Sampha - (No One Know Me) Like The Piano

New solo album from this serial collaborator out February 3.

Best of 2014 Part 1

Well, it's Christmas. I guess that means another list of my favorite releases of the year. The art of making an album seems to be slowly dying, or is it? I still think there's a place for an LP in the modern landscape, and it seems these artists at least agree. It's pretty crazy for me to think that this is now the 5th year I've done this... but why? Dunno really, though it has been fun to look back at the older years and see how my picks stack up today. So far so good, thankfully. For those who haven't seen them yet, take a quick gander:

Best of 2010

Best of 2011

Best of 2012

Best of 2013

...then buckle up, 'cause heeeeere weeeee gooooo!

#21

Lake Street Dive

Bad Self Portraits

It's been a long wait for those who have been following this fantastic group over the past couple years. This album was actually done and dusted in 2012, but contract issues with lead singer Rachael Price's previous label led to its unfortunate delay. In that sense the release suffers somewhat, as most of these songs have already been listened to and performed ad nauseam, but if you can escape that lack of freshness it's a terrific release.

For those who haven't experienced their infectious energy as of yet, I implore you to check them out. They are a tremendously talented bunch who write catchy, soulful jazz rock, and the singing... well let's just say that Ms. Price is as gifted a vocalist as there is on the planet at the moment. Lofty praise, but believe me, she's sensational. "You go down smooth", Rachael tells us in a killer track. Yes indeed, you certainly do.

You Go Down Smooth

Seventeen

Bad Self Portraits

#20

Mastodon

Once More 'Round The Sun

So really, how many other lists that you've seen follow upbeat jazz rock with sludge metal? Just throwing that out there. In fact, try listening to the two albums back to back. You might notice some surprising sonic similarities. That wouldn't always apply to Mastodon, but they've kinda reined in the sludge on this one, and is has a more progressive, almost stoner rock feel to it.

The result is a more accessible album for those not into their really heavy stuff, or maybe who haven't ever given them more than a moment's thought, which I'm guessing is the majority of non-metalheads. Really though, if you're into hard rock or grunge, give this one a listen, actually give it a few listens. It's got a lot of depth once you get past the pretty tame (but dope) single "High Road" and give it some time. I think it's a kickass record, easily my favorite metal offering of this year.

The Motherload

Once More 'Round The Sun

Chimes At Midnight

#19

Kormac

Doorsteps

This was a pleasant surprise for me. I hadn't heard any hype, or even anything at all about this ahead of time, just picked it up and gave it a whirl, and it turned out to be really cool. The Dublin-based producer has cranked out a really interesting, eclectic mix of tracks that explore hip hop, house, pop, and even some jungle beats, and a bevy of guest vocalists. It's an electronic stew that tastes great.

There's even room for Irvine Welsh (the author of Trainspotting among others) to throw down some lyrics, and yes, they did actually sit in a room together to make the track. No cross-country conference call studio drops. It's a fresh-sounding album, one I highly recommend if you want something different, the best tracks aren't even the ones below, you'll have to do some research on your own to hear those ones. Do it. Dooooo iiiiiit.

Superhero

White Noise

Drown Me

EP #7

SBTRKT

Transitions

I'm not sure what to say about this one. This is one of my favorite producers, a previous album of the year winner, and he dropped an utterly forgettable LP this year that fell so flat it was hard to understand where he was coming from. Thankfully we have this little online EP of sorts to salvage something from the year. It's glitchy and experimental and a bit spacey, what you could expect from a cutting edge artist. I won't pretend like this is his best stuff, but it's worth a listen or three, if only to serve as ear bleach for the other dross. Highs and Lows couldn't be a more apt track to start with.

Highs And Lows

Resolute

Hold The Line

Tomorrow, part deux!

SBTRKT - New Dorp, New York

Might as well just come out and say it. I'm not feelin' the new album. I absolutely loved the self-titled LP, it was my favorite release of 2011, and when this new disc was announced it was a shoe-in to be a contender for my best of this year, but this one just... doesn't do it. Don't count your chickens? 

If you're into weird indie hip-hop hybrid stuff you'll probably like it. I tried to get into it. Gave it a few listens, and nothing, just... meh. This track... cool video, don't like the song. I suppose that's not surprising since I'm not really into Vampire Weekend. Anyway, I hope you like it more than me.

SBTRKT - Hold On / Migration

Here's a live cut featuring Sampha on vocals. These guys have been touring fairly extensively since the release of that amazing album, hopefully they get back in the studio one of these days because it's time for more damnit!

SBTRKT - Trials Of The Past

videos!

SBTRKT - Boiler Room Mix

Brand spankin' new. Enjoy.

SBTRKT - Hold On

Time to catch up on some new video releases. This is the latest video from my favorite album of 2011. Let's throw in a pretty dope bonus track too.

BONUS BEATS!

Miguel Campbell - Something Special

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!

SBTRKT & Sampha - Look At Stars

Today seems like a good day to post some spacey stuff. Not sure why, just because. Maybe some other stuff too, but lots of spacey stuff.

Aaron Jerome, aka SBTRKT (pronounced Subtract), is a mysterious kind of guy. He's a DJ / producer who likes to wear crazy African tribal masks to hide his identity, hence why he's wearing one in the video below. He makes really cool minimal beats for the most part, but uses some really eclectic rhythms. Sampha is the vocalist, who's face is being projected onto the mask. They've collaborated before on some cool stuff, like this one I posted a while ago. Creds to Noematus for this video find.

BONUS BEATS!

Alex Clare - Up All Night [SBTRKT VIP Mix]

STUFF YOU SHOULD SEE

The Day Before Disclosure

The 2nd best UFO documentary ever made.

I Know What I Saw

The best.

SCIENCE MATTERS

New Glass Stronger Than Steel

Scotty told us about this ages ago.

Hubble Zooms In On Space Oddity

Somebody call David Bowie!

Kepler Discovers First Rocky Planet

Next stop, Endor.

WEIRD OR WHAT

Triple Suns Spotted Over China

Double rainbow what now?

SIMPLY AWESOME

Device Cancels Out Sound Of Dentist Drill

Now if we can only cancel out the drill...