Track: Local Natives- Sun Hands (6)Labels: camera talk, gorilla manor, local natives, mp3s, sun hands, track review, video review
Soundway Recs is a label where magic happens. They reissue forgotten music from around the world, and give it a second life. My recent interview with the label's owner, Miles Cleret, featured a compilation of soul and funk music from Ghana, but Soundway has released another CD since then: Panama! 3 Calypso Panameño, Guajira Jazz & Cumbia Típica on the Isthmus 1960–75.Labels: 1960, Cumbia Típica, funk, latin jazz, panama, soundway records
Nivathe- Enveloped In a Diseased Abyss (8)Labels: album review, black metal, death metal, doom metal, enveloped in a diseased abyss, experimental, nivathe, noise, video review
I recently landed an article on NPR Music's Song of the Day Column. It's about the new Beach House song "Norway". Check it.Labels: article, beach house, mp3, norway, npr music, song of the day, teen dream
The Budos Band- The Budos Band EP (9)Labels: ep review, funk, fusion, jazz, mp3, the budos band, the proposition, video review
While the "best of" lists battle over Merriweather Post Pavillion and Veckatimest with some exceptions--I'm on Veckatimest's side; it doesn't make me think of getting married and having kids--here are some additional thoughts to bring to the table and muse over:
Death's ...For the Whole World To See might be the best album of this year, it gave a kick-start to my soul and feels like someone took the flaming essence of rock and roll, filled it with steroids and released it out into the world. And then I found out this album was from the 1970's. Some bands are light years ahead of their time. A shame. I'd rather read about Death setting fire to the blogosphere over, say, a Jay Reteard or a Wavves or what have you. While these modern bands sound like a snotty blend of punk bordering on pop, they don't drop jaws; they carry on a tradition. Death sounds younger, fresher, and more original over today's bands. Hell, if you don't feel anything while listening to "Rock and Roll Victim," you just can't feel. This is a serious must-hear album.
The best free album of the year I came across on Sasha Frere Jone's blog. It's Freddie Gibbs' Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik. The title translates from pig latin into "Your mother will not approve of the language nor subject matter of this album." For people trying to make paper and like bobbing their heads while puffing purple. Like Mr. Jones says: "This is the antidote to overblown Auto-Tune jams." "Murda on my Mind" is just as chilling as Radiohead's "Climbing Up the Walls." Link link link
Sad things: Mr. Magic passed away. Known mostly for being a New York DJ whose influence can not be denied on hip hop, as heard on Illmatic, Mr. Magic's shows can be found archived on the internet. What should also be noted, as heard on Stones Throw The Third Unheard: Connecticut Hip Hop 1979- 1983, is his song, "Rappin' With Mr. Magic". Yes, the bass line is a little too familiar, but dropping Bridgeport's name into any song is a cause for celebration.
Because of their 2009 releases, 2010 is a ripe year for my imaginary Antony and the Johnsons with Sunn 0))) collaboration. Over the chainsaw guitar drones will be the lovely lilt of Antony singing about the end of one's body. This three night sold out event will not happen, sure, but Monoliths and Dimensions and The Crying Light are both overwhelming emotionally with their soundscapes. Sunn 0))) has found a way to break through metal, incorporating classical music tropes with Goblin's Suspiria soundtrack. Antony sounds exposed with wanting and sorrow. Now listen to Antony's Aeon, can't you hear where Sunn 0))) should come in? Both of these albums are the more chllenging releases this year because they confound an expectation given to both artists.
Finally, why is it that Merriweather Post Pavillion and Veckatimest are fighting for the best album of the year award everywhere? Both are pretty good, although I found the organic, hands on nature of Grizzly Bear to be more ear pleasing. I think the reason these two albums are at the forefront, are in addition to their early releases in the year is the blend of personal and universal found on the albums. The future is full of insecurities and both of these albums are looking for stability. Both are empowering; I can't help but smile hearing the line "I want to walk around with you" in "Summertime Clothes". They also are full of so many ideas; who wouldn't want to make music after hearing both of these albums? Music to inspire glee or introspection or thumping dub beats. These bands make one proud to be American and dress in a "furry" costume.Labels: animal collective, death, grizzly bear, mr. magic, sunn O)))
When it comes to the end of the year and "best of" lists, a lot of EPs and singles get looked over, sadly. This was in no way a bad year for music. The people who say that kind of stuff are lonely, depressed losers who don't have good taste anyway. They probably couldn't find good music if someone impaled them with it, but I digress. Despite all the ugly in the world this year, there was a considerable amount of beauty, and here was some of it:
13. The Mary Onettes- Dare: This EP has some of the most memorable hooks I've heard all year. The Mary Onettes will hit home for fans of The Cure or Echo & The Bunnymen. Reverb fanatics take notice.
12. Villagers- Hollow Kind: When it comes to sad men holding acoustic guitars, this EP was a standout for me. The production is impressive, too: crying strings, tender echoes, and some organs that are worth taking a bullet for.
11. Julianna Barwick- Florine: On her latest EP, NYC's Julianna Barwick gets more ambient and more vocal. The tracks on here sound like something out of a gospel tune, but are much more relaxing and reserved.
10. HEALTH- "Die Slow" 7'': HEALTH's Get Color may not have been one of my favorite albums of '09, but I'll be damned if the ear-shattering riffs on this track don't stand out in my brain for years to come.
9. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart- Higher Than the Stars: TPOBPAH continues to prove their worth with an EP release in the same year as their buzzworthy debut album. Great hooks and a slight change in sound make this a decent followup.
8. Sunset- "Loveshines II" 7'': The solo project of singer-songwriter Bill Baird had its moments this year, and this single was one of the best. I'm convinced the b-side, "I'm Not a Perfect Person (Looks Like I Fucked Up Again)", is one of the most depressing songs of this year.
7. Jesu- Opiate Sun: Justin Broadrick didn't take 2009 sitting down with the release of Infinity and this EP under the Jesu moniker. Opiate Sun takes an inspirational approach to doom and sludge. It's eerily uplifting--especially considering how loud and distorted it is.
6. Animal Collective- Fall Be Kind: Considering it has one of the best song of '09 on it--"What Would I Want? Sky"--there's no doubt this EP is a great followup to Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion. In terms of reverb and production, the songs are a little more straightforward here, but they're no less impressive.
5. The Budos Band- The Budos Band EP: Even after multiple listens, it's tough to believe these tracks are b-sides. Sitting in the Budos' vault, waiting to be released, these songs burn with a fiery passion that only horn-heavy jazz funk can bring.
4. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti- "Flashback" 7'': It's really tough to deny the magic of nostalgia, and it's especially difficult in this case. The murky tape warmth brings these songs into another time, and the songwriting does, too. It's hard to pinpoint anything contemporary about this band--except the copyright date on this song:
3. Civil Civic- "Less Unless" Single: This international collaboration is between two musicians who are miles apart. Out of the dozens--literally, dozens--of songs I've heard this year, this sticks out as some of the most vibrant electrorock to kick my eardrums. It sounds like a cassette you didn't like when you were a kid, so you threw it out; but you now spend your days regretting that stupid, stupid move.
2. Crystal Stilts- "Love Is a Wave" 7'': Is there a "best lo-fi garage rock tune" superlative I can give this thing? I there is, consider it done! What this song doesn't have in length, it makes up for in memorability. The b-side ain't bad, too.
1. Suckers- Suckers EP: If any group of musicians got me interested in their future as a band, it was Suckers. Their debut EP pulls heavily from bands like Talking Heads and Modes Mouse, but they've got a delivery and an ambition that is all their own. Between its four tracks, this EP doesn't stay in one place for long, but it still manages to come off as a vibrant, well-written, cohesive effort.Labels: animal collective, crystal stilts, julianna barwick, suckers, the budos band, the mary onettes, the pains of being pure at heart
This past week, the Hartford Advocate released a list of their 50 favorite records of 2009. I wrote some of the blurbs for the year-end list, so check it out if you feel so inclined: link link linkLabels: 2009, best of 2009, hardford advocate, nifty records
This week, we continue our tribute to the best albums to come out this year.Labels: 2009, 2k9, animal collective, best of 2009, fever ray, mono, papercuts, the needle drop podcast, the pains of being pure at heart
Julianna Barwick- Florine (7)Labels: album review, cloudbank, florine, julianna barwick, mp3, video review
Jesu- Opiate Sun (7)Labels: album review, jesu, justin broadrick, opiate sun
Fuck Buttons- Tarot Sport (6)Labels: electro, experimental, Fuck Buttons, street horrrsing, tarot sport
Neon Indian- Psychic Chasms (8)Labels: album review, chillwave, electropop, mp3s, neon indian, psychic chasms, video review
I recently had an article about Florida's Holiday Shores go up on NPR's Song of the Day column recently. The band's new LP, Columbus'd the Whim, is bright, catchy, and colorful. You should hear it.Labels: holiday shores
The Needle Drop is a public radio show about music you should hear. We're a dedicated operation, and we focus on independent artists because the major labels keep putting out garbage. [more...]
Free EP from Strangers Family Band
Dan Deacon Remixes a Remix
Local Natives- Camera Talk
Sean Bones- If you Hear a Knock
Ghana Special Interview + MP3s
Harlem- Friendly Ghost
Liars- Scissor
New Final Fantasy Single
Fucked Up- Neat Parts
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