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.
