Friday, January 13, 2012

Best Of 2011 part 1

They Might Be Giants - "Album Raises New & Troubling Questions"
This is an album of b-sides and remixes and stuff taken from throughout their career, but it works great as a stand-alone album. I especially like the electronic tinged remixes. Great stuff.

Ital Tek - "Amnesty"
He definitely makes you want to give to charity with how good these 4 songs are. He seems to be emerging as one of my new favorite artists.

Black Lips - "Arabia Mountain"
I had my doubts about this one after I heard that Mark Ronson was producing it, but he did a good job transitioning their lo-fi loud sound into something more palatable for the masses, yet still satisfying for the longtime fans.

Hail Mary Mallon - "Are You Gonna Eat That?"
This is the duo of Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic. Rob Sonic really stepped it up on this one, in my opinion, and these guys just sound great together. Easily one of the strongest hip hop releases of the year.

Hecq - "Avenger"
Apparently this dude has been around for years and has changed his style up a few times, but this LP was my introduction to him. Nice, hard, and varied. I'll be checking out his older stuff to see what it's like for sure.

Tony Cook - "Back To Reality"
This album was recorded in 1983-84 and whatever idiotic record label he was signed to rejected it. Thanks to Stones Throw this album saw the light of day in 2011. They had Dam-Funk record some new vocals on one track with great results, otherwise this album was as-is, as far as I know. Great synth-funk to dance to.

Tom Waits - "Bad As Me"
Par for the course. Another great Tom Waits album to add to the collection.

Shlohmo - "Bad Vibes"
This guy has been one of my most listened to artists of the last couple years, and it was interesting to me that he threw everyone a curveball and made a REALLY mellow album for his first official full length. It still worked out great, even if it wasn't what people were expecting from him. I love his sound textures. Everything  is really clanky and clicky without sounding all glitchy.

The Book Of Mormon Original Soundtrack
Who would have thought this up 15 years ago that nowadays Trey Parker and Matt Stone would have a successful Broadway musical under their belt? I can't wait for this to go on tour because i'm dying to see how these hilarious songs play out in the theatrical production.

Jonwayne - "Bowser"
One of my most listened to albums of the year. Always puts me in a good mood. Nice 8 and 16 bit video game sounds being played on synths accompanied by some bumpin programming.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - "Bulletproof Brass"
I don't know anything about this band. This was a blind download that turned out to be pretty good.

The Elected - "Bury Me In My Rings"
Another band I know almost nothing about. Heard a song on shuffle and I liked it, so I listened to the whole album and liked it. It's rare that a random rock album grabs me like that.

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