19.Propaghandi - Supporting Caste
As a teenager, Propaghandi was one of the more important bands for me as far as an introduction to social justice goes. As the years went on though, I drifted away from them for one reason or another. It turns out that the years have been kind and their humorous, pissed-off wit has become more refined and brutal. They are no longer the skate-punk band that I remember, and that's a good thing. Speed and sarcasm are still tools of their trade, but they are a more dynamic unit, with hardcore, metal and even a little indie rock added to their arsenal.
20. Polysics - Absolute Polysics
Polysics are yet another band that proves the Japanese can take a genre that has become otherwise boring and breathe massive amounts of life into it. At their very core they are a new wave band (quirky new-wave, not moody new-wave) and on the surface they are a spastic dance band with enough energy to power a small town. I absolutely adore how thick and driving the bass is on this record and it serves as the perfect counterpoint to the scathing guitars and the downright bizarre synth lines that dance around the songs with dizzying fury.
21. Regina Spektor – Far
My favorite Russian song sprite returned in 2009 with another oddly melodious series of piano compositions. Her lyrics play out like folk stories that weave between the distant past, the urban present and the dystopian future. The strong suit of Ms Spektor has always been her piano playing; weird and deceptively simple. But she plunks away at the keys with such purpose and the progressions are so foreign that the simplicity cannot be seen as a handicap. Her strength is coming up with melodies, both on the instrument and with her voice, that wouldn't ever occur to any other.
22. Rosanne Cash - The List
What passes for country music these days is a sad state and Rosanne Cash is one of the glowing exceptions that heralds the golden days of the genre. It probably helps that she is the daughter of one of country music's grand pioneers, but her songwriting abilities are so strong that I suspect her familial heritage is a moot point. What's more important is the brilliant channels she has opened up to the musical heritage that her genre has laid down over several decades. She is a haunting storyteller, but the advantage she has over all the other contemporaries who dabble within the genre is that above all, her music is smart.
23. St. Vincent – Actor
I avoided liking St. Vincent for a long time if only for the reason that she seemed to be just another oddly creative female musician. That might seem harsh but I tend to be drawn to such musicians and I wanted to make for certain that it was her actual music that I adored and not simply the idea of her music. It was a foolish endeavor because the more I listened, the more I couldn't resist it. The music is primarily electronic but laced with organics here and there. But the charm it all is how she wields both of those layers, doing things that I haven't often heard and doing it with gusto. She is disjointed and beautiful, distorted and lucid, scathing and inviting; everything that I love in a musician.
24. Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati
Hip-Hop outfit Tanya Morgan embodies pretty much every aspect of the genre that I have loved from the last 15 years or so and packages it up into a brilliant concept album. The setting is the fictional city of Brooklynati, a chill, laid back urban area of unspecified location that seems to have called its inhabitants from all over. The album moves seamlessly through outstanding songs and downright fantastic skits in ways that I have not heard in a long while. The songs owe much to Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and early NWA, but there is also a block party feel that emanates through every track to further transport the listener to the beautiful city within the artists' minds. The frosting on the cake, however, is a downright uncanny parody/tribute of early 90's Hip-Hop/Soul by way of a fictional group frequently referenced throughout the record, Hardcore Gentlemen. If it doesn't transport you back to 1993, nothing will.
25. Thunderheist – Thunderheist
I jokingly like to term this genre Hipster-Hop because of the obvious roots of its creators and the even more obvious target audience. Vocalist MC ISIS has a sort of lazy delivery to her rhyming that I have come to adore in groups like The Cool Kids and it works even better here in the midst of the low-fi electronic orchestrations of Graham Zilla. The pair works well together, each bringing a distinct attribute to the creative process in order to create a fantastic dance record that is not afraid to bend the rules, even if it is just ever so slightly.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
My Top 25 Albums of 2009 part 2
11. Kid Sister - Ultraviolet
For some reason, I knew I was going to like Kid Sister the moment I heard her name. Not only is the music incredibly fun in every sense of the word, but there. is a unique quality to the way she raps that I cannot quite pinpoint, but that I adore nonetheless.
12. Mirah - (A)spera
The Northwest's own Latin influenced Indie rocker returns and from the very beginning, it is apparent that her lyrical prowess hasn't diminished in the slightest. And though this effort tends to run a bit slower and a bit longer than previous albums, her creative ability to orchestrate underutilized instruments underneath beautiful vocal melodies shines through regardless. Mirah is a talented treasure.
13. N'Dambi - Pink Elephant
There is no way that I can describe this record other than straight up excellent R&B. Think Al Green, think Stevie Wonder. N'Dambi is an artist that I discovered later in the year and I have yet to really delve into her, but this record hooked me instantly. While I enjoy the neo-soul trend that is happening as of late, it is nice to hear someone taking the smooth and genuinely sensual route as opposed to the all-out party route (not that there is anything wrong with the all-out party route. As you will see).
14. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
I am of the opinion that Alt-Country will never have a finer figurehead. With her powerful voice and song-writing prowess, Neko Case is a simply haunting commander in ways that most artists can only hope to achieve. Middle Cyclone is a perfect example of such things. It walks a fine line between somber and joy, but in fin Neko Case fashion, it never gives too much advantage to either.
15. No-Fi Soul Rebellion - Oh Please, Please, Please
I'm still not entirely sure how to classify this husband and wife pseudo-duo but that is part of why they appeal to me so much. It is part electronic funk, part hip-hop, part Indie Rock, somewhat goofy and it all comes together with an accomplished seriousness. I may not agree with their choice for the albums closer, but the nine tracks before it make up for it in all of their dance-inducing gloriousness.
16. Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts
Another easy contender for Album of the Year, the Noisettes represent to me what I most adore about music in this day and age. The best parts of the Neo-Soul Revolution come when bands fuse said soulful antics with other categories. With the album moving quite adeptly between lo-fi Punk, pulsating disco and heartfelt folk, Shingai Shoniwa is free to weave her R&B vocals throughout the tapestry to breathe new life into otherwise tired genres.
17. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
2009 must have been the year for e to reminisce because yet again we have a group that causes me to long for the music of my youth. This album draws heavily from the simplest of simple Indie Pop greats like Crayon, Beat Happening and from legendary alternative pioneers The Vaselines. Lo-fi does not even begin to describe it; everything about it is minimalist and as a result, it could not be more refreshing.
18. People Eating People - People Eating People
I've already mentioned that Converge and the Noisettes were jockeying for Album of the Year and People Eating People easily completes the top 3. This eagerly awaited album perfectly captures the talent within Nouela Johnston; all she needs is her piano and a drummer to back her up and she can write music much more aggressive and technical than that of any Hardcore group. But above all of that, the album is catchy to the point of amazement; she possesses a wonderful ability to make even the most cynical of lyrics sound fun. I'm already pining for her next effort.
For some reason, I knew I was going to like Kid Sister the moment I heard her name. Not only is the music incredibly fun in every sense of the word, but there. is a unique quality to the way she raps that I cannot quite pinpoint, but that I adore nonetheless.
12. Mirah - (A)spera
The Northwest's own Latin influenced Indie rocker returns and from the very beginning, it is apparent that her lyrical prowess hasn't diminished in the slightest. And though this effort tends to run a bit slower and a bit longer than previous albums, her creative ability to orchestrate underutilized instruments underneath beautiful vocal melodies shines through regardless. Mirah is a talented treasure.
13. N'Dambi - Pink Elephant
There is no way that I can describe this record other than straight up excellent R&B. Think Al Green, think Stevie Wonder. N'Dambi is an artist that I discovered later in the year and I have yet to really delve into her, but this record hooked me instantly. While I enjoy the neo-soul trend that is happening as of late, it is nice to hear someone taking the smooth and genuinely sensual route as opposed to the all-out party route (not that there is anything wrong with the all-out party route. As you will see).
14. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
I am of the opinion that Alt-Country will never have a finer figurehead. With her powerful voice and song-writing prowess, Neko Case is a simply haunting commander in ways that most artists can only hope to achieve. Middle Cyclone is a perfect example of such things. It walks a fine line between somber and joy, but in fin Neko Case fashion, it never gives too much advantage to either.
15. No-Fi Soul Rebellion - Oh Please, Please, Please
I'm still not entirely sure how to classify this husband and wife pseudo-duo but that is part of why they appeal to me so much. It is part electronic funk, part hip-hop, part Indie Rock, somewhat goofy and it all comes together with an accomplished seriousness. I may not agree with their choice for the albums closer, but the nine tracks before it make up for it in all of their dance-inducing gloriousness.
16. Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts
Another easy contender for Album of the Year, the Noisettes represent to me what I most adore about music in this day and age. The best parts of the Neo-Soul Revolution come when bands fuse said soulful antics with other categories. With the album moving quite adeptly between lo-fi Punk, pulsating disco and heartfelt folk, Shingai Shoniwa is free to weave her R&B vocals throughout the tapestry to breathe new life into otherwise tired genres.
17. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
2009 must have been the year for e to reminisce because yet again we have a group that causes me to long for the music of my youth. This album draws heavily from the simplest of simple Indie Pop greats like Crayon, Beat Happening and from legendary alternative pioneers The Vaselines. Lo-fi does not even begin to describe it; everything about it is minimalist and as a result, it could not be more refreshing.
18. People Eating People - People Eating People
I've already mentioned that Converge and the Noisettes were jockeying for Album of the Year and People Eating People easily completes the top 3. This eagerly awaited album perfectly captures the talent within Nouela Johnston; all she needs is her piano and a drummer to back her up and she can write music much more aggressive and technical than that of any Hardcore group. But above all of that, the album is catchy to the point of amazement; she possesses a wonderful ability to make even the most cynical of lyrics sound fun. I'm already pining for her next effort.
Friday, January 8, 2010
My Top 25 Albums of 2009 part 1
01. The Bird and the Bee - Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future
This excellent electronic pop duo delivered unto me an album that I did not find appealing on first listen, but thankfully I recognized how foolish I had been. While not as traditionally 'catchy' as their previous work, Ray Guns works in layers and mood to create sing-a-long songs that are far more creative than the norm.
02. Chatmonchy - Kokuhaku
One of my favorite discoveries from my first trip to Japan in 2006, my return in 2009 was made all the better upon learning that Chatmonchy had just released a new album. Since I hate to use the word 'mature' when describing albums, I'll simply say that Kokuhaku is a more focused and driven effort that still maintains all of the fun that I have come to expect from this excellent trio.
03. Converge - Axe To Fall
A contender for album of the year, Axe To Fall sees converge returning to a brutality we have not seen since Jane Doe. Kurt Ballou and Ben Koller are finally in an unstoppable synch and Nate Newton holds down the low-end while bellowing auxiliary vocals that bring to mind greats such as the Melvins and Karp. The riffs are more diverse, with metal, complex hardcore, and dare I say it, black as pitch country melodies tearing apart the air. But it is Jake Bannon who is as furious as ever, spitting venom across the soundscape that reminds me why I fell in love with this band so many years ago.
04. The Cool Kids - Gone Fishing
The only downside to this record is the length; at 21 songs, it certainly would drag if each tune was not so strong. The Cool Kids have one of the most simultaneously hysterical and fresh brands of Hip-Hop since Biz Markie and I hope the get the due soon.
05. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
Is it wrong to put an album on here for purely sentiments sake? Screw it. I 'll do it anyways. Cymbals Eat Guitars is a group that pulls one of my favorite elements from the early 90's Alternative boom: melodic dissonance. Upon listening to this band, who gloriously channel Pavement, it occurred how radio-friendly and sanitized Indie Rock has become. They are not perfect by any means, and they walk the line between good and bad quite precariously here is to hoping that they err on the side of noise rather than of sound.
06. Dinosaur Jr - Farm
Speaking of the Alternative boom, the band more or less responsible for a portion of it returned for its second album since reforming in 2007. They are as loud as ever, grasping hold of the 'wall of sound' concept and running with it with reckless abandon. I'd like to say that this hearkens back to the very earliest of the Dinosaur Jr eras, but sadly that it not the case. However, conjuring their mid-90's eras is almost as good and hearing Barlow tunes on a Dinosaur Jr album once again more than makes up for it.
07. Future of the Left - Travels With Myself And Another
Ever so often, when the lingering corpse of Punk Rock begins to bore me, I will be introduced to a band such as this that revitalizes my belief in the genre. Not content to merely stand on the shoulders of who has come before them, they instead pull from many directions, touring literally dozens of sub-genres. The result is something that sounds always familiar, but is constantly out of reach. One could not ask for much more.
08. The Gossip - Music For Men
For one reason or another, I resisted liking this band the longest time despite the fact that I should automatically like anything that has Hannah Blilie as the drummer. Everything changed with Music For Men. They have finally perfected their blend of soulful indie funk and I could not be happier that I followed my whims and picked up the album.
09. Har Mar Superstar - Dark Touches
Here is another album that I just did not care for upon first listen and for the life of me, I am not sure why. His humor is intact, the beats and grooves are as funky as ever and the melodies are so spine-tingingly perfect that I can't imagine anyone disliking it.
10. - Japandroids - Post-Nothing
This album reminds me so much of my teenage years that I can't help but picture myself playing drums in Searching For Venus and discovering bands like Lync and Braid. If anyone has ever forgotten what Indie Rock used to be like, look no further than this album.
This excellent electronic pop duo delivered unto me an album that I did not find appealing on first listen, but thankfully I recognized how foolish I had been. While not as traditionally 'catchy' as their previous work, Ray Guns works in layers and mood to create sing-a-long songs that are far more creative than the norm.
02. Chatmonchy - Kokuhaku
One of my favorite discoveries from my first trip to Japan in 2006, my return in 2009 was made all the better upon learning that Chatmonchy had just released a new album. Since I hate to use the word 'mature' when describing albums, I'll simply say that Kokuhaku is a more focused and driven effort that still maintains all of the fun that I have come to expect from this excellent trio.
03. Converge - Axe To Fall
A contender for album of the year, Axe To Fall sees converge returning to a brutality we have not seen since Jane Doe. Kurt Ballou and Ben Koller are finally in an unstoppable synch and Nate Newton holds down the low-end while bellowing auxiliary vocals that bring to mind greats such as the Melvins and Karp. The riffs are more diverse, with metal, complex hardcore, and dare I say it, black as pitch country melodies tearing apart the air. But it is Jake Bannon who is as furious as ever, spitting venom across the soundscape that reminds me why I fell in love with this band so many years ago.
04. The Cool Kids - Gone Fishing
The only downside to this record is the length; at 21 songs, it certainly would drag if each tune was not so strong. The Cool Kids have one of the most simultaneously hysterical and fresh brands of Hip-Hop since Biz Markie and I hope the get the due soon.
05. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
Is it wrong to put an album on here for purely sentiments sake? Screw it. I 'll do it anyways. Cymbals Eat Guitars is a group that pulls one of my favorite elements from the early 90's Alternative boom: melodic dissonance. Upon listening to this band, who gloriously channel Pavement, it occurred how radio-friendly and sanitized Indie Rock has become. They are not perfect by any means, and they walk the line between good and bad quite precariously here is to hoping that they err on the side of noise rather than of sound.
06. Dinosaur Jr - Farm
Speaking of the Alternative boom, the band more or less responsible for a portion of it returned for its second album since reforming in 2007. They are as loud as ever, grasping hold of the 'wall of sound' concept and running with it with reckless abandon. I'd like to say that this hearkens back to the very earliest of the Dinosaur Jr eras, but sadly that it not the case. However, conjuring their mid-90's eras is almost as good and hearing Barlow tunes on a Dinosaur Jr album once again more than makes up for it.
07. Future of the Left - Travels With Myself And Another
Ever so often, when the lingering corpse of Punk Rock begins to bore me, I will be introduced to a band such as this that revitalizes my belief in the genre. Not content to merely stand on the shoulders of who has come before them, they instead pull from many directions, touring literally dozens of sub-genres. The result is something that sounds always familiar, but is constantly out of reach. One could not ask for much more.
08. The Gossip - Music For Men
For one reason or another, I resisted liking this band the longest time despite the fact that I should automatically like anything that has Hannah Blilie as the drummer. Everything changed with Music For Men. They have finally perfected their blend of soulful indie funk and I could not be happier that I followed my whims and picked up the album.
09. Har Mar Superstar - Dark Touches
Here is another album that I just did not care for upon first listen and for the life of me, I am not sure why. His humor is intact, the beats and grooves are as funky as ever and the melodies are so spine-tingingly perfect that I can't imagine anyone disliking it.
10. - Japandroids - Post-Nothing
This album reminds me so much of my teenage years that I can't help but picture myself playing drums in Searching For Venus and discovering bands like Lync and Braid. If anyone has ever forgotten what Indie Rock used to be like, look no further than this album.
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