Colin Stetson & Sarah Neufeld - The Rest Of Us

Pretty badass track, and a dope video. This would be great in a chase scene.

Best of 2011 Part 7

This is it! We made it! This year is over, and these are my top albums of the year. I hope you were entertained, maybe found a new artist you didn't know, and will join me again in 2012 for many more great tunes as the blog enters its third year. Now hurry up and check this, then go enjoy your evening!

#3

Radiohead

The King Of Limbs

We waited for years after their last album and finally "Lotus Flower", followed by a further seven tracks of Radiohead genius. Sure, it might not have been their greatest album ever, but it was still awesome and was easily good enough to make it near the top of the charts even if it did feel a little abruptly truncated. I'm pretty sure we won't have to wait as long for the next one. I hope not anyway.

At this point I think everyone in the world has heard of these guys, and if not they're probably beyond help. I don't think this would be the album to win over too many new fans, per se, as it's basically just another minor evolution of their expansive electronic ideas that they've explored since their landmark album "Kid A". Either you're into this stuff or you aren't, and if you're not you should be, because this is the best band in the world. End of story.

Codex

Morning Mr. Magpie

Little By Little

#2

Bon Iver

Bon Iver

I have to admit I wasn't really into Justin Vernon's deput LP, but this one had me captivated as soon as I heard the first single "Calgary", one of the best songs of the year. Actually there are several songs in this album that would be in the running for that title.

Most impressively, this album has taken the same haunting lyrical songwriting style but added layers and layers and layers of sounds, all blending into one masterful musical painting that will have you in fits over its utter majesty. Just check out the live performance below and see the amazing collection of multi-instrumentalists that have been put together and you'll know what a special album this is. He even drafted a certain Colin Stetson to help out a little on the saxomophone. Say no more.

Perth

Holocene

Towers

#1

SBTRKT

SBTRKT

I had a good laugh when Pitchfork described Aaron Jerome as a "journeyman". Talk about being wide of the mark. Anyone who was into progressive electronic music even a bit would have known him before this album came out, and there was a ton of anticipation for his debut LP. To say he delivered would be an equally derisive understatement.

This album not only has my favorite song of the year, "Wildfire", but also ten other absolutely killer tracks that bridge the gaps between house, dubstep, and everything in between. The mixes are perfect, the vocals are seamless, and what we have here is an introduction into the future of electronic music. The bar has been set very, very high indeed. Enjoy.

Wildfire

Trials Of The Past

Pharoahs

EP #1

Alabama Shakes

Alabama Shakes

Does anyone else find it interesting that the last three albums on this list all were self-titled albums? I think it just ties in with the overall theme of the year, one of experimentation and introduction to new sounds. All of these artists will, I'm positive, go on to even bigger and better things so it's extremely exciting to introduce you to Alabama Shakes, hands down the most exciting newcomers of the year. I posted a stunning live performance a week or so ago, and here are the other three songs on the EP you should be getting your hands on pronto.

I Found You

Hold On

On Your Way

Happy new year!

Best of 2011 Part 2

Ok, on to part 2, with part 3 coming right after this one. I got an extra pair of underwear as a late Christmas gift, so I'm in a good mood. Anyone know why they call them a pair? There's various stories on the interwebs, and none of them make any sense. I digress. Here's music.

#18

Wagon Christ

Toomorow

Wagon Christ is one of several pseudonyms employed by English producer Luke Vibert, and under which his best stuff has been published. His specialty is lo-fi hip-hop instrumentals, often with a downtempo breakbeat style. Releasing on a bunch of different labels over the years, this one is on the world class Ninja Tune label, and it's easy to see why.

As a straight album front to back it's a little choppy, but that has more to do with the eclectic style of Vibert rather than misplaced track selection. At any given time there is a mashing of muted horns, chirpy vocal samples, and dreamy synth organs. If you're into trippy, mind-expanding beats, this one could be just the ticket.

Chunkothy

Respectrum

Ain't He Heavy, He's My Brother

#17

Colin Stetson

New History Warfare Vol. 2

You're heard Colin Stetson before, you just don't know it. He's performed with Tom Waits, LCD Soundsystem, The National, and the Arcade Fire, just to name a few. He's a brilliant musician, and if there is any album off this list that will go down as one of the best in future lists, it's this one. The only reason it doesn't make it higher on this list is because it's not something you can just pop in the tape deck and go for a drive with. It takes serious effort to sit and appreciate the eccentricity and splendor contained in it.

It was shortlisted for the 2011 Polaris prize, and by estimation should have won. In terms of pure musicianship and recording innovation, there is nothing even close. Stetson recorded the whole thing live on his bass sax, in single takes, with no dubs or loops, using twenty-odd microphones to record everything from the clicks of the pads to the vibration of his vocal chords. It is a groundbreaking, landmark recording and truly a triumph of modern music. Two thumbs, way up.

Judges

Red Horse (Judges II)

The Righteous Wrath Of An Honorable Man

#16

Hey Rosetta!

Seeds

Tim Baker and Co. have given us their most accomplished album to date, but paradoxically it is my least favorite so far. I say this because it is unquestionably a graduation of sound and depth from their previous work, but it's not nearly as catchy and it's really moved them from merely a really good nu-folk storytelling sort of band into a fully blown epic rock ensemble. After a few more listens, this album will grow on me even more, and it's highly probable that I will eventually prefer this sound to the one I've become accustomed to.

As is the case in these kinds of albums, the most accessible songs on the album are the least impressive. Songs like "Yer Spring" and "Young Glass" are very good but ultimately well surpassed by the rest. If you were previously into the band, like me, you might not appreciate it for all it is yet, but you will. Just give it time. I'm talking to myself again, aren't I...

Yer Fall

Bricks

Parson Brown

EP #6

Mux Mool

Drum EP 2

Brian Lindgren operates out of New York these days, but for a while it seemed like he wouldn't be operating out of anywhere. After contemplating quitting the music scene altogether he was convinced to stick it out a little longer, and thank goodness he did because he's put out a killer EP that will surely lead to even better things in the future. Funky instrumental layers of sonic goodness are awaiting all who pick this six song offering up. Go ahead, you won't be disappointed.

Flying Dreams

The Hundred Dollar Beat

Jen And Soda

Time for snack then back with part 3 in a couple hours.