Bolster Your Holster

The band Daughter has released one of my favourite albums of the year.  If you leave is a slow burner of an album that combines the vibe of The XX and the subtle grandiosity of Sigur Ros together into one understated masterpiece.  It is an album that features a lot of strong tracks, but really stands as a cohesive album.

One of the tracks that really stands out lately is Smother.  So lyrically dark and vocally haunting, this sparse song really gets inside you.

Recently I came across their cover of Bon Iver’s Perth and Hot Chip’s Ready for the Floor (Found on Twentyfourbit) that was recorded on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio show.  This is one of perfect blends of two covers that just seems like they were written together.  I highly recommend you grab their Debut album, grab a bottle of red wine, kick back and soak it in.

and for further exploration, their single Still Which really features the Sigur Ros sound

Things are happening. I returned home this evening with the thought to listen to the two new songs that had recently been released from The xx’s sophomore album Coexist. I was shocked to see that the new album had leaked onto the interwebs, so change of plan, I’m listening to the whole thing. I feel kind of bad hearing it this early before the release date, September 11, but I’m certainly going to pick it up when it comes out.

First single ‘Angels’ was a short, sweet track that confirmed that Coexist  would not stray far from the sound of their debut album. A simple guitar line, sparse drums and Romy Madley-Croft’s effortless vocals repeating, “Being as in love with you as i am, love, love, love”. Check out the video below:

‘Chained’ is about as dancey as The xx get without being remixed. Romy and Oliver share vocal duties over a Burial-esque beat that ends as abruptly as it starts. From there the album follows a very similar pattern to xx with a few new elements showing a gradual progression of their sound. While it could be concluded that they are not growing as a band, others believed that they would not be able to replicate the sound of their debut, citing it as a one-off. I’m happy to have more, similar sounding, record that gives 11 more songs to supplement the sublime tracks of 2009.

After a couple listens Coexist plays out as a late night dance party with a serious dose of coming down thrown on top. One second you might be able to get up and move, but with the next track you’re thrown back in the corner at 2am.Vocals sound more confident and play a stronger role in song dynamics, Oliver’s range has drastically improved after three years of touring. It’s still preliminary, but I expect to be listening to Coexist daily for the next few months.

Coexist is currently available for preorder from The xx website in multiple formats: MP3, CD, LP and Deluxe LP. Settling for the regular vinyl may not be enough for fans, as the deluxe is on 180g heavyweight vinyl, comes in a special die-cut gatefold sleeve with extra-large booklet and a CD version of the album. If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket to one of their North American tour dates, you’ll receive a full download of their album when it is released on September 11. Speaking of their tour, it will be amazing. Spanish electronic musician John Talabot is opening for them, his album Fin is critically acclaimed and is my favourite record of 2013 so far. I wouldn’t object to being offered tickets to an xx show, I’m willing to fly almost anywhere to see them.

 

As Wilco’s studio output remains constant in release, there is a widening gap between their earlier works and the last couple albums. Thankfully, they have remained as voracious as ever on the road and consistently put on one of the best live shows in rock and roll. I’ve seen them three times at different points in their career and love how much energy is injected into every song. There have been live albums of Wilco before, but starting last month they have made it much easier to get your hands on concerts, days after performance.

Taking a cue from other bands that generate a live cult following because of their ability to stay ‘fresh’ on the road by playing varying set lists  while maintaining a deep familiarity with their back catalogue, Wilco has released high quality recordings of many of their Summer concerts for public consumption. Wilco, unlike Pearl Jam and Phish, are releasing random shows in a series called “Roadcase“, which at the time of writing, has six volumes. Five shows from July and one from June are available from the Wilco Store in three downloadable formats: 256kbps MP3 for $9, ALAC for $12 and FLAC for $12. Not a bad deal, considering each concert has over 25 songs. I would recommend checking out a couple of the shows as Tweedy and co. mix up their sets quite a bit, but getting all six seems overkill except for the die-hard fan.

I’m currently checking out Roadcase #3, which was recorded live in Brooklyn, NY on July 23, 2012. It was the first of two shows Wilco played in Brooklyn and the band is in fine form (when are they not?). I have a few things I look for when listening to a live Wilco concert: 1) ‘I am Trying to Break Your Heart’ being on the setlist (this used to be in every show, but is only on 2 Roadcase shows so far!); 2) a healthy dose of songs from Being There (including a least one of the great disc openers ‘Sunken Treasure’ or ‘Misunderstood’); 3) A couple rarities; 4) And all or any of the following: ‘Poor Places’, ‘Shot in the Arm’ or ‘Reservations’. Every show covers a couple of these preferences, Roadcase 3 covers them all.

Initial impressions have created a desire to see Wilco live in concert. It’s been over five years and if these shows are any indication Wilco has not missed a beat. The songs from The Whole Love really come into their own when played live and Tweedy’s ferocious guitar playing gives them a new life when compared to their studio counterparts. Back catalogue songs don’t sound tired and old, even though they’ve been played hundreds of times. Overall, these shows are the best you’re going to get when you can’t see Wilco live. If they start releasing more this could be an expensive endeavour.

This week Antony and the Johnson’s released a live album entitled “Cut the World”. It was recorded in Copenhagen with the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, and features arrangements by Nico Muhly, among others. The album features a couple new songs, a spoken word piece, and a selection of tracks from his previous 4 albums.

The opening, and title track, “Cut the World” has received a video treatment, or perhaps more appropriately, a super short film treatment. The video stars Willem Dafoe, Marina Abramovi, and was directed by Robert Wilson. I don’t want to spoil the film, so I will talk little of it, other than it is a powerful piece. The song and the arrangement showcase his distinct voice, and the added orchestral arrangement adds even more emotion if possible. The album is an interesting elaboration of his previous work that is a great accompaniment to his catalog.

enjoy

- Shaun

I like sad music.  Just like I enjoy sad cinema.  Perhaps it is the strong emotional pull that these medias can evoke.  But there is something that just draws you in, and you leave feeling somewhat better for whatever the reason.

The majority of the sad music I tend to listen to is of the relationship variety.  It is easily relatable as I (and most) have experienced some form of relationship trauma or loss.  The recent breakout hits “Someone like you” and “Somebody that I used to know” are a testament to this.  The local paper wrote an article about the instant pull of the Gotye song, and SNL did a skit on the cathartic appeal of the Adele smash.  Some of my favourite artists specialize in the sad sack style of music.  Ryan Adams, Joseph Arthur, Frightened Rabbit, Noah and the Whale, Bon Iver, and Eels all have albums that are pure sadness.  William Fizsimmons also released an album in 2010 chronicling the divorce of he and his wife in brutal honesty, which remains one of my favourite sad albums (and proves to be very popular among photographers).

But sometimes, there are albums that come along that are even more depressing and sad.  Albums that are harder to personally relate to.  That detail and evoke hardships the average person doesn’t endure.  Antony and the Johnson’s second album “I am a bird now” from 2005 is one of those albums.  And reminiscent of that album is the new Perfume Genius album “Put Your Back N 2 It”.

Back in 2005 I went to my favourite music store, Listen, and asked for suggestions.  I ended up leaving the store with “I am a bird now” and 2 other albums.  My first listen to the album was shocking.  It evoked this pain from deep inside.  Perfume Genius’ music has a very similar effect.  His voice is nowhere near as distinct and crushing as Antony’s.  It is a subtler approach that gives the same effect.  All 12 songs are under 3.5 minutes long, and mostly sparse.  Vocally he reminds me of an understated Sufjan with hints of Antony’s warble.  Lyrically it is less storytelling and more image creating.  It creates images of despair.  A truly crushing album that touches on the topics of gay suicide, prostitution, the abuse of his mother by his grandfather, extreme self loathing, and more.  But it is an album, like “I am a bird now” that has elements of hope.  A light undercurrent throughout that suggests resolution of sorts.  An element that is key to the album’s success.

So if you truly love a depressing and sad album.  This is likely for you.  It is also a fantastic album for what its worth.

Here is the video for “Hood”.  One of the standout tracks and the most band oriented. (youtube also banned the ad for the album which is a clip from this video)

And another track that is on the other spectrum of the album

And an oldy live on Jools by Antony off of “I am a bird now”

- Shaun

 

There appears to be a very large number of people coming to this site to learn about the great band fun. Well, the lovely folks over at ournameisfun.com have decided to let everyone hear the whole new album a week early. So make sure you listen to it. And after listening to it, I sure am happy I preordered it a few months ago. As much as I loved their debut album, this looks to be a step forward, kicking things up a couple notches, and will obviously be a commercial success.

The title track, Some Nights, is looking to be their next hit as it is a very upbeat anthem

Some nights I stay up cashing in my bad luck
some nights I call it a draw.

So listen to the full album here, or below, and then head over to their site and pre-order it.

- Shaun

In retrospect this year seemed to be a track kind of a year for me. A year in which I would listen to certain songs from an album, more than I would put an album on straight through, or repeat it over and over. But that isn’t to say that I didn’t, or that there weren’t that many great albums. Just one of those years. However the last couple weeks I have been spending a lot of time listening to albums thoroughly again. Once again, I feel that there may be little in the way of surprises here on this list, but there are some gooders for sure. So less ramble, and more albums. Here they are. In particular order.

50. Wiley – 100% Publishing

This was my introductory album to Wiley. I had heard of him, but never heard him. One day I thought to myself that I really need to check out more of the UK urban scene and Tinie Tempah and Wiley came up. Wiley was the more interesting artist, and the album that i connected with the most. Sonically it is very intriguing, and his delivery is at times unique and i like the style of his cadence. It was an album that was great for summer driving.

Noteworthy Tracks: Numbers in Action, Wise Man and his Words, 100% Publishing

49. Little Dragon – Ritual Union

When it comes down to it, this is an album that has a very sexy sound to it, and her vocals are rather distinct. Not too much more to elaborate on it. A great late night mix.

Noteworthy Tracks: Little Man, Shuffle a Dream, Ritual Union

48. Jessica Jalbert – Brother Loyola

A local talent that seems to be making bigger waves outside of Edmonton than within. The more I listen to her album, the more it appeals to me. It reminds me of a more feminine version of Yuck’s album. Which is a great thing. Nearly every track is great, and the rest are really good. I expect a lot more from this great young singer and her band.

Noteworthy Tracks: Paris Green, Lack of a Lake, Whatever Whoever

47. SBTRKT – SBTRKT

This was a year that UK Bass Music had a few artists branch out and do something a little bit different. A lot of these artists evolved out of the dubstep sound and took what seems to be the likely next step and added an R&B/Soul component. SBTRKT tapped some great vocalists for support on this album including Yukimi Nagano, but its his fellow collaborator Sampha that shines throughout the majority of the album.

Noteworthy Tracks: Hold On, Wildfire, Right Thing to Do

46. TuNe-YaRdS – W H O K I L L

Trying to describe this album is liking trying to explain what something tastes like, without having something to compare it to. Loop upon loop upon loop with a voice that contorts and wails and shifts all over the place. But it sounds great. Just listen to it.

Noteworthy Tracks: My Country, Gangsta, Bizness

45. Real Estate – Days

My top albums list suggests that there was a lot of relaxation and chilling to calm and pleasant sounding music. For some reason, I don’t get that impression by reflecting upon the year, but I must have had some good calm times. Days is an album that just sounds like a quiet evening outside. It also seems to celebrate the little things in life, and it just feels sunny.

Noteworthy Tracks: Easy, It’s Real, Wonder Years

44. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

Another album of Cut Copy doing what they do best. Indie-dance music.

Noteworthy tracks: need you now, where I’m going, pharaohs and pyramids

43. Girls – Father, Sun, Holy Ghost

An album that I just couldn’t get into for so long. But I gave a few other chances in December, and then it clicked. A slight departure from their fantastic debut, but it holds it’s own. This has even more of a psychedelic retro sound to it, especially “die”, which sounds like a “Black Mountain” song.

Noteworthy Tracks: Honey Bunny, Die, Vomit

42. Gramatik – Beatz & Pieces vol. 1

A collection of sample based music that has an overall cinematic quality. Some great compositions that flow together into a larger piece. Perfect background music when you don’t want background music.

Noteworthy pieces: On the Boardwalk, So much for Love, Break Loose

41. Cults – Cults

Simply put, this is an album for the lazy days of summer. Chilling on the patio, with some steaks and avocados on the grill.

Noteworthy tracks: Go Outside, Most Wanted, Bad Things

40. The Features – Wilderness

Their 3rd LP takes things up a notch and rocks a bit harder than the last couple albums. But it still has that signature sound that makes The Features so much fun to listen to. Just a little rougher.

Noteworthy tracks: How it Starts, Rambo, Golden Comb

39. The Black Keys – El Camino

Having been a fan of The Black Keys since the beginning, I have witnessed their transition from garage rock duo, to the hit making band they are today. To listen to this album and one of their earlier albums together, one might question the authenticity of their new recording. It is definitely an album that has been fleshed out, but their roots are still showing. To be honest, if they didn’t grow with each album, their sound may have become irrelevant, whereas this is some of the best pop music on the radio these days.

Noteworthy tracks: Lonely Boy, Gold on the Ceiling, Sister

38. Ben Howard – Every Kingdom

There is a lot of acoustic based music out there, and what generally sets artists in this genre apart is their voice. Ben Howard has a couple other attributes helping him out. His uniquely raspy voice sounds like he has been pulled straight out of the forest. His song structure borrows heavily from the new folk folk movement and has layers and textures throughout. And his songs have a unique pull to them. They Rise above the standard fare in this genre, making Every Kingdom an album that warrants repeated listens.

Noteworthy tracks: Old Pine, The Wolves, Keep your head up

37. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for my Halo

Another one of those albums that speaks to you without screaming. There is charm in this recording that I just can’t explain, and I just won’t try. Its simply a fantastic album and I Will leave it at that.

Noteworthy Tracks: Baby’s Arms, Runner Ups, In My Time

36. Hanni El Khatib – Will the Guns Come Out

Pure garage rock bliss. Rough and raw and angry. Sounds like jay reatard and early Black Keys. But he has a sound all his own. And then the second half of the album calms down significantly before taking it back up to finish it.

Noteworthy tracks: build. Destroy. Rebuild., Fuck it. You win. Heartbreak hotel.

35. Felix Reibl – Into the Rain

A classic sounding album reminiscent of James Taylor or acoustic Springsteen. This was an album I found myself putting on during work, or when I was reading.

Noteworthy tracks: Wide Open Rivers, Helen/I’m on fire, They Don’t Know You Like I Do.

34. Jay Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne

How over the top and extravagant can a hip hop album get before you hate it? This gets close, but somehow finds a balance that pulls it off. Two legends together bragging about their goods. But it works.

Noteworthy Tracks: No Church in the Wild, Niggas in Paris, Welcome to the Jungle

33. Other Lives – Tamer Animals

Any album that starts out with horns and clarinet has me in its hands. This is an album that sounds full. It has interesting instruments layered over top of each other. It has melody and structure. It sounds like a symphony swallowed an indie band and spit out awesomeness. And their live shows are amazing as well.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dark Horse, For 12, Old Statues

32. Thao & Mirah – Thao & Mirah

Thao Nguyen, Mirah, (with the production help of Tune Yards) masterfully combine to create a collection of songs that sound like a band as opposed to two separate artists together. There are songs that seem to be led by one of the respective artists, but they still sound unique to this collaboration as opposed to having the other guest on each other’s songs. A surprisingly great combination.

Noteworthy Tracks: Eleven, Folks, Hallelujah

31. The Antlers – Burst Apart

Does it really get any more depressing than The Antlers? Despite its melancholy, I really enjoyed this album. Especially in the winter months. For me it wasn’t an album for the summer, and had to revisit it in the bleaker months.

Noteworthy Tracks: I Don’t Want Love, Parentheses, Rolling Together

30. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting

This is an album that borrows heavily from several genres and therefor has no genre. But that doesn’t matter. It’s an album that oozes soul over top some great melodies and beats. Mirrorwriting is a an album that just sounds great. This is an album I listened to on late night drives.

Noteworthy tracks: Night Air, Lady Luck, Spirits

29. Vandaveer – Dig Down Deep

An ambitious and large sounding album that embraces the organic folk sound. Dig Down Deep features Americana and folk story telling that is easy to relate to and somewhat timeless.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dig Down Deep, The Great Gray, Concerning Past Future Conquest

28. Pickwick – Myths EP

A promising hybrid of indie-folk and blue-eyed soul. I anticipate their LP debut to be one 2012′s best albums. But, until then, this collection of 6 tracks originally released on 45′s will have to hold me over.

Noteworthy Tracks: Hacienda Motel, The Round, Blackout

27. Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire

This year 2 of my favourite artists released very understated albums. Like Joseph Arthur’s release, Ashes and Fire is an exercise in restraint. The large majority of this album is on the mellow/ballad side of the Ryan Adams spectrum (which is one of the wider spectrums of any artist). Taken as a whole, this is an album to chill and relax to. And it sets a great tone for a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dirty Rain, Chains of Love, Lucky Now

26. Joseph Arthur – The Graduation Ceremony

While this is isn’t the best album he has released, it is a consistently great album. The Graduation Ceremony excels at subtlety. It is seemingly simple and sparse, but their is a lot of unassuming production throughout that really elevates the songs above the acoustic sound.

Noteworthy Tracks: Out on a Limb, Over the Sun, Gypsy Faded

25. Grouplove – Never Trust a Happy Song

After last years promising debut EP (a lot of which is featured here on the LP) I expected great things this year from this band. What we got was even better than I expected. We got an album that took the best parts of their EP and evolved on it different directions creating an album that excels in more than one sound.

Noteworthy Tracks: Tongue Tied, Colors, Naked Kids

24. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

This album seems to have it all. It has one of the best tracks of the year. It has anthems. It has mellow burners. It has dancers and rockers. This is simply a great album that has a song for every purpose and flows as a whole.

Noteworthy Tracks: Intro, Midnight City, Wait

23. Tim Hecker – Ravedeath, 1972/Dropped Pianos

This isn’t an album that you throw on at a party. This is something you put on for solo purposes. Unlike the other 2 piano based albums on this list, this is not an album of beautiful and intimate keys. This is an album that explores the piano and deconstructs and destroys with the help of electronics. Somehow it manages to become more than just interesting. But captivating in the ideas and constructs that are presented. Dropped Pianos, a companion piece album, is less about the deconstruction, and more so about the sketches that inspired Ravedeath. A unique insight into the process of creation. And whereas the Ravedeath material was done on a pipe Organ in Iceland, these sketches were all done on a piano. Two very disparate albums, that truly support each other.

Noteworthy Tracks: The Piano Drop, Analog Paralysis, 1978., Sketch 5

22. Washed Out – Within and Without

Exactly what Chill-Wave should sound like. This is very much a bedroom sounding album that works outside the bedroom as well.

Noteworthy Tracks: Amor Fati, Far Away, You and I

21. Handsome Furs – Sound Kapital

Sound Kapital took the Handsome Furs even more into Depeche Mode territory than ever before. More synths, bigger sound, and a killer knack for melody.

Noteworthy Tracks: Serve the People, When I Get Back, What About Us

20. Tinariwen – Tassili

One of the best guitar based albums of the year. Tassili, unlike their previous recordings, was recorded in the desert, and is therefore more acoustic sounding. This Mali band has a very unique sound that is also very traditional. It is exotic and foreign sounding, which is what I look for in music from other regions. It also features a couple Western guests attaching some familiarity.

Noteworthy Tracks: Tenere Taqqim Tossam, ya Messinagh, Temeyawt

19. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

Another wonderful album of wilderness sounding tracks with lovely harmonies. This time around the are a few extra surprises and a bit more of a progression in sound. Not as revelatory as their debut, but just as good.

Noteworthy Tracks: Montezuma, sim sala him, Helplessness Blues

18. Lockerbie – Ólgusjór

These young Icelanders have released a fantastic debut album, and given their age, I cannot wait to see what else is coming. One of my favourite performances of 2010 was by this great band in a small pub in Iceland. This recording captures the feel of their live show quite well.

Noteworthy Tracks: Laut, Reyklykt, Ólgusjór

17. Gem Club – Breakers

A very beautiful and melancholic album. A reverb drenched piano that sounds like it was mic’d in a living room, accompanied by a mournful cello. The addition of fragile hushed vocals lend to the intimacy and delicateness of the songs.

Noteworthy Tracks: Twins, Breakers, Black Ships

16. Beirut – The Rip Tide

This was the first Beirut album that really resonated with me. Its chock full of brass and ethnic elements, which has a lot to do with it. But that really isn’t all that new for Beirut. Ultimately, it won me over.

Noteworthy tracks: A Candle’s Fire, Goshen, East Harlem

15. Foster the People – Torches

This newish band picks up where MGMT left off with straight forward poppy dance rock tracks. Nearly every song will get you moving and singing along, which makes for a great party.

Noteworthy tracks: Helena beat, Houdini, Pumped Up Kicks

14. Olafur Arnalds – Living Room Songs EP

Sometimes the simplest of concepts make for some of the best outcomes. This collection of 7 songs was created 1 track per day for one week, and recorded in his living room. Piano, strings, and the occasional electronics. Variations upon themes, these 7 pieces somehow stand on their own, yet feel cohesive. This is an album that I keep coming back to. And every time I hear a song, it instantly traps me, stealing all of my attention. I had this album lower on the list because of its shortness, but I had to move it further up with each listen. The intimacy of the songs and the recordings just make it feel so fragile and compelling. There are videos of each of the living room songs from the album being recorded live in his living room with a little story about each song.

Noteworthy Tracks: Fyrsta, Near Light, Tomorrow’s Song

13. Kassidy – Hope St.

This Scottish released their Debut LP in May this year. It is full of catchy rock songs that get you moving and singing along. Every song is different than the previous, and all merit multiple listens. Their sound also seems to borrow from American 90′s 00′s rock, but with a distinct sound.

Noteworthy Tracks: Stray Cat, I Don’t Know, Oh My God

12. Radiohead – The King of Limbs

What hasn’t been said about this album yet? A hugely anticipated album that seemed to split the fan base. More electronic and stuttering than previous releases, this album stands on its own, yet touches on their previous albums. My favourite part of the album is tracks 3 through 5. Little by Little is very much an update classic Radiohead song that is followed by Feral, which to me is the most interesting song on the album with its samples and skittery drum loop. And then it almost blends the two tracks and becomes Lotus Flower, a mid-tempo floater with a grounding bass line, a slowed down drum loop, and some haunting Thom Yorke.

Noteworthy Tracks: Little by Little, Feral, Lotus Flower

11. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know

Maybe it was because I was anticipating this album so much, but when this was released, I was initially disappointed. This disappointment lasted a while. Until it finally clicked. This is very much a Laura Marling album. But it feels different than here previous two. It could be the band approach. It could be the more complex arrangements and the non-traditional song structure. But either way, it turns out to be an album that rewards the attention given.

Noteworthy Tracks: Sophia, The Beast, All my Rage

10. Black Lips – Arabia Mountain

I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the 60′s when I listen to this album. Heavily leaning on several of the sounds prevalent in that decade, it comes off as a tribute album to that era, with a new twist of course.

Noteworthy Tracks: Family Tree, Time, New Direction

09. Yuck – Yuck

Tastes like High School. This youthful UK Band delivers a standout album of 90′s sounding retro rock that is the perfect balance of raw vs. production to give it that authentic feel. Despite the obvious nostalgia effect, it also stands as a great album in this decade.

Noteworthy Tracks: Get Away, Shook Down, Georgia

08. Of Monsters and Men – My Head is an Animal

Another Icelandic Band on the list. Surprise, Surprise. This Icelandic band is oft-compared to Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. However, that isn’t to say they don’t have their own unique sound. More than just a collection of their influences, My head is an Animal is full of animal imagery, clever lyrics, and extremely addictive songs.

Noteworthy Tracks: Dirty Paws, Little Talks, Sloom

07. The Weeknd – House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence

Yes, I am a cheater. I stuck all 3 of The Weeknd’s great 2011 releases into one spot. This Torontonian, released the 3 best R&B albums of the year. All for free. But I will likely get them all remastered on Vinyl in 2012. Each of these albums in unique from the other, and they have a cohesive feel true to each release. House of Balloons is the strongest album, with the other 2 following close behind. To fully experience this album pull out the glass table, get the drugs and booze, and fill the house with women. It’s that kind of an album.

Noteworthy Tracks: House of Ballons/Glas Table Girls, High for This, Wicked Games, Thursday, The Birds, D.D., Montreal

06. Typhoon – A New Kind of House EP

I almost have an issue with putting a 5-track EP at number 6. But this EP features 2 of the most listened to tracks of the year for me. This EP set the tone of the year for me. It sparked my love of large bands with tons of instruments. It heralded me into a new folk era. Their performance at Sasquatch was one of the top 10 performances of the year. It was an EP for the house, the car, the yard, camping, roadtripping, iPhoneing. Looking forward to their next full length album, hopefully this year.

Noteworthy Tracks: The Honest Truth, Summer Home, Claws Pt. 1

05. The Kills – Blood Pressures

I have been a slight fan of the Kills before, but never before had I connected to one of their releases like I did with Blood Pressures. Blood Pressures sets the tone early with Future Starts Slow and its guitar-drum combo. The album has a dirty and sexy feel to it. It drips. It grinds. Its an album that begs to be felt. Alison Mosshart’s vocals are perfectly suited to the guitar work by Jamie Hince. A stellar rock album.

Noteworthy Tracks: Future Starts Slow, Heart is a Beating Drum, The Last Goodbye, Pots and Pans

04. Blind Pilot – We are the Tide

Sometimes you don’t to do anything different to standout. Blind Pilot excels at what they do. It isn’t groundbreaking, or genre-creating. It’s simply great. An album of gems. Songs that are warm and pleasant. Songs that make you smile inside. It’s feel good music. Done near perfectly.

Noteworthy Tracks: Half moon, Keep you Right, We are the Tide, New York

03. Noah and the Whale – Last Night on Earth

It is no secret that I am a big Noah and the Whale fan. All 3 of their albums have been completely different. Last Night on Earth finds the band tapping 80′s Americana for inspiration, specifically Tom Petty. This is by far the most accessible album they have released, and every song is single worthy. It is also their most straight forward album, so there are few surprises or unconventional moments. It is a great pop album. An album that is suited for road trips, or hanging with friends. So grab a drink and some friends and sing along.

Noteworthy Tracks: Life is Life, Tonights the Kind of Night, L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N, Waiting for my Chance to Come

02. James Blake – James Blake

This album came as a surprise to me. Having heard his EPs I wouldn’t have expected this from him. The album has a couple great singles, but it works best as a singular piece. It isn’t party music, it’s reflection music. Its what you put on when you want to feel something. When you want to get lost. Which I happen to do a lot.

Noteworthy Tracks: Wilhelm Scream, I Never Learnt to Share, Why Don’t you Call me.

01. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

I have been referencing this album and artist for awhile now, so it is no surprise that it pops up at number one on this list. Easily the most listened to album of the year for me, it breaks new ground, it is a logical progression of sorts, and it stands on its own. It’s an album, that like its predecessor LP, will remain relevant and stand the test of time. I foresee this album being a classic of this generation, and I see Justin Vernon and Bon Iver becoming one of the seminal artists of this decade. Or maybe I’m just a huge fanboy. Either way, I think it’s the best album of the year, and look forward to discovering the nuances throughout 2012.

Noteworthy Tracks: Perth, Holocene, Beth/Rest

As I finish off the final touches of my best of 2011 albums list, one of my favourite artists, Joseph Arthur, has just released (minutes ago) a double album for free on his website. The album entitled “Redemption City” is an album that is meant to be a 1+1 album. Part I is the main meat of the album, and Part II is akin to a deep cuts album, or a companion piece. To be consumed separately or together. From the quick sampling I have done so far it seems to be some of the best work he has ever released. It has elements of all of his albums, and pieces of his recent live work. He claims that it is the first album that he has done everything on it, and that it is a album that has been in the works since the release of “Redemption’s Son”. I highly recommend you head over and grab your copy, and then pre-order the 3 disc limited edition vinyl. It’s worth it.

Joseph Arthur | Redemption City, new album available for FULL FREE DOWNLOAD [HQ].

(taken from the vinyl description)

Please don’t take the method or the freedom of this release
to be any judgment on its value.
I think it’s top notch,
but it’s great to take advantage of what the internet is actually good at –
IMMEDIACY.
This is the first time I’ve released something while still
inhabiting its space,
I’m alive in the nowness of it!
Join me there or here or here and there.

Around the time I was putting out Redemption’s Son,
I met Peter Beard in Montauk.
Lucky enough to stay with friends at the old Andy Warhol
house,
where the Rolling Stones had rehearsed.
A bunch of us were there
partying, playing cards, trying to do yoga,
but mostly partying.
It was fun.
(Thank you Rene and Suzy.)
One night I told Peter the name of my record that was
about to come out
“Redemption’s Son,” I said.
“Too religious,” he said.
He was probably right but that’s what it was called, though
it wasn’t out yet.

The next day he said, “I thought of a better title for you.”
I asked, “What?”
He paused for drama and then said,
“Redemption City.”
911 had just happened,
it was a crazy title and I instantly liked it better than
“Redemption’s Son”,
but it was too late,
that record was already on its way to stores.
(that’s where we used to get music back in the day.)
But I held onto that title.
I made a giant painting of a city when I opened the
‘Museum of Modern Arthur’
and called it “Redemption City”
but somehow its destiny is to be a title of a record.
Peter Beard is a deep cat,
animal blood on huge beautiful prints must awaken the
favor of the gods
because his will for this title has chased me down the years,
and a few years ago I set about making it.
The record inspired by the title.
What would a city of redemption sound like?
What kind of characters would inhabit it?
The files for this record date back to ’09 and one track
further than that.
I work on it, get burned out and then reopen it weeks later.
I built a studio (with the help of Matt Becker) in Brooklyn
to make it,
and it’s the only record I’ve made where I’ve done
everything on it,
played all the things that make all the noise, drums, bass,
synths and guitars,
produced it mixed it, you name it.
Not that i haven’t been helped.
Jen Michel used to come around and listen to tracks and
say,
“Man, this is the record.”
she wanted this one out for awhile,
but it wasn’t ready;
a few more buildings had to go up and a few more roads
had to be paved.
Carla Podgurecki snapped the cover photo one night on
my roof overlooking the city of NYC
and Merrit Jacob came in at the end of it all and helped
me make final mix choices
and nudged the thing along in the right direction towards
home.
Actually, that’s an understatement; he became the partner I
needed to help find the finish.
Finally, it was mastered by the great Fred Kevorkian.

It’s been one hell of a process,
and I hope you like it.
If you do, pass it along and spread the word!

We’ve set this up so you can just have the record.
You can donate,
pay what you want,
or nothing at all.
Passing it on, spreading the word, is better than money,
but records are hard to make and expensive so if you dig it,
Dig in!

PS

There is lots of interesting low-end stuff on this record so…
I’m talking to you with the laptop on your chest listening to
this thing,
lazy in your bed and not wanting to connect it to fancy
headphones or decent speakers
for shame!

PPS

Part 1
Is complete as a record and for those who are generally
against the idea of an artist making a double record (of
which there are many) you can stop there and you have it.

Part 2
Is the deep cuts,
Which would have otherwise remained on the cutting room
floor or else been leaked out over time in various ways,
fragmented beings with no brothers or sisters or home.
I think both parts serve to strengthen the whole. They are
relating to each other and breathing back and forth.
They are each other’s shadow and hold hands when no one
is watching.
It’s true that often less is more but sometimes more is more
and that is something that, in this case, will be down to
taste.

With the Internet and new ways of releasing music it seems
that the doors are open to broader perspectives on what’s
too much.
Here you have both a double and a single record,
depending on how you want it or your level of interest.
Also it’s not important (or possible!) to listen to all of it in
one sitting.
Take in Part 1 and then move slowly into part 2.
It’s a city.
There are lots of avenues and side streets,
Abandoned buildings and bodegas,
Cars parked on the side of oblivion with cats in them.
Come in and walk around.

So without further ado,

for Peter Beard and the others who helped me get here,

Welcome to

Redemption City.

Bolster Your Holster presents the Best Albums of 2011 (according to Kris)! This year I decided to go with 50 albums instead of the regular 40 and included comments on as many as I was inspired to. Hope you enjoy the list and please share your comments below.

50. Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming

“The Screaming Eagle of Soul” soars again! Technically, this is his debut album, but Bradley has been around for a few years releasing singles on the Daptone label. This is his debut album released at the tender age of 63, but he sounds like he’s been doing this his whole life. Like most stuff on the Daptone album it is classic soul that sounds like it could have been recorded anytime in the last 50 years. Also the fantastic cover contributes to that as well. I’m pretty sure there is always time for dreaming Charles, maybe while listening to some of your sweet soul music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

49. Adele – 21

48. Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer

47. Little Dragon – Ritual Union

46. Wild Beasts – Smother

45. Braids – Native Speaker

44. Beirut – The Rip Tide

43. James Blake – James Blake

I am being drawn to it yet not being able to love it as it feels like glass. James Blake is so fragile and delicate that it feels like it could break at any time. The times it does allow it to crack, the bass drop in ‘Limit to Your Love’, the build-up in ‘The Wilhelm Scream’, we can see what Blake would be capable if he just let go. Yet, the album has a way to work it’s way under your skin and even though I couldn’t embrace the album I wanted to listen to it again to understand where Blake is at in making his music and how it will change over time as it already has in his very short career. I expect much from him over the next few years, I’m sure he will deliver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

42. The Weeknd – Echoes of Silence

41. Rainbow Arabia – Boys and Diamonds

40. Tim Hecker – Ravendeath, 1972

39. Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean

38. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia,ULTRA.

37. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing

36. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

35. Panda Bear – Tomboy

With my attempted hate towards Animal Collective I really shouldn’t have this album on the list. Merriweather Post Pavilion got to me though, so I though I’d give Panda Bear a second chance. Sometimes I think this album is a piece of crap, but most of the time I think it is a credible mix of drone, reverb vocals and strange noises which combine into something like a high day at the beach. Being released on clear vinyl also got me as well. The singles weren’t representative of the album either, it’s those “other” tracks that show what it is really about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

34. EMA – Past Life Martyred Saints

33. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’

32. M83 – Hurry Up, I’m Dreaming

As I write this, I technically have not listened to the whole album yet. I have to include it on the list because I know how much I am going to like it and how much it will be listened to it over the next few months. The first half is wave upon wave of electronic shoegaze bliss. I never felt a connection to M83′s previous work, but this album finally grabbed a hold of me, especially the amazing standout ‘Midnight City’, which I wish I had been listening to in the Summer when it came out, instead of the last few weeks. This is one that definitely would have been higher if I had listened to it earlier, but for now it will settle in this position, content and dreaming.

 

 

 

 

 

31. Erkin Koray – Meçhul: Singles & Rarities

Erkin Koray is the father of Turkish rock music and was one of the first Turkish musicians to adopt western rock music and add its elements to Turkish folk, thus creating a huge psychedelic scene in the 60s and 70s, especially in Istanbul. This is the only compilation on the list this year which features non-album tracks recorded by Koray between 1968 – 1976. Technically it doesn’t include anything from 2011 (besides the artwork), but I have to put it here because it is such fine release from Sublime Frequencies, and if only one other person decides to listen to this then it was all worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

30. Death Cab for Cutie – Codes and Keys

I’m sure a lot of people look back on Death Cab and reminisce for the time before The OC helped bring these guys to the mainstream. My favourite Death Cab album, Transatlanticism, found them on the verge of popularity, but with their next album being featured on that soap opera for teens really pushed them into the limelight. The thing is that they’ve kept making solid albums since then that really shouldn’t be dismissed because of their popularity. St. Peter’s Cathedral, Doors Unlocked and Open and Underneath the Sycamore are just three prime examples of why you should listen to this album if you haven’t given Death Cab a chance since the early 2000s.

 

 

 

 

 

29. The Twilight Singers – Dynamite Steps

28. The Black Keys – El Camino

27. Sigur Ros – Inni

I’ve been off Sigur Ros for a while now. But they’ve just come back from a hiatus with the live film/album Inni a look at their live 2008 tour. Listening to the album I’ve come to a realization that I should have seen them live some time ago. I love Sigur Ros live, the guitars are louder and have more feedback, the drums are way more powerful and Jonsi’s vocals are almost on par with the recorded album versions. Inni contains some of their best songs and makes a cohesive whole of their last four albums. I’m not one to put live albums on a Best of list, but this one really deserves to be here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

26. tUnE-yArDs – WhoKill

25. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne

24. Zola Jesus – Conatus

23. The Weeknd – Thursday

22. Devotchka – 100 Lovers

21. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know

20. Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys!

A little bit disappointing after the greatness of The Seldom Seen Kid, Build a Rocket Boys!  found Elbow at their most minimal with only a few tracks featuring the bombast stadium melodies that they were slowly getting known for (Outside North America of course). Still it was a great album that had some standout tracks including the 8 minute opener ‘The Birds’, ‘Dear Friends’ heartwarming reflection on life and ‘With Love”s loud and quiet dynamics. It plays out like an old man reminiscing about youth, an album of reflection and memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

19. Bill Callahan – Apocalypse

Bill Callahan’s a hell of a guy, or at least I’d like to think so. He’s made some great music over the years and is one of the most consistent artists. His albums are always a slow burn and take some time to get in to. I’d often find myself putting on Apocalypse in the background and take in little parts of it each listen. It’s finally coming together and I wouldn’t call it revolutionary, but it is another excellent edition to his catalogue. Callahan shows his confidence and his ability as a songwriter on Apocalypse more than he’s ever done before.

18. Theophilus London – Lover’s Holiday

London released a full length album this year, but for me it was this EP that defined him as an artist. 5 songs, each of a different genre, that all had the ability to be hit singles. He channeled Prince on ‘Strange Love’, made a TV on the Radio song better than any TV on the Radio song from the last 5 years, made a robotic freakout dance anthem and bookended the EP with two great R&B numbers featuring some killer female vocal lines. This might be all I need from Theophilus, his album was good, but this EP condensed everything we need to know about him in five songs clocking in at about twenty minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

17. Okkervil River – I Am Very Far

The best song released by Okkervil River this year was not on their new album. If they had gone in that direction for I Am Very Far it would have made me so very happy, while making me so very sad. Instead they released this, which most critics said was a wall of sound and too crowded. I was just happy it showed Okkervil going in a new direction and not making the same old crap we’ve been hearing since 2007. I know, I know it wasn’t crap, but Black Sheep Boy was so good that it pales in comparison. I Am Very Far doesn’t bring them back to that greatness, but showed something missing from the last couple albums, passion.

 

 

 

 

 

16. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient

The War on Drugs are a rock band that fittingly titled their newest release Slave Ambient. The album flows just like a wave of ambient sound. You can be listening to the first song and then turn around and you’re already on track eight. The thing is it is not at all samey. Each song can be taken on its own as well. Come to The City, Your Love is Calling my Name and Baby Missiles are three great anthemic rock songs, like something you’d find on a U2 or Springsteen record.

It’s in the haze.

 

 

 

 

 

15. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

14. Tom Waits – Bad as Me

As with every Tom Waits album before, you’re looking at a solid release full of genre bending dynamics and some very interesting vocal arrangements. Bad As Me  is the most accessible thing he’s released, but don’t worry it is a Tom Waits record so that doesn’t mean much. It has a few more ballads than previous Waits release I can remember, but they all have their charm like Keith Richards guesting on ‘Last Leaf’, the gramophone feel of ‘Kiss Me’ and the excerpt from ‘Auld Lang Syne’ on ‘New Year’s Eve’. There are some barn burners here as well though like the scathing war track ‘Hell Broke Luce’ and the chugging ‘Chicago’.

 

 

 

 

 

13. Wye Oak – Civilian

12. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

You ever have someone you call babe? Sometimes it can sound pretentious, but often it just fits. I’ve always thought of it as a term of endearment, something for someone you love, something for only one other. I’ve liked Wounded Rhymes since it came out, but only recently have I wanted to revisit it. A track, ‘I Know Places’, slipped through the cracks on initial listens and is now finally capturing me. A beautiful acoustic number showcasing Li’s sultry vocals and featuring the afformentioned “babe”. And then it turns into two minutes of Mazzy Starish reverie. Oh yeah, the rest of the album is awesome too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Lia Ices – Grown Unknown

10. Yacht – Shangri-La

9. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting

I want it to be one am. I want it to be raining. I want to be pouring out of some club and this playing as I hop on a bus for somewhere, anywhere. Call it soul, call it post-dubstep, call it pop, call it whatever the hell you want. Jamie Woon had a tragically underrated year with his debut not appearing often on any Top 50 lists. Originally grouped together with James Blake because of their great voices and links to dubstep, Woon is a completely different creature that creates an early morning atmosphere that can take you on a journey in any direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Noah and The Whale – Last Night on Earth

An album of change. Optimism after the devastating The First Day of Spring. This is a different Noah and the Whale as obvious by the first song’s refrain: “And it feels like his new life can start, And if feels like heaven”. Utilizing a heavy dose of 80s rock American influence including Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, Last Night on Earth is full of glorious sing-a-long pop anthems with lyrics about growing up, getting over love and playing music. ‘Give it all Back’ is the next ‘Summer of ’69′, just listen to it and tell me not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Radiohead – The King of Limbs

After almost a year and the initial hype has settled, The King of Limbs, sits safely as my second bottom Radiohead album. This does not mean this album is bad by any means, but rather to the high standard of excellence that one has come to expect from a Radiohead release. Maybe it was too short. Maybe it didn’t have enough hooks. Maybe it just felt like we deserved more. Oddly enough The King of Limbs has been followed up by four songs that are as good as the best parts of this album. Those songs could have been on this album. They could have made this album better. Nevermind, nevermatter, The King of Limbs is an excellent experiment that shows Radiohead reinventing themselves while still trying to make music that is different and that matters at the same time.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Washed Out – Within and Without

I’m sitting on a beach waiting for my heart to break again. Float off into the sea and let the music take hold. ‘You and I’ is the centerpiece of this album, but it is so much better when taken as a whole. This is one of those albums that I may never know the titles of all the songs, but still love each one, even if it feels like one long single song. This is how chillwave should sound. It needs structure, melodies, haunting echo vocals and waves of emotion. This was a year of some beautiful albums, this could easily be the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Justin Vernon mentioned that the next Bon Iver album was made up of soundscapes rather than songs. After listening to this album many, many times I would agree. Bon Iver is full of many places, times and moments that fit together so well. The lyrics fit with the music as well, even if they don’t make any sense or are often unintelligible. There are hints of the 2009 acoustic Justin Vernon, serious influence from the Gayngs side project and just a hint of some of the swagger he received from Kanye. Impossible to classify, the record plays more like something from Sigur Ros than a man known as a singer/songwriter.

 

 

 

 

 

4. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

Earlier in the year I wrote a review of this album on Bolster Your Holster. In my opinion it was the best album of the year at the time it was released. It hasn’t dropped far, but I just haven’t been giving it the same attention that it received earlier in the year. I can’t decide if it is my favourite PJ album, but it is the one I’ve dedicated the most time to and the one that has made me want to revisit her first couple albums, which I’ve never managed to listen to. This is an album about war that is relevant today, but seems to focus more on the World Wars or at least it just feels that way. It feels modern and 1940ish in the same way. I think this album can cross generations and will end up being PJ’s masterpiece once all is said and done.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Timber Timbre – Creep On Creepin’ On

I admit I didn’t like the title when I first heard it. Concerned would be a better word. After first listen though, Timber Timbre just made another great album. An expansion of sound and soundscapes would be the best way to describe their evolution on this album. 3 instrumentals and 7 songs and it doesn’t feel like it is missing anything. The last track also sounds like an instrumental outtake from Dark Side of the Moon, which doesn’t hurt the cause any. Timber Timbre is dark swamp folk, but I feel a hidden sexuality behind the music. Sure they’re singing about murder and other dark secrets, but hidden in the music is a sexual tension that reverberates in the air. Or maybe it’s just me.

 

 

 

 

 

2. The Antlers - Burst Apart

“You wanna climb up the stairs, I wanna push you back down. But I let you inside,
So you can push me around. If I leave before you, And I walk out alone, Keep your hands to yourself When you follow me home. I don’t want love.” It’s a break-up album. It’s pledging love and waiting for it to come back. It’s begging to be wanted. Burst Apart may not be as devastating as Hospice, but it certainly carries the melancholy in its own way. You can interpret it any way you want, more freedom means more connection. All I know is that it continues to grow on me with each listen and begs me to come back for more.

 

 

 

 

 

1. The Weeknd – House of Balloons

This is an album that completely reinvented modern R&B that reached a whole new audience while making it accessible, or at least accepted, by a completely different demographic than before. It made me want to listen to only modern R&B (The Weeknd obliged there with 3 mixtapes in one year). I have found no one that compares to the production. Drake has tried, The-Dream is close, but Abe Tesafaye’s debut to the world grasped the late-night, dirty world of hip-hop/R&B so darkly beautiful that nothing else needs to be written on the subject. This is pure sex on record.

Well Shit… It managed to drop before New Years’. Abel Tesfaye had promised 3 mixtapes in 2011 and with only 10 days left in the year, rumours that it wouldn’t drop this year were in the air. I thought he might release it on New Years’ Eve, but instead a few hours ago, Echoes of Silence  became available from the-weekend.com.

I say mixtape, but all three of the albums are filled with excellent new tracks that are better than most albums released this year. I’m only on the second song of the album so far and the production on Echoes of Silence is cleaner and less murkier than that on House of Balloons and Thursday. The album opens with a cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Dirty Diana’, a huge surprise, as Tesfaye sounds remarkably like MJ. Also included is the track ‘Initiation’, which was leaked a couple months ago, a dirty manipulated vocal affair.

My suggestion: Get this now for free from The Weeknd’s website and consider it an early Christmas present. It could be the best thing you get.