So, I'm a little late to the game here, seeing that it is late-January, but I wanted to post my favorite albums of 2011. It's been a really busy year with me having my second kid, starting a new job, moving, and trying to desperately finish my dissertation. However, it's been a great year for music and I've discovered some great artists. Below, is the list of my 20 favorite albums, and the descriptions are largely lifted from the quarterly favorite records lists.
1. Bon Iver- Bon Iver: This record was released in quarter #2 of this year and I had it listed as my 8th favorite record of the quarter. However, I said that I hada "sneaking suspicion that this record will factor much higher into my final list of the year". It was true. The beautiful, poetic qualities of this record hooked me after multiple listens. So, so good.
2. Tom Waits- Bad as Me: Waits is my favorite artist of all time. In fact, my wife and I gave our son the middle name Thomas. This is another great release by Tom...maybe it should be #1.
3. David Bazan- Strange Negotiations: David, since his days in Pedro the Lion, can always sing what I never have the nerve or the words to say. His music has always spoken to something deep in me. Like anything else from David, Strange Negotiation is lyrically challenging and musically direct.
4. We are Augustines- Rise Ye Sunken Ships: We are Augustines are the remnants of arguably my favorite unknown band of all time; Pela. They recently broke up and some of the guys reformed as We Are Augustinves. Think of Sunken Ships as the last Pela record. This album is just good old anthemic rock 'n roll. It's fun and not to be missed.
5. Beirut- High Tide: I actually think that this might be the best release from Beirut to date; at least the most consistently listenable.
6. Handsome Furs- Sound Kapital: As you may now, Wolf Parade is on a indefinite hiatus. But its component parts are still pumping out great tunes. Guitarist, Dan Boeckner, and his wife Alexei Perry perform as Handsome Furs and have just released their third album; it is a collection of great, great electro pop with a rough, rough edge.
7. Youth Lagoon- The Year of Hibernation: The synths and drum machine provide the perfect back drop the charming songs of youthful boy-angst. It's beautifully melodic, perfect for a rainy bus ride through Pittsburgh.
8. WU LYF- Go Tell Fire to the Mountain: This is a record that I probably have too low on the list. Their name makes me uncomfortable (LYF=Lucifer Youth Foundation) but the music does not. This is a near-perfect collection of loud and anarchistic rock. It's both abrasive and listenable at the same time.
9. War on Drugs- Slave Ambient: Again, this is the sophomore effort from a really promising and progressive Philadelphia band. They perfectly blend roots-rock and reverb-ambient.
10. Cymbals Eat Guitars- Lenses Alien: Ever since Cymbals Eat Guitars charged onto the scene last year with their incredible debut record, they have been consistently one of my favorite rock bands. It's hard to say how their sophomore album compared to that first record, but I still love their wonderful slack rock; it takes me back to an earlier time.
11. The Cults- The Cults: The Cults have been blog darlings since they started releases their poppy and infectious singles about a year or so ago. This record is flirty and light girl-group pop that is filled with reverb and synth. Perfect summer record.
12. M83- Hurry Up, We're Dreaming: This french synth- musician gets better and better. This has been one of the most revered records of the year. Very deserving of the high praise.
13. Girls- Father, Son Holy Ghost: This album is simultaneously fun yet grumpy surfer-stoner rock. Very good for many moods and occasions. Maybe a little over rated but really good nonetheless
14. BOAT- Dress Like Your Idols: This band is just fun. I always describe them to folks as "bro rock" or "frat rock". It's just really fun and energetic music that borrows heavily from 90's rock icons such as Weezer, Built to Spill, and Pavement.
15. Cave Singers- No Witch: I know they aren't for everyone but Cave Singers are one of my favorite bands right now, consistently producing great folk-rock. No Witch is one of their best and takes me back to some of my favorite old Black Crows albums.
16. Dum Dum Girls- Only in Dreams: This record is perfectly delivered surfer-shoegaze from an all-girl rock n roll group. Not to be missed.
17. St. Vincent- Strange Mercy: I desperately wanted to love this record; I instead heard pieces of progressive musical perfection mixed with boredom-inducing esoterica. I think when averaged out, it's still a great record.
18. Washed Out- Within and Without: The soft beats and beautiful synths make this such a comforting record. I don't know why I have it so low.
19. EMA- Past Life Martyred Saints: EMA is the musical vehicle for Erin Anderson, a songstress from South Dakota. This record is dark and mysterious yet melodic electronic music and Anderson's voice fits it well.
20. Beyonce- 4: OK haters, just listen to the record; it's really good.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
TR's music highlights from 2011
Some major changes have taken place in my life in the past few years. Moving to a small town in Tennessee and beginning a career as an Academic Librarian has not allowed me to consume music as voraciously as I did when I was an angst driven grad student. In addition, the way that I consume music is now different. I have gone almost entirely to streaming and only buy the music when I know that I love it. NPR Music, Rdio, Spotify, Pandora and Grooveshark have become the ways that I discover and listen to new things. I live in a town with no good record store and so I am unable to just spend some time browsing album covers and listening. The music industry has undergone a revolution and I have changed with it. In a year when my body has forced me to stop running, stop striving my taste in music has mellowed a bit as well. I have gravitated away from alt-country, alt-rock and indie music and embraced a more subdued electronic sound. In a year in which old favorites like Ryan Adams, The Decemberists, Bright Eyes, Bon Iver, Wilco, Beirut and Iron & Wine released new albums I am somewhat indifferent to most of them. (The Bon Iver record was the exception and actually really good. I was moved by it.) Here are a few of the bright spots for me from 2011.
Julianna Barwick
On Asmathic Kitty, Barwick loops cathedralesque contemplative choral arrangements that inspire and yet calm. Her album, Magic Place, has been on repeat lately for me. Here is an interview with her.
Aloe Blacc
Technically Blacc's album "Good Things" was released in 2010 but I discovered it this year and have loved the through back Marvin Gay like sound. I normally don't listen to a great deal of hip hop but I actually set this song as my alarm in the mornings so I would wake up smiling.
James Blake
James Blake's album was my favorite of the year. His sparse electronic arrangements are packed with emotion. It has been a go to album for me all year long.
Cults
To me The Cults have a fun 80's sound that you can dance to. Their song abducted blew me away when I heard it this year.
Radiohead
The reason that Radiohead is the most important band of my lifetime is that they have constantly progressed and innovated with their music. Thom York can f*&)ing dance as well!
Bon Iver
I really didn't think that Justin Vernon could ever do anything like For Emma Forever Ago. After listening to that album over and over again for all of 2008 I really didn't expect to hear anything from Bon Iver again. This new release was great though! It didn't take me back to a snowy cabin in the woods but rather a more soaring even mature place. Calgary was breathtaking when I first heard it.
Julianna Barwick
On Asmathic Kitty, Barwick loops cathedralesque contemplative choral arrangements that inspire and yet calm. Her album, Magic Place, has been on repeat lately for me. Here is an interview with her.
Aloe Blacc
Technically Blacc's album "Good Things" was released in 2010 but I discovered it this year and have loved the through back Marvin Gay like sound. I normally don't listen to a great deal of hip hop but I actually set this song as my alarm in the mornings so I would wake up smiling.
James Blake
James Blake's album was my favorite of the year. His sparse electronic arrangements are packed with emotion. It has been a go to album for me all year long.
Cults
To me The Cults have a fun 80's sound that you can dance to. Their song abducted blew me away when I heard it this year.
Radiohead
The reason that Radiohead is the most important band of my lifetime is that they have constantly progressed and innovated with their music. Thom York can f*&)ing dance as well!
Bon Iver
I really didn't think that Justin Vernon could ever do anything like For Emma Forever Ago. After listening to that album over and over again for all of 2008 I really didn't expect to hear anything from Bon Iver again. This new release was great though! It didn't take me back to a snowy cabin in the woods but rather a more soaring even mature place. Calgary was breathtaking when I first heard it.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Top Albums Quarter #3 2011
1. Cymbals Eat Guitars- Lenses Alien: Ever since Cymbals Eat Guitars charged onto the scene last year with their incredible debut record, they have been consistently one of my favorite rock bands. It's hard to say how their sophomore album compared to that first record, but I still love their wonderful slack rock; it takes me back to an earlier time.
2. War on Drugs- Slave Ambient: Again, this is the sophomore effort from a really promising and progressive Philadelphia band. They perfectly blend roots-rock and reverb-ambient.
3. Beirut- High Tide: I actually think that this might be the best release from Beirut to date; at least the most consistently listenable. Zach Condon returns to the firmly Eastern European folk sounds of Gulag Orkestrar after a brief (re)flirtation with electronic music.
4. Girls- Father, Son Holy Ghost: This album is simultaneously fun yet grumpy surfer-stoner rock. Very good for many moods and occasions.
5. Dum Dum Girls- Only in Dreams: This record is perfectly delivered surfer-shoegaze from an all-girl rock n roll group. Not to be missed.
6. St. Vincent- Strange Mercy: I desperately wanted to love this record; I instead heard pieces of progressive musical perfection mixed with boredom-inducing esoterica. I think when averaged out, it's still a great record.
7. Megafaun-Megafaun : I cut my teeth on the Grateful Dead. I know that's a swear word in some indie-rock circles but I still love them. This record marries my music worlds; indie-Dead.
8. Washed Out- Within and Without: The soft beats and beautiful synths make this such a comforting record. I don't know why I have it so low.
9. Beyonce- 4: OK haters, just listen to the record; it's really good.
10. Wilco- The Whole Love: Music appreciation is so strange. I have no idea if I like this album. I love, love Wilco but was so deeply disappointed by the last 2 records. I think that this album returns Wilco to an interesting place but I can't disentangle this record from my feelings about their previous miserable efforts. Because I am having trouble making an assessment, this record is here only because I like Wilco so much. I may rate it higher later...maybe not.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Top Albums Quarter #2 2011
So, it looks like this blog has essentially become simply a place for me to post my top albums each quarter. Once my dissertation is over, I plan to get back into writing reviews and posting music. With that being said, this has been a great quarter for music. It was really hard to rank these albums and there are a number of worthy albums that didn't make the cut.
1. David Bazan- Strange Negotiations: David, since his days in Pedro the Lion, can always sing what I never have the nerve or the words to say. His music has always spoken to something deep in me. Like anything else from David, Strange Negotiation is lyrically challenging and musically direct.
2. The Cults- The Cults: The Cults have been blog darlings since they started releases their poppy and infectious singles about a year or so ago. This record is flirty and light girl-group pop that is filled with reverb and synth. Perfect summer record.
3. We are Augustines- Rise Ye Sunken Ships: We are Augustines are the remnants of arguably my favorite unknown band of all time; Pela. They recently broke up and some of the guys reformed as We Are Augustinves. Think of Sunken Ships as the last Pela record. This album is just good old anthemic rock 'n roll. It's fun and not to be missed.
4. Handsome Furs- Sound Kapital: As you may now, Wolf Parade is on a indefinite hiatus. But its component parts are still pumping out great tunes. Guitarist, Dan Boeckner, and his wife Alexei Perry perform as Handsome Furs and have just released their third album; it is a collection of great, great electro pop with a rough, rough edge.
5. WU LYF- Go Tell Fire to the Mountain: This is a record that I probably have too low on the list. Their name makes me uncomfortable (LYF=Lucifer Youth Foundation) but the music does not. This is a near-perfect collection of loud and anarchistic rock. It's both abrasive and listenable at the same time.
6. BOAT- Dress Like Your Idols: This band is just fun. I always describe them to folks as "bro rock" or "frat rock". It's just really fun and energetic music that borrows heavily from 90's rock icons such as Weezer, Built to Spill, and Pavement.
7. EMA- Past Life Martyred Saints: EMA is the musical vehicle for Erin Anderson, a songstress from South Dakota. This record is dark and mysterious yet melodic electronic music and Anderson's voice fits it well.
8. Bon Iver- Bon Iver: I have a sneaking suspicion that this record will factor much higher into my final list of the year. I really can't decide if I hate it or think it might be an absolutely genius album; this is actually an important musical quality in my mind. For those of you looking for the "old Bon Iver", you will be disapointed. This record is highly produced and at times feels like cheeseball Bruce Hornsby music...but its good I promise.
9. Fleet Foxes- Helplessness Blues: Here's what I have to say, "Yep...it's a Fleet Foxes album. It's good...I guess."
10. Crystal Stilts- In Love with Oblivion: Crystal Stilts always deliver solid post-punk tunes. This record is no different.
1. David Bazan- Strange Negotiations: David, since his days in Pedro the Lion, can always sing what I never have the nerve or the words to say. His music has always spoken to something deep in me. Like anything else from David, Strange Negotiation is lyrically challenging and musically direct.
2. The Cults- The Cults: The Cults have been blog darlings since they started releases their poppy and infectious singles about a year or so ago. This record is flirty and light girl-group pop that is filled with reverb and synth. Perfect summer record.
3. We are Augustines- Rise Ye Sunken Ships: We are Augustines are the remnants of arguably my favorite unknown band of all time; Pela. They recently broke up and some of the guys reformed as We Are Augustinves. Think of Sunken Ships as the last Pela record. This album is just good old anthemic rock 'n roll. It's fun and not to be missed.
4. Handsome Furs- Sound Kapital: As you may now, Wolf Parade is on a indefinite hiatus. But its component parts are still pumping out great tunes. Guitarist, Dan Boeckner, and his wife Alexei Perry perform as Handsome Furs and have just released their third album; it is a collection of great, great electro pop with a rough, rough edge.
5. WU LYF- Go Tell Fire to the Mountain: This is a record that I probably have too low on the list. Their name makes me uncomfortable (LYF=Lucifer Youth Foundation) but the music does not. This is a near-perfect collection of loud and anarchistic rock. It's both abrasive and listenable at the same time.
6. BOAT- Dress Like Your Idols: This band is just fun. I always describe them to folks as "bro rock" or "frat rock". It's just really fun and energetic music that borrows heavily from 90's rock icons such as Weezer, Built to Spill, and Pavement.
7. EMA- Past Life Martyred Saints: EMA is the musical vehicle for Erin Anderson, a songstress from South Dakota. This record is dark and mysterious yet melodic electronic music and Anderson's voice fits it well.
8. Bon Iver- Bon Iver: I have a sneaking suspicion that this record will factor much higher into my final list of the year. I really can't decide if I hate it or think it might be an absolutely genius album; this is actually an important musical quality in my mind. For those of you looking for the "old Bon Iver", you will be disapointed. This record is highly produced and at times feels like cheeseball Bruce Hornsby music...but its good I promise.
9. Fleet Foxes- Helplessness Blues: Here's what I have to say, "Yep...it's a Fleet Foxes album. It's good...I guess."
10. Crystal Stilts- In Love with Oblivion: Crystal Stilts always deliver solid post-punk tunes. This record is no different.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Top Albums- Quarter #1 2011
I know that the blog is defunct for all intents and purposes but I still want to post my top albums of each quarter.
1. Cave Singers- No Witch: I know they aren't for everyone but Cave Singers are one of my favorite bands right now, consistently producing great folk-rock. No Witch is one of their best and takes me back to some of my favorite old Black Crows albums.
2. Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Belong: I though there debut album of Shoegaze indie-pop was pretty epic. This is more of the same but probably better.
3. Daniel Martin Moore- In the Cool of the Day: I know nothing about Moore's faith but it certainly sounds like he believes it on this collection of old hymns. Probably the best release by SubPop Records this year.
4. Tennis- Cape Dory: This husband-wife duo wrote this record of sweet AM-jangle pop while they were on sailing trip up the Atlantic coast. The record is almost as cute as the context.
5. Eternal Summers- Silver: Perfect little collection of post-punk dream-pop. This bands a really up and comer.
6. Dodos- No Colour: Dodos consistently release catchy indie-pop. Although perhaps not as memorable as earlier releases, this one is really good.
7. Smith Westerns- Dye it Blond: Great crunchy lo-fi rock n' roll. It didn't find it as profound as other reviewers but certainly worth the time.
8. Decemberists- The King is Dead: This pains me because I find Colin Meloy more than a little bit irritating. However, this record is highly listenable and will especially be a joy for you Decemeberists fans out there.
9. Iron and Wine- Kiss Each Other Clean: I love Iron and Wine's old stuff and this record is a huge departure. However, its hard to deny that there are some great tunes on this record.
10. James Blake- James Blake: The blogosphere went crazy about this record. Its hard for me to say that it was any better than "good". But it has some gems and worth a spin.
1. Cave Singers- No Witch: I know they aren't for everyone but Cave Singers are one of my favorite bands right now, consistently producing great folk-rock. No Witch is one of their best and takes me back to some of my favorite old Black Crows albums.
2. Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Belong: I though there debut album of Shoegaze indie-pop was pretty epic. This is more of the same but probably better.
3. Daniel Martin Moore- In the Cool of the Day: I know nothing about Moore's faith but it certainly sounds like he believes it on this collection of old hymns. Probably the best release by SubPop Records this year.
4. Tennis- Cape Dory: This husband-wife duo wrote this record of sweet AM-jangle pop while they were on sailing trip up the Atlantic coast. The record is almost as cute as the context.
5. Eternal Summers- Silver: Perfect little collection of post-punk dream-pop. This bands a really up and comer.
6. Dodos- No Colour: Dodos consistently release catchy indie-pop. Although perhaps not as memorable as earlier releases, this one is really good.
7. Smith Westerns- Dye it Blond: Great crunchy lo-fi rock n' roll. It didn't find it as profound as other reviewers but certainly worth the time.
8. Decemberists- The King is Dead: This pains me because I find Colin Meloy more than a little bit irritating. However, this record is highly listenable and will especially be a joy for you Decemeberists fans out there.
9. Iron and Wine- Kiss Each Other Clean: I love Iron and Wine's old stuff and this record is a huge departure. However, its hard to deny that there are some great tunes on this record.
10. James Blake- James Blake: The blogosphere went crazy about this record. Its hard for me to say that it was any better than "good". But it has some gems and worth a spin.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Cave Singers- No Witch
Ignatius says "Monumental".
It's no secret to anyone who knows me and my musical taste that I am a huge fan of the Cave Singers. I love bands that have interesting indie-rock pedigrees, and the Cave Singers have one of the best. The band includes members from Murder City Devils, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Hint Hint, and Cobra High. However, the Cave Singers project is something different in kind from all of those bands. When Peter Quirk, Derek Fudesco, and Marty Lund get together they shed their other bands' skins and become something new. The pastoral folk-rock has always spoken to me in a visceral way and I have always been puzzled by the fact that they don't get better reviews across the blogosphere.
Their much anticipated third record, No Witch, does not disappoint. The formula is the same and again expertly executed. They still deliver the same dark,unassuming hooks, and Peter Quirk's nasally vocal delivery remains one of my favorite voices in music. However, this album is much more produced than previous released with deeper textures facilitated by more prominent blues-rock riffs, organs, and horns. There are even moments when I felt like I had pulled out my old Black Crows records. Ultimately, this is the same Cave Singers that I have grown to appreciate; it just feels fuller and more mature.
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