25. Smoke Fairies - Hotel Room
Smoke Fairies make music like Joni Mitchell, but doubled up, dangled upside down and drenched in folk music's most important epochs.
The sussex girl-girl duo first caught our eye back in 2009 when they released 'Gastown/Riversong', featuring Jack White on drums, and released on his 'Third Man' label.
Since then they have released debut full-length 'Through Low Light and Trees', and its lead single, 'Hotel Room', a tender folk song of sublimity and beauty, whose retrospective accompanying video reflects these qualities.
24. The Hundred in the Hands - Commotion
New York's latest purveyors of IDM are duo The Hundred in the Hands. They fuse psychedelia with pop hooks, overlayed with frontwoman Eleanor Everdell's enchanting vocals.
On some tunes, they showcase Kid A-esque beats with creeps and crawls; on others, rampaging riffs and thumping bass; on the rest, robust, neatly-produced, miasmic rays of pop delight. This is one of those. Be prepared for one thunderous guitar riff, some delicate, alluring vox and one infectious chorus.
23. John Grant - Chicken Bones
John Grant has been plagued with problems all his life. At high school, he was beaten up for being the sole homosexual. Then he fronted perhaps the most criminally underrated band of our generation, The Czars, had an affair with a drug dealer, got hooked on cocaine and contemplated suicide. His personal trauma has always overshadowed his music and his unique baritone vocals and sardonic lyrical content have passed most of us by.
But this year saw the modest, tortured protagonist finally receive the recognition he has long deserved. He released his debut solo effort, 'Queen of Denmark', to a host of extraordinary reviews (In fact, he just topped Mojo's album of the year list).
On the record, he was backed by the delicate sounds of Texan folkies Midlake, their trademark Jethro Tull-esque flute emanating nostalgia. It was beautiful, dark and atmospheric. Lyrically, it still accentuated his funny, frank and evocative traits; the highlights coming in the comically-titled 'Sigourney Weaver', 'Jesus Hates Faggots' and this, 'Chicken Bones'.
22. Mount Kimbie - Would Know
This is Mount Kimbie's second track on the list, and there is no need to further explain why they are on it, apart from what I said earlier, about their unique fusion of 'sublime intricacy, seemingly effortless musicality and use of indistinguishable yelps from anonymous singers they've sampled.'
21. Sarah Jaffe - Clementine
Hailing from Denton, Texas, birthplace of the aforementioned Midlake, newcomer Sarah Jaffe is the greatest singer-songwriter of the year. When asked in a recent interview as to how she went about writing the 13 melodious tunes on debut record 'Suburban Nature', she said confidently: 'I pretty much do it on impulse'.
She was a delight when I saw her perform on her first tour of the UK back in January. The best track she played was 'Clementine', which, now professionally mixed, and backed with a string section, has been brought to life, sounding even more emotional.
Monday, 29 November 2010
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Songs of the year: 30-26
30. Lindstrom & Christabelle - Lovesick
Lindstrom, Norway's producer supreme, revisited his roots earlier this year, when he collaborated with Norwegian-Mauritian songstress Christabelle Sandoo once again. The pair, last heard together on 2003's Music in My Mind, this time produced a panoptic full-length of ten succinct, electro rambunctions.The slick standout was 'Lovesick' with its huge wumps of funk and ravishing vocals.
29. Lali Puna - Remember
In a year when Chillwave began to dissapate, one band who made sounds that still mattered was Lali Puna, arguably the forefathers of laid back minimalism. Founded 12 years ago, they've been creating electro-infused iciness for a long time now. They released their best work to date this year in the form of fourth album, 'Our Inventions'. Single 'Remember' is anthemic and overlayed with tender vocals very much a la The XX.
28. The Babies - Meet Me in the City A Black Lips-esque ramshackle freakout from hot new Brooklynites, The Babies. This is extremely promising stuff - expect to hear alot more from these lot next year.
27. Lykke Li - Get Some
When Lykke Li popped up again this year with her first new material since her 2008 debut Youth Novels, the world went crazy. The song that provoked the interest was 'Get Some', in which the Swedish songstress yelps 'I'm your Prostitute, you gon' get some'. Strong words, but catchy ones, and that's all anyone cares about nowadays, right?
26. Yuck - Georgia
No one expected that such a term as the 'Grunge Revival' would be coined this year - however, it was. Most of the attention was centred around London shabbies Yuck, who despite having the worst band name in the history of the universe, make the most raucous, most enjoyable hazy noise rock in the history of the universe. Comprising two ex-Cajun Dance Party party members, a Japanese girl and an American drummer with a massive afro, they're the best new band in ages. This song, their first, is a simple yet perplexing shoegazey love song and features the vocals of lead singer Daniel AND his sister, who supports him.
Lindstrom, Norway's producer supreme, revisited his roots earlier this year, when he collaborated with Norwegian-Mauritian songstress Christabelle Sandoo once again. The pair, last heard together on 2003's Music in My Mind, this time produced a panoptic full-length of ten succinct, electro rambunctions.The slick standout was 'Lovesick' with its huge wumps of funk and ravishing vocals.
29. Lali Puna - Remember
In a year when Chillwave began to dissapate, one band who made sounds that still mattered was Lali Puna, arguably the forefathers of laid back minimalism. Founded 12 years ago, they've been creating electro-infused iciness for a long time now. They released their best work to date this year in the form of fourth album, 'Our Inventions'. Single 'Remember' is anthemic and overlayed with tender vocals very much a la The XX.
28. The Babies - Meet Me in the City A Black Lips-esque ramshackle freakout from hot new Brooklynites, The Babies. This is extremely promising stuff - expect to hear alot more from these lot next year.
27. Lykke Li - Get Some
When Lykke Li popped up again this year with her first new material since her 2008 debut Youth Novels, the world went crazy. The song that provoked the interest was 'Get Some', in which the Swedish songstress yelps 'I'm your Prostitute, you gon' get some'. Strong words, but catchy ones, and that's all anyone cares about nowadays, right?
26. Yuck - Georgia
No one expected that such a term as the 'Grunge Revival' would be coined this year - however, it was. Most of the attention was centred around London shabbies Yuck, who despite having the worst band name in the history of the universe, make the most raucous, most enjoyable hazy noise rock in the history of the universe. Comprising two ex-Cajun Dance Party party members, a Japanese girl and an American drummer with a massive afro, they're the best new band in ages. This song, their first, is a simple yet perplexing shoegazey love song and features the vocals of lead singer Daniel AND his sister, who supports him.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Songs of the year: 35-31
35. Gayngs - The Gaudy Side of Town
When the blogosphere received news of Gayngs, a new (sorta) supergroup, featuring Bon Iver, rapper P.O.S. and members of Megafaun and Solid Gold, there was a definite buzz. Later, upon the release of their chilled track 'Gaudy..', we were marvelling at the prospect of a debut full-length. Their ideas were huge and their sonics were intoxicating - hypnotising. But, the song was archetypal of everything cliched in laid-back music terms - something you would have thought would not be so delightful to the listener, instead rather dire.
But it actually worked, and very well at that! - it utilised frickin' cool suave saxes, retrospective slap bass and effortlessly smooth and reverbed vox - forming a loose yet confident, though-provoking blend of cheese and lo-fi.
34. Grinderman - Worm Tamer
33. She & Him - In the Sun
In the last few years, Zooey Deschanel has carried on her role as an actress in many a blockbuster, but has revived her musicality too, as singer in She & Him, her joint musical endeavour with Bright Eyes member, and artist in his own right, M. Ward. She sings in a dainty and melodious manner - some might call it 'twee'.
The duo released their second album, 'Volume Two' this year, which although sluggishly titled, was a transcendent collection of songs, all highlighting Deschanel's saccharine, downbeat 50s-esque harmonies and Ward's rococo guitar solos.
The first single, 'In the Sun', was a utterly brilliant pop tune, equipped with one infectious piano riff and a fittingly cheesy high school video to accompany.
32. Cults - Go Outside
This year, a whole congregation of adroit lo-fi-arbiters emerged, all purveying their rock n roll-tinged, chillwave-influenced fuzz pop. The band who stood out from the crowd were New York's Cults, who write cute, silvery little tunes, and use xylophones. Debut single, 'Go Outside', which according to their website is to be released on December 23rd 2012, mysteriously, is actually already available on their bandcamp, as is a 7".
31. T33TH - See Spaces
T33TH, London's rollicking electronic three-piece shot to fame earlier this year for two reasons:
1. Being geeks and die hard Gaga fans. They hacked her twitter account, tweeting the following '<3 <3 <3 @T3ETH NXT TIME REALNESS PIC A BETTER PASSWORD!!!! PVNKS UNITE!!!' and 'I swear my dick is not as big as T33TH’S!!!! POPWRLDSUCKZ!!! PUNX UNITE!!!! <3'.
2. Being the greatest, most exhuberant, most exhaustive alternative techno act since Crystal Castles. Their debut single 'See Spaces' stormed right to the top of the Hype Machine chart back in Easter, and remixes from Dreamtrak and Dolby Anol showcased their ability to write a damn hawt dance track.
When the blogosphere received news of Gayngs, a new (sorta) supergroup, featuring Bon Iver, rapper P.O.S. and members of Megafaun and Solid Gold, there was a definite buzz. Later, upon the release of their chilled track 'Gaudy..', we were marvelling at the prospect of a debut full-length. Their ideas were huge and their sonics were intoxicating - hypnotising. But, the song was archetypal of everything cliched in laid-back music terms - something you would have thought would not be so delightful to the listener, instead rather dire.
But it actually worked, and very well at that! - it utilised frickin' cool suave saxes, retrospective slap bass and effortlessly smooth and reverbed vox - forming a loose yet confident, though-provoking blend of cheese and lo-fi.
34. Grinderman - Worm Tamer
'Worm Tamer' is an amalgamation of all of Nick Cave's strongest, most visceral tendencies; it's psychologically chilling, grandiose and lyrically lewd and humorous. It exudes ingenuity, commingling gaudy distortion, unworldly guitar screeches and dark, gruff-voiced vocals.
He here cements his place as rock n roll's faultless funny man, saviour and tour de force - indeed, he begins each verse with a squall of different names for his 'lover', and ends the song with one for himself: she’s a ‘Worm Tamer’ and a ‘Serpent Wrangler’, but he is just an ‘Abominable Snowman’.33. She & Him - In the Sun
In the last few years, Zooey Deschanel has carried on her role as an actress in many a blockbuster, but has revived her musicality too, as singer in She & Him, her joint musical endeavour with Bright Eyes member, and artist in his own right, M. Ward. She sings in a dainty and melodious manner - some might call it 'twee'.
The duo released their second album, 'Volume Two' this year, which although sluggishly titled, was a transcendent collection of songs, all highlighting Deschanel's saccharine, downbeat 50s-esque harmonies and Ward's rococo guitar solos.
The first single, 'In the Sun', was a utterly brilliant pop tune, equipped with one infectious piano riff and a fittingly cheesy high school video to accompany.
32. Cults - Go Outside
This year, a whole congregation of adroit lo-fi-arbiters emerged, all purveying their rock n roll-tinged, chillwave-influenced fuzz pop. The band who stood out from the crowd were New York's Cults, who write cute, silvery little tunes, and use xylophones. Debut single, 'Go Outside', which according to their website is to be released on December 23rd 2012, mysteriously, is actually already available on their bandcamp, as is a 7".
31. T33TH - See Spaces
T33TH, London's rollicking electronic three-piece shot to fame earlier this year for two reasons:
1. Being geeks and die hard Gaga fans. They hacked her twitter account, tweeting the following '<3 <3 <3 @T3ETH NXT TIME REALNESS PIC A BETTER PASSWORD!!!! PVNKS UNITE!!!' and 'I swear my dick is not as big as T33TH’S!!!! POPWRLDSUCKZ!!! PUNX UNITE!!!! <3'.
2. Being the greatest, most exhuberant, most exhaustive alternative techno act since Crystal Castles. Their debut single 'See Spaces' stormed right to the top of the Hype Machine chart back in Easter, and remixes from Dreamtrak and Dolby Anol showcased their ability to write a damn hawt dance track.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Songs of the year: 40-36
40. Wild Nothing - Golden Haze
This does exactly as it says on the tin - an utter, transcendant haze. This sounds like The Smiths gone zorbing into the fourth dimension. It opens fading in with an intricate Orange Juice-esque riff, and then the deep, melancholy vocals, Rourke-style bass and jingle-jangling synths kick in. Emanating nostalgia from the outset, this is bloody fantastic - a marvellously plangent, reverb-infused kick-up-the-bum to other Smiths-aspiring wannabes (*cough* The Drums). This wasn't on their debut album released this year, however, I would recommend all of the tunes on that record too.
39. Mount Kimbie - Mayor
'Mayor' is Track 10 off Kimbie's 'Crooks & Lovers' album - their clear and streamlined debut of innovative, clicky shenanigans. This, one of the highlights, rampages off the vinyl/plastic/mp3 file and awesome fusion of technical rhythms, clicks and pop synths which encompasses and sums up all of what their music is all about - sublime intricacy, seemingly effortless musicality and use of indistinguishable yelps from anonymous singers they've sampled. So, here's to Mount Kimbie and their thwacks of post-dubstep beauty - and let their longevity extend to beyond that of the duo's dubstep precedessors!
38. Kanye West - Power
This song conveys one thing West's outrageously perverse ego. Ever since his horrendous outburst during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at that awards ceremony last year, the egotistical hip hop protagonist has been at the fore- for god's sake, even the renowned rudeboy Barack Obama had something to say about him.
And it's this scrupulous intimidation and exposure to the limelight which has clearly had the most profound influence on his recording of the new material - this is for the good. In 'Power', his incrongrous yet innovative King Crimson sample oddly works and seemlessly flows the tune on - it all progressing with West's catchy, angular rhythms and pronged lyrics. The end result is awe-inspiring. As is the rest of his fifth album - a fabulous collection of collaborations and samples (take your pick from Aphex Twin, Bon Iver, Smokey Robinson...etc...).
Yesterday, on the day the album's release, he received Pitchfork's first '10.0' awarding since Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot hit the jackpot back in 2002 - though perhaps slightly over the top, this is at last true recognition of the man's faultness musical moves.
37. Familjen - Det Var Jag
Credible and trendy Swedish pop hasn't half flourished in the UK recently.
Whilst we've witnessed chart domination and rising cult followings for the likes of Miike Snow, The Radio Dept., Robyn, The Knife, Lykke Li and.... er... Eric Prydz, amongst many others, one band who ostensibly passed us by was Familjen. This could be down to their indirect, unpronouncable name and lyrics in native tongue, however, it could just be due to a lack of desire to make it over here, or a bad push on the marketing front. But that that's boring. The fact is Familjen, alias of Johan T Karlsson, is one great pop songwriter and deserves more credit.
36. Flying Lotus - Do the Astral Plane
Just the other day, I was left dumbfounded when I discovered supreme laptop-man Flying Lotus had 40,000 fans on facebook. I just had no idea he had such a following. But it's unsurprising, really, considering the brilliance of this year's 'Cosmogramma' album and its high-profile Thom Yorke collaboration.
That, however, is not the song which stuck the most with me. That honour in fact goes to '...Astral Plane', an astonishing work whose infectious human 'badom-badom's, 'oooo's and 'hahahah's domineer.
This does exactly as it says on the tin - an utter, transcendant haze. This sounds like The Smiths gone zorbing into the fourth dimension. It opens fading in with an intricate Orange Juice-esque riff, and then the deep, melancholy vocals, Rourke-style bass and jingle-jangling synths kick in. Emanating nostalgia from the outset, this is bloody fantastic - a marvellously plangent, reverb-infused kick-up-the-bum to other Smiths-aspiring wannabes (*cough* The Drums). This wasn't on their debut album released this year, however, I would recommend all of the tunes on that record too.
39. Mount Kimbie - Mayor
'Mayor' is Track 10 off Kimbie's 'Crooks & Lovers' album - their clear and streamlined debut of innovative, clicky shenanigans. This, one of the highlights, rampages off the vinyl/plastic/mp3 file and awesome fusion of technical rhythms, clicks and pop synths which encompasses and sums up all of what their music is all about - sublime intricacy, seemingly effortless musicality and use of indistinguishable yelps from anonymous singers they've sampled. So, here's to Mount Kimbie and their thwacks of post-dubstep beauty - and let their longevity extend to beyond that of the duo's dubstep precedessors!
38. Kanye West - Power
This song conveys one thing West's outrageously perverse ego. Ever since his horrendous outburst during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at that awards ceremony last year, the egotistical hip hop protagonist has been at the fore- for god's sake, even the renowned rudeboy Barack Obama had something to say about him.
And it's this scrupulous intimidation and exposure to the limelight which has clearly had the most profound influence on his recording of the new material - this is for the good. In 'Power', his incrongrous yet innovative King Crimson sample oddly works and seemlessly flows the tune on - it all progressing with West's catchy, angular rhythms and pronged lyrics. The end result is awe-inspiring. As is the rest of his fifth album - a fabulous collection of collaborations and samples (take your pick from Aphex Twin, Bon Iver, Smokey Robinson...etc...).
Yesterday, on the day the album's release, he received Pitchfork's first '10.0' awarding since Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot hit the jackpot back in 2002 - though perhaps slightly over the top, this is at last true recognition of the man's faultness musical moves.
37. Familjen - Det Var Jag
Credible and trendy Swedish pop hasn't half flourished in the UK recently.
Whilst we've witnessed chart domination and rising cult followings for the likes of Miike Snow, The Radio Dept., Robyn, The Knife, Lykke Li and.... er... Eric Prydz, amongst many others, one band who ostensibly passed us by was Familjen. This could be down to their indirect, unpronouncable name and lyrics in native tongue, however, it could just be due to a lack of desire to make it over here, or a bad push on the marketing front. But that that's boring. The fact is Familjen, alias of Johan T Karlsson, is one great pop songwriter and deserves more credit.
36. Flying Lotus - Do the Astral Plane
Just the other day, I was left dumbfounded when I discovered supreme laptop-man Flying Lotus had 40,000 fans on facebook. I just had no idea he had such a following. But it's unsurprising, really, considering the brilliance of this year's 'Cosmogramma' album and its high-profile Thom Yorke collaboration.
That, however, is not the song which stuck the most with me. That honour in fact goes to '...Astral Plane', an astonishing work whose infectious human 'badom-badom's, 'oooo's and 'hahahah's domineer.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Songs of the year: 45-41
45. Balam Acab - Regret Making Mistakes
As Balam Acab's influence box on myspace states: he is inspired by 'feelings, vibes, souls, spirits, nature and essences'. And so, his music is awash with them too. With sitars, harps and haunting Indian samples, in 'Regret Making Mistakes' he presents us with a cultural sweep of all things musically 'kool'/relevant - we've got the looped female vocal, the pounding 4/4 synths /w thumping bassdrum and the Active Child-esque soars of vocal emotion.
And so what if I were to tell you this prodigious, introspective delight is the brainchild of an 18-year old still at music college (named Alec Koone) - would you believe me?....Probably not!
But it's true - unbelievable considering what this guy is doing is so frickin' trailblazing - honestly, he's up there alongside Flying Lotus, Mount Kimbie, Gold Panda and the like, as one of most innovative electronic musicians out there.
44. LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit (Soulwax Remix)
When James Murphy announced that this year's This is Happening album was to be the last release under his LCD moniker (let's be honest - it's all his work really), fans all over the world expressed their discontent. The album subsequently became their highest charting (no. 4, if I remember correctly) and we all eagerly awaited the announcement of a tour. Luckily enough for us, they have since travelled the world over... like a billion times.
The best track off the new rec was 'You Wanted a Hit', a surging crescendo of guitars, synths and pop hooks. The Soulwax guys made a remix, funking it up a little bit. It's awesome, and that's why it's on the list.
43. Male Bonding - Franklin
Male Bonding are the ultimate rock n roll band; nearly all their songs clock in at under 2 and a half minutes, their live shows are raucous, momentous occasions (literally everyone goes mental) and barre chords prevail.
Their visceral noise rock, reminiscent of grungers Dinosaur Jr and Hüsker Dü, and legendary punk Iggy Pop, is scroungy and dirty, yet loveable. The explosive musical energy they inflict on our ears (in a good way) is so powerful, so abrasive, so exhaustive, so IT. This band is IT. IT is this band.
42. Gorillaz - Stylo (ft. Bobby Womack & Mos Def)
Damon Albarn's side-side-side-project Gorillaz returned this year ubiquitous, and under much controversy; their first new single in five years was a 'blatant rip-off', or so claimed legendary Reggae singer Eddy Grant. As it turned out, the allegations were pretty low-founded (come on - a few similar notes does not amount to plagiarism!). In fact, the tune was sublime and funky - we had disco legend Bobby Womack make brief but exciting, catchy interjections and Mos Def do his thang alongside the usual Gorillaz choir of Damon plus a few anonymous apes singing a typical Gorillaz chorus of 'Overload, Overload, Overload, Coming up to the...'... A superb return to form, if I might say so.
41. Disclosure - Offline Dexterity
Like Joy Orbison on holiday in Ibiza, reading The Independent, while listening to a Metronomy DJ set. This = blissful, simple electronica.
Love it.
That's all for today.
As Balam Acab's influence box on myspace states: he is inspired by 'feelings, vibes, souls, spirits, nature and essences'. And so, his music is awash with them too. With sitars, harps and haunting Indian samples, in 'Regret Making Mistakes' he presents us with a cultural sweep of all things musically 'kool'/relevant - we've got the looped female vocal, the pounding 4/4 synths /w thumping bassdrum and the Active Child-esque soars of vocal emotion.
And so what if I were to tell you this prodigious, introspective delight is the brainchild of an 18-year old still at music college (named Alec Koone) - would you believe me?....Probably not!
But it's true - unbelievable considering what this guy is doing is so frickin' trailblazing - honestly, he's up there alongside Flying Lotus, Mount Kimbie, Gold Panda and the like, as one of most innovative electronic musicians out there.
44. LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit (Soulwax Remix)
When James Murphy announced that this year's This is Happening album was to be the last release under his LCD moniker (let's be honest - it's all his work really), fans all over the world expressed their discontent. The album subsequently became their highest charting (no. 4, if I remember correctly) and we all eagerly awaited the announcement of a tour. Luckily enough for us, they have since travelled the world over... like a billion times.
The best track off the new rec was 'You Wanted a Hit', a surging crescendo of guitars, synths and pop hooks. The Soulwax guys made a remix, funking it up a little bit. It's awesome, and that's why it's on the list.
43. Male Bonding - Franklin
Male Bonding are the ultimate rock n roll band; nearly all their songs clock in at under 2 and a half minutes, their live shows are raucous, momentous occasions (literally everyone goes mental) and barre chords prevail.
Their visceral noise rock, reminiscent of grungers Dinosaur Jr and Hüsker Dü, and legendary punk Iggy Pop, is scroungy and dirty, yet loveable. The explosive musical energy they inflict on our ears (in a good way) is so powerful, so abrasive, so exhaustive, so IT. This band is IT. IT is this band.
42. Gorillaz - Stylo (ft. Bobby Womack & Mos Def)
Damon Albarn's side-side-side-project Gorillaz returned this year ubiquitous, and under much controversy; their first new single in five years was a 'blatant rip-off', or so claimed legendary Reggae singer Eddy Grant. As it turned out, the allegations were pretty low-founded (come on - a few similar notes does not amount to plagiarism!). In fact, the tune was sublime and funky - we had disco legend Bobby Womack make brief but exciting, catchy interjections and Mos Def do his thang alongside the usual Gorillaz choir of Damon plus a few anonymous apes singing a typical Gorillaz chorus of 'Overload, Overload, Overload, Coming up to the...'... A superb return to form, if I might say so.
41. Disclosure - Offline Dexterity
Like Joy Orbison on holiday in Ibiza, reading The Independent, while listening to a Metronomy DJ set. This = blissful, simple electronica.
Love it.
That's all for today.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Songs of the year: 50-46
50. Kisses - Bermuda
LA boy-girl duo Kisses garnered much attention earlier this year for their cute, appealing brand of synth-twee. This was their debut single, released back in March on the groundbreaking Transparent label. It was a perplexing and plaintive delight, highlighting their fabulous, wistful synth pop reminiscent of Hot Chip, but as if influenced by Paul Simon's Graceland and Belle and Sebastian's Tigermilk.
49. Janelle Monáe - Cold War
If there was one artist this year who really got robbed of her record sales, it was Janelle Monáe. She had it all perfected - the tunes, the phunk, the dance moves, even the hair. It seemed obvious to the world that these elaborate traits, topped off with her creation of one of the finest, most original concept albums since Ziggy Stardust, could only lead to one thing: stardom. Unfortunately and ashamedly, the only adoration she got in the UK was from the critics. The standout track was 'Cold War', an epic alt/r'n'b crossover, highlighting her powerful voice and a superbly directionless guitar solo.
Hopefully, unlike the similarly talented Aaliyah, Monáe's first no. 1 will not come posthumously - indeed I think it will come soon.
48. Small Black - Photojournalist
Chillwave burst onto the blogs back in 2009 with incessant flourishes of praise for Neon Indian and Washed Out's lo-fi loops and electro fuzz . However, after the release of the former's Psychic Chasms album and the latter's Life of Leisure EP, it seemed the genre was dead - there was no way in which it could be developed further, we thought. But then came along Small Black, the newest wavey, technicolour sensations purveying all things electronically laid back. Having put on one of the most talked about shows at this year's SXSW, they subsequently released superb debut album New Chain, defying Chillwave its death and prolonging its influence on today's music culture.
47. Crystal Castles - Baptism
Noyau dur electro-thrashers CC returned to the scene this year with another eponymous album Crystal Castles II, the follow-up to 2008's successful Crystal Castles. Back with live shows as hectic as ever, the highlight of my musical summer came when watching the big screen at Suffolk's Latitude Festival, and seeing singer Alice Glass punch one of her fans right in the face (Youtube it). She jumped about, shrieking for the whole set (which typically for the duo, was cut short). They recently released the visceral but transcendent single, 'Baptism', with a suitably brash accompanying video. There's also a cool Rihanna mash up of the tune, which I urge to Youtube, in addition to the punch.
46. Sky Larkin - Still Windmills
I love Sky Larkin. I love how the entwine heavy guitars with gentle vocals and make it sound normal. On their recent second album, they were obviously influenced more by American bands like Pavement, Sleater-Kinney and Death Cab for Cutie (with whom they have producer John Goodmanson in common), rather than being your usual Clash-aspiring indie band. On 'Still Windmills' Nestor's powerful, intricate rhythms and Doug's rolling bass combine to form the perfect backdrop for lead singer Katie Harkin and her kaleidoscopic guitar swirls.
LA boy-girl duo Kisses garnered much attention earlier this year for their cute, appealing brand of synth-twee. This was their debut single, released back in March on the groundbreaking Transparent label. It was a perplexing and plaintive delight, highlighting their fabulous, wistful synth pop reminiscent of Hot Chip, but as if influenced by Paul Simon's Graceland and Belle and Sebastian's Tigermilk.
49. Janelle Monáe - Cold War
If there was one artist this year who really got robbed of her record sales, it was Janelle Monáe. She had it all perfected - the tunes, the phunk, the dance moves, even the hair. It seemed obvious to the world that these elaborate traits, topped off with her creation of one of the finest, most original concept albums since Ziggy Stardust, could only lead to one thing: stardom. Unfortunately and ashamedly, the only adoration she got in the UK was from the critics. The standout track was 'Cold War', an epic alt/r'n'b crossover, highlighting her powerful voice and a superbly directionless guitar solo.
Hopefully, unlike the similarly talented Aaliyah, Monáe's first no. 1 will not come posthumously - indeed I think it will come soon.
48. Small Black - Photojournalist
Chillwave burst onto the blogs back in 2009 with incessant flourishes of praise for Neon Indian and Washed Out's lo-fi loops and electro fuzz . However, after the release of the former's Psychic Chasms album and the latter's Life of Leisure EP, it seemed the genre was dead - there was no way in which it could be developed further, we thought. But then came along Small Black, the newest wavey, technicolour sensations purveying all things electronically laid back. Having put on one of the most talked about shows at this year's SXSW, they subsequently released superb debut album New Chain, defying Chillwave its death and prolonging its influence on today's music culture.
47. Crystal Castles - Baptism
Noyau dur electro-thrashers CC returned to the scene this year with another eponymous album Crystal Castles II, the follow-up to 2008's successful Crystal Castles. Back with live shows as hectic as ever, the highlight of my musical summer came when watching the big screen at Suffolk's Latitude Festival, and seeing singer Alice Glass punch one of her fans right in the face (Youtube it). She jumped about, shrieking for the whole set (which typically for the duo, was cut short). They recently released the visceral but transcendent single, 'Baptism', with a suitably brash accompanying video. There's also a cool Rihanna mash up of the tune, which I urge to Youtube, in addition to the punch.
46. Sky Larkin - Still Windmills
I love Sky Larkin. I love how the entwine heavy guitars with gentle vocals and make it sound normal. On their recent second album, they were obviously influenced more by American bands like Pavement, Sleater-Kinney and Death Cab for Cutie (with whom they have producer John Goodmanson in common), rather than being your usual Clash-aspiring indie band. On 'Still Windmills' Nestor's powerful, intricate rhythms and Doug's rolling bass combine to form the perfect backdrop for lead singer Katie Harkin and her kaleidoscopic guitar swirls.
Friday, 19 November 2010
Songs of the year: 55-51
55. Pantha du Prince - Satellite Snyper
Another fabulously off-kilter electro tune from Germany's PdP , once again combining his trademark bells, clicks and a gradually complexing beat, culminating it all in a rather mainstream-esque, dancey euphoria of synths. Taken from his best entire work to date, and indeed one of the best album releases of the year, 'Black Noise', the beguiling minimalist hypnotises us in this musical mosaic.
54. Archie Bronson Outfit - Hoola
Everyone loves a bit of dirty rock n roll now and then, don't they?
Indeed, Domino-signed rawkers Archie Bronson Outfit purvey all things musically raw and sordid. This hippie-tinged concoction of jangling guitars and vocal rambunctiousness is taken from their superb third effort 'Coconut'. On its release, it went criminally unnoticed by the press - and was yet another fantastic album the guys at the Mercury prize inadvertedly missed off their list.
53. Big Boi - Shutterbugg
2010 was the year the newly found solo artist broke free from the creative limitations of his or her dayjob, and instead, this time conquered the music world alone. We had Cee-lo Green (ok... not so new, but he at last had found the popularity he had been waiting for!), and there was er... Nadine Coyle.. and we also had Big Boi - you know, the one from Outkast, but not the one in the Hey Ya video? No? Well he's the cool one in the duo, and judging from this, 'Shutterbugg', the first single from his '....Luscious Foot' album, he's a very talented songwriter too. The same can't be said for one Ms Coyle, however.
52. Beach House - Norway
This is an ethereal haze of melodious utterings, flanged guitars and gruff, yet girly vocals from leader Victoria Legrand. Its chorus of 'Norwaa-aa-aa-aay-ayy' is pretty catchy too, it strangely making my brain think of Norwegians things like fjords and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
51. James Blake - CMYK
At the moment, the name of one artist, and one artist alone, is on the tips of every journo's lips. The name concerned belongs to the rising, soul-inspired DJ/singer-songwriter, James Blake. This, his Kelis-sampling breakthrough chant is a wonderful medium by which we can see into his world - his inspirations are vivid and his astounding skill seems effortless. A former Mount Kimbie touring member, now an artist in his own right, the man looks set to own 2011 - what's more, on the recent EP 'Klavierwerke', he showcased his own unique, soul-infused melodies for the first time, proving that he isn't just a man behind a laptop, who can loop a bloody good sample.
Another fabulously off-kilter electro tune from Germany's PdP , once again combining his trademark bells, clicks and a gradually complexing beat, culminating it all in a rather mainstream-esque, dancey euphoria of synths. Taken from his best entire work to date, and indeed one of the best album releases of the year, 'Black Noise', the beguiling minimalist hypnotises us in this musical mosaic.
54. Archie Bronson Outfit - Hoola
Everyone loves a bit of dirty rock n roll now and then, don't they?
Indeed, Domino-signed rawkers Archie Bronson Outfit purvey all things musically raw and sordid. This hippie-tinged concoction of jangling guitars and vocal rambunctiousness is taken from their superb third effort 'Coconut'. On its release, it went criminally unnoticed by the press - and was yet another fantastic album the guys at the Mercury prize inadvertedly missed off their list.
53. Big Boi - Shutterbugg
2010 was the year the newly found solo artist broke free from the creative limitations of his or her dayjob, and instead, this time conquered the music world alone. We had Cee-lo Green (ok... not so new, but he at last had found the popularity he had been waiting for!), and there was er... Nadine Coyle.. and we also had Big Boi - you know, the one from Outkast, but not the one in the Hey Ya video? No? Well he's the cool one in the duo, and judging from this, 'Shutterbugg', the first single from his '....Luscious Foot' album, he's a very talented songwriter too. The same can't be said for one Ms Coyle, however.
52. Beach House - Norway
This is an ethereal haze of melodious utterings, flanged guitars and gruff, yet girly vocals from leader Victoria Legrand. Its chorus of 'Norwaa-aa-aa-aay-ayy' is pretty catchy too, it strangely making my brain think of Norwegians things like fjords and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
51. James Blake - CMYK
At the moment, the name of one artist, and one artist alone, is on the tips of every journo's lips. The name concerned belongs to the rising, soul-inspired DJ/singer-songwriter, James Blake. This, his Kelis-sampling breakthrough chant is a wonderful medium by which we can see into his world - his inspirations are vivid and his astounding skill seems effortless. A former Mount Kimbie touring member, now an artist in his own right, the man looks set to own 2011 - what's more, on the recent EP 'Klavierwerke', he showcased his own unique, soul-infused melodies for the first time, proving that he isn't just a man behind a laptop, who can loop a bloody good sample.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Mid-November list time: Songs of the year - 60-56
In this list, created after lots and lots and lots of contemplation and relistening, I have tried to encompass tracks from throughout the year, from all genres. From Balam Acab to Kanye West, from Gold Panda to The Arcade Fire- I hope this list will be satisfactory for all persona.
It' s actually been very hard settling on who should make it, and if you're wondering why I'm starting at 60 - it's because 2010's music has reflected my tastes so much, and in so many different ways - I couldn't possibly leave some of these beauties out. I'll be posting the choons in chunks of five over the next couple of weeks.....have a listen!
60. New Young Pony Club - Chaos
First up... New Young Pony Club. At the end of last year, NYPC told fans 'The Optimist', the follow-up full-length to their infectious 2007 debut, was to be less 'pop', and instead rather 'sombre', which got us all worried. Fortunately, it turned out that they had, to some extent, lied - what we actually got was another very damn catchy and slick pop album - the highlight being robust lead single 'Chaos'.
59. 2.54 - Creeping
London's 2.54 create simple, awkward music. That little opener probably makes it sound pretty dire- but believe me, this is brrrrrrrrrrrilliant stuff. In 'Creeping' they fuse intricate, distorted riffs with macabre Warpaint-esque harmonies, all under severe lo-fi production, sounding like a British Vivian Girls, or summit of that ilk.
58. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Brooklyn's crit-adored alt-goths The National released 'High Violet', their fifth album, back in May to much acclaim and many sales (it charted at no. 5 - no mean feat for such a group in these tough times)- indeed it was, in some sense, a reward for the former esoteric band and their relentless touring and seemless creation of audacious album after album. Half a year ago now, the first taste of the new material we got was this. Obviously turning it up a notch production-wise, and at last showcasing their ability to write a bloody catchy tune, this is a heart-wrenching anthem whose epic nature will never cease to intrigue and bewilder. In fact, it's the kind of music you can imagine ITV nicking for the intro of a Champion's league game.
57. Twin Sister - All Around and Away We Go
Neo-psychedelic lovelies Twin Sister create music with a definite summer vibe.This tune is from an EP entitled 'Color Your Life', which was released right at the beginning of the year. With the echoed 'ah-ah's, the sensual coos from frontwoman Andrea and the prevalent, swirling synths, this is, from the outset, a tune that you can dance to, immerse yourself in entirely, and then be drawn to listen to it over and over again. Essentially, this is what you would get from a Yes-obsessed Bat for Lashes or Cat Power.
56. Beastie Boys - Sabotage (Alex Metric Re-Edit)
Despite the fact we have to thank Beastie Boys, the original white rap boys, for the later unholy obliteration of popular music by way of influencing a whole host of 'nu-metal' turdwipes, they did indeed, in their time, write some of the best songs of their generation. This year, 'Sabotage', debatably the most superior of the lot, was re-worked by innovative UK remixer Alex Metric, who introduced some extra impounding crescendos and heavier funk guitars to bring it to life, 2010-style - and indeed it now sounds just as refreshing as it did twenty odd years ago.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
'Living is so Easy', the new single from nature-loving guitar-beaters British Sea Power, is a wonderful amalgam of the epic soundscapes and intellectual themes which have come to characterise the band's work. And it just so happens to be a free download from the player above - score!
It's taken from the new LP, Valhalla Dancehall, which I believe is out in the new year.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Live music online this week
Alt. demi-gods Arcade Fire hit Saturday Night Live last night with an electrifying version of the heavily disco-influenced 'Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains). They sounded like a peculiar, 21st Century Blondie, twisted in their usual, intricate grandeur. This was a confident performance of typically epic proportions.
Hotly-tipped newbie Glasser has made a little doc/performance for her label, True Panther. Also known as Cameron Mesirow, her powerful, prevailing voice is layered over a plangent backdrop of chiming keys, clicks and claps, her band's sound resonating out of the room and her Bjork-esque, reverby vocals dominating. Now counting Gayngs and The XX amongst her fans, it's obvious Glasser's got big things ahead.
Hirsute folkies Midlake made their network television debut this week, showcasing their fantastic, intricate balladry alongside a wonderful collection of beards. We were back in the seventies again; Fleetwood Mac's anthemic, folk-pop sensibilities were combined with Jethro Tull's flutey jingles and Fairport Convention's classic British folk sound in this, recent album-opener and single, 'Acts of Man'.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Sleigh Bells 'Riot Rhythm'
Essentially a sequel to MIA's ginger-themed 'Born Free' video, this, the new Sleigh Bells single, stars that same freaky kid. The song itself features domineering brashness inc. thunderous percussion, chiming guitars and macabre coos. Good stuff.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Cloud Nothings
Ohio's self-proclaimed 'pop' group, Cloud Nothings, set the blogosphere ablaze in the earlier months of this year with their sleazy, lo-fi hazes and simple but effective lyrics, their songs suffused with pop-punk barre chords and melodies. Now having changed their mindset somewhat, frontman Dylan Scaldi recently promised us that their debut LP would in fact not feature the 'lo-fi scuzz' so much(!); they would in fact move away from the rock n roll NOISE reminiscent of groups such as Wavves and LoVVers, and would instead highlight their pop sensibilities on the forthcoming record.
Indeed, in 'Understand at all' they have fulfilled this to some extent.... there's certainly less droneage - this time replaced with more adventurous, early Green Day-esque vocal ranges. There are cascading guitar jangles, and speedy chord changes, but the tune is still impounded with that huge distortion and homely effect we heard on the earlier EPs. This is for the best; the outcome is a ragged but tuneful, succinct beam of a song - one that leaves me eagerly awaiting this full-length release of theirs.
Cloud Nothings tour the UK quite extensively this november, taking in a joint-headlining tour /w Veronica Falls and a few support dates with Les Savy Fav.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Games 'Shadows in Bloom'
An Oneohtrix Point Never side-project, Games, present two minutes of fuzzy, bleary chillwave-esque ambience, in this fancy, nostalgic video.
Stream Strereolab's new album in its entirety
It's out Nov. 16th, on 4AD. Stream it for this week only.
Thanks NPR, once again.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Live music online this week
Nashville's Punch Brothers (featuring an extra banjo by way of Steve Martin) give a fabulously tight performance of their adroit bluegrass for Letterman - you will find yourself unable to help dancing to this tune, its intricacy and jubilance overwhelming. A-mazing.
The Vaccines (sort of) affirm the hype which currently surrounds them with a performance of their anthemic surf-rock on Jools. This song, 'If You Wanna Live', being the best of the three tracks they played. However, do check out 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra)' if you like one minute tunes which comprise visceral shouting and mini guitar solos, and 'Blow it Up' if you always thought Glasvegas were too Scottish and needed to be somewhat anglicized.
Calling all 2-tone fans! Another Jools performer, this time the avant-garde MIA, renowned rather for her abrasive style of electro-drenched hip hop (which she did showcase as well, playing 'Born Free', although I didn't like that so much) and risqué videos, went ska for one night only this week, performing 'It takes a Muscle' with members of the Specials, forefathers of the genre. This was performance was very dubby and very good.
Finally, ethereal art-rockers Blonde Redhead perform 'Oslo' in a session for their label 4AD, Kazu Makino's vocals sounding as hauntingly eerie as ever. In this performance, they kind of put Warpaint, the band of the moment and purveyors of music of a similar ilk, back in their place, saying 'we da daddies of off-kilter dream-pop'.
Saturday, 6 November 2010
La Sera video
Ex-Vivian Girl Katy Goodman has a new group called La Sera. Song 'Never Come Around' has been circulating the blogs for the last couple of weeks, its catchy, dainty Blondie-esque harmonies juxtaposed with lo-fi swagger and murderous lyrics. It has an entertainingly grim video to accompany, featuring the disembowelment of some men, whose remaining body parts come together at the end to sing the final refrain, alongside Goodman herself, who stands waving a knife.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Les Corps Mince de Francoise
LCMDF, that is, the greatest Finnish pop duo of all time, have returned! Taking us on a round the world trip encompassing the afrobeat clinks of Konono no.1 and the hip hop-influence of MIA, sheathed with their very own infective whirlwind of 'woop-wooing', funky basslines and tinkling keys, the end product is one contageously hot slice of intrinsic popness about Gandhi. Why? I have no idea.
'Gandhi' is up here as a free download.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Patrick Wolf 'Time of My Life'
Scrapping the upbeat quirk and distortion that we heard on 'The Bachelor', instead rekindling his love for simpler, barer string-sections, P. Wolf's new'un is a violin-dominated pop tune, reminiscent of his 'Magic Position'-era material
Live: Mount Kimbie (/w Xiu Xiu, Paul Metzger, Bfax & Munch Munch) 30/10/10.
Mount Kimbie (aka Kai & Dom)
Fresh from Bristol’s annual Zombie Walk, a man clothed in ripped pyjamas and splattered in bloody makeup stumbles into the Arnolfini. It’s Halloween eve and Bristol’s gone bananas. Whilst the surrounding clubs and pubs of the city centre are crawling with shrieking, zombie-dressed brides, car cleaners and sumos, drinking and drinking, hidden here on the quayside, in amongst the overwhelming havoc, is Bristol’s best kept Halloween secret; a musical mini-fest called ‘Mountain of 9’, the coming together of the world’s most innovative, underground experimentalists inside Bristol’s finest contemporary art gallery. The city’s arty-types (plus a few zombie rogues) have arrived in full capacity to experience what should hopefully be a culmination of all things musically freaky (Last year, one of the ‘Mountain of 8’ co-headliners was the mystical Dirty Projectors).
In the main room, spookily lit with flashing red household light bulbs, the first band on are Bristol’s very own acute oddities, Munch Munch. With a few dedicated fans bobbing up and down at the front, they rattle through their short set, deafening the audience with their unique brand of twee noise-pop, their dominating, intricate rhythms bringing to light the skill of their fantastic drummer (whose drumkit is rightfully placed in the centre of the stage, at the front (pictured below)). And they indeed give a promisingly tight and powerful performance of new song ‘Wolfman’s Blood’.
Munch Munch
I next head up to the ‘Dark Room’, a confined performance area where I come across the fantastic Bfax, a collective of Robert Fripp-esque guitar-sitters, who surprise me with their simple but effective bass loops, chilled beats and demented bird recordings. The aurora created via their combination of improvised lead guitar, electronics and backing acoustic guitars beneath the mumbling, hazy vocals captivates the interested but bemused audience.
After a quick pop out for some noodles, I come back to the main room to find Jamie Stewart’s Xiu Xiu, stalwarts of miserable, overwrought goth-pop performing the tear-jerkingly beautiful ‘Hyunhye’s Theme’. However, the duo unfortunately follow it up with a scratchy mix of crushing synths and uncomfortable shouts which is all a bit freaky and abrasive for my liking, so I venture upstairs in hope of unearthing something a little more soothing.
Xiu Xiu
And I indeed do; I find the surreal Dutchman Paul Metzger and his homemade 23-string banjo. Stood outside the room, peering in, I see him plucking and rolling his fingers along the banjo, shaking it, creating ethereal sounds and sending the audience to sleep. They all wake up again, however, when he starts banging it.
With the main event impending, the café and hall are empty, and rightly so; headliners Mount Kimbie are incredible. They modestly plod onstage, wearing coats, and unshaven faces - looking at them, you never would have thought they’d be the key purveyors of the most forward-thinking musical genre in the world at the moment (Post-dubstep, mate). But the bass drum kicks in and for three quarters of an hour, they perform a collection of infectious and danceable tracks, mostly from their debut album, ‘Crooks & Lovers’, each tune infusing off-beat clicks and whirls from their drum machines with short r ‘n b samples, their own occasional vocals and distorted barre chords. They play almost continuously for the whole set, only stopping a couple of times to affirm their love for the city of Bristol, the audience in turn to shout back their adoration of MK. The whole auditorium shakes its booty for the duration, and upon hearing single ‘Would Know’, we all feel something special is happening; Mount Kimbie will be the defining electronic duo of the teenies, as Pet Shop Boys were in the eighties (lulz), and Daft Punk and Crystal Castles were in the subsequent decades. Post-dubstep is the future.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Amy Winehouse - It's my Party (feat. Quincy Jones)
Another tune from the Ronson/Winehouse alliance, this time for Quincy Jones' forthcoming collaboration record 'Q: Soul Bossa Nostra'.
Super Furries man returns!
Legendary, hirsute alt.-prog.-eclecticist, Mr Gruff Rhys releases new solo single 'Shark Ridden Water' on November 14th.
Although you might have hoped for the announcement of a new SFA release, this, a promising first tune from his second solo full-length, will definitely satisfy you in the meantime - it's rather lush in comparison to that sparse Toni da Gatorra collaboration album which had refuted my theory that Rhys could do no wrong earlier this year.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Deerhoof 'Super Duper Rescue Heads!'
A few more songs have now web-surfaced, the pick of the bunch being a synth-led, anthemic coruscation of jangling guitars and grandiose distortion: 'Super Duper Rescue heads!', once again given another superbly ridiculous title.
Deerhoof Vs Evil, is out January 24, 2011, on Polyvinyl.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith
8-bit techno-punks Crystal Castles, purveyors of IDM of the highest calibre, recently posted their fabulous take on Platinum Smash's 80s hit 'Not in Love', feat. none other than legendary goth-popper Robert Smith - check it out below!
Crystal Castles feat Robert Smith "Not In Love"
Marnie Stern Review
Like an antibiotic-resistant strain of a bacterium, the resiliant, crit-loved Marnie has bounced back into action, delivering another superb album. She is again on fine form, with the recent, tragic suicide of her ex-boyfriend indeed influencing and shaping the new tunes glaringly.
Read the review on Sucking Lemons.
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