothing but produce fantastic music all day every day.

The likes of MySpace are so littered with bands and artists from the county, it’s surprising that anything resembling proper work gets done in this area at all.

The end of the year usually calls for much reflecting on the twelve months past.

So, in honour of the season, let us take a break from our mince pies, put down the Christmas crackers and pause the DVD of It's a Wonderful Life (you can always go back to it later), while we take a nostalgic wander through ten of the best acts of 2007.

10> LUNGBARROW

Lungbarrow is the artist formerly known as Comrade. His nearest and dearest know him better as William Moffat, but he now prefers to go by a name pilfered from the pages of a Doctor Who spin off novel. Ho hum.

While his choice in moniker may be questionable, Lungbarrow's skills on the synth are not.

Recalling acts such as The Stranglers, Joy Division and Soft Cell, his music is bleak, yet atmospheric and strangely enticing.

Stand out track: "Empty Rivers".

9> ELYSIUM

My first encounter with Elysium was when they won the Stroud Talent competition back in 2004. Since then, the band has gone on to greater things as they have built on their sound and developed a strong catalogue of songs.

Their "I'm Not Sure" was featured in one of BBC Gloucestershire's new music programmes earlier this year and four other tracks can now be heard courtesy of their MySpace page.

Elysium is hardly the peaceful band that their name suggests. But then, neither was Nirvana, whose grungy sound clearly influences the band.

Stand out track: "My Family Tree".

8> CHIEF PINKTON

Chief Pinkton's music comes to us fully formed and beautifully crafted.

From the not-love song/lust song of "So Alive" through to the poignancy of "Price of Fame", the group transcend the standard three chord riff routine and opt instead for a rich, rich texture and style which is entirely their own.

Stand out track: "Price of Fame".

7> GO SEE GRETCHEN

Go See Gretchen have now unfortunately disbanded. This is a huge shame. Only in October I was lauding their ability to make Country music cool.

Julie and Meg, and their guitars Dolly and Debbie (that's right: they named their guitars) wowed this writer - and, I hope, you as well, with their songs.

GSG recorded and performed both original material and covers of songs as diverse as The Memphis Jug Band's "Cocaine Habit" and Dolly 'Let's teach the children of Rother-HAM how to read' Parton's "Jolene".

Their brief, but delightful appearance on the Gloucestershire music scene will be sadly missed.

Stand out track: "Cocaine Habit".

6> THE RIVERMEN

As you might expect from a band whose name is derived from a Nick Drake song, there's something of a gentle folk lilt to this Forest of Dean based act's work.

Complete with harmonica solos (which is, perhaps, where the similarity with Nick Drake ends), their "Higher Ground" is an uplifting song in more that just name.

With lyrics like "Everything’s changed since I tumbled into you" it's a love song that stays on the right side of sentimentality.

Stand out track: "Higher Ground".

5> THE MACHIAVELLIS

A response to one of the 2007 "Introducing" shows suggested BBC Gloucestershire should profile this act "now as opposed to band wagon jumping when these guys get big which I assure you they will!"

Mention of them here may, or may not, be "band wagon jumping" depending upon your point of view.

Nevertheless, The Machiavellis definitely deserve to feature in this Top Ten if only because of their sheer energy, drive and - oh, their fantastic songs, I suppose.

Pete Doherty's influence is writ large over the band's output, as the Libertines-esque "Pain in the Face" demonstrates.

But there's enough originality here to keep hardened derivative-aphobic cynics amused all the same. These guys are ones to watch. And definitely one to see live.

Stand out track: "1965".

4> THE NOVOCAINES

The Novocaines boast a sound which, by their own admission, nods a respectful head towards Joy Division.

To hear the introduction to their "Isolated Love", you could be forgiven for thinking they have spent the larger part of their lives listening to "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on repeat.

The Novocaines are, however, much more than a tribute act to four of Manchester's finest.

Tracks like the one featured on July's "Introducing" show testify to this: fast moving guitar work, coasting below lyrics that owe as much to Hard Fi as they do to their Post Punk heroes.

Stand out track: "Isolated Love".

3> STONE FROM DELPHI

This band is, apparently, soon to be no more. Which is rather annoying as the world will be a less interesting place without the prospect of a new series of songs as well crafted as those found on "All Else Can Wait" and "Debt Collected".

In the meantime, their latest, and probably last collection of songs can be heard on the "You Were Sold a Lie" E.P. whose songs are as intense as ever. A sonic delight.

Stand out track: "Rough Justice".

2> CHRIS DAVIDSON

This musician has always been a joy to listen to - and to return to with startling regularity. His music is passionate, poignant and just plain perfect.

Stand out track: "Sometimes it Shines".

1> IRRITANT

Gloucestershire's very own hardened rockers continued to thrill their fans this year with a series of live gigs, a new EP and even a video, filmed in a dark, damp warehouse off Bristol Road in Gloucester.

Irritant's scorching guitars, seering vocals and high production values make them a band that you should continue to watch.

Two parts metal to one part prog-rock, the band are not just taking Gloucestershire by storm; they are taking the whole world by hurricane. And if you don't believe me, just ask Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson. He's a fan too.

Stand out track: "The Voice of the Siren".

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So, there you have it: another marvellous musical year done and dusted. But before I sign off for 2007, mention should, perhaps, be made of two UK bands discovered this year whose members are alumni of the Gloucestershire music scene.

If you feel like being brave and exploring the world of music outside of the county boundaries, you could do worse than checking out Datapuddle, a London based band whose members feature Marc and Simon of Earnest Cox fame (they are, rather greedily, in two bands).

The Puddle's rather fine music blends lo-fi indie with electronic experimentalism. If you are ever lucky enough to catch them live, you should watch their specially made (and just as splendid) animations which accompany the songs.

The second band to deserve a mention is Nottingham based The Breakdowns, featuring Joe Breakdown, formerly of this parish when he had a much more sensible name.

The Breakdowns take Rock 'n' Roll back to its roots with influences from The Ramones through to The Beatles and then back even further.

Listen to them and you'll reclaim a little bit of soul that was lost last time you caught five minutes of X Factor Academy Idol.

And that really is it from me for the year. I'm off to indulge myself with another dose of Chris Davidson. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Musical Year.

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This article is an external contribution and expresses a personal opinion, not the views of the BBC.