Dec
25
2011
We’ve discussed the overrated and the disappointing, but there were also a ton of albums in 2011 that were absolutely great. Since I only make a Top 50, there were several I felt deserved recognition, but had strong superior competition. Here, in alphabetical order, are 25 of the best albums of this year that just missed the final cut. Spotify/Download/Buy links provided below.
Battles – Gloss Drop
Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
The Cars – Move Like This
Cheeseburger – Another Big Night Down the Drain
The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow
Clams Casino – Rainforest EP
Cults – S/T
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Lenses Alien
Dawes – Nothing Is Wrong
DJ Quik – The Book of David
Dom – Family of Love EP
Fucked Up – David Comes to Life
Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx – We’re New Here
Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes
J Mascis – Several Shades of Why
Cass McCombs – Humor Risk
Panda Bear – Tomboy
Pictureplane – Thee Physical
R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now
Paul Simon – So Beautiful Or So What
Martin Solveig – Smash
Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler/The Dream
Shugo Tokumaru – Port Entropy
White Denim – D
Wiz Khalifa – Rolling Papers
no comments | tags: Battles, Beastie Boys, Cass McCombs, Cheeseburger, Clams Casino, Cults, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Dawes, DJ Quik, DOM, Fucked Up, Gil Scott-Heron, J Mascis, Jamie xx, Lykke Li, Martin Solveig, Panda Bear, Paul Simon, Pictureplane, R.E.M., Shugo Tokumaru, The Cars, The Civil Wars, Thee Oh Sees, White Denim, Wiz Khalifa | posted in Best of 2011, List, Music
Dec
20
2011
150. Drake feat. The Weeknd – Crew Love
This is the first of many times for both these artists on the list. Here the Weeknd provides his eerie tortured-party R&B before the beat drops and Drake laments.
149. Cass McCombs – County Line
McCombs brings another signature somber note in his trademark melancholy falsetto. One of my favorites from Wit’s End.
148. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
The first verse of this track more or less describes my life right now – realizing we are not unique snowflakes but small cogs in a machine we don’t know about yet. Simple, yet poignant.
147. The Joy Formidable – Magnifying Glass
From the maniacal laughter to the thumping stomp of that chorus to those wailing guitars, Joy Formidable claim the throne as the loudest new band of 2011.
146. YACHT – Dystopia
A play on an old R-rated cheerleader chant becomes a boogie-worthy ode to the end of the world. In typical Yacht fashion, it makes you wanna dance around the flames.
Continue reading
no comments | tags: Araabmuzik, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Born Gold, Cass McCombs, Charli XCX, Clams Casino, Cloud Nothings, Cut Copy, Deerhunter, Diamond Rings, DJ Khaled, Drake, Dum Dum Girls, EMA, Fleet Foxes, Foo Fighters, Ford & Lopatin, Gauntlet Hair, Gil Scott-Heron, Green Day, Gross Magic, Hooray For Earth, J Mascis, Jamie xx, Justice, Lil Wayne, M83, Middle Brother, Mind Spiders, MNDR, Neon Indian, Primus, PS I Love You, Purity Ring, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Ringo Deathstarr, Ryan Adams, Shugo Tokumaru, Small Black, St. Vincent, Star Slinger, Teams, Terius Nash, The Joy Formidable, The Lonely Island, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, The Weeknd, Tom Waits, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Wavves, Wiz Khalifa, YACHT | posted in Best of 2011, List, Music
May
14
2011
Every Saturday, I post a 15-20 minute podcast featuring some tracks I’ve been jamming the previous week, as well as some commentary and random musings from yours truly. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
Nicki Minaj feat. Ester Dean – Super Bass
Jacques Greene – Another Girl
Adele & Jamie XX vs Cecile, Mr Lexx & Timberlee – Rolling In the Heat (Heatwave Refix)
Wiz Khalifa – Roll Up
no comments | tags: Adele, Cecile, Ester Dean, Jacques Greene, Jamie xx, Mr Lexx, Nicki Minaj, Timberlee, Wiz Khalifa | posted in Music, Podcast
