2011 in Music – Fourth and Final Installment

The fourth and último installment. Hope you enjoy. 

Cheers

TV on the radio - Nine Types of Light A+:

Toe tapping music that will more often than not have you walking to the beat as if you were part of a music video. The album is that good starting off with the exceptional Second Song. Pianos, bass rhythms, all blends into one irresistible groove that shows that there is definitely fantastic music coming from new bands. Keep your heart keeps the rhythm flowing and more often than not, I’ve found myself swaying to the song. That’s the album in the nutshell, good enough to have as background music, great enough to use as a soundtrack on a personal video, great enough to listen to with your best headphones to get all the bleeps and all in between. It’s rare that a band can pull off an album that is immediately accessible and yet intricate, so click repeat all and enjoy. By the way, it’s not all just dancing music… Killer Crane sound like it was made for the dawn; it grows, and grows and swells beautifully constricting in its tension yet grandiose in its release. The thing is that the songs on Nine Types of Light have such lush instrumentation that keeping track is a hard task… one that shouldn’t be our concern anyways. As listeners, it’s our sole duty to listen and enjoy… and with Nine Types of Light, nothing can come more natural. Choice Tracks: Second Song, Keep Your Heart, No Future Shock, Killer Crane, Will Do, New Cannonball Blues, Repetition.

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light – A-:

In a phrase: This album is tight like a tiger. From the opening track it’s clear that the intention was to present the Foo Fighters in their prime, putting out their best album since The Colour and the Shape, which is still the milestone to beat. In terms of variety, it also seems to have the widest range of musical styles. Bridges Burning is a classic rocker that sets up for wanting more. Then you have Rope, a midtempo rocker with a lot of heavy riffs and a super poppy chorus. Then you have Bob Mould from Hüsker Du offering backing vocals and guitar to Dear Rosemary, one of the brighter highlights of a great album. Then things get heavy with White Limo, a track that rips into your eardrums echoing shadows of Queens of the Stoneage. Then you go back to another classic midtempo rocker in Arlandria which is a great hookfest. So what’s next? How about an uplifting song. You heard right, These Days reminded me a bit of Learn to Fly, but with a softer approach. The album is chock full of great tracks, it’s well balanced, played and written solidly and all you could want from the Foos. Choice Tracks: Bridge Burning, Dear Rosemary, White Limo, Arlandria, These Days, I Should Have Known, Walk.

Ben Harper – Give Til it’s Gone – B+:

If anything should be clear to me by now is that Ben Harper is incapable of making a bad record and equally incapable of making a record I REALLY need to listen to repeat times. Somehow he hits an awkward middle ground where good lyrics, great songs and excellent guitar licks please my palate without compelling me to leave this album for repeat listens. That peculiar gripe aside, once again, Mr. Harper and Co. demonstrate that they can tackle many a genre within the span of an album while continuing the case for being a band you need to see live. The first track “Don’t give up on me now” is a midtempo song which isn’t a barn burning opener though it’s good… now the second track shows how good Harper can be. One of the definite standouts of this album is the moody “I Will not be broken”. Strings, a background chorus and various other details take this track to another level that few tracks on the album can keep pace with. Then there’s Rock N’ Roll is Free… inspired by Neil Young and without about half the balls and grit of Uncle Neil, it’s a fine song that’s fun and catchy, though still way shy from the source material. Then you have Feel Love, another stellar standout track that clearly shines in its heartbreak. Then you have track 5, Clearly Severely, a song that grabs you by your genitals and doesn’t let go for 5 minutes with by far my favorite track of the album and one of the best from Harpers varied career. As if that weren’t enough, Spilling Faith follows, a groovy number with great lyrics, piano and enough swagger to make you want to walk like Lenny Kravitz in leather pants and is followed by a jam session which is optional, something very nice if you don’t want to indulge in the 5 minute psychedelic jam session. Afterwards there’s Pray that our love sees the dawn and Waiting on a Sign, which are good though not mind blowing. Then you have a stomping fuzzed out lap steel guitar ditty called Dirty Little Lover which echoes the Black Crowes and really works. Then, the album unfortunately ends on a track that I have rarely been able to sit through completely, Do it for you, do it for us. The song is ok until the end verse gets repeated and screamed to death… and not in a cool, that’s an interesting soul blasting way. Really, I’m not too big a fan of the song probably because it drags on like a minute too long and without it, I would have been perfectly fine with it. The thing is that the track starts out super cool and somehow manages to get to the point of being annoying. I know it’s a dick thing to say, but that’s how I felt about it, mainly because it could have been such a great track with a little less indulgence. That being said, Ben once again offers up a good selection of tracks with some true gems thrown in the mix. Choice Tracks:  I Will Not Be Broken, Feel Love, Clearly Severely, Spilling Faith, Dirty Little Lover.  

The Strokes – Angles – B+:

The title of the album is appropriate because it’s the same band with a new angle. Fun, poppy, happy go lucky… these aren’t things I usually associate with The Strokes, yet that’s what you get in this album. Just listen to Machu Picchu and Under the Cover of Darkness and tell me that it isn’t finger snapping good music. It’s as if the rules have changed and they opted for something a bit brighter and to just have fun. You can sense this in a song that sounds like it came off a The Cars album in Two Kinds of Happiness with a super solid chorus that’s is completely different from the rest of the song - one of my favorite tracks on the album. There’s an eighties vibe to a couple of tracks and all in all, it’s another solid album. Choice Tracks: Machu Picchu, Under Cover of Darkness, Two Kinds of Happiness, Life Is Simple in the Moonlight

Other albums you may or may not enjoy, which I haven’t heard yet:

·       Wilco - The whole love

·       Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2

·       Cake - Showroom of compassion

·       PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

·       Paul Simon - So beautiful or so what

·       The Lonely Island - Turtleneck and Chain

·       Journey - Eclipse

·       Thurston Moore - Demolished Thoughts

·       Kaiser Chiefs - The Future is medieval

·       Arctic monkeys - Suck it and see

·       Yes - Fly from here

·       Nick Lowe - The Old Magic

·       Mastodon - The Hunter

·       Machine Head - Unto the locust

2011 in Music – Part 3

Part 3 of my long ass best of 2011 in Music List. Cheers.

My Morning Jacket – Circuital – A-:

I still remember the first time I heard My Morning Jacket. It was live and I didn’t know who the hell they were… the next 3 weeks were spent finding albums in record stores and investing cash so that they could keep making music. Circuital follows the trend of excellent MMJ albums and doesn’t disappoint. It’s fun, relaxed, deep, funky, groovy, and everything in between. Album opener Victory Dance starts with a gong, a synth line and includes a running-into-battle ditty strewn amidst grinding guitars just to let you know that, yet again, you’re in for a ride. Then you’re led into the album title track which is classic MMJ, with staccato guitars starting up while the southern rhythm simmers in the background until they come forth at around the 2 minute mark. At the end of that song, you see as they continue to fade to another song. Taking into account the visual of the album, it’s as if they’re tuning from cosmic station to cosmic station. It’s a more concentrated effort than Evil Urges (although I also loved that album). It has delicate moments like Wonderful (The Way I feel), lush slow burners like Slow Slow Tune,  rockers like First Light, and even a funky metal song with a choir offering backup in Holding on to Black Metal. What you get in the end is possibly the tightest My Morning Jacket album you’ve ever jammed to. Choice Tracks: Victory Dance, Circuital, Wonderful (The Way I feel), Outta My System

Screaming Trees – Last Words, The Final Recordings – A-:

For many people, The Screaming Trees were the great grunge band that should have been. Truth be told, I was a late bloomer in regards to the Trees, first listening to Lanegan in detail in his solo outings and later in other projects. Honestly, as a singer Lanegan is one of my favorite vocalists of all time, oozing coolness a vampire would get chills from. Mr. Mark’s awesome vocals aside though, The Screaming Trees were a really, really good band that didn’t get a fair shake and whose timing was just wrong one too many times before they called it quits. That said, you’d do yourself a disservice by not listening to Uncle Anesthesia, Dust or their most awesome Sweet Oblivion. But that was the past and this album… well this album is also from the past. These are the recordings of what was going to be the follow-up to Dust, and it rocks. I know I’m a 90’s child and I know I’m skewed towards my grungy side, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a really good album. Actually, it’s a really, really, really good album and a testament that I’m not alone wishing these guys would have had more success. Choice Tracks: Ash Gray Sunday, Revelator, Black Rose Way, Reflections, Tomorrow Changes, Low Life, Anita Grey, Last Words.

Adele – 21 – A+:

There’s a reason why this album won Grammies and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, it’s because it’s real good. I’ve seen some sub-par reviews and I can’t help but disagree even if I’m not a huge Adele fan. The reason is simple, I asked my wife to put it on, start to finish, and I only heard 3 songs that weren’t spectacular, which means they were just good. The other tracks? Downright amazing. With so much success it’s almost a moot point to go into detail about this album. Good vocals, great lyrics, stripped down production, direct approach, interesting vocal phrasing, powerful voice, inspired performance. The album has all this and more.

Gorillaz - The Fall – B+:

Much lighter on the Hip-hop than Plastic Beach, The Fall is a very flowy Gorillaz album. Starting off with an ultra spaced out snippet that drags a bit at over 4 minutes, the album eases into Revolving Doors and Hillbilly Man, two fun, funky tracks with airy parts and funky beats in between. This then fades into the very danceable Detroit, which is about as club ready as I think I’ve ever heard a Gorillaz track, which is actually a 2 minute segue that leads into Shy-town, a track that seems pulled out of something from the Air discography. And that’s how the album flows… mellow genre bending, sometimes danceable, sometimes airy and light in its groove and at all times very interesting, even if it is without huge hits. Choice Tracks: Shy-Town, Hill Billy Man, Revolving Doors,

Mogwai - Hardcore will never die but you will – A-:

Unlike other post rock bands, Mogwai has a knack for really challenging themselves to put forth different albums. I love Explosions in the Sky, then again, the last album had a couple of tracks that were reminiscent of some of their earlier work. That doesn’t happen with Mogwai, and Hardcore will never die, but you will is a great example of how good a set of musicians they are. In the first three tracks you have three different tempos and ambiances, there’s no real unifying concept and it just flows from one to the other. White noise grows starts off with delayed guitars, some background noise and a wall of sound that’s built one musical brick at a time. From there, you go to Mexican Grand Prix, starting off with a droning beat and organs before allowing some the guitar to come into the song and then, vocals… always a left curve from these guys. In this case, as usual, it’s pretty hard to make out what they say, which is besides the point. Then you flow into Rano Pano, which could best be described as post grunge since it mixes both genres interestingly. I swear I hear echoes of Sonic Youth and Velvet Underground in that song (which happens on other songs like San Pedro). The rest of the album is equally varied and top notch and helps Mogwai cement the fact that when it comes to Post Rock, few bands can push the envelope as much as them. Choice Tracks: White Noise, Mexican Grand Prix, Death Rays, San Pedro, How to be a werewolf, You're Lionel Richie.

A Conversation With My 12 Year Old Self: 20th Anniversary Edition

2011 in Music: Part 2

2011 had a ton of great music, so I had to divide my best of 2011 music in a couple of parts. Hope you find something you like. Cheers.

Fleetfoxes - Helplessness Blues – A-:

Do you like Fleet Foxes? Then you’re gonna like this album. Does it break new ground from their debut? Not really. True the tracks may be a little more intricate and I really like this album, though I find myself somehow listening to it less than their debut. Maybe it’s missing something, or maybe I’m just trying to say that although Helplessness blues is a really good album with some stellar tracks, Bedouin Dress and Sim Sala Bin come to mind, something keeps it from becoming a great album, and it could honestly just be my mood at the moment. To get a different and more enthusiastic review from me, click here. Choice Tracks: Sim Sala Bin, Montezuma, Belodouin Dress, Grown ocean

Bush - The Sea of Memories – B-:

Although I could go in depth to describe this album, let’s be honest, this is not a proper Bush album because this is not the original Bush lineup. This means that this album is closer to Institute and Gavin Rossdale’s lukewarm vanilla solo album than a real Bush album. Sounds harsh right? Maybe, but I just want to clear up a few things. Mainly, is this a good album? By Bush standards, it’s their weakest although it might end up selling better than Golden State, which was a good album and didn’t get the attention it deserved. Ok, so can I compare it to something else? Of course, and the best comparison I can make is to Stone Temple Pilots last album. Is that album bad? By no means. Are there good songs? Yes. Is it their weakest album? Absolutely. The same thing happens with the Sea of Memories. It is a good album, but nothing stellar. It’s got some decent songs but nothing that really hooks you and begs repeat listens. It’s good filler music and maybe it has to do with it not being a proper Bush album… the same as Smashing Pumpkins in Zeitgeist and the mishmash bullshit Billy Corgan has been pumping out with his Teargarden project. This isn’t revolutionary and there’s a reason why Bush went from headliners to opening to Nickelback. That being said, it can’t hurt to listen to a Sea of Memories. I just wish the album had something as interesting as its title to listen to.

Deathcab for Cutie - Codes and Keys – A-:

Some albums take some getting used to, others are like those magical shoes that fit seamlessly and you wonder why it took so long to find them. That’s how I feel about Codes and Keys. It’s a logical step for a great band, it’s enjoyable from start to finish, it’s extremely well thought out and it feels as if it just came about. Nothing feels forced, everything flows and as Deathcab is wont to do, it brings a smile to your face without being overly joyous or bombastic. Codes and Keys is just a great album, from the Postal Service-ish opening track Home is a Fire, through the bouncy Some Boys, past the super Catchy Underneath the Sycamore up until the unraveling crescendo of St. Peter’s Cathedral and the happy-go-lucky-ness of the appropriately titled Stay Young, Go Dancing. Hell of an effort you should definitely check out. Choice Tracks: Home is a Fire, Some Boys, You are a tourist, Doors unlocked and open, Underneath the sycamore, St. Peter’s Cathedral,

Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials – B:

I’ve listened to this album about 3 times and though I like it, something keeps me from loving it. Maybe it’s that the arrangements are not as fresh sounding as it was for me when I listened to Lungs. It’s not so much that the album is not as good, maybe it’s just that I see a little more polish where maybe I wanted a bit more grit from Florence Welch and company. Whereas the Dog Days are Over had me clicking repeat countless times, Shake it out, a very worthy song in her repertoire had me enjoying the track once through, without giving it a second thought. I don’t know, maybe it was too U2ish for my taste (as was Never Let Me Go), or maybe I’m being a momentary prick. Don’t get me wrong, Ceremonials is a solid album, the thing is that the surprise I received when I heard Lungs is absent here, and it’s something that happens most times on sophomore efforts. Something of the original essence is polished straight off the second effort and although you end up with a better album, the highlights for me aren’t as bright as before. That being said, her deep voice and the lush arrangements invite repeated listens and will definitely resonate with people into her sound. Choice tracks: Shake it Out, What the Water Gave Me, Never Let Me Go,

Jane’s Addiction - The Great Escape Artist A-:

Jane’s got a lot of flak for their previous album Strays. People said it was overproduced and that it didn’t hold a candle to previous work. That being said, I enjoyed Strays though obviously not to the level of Nothing’s Shocking or Ritual de lo Habitual. Then again, those two other albums are considered in some circles as landmark albums and at the very least they have some kickass tracks. The main thing is that Strays in part did what its title implied by straying from their original sound enough to get crap from their own fans. The same is probably going to happen with The Great Escape Artist since it feels more like a hybrid of all Perry Farrel’s projects than a return to form for Jane’s Addiction. Along the way, a couple of things happened, Dave Navarro decided to go for a minimalist style, Eric Avery said he was done with Jane’s and Perry Farrel visited Neptune to have an orgy with thirteen breasted aliens (and probably a Philipino kid or two). So if you want a descriptive for this album, the word spacey is quite appropriate. It sounds like they were tripping balls when they wrote most songs and I don’t mind it at all. I know I’m in a minority after reading a couple of reviews, then again, that’s the great part about having an opinion. To me the album is well sequenced, has some really good tracks and flows with a vibe different from what I’m used to by Jane’s. Does that mean I prefer this album to Ritual de lo Habitual? No, it just means it’s different. Choice Tracks: Undergound, Irresistible Force (Met the Immovable object), Splash a little water on it, Words Right out of my mouth (which sounds like something Guns N’ Roses didn’t record).

Primus - Green Naugahyde – A:

Before going in depth with this review, let’s say what has to be said up front. If you’ve never liked Primus, this won’t change now, and they could care less. Now that we’ve cleared that up, wow is Naugahyde good. You see, when it comes to a bass guitar, few people can basically make an instrument bend to their will. Les Claypool absolutely destroys his bass, finger plucking, slapping and sliding the CRAP out it while spitting forth classic lines of irreverent nonsense that only he can think of. Seriously, it’s like Dr. Seuss and Willy Wonka met up to trip balls off the Magical Mystery Tour and your tour guide is Frank Zappa. From the epic fourth installment of the Fisherman’s Chronicles, to the super dark Jilly’s on Smack, Green Naugahyde is a hell of a ride that rewards the faithful handsomely. Choice Tracks: The Last Salmon Man, Eternal Consumption Engine, Eyes on the Squirrel, Jilly’s on Smack, Lee Van Cleef, Moron TV, HOINFODAMAN.

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy – A-:

Unlike Florence + the Machine’s sophomore effort, St. Vincent’s new album caught my attention big time and it has to do in large part with seeing live clips of Annie Clark and realizing she’s the one playing guitar. The thing is that I thought she was just doing vocals… when I saw that clip and saw that she’s the crazy one bringing up the melodies, doing a hybrid pop/industrial mix, I was blown away and I listened to Strange Mercy with fresh ears and put attention to all the details I thought had come from another mind. Then I listened to the lyrics and was equally interested, since they’re honest and offbeat to say the least. “Best Finest surgeon, Come cut me Open” – “I’ve had good times with bad guys, I’ve told whole lies with a half smile” – “Oh America, Can I owe you one.” In short, Annie Clark has a knack for making hooks with elements that you wouldn’t think could make a hook. She’s also managed to do something only Ani Difranco has managed to do with me; she’s made me want to emulate how a woman plays guitar. Strange Mercy is an album that begs deep listens and to be seen live, because while other people follow trends, St. Vincent pisses on them with a smile on their face, sparklers in their hands and a meerkat backpack on. There’s fuzzy guitars, pop tendencies, 80’s synths, subwoofer exploding riffs, clever lyrics and a groove all her own. Click ‘repeat all’ and enjoy. Choice Tracks: Chloe in the Afternoon, Cruel, Surgeon, Strange Mercy, Year of the Tiger.