TOP ALBUMS 2012
1. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
2. Rival Schools - Pedals
3. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
4. Felice Brothers - Celebration, Florida
5. Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire
6. Wilco - The Whole Love
7. Josh T Pearson - Last of the Country Gentlemen
8. Funeral For A Friend - Welcome Home Armageddon
9. Thrice - Major/Minor
10. Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm
The 'Almost' List
Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness
The Dears - Degeneration Street
Twin Atantic - Free
Bell X1 - Bloodless Coup
We Were Promised Jetpacks - In the Pit of the Stomach
Tapes 'n' Tapes - Outside
James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning
TOP SONGS 2011
1. Felice Brothers - Ponzi
2. Nathaniel Rateliff - Shroud
3. Manchester Orchestra - Virgin
4. Rival Schools - Wring It Out
5. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Senator
6. The Bronze Medal - Milk
7. Ryan Adams - Lucky Now
8. Neon neon - Dream Cars
9. Metronomy - She Wants
10. James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat
TOP LIVE PERFORMANCES 2011
Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Duchess, York
Josh T Pearson, Queens Social Club, Sheffield
Manchester Orchestra, Koko, London
Foo Fighters, Isle of Wight Festival
Pulp, Isle of Wight Festival
Rival Schools, Leeds Festival
Elbow, Leeds Festival
Twin Atlantic, Leeds Festival
Jimmy Eat World, Leeds Festival
Friday, 27 January 2012
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Pelican
A favourite for 2012 already. To be released on January 1st 2012 with the album to follow a week later.
The Maccabees - Pelican
Friday, 16 December 2011
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Scrolling through the end of year lists
What is it with end of year lists that muster up so much interest? Is it comparing what you've listened to yourself and seeing if you are 'down' with the kids? or just reading in disgust how bad music is at the moment? Whatever the reason, its good fun. I believe 2011 has been a very good year for the album. Its nice to see a small snapshot of what people have been listening to throughout the year.
Common favourites for this year have been Adele '21', Girls 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost' and Horrors 'Skying'. The Horrors doesn't surprise me, not because I agree but as long as they are releasing records, they will be in the lists (beyond me) but Adele? She can sing. She can even sing a good song but it is just 100% safety. When I hear this record I just think of a sweaty mother going down to the dole office to pick up her well earned cash and popping into HMV and buying Adele. Her music is so down the middle of the road, inoffensive and 'nice' that it becomes offensive and excruciatingly dull. This is not purely an attack on Adele. After looking at other artists in various lists, there's a feeling of 'meh' with some of the listed bands. Girls, for one have released an over produced noise-racket with even less vocal content. Just an abysmal album.
Please don't get me started on the Vaccines and the masses of praise they have been reaping this year. They can't even be bothered to pen 3 minute songs. At least its over sooner. One band that has disappointed the most this year are the Arctic Monkeys. 'Suck and See' even fell short of 2009's 'Humbug'. Its not a bad album to say the least but its just ok and I don't want ok from Alex Turner and co. They started with so much discontent and honesty but have just tried to be little too witty and clever, sadly it hasn't worked.
I have even seen the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in a list. Fuck off.
Even though I have had a little moan about some of the over-hyped trash this year, there has been some little gems. Benjamin Francis Leftwich released his stripped down man and a guitar songs, Bell XII with 'Bloodless Coup' and Cymbals Eat Guitars continued their confusing yet guitar driven extravagance.
I have also just found out that The Shins will be releasing a new album (Port of Morrow) next march. Boom, I'll say.
...and with bated breath my top lists of 2011 will be up soon...
Common favourites for this year have been Adele '21', Girls 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost' and Horrors 'Skying'. The Horrors doesn't surprise me, not because I agree but as long as they are releasing records, they will be in the lists (beyond me) but Adele? She can sing. She can even sing a good song but it is just 100% safety. When I hear this record I just think of a sweaty mother going down to the dole office to pick up her well earned cash and popping into HMV and buying Adele. Her music is so down the middle of the road, inoffensive and 'nice' that it becomes offensive and excruciatingly dull. This is not purely an attack on Adele. After looking at other artists in various lists, there's a feeling of 'meh' with some of the listed bands. Girls, for one have released an over produced noise-racket with even less vocal content. Just an abysmal album.
Please don't get me started on the Vaccines and the masses of praise they have been reaping this year. They can't even be bothered to pen 3 minute songs. At least its over sooner. One band that has disappointed the most this year are the Arctic Monkeys. 'Suck and See' even fell short of 2009's 'Humbug'. Its not a bad album to say the least but its just ok and I don't want ok from Alex Turner and co. They started with so much discontent and honesty but have just tried to be little too witty and clever, sadly it hasn't worked.
I have even seen the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in a list. Fuck off.
Even though I have had a little moan about some of the over-hyped trash this year, there has been some little gems. Benjamin Francis Leftwich released his stripped down man and a guitar songs, Bell XII with 'Bloodless Coup' and Cymbals Eat Guitars continued their confusing yet guitar driven extravagance.
I have also just found out that The Shins will be releasing a new album (Port of Morrow) next march. Boom, I'll say.
...and with bated breath my top lists of 2011 will be up soon...
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Bon Iver
Wisconsin man, Justin Vernon maybe the perfect musical artist. This could be considered quite a bold statement considering the mass vacuum of talent (and no so much in other cases) out there. It doesn't come in numbers. It doesn't come in article inches or festival performances. My claim is purely based on his recorded output to the public domain.
It all started with 'For Emma, Forever Ago' in 2008. The sincerity and melancholic endeavours for Justin's recluse debut are outstanding. Fluttered with mystery and apprehension throughout, 'For Emma...' is journey of heartache, wilderness and personal redemption. OK, a million albums before have had the exact same premise. Many writers/musicians have had their hearts broken, hadthat epiphany which results in an album dedicated to their loss. But, Its all relative and Justin captures the tone perfectly.
Sounds depressing? YES! And this is the way it should be. Track three, 'Skinny Love' encapsulates this perfectly. Obviously, its about how "their" love is getting weaker but the melodic tones of the song expresses solace in a ditch. I believe this is one of the best pop songs of modern times.
Three years and various other projects (Gayngs, Volcano Choir...) later Juestin Vernon released Bon Iver's eponymous second LP (self titled). 'Bon Iver' is much of the same. Lyrically geographical (Holocene) and subtle melodies in orchestral vastness. So, on the 38th listen, this record just gets better and better. I would say its a grower but this term doesn't do it an justice. Its more than that. It stays in your sub-conscious and every listen reveals new wonders, much like a favourite film or book. Even the album design is art.
Two astonishingly beautiful albums and numerous breathtaking side projects, Justin Vernon has become hot property in the music world but in the meantime, he seems to hell bent on making great music. Its just a shame I will have to wait a little longer until I have the pleasure of experiencing him live.
How to listen to Justin Vernon
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Volcano Choir - Unamp
Monster - Kanye West, Bon Iver, Jay Z
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
Justin Vernon - Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Justin Vernon & Aaron Dressner - Big Red Machine
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Eau Claire Memorial Jazz feat. Justin Vernon - For Emma
The Xcerts - Blood Bank
It all started with 'For Emma, Forever Ago' in 2008. The sincerity and melancholic endeavours for Justin's recluse debut are outstanding. Fluttered with mystery and apprehension throughout, 'For Emma...' is journey of heartache, wilderness and personal redemption. OK, a million albums before have had the exact same premise. Many writers/musicians have had their hearts broken, hadthat epiphany which results in an album dedicated to their loss. But, Its all relative and Justin captures the tone perfectly.
Sounds depressing? YES! And this is the way it should be. Track three, 'Skinny Love' encapsulates this perfectly. Obviously, its about how "their" love is getting weaker but the melodic tones of the song expresses solace in a ditch. I believe this is one of the best pop songs of modern times.
Three years and various other projects (Gayngs, Volcano Choir...) later Juestin Vernon released Bon Iver's eponymous second LP (self titled). 'Bon Iver' is much of the same. Lyrically geographical (Holocene) and subtle melodies in orchestral vastness. So, on the 38th listen, this record just gets better and better. I would say its a grower but this term doesn't do it an justice. Its more than that. It stays in your sub-conscious and every listen reveals new wonders, much like a favourite film or book. Even the album design is art.
Two astonishingly beautiful albums and numerous breathtaking side projects, Justin Vernon has become hot property in the music world but in the meantime, he seems to hell bent on making great music. Its just a shame I will have to wait a little longer until I have the pleasure of experiencing him live.
How to listen to Justin Vernon
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Volcano Choir - Unamp
Monster - Kanye West, Bon Iver, Jay Z
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
Justin Vernon - Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Justin Vernon & Aaron Dressner - Big Red Machine
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Eau Claire Memorial Jazz feat. Justin Vernon - For Emma
The Xcerts - Blood Bank
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