| Author | Message | ||
     skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1481 Registered: 10-2008 |
Yes its still November, but Mojo are first out the traps were their list. Why can't they wait till December, for one thing having it this early excludes The Fall album? Anyways, the album of the year in Mojo was PJ Harvey, which I like but it's not the best record this year imo. Other notables of interest to folks on here probably include Fleet Foxes - no3 Josh T Pearson - no7 Tom Waits - no9 Wild Beasts - no10 Bon Iver - no16 Bill Callahan - no23 Drive By Truckers - no26 Wilco - no29 Radiohead - no47 Wire - no48 | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1484 Registered: 10-2008 |
....and Uncut are just a day behind with their list!! - heathens!! For the first time in years both magazines top albums are not too different, maybe just differing positionally. PJ Harvey was album of the year, so as well as The Mercury prize thats her won the top award in the two "credible" monthly mags. Bill Callahan - no25 Drive By Truckers - no19 Wilco - no15 Tom Waits -no 13 Fleet Foxes - no12 Bon Iver - no9 Wild Beasts - no8 Radiohead - no7 Josh T Pearson - no5 Both magazines had White Denim and The Horrors (my daughter likes this one!) in their top 10, and Kurt Vile, Laura Marling, Jonathan Wilson and James Blake in their top 20's. Its been years since both mags had such uniformity in their lists, and looking at both lists its very much been the year of singer songwriters. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2272 Registered: 10-2004 |
It's nice to see the Wild Beasts make both lists. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4135 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don't think I've heard anything to beat my early favourite, which was Wire's album. Wilco certainly comes close though. Fuller list to come in time (despite Randy being right to say that one's favourites from any particular year is going to change when you later hear albums you never heard at the time). | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 786 Registered: 05-2005 |
I guess they will not include the Smile Sessions. That's probably mine. Where's the Decemberists? | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 369 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dutch Uncles - Cadenza is one of the albums of the year no question | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2273 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wonder if anyone's lists will include the new Magazine album. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 370 Registered: 05-2005 |
I still havent bought the Magazine album, cant get past Barry's absence or Noko's McGeoch impression at the live shows. I have only heard one song I should say. Am I making an error? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2788 Registered: 03-2005 |
Cosmo, the Magazine album isn't bad. In fact I have "Happening in English" stuck in my head this morning and I haven't heard the record in days. There is a sufficient quotient of memorable tunes on it. Just be prepared for them to do some fairly obvious musical references to the earlier Magazine from time to time. The replacement bassist is obviously imitating Adamson's old playing style. Noko is aping McGeoch at times but he also indulges in his own more flashy style. I could live without Devoto's occasional forays into porn. If this band stays together and makes another album it will probably be less derivative of what went before, thus better. Still wish the sound were crisper, but that's my trip. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4144 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think the Magazine album is great. Thanks to Kevin for pointing me in the right direction. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 372 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bought the Magazine album today, only had a quick play through but already know that: 1 The production is poor 2 It wont be on any albums of the year lists 3 It isnt 'great' 4 It will probably grow on me though | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 788 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kevin, how do you rate the Radiohead one? Yeah, I'm finding it clever with the drum beats that sound like a scratched cd, but it doesn't have a palette of stellar songs. Are they just doodling now rather than really try to connect, or have they ensued "engagement" with their audience because they are into alienation? Maybe I should think a little less about it and play it a bit more! | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 373 Registered: 05-2005 |
A couple of listenings later and I think that perhaps I may have been a bit harsh on the Magazine album. There are some good songs on there and a couple of classic Magazine moments but it's a bit old and flabby (like Howard?)and could definitely do with a trim and tighten up. I cant help thinking it would have been a better album with Barry involved in terms of it's production (less likely to indulge Howard) as well as his musical contribution. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2793 Registered: 03-2005 |
Barry's participation would unquestionably be a good thing Cosmo. But Devoto made it clear that Barry's out. What I'm thinking is that maybe this is a bit like "Friends of Rachel Worth," a tentative start. If they keep going, I'd expect "Stan" and Noko to introduce a bit more of themselves into the material and I'd expect Devoto to figure out that he needs to spend less ink on the subject of being old. His inimitable view of things should age well and god knows there's a LOT to write about right now! Just spare me the embarrassing X-rated crap. And, yes, I'm finding a number of memorable songs in this batch. It's a race against time, though. Formula is 65 years old and Devoto will turn 60 this coming year. At some point their creaky bodies will fail to cooperate. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1490 Registered: 10-2008 |
I think its far better than even the most optimistic of us anticipated. I'm struggling to think of a more superior "comeback" album by any other band. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1491 Registered: 10-2008 |
Geoff, I really rate the Radiohead album. Not as good as In Rainbows which is fantastic, but will be in my top 20 for the year that's for sure. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1494 Registered: 10-2008 |
Here is the BBC's list http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcmusic/2011 /12/bbc_music_writers_top_25_album.html There's definitly a theme emerging this year, at least with the British based lists (Mojo, Uncut etc), and the BBC link above just reinforces it. The theme I am talking about is PJ Harvey at No1, The Horrors, Josh T Pearson, Bon Iver and Wild Beasts polling high , and DBT appearing in the lower reaches, welcome though that is. Here is Q's list (shock horror PJH is only no2) http://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/73-qs -50-albums-of-the-year-2011.php (nb the link above also has links to Uncut and Mojo's lists (among others) on the right hand side of the page. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1495 Registered: 10-2008 |
I do like the PJ Harvey album (I'm generally a fan of her work), but it doesn't excite me. Obviously one of those albums that is easier to admire than to love. Is this because from the endless 5 star reviews at the beginning of the year, to the winning of prestigious Mercury Awards roughly in the middle of the year, to the almost unanimous cleaning up in the album of the year polls there is a huge whiff of collusion between journo's and "the man"? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4151 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think the PJ Harvey album is great. It's the first of hers I've bought since Uh Huh Her, which was underwhelming. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 374 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Ideal Copy was Wire's comeback album in 1985 | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1622 Registered: 08-2006 |
Interesting PJ's showing up in or near the top spot in so many British lists. I don't expect she'll fare nearly as well in the US. I haven't heard the CD, but it's gotten so-so attention here and the Mercury Prize isn't even a blip on the radar of most Yanks. Maybe I'm wrong, though. There certainly hasn't been a consensus album this year. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1498 Registered: 10-2008 |
PJ also cleans up in the list from Quietus The Fall at No32, Wild Beasts at No8. http://thequietus.com/articles/07520-qui etus-albums-of-the-year-2011 | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1505 Registered: 10-2008 |
Here are my top dozen "rock" albums. Wild Beasts - Smother Radiohead - The King Of Limbs Destroyer - Kaputt Tom Waits - Bad As Me Kurt Vile - Smoke Rings For My Halo Wire - Red Barked Tree Magazine - No Thyself The Fall - Ersatz GB Wilco - The Whole Love Drive By Truckers - Go-Go Boots Bill Callahan - Apocolypse PJ Harvey - Let England Shake There are 4 artists/bands on the list whose career started in the 70's, and apart from Wild Beasts and Kurt Vile none of them will see 40 again. Not sure if that says more about me or the state of the current music scene! Here are my favourite reissues/comps of the year The Fall - This Nations Saving Grace Rolling Stones - Some Girls Disco Inferno - 5EP's Beach Boys - The Smile Sessions The Smiths - Complete Can - Tago Mago Primal Scream - Screamadelica REM - Life's Rich Pageant I will post my favourite "electronica" albums later. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4166 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wow, my top 10 is very similar to Kevin's! Either I'm getting more obscure or Kevin's heading for the centre! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1507 Registered: 10-2008 |
Padraig, you may be right that I'm heading for the centre with that list. But for a bit of fun, after I have listed my best electronic albums of the year I will make an overall top 10 combined from the two lists (rock and electronic), and then we'll see how obscure you are getting :-) Like most years recently the majority of my listening is electronic music, so that might give you a clue! Although you never know I might surprise myself, the Wild Beasts album is almost perfect, and the Kurt Vile album has been a revelation to me, a real slow burner which drifted right over me on the first few listens and I was ready to bin it when out of nowhere it just hooked me. Heres Popmatters take on things this year http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/152 303-the-75-best-albums-of-2011/ http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/152 142-the-2011-artists-of-the-year/ http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/151 768-the-25-best-re-issues-of-2011/ There is a site called Album of the year which collates all the various album of the year lists and presents them in order, seems like a similar idea to Village Voice Pazz and Jop http://www.albumoftheyear.org/list/summa ry/2011/ On the right hand side of the page is a link to all the various publications end of year lists | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1513 Registered: 10-2008 |
An interesting take on things, given that no's 10 and 1 are on most best of lists http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/152 138-the-most-disappointing-albums-of-201 1/P0 | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1515 Registered: 10-2008 |
Here's the Pitchfork angle http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-list s/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/ Another strong showing for Destroyers album Kaputt, and that Bon Iver album features highly yet again. Now if only that last song on Bon Iver's album wasn't one of the worst songs it has ever been my misfortune to hear!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtQe0JOC nM | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1516 Registered: 10-2008 |
The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/series/a lbums-of-2011 Tiny Mix Tapes http://www.tinymixtapes.com/features/201 1-favorite-50-albums-2011 | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1626 Registered: 08-2006 |
Good lord. That write-up of the no. 1 record on Tiny Mixtapes is utter horseshit. If you're going to argue for a top pick few people have heard - or even heard of - I think you could serve the record better than the rhetorical drivel this one was subjected to. Here's a choice bit: "In these poems, sound became a bodily landscape upon which a self might be composed, dramatized, or materialized out of the same dust that comprises the pith of Replica: a latticework of sibilants, laminals, clicks, implosives, ejectives, fricatives, pulmonics…" Writing like this doesn't need an editor. It needs an exorcist. Then again, maybe the record itself is this pretentious and obtuse, too. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1517 Registered: 10-2008 |
It's shit Rob. The guys last few records have gotten big write ups and I have heard them, but try as I might his music just whooshes right over my head! | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 872 Registered: 04-2006 |
i love that things daniel lopatin do. oneohtrix point never's new album isn't my absolute favourite of the year, but it will be on my list, definitely. and: i have the advantage that my english is so poor that i understand nearly nothing in this article and just can be happy about the music. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1518 Registered: 10-2008 |
Favourite electronic albums of the year Zomby - Dedication The Field - Looping State of Mind Rustie - Glass Swords LV & Joshua Idehen - Routes James Blake - James Blake The Weeknd - House of Balloons John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Sensors Of Ourselves Kuedo - Severant Kode9 & The Spaceape - Black Sun Pinch & Shackleton - Pinch & Shackleton | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1519 Registered: 10-2008 |
Combined rock and electronic albums of the year- guess this must be my definitive best of the year! In order. Wild Beasts - Smother Radiohead - The King Of Limbs Zomby - Dedication Destroyer - Kaputt The Field - Looping State of Mind Rustie - Glass Swords James Blake - James Blake Kode9 & The Spaceape - Black Sun Pinch & Shackleton - Pinch & Shackleton Kurt Vile - Smoke Rings For My Halo | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4183 Registered: 05-2005 |
From your electronic list the only one I'm familiar with is James Blake (ie I've heard a couple of tracks). Familiarity wasn't enough to lead to purchase though. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 166 Registered: 06-2005 |
Kevin, I must stick on The Field CD again, it arrived in the post with a pile of others and maybe I didn't give it enough plays but it didn't have that instant impact on me that his previous couple of albums and EPs had, must dig it out again. Must sample some of your other electro choices above, a lot of them new to me. Great to see Wild Beasts polling so high across the board, Hot Press Magazine gave Two Dancers their album of the year when it was released, wouldn't be surprised if they do the same with Smother. They have a sound all of their own and were surprisingly muscular when I saw them tour Two Dancers, missed their current tour but will make sure to catch them next time around. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1520 Registered: 10-2008 |
Looks like it is a toss up between Bon Iver and PJ Harvey as to who had the most critically lauded album of the year. Surprise hits of the year seems to have been either Destroyer or The Horrors, bands who had been around for a few years but came up with career bests this year. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2279 Registered: 10-2004 |
I just took a look at Pitchfork's Top 50. Jesus, sometimes I really wonder how those people came to such prominence in the world of music criticism. There's so much crap in that list, it's not even funny. Wild Beasts' "Smother" doesn't even make the top 50, but rather, is included in an honorable mention category. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1526 Registered: 10-2008 |
Jeff,I know we are getting older and they (Pitchfork)are probably getting younger but I must admit their list this year is the first one where I have thought that I am miles apart from what they like these days. The Wild Beasts omission is staggering, but even more so is the fact that the Radiohead album doesn't even make the honorable mentions list. This is all the more incomprehensible when you consider that they are major champions of Radiohead. Its actually quite a conservative list in parts, considering 3 of the top 4 (PJ Harvey, Destroyer and Bon Iver) have made what would be considered by most people to be fairly straightforward albums with almost no cutting edge, in fact in the case of Destroyer and Bon Iver its actually FM rock blandness personified - and I like the Destroyer album!! The tunes are so good that he carries it off against all the odds!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4186 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, I laughed out loud at your description of the Tiny Mixtapes number 1. That single sentence you've quoted contains three words I've never come across before. The reviewer must be really good at Scrabble. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4220 Registered: 05-2005 |
Right now my top five is: 1 Wire - Red Barked Tree 2 PJ Harvey - Let England Shake 3 Wilco - The Whole Love 4 Destroyer - Kaputt 5 The Bats - Free All The Monsters There are some albums I've bought which I haven't yet got round to playing though (eg Tom Waits, Laura Marling). | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 905 Registered: 04-2006 |
19 beauties: Arborea – Red Planet The best album of this year (i.m.h.o). Shanti's voice is heavenly. A haunting record. Peaceful listening guaranteed. The Decemberists – The king is dead I loved their prog rock thing so much, that i never thought that this ‘down to earth’- album is a killer. But it is. It is on heavy rotation and the DVD was an enjoyable extra, too. Active Child – You are all I see I can’t escape that sound and voice P.J. Harvey – Let England shake Enough said. The Weeknd – House of Balloons A beautiful surprise. A present. Thanks Mr. Abel Tesfaye (also for the two follw up mix tapes) Roll the dice – In dust If you like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and electronic music at all, you will enjoy this. Roll the dice – Live in Gothenburg 12” two fantastic live versions. Mindblowing. Glenn Jones – The Wanting If you like Fahey/Basho you can not disregard Glenn Jones. Just the nearly 18 minutes of ‘The Orca Grande Cement Factory at Victorville’ made this album one of the best of this year. A Winged Victory for the Sullen s/t So called neo-classical piano music. James Blackshaw – Holly EP James Blackshaw is one of my favourite musicians and I don’t know why I did not mention him in favourite artist/bands thread. This EP is more like his earlier works. Barn Owl – Shadowland EP Barn Owl’s music you can’t escape. Dark, slow, psychedelic, weird. Alexander Turnquist – Hallway of Mirrors If you like Basho and Glass you will like this. Hauschka + Hildur Guonadottir – Pan Tone Accurate listening is necessary. If you do so you can dive deep into the different colours the music describes. Marissa Nadler s/t Fine young lady Marissa’s latest effort and their best! Matana Roberts – Coin, Coin Chapter one The jazz album of the year. Recommended for anyone who like Max Roach. Trouble Books + Mark McGuire s/t As a fan of Emeralds and Mark McGuire I came across this album 250 pcs. Edition on vinyl), ordered it and liked it very much. Unspectacular good! Kate Bush - 50 words for snow My first Kate Bush album ever. I bought this myself for Christmas and it was a big surprise. Very enjoyable. Gregg Allman – Low Country Blues A friend of mine bought this album (Vinyl) and gave me the download coupon. My reserves against good ole Greg and to Blues (at least played in this kind of style) were big, but as I listened to this album on my Ipod it surprised me. This is good music. Ryan Teague – Causeway Different from his former releases this album is based on pieces played on the classic guitar. Reminds on Steve Reich. One of my highlights this year. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 906 Registered: 04-2006 |
Damn! I forgot another highlight which must be mentioned. Therefore i have 20 beauties to offer. Gillian Welch – The Harrow & the Harvest Eight years since her latest album , the great Time (the Revelator). Essential! Full of wonderful songs. Dave Rawling’s extraordinary guitar playing still improves every song. | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 369 Registered: 02-2007 |
My best are: 10 Sketches from the Book of the Dead-Mick Harvey 9 Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes 8 Build A Rocket Boys - Elbow 7 The King is Dead - The Decemberists 6 Bon Iver - Bob Iver 5 Little Hell - City & Colour 4 PJ Harvey - Let England Shake 3 Blessed - Lucinda Williams 2 Making Mirrors - Gotye 1 Bad As Me - Tom Waits | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 910 Registered: 04-2006 |
discovered too late: peaking light - 936 misty, milky, swirling and lovely sounds. definitely my cup of tea! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1539 Registered: 10-2008 |
I got the Peaking Lights album the other day, only minimal plays so far but definitely right up my street. Dark and dubby, not sure about milky yet but I so hope it is!! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2317 Registered: 01-2005 |
Andreas, Gillian released Soul Journey in 2003. It the only one of hers that I don't have. Comments/reviews welcome regarding Gillian's Soul Journey. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1629 Registered: 08-2006 |
For what it's worth, my top 10 of 2011. 1. tUnE-yArDs: w h o k i l l 2. Wussy: Strawberry 3. Frank Ocean: Nostalgia, Ultra 4. Wild Flag: Wild Flag 5. Das Racist: Relax 6. Paul Simon: So Beautiful or So What 7. Pistol Annies: Hell on Heels 8. Tom Waits: Bad as Me 9. Low Cut Connie: Get Out the Lotion 10. Those Darlins: Screws Get Loose | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 911 Registered: 04-2006 |
Michael, you are right, I am wrong. Soul Journey was her last. Time (the Revelator) was in 2001. While I am thinking about what I shall write in response resp. what I shall write about Soul Journey I listen to this album. That makes the rating of this album easier :-). I just have forgotten about the music thereon. And because I am not the best in writing in english I have a lot of time while I struggle with the correct wording or that fucking grammar-traps. And indeed by now five of ten songs has passed. Believe me if you like Gillian Welch's kind of music, you also need this record. Maybe it isn't the class of Time (The Revelator), but to beat that album isn't an easy job. Now three songs later i felt a little bored. Gladly now the gorgeous ' I made a Lover's prayer' brings me back on the track. A real Welch/Rawlings classic. I am melting away. The albums final song 'Wrecking Ball' arrives. E-guitar, fiddle, sounds like a good Americana tune. Or like Bob Dylan in the seventies. Good. I think you need this (and only when it is to close the gap). Cheers, Andreas | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 912 Registered: 04-2006 |
Rob, hats off for that list! Not just because of tuneyards. that mix of different style is impressive. i like that. nevertheless i feel really one-dimensional in comparison. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4225 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, the Paul Simon album really is a great one. Undoubtedly his best since Gracelands. Not that I've heard everything he did since, mind. I wouldn't have bought So Beautiful Or So What either, only that I heard it in a record shop and thought it was great. I finally played the Laura Marling album yesterday. It's great. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4229 Registered: 05-2005 |
OK, I've done a proper list (I know you've all been hanging out for it) after a marathon day of record playing today. 1 Wire – Red Barked Tree 2 PJ Harvey – Let England Shake 3 Kate Bush – 50 Words For Snow 4 Wilco – The Whole Love 5 Destroyer – Kaputt 6 The Bats – Free All The Monsters 7 Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo 8 Feist – Metals 9 Paul Simon – So Beautiful Or So What 10 Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know 11 Real Estate – Days 12 The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient 13 Tom Waits – Bad As Me 14 Ron Sexsmith – Long Player Late Bloomer 15 Josh T. Pearson – Last Of The Country Gentlemen 16 Seeker Lover Keeper – Seeker Lover Keeper 17 Boy & Bear – Moonfire 18 The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Magic Of Youth 19 R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now 20 The Feelies – Here Before 21 Buffalo Tom – Skins 22 UNKLE – Another Night Out EP 23 Georgia Fair – All Through Winter 24 The Waterboys – An Appointment With Mr Yeats 25 Good Luck Mountain – Good Luck Mountain 26 Magazine – No Thyself 27 TV On The Radio – Nine Types Of Light 28 Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala 29 Bill Callahan – Apocalypse 30 The Vietnam War – The Vietnam War | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1630 Registered: 08-2006 |
Andreas, thanks. Eclecticism isn't a goal. This year, that's just where the chips fell. Padraig, I see a lot of stuff on your list I still have to check out. I've bought a lot of stuff in the last week or so based on friends' lists, what I've read here and other year-end wrap ups. That Kurt Vile record is one that escaped me this year - I like it a lot. Also picked up the Destroyer and a few others. I expect there'll be more in the hopper before this is all over. I will note parenthetically that this is the first year my downloaded purchases probably equal my physical CD purchases. Some of that has to do with limited listening time - I now listen to more music on the computer/iPod than on my stereo simply because I'm not home much - but space is an equal consideration. My CD collection has officially become a physical hinderance. Oh, and personal to Allen: I know you're not a list guy, but I'd be curious what floated your boat this year. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 916 Registered: 04-2006 |
Michael, one additional info: i listened today to gillian welch's second album 'hell among the yearlings' and i must say that i prefer 'soul journey'by far. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2320 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks for keeping them coming Andreas. I'll add Soul Journey to my short list. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 377 Registered: 05-2005 |
Destroyer - Kaputt (gorgeous) Wire - Red Barked Tree (genius) Dutch Uncles - Cadenza (angled) P J Harvey - Let England Shake (poetic + adding Mick Harvey to the fold such a great move) Fall - Ersatz GB (mighty) Diego Garcia - Laura (fabulous - Hollies, It's a Beautiful Day, Cyrkle) Wild Beasts - Smother (swoon) Bill Callahan - Apocalypse (languid and lovely) Tunng - This is Tunng (BBC sessions) F*cked Up - David Comes To Life (punk) Foster the People - Torches (pop pop pop) | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 917 Registered: 04-2006 |
i bought that wire album, too. unfortunately the vinyl i received was ''kaputt'' (which is an album i didn't bought. ). after that i wanted to buy it as a cd, but while i thought about that idea, I listened to the songs on the internet and I lost interest in it. never tried it again with that album. maybe a fault. btw: as i listened this afternoon to oneohtrix point never's replica album i realized that i forgot this album in my list. herewith i add this elctronic gem (sorry kevin) to my 2011 album faves (as promised some postings above). | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1552 Registered: 10-2008 |
http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-year- of-no-important-albums-and-many-good-rec o,66818/ Interesting article in which the journalist argues that there were good albums this year, but no "important" records. It's hard to disagree with him, and off the top of my head I can't remember the last record I would class as important - Kid A perhaps? I loved his thoughts on the PJ Harvey album, I think I said something similar myself, just not as wittily as he did. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 28 Registered: 06-2005 |
Here's my Top 20 of 2011, in no order: Craft Spells – Idle Labor Britney Spears – Femme Fatale Dream Diary – You Are the Beat Nodzzz – Innings Summer Heart – Never Let Me Go Big Troubles – Romantic Comedy Kakkmaddafakka – Hest Memory Tapes – Player Piano French Films – Imaginary Future Still Corners – Creatures of an Hour Minks – By the Hedge Twerps – Twerps Cults – Cults Beach Fossils – What a Pleasure Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde Woods – Sun and Shade Cut Off Your Hands – Hollow Tennis – Cape Dory Bart & Friends – Stories With the Endings Changed Seapony – Go With Me | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 797 Registered: 05-2005 |
Padraig, I wanna know how ONLY YOU can get your messages to come out in BOLD! | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2293 Registered: 10-2004 |
Greg, that Craft Spells album isn't half bad. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1633 Registered: 08-2006 |
The Pazz and Jop poll is up at the Village Voice's website. http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/ | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1553 Registered: 10-2008 |
Rob, Now thats funny ;-) When I saw Jeff's rant about Tuneyards I immediately thought about you. You have been a staunch champion of her, and I must admit I agree with Jeff, but to win the Pazz and Jopp poll is a fantastic achievement for her. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1634 Registered: 08-2006 |
I thought you'd catch that, Kev : ). A few months back, I actually would've predicted her as the winner. But not after seeing the year-end lists in other publications, where she didn't seem to rate beyond the lower rungs of the top 10. So this is a surprise. I certainly understand she's not everyone's cup of tea but I love her and you're right, it's a great achievement. Hopefully it sells some more records for her. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4246 Registered: 05-2005 |
Geoff, as I indicated on the Cardinal thread: I have the power. (I also know a little bit about html coding). | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2297 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow, I can't believe how terrible the 2011 Pazz and Jop results are. Just, wow! My tastes apparently veer so dramatically from those of the critics these days, it's not even funny. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2327 Registered: 01-2005 |
Jeff, Pazz and Jop has dropped down to the level of Rolling Stone as far as a trusted source for albums of the year. At one time P&J was my bible as far as catching up with releases I had missed over the year. |