Before I realized
it I saw that it was nearing the end of June 2012 and I hadn’t put my post of
best music from 2011. During 2011, I did manage to put up quite a few reviews,
the thing is that I know of at least one person who’s actually told me they
look forwards to this post to discover new music, and to you, I apologize for
the delay. 2012 has been a bit on the loopy side and there will be more on this
later, for now though, here are my top cuts of albums from 2011.
If you’ve ever
read this blog, odds are you’ll know Restrictions Apply is a Jedi master with
more wisdom in his beard than most people in their entire body, Me is a 21st
century female with big balls who wears her heart on her sleeve and I love
boxing, surfing and Pearl Jam. Seriously, if Pearl Jam sold a brand of cocaine,
I’d be screwed. That being said, instead of going full blast with another gush
fest, here’s a link to my review.
With the
exception of Robert Christgau, there is a widespread love for Radiohead which ranges
from being people’s favorite band to people christening them the modern day
Pink Floyd. Favoritism aside, The King of
Limbs is a headphones album if Radiohead have ever put out a headphones
album. From the time I wrote the first review which you can read by clicking here, a bit has changed in my perspective of the album. So
short it’s almost an EP, The King of Limbs has become one of my favorite
Radiohead albums for one reason… how they play it live is a completely
different spin on the album meaning that what you get on your headphones is
different than what you will get live. To me that’s great because it adds depth
to an already deep band. That being said, King of Limbs is sparse, very electronic
and shows echoes of most of their catalogue somewhere… the thing is that when
you see them live or their “from the basement” versions, you can’t help but be
blown away. Choice Tracks: Bloom, Lotus Flower, Separator, Give up the Ghost.
The end of a
band, the end of an era? Who knows? What I do know is that Collapse Into Now is as solid an REM album as I think they’ve ever
done. Seriously. It’s that ridiculously good. The amazing thing is that even in
an album that has hooks to spare, more memorable tracks than you care to admit
and an energy absent from many an R.E.M. album, it’s their Swan Song. It’s
their goodbye… and dammit, if there’s any way to say goodbye, these guys pulled
it off. For a more in depth review, click here. Choice
Tracks: Discoverer, Überlin, Mine smell like honey, Blue, Oh my Heart, Walk it
Back, Alligator-Aviator-Autopilot-Antimatter
Last year I saw
Soundgarden live for the first time in my life and thank God I took my friend’s
advice and took ear plugs. Simply put, I’ve never been a concert as loud as that
one ever… it’s loud to the point of them completely NOT caring for the health
of their audience, and I’m fine with that. This live album is really good and
at times amazing. At times Chris Cornell really does have problems with the
vocals since he’s basically tearing his chords to shreds (thankfully last year
he was completely solid). The thing is that the music is always topnotch. So
check out this live choice as we all brace for impact of the new Soundgarden
album. Want a deeper take on this album, then click here.
Choice Tracks: Helter Skelter-Bootcamp, Spoonman, Search and Destroy, Ty Cobb,
Searching with my good eye closed - and of course - Jesus Christ Pose
Quite honestly
one of my favorite albums from 2011 if not my favorite. I’ve been a fan of
Elbow ever since I stumbled on this band in ’04, buying their albums without
even pre-listening and not only do they never disappoint, they seem to be
getting even better. Build a Rocket Boys
takes the Elbow sound to another level and in an era where people are focusing
on tracks, it’s refreshing to still see quality bands putting out quality
albums. There’s a flow to the album that really shows that the order in which
they put the tracks is the perfect order. All I have left is to taste the Build
a Rocket Boys Ale and I pretend to tackle that bucket list sometime in the not
so distant future. For more info on this fantastic album, click here. Choice Tracks: Lippy Kids, The Birds, Jesus is a Rochdale
girl, Dear Friends
I’m a really,
really big Explosions fan. Their guitar tsunami of sound has always evoked
interesting emotions within me as a music fan and as a writer and it’s amazing
that a band that rarely has vocals can connect so intimately with me. Thanks to
them, I’ve checked out Mogwai (who actually came before) Godspeed you Black
Emperor and the Appleseed Cast. On their latest album, they occasionally fall
into past steps but only long enough to get you into a fall sense of security
before obliterating your ears with walls of sound and wonderful progressions.
The standout track is the last one since it’s the biggest departure and I love
bands that take risks and nail it. Want to see what else I had to say about
this album, click here.
It took 5 years,
the second departure of John Frusciante and a reevaluation of what the hell
they would do for the Chili Peppers to come out with a new album. So how is
Chili-life with Josh Klinghoffer? Quite mellow to be honest. I know some RHCP
purists will call foul on the new guitarist just as they did with Dave Navarro
and you know what? I also liked One Hot Minute. It seems people get so focused
on whining and bitching that they have a hard time enjoying a good album, which
is just What I’m with you is. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it stratospheric?
Nope. Is it going to be included in the Rolling Stones 500 best albums of all
time? Hardly. But that doesn’t take away from a very solid effort from a band
of veterans. The main thing I can focus on is that this time around, the
guitars are understated rather than overstated. They work, they’re good and
Josh is a hell of a guitarist and he did the smart thing, rather than try and
fill Frusciante’s big foot shoes, he played his own way. Another interesting
add-on are quite a few piano parts courtesy of Flea’s stint in musical theory
and I really like the flow you get from the addition of some keys. So if this
is what to expect from RHCP in the future, I have only one thing to say, I’m
with them. Cut choices: “Monarchy of Rose”, “Did I let you know”, “Goodbye
hooray”, “Police Station”, “Brendan’s Death Song”, “Ethiopia”.
Ok, I’m a Pearl
Jam mark, this is no surprise, that being said I still find it hard to give
this album even an A- rating for one simple reason, I think there were too many
lost opportunities to let it go unnoticed. That said, this album is still a
lovely mellow addition to my collection and I really enjoy it greatly. The
detail is that listening to “Longing to belong” spoiled me and I thought the
entire album was going to be that way. When you listen to that song, which has
string arrangements, you get lulled into a false sense of security that the
entire album will be this way… not the case and there lies the lost
opportunity. With the exception of that song, all other tracks are straightup
ukulele, and though nice and mellow, it may grow old for a couple of people,
even with Eddie singing some of his happiest tracks ever. Standout track is
definitely the ultra happy “Tonight you belong to me.” That song makes you even
want to hug someone. Actually, that’s the coolest part of this album. Lots of love
songs, lots of mellow happy songs and lots of songs that get you smiling. Is it
good? Definitely. Could it have been epic? Somehow I think so and I’m still
waiting for that Eddie solo album that completely blows my mind away. The funny
thing is that it can still happen with a ukulele. Put a band with it or some
other instruments and give us a few curve balls and you got an A+ from a
lifelong fan. For now though, I’ll settle to put a B+ for assuaging my need for
more Eddie music. Choice tracks: Longing to belong, Without you, Broken Heart,
Tonight you belong to me.
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