The Best So Far This Year
So here's my list so far this year. It's not in order because I only do that for my end of the year list and I will say that, with a few of exceptions, I have been underwhelmed so far. Yes, I have enjoyed a lot of albums I have picked up this year, but not many that have just stood out. Usually though most good records come out in the fall so it'll probably pick up. My cut-off point is July... I have not had enough time to formulate opinions on some other records.
Liars - Drum's Not Dead
Clearly the best record so far this year is Liars' Drum's Not Dead. It sounds nothing like anything else currently, save their last record. They seem to be following their own path where they draw from a lot of sources like early industrial, krautrock, tribal shit, and post punk like This Heat and others. It is a fantastic record where the beauty is found in the rhythm and that space and absence of sound that just hangs there. There are no huge pop songs (and at times lately I have gotten so sick of the same old retread pop), no easy hooks, no unnecessary instrumentation. I have yet to get sick of this and still crave to listen to it. The first five songs blend so well together that is almost best as one piece and the final song, "The Other Side of Mount Heart Attack,"is sure to win over even the staunchest of haters. Plus, their live show this year was easily one of my favorite of all time and I have seen some great shows.
Asobi Seksu - Citrus
This is a really good record and makes for a perfect summertime listen. It's shoegaze that is bright and warm and upbeat with a great sense for a good pop song. Yes, there are similarities to My Bloody Valentine and some others, who cares? It's a good record even if it does have some clear throw-away pop songs at the end and as stated before draws from the old playbook a bit but they do have more to offer than straight shoegaze. "Strawberries" and "New Years" are a great one-two punch to start off the album and are near perfect as shoegaze songs get. (Yep I said it) Definitely one of the shining lights of the 'new' shoegaze scene.
Islands - Return to the Sea
Ok, forget about me saying I'm sick of pop. This is great music. If you loved the Unicorns you should love this as well. Not nearly as much of the corny humor but that is a good thing because you can only take that so far. "Rough Gem" grabbed a hold me and wouldn't let go for days and still has me hit the back button on the player when it is over. Great instrumentation and song structure throughout, good songs, solid singing, hooks and even a couple of rappers on one song.
Tapes n' Tapes - The Loon
See every blog and every review. This one delivers. Is it overhyped? Yes. It's not going to save your soul or change your life, but it's a very good record.
The Black Angels - Passover
I love their sound, yeah it's derivative of a lot of things but what really sets it apart for me is the combination of sounds along with that droning repetitve sound... but not in a bad way... if you like drone. I think this has been really overlooked this year.
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
A side project from Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade. A bit rawer and less immediate than his other band but still filled with great singing and that anthemic quality. Very good stuff and deserved all that initial hype.
The Court & Spark - Hearts
This has gotten some fair to bad reviews, I don't get it. It's not outstanding but I feel the band searching for ways to break free of that restrictive and boring 'Alt Country' tag. I like the studio tweaks and the dubby, narcotic haze it has. M.C. Taylor has a great voice and a way with words. Maybe not as good as 2004's Witch Season, but worth a listen. I'm hoping they continue to try new things.
The Theater Fire - Everybody Has A Dark Side
I guess I'm biased, but I love this record. First time I heard the early demos, I knew it was going to be good. It turned out to be great. It has such a cool atmosphere and feel and transcends any kind of genre, hell, time period, you try to put them in.
A few others (that I like):
The Pink Mountaintops - Axis of Evol
Bishop Allen - 12 Months ep series
Ghostland Observatory - Paparazzi Lightning
Mission of Burma - The Obliterati
Brightblack Morning Light - s/t
The Evangelicals - So Gone
Centro-Matic - Fort Recovery
Liars - Drum's Not Dead
Clearly the best record so far this year is Liars' Drum's Not Dead. It sounds nothing like anything else currently, save their last record. They seem to be following their own path where they draw from a lot of sources like early industrial, krautrock, tribal shit, and post punk like This Heat and others. It is a fantastic record where the beauty is found in the rhythm and that space and absence of sound that just hangs there. There are no huge pop songs (and at times lately I have gotten so sick of the same old retread pop), no easy hooks, no unnecessary instrumentation. I have yet to get sick of this and still crave to listen to it. The first five songs blend so well together that is almost best as one piece and the final song, "The Other Side of Mount Heart Attack,"is sure to win over even the staunchest of haters. Plus, their live show this year was easily one of my favorite of all time and I have seen some great shows.
Asobi Seksu - Citrus
This is a really good record and makes for a perfect summertime listen. It's shoegaze that is bright and warm and upbeat with a great sense for a good pop song. Yes, there are similarities to My Bloody Valentine and some others, who cares? It's a good record even if it does have some clear throw-away pop songs at the end and as stated before draws from the old playbook a bit but they do have more to offer than straight shoegaze. "Strawberries" and "New Years" are a great one-two punch to start off the album and are near perfect as shoegaze songs get. (Yep I said it) Definitely one of the shining lights of the 'new' shoegaze scene.
Islands - Return to the Sea
Ok, forget about me saying I'm sick of pop. This is great music. If you loved the Unicorns you should love this as well. Not nearly as much of the corny humor but that is a good thing because you can only take that so far. "Rough Gem" grabbed a hold me and wouldn't let go for days and still has me hit the back button on the player when it is over. Great instrumentation and song structure throughout, good songs, solid singing, hooks and even a couple of rappers on one song.
Tapes n' Tapes - The Loon
See every blog and every review. This one delivers. Is it overhyped? Yes. It's not going to save your soul or change your life, but it's a very good record.
The Black Angels - Passover
I love their sound, yeah it's derivative of a lot of things but what really sets it apart for me is the combination of sounds along with that droning repetitve sound... but not in a bad way... if you like drone. I think this has been really overlooked this year.
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
A side project from Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade. A bit rawer and less immediate than his other band but still filled with great singing and that anthemic quality. Very good stuff and deserved all that initial hype.
The Court & Spark - Hearts
This has gotten some fair to bad reviews, I don't get it. It's not outstanding but I feel the band searching for ways to break free of that restrictive and boring 'Alt Country' tag. I like the studio tweaks and the dubby, narcotic haze it has. M.C. Taylor has a great voice and a way with words. Maybe not as good as 2004's Witch Season, but worth a listen. I'm hoping they continue to try new things.
The Theater Fire - Everybody Has A Dark Side
I guess I'm biased, but I love this record. First time I heard the early demos, I knew it was going to be good. It turned out to be great. It has such a cool atmosphere and feel and transcends any kind of genre, hell, time period, you try to put them in.
A few others (that I like):
The Pink Mountaintops - Axis of Evol
Bishop Allen - 12 Months ep series
Ghostland Observatory - Paparazzi Lightning
Mission of Burma - The Obliterati
Brightblack Morning Light - s/t
The Evangelicals - So Gone
Centro-Matic - Fort Recovery
posted by zak at
6:54 PM
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