Tall Ships' debut EP fused spaced out post-rock with melancholic harmonies. I liked that. On their second, they kept the soothing vocals, but instead opted for an accompaniment of hook-laden blasts of math-rock, reminiscent of Minus the Bear. I liked that even more.
On lead tune, 'Chemistry', they opened with a jolting, riffed disintegration, and the song subsequently evolved into a creeping, Foals-esque euphoria of soaring guitars and pop hooks.
Since its release, I have not been been able to get that line, 'There is Nothing But Chemistry Here', out of my head. Rather spookily, this line is the name of the EP as well.
They make an commendable amount of noise for a trio, and the music they make is rather 'ace' - watch out 2011, Tall Ships are gonna make wavvvvvvvvvvvvvvves (and sell records).
4. The Arcade Fire - Spawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
This year, the most prolific and all-enveloping act of our times, The Arcade Fire, were elevated to 'musical genius' status, in a year which has seen them headline Reading and release a marvellous follow-up to a follow-up (always a hard record that, the third one) which encompassed a gazillion different genres. The most beguiling song came in the sublime 'Sprawl II...', sang by Regine, who also provided the vocals for the highlight on their seminal 'Funeral' album, in 'Haiti'. What makes the song so enticing and indeed, so fantastic, are the synths. 'What?', I hear you say... Yes, that's right, this is an AF song with synths. It's amazing. It thumps and clatters, swerves and rolls, develops and complicates. They sound like a futuristic Blondie, echo-stricken, recorded in a church, and rock n roll-ed. This confirmed their place as the most innovative and perplexing band on earth.
3. James Blake - Limit to Your Love
Last week, when James Blake's 'Limit to Your Love' reached the unassailable realms of godawful sh*t, also known as 'the charts', music fans up and down the country rejoiced in celebration.....
With this soul-infused, post-dubstep concoction, the inventive minimalist was making pop music interesting again. Showcasing an astounding voice, soulful like Antony Hegarty's, set against a backdrop of a trip hop beat and off-kilter keys, it was overlayed with spine-tingling pop hooks.
Blake was once a member of Mount Kimbie, purveyors of post-dubstep minimalism of a very different kind. Although his voice did sit perfectly amidst their pounding clicks and intricate electronics, his departure from the group seems right.
This week also saw him shortlisted for the BBC sound of 2011 poll and Brit Awards 'Critic's Choice' Award. Forget Auto-tune, forget Lady Gaga, forget frickin' Jessie J, 2011 is James Blake's.
2. Hot Chip - I feel Better
If there's one British electronic act who you can always rely on to produce fabulous pop tunes, it's Hot Chip. Although they've never made that instant classic of a record, they can never faulter in the singles field. 'I Feel Better' was their best tune to date, and was accompanied by the funniest promo I have ever seen (thanks to comedian/director Peter Serafinowicz). It features a bunch of JLS-lookalikes singing the song, only to be zapped and overpowered by a bald, Christ-like freak who joins in for the first chorus.
1. Gold Panda - Snow & Taxis
This is hypnagogic, intriguing and stunning. This is my favourite song released this year.
It needs no further explanation. Sit back and listen.
Complete list: [60-56]60. New Young Pony Club - Chaos 59. 2.54 - Creeping 58. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio 57. Twin Sister - All Around and Away We Go 56. Beastie Boys - Sabotage (Alex Metric Re-Edit) [55-51] 55. Pantha du Prince - Satellite Snyper 54. Archie Bronson Outfit - Hoola 53. Big Boi - Shutterbugg 52. Beach House - Norway 51. James Blake - CMYK [50-46]50. Kisses - Bermuda 49. Janelle Monae - Cold War 48. Small Black - Photojournalist 47. Crystal Castles - Baptism 46. Sky Larkin - Still Windmill [45-41]45. Balam Acab - Regret Making Mistakes 44. LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit (Soulwax Remix) 43. Male Bonding - Franklin 42. Gorillaz - Stylo (feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def) 41. Disclosure - Offline Dexterity [40-36]40. Wild Nothing - Golden Haze 39. Mount Kimbie - Mayor 38. Kanye West - Power 37. Familjen - Det Var Jag 36. Flying Lotus - Do the Astral Plane [35-31]35. Gayngs - The Gaudy Side of Town 34. Grinderman - Worm Tamer 33. She & Him - In the Sun 32. Cults - Go Outside 31. T33TH - See Spaces [30-26] 30. Lindstrom & Christabelle - Lovesick 29. Lali Puna - Remember 28. The Babies - Meet Me in the City 27. Lykke Li - Get Some 26. Yuck - Georgia [25-21]25. Smoke Fairies - Hotel Room 24. The Hundred in the Hands - Commotion 23. John Grant - Chicken Bones 22. Mount Kimbie - Before I Move Off 21. Sarah Jaffe - Clementine [20-16]20. Teengirl Fantasy - Cheaters 19. Gold Panda - You 18. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs 17. Caribou - Odessa 16. Twin Sister - Lady Daydream [15-11]15. Tame Impala - Solitude is Bliss 14. Mix Chopin - Bliss 13. Perfume Genius - Mr Peterson 12. Cloud Nothings - Hey Cool Kid 11. Fair Ohs - Hey Lizzy [10-6]10. Agnes Obel - Riverside 9. Liars - Scissor 8. Warpaint - Undertow 7. Pantha du Prince - Lay in a Shimmer 6. Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La 5. Tall Ships - Chemistry 4. The Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) 3. James Blake - Limit To Your Love 2. Hot Chip - I Feel Better 1. Gold Panda - Snow & Taxis
Having topped MS'F's 25 for 2011 list back in September, Yuck have posted 'Holing Out', which confirms their position as the best band of 2011, already.
Out in February, it is a brash, Dinosaur Jr-esque flurry of flanged guitars and distortion. From the outset it is v. grungey, but also v. catchy.
Ahhhhhh that guitar solo! yes!
Every few years a singer with a unique, celestial voice mystically skies in on a magic carpet, writing haunting, traditional folk songs laden with modern hooks. Last time it was folk troubadouress Joanna Newsom. This time it's Denmark's new sensation, Agnes Obel. On her sombre debut, 'Philarmonics', she showcases beguiling vocal beauty placed in a mire of eerie piano and acoustic guitar. 'Riverside' epitomises this, with her simple piano and heavenly harmonies brought to the fore.
9. Liars - Scissor
Since Liars' formation 10 years ago, a large multitude of genres have been invented, re-invented and coined because of them. From the post-punk revivival they fronted back in 2001, to the dance punk, noise rock and drone rock genres they later fronted, it's fair to say music has changed because of them. On latest freakout, 'Sisterworld', as of yet, unclassifiable, they infuse frenetic, angular rhythms with distortion overloads, juxtaposed with soothing melodies and keys. Lead single 'Scissor' is a wild animal stuck in a cage, which destructively breaks free at roughly 2.10.
8. Warpaint - Undertow
Mystical art-rockers Warpaint were formed back in 2004. Until 2010, they had been performing only locally, hiding away in their hometown of LA. They were best known for their celebrity links (inc. having a RHCP member as an alumnus).
This year they finally released their debut album, 'The Fool', six years in the making. It was one of the most critically revered works of the year, and one of the best-selling alternative LPs released in the UK; it is currently topping end of year lists everywhere and they have just been featured on the BBC Sound of 2011 poll.
Their success was down to their totally spine-tingling music; their deftly constructed record was infused with enchanting harmonies, pounding funk bass (very reminiscent of ex-Interpol man, Carlos D) and reverberating guitar twangs. 'Undertow' encapsulated all these traits marvellously.
7. Pantha du Prince - Lay in a Shimmer
Like the aforementioned 'Satellite Snyper', this was another track in which German electronic extraordinaire PdP combined his trademark bells, clicks and a subtle yet miasmic beat. Taken from his best entire work to date, and indeed one of the best album releases of the year, 'Black Noise', the beguiling minimalist in this tune has created one of the best tunes of the year.
The album also featured a notable collaboration with Animal Collective's Panda Bear who played his role perfectly, his vocals adding alot to the record's soporific, clicky and laid back ambience.
6. Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La
Now I have to say there are a lot of these American, female-led, lo-fi garage groups. I think the scene started with Vivian Girls, who wrote some very pretty tunes and made a couple of good albums, which were both left nice and rough around the edges, but they didn't write any brilliant, infectious pop tunes, which I believe is key. Neither did Beth Consentino's Best Coast who saw considerable success this year with their lusty single 'Boyfriend', as did Frankie & The Outs with their debut record
But there was one group of female renegades who did, however, stand out from the crowd. This was Dum Dum Girls, a group of goths who create sleazy, pounding singalongs, distortion galore, like a female Jesus & Mary Chain, but fronted by a modern-day Siouxsie Sioux, apparently called 'Dee Dee'.
'Jail La La' is undoubtedly the greatest rock n roll song of the year. It's raw, catchy and sassy, and that's cool.
First up is folk newcomer Benjamin Francis Leftwich. This is a stripped back, acoustic rendition of Arcade Fire's seminal single 'Rebellion (lies)'. Bare, but hypnotic and soothing.
MS'F favourite Clare Maguire has already featured in my 25 artists for 2011 list and is now on the BBC sound of 2011 longlist too. On the back of releasing debut single 'Ain't Nobody' and completing support slots with Hurts and Plan B, she has uploaded this, a cover of Antony & Johnsons' 'Hope there's Someone', from their Mercury Prize-winning 'I am a Bird Now'. Her controlling voice magnificently prevails.
15. Tame Impala - Solitude is Bliss
In this, Australian psych-rockers Tame Impala do not sound tame, in fact rather savage. Their transcendental scapes are swathed in funky, flanged guitars and 60s psychedelic vox. They encompass the swagger of pop 'lads' Kasabian whilst still retaining a bit of homeland pride in intellectual rawk reminiscent of Nick Cave. It's all overlayed with sublime, nostalgic vocals, quite unique in these times; the end package is memorable, infectious and retro.
14. Mix Chopin - Bliss
This is my guilty pleasure of 2010. 'Bliss' is a thoroughbredcheese concoctioncomprising over-the-top synths, slap bass and phunk rhythms, under gleaming, immaculate production. This is like what Duck Sauce did with 'Barbra Streisand', but instead exuding humour lyriclessly, and varying the song structure a bit.
13. Perfume Genius - Mr Peterson Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) has produced one of the finest albums this year in the form of 'Learning'. A fair comparison you could make is with that of Sufjan Stevens' more delicate moments. The songs typify great minimalist music; he fortunately manages to eschew the usual monotony of gentle album-filler tracks. Simple piano tunes and chords are layered over one another (but only one, two or three parts are used at one time). The lyrics are simplistic but very personal. In 'Mr Peterson' he speaks about his Maths teacher who we find out encouraged Cannabis use in front of PG, lent him Joy Division tapes and later committed suicide. Its obvious how emotional the singer is getting at times; there has been no production to alter the vocals. This leaves us raw, intimate yet intricate music. Tear-jerking stuff.
12. Cloud Nothings - Hey Cool Kid Cloud Nothings are retrospective; they are punk like a kerplunk!-era Green Day, but everything is cast in a raw, lo-fi shadow. They create brief but perfected, fuzzed out euphorias; they are the brightest, most propitious bunch rock n roll has seen in years.
They posted their first song, 'Hey Cool Kid' online at the tail end of 2009, and have since released their debut full-length, 'Turning On', on Wichita, which is full of similarly fantastic, visceral tunes.
11. Fair Ohs - Hey Lizzy
Fair Ohs describe themselves as a 'punk Paul Simon'. Sounds odd, right? Yes, yes it is. But this band are exceptional. They create a melange of noise rock and afro-pop, infusing No Age-esque avant-garde NOISE with spikey African-influenced harmonies, transcending all the best areas of the genres inbetween.
20. Teengirl Fantasy - Cheaters
NY's noiseniks Teengirl Fantasy, aka Nick Weiss and Logan Takahashi, are not your normal teengirl fantasy. Their ethereal ramshackle, 'Cheaters', is a dreamy freakout which builds and builds into an off-kilter, hazy synth-rock jam drenched in soul samples and Kraftwerk-esque analog synthesizers. They sound like a forward-thinking The Orb, but making music with the intent of inducing drowsiness- it is not just a resulting side-effect.
19. Gold Panda - You
As this list has probably affirmed, leftfield electronica has certainly flourished this year. From the ethereal dreamscapes projected into the stratosphere from the US' Blondes, Teengirl Fantasy and Kisses, to the thriving UK 'post-dubstep' scene comprising Mount Kimbie and James Blake, and from the slick Scandinavian pop of Lykke Li, Robyn and Lindstrom & Christabelle to the ever innovative sounds of German eclecticist, Pantha du Prince, this year has been the most important year for electronic music in decades. It has been a transitional phase, showcasing development and ingenuity.
But the man who led it all, unmentioned as of yet, was a very unlikely figure named Derwin Panda, under his moniker, Gold Panda. He was not an inept animal, but a musical genius. His lo-fi, bedroom production of samples, chiming bells and keyboard pounds were groundbreaking, melodious and funky. Much more will be explained in due course....
18. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
The best band of our generation and the best film director of our generation. Spike Jonze directing an Arcade Fire promo? Yes please!
17. Caribou - Odessa
Like Gianfranco Zola was the university-educated genius of the footballing world, Caribou's Dan Snaith has become the world's first popstar with a Phd in Mathematics (I think?).
Ensuing 2008's marvellous Polaris prize-winning 'Andorra', this year, Caribou released their most pop-orientated album to date in the form of 'Swim', which was also nominated for the Polaris prize, but this time also charted on the Billboard top 100 - quite an achievement for such an artist.
On it, they entangled psychedelic and prog. rock influences in a brash, electronic mesh of harmonious vocals and unorthodox synths. The beguiling first single, 'Odessa', is incredible; Snaith sings 'She can say' frenziedly, in a thrilling, introspective conception of Can-esque freakout funk.
16. Twin Sister - Lady Daydream
As I said before, Twin Sister are unworldly, neo-psychedelic lovelies, whose music you could place somewhere between Yes and Bat for Lashes.
Back in January, they released debut EP 'Color Your Life', whose lead single was this; a kaleidoscopic fusion of droning synths, distortion, lead singer Andrea Estella's saccharine vocals, catchy little riffs and quirk. Like the aforementioned 'All Around and Away We Go', this is another song that you can submerge yourself in entirely, jiggle a little bit to and be compelled to play over and over again.
