OT: New Music?

[ScoopBrady]

I have been really digging Joe Henry's new album entitled Reverie at work today.
http://open.spotify.com/user/scoopbrady ... sEEJPxFhqX

[pk500]

Another album has locked itself into my Top 10 of 2011: "David Comes To Life" by F*cked Up. One of the most impressive hard rock records I've heard in years.

[EZSnappin]

Another album has locked itself into my Top 10 of 2011: "David Comes To Life" by F*cked Up. One of the most impressive hard rock records I've heard in years.

I'm torn on those guys; they write great songs, they sound great as a band but that singer...

I'm just over the hardcore vocals. I listened to far to much of that 20-odd years ago and I have no use for dudes yelling at me, even if Abraham is on the melodic end of things.

[pk500]

Another album has locked itself into my Top 10 of 2011: "David Comes To Life" by F*cked Up. One of the most impressive hard rock records I've heard in years.

I'm torn on those guys; they write great songs, they sound great as a band but that singer...

I'm just over the hardcore vocals. I listened to far to much of that 20-odd years ago and I have no use for dudes yelling at me, even if Abraham is on the melodic end of things.

Yep. Normally I despise the barking, vomit-rock voices. But Pink Eyes enunciates just enough to discern some lyrics, and the juxtaposition of his rough voice with the gorgeous harmonics and concussive chords of the guitarists is oddly perfect. Plus his voice is not nearly as offensive sonically as the band's last album, the fantastic "Chemistry of Common Life."

The guitar work on this entire record just KILLS.

[EZSnappin]

Abraham is definitely getting better (delivery not enunciation is my problem; he's much more discernable than most of the metal I listen to), but I just can't do it. If you find an instrumental version of it you let me know.

[pk500]

Abraham is definitely getting better (delivery not enunciation is my problem; he's much more discernable than most of the metal I listen to), but I just can't do it. If you find an instrumental version of it you let me know.

[pk500]

I've been on a Radiohead binge the last few days, which, for guys who know me at DSP, is about as odd as me attending and enjoying the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I've tried to listen to the band's classics such as "Kid A" and "OK Computer" in the past and just didn't get it, always dismissing the praise heaped on the band and its music as music reviewers' c*ckslobbering.

Well, I get it now.

"Kid A" and "OK Computer" are thoroughly engrossing, riveting listening. There are so many sonic layers, so many different discoveries upon every listen. Yet none of it sounds overwrought or overproduced. Brilliant.

I have no idea why the light bulb illuminated now. Maybe I approached the music with more of an open mind. Maybe my musical progression finally was ready for these tunes. Probably a combination of both.

Either way, I'm enjoying the journey.

[greggsand]

'Ok Computer' is such a classic. I'm not sure it will ever sound dated. That album will be 'blowing minds' for decades. I still remember the "bulb" going off for me around the 3rd listen that week it came out. I'm not a big Radiohead fan, and OK is easily in my top 10 albums released in my lifetime.

[greggsand]

I made a spotify playlist with a favorite track from each of my top 10 albums of 2011:

http://open.spotify.com/user/sillynelso ... ksujX5jrgD

For the non spotify people:
1.Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Belong
2.Kurt Vile: Smoke Ring for My Halo
3.Bon Iver: Bon Iver
4.M83: Hurry Up We're Dreaming
5.Girls: Father, Son, Holy Ghost
6.Eleanor Friedberger: Last Summer
7.Wilco: The Whole Love
8.Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks: Mirror Traffic
9.My Morning Jacket: Circuital
10.Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues


Lotsa reverb in this list this year. overall, not a great year in music IMO.

[pk500]

I'm a MOG man.

[Brando70]

There's kind of a "Album of the Year" buzz growing around the debut album from Wild Flag, which is made up of ex-members of Sleater-Kinney and Helium.

All girl-group, melodic but rocking, somewhat danceable, lol.

I picked this up a few days ago. Really like it, and the playing is super sharp. I like how it keeps some of the classic rock heaviness of S-K's The Woods but with more of the punk feel of their earlier albums (at least on Carrie Brownstein's tracks). I can tell I'll be playing this a lot.

Also grabbed Past Life Martyred Saints by EMA. Pretty intense, like a modern rock retelling of Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville, but even more raw. The single "Marked" in particular is one of the best songs I've heard this year.

[Spooky]

An album that I have had in my library for a while but just finally listened to and REALLY enjoyed is Bear in Heaven's 'Beast Rest Forth Mouth'. Cool stuff and a nice surprise.

[Jimmydeicide]

All this Sleater -Kinney talk and albums youve had a while just makes me think of Built to spill. Every time one of their songs hits when my iPod is on shuffle makes me happy. Very similar in sound to Sleater Kinney.

If this band has slipped under anyones radar and you like Guitar driven extended melodic lead a must check out in my book
Few Stand out songs would be,

Carry the zero
Conventional wisdom
Randy described eternity
Center of the universe

Im happy just talking about them.

[fsquid]

this is my favorite time of the year since all the blogs have their top lists for the year which lets me listen to anything I missed.

[RobVarak]

Saw Wilco at the Civic Opera House last night. Really great show. It's always fun seeing them here because the love of the hometown crowd is palpable. The set list was heavy on new stuff, and justifiably so. But for me the second encore was just one of my favorite ever concert experiences. Nick Lowe opened the show and they brought him out to do "Cruel To Be Kind." Then they brought out Chicago legend Mavis Staples for "You Are Not Alone" off of the album that Tweedy produced for her last year.

The finale was utterly transcendent though. As I screamed, "play 'The Weight' like a lunatic between songs, they actually complied. I've always felt that my three favorite American bands, The Band, Los Lobos and Wilco shared a lot of DNA (wildly talented individuals with gifted multi-instrumentalists, great guitar players and a foundation in roots music matched with a willingness to push the boundaries of songwriting and sonic technique), and this drew the thread very tight. Mavis, Lowe and Tweedy swapped verses and the crowd was carrying the chorus beautifully. One of the greatest endings to a show that I've ever seen. Tweedy could have walked from the stage to the balcony on the energy and love projected by this crowd.

I only wish I had tickets to one of the shows later in the week, as they're playing smaller and smaller venues as the week goes on.

Lowe was a brilliant opener, btw. Self-accomponied set that really showed off his brilliant writing and how well his voice has held up over the years.

[Spooky]

My new favorite band is opening for Wilco for the first part of 2012. 'White Denim'. Check 'em out!

[Brando70]

All this Sleater -Kinney talk and albums youve had a while just makes me think of Built to spill. Every time one of their songs hits when my iPod is on shuffle makes me happy. Very similar in sound to Sleater Kinney.

If this band has slipped under anyones radar and you like Guitar driven extended melodic lead a must check out in my book
Few Stand out songs would be,

Carry the zero
Conventional wisdom
Randy described eternity
Center of the universe

Im happy just talking about them.

I dig them, too, Jimmy. Love playing There's Nothing Wrong With Love when winter starts approaching. "Carry the Zero" is also one of my favorite songs from the 90s.

[EZSnappin]

I posted my annual top 20 on my blog last week, if anyone's interested:

http://lightbulbhead.tumblr.com/post/14 ... -in-review

[pk500]

Thanks again for turning me on to Turisas, E. That album still cracks me up -- in a very good way.

[EZSnappin]

I'm glad you liked it! It is one of the most fun listening experiences I've had in years; grinning ear to ear, singing along to the hugely catchy choruses and rocking out all the way through.

[pk500]

My top 10 albums of 2011, in order:

10. "Stand Up And Fight," Turisas
9. "Revelator," Tedeschi Trucks Band
8. "Hard Bargain," Emmylou Harris
7. "Zonoscope," Cut Copy
6. "Nothing Is Wrong," Dawes
5. "Wasting Light," Foo Fighters
4. "The Bright Lights EP," Gary Clark Jr.
3. "The Whole Love," Wilco
2. "Circuital," My Morning Jacket
1. "David Comes to Life," F*cked Up

Best single of 2011: "Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat," Cut Copy
Best live show of 2011: Robert Randolph & The Family Band/Gary Clark Jr., Utica, N.Y. (perhaps the best show I've EVER seen)

My top 10 list from 2010 had much more variety across genres than 2011. While I think the "beard band" records from Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver were very good, they didn't seep into my musical consciousness. There were a few good electronic albums not on this list, such as records from M83 and Atlas Sound. No new jazz or progressive house sets grabbed me and never let go. Same with world music.

But 2011 was a year of excellent straight-ahead, roots rock for me. Cut Copy is the only band on my top 10 list that could be classified as electronic. Every other artist either is pretty straightforward rock, hardcore or blues. I still listen to a ton of jazz, world and electronic music, but I found myself gravitating to more roots-like sounds in 2011. Maybe it's a reflection of my ever-evolving tastes; maybe it's because those bands released the best records.

I struggled with naming "David Comes To Life" as my top album. It's pretentious. It's overwrought. It's probably a touch too long. Pink Eyes' screaming vocals can grate. But I've played it more than any record this year, as its spell over me is undiminished from the first listen. The ambition, passion and sheer power remain as jaw-dropping to me today as when I first heard it. A masterstroke from a band that's carrying hardcore to places few imagined.

Here's to happy listening in 2012, boys!

[EZSnappin]

So happy to see Turisas on there Paul. Really like the Gary Clark Jr one as well.

Here's to a new year of music dawning!

[greggsand]

My top 10 albums of 2011, in order:

10. "Stand Up And Fight," Turisas
9. "Revelator," Tedeschi Trucks Band
8. "Hard Bargain," Emmylou Harris
7. "Zonoscope," Cut Copy
6. "Nothing Is Wrong," Dawes
5. "Wasting Light," Foo Fighters
4. "The Bright Lights EP," Gary Clark Jr.
3. "The Whole Love," Wilco
2. "Circuital," My Morning Jacket
1. "David Comes to Life," F*cked Up

Foo Fighters makes the cut, but no love for Girl's Father Son Holy Ghost?!? A crime! A crime I tell ya'. Happy New Years, people!

[F308GTB]

My top albums of the year, no particular order

Gillian Welch - "The Harrow & the Harvest" (first release in nearly a decade)
Lucinda Williams - "Blessed"
Adele - "21"
My Morning Jacket - "Circuital"
Mariachi El Bronx - "Mariachi El Bronx"
The Girls - "Father, Son, Holy Ghost"
The Smiths - "Complete" (OK, a compilation for a defunct group, but plenty of sentimental attachments to the band)
She & Him - "A Very She & Him Christmas" (best holiday album in ages)
Drugstore - "Anatomy"
The Joy Formidable - "The Big Roar"

Couldn't get into the new Foo Fighters. Plain hated it. Likewise, I was really anticipating the new Cars album, and it was just terrible.

[F308GTB]

Another top album of 2011 that I just got turned on to - The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile. A bluegrass/classical crossover album that showcases incredible musicianship by all involved. If you like traditional American music, this one shines. No rock here, just knocks your socks off mastery of instruments.