Occasionally in music a symbiosis occurs that benefits two artists. Sometimes it is planned, such as when a band writes a song for another to record, or a label has a new band cover an old song to help move new records and sell library product, or when two artists collaborate on a single and each includes it on his respective album. Sometimes, however, it is just kismet.
About a month ago, I heard a song that I was unfamiliar with on my local underground radio station, KCSN, called "Somebody That I Used To Know," by an artist called Gotye (pronounced "Gauthier"), a nom-de-plume for Wouter (Wally) Becker, who was born in Belgium but now lives and records in Australia. I liked the song, and when I got home and researched it, I was surprised to see that it had been on Gotye's MAKING MIRRORS album, which was released in August of 2011 on Eleven Records, a mini-major label, and has distribution in the U.S. through Warner Brothers. I listened to nearly 1,000 albums in 2011, but this was one I had never even heard of. The song, which was written by Gotye and features a polyphonic vocal part by New Zealand singer Kimbra, was charting all over the world; it had already topped the charts in Australia, Belgium and Germany, at that time was the No. 1 song on the U.K., and had just entered the U.S. Hot 100 chart. I looked at YouTube, where the video for the song had views counting in the tens of millions, downloaded the track, and put it into my file labelled "Addenda for 2011," so that when I wrote my year-end Best Music of 2012 blog I could list it as a song I had overlooked in this year's column.
Then, about a week ago, I saw another YouTube video for "Somebody That I Used To Know," this one by a band no one had ever heard of, called Walk Off The Earth, a talented quintet who are based out of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and had primarily been doing covers and posting them on the internet. This clip featured all five band members playing a single guitar. The cover of the song was not radically different, and one could argue a case that either version is the better one, but the gimmick, and the charm of the band -- especially its charismatic female singer Sarah Blackwood and its "plinker," Mike Taylor, whom net commentators simply refer to as Beard Guy -- drove the clip maxi-viral. Not only has it received 61 million hits in just over a month, but it garnered WOTE a recording contract with Columbia Records last week.
In the meantime, all this activity has bounced attention back to Gotye's original version; his video clip -- strangely featuring he and Kimbra nude, painted over in a cubist style -- is now at over 85 million hits and his single is currently No. 27 on the Hot 100. He has said he approves of the WOTE version, which obviously puts publishing coins in his pockets, when he has his pants on.
Last night while driving home I heard the WOTE version of "Somebody That I Used To Know," on my local underground radio station, where it is now in rotation, along with the original. Pick your poison:
Original Gotye version
Original WOTE version
Gotye live version on KCRW's Morning Become Eclectic
WOTE Five People-One Guitar live version on the Ellen Degeneres Show
And of course, in our meta-world, someone had to do an immediate commensal version, a parody of the cover. Two weeks ago, The Key Of Awesome, an internet comedy troupe, posted a spoof that has taken on its own viral life, which now boasts over two million hits. Here tis:
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
THE BEST IN MUSIC OF 2011
MY TOP 100 ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Kurt Vile: SMOKE RING FOR MY HALO. It was love at first listen when I heard “In My Time,” the lead track from SMOKE RING.., in October of 2010, and when the full CD dropped last March expectations were exceeded. A psych-folk mini-masterpiece, with a laid-back lo-fi charm that belies the depth of Vile’s songwriting, this record brims with hypnotic hooks, featuring his gauzy vocals, fuzzed out electric guitar wash and chiming acoustic picking. Bonus: Philly’s finest, Vile also pumped out a six-song EP in November, SO OUTTA REACH, which includes a killer cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Downbound Train.”
2. White Denim: D. The best band right now in a town full of great bands, Austin, White Denim have matured and mastered a wide-channel sound that mixes down everything from garage-punk, country-folk and prog-rock into a swirling post-psychedelic stew that is as impossible to categorize as it is to resist. Time signatures shift gears and even keys change midstream as D wends its way like a meandering opalescent river of music.
3. Black Keys: EL CAMINO. Not content to rest on the laurels of 2010’s award-winning bestseller BROTHERS, the duo moved to Nashville, built a studio and recorded an album that may be even better. While producer Danger Mouse augmented the band to include a bass player, keyboards and female backing vocalists, the sound is even tighter and leaner than before. This time the Keys veer further from the blues for a razor sharp rock record that just appeared in late December and immediately rocketed to the top of the list.
4. Megafaun: MEGAFAUN. Not sure what’s in the water in western Minnesota, but the region was responsible for some of the best music made last year. Mostly known as the band that Justin Vernon was in before he left to start a solo career as Bon Iver. Megafaun arose from the ashes and hit the mother lode with their eponymous fourth album, a beautiful mix of slow-burning ballads and guitar-edged jams.
5. Real Estate: DAYS. A confectionary with relentless allure, DAYS is made of silver melodies, golden harmonies, and shimmering layers of guitars.
6. Big Troubles: ROMANTIC COMEDY. Little band that could story of 2011, Big Troubles play the kind of addictive jangly power pop that was coming out of Athens and Winston-Salem in the early ‘80s, so it’s no coincidence that this album was produced by Mitch Easter, of Let’s Active/early R.E.M. fame
7. Bon Iver: BON IVER. A stunning achievement for Justin Vernon, who not only expanded Bon Iver to a quartet, but also added strings, horns and pedal-steel guitar to the multi-stacked vocals on his second CD, imbuing a lush epic quality to this global travelogue inspired by his last world tour.
8. The Civil Wars: BARTON HOLLOW. Joy Williams and John Paul White mine a traditional vein, two voices singing into one microphone, backed by nylon and steel-string guitars and little else, creating something more gorgeous, powerful and haunting than a studio full of machines or electronic instruments ever could. Bonus: TRACKS IN THE SNOW Christmas EP, released in November.
9. Wild Flag: WILD FLAG. Who said girl rock was dead? Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinney team with Helium guitarist Mary Timony to create one of the year’s most muscular records, with some of its most memorable guitar work.
10. Release The Sunbird: COME BACK TO US. Zach Rogue spends most of his time toiling in a relatively obscure band called Rogue Wave, which is a shame, because he is a songwriter of immense talent, and their records have been excellent. This time he put together the smaller unit Release the Sunbird to record a passel of songs that are stripped down and unplugged, creating a record that will probably be even more obscure, but it’s better, packed and stacked with rich gems.
11. Tennis: CAPE DORY. Husband and wife duo recorded an album about their year-long sailing expedition, filled with sun-dappled vocals, insouciance, and musical fun that shines through in Alaina Moore’s vocals.
12. Destroyer: KAPUTT. Dan Bejar once again constructs an aural wall of swirling synthesizers layered on top of blocks of driving beats, assimilating a vibe that bands like Roxy Music perfected years ago. But you can feel the love in Bejar’s music - he commits himself without irony – and the journey with him is always worth the ride.
13. The War On Drugs: SLAVE AMBIENT. Another group loses key member, then transcends. In this case the ex-member is the talented Kurt Vile, who still sits in with the band, and his simpatico with WOD leader Adam Granduciel is obvious. Falling somewhere in between slushy shoegaze and dreamy psychedelic folk, SLAVE AMBIENT has moments of incandescent brilliance.
14. Cass McCombs: WIT’S END and HUMOR RISK. Cass McCombs is a gifted songwriter and an itinerant tunesmith who traverses the country playing in clubs, fashioning clever anecdotal songs along the way. Last year he had the audacity to release not one, but two excellent albums chock full of nuggets as gritty and and true as the dirt on his boots.
15. Dawes: NOTHING IS WRONG. Dawes has a sound so genuinely rooted in vintage country-rock, and chops so strong, that Robbie Robertson himself took them out as his road band last year when he toured. This second album is an extension of their first, filled with powerful alt-country vignettes evoking the ghosts of the denizens of Laurel Canyon of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, even including spokesperson Jackson Browne on vocals on one track for veracity.
16. Jonathan Wilson: GENTLE SPIRIT. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Wilson has built a reputation as a leader of the West Coast neo-folk movement and a guru of the Laurel Canyon musical resurgence, through his work producing records and guesting on sessions, and for hosting near-legendary jam sessions. His record under his own name is an explosive debut, a sprawling work that assimilates influential elements as disparate as Alex Chilton, Gene Clark and Neil Young. The production is flawless and Wilson’s guitar work is sparkling.
17. Fleet Foxes: HELPLESSNESS BLUES. Another panoramic soundscape of majestic harmonies from the Foxes, and their principal songwriter and vocalist, Robin Pecknold. Balanced on the stepstones of traditional folk music and spiritual hymnals, the Foxes have manufactured a signature idiom of their own, one that sounds like the wind rolling off lakes and the snow falling on mountains. Bonus: Robin Pecknold released a high-quality three-song EP under his own name in March, which includes a great duet with Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear.
18. Yuck: YUCK. London’s Yuck delivered one of the most auspicious debuts in recent years, comprised of a dozen perfectly simple and simply perfect rock tunes with meaty double-tracked guitars. Bonus: In September Yuck released a bonus EP with 6 songs.
19. P.J Harvey: LET ENGLAND SHAKE. A wartime polemic inspired by the conflict in Afghanistan, LET ENGLAND SHAKE is PJ Harvey’s most sophisticated album yet, and also her most. More than ever, she makes you work at absorbing this record – the vocals are sometimes as disturbing as the lyrics – but the rewards are manifold.
20. My Morning Jacket: CIRCUITAL. Jim James and crew paint another giant tapestry, counter-balancing ethereal harmonies with blasts of guitar crunch, ranging from the gentle balladry of “Wonderful (The Way I Feel),” written by James for a Muppets movie, to the anthemic title track.
21. The Decemberists: THE KING IS DEAD. Excellence in Americana, with cred bonus points earned by featuring Peter Buck of R.E.M. on ringing guitars. Bonus: In October, the band released an equally good companion EP, LONG LIVE THE KING, made up of demos, b-sides and a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Row Jimmy.”
22. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: BELONG. Nu-gaze , sometimes dark with echo and feedback, but always brightly-colored by Kip Berman’s vocals.
23. The Vaccines: WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM THE VACCINES? Post-punk meets the 21st century in this reverb-drenched debut loaded with sterling songs that in olden times could have been hit singles.
24. The Horrors: SKYING. Throbbing gristle.
25. Alela Diane: ALELA DIANE & WILD DIVINE. Alela Diane Menig sings with a throaty power, not unlike Neko Case, and her band the Wild Divine, which includes her father and her husband, fits her like a glove on this country-rock burner.
26. Ryan Adams: ASHES & FIRE. A smashing return to form. Contemplative song cycle of reflections on life in the slow lane in California, mostly acoustic, his inspiration in part supposedly coming from listening to Laura Marling.
27. Atlas Sound: PARALLAX. Lovely swirling soundscapes from Bradford Cox, who never seems to lose the thread, or the hook, even as it seems these songs are about to float away.
28. Kate Bush: 50 WORDS FOR SNOW. A welcome comeback for Bush, who hadn’t recorded new material for over six years. Set against a backdrop of falling snow, the record does have a sparse, chilly feel, with a lonely grand piano set squarely in all the tracks while Bush tackles each with a steady approach, eschewing the vocal gymnastics she employed during her heyday. Elton John chips in on the centerpiece “Snowed In At Wheeler Street.” A beautiful record really.
29. tUnE-yArDs: W H O K I L L. Fresh, funky wild percussive fun from Merrill Garbus, with an anti-violence motif running through the lyrics. The track “Bizness” is one of the best of the year.
30. Wye Oak: CIVILIAN. Baltimore duo grind out a dreamy and melancholy musical mélange that sounds bigger and fuller than two people would normally make. Vocalist/guitarist Jenn Wasner is a mesmerizing frontperson.
31. Butcher Boy: HELPING HANDS. Every year there seems to be one outstanding record produced by a band from Scotland, and this time it’s the third CD from Butcher Boy. A collective with a standard core, plus a satellite group of horn and string players, Butcher Boy walks the line between folk and pop with a keen knack for the kind of superlative melodic interplay that seems to be the stock in trade of the most successful Glaswegian bands.
32. Girls: FATHER SON, HOLY GHOST. More ‘60s-tinged sun-flecked CA indie pop from SF duo, this time sandwiched around some longer trippier jams.
33. St. Vincent: STRANGE MERCY. Annie Clark’s third release is another quirky, galloping set of introspective songs set against stark backdrops of plaintive beats and innovative keyboard-centric instrumental accompaniment.
34. Wild Beasts: SMOTHER. Loops, grooves and bongos; starting down the same inventive path as Radiohead began exploring years ago.
35. Bill Callahan: APOCALYPSE. The Smog-man delivers again; paeans to the road, to nature, to the bottoms of the wells of relationships, with lo-fi musical backing and Callahan’s gravel-throated voice scraping against it like cut glass.
36. Little Dragon: RITUAL UNION. Third release from Swedish electronic meisters is a blast, embellished by their ultra-cool Swedish-Japanese singer/songwriter, Yukimi Nagano. Hypnotic and irresistible.
37. Lydia Loveless: INDESTRUCTIBLE MACHINE. Tremendous sophomore record from this 21-year old country-punk phenom, who is channeling the best elements of Exene from X, Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams. Her band, which includes her father on drums, is lockstep-tight but still knows how to swing, and Loveless is a witty lyricist. “Jesus Was A Wino” followed by the tongue-in-cheek “Steve Earle” is one of the best song segues on an album in 2011.
38. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins: DIAMOND MINE. King Creosote is a nom de plume for Kenny Anderson, a wildly prolific Scottish singer/songwriter. For DIAMOND MINE he teamed with former piano prodigy/current electronica producer Jon Hopkins, who works with Brian Eno and Coldplay among others, to create a hazy cloud of delights.
39. Laura Marling: A CREATURE I DON’T KNOW. Still just 21, Marling is writing songs at such a sophisticated level that the comparisons to Joni Mitchell are not only inevitable but seem to be warranted. At times she is so focused on the muse she seems possessed by the songs that flow through her.
40. Radiohead: THE KING OF LIMBS. Their level of excellence is so high that even their just-misses are near-classics. The final three-track coda of “Codex,” “Give Up the Ghost” and “Separator” count among the best 15 minutes of contiguous music all year.
41. James Blake: JAMES BLAKE. Bonus: ENOUGH THUNDER EP, featuring Bon Iver.
42. Jessica Lea Mayfield. TELL ME.
43. Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi: ROME.
44. Cat’s Eyes: CAT’S EYES.
45. Florence + The Machine: CEREMONIALS.
46. AA Bondy: BELIEVERS.
47. James Vincent McMorrow: EARLY IN THE MORNING.
48. Quadron: QUADRON.
49. EMA: PAST LIFE, MARTYRED SAINTS.
50. The Jayhawks: MOCKINGBIRD TIME
51. Eleanor Friedberger: LAST SUMMER.
52. Metronomy: THE ENGLISH RIVIERA.
53. Dum Dum Girls. ONLY IN DREAMS. Bonus: HE GETS ME HIGH EP.
54. Celilo: BUOY BELL.
55. Esben and the Witch: VIOLET CRIES.
56. Marcus Foster: NAMELESS PATH.
57. Anna Calvi: ANNA CALVI.
58. Smith Westerns: DYE IT BLONDE.
59. Arbouretum: THE GATHERING.
60. Nick Lowe: THE OLD MAGIC.
61. The Sand Band: ALL THROUGGH THE NIGHT.
62. Feist: METALS.
63. Portugal. The Man: IN THE MOUNTAIN, IN THE CLOUD.
64. Washed Out: WTHIN AND WITHOUT.
65. Ron Sexsmith: LONG PLAYER, LATE BLOOMER.
66. The Cave Singers: NO WITCH.
67. Panda Bear: TOMBOY.
68. Cage The Elephant: THANK YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
69. The Vivian Girls: SHARE THE JOY.
70. Big Harp: WHITE HAT.
71. The Stepkids: THE STEPKIDS.
72. Other Lives: TAMER ANIMALS.
73. Alessi’s Ark: TIME TRAVEL.
74. Thurston Moore: DEMOLISHED THOUGHTS.
75. Arctic Monkeys : SUCK IT AND SEE.
76. J Mascis: SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY.
77. Blitzen Trapper: AMERICAN GOLDWING.
78. Dan Mangan: OH FORTUNE.
79. Tyler Ramsey (lead guitarist in Band Of Horses): THE VALLEY WIND.
80. Elbow: BUILD A ROCKET BOYS!
81. Juliana Barwick: THE MAGIC PLACE.
82. Beirut: THE RIP TIDE.
83. Ivy: ALL HOURS
84. The Middle East: I WANT THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS HAPPY.
85. Cut Copy: ZONOSCOPE.
86. The Barr Brothers: THE BARR BROTHERS.
87. Sloan: THE DOUBLE CROSS.
88. Summer Camp: WELCOME TO CONDALE.
89. Wooden Shjips: WEST.
90. Drums: PORTAMENTO.
91. Tom Waits: BAD AS ME.
92. Richard Buckner: OUR BLOOD.
93. Tommy Stinson: ONE MAN MUTINY.
94. Blind Pilot: WE ARE THE TIDE.
95. Gruff Rhys: HOTEL SHAMPOO.
96. Paul Simon: SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT.
97. The Kills: BLOOD PRESSURES.
98. Delicate Steve: WONDERVISIONS.
99. Mogwai: HARD CORE WILL NEVER DIE, BUT YOU WILL.
100. Zola Jesus: CONATUS.
MY TOP 100 SONGS OF 2011:
1. “Pumped Up Kicks” (live acoustic unplugged version only!) – Foster The People
2. “Miss K.” – Deer Tick
3. “I Don’t Want Love” – The Antlers
4. “That’s My Baby” – Sleeper Agent”
5. “You Were Never There” – Diego Garcia
6. “Stay Young, Go Dancing” – Death Cab For Cutie
7. “Go Outside” – Cults
8. “Hold On” – Alabama Shakes
9. “Lord Knows Best” – Dirty Beaches
10. “Video Games” – Lana Del Rey
11. “Coney Island Winter” – Garland Jeffreys
12. “The Last Crusade” – Sam Roberts Band
13. “An Argument With Myself” – Jens Lekman
14. “Comeback Kid” – Brett Dennen
15. “Impression Of A City Morning” – Brown Recluse
16. “White Night” – The Postelles
17. “Heart & Arrow” – Danny & The Champions Of The World
18. “Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)” – Old 97’s
19. “Sick Of You” – Cake
20. “The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
21. “Private Caller” – Sondre Lerche
22. “Wonder Why” – Vetiver
23. “Richie and Ruben” – Fountains Of Wayne
24. “The Captain” (acoustic promo version) – Biffy Clyro
25. “Lavez Vous” – The Bandana Splits
26. “Losers” – The Belle Brigade
27. “Sadness Is A Blessing” (live acoustic version) – Lykke Li
28. “Lay Myself Down” – Mazzy Star
29. “A Walk Home” – The Morning Clouds
30. “Bad Times For The Hare Krishnas” – Morton Valence
31. “Scottish Wind’ – Frightened Rabbit
32. “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” – Noah And The Whale
33. “I’ll Be Waiting” – Adele
34. “Tree By The River” – Iron & Wine
35. “Dreamin” – Twerps
36. “Junk Of The Heart” – The Kooks
37. “Tigers” – Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
38. “Candyfloss” – Jonny
39. “Black Girls In Dresses” – Tony Castles
40. “Never Come Around” – La Sera
41. “Chair” – Big Deal
42. “Midnight City” – M83
43. “Paradise” – Coldplay
44. “Que Veux Tu” – Yelle
45. “Cut Me Out” – MNDR
46. “16 Years” – Phantogram
47. “Half Time” – Amy Winehouse
48. “We All Go Back Where We Belong” – R.E.M.
49. “Shell Games” – Bright Eyes
50. “Under Cover Of Darkness” – The Strokes
51. “Rock N’ Roll Is Free” – Ben Harper
52. “Million Dollar Motel” – Nikki Jean
53. “I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl” - Wavves
54. “Galahad” – Josh Ritter
55. “Breaker, Breaker” – Peter, Paul & John
56. “1293 Bloom” – The Veils
57. “Silverlake” – Azure Ray (featuring Sparklehorse)
58. “Little Talks” – Of Monsters & Men
59. “Endless Summer” – The Jezabels
60. “Cry” – Hollie Cook
61. “Murderous Joy” – Carter Tanton
62. “Two Matchsticks” – The Wooden Birds
63. “How They Want Me To Be” – Best Coast
64. “Buy Nothing Day” – The Go! Team
65. “Whirring” – The Joy Formidable
66. “Gene Ciampi” – Twin Sister
67. “My Name Is Trouble” – Keren Ann
68. “Summer Of ‘89” – Butch Walker and the Black Widows.
69. “Doncamatic” – Gorillaz
70. “Magic” – Joan As Police Woman
71. “She Walks The Night” – Matthew Sweet
72. “Anna Lee” – The Bangles
73. “Weather of A Killing Kind” – The Tallest Man On Earth
74. “Up Up Up” – Givers
75. “Car Crash” – Telekinesis
76. “The Dive” – Fool’s Gold
77. “Options” – Gomez
78. “12 Fingers” – Young The Giant
79. “Screws Get Loose” – Those Darlins
80. “Sometime” – Dive
81. “Maniac” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
82. “Movin’ On” – Josh Rouse and the Long Vacations
83. “Polish Girl” – Neon Indian
84. “White Telephone” – Charlotte Gainsbourg
85. “Freddie’s Lapels” – D. Charles Speer & The Helix
86. “Burning Your House Down” – The Jim Jones Review
87. “Squealing-Pigs” – Admiral Fallow
88. “Too Many Kids Finding Rain In The Dust” – Nicolas Jaar
89. “Underwater” – The Wild Swans
90. “Constellations” – Darwin Deez
91. “Finale” – Funeral Party
92. “100 Other Lovers” – DeVotchKa
93. “Rearrange” – Miles Kane
94. “Blood” – The Dears
95. “New Brighton” – Said The Whale
96. “Shine on You” – The Duke & The King
97. “If I Had A Gun” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
98. “World Gone Global” – The Dead Trees
99. “Louder Than Ever” – Cold War Kids
100. “On The Corner” – The Twilight Singers
MY TOP 20 AMERICANA/ALT-COUNTRY ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Gillian Welch: THE HARROW & THE HARVEST. Close to heaven.
2. Old Californio: SUNDRUNK ANGELS.
3. Dave Alvin: ELEVEN ELEVEN.
4. Middle Brother: MIDDLE BROTHER.
5. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit: HERE WE REST.
6. Ry Cooder: PULL UP SOME DUST AND SIT DOWN.
7. Jolie Holland: PINT OF BLOOD.
8. The Webb Sisters: SAVAGES.
9. Kate Maki: MOONSHINE.
10. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy: WOLFROY GOES TO TOWN.
11. Caitlin Rose: OWN SIDE NOW.
12. Dead Rock West: BRIGHT MORNING STARS.
13. The Low Anthem: SMART FLESH.
14. Peter Case: THE CASE FILES.
15. Neal Casal: SWEETEN THE DISTANCE.
16. Shelby Lynne: REVELATION ROAD.
17. Drive-By Truckers: GO-GO BOOTS.
18. John Hiatt: DIRTY JEANS AND MUDSLIDE HYMNS.
19. Lucinda Williams: BLESSED.
20. The Felice Brothers: CELEBRATION, FLORIDA.
MY TOP 10 BLUES ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Gary Clark Jr.: THE BRIGHT LIGHTS EP. Dazzling debut.
2. Tedeschi Trucks Band: REVELATOR.
3. Gregg Allman: LOW COUNTRY BLUES.
4. Matt Schofield: ANYTHING BUT TIME.
5. Joe Bonamassa: DUST BOWL.
6. Warren Haynes: MAN IN MOTION.
7. Cedric Burnside Project: THE WAY I AM.
8. Ana Popovic: UNCONDITIONAL.
9. Johnny Winter: ROOTS.
10. Seasick Steve: YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS.
MY TOP 10 COUNTRY ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Pistol Annies (Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley): HELL ON HEELS. Ass-kicking.
2. Hayes Carll: KMAG YOYO.
3. Alison Kraus & Union Station: PAPER AIRPLANE.
4. Josh T. Pearson: LAST OF THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN.
5. Steve Earle: I’LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE.
6. Hank 3: GHOST TO A GHOST/GUTTER TOWN.
7. Amanda Shires: CARRYING LIGHTNING.
8. Carrie Rodriguez & Ben Kyle: WE STILL LOVE OUR COUNTRY.
9. Miranda Lambert: FOUR THE RECORD.
10. Wanda Jackson: THE PARTY AIN’T OVER.
MY TOP 10 FOLK ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Meg Baird: SEASONS ON EARTH. Haunting.
2. Fionn Regan: 100 ACRES OF SYCAMORE.
3. Abigail Washburn: CITY OF REFUGE.
4. William Elliott Whitmore: FIELD SONGS.
5. Heirlooms Of August: FOREVER THE MOON.
6. The Carravick Sisters: FROM THE FIELDS.
7. Tiny Ruins: SOME WERE MEANT FOR SEA.
8. The Unthanks: LAST.
9. Bella Hardy: SONGS LOST & STOLEN.
10. Jackie Oates: SATURNINE.
MY TOP 20 GARAGE/LO-FI RECORDS OF 2011:
1. Mazes: A THOUSAND HEYS.
2. Mikal Cronin: MIKAL CRONIN.
3. The Black Lips: ARABIA.
4. Crystal Stilts: IN LOVE WITH OBLIVION.
5. Cloud Nothings: CLOUD NOTHINGS.
6. Vivian Girls: SHARE THE JOY.
7. Jeffrey Lewis: A TURN IN THE DREAM-SONGS.
8. Veronica Falls: VERONICA FALLS.
9. Caveman: COCO BEWARE.
10. Shimmering Stars: VIOLENT HEARTS.
11. Fergus & Geronimo: UNLEARN.
12. Bobb Trimble: THE CRIPPLED DOG BAND.
13. Allah-Las - “Catamaran” 7”.
14. Thee Oh Sees: CARRION CRAWLER/THE DREAM.
15. The Sonic Jewels - “Slide Of Time” 7”.
16. The Ettes: WICKED WILL.
17. White Fence: IS GROWING FAITH.
18. Surfer Blood: TAROT CLASSICS EP.
19. Nick Waterhouse: IS THAT CLEAR EP.
20. Ty Segall: GOODBYE BREAD.
SIX HIP-HOP ALBUMS OF 2011 I LIKED:
1. The Weeknd: THE MIX TAPE TRILOGY, PART 1: HOUSE OF BALLOONS.
2. The Weeknd: THE MIX TAPE TRILOGY, PART 2: THURSDAY.
3. The Weeknd: THE MIX TAPE TRILOGY, PART 3: ECHOES OF SILENCE.
4. Jay-Z and Kanye West: WATCH THE THRONE.
5. Drake: TAKE CARE.
6. The Beastie Boys: HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE, PART TWO.
THREE EXCELLENT INSTRUMENTAL ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2011:
1. Glenn Jones: THE WANTING.
2. Bill Ryder-Jones: IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT A TRAVELER.
3. Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal: CHAMBER MUSIC.
MY TOP SIX JAZZ ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Ambrose Akinmusire : WHEN THE HEART EMERGES GLISTENING.
2. The Impossible Gentlemen: THE IMPOSSIBLE GENTLEMEN.
3. Anthony Wilson: SEASONS (LIVE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART).
4. Joe Lovano: BIRD SONGS.
5. Noah Preminger: BEFORE THE RAIN.
6. Gerald Wilson: LEGACY.
FOUR GREAT LIVE ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2011:
1. Rockpile: LIVE AT MONTREUX 1980.
2. Levon Helm: RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN.
3. JJ Grey & Mofro: BRIGHTER DAYS.
4. Neil Young & the International Harvesters: A TREASURE.
MY TOP 15 R&B/SOUL ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Raphael Saadiq: STONE ROLLIN’. Funkadelic.
2. The Roots: UNDUN.
3. Charles Bradley: NO TIME FOR DREAMING.
4. Michael Kiwanuka: TELL ME A TALE EP.
5. Van Hunt: WHAT WERE YOU HOPING FOR?
6. Anthony Hamilton: BACK TO LOVE.
7. The Bo-Keys: GOT TO GET BACK!
8. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears: SCANDALOUS.
9. Betty Wright: THE MOVIE.
10. Frank Ocean: NOSTALGIA, ULTRA.
11. Mayer Hawthorne: HOW DO YOU DO.
12. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: SOUL TIME!
13. Dennis Coffey: DENNIS COFFEY.
14. Dionne Bromfield: GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
15. Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band: RUBBER ORCHESTRAS.
MY TOP 25 SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Sarah Jarosz: FOLLOW ME DOWN. Ethereal.
2. Benjamin Francis Leftwich: LAST SMOKE BEFORE THE SNOWSTORM.
3. Lia Ices: GROWN UNKNOWN.
4. Kathryn Calder: BRIGHT AND VIVID.
5. The Milk Carton Kids: PROLOGUE.
6. Marissa Nadler: MARISSA NADLER.
7. Marcus Foster: NAMELESS PATH.
8. Mara Carlyle: FLOREAT.
9. Jonas Asker: EP.
10. Alexi Murdoch: TOWARDS THE SUN.
11. Tristen: CHARLATANS AT THE GOLDEN GATE.
12. Aaron Wright: AARON WRIGHT.
13. Sarabeth Tucek: GET WELL SOON.
14. John Vanderslice: WHITE WILDERNESS.
15. William Fitzsimmons: GOLD IN THE SHADOW.
16. Gerard Starkie: POTIONS.
17. Ben Howard: EVERY KINGDOM.
18. Pieta Brown: MERCURY.
19. Peter Bradley Adams: BETWEEN US.
20. Peter Bruntnell: BLACK MOUNTAIN U.F.O.
21. Paul Wassif: LOOKING UP FEELING DOWN.
22. Ramsay Midwood: LARRY BUYS A LIGHTER.
23. Adam Cohen: LIKE A MAN
24. Alexander: ALEXANDER.
25. Lindsey Buckingham: SEEDS WE SOW.
MY TOP 20 WORLD MUSIC ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Fatoumata Diawara: KANOU EP. Beautiful. Look for a complete eponymous LP to follow.
2. Tinariwen: TASSILI.
3. Juju: IN TRANCE.
4. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo: COTONOU CLUB.
5. SMOD: SMOD.
6. Femi Kuti: AFRICA FOR AFRICA.
7. Iness Mezel: BEYOND THE TRANCE.
8. Boubacar Traore: MALI DENHOU.
9. Vieux Farka Touré: THE SECRET.
10. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80: FROM AFRICA WITH FURY: RISE.
11. Les Nubians: Nü REVOLUTION.
12. Lucas Santtana: SEM NOSTALGIA.
13. Bill Frisell & Vinícius Cantuária: LAGRIMAS MEXICANAS.
14. Yaaba Funk: AFROBEAST.
15. Dengue Fever: CANNIBAL COURTSHIP.
16. Eliane Elias: LIGHT MY FIRE.
17. Terakaft: ARATAN N AZAWAD.
18. Asa: BEAUTIFUL IMPERFECTION
19. Ben L’Oncle Soul: BEN L’ONCLE SOUL.
20. Various Artists: RED HOT & RIO 2.
MY TOP SIX SOUNDTRACK ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. YOUNG ADULT.
2. CRAZY, STUPID LOVE.
3. NORMAN.
4. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.
5. WE BOUGHT A ZOO.
6. TRUE BLOOD, VOLUME 3.
MY TOP SIX REISSUE ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. The Beach Boys: THE SMILE SESSIONS.
2. Michael Chapman: FULLY QUALIFIED SURVIVOR.
3. El Rego: EL REGO ET SES COMMANDOS. The Beninese James Brown!
4. Neutral Milk Hotel: RELEASES-BOX SETS AND DRAWINGS.
5. Nirvana: NEVERMIND (20TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION).
6. Various Artists: GROOVE CLUB, VOL. 1: LE CONFISERIE MAGIQUE.
SIX VERY GOOD TRIBUTE ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Various Artists: JOHNNY BOY WOULD LOVE THIS: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN MARTYN.
2. Various Artists: PAINT IT BLACK: AN ALT-COUNTRY TRIBUTE TO THE ROLLING STONES.
2. Ben Waters & Various Artists: BOOGIE 4 STU: A TRIBUTE TO IAN STEWART.
3. Various Artists: RAVE ON BUDDY HOLLY.
4. Steve Cropper: DEDICATED: A SALUTE TO THE 5 ROYALES.
6. Various Artists: ZZ TOP – A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS.
MY TOP 12 COVERS RECORDS OF 2011:
1. Little Roy: BATTLE FOR SEATTLE (Reggae Nirvana covers).
2. Glen Campbell: GHOST ON THE CANVAS.
3. Okkervil River: GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES 2.
4. Tony Bennett: DUETS II.
5. The Decemberists: various covers on ITUNES SESSION.
6. Adele - “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) live 7”.
7. Bon Iver – “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) 7”.
8. The Watson twins: NIGHT COVERS.
9. Thea Gilmore: JOHN WESLEY HARDING.
10. Mayer Hawthorne: IMPRESSIONS – THE COVERS EP.
11. Trent Reznor & Karen O. – “The Immigrant Song” (Led Zeppelin) single.
12. Neko Case & Nick Cave – “She’s Not There” (The Zombies) single.
THREE COOL ALBUMS RECORDED YEARS AGO AND FINALLY OFFICIALLY RELEASED IN 2011:
1. Screaming Trees: LAST WORDS: THE FINAL RECORDINGS.
2. The Rolling Stones: BRUSSELS AFFAIR (LIVE 1973).
3. Love: BLACK BEAUTY.
AN EXCELLENT ALBUM FROM 2011 THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2010:
The Head & The Heart: THE HEAD AND THE HEART. Songs written in 2009, album originally released by the band in June 2010, re-released by Sub Pop on April 16, 2011. On my recommended list last year, but so good it warrants another mention.
AN EXCELLENT ALBUM FROM 2011 THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2010 AND THEN REMIXED IN 2011:
Gil Scott-Heron: I’M NEW HERE, reworked by The XX as WE’RE NEW HERE.
BEST COMEBACK ALBUM OF 2011:
The Feelies: HERE BEFORE. Previous album was 20 years ago; sounds like not a minute has passed.
BEST COMEBACK SINGLE OF 2011:
Mazzy Star – “Common Burn” b/w “Lay Myself Down.” Previous record was 15 years ago; sounds like not a minute has passed. Touring this summer, with a new album to follow.
BEST U.K. ALBUM OF 2010 THAT WILL FINALLY BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 2012:
Rumer: SEASONS OF MY SOUL. Mentored by Burt Bacharach; Elton John is a fanboy.
BEST ICELANDIC ALBUM OF 2011 THAT WILL BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 2012:
Of Monsters And Men: MY HEAD IS AN ANIMAL. Fantastic.
TWO EXCELLENT U.K. ALBUMS MENTIONED IN THE LISTS ABOVE THAT WILL BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 2012:
1. Fionn Regan: 100 ACRES OF SYCAMORE. Great folk-rock singer/songwriter.
2. Bill Ryder-Jones: IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT A TRAVELER. Great instrumental album from the ex-lead guitarist of The Coral.
BEST R&B/HIP-HOP DOWNLOAD TRILOGY OF 2011 THAT WILL GET AN OFFICIAL RELEASE IN 2012:
The Weeknd: HOUSE OF BALLOONS/ THURSDAY/ ECHOES OF SILENCE. Dazzling creativity from Canadian artist Abel Tesfaye.
BEST R&B/HIP-HOP DOWNLOAD ALBUM OF 2011 THAT WILL GET AN OFFICIAL RELEASE IN 2012:
Frank Ocean: NOSTALGIA, ULTRA. Transcends the idiom.
BEST REUNION OF 2011:
The Stone Roses. Touring this summer.
SIXTEEN COOL RECORDS THAT CAME OUT OF LOS ANGELES IN 2011 (ALPHABETICALLY):
Active Child: YOU ARE ALL I SEE.
The Allah-Las – “Catamaran” b/w “Long Journey” 7”.
The Belle Brigade: THE BELLE BRIGADE.
Best Coast – “How They Want Me to Be” 7”.
Mikal Cronin: MIKAL CRONIN.
Dawes: NOTHING IS WRONG.
Fool’s Gold: LEAVE NO TRACE.
Hanni El Khatib: WILL THE GUNS COME OUT.
La Sera: LA SERA.
The Milk Carton Kids: PROLOGUE.
Old Californio: SUNDRUNK ANGELS.
Rival Sons: PRESSURE & TIME.
Warpaint: EXQUISITE CORPSE EP.
Nick Waterhouse: IS THAT CLEAR EP.
White Fence: IS GROWING FAITH.
Jonathan Wilson: GENTLE SPIRIT.
TEN COOL RECORDS THAT CAME OUT OF PHILADELPHIA IN 2011 (ALPHABETICALLY):
Meg Baird: SEASONS ON EARTH.
Brown Recluse: EVENING TAPESTRY.
Charlie Gracie: FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLIE!
Daryl Hall: LAUGHING DOWN CRYING.
Nikki Jean: PENNIES IN A JAR.
The Roots: UNDUN.
Jill Scott: THE LIGHT OF THE SUN.
Kurt Vile: SMOKE RING FOR MY HALO (Bonus: SO OUTTA REACH EP).
The War On Drugs: SLAVE AMBIENT.
Denison Witmer: THE KEY STUDIO SESSIONS.
UNFORTUNATE MUSIC INDUSTRY PASSINGS IN 2011:
George Shearing
John Maus (John Walker of the Walker Brothers)
Gil Scott-Heron
Bert Jansch
Amy Winehouse
Clarence Clemons
Cesaria Evora
Gerry Rafferty
Andrew Gold
Gary Moore
Rob Grill (The Grass Roots)
Mikey Welsh (Weezer)
Howard Tate
Hubert Sumlin
Dobie Gray
Phoebe Snow
Pinetop Perkins
Polly Styrene X-Ray Spex)
Mike Starr (Alice In Chains)
Paul Motian
Charlie Louvin
Sean Bonniwell (The Music Machine)
Heavy D
Bill Pitcock IV (Dwight Twilley Band)
Mark “Moogy” Klingman
Keef Hartley
Nate Dogg
Jerry Lieber (songwriter)
Sylvia Robinson (label owner)
Owsley (scene maker)
Wild Man Fischer (scenester)
John Carter (songwriter/producer)
Don Kirshner (producer)
Barry Feinstein (Dylan photographer)
Suze Rotolo (Dylan muse)
THE TOP 25 REALLY GOOD ALBUMS FROM 2010 THAT WERE NOT MENTIONED IN LAST YEAR’S “BEST OF 2010” POST:
1. Painted Hills: PAINTED HILLS. Just wow!
2. The Sadies: DARKER CIRCLES.
3. Great Lakes: WAYS OF ESCAPE.
4. The Volebeats:THE VOLEBEATS.
5. Kathryn Calder: ARE YOU MY MOTHER?
6. Jenny O: HOME EP.
7. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals: ITUNES SESSION
8. Johnny Flynn: BEEN LISTENING.
9. First Aid Kit: THE BIG BLACK AND THE BLUE.
10. Dark Dark Dark: WILD GO.
11. The Golden Filter: VOLUSPA.
12. JJ Grey & Mofro: GEROGIA WARHORSE.
13. Biffy Clyro: ONLY REVOLUTIONS.
14. Perfume Genius: LEARNING.
15. The Innocence Mission: MY ROOM IN THE TREES.
16. Mary Hampton: MY MOTHER’S CHILDREN.
17. Yaaba Funk: AFROBEAST. Awesome Afrobeat from London.
18. Ana Moura: LEVA-ME AOS FADOS. Also awesome Portuguese fadista.
19. The Psychedelic Aliens: PSYCHO AFRICAN BEAT. Awesome Ghanaian Afrobeat meets Motown meets Hendrix reissue from 1971.
20. Jim Sullivan: U.F.O. Reissue of the brilliant 1969 album.
THE TOP SIX REALLY GOOD SONGS FROM 2010 THAT WERE NOT MENTIONED IN LAST YEAR’S “BEST OF 2010” POST:
1. Keane (with K’Naan) – “Stop For A Minute”
2. Lloyd Cole – “Oh Genevieve”
3. John Wesley Harding – “Oh! Pandora”
4. Neville Skelly - Blues Run The Game” (Jackson Frank cover)
5. Ray Davies (featuring Mumford & Sons) – “Days/This Time Tomorrow”
6. Ana Tijoux – “1977”
20 UPCOMING RELEASES FROM 2012 I HAVE ALREADY HEARD AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND:
1. Leonard Cohen: OLD IDEAS.
2. Kathleen Edwards: VOYAGEUR.
3. Nada Surf: THE STARS ARE INDIFFERENT TO ASTRONOMY.
4. Ren Harvieu: THROUGHT THE NIGHT.
5. The Staves: THE STAVES.
6. The Shins: PORT OF MORROW.
7. Beth Jeans Houghton: YOURS TRULY, CELLOPHANE NOSE.
8. Various Artists: CHIMES OF FREEDOM: THE SONGS OF BOB DYLAN HONORING 50 YEARS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL.
9. Tennis: YOUNG & OLD.
10. Miike Snow: DEVIL’S WORK.
11. Black Star: TBA
12. Slow Moving Millie: RENDITIONS.
13. Of Montreal: PARALYTIC STALKS.
14. Air: LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE.
15. Mark Lanegan Band: BLUES FUNERAL.
16. Michael Kiwanuka: HOME AGAIN.
17. First Aid Kit: THE LION’S ROAR.
18. Laura Gibson: LA GRANDE.
19. Django Django: DJANGO DJANGO.
20. Lana Del Rey: BORN TO DIE.
NEW AND UPCOMING NEW RELEASE DATES:
January
1-10
Bill Ryder-Jones: If...
Snow Patrol: Fallen Empires
The Little Willies: For The Good Times
The Maccabees: Given To The Wild
1-17
The Big Pink: Future This
The Duke Spirit: Bruiser
Bombay Bicycle Club: A Different Kind Of Fix
Kathleen Edwards: Voyageur
1-24
Rumer: Seasons Of My Soul
Cloud Nothings: Attack on Memory
Chairlift: Something
Craig Finn: Clear Heart Full Eyes
Ingrid Michaelson: Human Again
Laura Gibson: La Grande
Nada Surf: The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy
Guided By Voices: Let’s Go Eat The Factory
Joe Cocker: Hard Knocks
Big Deal: Lights Out
First Aid Kit: The Lion’s Roar
Django Django: Django Django
Various Artists: Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International City
1-31
Imperial Teen: Feel the Sound
Lana Del Rey: Born to Die
Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas
Fionn Regan: 100 Acres Of Sycamore
Ringo Starr: 2012
Seal: Soul 2
Carole King: Music
The Bevis Frond: The Leaving Of London
Radiohead: The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement DVD
2-7
Air: Le Voyage Dans La Lune
Ben Kweller: Go Fly A Kite
Paul McCartney: Kisses On The Bottom (standards covers, with Diana Krall and her band)
The Fray: Scars & Stories
The Lemonheads: Hotel Sessions
Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral
Sharon Van Etten: Tramp
The Twilight Sad: No One Can Ever Know
Dr. Dog: Be The Void
Of Montreal: Paralytic Stalks
Silver Swans: Forever
Van Halen (reunion with David Lee Roth): A Different Kind Of Truth
2-14
Otis Taylor: Contraband
Amos Lee: As The Crow Flies
Tennis: Young & Old
Field Music: Plumb
Shearwater: Animal Joy
Heartless Bastards: Arrow
Nikki Minaj: Pink Friday; Roman Reloaded
2-21
Sleigh Bells: Reign of Terror
The Cranberries: Roses
Damien Jurado: Maraqopa
John Wesley Coleman: Last Donkey Show
Lambchop: Mr. M
Tindersticks: The Something Rain
Peter Broderick: It Starts Here
Jim White: Where It Hits You
Kevin Kinney/The Golden Palominos: Good Country Mile
Ting Tings: Sounds From Nowheresville
Elvis Costello: The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Wheel Live
Sinead O’Connor: What About Me
2-28
Jay Farrar (Son Volt)/Jim James (My Morning Jacket)/Will Johnson (Centro-Matic) and Anders Parker (Varnaline): New Multitudes (new music set to previously unrecorded lyrics by Woody Guthrie)
Beth Jeans Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny: Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose
Pink Floyd: The Wall Reissue
School of Seven Bells: Ghostory
Plants and Animals: The End Of That
Lyle Lovett: Release Me
Carolina Chocolate Drops: Leaving Eden
Céu: Caravena Sereia
Loreena McKennitt: Troubadours On The Rhine
The Dirty Three: Toward The Low Sun
MARCH
3-6
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Wrecking Ball
Andrew Bird: Break It Yourself
Bowerbirds: The Clearing
Lissy Trullie: Lissy Trullie
Magnetic Fields: Love at the Bottom of the Sea
Kaiser Chiefs: Start The Revolution
Warren Haynes: TBA
Tom Jones 7” – Jezebel b/w Evil (produced by Jack White)
3-13
The Decemberists: We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live)
Madonna: M.D.N.A
The Three Funkateers (Damon Albarn, Flea & Tony Allen): The Three Funkateers
Delta Spirit: Delta Spirit
3-20
Spiritualized: Sweet Heart, Sweet Light
The Doors: L.A. Woman: The Workshop Sessions
The Shins: Port of Morrow
Esperanza Spalding: Radio Music Society
3-27
Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks
Justin Townes Earle: Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
Miike Snow: Happy To You
La Sera: Sees The Light
Michael Kiwanuka: Home Again
Macy Gray: Covered
April
4-10
Bonnie Raitt: Slipstream (produced by Joe Henry)
The Nightingales: No Love Lost
Ren Harvieu: Through The Night
Alabama Shakes: Hold On
May
5-8
Regina Spektor: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
Rufus Wainwright: Out Of The Game (produced by Mark Ronson)
Also due, release dates TBD:
Michelle Branch: West Coast Time
Neon Trees: Picture Show
The Veronicas: The Awakening
Rush: Clockwork Angels
Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N2 It
Slow Moving Millie: Renditions
The Staves: The Staves
Santigold: Master Of My Make Believe
U2: Songs Of Ascent (plus two other albums recorded)
Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man In The Universe
New Order: The Lost Sirens
The Weeknd: Mixtape Trilogy
Neil Young & Crazy Horse (two albums recorded)
Best Coast: TBA (produced by Jon Brion)
Patti Smith: TBA
The Avett Brothers: TBA (produced by Rick Rubin)
How To Destroy Angels (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross): TBA
The Watson Twins: TBA
Trey Anastasio, with The National as the backing band: TBA
Tom Jones: TBA
No Doubt: TBA
Phoenix: TBA
Sigur Ros: TBA
Black Star: TBA
The xx: TBA
Fiona Apple: TBA
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood: TBA
Cat Power: TBA
Johnny Marr: TBA
Morrissey: TBA
Mumford & Sons: TBA
ZZ Top: TBA
The Walkmen: TBA
The National: TBA
Grizzly Bear: TBA
Twin Shadow: TBA
David Byrne & St. Vincent: TBA
Afghan Whigs: TBA
Smith Westerns: TBA
Black Onassis: TBA
Tom Jones: TBA (produced by Jack White)
Soul Asylum: TBA
Soundgarden: TBA
Fleetwood Mac: TBA
Garbage: TBA
Dirty Projectors: TBA
Aerosmith: TBA
Toy: TBA
Black Sabbath (reunion with Ozzy Osbourne): TBA (produced by Rick Rubin)
Beach Boys: Reissue series and box set
NEW THINGS I AM LISTENING TO THIS WEEK FROM 2011 THAT I MISSED WHEN I WROTE THIS ORIGINAL POST:
Radiohead, double-sided single - "Staircase" b/w "The Daily Mail," from the live DVD, THE KING OF LIMBS-FROM THE BASEMENT
The National - "Rylan" and "I Need My Girl," performed live on Q (CBC radio)
Wussy - "Asteroids," from the STRAWBERRY CD
The Internet - "Fastlane," from their PURPLE NAKED LADIES CD
Big Deal - "Homework," from their LIGHTS OUT CD
Skrillex, featuring The Doors - "Breakin' a Sweat"
1. Kurt Vile: SMOKE RING FOR MY HALO. It was love at first listen when I heard “In My Time,” the lead track from SMOKE RING.., in October of 2010, and when the full CD dropped last March expectations were exceeded. A psych-folk mini-masterpiece, with a laid-back lo-fi charm that belies the depth of Vile’s songwriting, this record brims with hypnotic hooks, featuring his gauzy vocals, fuzzed out electric guitar wash and chiming acoustic picking. Bonus: Philly’s finest, Vile also pumped out a six-song EP in November, SO OUTTA REACH, which includes a killer cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Downbound Train.”
2. White Denim: D. The best band right now in a town full of great bands, Austin, White Denim have matured and mastered a wide-channel sound that mixes down everything from garage-punk, country-folk and prog-rock into a swirling post-psychedelic stew that is as impossible to categorize as it is to resist. Time signatures shift gears and even keys change midstream as D wends its way like a meandering opalescent river of music.
3. Black Keys: EL CAMINO. Not content to rest on the laurels of 2010’s award-winning bestseller BROTHERS, the duo moved to Nashville, built a studio and recorded an album that may be even better. While producer Danger Mouse augmented the band to include a bass player, keyboards and female backing vocalists, the sound is even tighter and leaner than before. This time the Keys veer further from the blues for a razor sharp rock record that just appeared in late December and immediately rocketed to the top of the list.
4. Megafaun: MEGAFAUN. Not sure what’s in the water in western Minnesota, but the region was responsible for some of the best music made last year. Mostly known as the band that Justin Vernon was in before he left to start a solo career as Bon Iver. Megafaun arose from the ashes and hit the mother lode with their eponymous fourth album, a beautiful mix of slow-burning ballads and guitar-edged jams.
5. Real Estate: DAYS. A confectionary with relentless allure, DAYS is made of silver melodies, golden harmonies, and shimmering layers of guitars.
6. Big Troubles: ROMANTIC COMEDY. Little band that could story of 2011, Big Troubles play the kind of addictive jangly power pop that was coming out of Athens and Winston-Salem in the early ‘80s, so it’s no coincidence that this album was produced by Mitch Easter, of Let’s Active/early R.E.M. fame
7. Bon Iver: BON IVER. A stunning achievement for Justin Vernon, who not only expanded Bon Iver to a quartet, but also added strings, horns and pedal-steel guitar to the multi-stacked vocals on his second CD, imbuing a lush epic quality to this global travelogue inspired by his last world tour.
8. The Civil Wars: BARTON HOLLOW. Joy Williams and John Paul White mine a traditional vein, two voices singing into one microphone, backed by nylon and steel-string guitars and little else, creating something more gorgeous, powerful and haunting than a studio full of machines or electronic instruments ever could. Bonus: TRACKS IN THE SNOW Christmas EP, released in November.
9. Wild Flag: WILD FLAG. Who said girl rock was dead? Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinney team with Helium guitarist Mary Timony to create one of the year’s most muscular records, with some of its most memorable guitar work.
10. Release The Sunbird: COME BACK TO US. Zach Rogue spends most of his time toiling in a relatively obscure band called Rogue Wave, which is a shame, because he is a songwriter of immense talent, and their records have been excellent. This time he put together the smaller unit Release the Sunbird to record a passel of songs that are stripped down and unplugged, creating a record that will probably be even more obscure, but it’s better, packed and stacked with rich gems.
11. Tennis: CAPE DORY. Husband and wife duo recorded an album about their year-long sailing expedition, filled with sun-dappled vocals, insouciance, and musical fun that shines through in Alaina Moore’s vocals.
12. Destroyer: KAPUTT. Dan Bejar once again constructs an aural wall of swirling synthesizers layered on top of blocks of driving beats, assimilating a vibe that bands like Roxy Music perfected years ago. But you can feel the love in Bejar’s music - he commits himself without irony – and the journey with him is always worth the ride.
13. The War On Drugs: SLAVE AMBIENT. Another group loses key member, then transcends. In this case the ex-member is the talented Kurt Vile, who still sits in with the band, and his simpatico with WOD leader Adam Granduciel is obvious. Falling somewhere in between slushy shoegaze and dreamy psychedelic folk, SLAVE AMBIENT has moments of incandescent brilliance.
14. Cass McCombs: WIT’S END and HUMOR RISK. Cass McCombs is a gifted songwriter and an itinerant tunesmith who traverses the country playing in clubs, fashioning clever anecdotal songs along the way. Last year he had the audacity to release not one, but two excellent albums chock full of nuggets as gritty and and true as the dirt on his boots.
15. Dawes: NOTHING IS WRONG. Dawes has a sound so genuinely rooted in vintage country-rock, and chops so strong, that Robbie Robertson himself took them out as his road band last year when he toured. This second album is an extension of their first, filled with powerful alt-country vignettes evoking the ghosts of the denizens of Laurel Canyon of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, even including spokesperson Jackson Browne on vocals on one track for veracity.
16. Jonathan Wilson: GENTLE SPIRIT. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Wilson has built a reputation as a leader of the West Coast neo-folk movement and a guru of the Laurel Canyon musical resurgence, through his work producing records and guesting on sessions, and for hosting near-legendary jam sessions. His record under his own name is an explosive debut, a sprawling work that assimilates influential elements as disparate as Alex Chilton, Gene Clark and Neil Young. The production is flawless and Wilson’s guitar work is sparkling.
17. Fleet Foxes: HELPLESSNESS BLUES. Another panoramic soundscape of majestic harmonies from the Foxes, and their principal songwriter and vocalist, Robin Pecknold. Balanced on the stepstones of traditional folk music and spiritual hymnals, the Foxes have manufactured a signature idiom of their own, one that sounds like the wind rolling off lakes and the snow falling on mountains. Bonus: Robin Pecknold released a high-quality three-song EP under his own name in March, which includes a great duet with Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear.
18. Yuck: YUCK. London’s Yuck delivered one of the most auspicious debuts in recent years, comprised of a dozen perfectly simple and simply perfect rock tunes with meaty double-tracked guitars. Bonus: In September Yuck released a bonus EP with 6 songs.
19. P.J Harvey: LET ENGLAND SHAKE. A wartime polemic inspired by the conflict in Afghanistan, LET ENGLAND SHAKE is PJ Harvey’s most sophisticated album yet, and also her most. More than ever, she makes you work at absorbing this record – the vocals are sometimes as disturbing as the lyrics – but the rewards are manifold.
20. My Morning Jacket: CIRCUITAL. Jim James and crew paint another giant tapestry, counter-balancing ethereal harmonies with blasts of guitar crunch, ranging from the gentle balladry of “Wonderful (The Way I Feel),” written by James for a Muppets movie, to the anthemic title track.
21. The Decemberists: THE KING IS DEAD. Excellence in Americana, with cred bonus points earned by featuring Peter Buck of R.E.M. on ringing guitars. Bonus: In October, the band released an equally good companion EP, LONG LIVE THE KING, made up of demos, b-sides and a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Row Jimmy.”
22. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: BELONG. Nu-gaze , sometimes dark with echo and feedback, but always brightly-colored by Kip Berman’s vocals.
23. The Vaccines: WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM THE VACCINES? Post-punk meets the 21st century in this reverb-drenched debut loaded with sterling songs that in olden times could have been hit singles.
24. The Horrors: SKYING. Throbbing gristle.
25. Alela Diane: ALELA DIANE & WILD DIVINE. Alela Diane Menig sings with a throaty power, not unlike Neko Case, and her band the Wild Divine, which includes her father and her husband, fits her like a glove on this country-rock burner.
26. Ryan Adams: ASHES & FIRE. A smashing return to form. Contemplative song cycle of reflections on life in the slow lane in California, mostly acoustic, his inspiration in part supposedly coming from listening to Laura Marling.
27. Atlas Sound: PARALLAX. Lovely swirling soundscapes from Bradford Cox, who never seems to lose the thread, or the hook, even as it seems these songs are about to float away.
28. Kate Bush: 50 WORDS FOR SNOW. A welcome comeback for Bush, who hadn’t recorded new material for over six years. Set against a backdrop of falling snow, the record does have a sparse, chilly feel, with a lonely grand piano set squarely in all the tracks while Bush tackles each with a steady approach, eschewing the vocal gymnastics she employed during her heyday. Elton John chips in on the centerpiece “Snowed In At Wheeler Street.” A beautiful record really.
29. tUnE-yArDs: W H O K I L L. Fresh, funky wild percussive fun from Merrill Garbus, with an anti-violence motif running through the lyrics. The track “Bizness” is one of the best of the year.
30. Wye Oak: CIVILIAN. Baltimore duo grind out a dreamy and melancholy musical mélange that sounds bigger and fuller than two people would normally make. Vocalist/guitarist Jenn Wasner is a mesmerizing frontperson.
31. Butcher Boy: HELPING HANDS. Every year there seems to be one outstanding record produced by a band from Scotland, and this time it’s the third CD from Butcher Boy. A collective with a standard core, plus a satellite group of horn and string players, Butcher Boy walks the line between folk and pop with a keen knack for the kind of superlative melodic interplay that seems to be the stock in trade of the most successful Glaswegian bands.
32. Girls: FATHER SON, HOLY GHOST. More ‘60s-tinged sun-flecked CA indie pop from SF duo, this time sandwiched around some longer trippier jams.
33. St. Vincent: STRANGE MERCY. Annie Clark’s third release is another quirky, galloping set of introspective songs set against stark backdrops of plaintive beats and innovative keyboard-centric instrumental accompaniment.
34. Wild Beasts: SMOTHER. Loops, grooves and bongos; starting down the same inventive path as Radiohead began exploring years ago.
35. Bill Callahan: APOCALYPSE. The Smog-man delivers again; paeans to the road, to nature, to the bottoms of the wells of relationships, with lo-fi musical backing and Callahan’s gravel-throated voice scraping against it like cut glass.
36. Little Dragon: RITUAL UNION. Third release from Swedish electronic meisters is a blast, embellished by their ultra-cool Swedish-Japanese singer/songwriter, Yukimi Nagano. Hypnotic and irresistible.
37. Lydia Loveless: INDESTRUCTIBLE MACHINE. Tremendous sophomore record from this 21-year old country-punk phenom, who is channeling the best elements of Exene from X, Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams. Her band, which includes her father on drums, is lockstep-tight but still knows how to swing, and Loveless is a witty lyricist. “Jesus Was A Wino” followed by the tongue-in-cheek “Steve Earle” is one of the best song segues on an album in 2011.
38. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins: DIAMOND MINE. King Creosote is a nom de plume for Kenny Anderson, a wildly prolific Scottish singer/songwriter. For DIAMOND MINE he teamed with former piano prodigy/current electronica producer Jon Hopkins, who works with Brian Eno and Coldplay among others, to create a hazy cloud of delights.
39. Laura Marling: A CREATURE I DON’T KNOW. Still just 21, Marling is writing songs at such a sophisticated level that the comparisons to Joni Mitchell are not only inevitable but seem to be warranted. At times she is so focused on the muse she seems possessed by the songs that flow through her.
40. Radiohead: THE KING OF LIMBS. Their level of excellence is so high that even their just-misses are near-classics. The final three-track coda of “Codex,” “Give Up the Ghost” and “Separator” count among the best 15 minutes of contiguous music all year.
41. James Blake: JAMES BLAKE. Bonus: ENOUGH THUNDER EP, featuring Bon Iver.
42. Jessica Lea Mayfield. TELL ME.
43. Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi: ROME.
44. Cat’s Eyes: CAT’S EYES.
45. Florence + The Machine: CEREMONIALS.
46. AA Bondy: BELIEVERS.
47. James Vincent McMorrow: EARLY IN THE MORNING.
48. Quadron: QUADRON.
49. EMA: PAST LIFE, MARTYRED SAINTS.
50. The Jayhawks: MOCKINGBIRD TIME
51. Eleanor Friedberger: LAST SUMMER.
52. Metronomy: THE ENGLISH RIVIERA.
53. Dum Dum Girls. ONLY IN DREAMS. Bonus: HE GETS ME HIGH EP.
54. Celilo: BUOY BELL.
55. Esben and the Witch: VIOLET CRIES.
56. Marcus Foster: NAMELESS PATH.
57. Anna Calvi: ANNA CALVI.
58. Smith Westerns: DYE IT BLONDE.
59. Arbouretum: THE GATHERING.
60. Nick Lowe: THE OLD MAGIC.
61. The Sand Band: ALL THROUGGH THE NIGHT.
62. Feist: METALS.
63. Portugal. The Man: IN THE MOUNTAIN, IN THE CLOUD.
64. Washed Out: WTHIN AND WITHOUT.
65. Ron Sexsmith: LONG PLAYER, LATE BLOOMER.
66. The Cave Singers: NO WITCH.
67. Panda Bear: TOMBOY.
68. Cage The Elephant: THANK YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
69. The Vivian Girls: SHARE THE JOY.
70. Big Harp: WHITE HAT.
71. The Stepkids: THE STEPKIDS.
72. Other Lives: TAMER ANIMALS.
73. Alessi’s Ark: TIME TRAVEL.
74. Thurston Moore: DEMOLISHED THOUGHTS.
75. Arctic Monkeys : SUCK IT AND SEE.
76. J Mascis: SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY.
77. Blitzen Trapper: AMERICAN GOLDWING.
78. Dan Mangan: OH FORTUNE.
79. Tyler Ramsey (lead guitarist in Band Of Horses): THE VALLEY WIND.
80. Elbow: BUILD A ROCKET BOYS!
81. Juliana Barwick: THE MAGIC PLACE.
82. Beirut: THE RIP TIDE.
83. Ivy: ALL HOURS
84. The Middle East: I WANT THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS HAPPY.
85. Cut Copy: ZONOSCOPE.
86. The Barr Brothers: THE BARR BROTHERS.
87. Sloan: THE DOUBLE CROSS.
88. Summer Camp: WELCOME TO CONDALE.
89. Wooden Shjips: WEST.
90. Drums: PORTAMENTO.
91. Tom Waits: BAD AS ME.
92. Richard Buckner: OUR BLOOD.
93. Tommy Stinson: ONE MAN MUTINY.
94. Blind Pilot: WE ARE THE TIDE.
95. Gruff Rhys: HOTEL SHAMPOO.
96. Paul Simon: SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT.
97. The Kills: BLOOD PRESSURES.
98. Delicate Steve: WONDERVISIONS.
99. Mogwai: HARD CORE WILL NEVER DIE, BUT YOU WILL.
100. Zola Jesus: CONATUS.
MY TOP 100 SONGS OF 2011:
1. “Pumped Up Kicks” (live acoustic unplugged version only!) – Foster The People
2. “Miss K.” – Deer Tick
3. “I Don’t Want Love” – The Antlers
4. “That’s My Baby” – Sleeper Agent”
5. “You Were Never There” – Diego Garcia
6. “Stay Young, Go Dancing” – Death Cab For Cutie
7. “Go Outside” – Cults
8. “Hold On” – Alabama Shakes
9. “Lord Knows Best” – Dirty Beaches
10. “Video Games” – Lana Del Rey
11. “Coney Island Winter” – Garland Jeffreys
12. “The Last Crusade” – Sam Roberts Band
13. “An Argument With Myself” – Jens Lekman
14. “Comeback Kid” – Brett Dennen
15. “Impression Of A City Morning” – Brown Recluse
16. “White Night” – The Postelles
17. “Heart & Arrow” – Danny & The Champions Of The World
18. “Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)” – Old 97’s
19. “Sick Of You” – Cake
20. “The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
21. “Private Caller” – Sondre Lerche
22. “Wonder Why” – Vetiver
23. “Richie and Ruben” – Fountains Of Wayne
24. “The Captain” (acoustic promo version) – Biffy Clyro
25. “Lavez Vous” – The Bandana Splits
26. “Losers” – The Belle Brigade
27. “Sadness Is A Blessing” (live acoustic version) – Lykke Li
28. “Lay Myself Down” – Mazzy Star
29. “A Walk Home” – The Morning Clouds
30. “Bad Times For The Hare Krishnas” – Morton Valence
31. “Scottish Wind’ – Frightened Rabbit
32. “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” – Noah And The Whale
33. “I’ll Be Waiting” – Adele
34. “Tree By The River” – Iron & Wine
35. “Dreamin” – Twerps
36. “Junk Of The Heart” – The Kooks
37. “Tigers” – Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
38. “Candyfloss” – Jonny
39. “Black Girls In Dresses” – Tony Castles
40. “Never Come Around” – La Sera
41. “Chair” – Big Deal
42. “Midnight City” – M83
43. “Paradise” – Coldplay
44. “Que Veux Tu” – Yelle
45. “Cut Me Out” – MNDR
46. “16 Years” – Phantogram
47. “Half Time” – Amy Winehouse
48. “We All Go Back Where We Belong” – R.E.M.
49. “Shell Games” – Bright Eyes
50. “Under Cover Of Darkness” – The Strokes
51. “Rock N’ Roll Is Free” – Ben Harper
52. “Million Dollar Motel” – Nikki Jean
53. “I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl” - Wavves
54. “Galahad” – Josh Ritter
55. “Breaker, Breaker” – Peter, Paul & John
56. “1293 Bloom” – The Veils
57. “Silverlake” – Azure Ray (featuring Sparklehorse)
58. “Little Talks” – Of Monsters & Men
59. “Endless Summer” – The Jezabels
60. “Cry” – Hollie Cook
61. “Murderous Joy” – Carter Tanton
62. “Two Matchsticks” – The Wooden Birds
63. “How They Want Me To Be” – Best Coast
64. “Buy Nothing Day” – The Go! Team
65. “Whirring” – The Joy Formidable
66. “Gene Ciampi” – Twin Sister
67. “My Name Is Trouble” – Keren Ann
68. “Summer Of ‘89” – Butch Walker and the Black Widows.
69. “Doncamatic” – Gorillaz
70. “Magic” – Joan As Police Woman
71. “She Walks The Night” – Matthew Sweet
72. “Anna Lee” – The Bangles
73. “Weather of A Killing Kind” – The Tallest Man On Earth
74. “Up Up Up” – Givers
75. “Car Crash” – Telekinesis
76. “The Dive” – Fool’s Gold
77. “Options” – Gomez
78. “12 Fingers” – Young The Giant
79. “Screws Get Loose” – Those Darlins
80. “Sometime” – Dive
81. “Maniac” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
82. “Movin’ On” – Josh Rouse and the Long Vacations
83. “Polish Girl” – Neon Indian
84. “White Telephone” – Charlotte Gainsbourg
85. “Freddie’s Lapels” – D. Charles Speer & The Helix
86. “Burning Your House Down” – The Jim Jones Review
87. “Squealing-Pigs” – Admiral Fallow
88. “Too Many Kids Finding Rain In The Dust” – Nicolas Jaar
89. “Underwater” – The Wild Swans
90. “Constellations” – Darwin Deez
91. “Finale” – Funeral Party
92. “100 Other Lovers” – DeVotchKa
93. “Rearrange” – Miles Kane
94. “Blood” – The Dears
95. “New Brighton” – Said The Whale
96. “Shine on You” – The Duke & The King
97. “If I Had A Gun” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
98. “World Gone Global” – The Dead Trees
99. “Louder Than Ever” – Cold War Kids
100. “On The Corner” – The Twilight Singers
MY TOP 20 AMERICANA/ALT-COUNTRY ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Gillian Welch: THE HARROW & THE HARVEST. Close to heaven.
2. Old Californio: SUNDRUNK ANGELS.
3. Dave Alvin: ELEVEN ELEVEN.
4. Middle Brother: MIDDLE BROTHER.
5. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit: HERE WE REST.
6. Ry Cooder: PULL UP SOME DUST AND SIT DOWN.
7. Jolie Holland: PINT OF BLOOD.
8. The Webb Sisters: SAVAGES.
9. Kate Maki: MOONSHINE.
10. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy: WOLFROY GOES TO TOWN.
11. Caitlin Rose: OWN SIDE NOW.
12. Dead Rock West: BRIGHT MORNING STARS.
13. The Low Anthem: SMART FLESH.
14. Peter Case: THE CASE FILES.
15. Neal Casal: SWEETEN THE DISTANCE.
16. Shelby Lynne: REVELATION ROAD.
17. Drive-By Truckers: GO-GO BOOTS.
18. John Hiatt: DIRTY JEANS AND MUDSLIDE HYMNS.
19. Lucinda Williams: BLESSED.
20. The Felice Brothers: CELEBRATION, FLORIDA.
MY TOP 10 BLUES ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Gary Clark Jr.: THE BRIGHT LIGHTS EP. Dazzling debut.
2. Tedeschi Trucks Band: REVELATOR.
3. Gregg Allman: LOW COUNTRY BLUES.
4. Matt Schofield: ANYTHING BUT TIME.
5. Joe Bonamassa: DUST BOWL.
6. Warren Haynes: MAN IN MOTION.
7. Cedric Burnside Project: THE WAY I AM.
8. Ana Popovic: UNCONDITIONAL.
9. Johnny Winter: ROOTS.
10. Seasick Steve: YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS.
MY TOP 10 COUNTRY ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Pistol Annies (Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley): HELL ON HEELS. Ass-kicking.
2. Hayes Carll: KMAG YOYO.
3. Alison Kraus & Union Station: PAPER AIRPLANE.
4. Josh T. Pearson: LAST OF THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN.
5. Steve Earle: I’LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE.
6. Hank 3: GHOST TO A GHOST/GUTTER TOWN.
7. Amanda Shires: CARRYING LIGHTNING.
8. Carrie Rodriguez & Ben Kyle: WE STILL LOVE OUR COUNTRY.
9. Miranda Lambert: FOUR THE RECORD.
10. Wanda Jackson: THE PARTY AIN’T OVER.
MY TOP 10 FOLK ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Meg Baird: SEASONS ON EARTH. Haunting.
2. Fionn Regan: 100 ACRES OF SYCAMORE.
3. Abigail Washburn: CITY OF REFUGE.
4. William Elliott Whitmore: FIELD SONGS.
5. Heirlooms Of August: FOREVER THE MOON.
6. The Carravick Sisters: FROM THE FIELDS.
7. Tiny Ruins: SOME WERE MEANT FOR SEA.
8. The Unthanks: LAST.
9. Bella Hardy: SONGS LOST & STOLEN.
10. Jackie Oates: SATURNINE.
MY TOP 20 GARAGE/LO-FI RECORDS OF 2011:
1. Mazes: A THOUSAND HEYS.
2. Mikal Cronin: MIKAL CRONIN.
3. The Black Lips: ARABIA.
4. Crystal Stilts: IN LOVE WITH OBLIVION.
5. Cloud Nothings: CLOUD NOTHINGS.
6. Vivian Girls: SHARE THE JOY.
7. Jeffrey Lewis: A TURN IN THE DREAM-SONGS.
8. Veronica Falls: VERONICA FALLS.
9. Caveman: COCO BEWARE.
10. Shimmering Stars: VIOLENT HEARTS.
11. Fergus & Geronimo: UNLEARN.
12. Bobb Trimble: THE CRIPPLED DOG BAND.
13. Allah-Las - “Catamaran” 7”.
14. Thee Oh Sees: CARRION CRAWLER/THE DREAM.
15. The Sonic Jewels - “Slide Of Time” 7”.
16. The Ettes: WICKED WILL.
17. White Fence: IS GROWING FAITH.
18. Surfer Blood: TAROT CLASSICS EP.
19. Nick Waterhouse: IS THAT CLEAR EP.
20. Ty Segall: GOODBYE BREAD.
SIX HIP-HOP ALBUMS OF 2011 I LIKED:
1. The Weeknd: THE MIX TAPE TRILOGY, PART 1: HOUSE OF BALLOONS.
2. The Weeknd: THE MIX TAPE TRILOGY, PART 2: THURSDAY.
3. The Weeknd: THE MIX TAPE TRILOGY, PART 3: ECHOES OF SILENCE.
4. Jay-Z and Kanye West: WATCH THE THRONE.
5. Drake: TAKE CARE.
6. The Beastie Boys: HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE, PART TWO.
THREE EXCELLENT INSTRUMENTAL ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2011:
1. Glenn Jones: THE WANTING.
2. Bill Ryder-Jones: IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT A TRAVELER.
3. Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent Segal: CHAMBER MUSIC.
MY TOP SIX JAZZ ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Ambrose Akinmusire : WHEN THE HEART EMERGES GLISTENING.
2. The Impossible Gentlemen: THE IMPOSSIBLE GENTLEMEN.
3. Anthony Wilson: SEASONS (LIVE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART).
4. Joe Lovano: BIRD SONGS.
5. Noah Preminger: BEFORE THE RAIN.
6. Gerald Wilson: LEGACY.
FOUR GREAT LIVE ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2011:
1. Rockpile: LIVE AT MONTREUX 1980.
2. Levon Helm: RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN.
3. JJ Grey & Mofro: BRIGHTER DAYS.
4. Neil Young & the International Harvesters: A TREASURE.
MY TOP 15 R&B/SOUL ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Raphael Saadiq: STONE ROLLIN’. Funkadelic.
2. The Roots: UNDUN.
3. Charles Bradley: NO TIME FOR DREAMING.
4. Michael Kiwanuka: TELL ME A TALE EP.
5. Van Hunt: WHAT WERE YOU HOPING FOR?
6. Anthony Hamilton: BACK TO LOVE.
7. The Bo-Keys: GOT TO GET BACK!
8. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears: SCANDALOUS.
9. Betty Wright: THE MOVIE.
10. Frank Ocean: NOSTALGIA, ULTRA.
11. Mayer Hawthorne: HOW DO YOU DO.
12. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: SOUL TIME!
13. Dennis Coffey: DENNIS COFFEY.
14. Dionne Bromfield: GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
15. Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band: RUBBER ORCHESTRAS.
MY TOP 25 SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Sarah Jarosz: FOLLOW ME DOWN. Ethereal.
2. Benjamin Francis Leftwich: LAST SMOKE BEFORE THE SNOWSTORM.
3. Lia Ices: GROWN UNKNOWN.
4. Kathryn Calder: BRIGHT AND VIVID.
5. The Milk Carton Kids: PROLOGUE.
6. Marissa Nadler: MARISSA NADLER.
7. Marcus Foster: NAMELESS PATH.
8. Mara Carlyle: FLOREAT.
9. Jonas Asker: EP.
10. Alexi Murdoch: TOWARDS THE SUN.
11. Tristen: CHARLATANS AT THE GOLDEN GATE.
12. Aaron Wright: AARON WRIGHT.
13. Sarabeth Tucek: GET WELL SOON.
14. John Vanderslice: WHITE WILDERNESS.
15. William Fitzsimmons: GOLD IN THE SHADOW.
16. Gerard Starkie: POTIONS.
17. Ben Howard: EVERY KINGDOM.
18. Pieta Brown: MERCURY.
19. Peter Bradley Adams: BETWEEN US.
20. Peter Bruntnell: BLACK MOUNTAIN U.F.O.
21. Paul Wassif: LOOKING UP FEELING DOWN.
22. Ramsay Midwood: LARRY BUYS A LIGHTER.
23. Adam Cohen: LIKE A MAN
24. Alexander: ALEXANDER.
25. Lindsey Buckingham: SEEDS WE SOW.
MY TOP 20 WORLD MUSIC ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Fatoumata Diawara: KANOU EP. Beautiful. Look for a complete eponymous LP to follow.
2. Tinariwen: TASSILI.
3. Juju: IN TRANCE.
4. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo: COTONOU CLUB.
5. SMOD: SMOD.
6. Femi Kuti: AFRICA FOR AFRICA.
7. Iness Mezel: BEYOND THE TRANCE.
8. Boubacar Traore: MALI DENHOU.
9. Vieux Farka Touré: THE SECRET.
10. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80: FROM AFRICA WITH FURY: RISE.
11. Les Nubians: Nü REVOLUTION.
12. Lucas Santtana: SEM NOSTALGIA.
13. Bill Frisell & Vinícius Cantuária: LAGRIMAS MEXICANAS.
14. Yaaba Funk: AFROBEAST.
15. Dengue Fever: CANNIBAL COURTSHIP.
16. Eliane Elias: LIGHT MY FIRE.
17. Terakaft: ARATAN N AZAWAD.
18. Asa: BEAUTIFUL IMPERFECTION
19. Ben L’Oncle Soul: BEN L’ONCLE SOUL.
20. Various Artists: RED HOT & RIO 2.
MY TOP SIX SOUNDTRACK ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. YOUNG ADULT.
2. CRAZY, STUPID LOVE.
3. NORMAN.
4. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.
5. WE BOUGHT A ZOO.
6. TRUE BLOOD, VOLUME 3.
MY TOP SIX REISSUE ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. The Beach Boys: THE SMILE SESSIONS.
2. Michael Chapman: FULLY QUALIFIED SURVIVOR.
3. El Rego: EL REGO ET SES COMMANDOS. The Beninese James Brown!
4. Neutral Milk Hotel: RELEASES-BOX SETS AND DRAWINGS.
5. Nirvana: NEVERMIND (20TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION).
6. Various Artists: GROOVE CLUB, VOL. 1: LE CONFISERIE MAGIQUE.
SIX VERY GOOD TRIBUTE ALBUMS OF 2011:
1. Various Artists: JOHNNY BOY WOULD LOVE THIS: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN MARTYN.
2. Various Artists: PAINT IT BLACK: AN ALT-COUNTRY TRIBUTE TO THE ROLLING STONES.
2. Ben Waters & Various Artists: BOOGIE 4 STU: A TRIBUTE TO IAN STEWART.
3. Various Artists: RAVE ON BUDDY HOLLY.
4. Steve Cropper: DEDICATED: A SALUTE TO THE 5 ROYALES.
6. Various Artists: ZZ TOP – A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS.
MY TOP 12 COVERS RECORDS OF 2011:
1. Little Roy: BATTLE FOR SEATTLE (Reggae Nirvana covers).
2. Glen Campbell: GHOST ON THE CANVAS.
3. Okkervil River: GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES 2.
4. Tony Bennett: DUETS II.
5. The Decemberists: various covers on ITUNES SESSION.
6. Adele - “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) live 7”.
7. Bon Iver – “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) 7”.
8. The Watson twins: NIGHT COVERS.
9. Thea Gilmore: JOHN WESLEY HARDING.
10. Mayer Hawthorne: IMPRESSIONS – THE COVERS EP.
11. Trent Reznor & Karen O. – “The Immigrant Song” (Led Zeppelin) single.
12. Neko Case & Nick Cave – “She’s Not There” (The Zombies) single.
THREE COOL ALBUMS RECORDED YEARS AGO AND FINALLY OFFICIALLY RELEASED IN 2011:
1. Screaming Trees: LAST WORDS: THE FINAL RECORDINGS.
2. The Rolling Stones: BRUSSELS AFFAIR (LIVE 1973).
3. Love: BLACK BEAUTY.
AN EXCELLENT ALBUM FROM 2011 THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2010:
The Head & The Heart: THE HEAD AND THE HEART. Songs written in 2009, album originally released by the band in June 2010, re-released by Sub Pop on April 16, 2011. On my recommended list last year, but so good it warrants another mention.
AN EXCELLENT ALBUM FROM 2011 THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2010 AND THEN REMIXED IN 2011:
Gil Scott-Heron: I’M NEW HERE, reworked by The XX as WE’RE NEW HERE.
BEST COMEBACK ALBUM OF 2011:
The Feelies: HERE BEFORE. Previous album was 20 years ago; sounds like not a minute has passed.
BEST COMEBACK SINGLE OF 2011:
Mazzy Star – “Common Burn” b/w “Lay Myself Down.” Previous record was 15 years ago; sounds like not a minute has passed. Touring this summer, with a new album to follow.
BEST U.K. ALBUM OF 2010 THAT WILL FINALLY BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 2012:
Rumer: SEASONS OF MY SOUL. Mentored by Burt Bacharach; Elton John is a fanboy.
BEST ICELANDIC ALBUM OF 2011 THAT WILL BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 2012:
Of Monsters And Men: MY HEAD IS AN ANIMAL. Fantastic.
TWO EXCELLENT U.K. ALBUMS MENTIONED IN THE LISTS ABOVE THAT WILL BE RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 2012:
1. Fionn Regan: 100 ACRES OF SYCAMORE. Great folk-rock singer/songwriter.
2. Bill Ryder-Jones: IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT A TRAVELER. Great instrumental album from the ex-lead guitarist of The Coral.
BEST R&B/HIP-HOP DOWNLOAD TRILOGY OF 2011 THAT WILL GET AN OFFICIAL RELEASE IN 2012:
The Weeknd: HOUSE OF BALLOONS/ THURSDAY/ ECHOES OF SILENCE. Dazzling creativity from Canadian artist Abel Tesfaye.
BEST R&B/HIP-HOP DOWNLOAD ALBUM OF 2011 THAT WILL GET AN OFFICIAL RELEASE IN 2012:
Frank Ocean: NOSTALGIA, ULTRA. Transcends the idiom.
BEST REUNION OF 2011:
The Stone Roses. Touring this summer.
SIXTEEN COOL RECORDS THAT CAME OUT OF LOS ANGELES IN 2011 (ALPHABETICALLY):
Active Child: YOU ARE ALL I SEE.
The Allah-Las – “Catamaran” b/w “Long Journey” 7”.
The Belle Brigade: THE BELLE BRIGADE.
Best Coast – “How They Want Me to Be” 7”.
Mikal Cronin: MIKAL CRONIN.
Dawes: NOTHING IS WRONG.
Fool’s Gold: LEAVE NO TRACE.
Hanni El Khatib: WILL THE GUNS COME OUT.
La Sera: LA SERA.
The Milk Carton Kids: PROLOGUE.
Old Californio: SUNDRUNK ANGELS.
Rival Sons: PRESSURE & TIME.
Warpaint: EXQUISITE CORPSE EP.
Nick Waterhouse: IS THAT CLEAR EP.
White Fence: IS GROWING FAITH.
Jonathan Wilson: GENTLE SPIRIT.
TEN COOL RECORDS THAT CAME OUT OF PHILADELPHIA IN 2011 (ALPHABETICALLY):
Meg Baird: SEASONS ON EARTH.
Brown Recluse: EVENING TAPESTRY.
Charlie Gracie: FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLIE!
Daryl Hall: LAUGHING DOWN CRYING.
Nikki Jean: PENNIES IN A JAR.
The Roots: UNDUN.
Jill Scott: THE LIGHT OF THE SUN.
Kurt Vile: SMOKE RING FOR MY HALO (Bonus: SO OUTTA REACH EP).
The War On Drugs: SLAVE AMBIENT.
Denison Witmer: THE KEY STUDIO SESSIONS.
UNFORTUNATE MUSIC INDUSTRY PASSINGS IN 2011:
George Shearing
John Maus (John Walker of the Walker Brothers)
Gil Scott-Heron
Bert Jansch
Amy Winehouse
Clarence Clemons
Cesaria Evora
Gerry Rafferty
Andrew Gold
Gary Moore
Rob Grill (The Grass Roots)
Mikey Welsh (Weezer)
Howard Tate
Hubert Sumlin
Dobie Gray
Phoebe Snow
Pinetop Perkins
Polly Styrene X-Ray Spex)
Mike Starr (Alice In Chains)
Paul Motian
Charlie Louvin
Sean Bonniwell (The Music Machine)
Heavy D
Bill Pitcock IV (Dwight Twilley Band)
Mark “Moogy” Klingman
Keef Hartley
Nate Dogg
Jerry Lieber (songwriter)
Sylvia Robinson (label owner)
Owsley (scene maker)
Wild Man Fischer (scenester)
John Carter (songwriter/producer)
Don Kirshner (producer)
Barry Feinstein (Dylan photographer)
Suze Rotolo (Dylan muse)
THE TOP 25 REALLY GOOD ALBUMS FROM 2010 THAT WERE NOT MENTIONED IN LAST YEAR’S “BEST OF 2010” POST:
1. Painted Hills: PAINTED HILLS. Just wow!
2. The Sadies: DARKER CIRCLES.
3. Great Lakes: WAYS OF ESCAPE.
4. The Volebeats:THE VOLEBEATS.
5. Kathryn Calder: ARE YOU MY MOTHER?
6. Jenny O: HOME EP.
7. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals: ITUNES SESSION
8. Johnny Flynn: BEEN LISTENING.
9. First Aid Kit: THE BIG BLACK AND THE BLUE.
10. Dark Dark Dark: WILD GO.
11. The Golden Filter: VOLUSPA.
12. JJ Grey & Mofro: GEROGIA WARHORSE.
13. Biffy Clyro: ONLY REVOLUTIONS.
14. Perfume Genius: LEARNING.
15. The Innocence Mission: MY ROOM IN THE TREES.
16. Mary Hampton: MY MOTHER’S CHILDREN.
17. Yaaba Funk: AFROBEAST. Awesome Afrobeat from London.
18. Ana Moura: LEVA-ME AOS FADOS. Also awesome Portuguese fadista.
19. The Psychedelic Aliens: PSYCHO AFRICAN BEAT. Awesome Ghanaian Afrobeat meets Motown meets Hendrix reissue from 1971.
20. Jim Sullivan: U.F.O. Reissue of the brilliant 1969 album.
THE TOP SIX REALLY GOOD SONGS FROM 2010 THAT WERE NOT MENTIONED IN LAST YEAR’S “BEST OF 2010” POST:
1. Keane (with K’Naan) – “Stop For A Minute”
2. Lloyd Cole – “Oh Genevieve”
3. John Wesley Harding – “Oh! Pandora”
4. Neville Skelly - Blues Run The Game” (Jackson Frank cover)
5. Ray Davies (featuring Mumford & Sons) – “Days/This Time Tomorrow”
6. Ana Tijoux – “1977”
20 UPCOMING RELEASES FROM 2012 I HAVE ALREADY HEARD AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND:
1. Leonard Cohen: OLD IDEAS.
2. Kathleen Edwards: VOYAGEUR.
3. Nada Surf: THE STARS ARE INDIFFERENT TO ASTRONOMY.
4. Ren Harvieu: THROUGHT THE NIGHT.
5. The Staves: THE STAVES.
6. The Shins: PORT OF MORROW.
7. Beth Jeans Houghton: YOURS TRULY, CELLOPHANE NOSE.
8. Various Artists: CHIMES OF FREEDOM: THE SONGS OF BOB DYLAN HONORING 50 YEARS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL.
9. Tennis: YOUNG & OLD.
10. Miike Snow: DEVIL’S WORK.
11. Black Star: TBA
12. Slow Moving Millie: RENDITIONS.
13. Of Montreal: PARALYTIC STALKS.
14. Air: LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE.
15. Mark Lanegan Band: BLUES FUNERAL.
16. Michael Kiwanuka: HOME AGAIN.
17. First Aid Kit: THE LION’S ROAR.
18. Laura Gibson: LA GRANDE.
19. Django Django: DJANGO DJANGO.
20. Lana Del Rey: BORN TO DIE.
NEW AND UPCOMING NEW RELEASE DATES:
January
1-10
Bill Ryder-Jones: If...
Snow Patrol: Fallen Empires
The Little Willies: For The Good Times
The Maccabees: Given To The Wild
1-17
The Big Pink: Future This
The Duke Spirit: Bruiser
Bombay Bicycle Club: A Different Kind Of Fix
Kathleen Edwards: Voyageur
1-24
Rumer: Seasons Of My Soul
Cloud Nothings: Attack on Memory
Chairlift: Something
Craig Finn: Clear Heart Full Eyes
Ingrid Michaelson: Human Again
Laura Gibson: La Grande
Nada Surf: The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy
Guided By Voices: Let’s Go Eat The Factory
Joe Cocker: Hard Knocks
Big Deal: Lights Out
First Aid Kit: The Lion’s Roar
Django Django: Django Django
Various Artists: Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International City
1-31
Imperial Teen: Feel the Sound
Lana Del Rey: Born to Die
Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas
Fionn Regan: 100 Acres Of Sycamore
Ringo Starr: 2012
Seal: Soul 2
Carole King: Music
The Bevis Frond: The Leaving Of London
Radiohead: The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement DVD
2-7
Air: Le Voyage Dans La Lune
Ben Kweller: Go Fly A Kite
Paul McCartney: Kisses On The Bottom (standards covers, with Diana Krall and her band)
The Fray: Scars & Stories
The Lemonheads: Hotel Sessions
Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral
Sharon Van Etten: Tramp
The Twilight Sad: No One Can Ever Know
Dr. Dog: Be The Void
Of Montreal: Paralytic Stalks
Silver Swans: Forever
Van Halen (reunion with David Lee Roth): A Different Kind Of Truth
2-14
Otis Taylor: Contraband
Amos Lee: As The Crow Flies
Tennis: Young & Old
Field Music: Plumb
Shearwater: Animal Joy
Heartless Bastards: Arrow
Nikki Minaj: Pink Friday; Roman Reloaded
2-21
Sleigh Bells: Reign of Terror
The Cranberries: Roses
Damien Jurado: Maraqopa
John Wesley Coleman: Last Donkey Show
Lambchop: Mr. M
Tindersticks: The Something Rain
Peter Broderick: It Starts Here
Jim White: Where It Hits You
Kevin Kinney/The Golden Palominos: Good Country Mile
Ting Tings: Sounds From Nowheresville
Elvis Costello: The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Wheel Live
Sinead O’Connor: What About Me
2-28
Jay Farrar (Son Volt)/Jim James (My Morning Jacket)/Will Johnson (Centro-Matic) and Anders Parker (Varnaline): New Multitudes (new music set to previously unrecorded lyrics by Woody Guthrie)
Beth Jeans Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny: Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose
Pink Floyd: The Wall Reissue
School of Seven Bells: Ghostory
Plants and Animals: The End Of That
Lyle Lovett: Release Me
Carolina Chocolate Drops: Leaving Eden
Céu: Caravena Sereia
Loreena McKennitt: Troubadours On The Rhine
The Dirty Three: Toward The Low Sun
MARCH
3-6
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Wrecking Ball
Andrew Bird: Break It Yourself
Bowerbirds: The Clearing
Lissy Trullie: Lissy Trullie
Magnetic Fields: Love at the Bottom of the Sea
Kaiser Chiefs: Start The Revolution
Warren Haynes: TBA
Tom Jones 7” – Jezebel b/w Evil (produced by Jack White)
3-13
The Decemberists: We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live)
Madonna: M.D.N.A
The Three Funkateers (Damon Albarn, Flea & Tony Allen): The Three Funkateers
Delta Spirit: Delta Spirit
3-20
Spiritualized: Sweet Heart, Sweet Light
The Doors: L.A. Woman: The Workshop Sessions
The Shins: Port of Morrow
Esperanza Spalding: Radio Music Society
3-27
Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks
Justin Townes Earle: Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
Miike Snow: Happy To You
La Sera: Sees The Light
Michael Kiwanuka: Home Again
Macy Gray: Covered
April
4-10
Bonnie Raitt: Slipstream (produced by Joe Henry)
The Nightingales: No Love Lost
Ren Harvieu: Through The Night
Alabama Shakes: Hold On
May
5-8
Regina Spektor: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats
Rufus Wainwright: Out Of The Game (produced by Mark Ronson)
Also due, release dates TBD:
Michelle Branch: West Coast Time
Neon Trees: Picture Show
The Veronicas: The Awakening
Rush: Clockwork Angels
Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N2 It
Slow Moving Millie: Renditions
The Staves: The Staves
Santigold: Master Of My Make Believe
U2: Songs Of Ascent (plus two other albums recorded)
Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man In The Universe
New Order: The Lost Sirens
The Weeknd: Mixtape Trilogy
Neil Young & Crazy Horse (two albums recorded)
Best Coast: TBA (produced by Jon Brion)
Patti Smith: TBA
The Avett Brothers: TBA (produced by Rick Rubin)
How To Destroy Angels (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross): TBA
The Watson Twins: TBA
Trey Anastasio, with The National as the backing band: TBA
Tom Jones: TBA
No Doubt: TBA
Phoenix: TBA
Sigur Ros: TBA
Black Star: TBA
The xx: TBA
Fiona Apple: TBA
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood: TBA
Cat Power: TBA
Johnny Marr: TBA
Morrissey: TBA
Mumford & Sons: TBA
ZZ Top: TBA
The Walkmen: TBA
The National: TBA
Grizzly Bear: TBA
Twin Shadow: TBA
David Byrne & St. Vincent: TBA
Afghan Whigs: TBA
Smith Westerns: TBA
Black Onassis: TBA
Tom Jones: TBA (produced by Jack White)
Soul Asylum: TBA
Soundgarden: TBA
Fleetwood Mac: TBA
Garbage: TBA
Dirty Projectors: TBA
Aerosmith: TBA
Toy: TBA
Black Sabbath (reunion with Ozzy Osbourne): TBA (produced by Rick Rubin)
Beach Boys: Reissue series and box set
NEW THINGS I AM LISTENING TO THIS WEEK FROM 2011 THAT I MISSED WHEN I WROTE THIS ORIGINAL POST:
Radiohead, double-sided single - "Staircase" b/w "The Daily Mail," from the live DVD, THE KING OF LIMBS-FROM THE BASEMENT
The National - "Rylan" and "I Need My Girl," performed live on Q (CBC radio)
Wussy - "Asteroids," from the STRAWBERRY CD
The Internet - "Fastlane," from their PURPLE NAKED LADIES CD
Big Deal - "Homework," from their LIGHTS OUT CD
Skrillex, featuring The Doors - "Breakin' a Sweat"
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