Best of 2013 Part 3

I went and saw The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug last night. The theatre was still jammed, which is likely as much indicative of the time of year as it is the popularity of the movie. As a Tolkien fan I emerged from the film with mixed emotions. It was a great ride, more exciting than An Unexpected Journey, but it diverged so much from the original source material that it was a bit sad at parts, and I can't help but feel that the editing in the final cut could have been better. Anyway go see it and enjoy it for what it is, and let's get back to talking music shall we?

#15

Jon Hopkins

Immunity

Jon Hopkins is an interesting fellow. A truly unique character from London, his music combines so many different influences and sounds that it’s really impossible to define in terms of genre, and that only adds to the appeal. While the notes themselves aren’t particularly complicated or difficult, the obvious attention to detail in almost every second is impressive.

Much of this album seems to be purposely made to accompany visuals, it’s an intensely visceral exposition. Sweeping ambient harmonies are juxtaposed against heavy techno-style drum tracks that produce a kind of sonic inevitability. This isn’t so surprising given that he has, in the past, scored for film, and done so to high acclaim. Since there doesn’t seem to be a DVD release as of yet, maybe just closing your eyes and imagining while listening will do the trick.

Open Eye Signal

Breathe This Air / We Disappear

Collider

#14

David Bowie

The Next Day

I can’t imagine there are too many 65 year olds sitting around thinking “I haven’t rocked an album in a decade, I should really get on that.” Then again this is David Bowie we’re talking about, and he has never been anything even approaching ordinary. It should thus come as no surprise that this isn’t just an album for activity’s sake, it’s a really good one by any definition.

The styles and tempo accordingly vary from song to song, though there remain only hints of the heavy electronic feel of previous works on “Heathen” and especially “Earthling”. Each track can be taken as equally its own entity and yet undeniably part of an overarching theme of introspection. Bowie’s voice and song writing are as strong as ever, and though it appears he isn’t likely to be doing any live performances any time soon, we can certainly look forward to his next effort.

The Next Day

Valentine's Day

The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

#13

Melt Yourself Down

Melt Yourself Down

This is a short album, only eight tracks long and only 35 minutes, but it’s a heck of a ride any way you look at it. Interestingly they are also from London, making it a cool three out of three for today’s LP stars. Come to think of it, today’s EP selection also originates from there... is this some kind of English conspiracy? This can’t be coincidence!

Back to the matter at hand – horns, blips, bloops, zaps, drums, cowbells, and static are all omnipresent throughout this electro-funk jazzamatazz of a record, the first studio album from a band that only formed barely more than a year ago. Judging on the energy bursting through the seams in this collection as well as the wild videos of their live efforts, I can only assume they are a hell of a great time to see in person. Ignore the utterly perplexing review that a website that shall be unnamed posted, this is a great album and one you should dance around in your underpants to post-haste.

Release!

Camel

Fix My Life

EP #5

Lapalux

Composure

Lapalux, aka Stuart Howard, released two notable EPs last annum and this one builds on his glitchy trip-hop style, with the title track being one of the coolest tracks out all year. This was released prior to the full album Nostalchic, which didn’t make a lot of sense to me because all three appeared on that release as well. To be honest the LP left a lot to be desired, mostly feeling like filler to flesh out the obvious quality of these tracks. This guy has a ton of potential so it will be interesting to see what he comes up with next.

Without You

Guuurl

Swallowing Smoke

Part 4 featuring non-Londoners tomorrow!

Best of 2012 Part 3

Decidedly off topic but worth a mention anyway: I saw The Hobbit tonight, in all its HFR 3D 48fps glory. I have to say I can't understand what a lot of the critics were talking about. I had no trouble adjusting to the format and personally I thought it was the best 3D filming I've ever seen. It was as if you were watching the action through a window pane, the detail was incredible.

 The movie itself was very good. Sure, there are lots of things that differ from the book, but the overall feel is there and once the action gets going it doesn't let up until the final scene, which was a terrible tease and once again I can't wait for the next one. Well done Peter Jackson, onwards and upwards. Speaking of which, we have some albums to review!

#15

The Smashing Pumpkins

Oceania

I can remember as if it was yesterday when Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness made its grand entrance into the world. So many moons ago, but what a moment in time. At that point the Pumpkins were at the absolute apex of the alternative hierarchy, but oh how the mighty have fallen. Well documented personnel issues and an ill conceived voyage into goth rock and drum machines led to their expulsion from the rock pantheon, and yet somehow here we are again celebrating their rebirth with their best album since those famous days of yore.

The first half of this album is as good as any other rock release of this year, but after the pulsing majesty of the epic nine minute title track it tends to fade a little, keeping it from edging into the very top of the rankings. Despite that this album blasts into life from its opening buildup and keeps you on edge for a good forty minutes that is well worth the price of admission by itself. There are little remnants of their pseudo-electronic experiments along the way, but for the most part they are subtle and flow nicely along with the thrashing guitars and punctuating snares. Welcome back Billy, we missed you.

The Celestials

Quasar

Oceania

#14

Ondatrópica

Ondatrópica

Muy caliente! Una cerveza por favor! I wanted to do the whole review in Spanish, but alas that's about the extent of my abilities in that language. From what I've seen and can certainly hear, it doesn't much matter because it's your hips that do the talking in the South American paradise of Colombia. With beats and grooves like the ones on this album, it's a miracle anyone gets any work done down there ever. Maybe they've perfected the art of working and dancing at the same time.

In a nutshell this is an all-star Cuban ensemble put together by Quantic and Mario Galeano, which just about says it all. With those two leading the way there's simply no way this album could fail, and it doesn't. Mixing just about every kind of rhythm and sound you could possibly hope to find in a tropical locale, this is an absolute must-have for any Latin themed activities you have planned. Saludos!

Linda Mañana

Suena

Tiene Sabor, Tiene Sazón

#13

Tame Impala

Lonerism

When I first started to see reviews about this album and gave it a listen I thought "oh joy, another Australian Beatles cover band, just what we need". Having since given the album a thorough going over several times, I can say quite confidently that this is indeed space-tacular psychedelic dream pop heavily influenced by the Liverpool boy toys, but it's actually really nicely done. What we have is something that feels more like an evolutionary extension of the sound, rather than outright repetition.

While several songs are strong enough to stand alone as singles, the album is best appreciated in its entirety. From front to back thoughts of spiraling starlight and cascading rivers of color are conjured amidst swirling synthesizers and the wispy lyrics of front man Kevin Parker. The depth and array of sound on display are impressive, and I have a feeling this one might sound even better in time. A very fine effort indeed.

Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

Elephant

Apocalypse Dreams

EP #5

Lapalux

Some Other Time

I'll be honest with you, I'm as confused as you are with this one. I haven't really a clue what to think. This is the second EP released this year by British producer Stuart Howard, and they're both really interesting and terrifically produced. I like them both and can't seem to stop listening, but ultimately have no idea how to describe them. He has a unique way of blending trippy, glitchy beatstep with soul and downtempo that just screams... well.. something. There's no sense in me carrying on, have a listen already.

Close Call / Chop Cuts

Forgetting And Learning Again

Strangling You With The Cord

Almost half way, part 4 tomorrow!