Nobody has mentioned Goldfrapp Seventh Tree. Saw them at Coachella and then bought the record, which became the heaviest rotation album of the year for me. Beautiful, heavily layered arrangements and incredibly well recorded.
The Bravery's Sun and Moon, produced by Brendan O'Brien, also got my attention. A considerable advancement in songwriting by them and, again, well recorded.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's BRMC came out last year, and they just keep making consistent, interesting albums. The best British band not actually from Britain.
The Charlatans released You Cross my Path to almost no notice in the US. Worth checking out for fans of the band (and others)
The Last Shadow Puppets. Arctic Monkey's front man's side project, but having little in common with his main band. Sounds like late 60's Burt Bachrach romantic orchestrated pop and James Bond theme music. And well done at that.
