50. Tame Impala: Lonerism
49. Frank Ocean: Channel Orange
Frank Ocean has been gaining attention for a while now with
his mixtape “Nostalgia Ultra”, being a member of Oddfuture, having written
songs for people like Justin Beiber, and Beyonce, and being featured on albums
like “Watch the Throne”. With “Channel Orange” his popularity has skyrocketed
and he has gained a lot of critical acclaim. This album has some jams and some great guest appearances, such
as from Andre 3000, and is relatively unconventional for a mainstream
R&B/neo-soul album. My
main beef with Frank Ocean is there’s almost a lack of emotion with his vocal performance and lyrically. One track that sticks out as an example
of this is his vocals in “Sierra Lione”. Vocally there are artists in the same genre, such as Usher
and TheWeeknd, that are much stronger than him and strike much more of an emotional chord. However, there are some tracks that
work really well and do have a lot of emotion like “Forest Gump”. And of course there is “Pyramids”,
which is pretty interesting lyrically and grooves – but it doesn't maintain my interest for it’s length of nearly 10 minutes. I dug the variety of styles and topics
on this album, but as a whole it doesn’t flow together and sounds disjointed to
me. However it is stronger
than most mainstream R&B on the airwaves today and is an interesting listen, especially when considering what people are connecting to in it and why it has had such a wide
appeal and gained such popularity.
48. Friendly People: Shake
Listen to/buy their awesome debut album here
47. Quakers: Quakers
46. Moonface with Siiani: Heartbreaking Bravery
45. Animal Collective: Centipede HZ
This album is not great as a whole, but it
has great moments and great elements in it. It is very opposite of everything they did on Merriweather -
conceptually/lyrically, sonically/texturally, in energy and in terms of
production - and I really dug the direction they were going in with
Merriweather in all of these aspects.
It's so much busier and there is way less breathing which makes it feel
too claustrophobic and too static.
At times the production actually works really well (like with higher
energy tunes like "Today's Supernatural") and I think it's got one of
the strongest sides of an album they've ever done (Side C - with "New Town
Burnout" and "Monkey Wrench"). And these tunes sound amazing live (or at least on the live DVD that was included with the record). And as this album is really dense with
different layers, it has been interesting finding these weird samples from
radio and youtube bits - I think the one that took me the most off guard is the
sample of "I like turtles" from the youtube zombie kid that is on
"Monkey Wrench". But
more often than not these textures only get in the way of the songs themselves
rather than adding anything too them.
And my other beef with this album is some of the songwriting. The weakest tune on here by far is
“Wide Eyed”, Deakin’s vocal debut with the band, which is
monotonous and boring. Some of the songwriting from Avey Tare is pretty weak as well and at times sounds forced - there are
definitely some lines that just really turn me off. Panda Bear only has two songs on here (“Rosie Oh” and “New
Town Burnout” - which are both highlights on the album), but I was craving more
from him as it was great hearing him take the reins more on “Merriweather”. The album is their
weakest album that Animal Collective has put out in nearly 10 years, but it has some tunes and moments that make
it worth a listen for AC fans, but for any newcomers of the band I’d recommend
checking out any of their LPs from 2004-2009 instead.
44. The Evens: The Odds
43. Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
42. Beach House: Bloom
41. Pat Metheny: Unity Band
40: Ponchos: Right Time EP
Listen/Download for free here
39. Squarepusher: Ufabulum
38. How to Dress Well: Total Loss
37. Actress: R.I.P.
36. Burial: Kindred
35. Dan Deacon: America
34. The Mars Volta: Noctourniquet
This is kind of a puzzling album.
It has been criticized for being both too poppy by some and too experimental
by others. And the Mars Volta do
go both of these directions simultaneously with this album. The shift that is initially most noticeable on
this album is there isn’t the abundance of guitar work that is present on their
previous albums. Omar has stated,
“"For
myself, it was definitely keeping things concise. At first, I had a rule that I
was only gonna play four notes per song, but that kind of went away after a
while. But it was definitely about limiting the guitar, and just taking
all those parts and arranging them for other instruments—mainly the keyboard." The album contains some songs that
are by far the bands poppiest to date.
Songs such as “Imago” sound much more in the vein of neo-psychedelic
pop/rock such as bands like the Flaming Lips. The album is also their most straightforward lyrically. It is a concept album, and there are
still plenty of words you will need to look up, but it does not require putting
in as much time and decoding as any of their previous concept albums. Cedric has simply said, "It's
about embracing life for what it should be.” This shift in lyric writing is really
emotive as it makes the music more readily relatable, especially in songs such
as “Vedamalady”. On the other hand
there is some of the most experimental production that the Mars Volta have ever
done on this album. This sometimes
works really effectively (such as “Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound” with a
delay on the snare that is constantly and unpredictably shifting in delay
time and feedback time), while at other times it is too challenging and for me
detracts from the songs themselves (such as in the first half of “In Absentia” - from 5:00 on the tune kicks a whole lot of ass). Unfortunately there are some clunkers
in here – and even more unfortunately these are the songs that most folks have
heard from this album (such as the opening track “The Whip Hand” and the single
“The Malkin Jewl”). However there
are some of the Mars Volta’s strongest moments here, such as the closing track titled after the Peter Greenway film, “Zedand Two Naughts” that make it well worth a listen for any Mars Volta fan and
anyone interested in the future of psychedelic rock music.
33. Valtari: Sigur Ros
32. Krzstof Penderecki/Johnny Greenwood
31. Nico Muhly: Drones
30. Karriem Riggins: Alone Together
29. Death Grips: No Love Deep Web
28. TheeSatisfaction: Awe Naturale
27. Robert Glasper Experiment: Black Radio
26. Four Tet: Pink
25. Brad Mehldau Trio: Ode
24. Georgia Anne Muldrow: Seeds
23. Brad Mehldau Trio: Where Do You Start
22. JJ DOOM: Keys to the Kuffs
21. Kendrick Lamar: Good Kid M.A.A.D. City
So if I had made this list today rather than when I originally posted this, this album would be #1. Kendrick Lamar is a truly gifted story teller and MC. This album will be considered a classic hip-hop album in years to come and is sure to influence one path that hip-hop is taking.
20. Deerhoof: Breakup Song
Deerhoof’s 11th album consists of 11 songs and clocks in at
only around 30 minutes. A high
energy, danceable, and unpredictable album from one of the most high-energy and
unpredictable bands around. And the closer, "Fete d'Adieu", is one of my favorite Deerhoof tunes yet. Check out a full stream of the album below.
19. Rework Philip Glass: Various Artists
This is a compilation that Beck put together of "remixes" of Phillip Glass
pieces. The compilation is worth
it for Beck’s 20 minute piece “NYC – 73-38”, which is not as much of a remix as
it is a collage inspired by Glass’s music and life during this time
period. The rest of the two disks is kind of like a bonus for me, but there's some pretty big names in the electronic music scene on here such as Amon
Tobin, Dan Deacon, Tyondai Braxton, and Pantha de Prince and although they
aren’t as inventive as Beck’s work on here they are still highly enjoyable for
fans of Phillip Glass and electronic music.
18. We Avalanche:
Time Travels
These guys kick so much ass and I feel extremely honored to have played
all the shows I’ve played with them. Their debut album, "Time Travels" is available to listen to and download here.
17. Zammuto: Zammuto
Nick Zammuto’s former band The Books changed the way I wanted to approach music making. I was exposed to their music for the first time my freshman year at Berklee when a friend of mine introduced me to the track “Enjoy Your Worries, You Will Never Have Them Again” and I was fascinated as I had never heard anything like this before. Since then I have become more and more interested in the genre of folktronica that The Books helped pioneer and more and more interested The Books ability to create a perfect synergy of film and music. I was completely heart-broken when the band split up in January of this year. When I picked up the debut release from Nick Zammuto’s solo project, needless to say my hopes and expectations for this record were sky high. It is a departure from his work with the Books as it is more live band and pop oriented – and I was disappointed…as it was simply not The Books and did not align with the direction I was hoping he would take. However, seeing him at the MFA this year gave me a new perspective on this music as it lends itself more to a live performance. Their drummer is a beast and there are some really interesting things with going on with rhythm on this record, such as on "Groan Man, Don't Cry". What’s most promising is live they played a few new compositions that were very different from the music on the Zammuto album, almost like a more focused version of the Books – which I’m hoping is a sign of where the band is heading. As always, I am extremely excited to hear anything to come from Nick Zammuto and am continually inspired by him. Check out this video to get a glimpse into Zammuto’s life and music.
16. Shabazz Palaces:
Live at KEXP
Shabazz Palaces put out their debut album, “Black Up”, last year that
in my eyes will have a huge impact on shaping the future of hip-hop. On record store day this year they
released this four song EP that documents their amazing live show for KEXP. Grab a copy of this purple colored vinyl or watch the entire live performance on youtube.
15. Cloud Nothings:
Attack on Memory
14. Brian Eno: Lux
This is my favorite Brian Eno album in 30
years. It is a collection of
ambient soundscapes from art galleries and airport terminals. It is similar to his ambient music
series from the late 70's and early 80's, but with today’s world of sound (any
ipad/iphone user that has purchased his instrument-apps/generative music apps
will be familiar with some of the sounds in here). It is reflective and meditative, and can serve as ambient
music, but also a serious music for active listening as it is also complex and
rich in texture.
13. Dirty Projectors:
Swing Lo Magellan
12. Mount Eerie:
Clear Moon/Ocean Roar
Mount Eerie, Phil Elverum,
recorded this pair of albums in an de-sanctified
church in his home town town of Anacortes, Washington. The first of
the two albums, “Clear Moon”, is a beautiful and mysterious reflection on home,
his surroundings, and life. On the opening track of “Clear Moon”, "Through the Trees Pt. 2", Elverum sings
"I go on describing this place/ And the way it feels to live and
die", which is exactly what he goes on to do throughout this album. Elverum cited Steve Reich and Terry Riley as main influences, and these
influences are apparent through a dreamy haze.
The second of the two albums, “Ocean Roar” he described as "more challenging and weird and darker and heavier." Rather than the calm peace of home that “Clear Moon” provided, “Ocean Roar” is a storm – a reflection on being away, being nomadic, of fear and uncertainty. Elverum gives a pair of albums that depict two different mindsets, that allow the listener two different windows into his mind and his world while simultaneously allowing plenty of space of listener to reflect as well.
11. Kurt Rosenwinkel:
Star of Jupiter
I’m sure this album will grow a ton on me as I only discovered it last week. Kurt Rosenwinkel is a jazz guitar player and composer who really influenced me as well as many other guitar players around the turn of the century. His first studio album of original material since 2005's “Deep Song” is 12 tracks long and over an hour and a half. The album is sandwiched between the two most high energy songs. The album begins with the more aggressive “Gamma Band” which has a simple repeating melody over complex harmonic and rhythmic changes. The effects he is using on his guitar are really unique and pretty foreign to me – definitely looking forward to checking out his pedal board when I get a chance. There are also some more post-bop oriented tunes (such as “Mr. Hope”) and some that are much more dreamy and spacious such as "Heavenly Bodies" (which the last few minutes of this track is some of the most gorgeous and minimalist music that has come out of Kurt). Very much looking forward to diving into this album more and all that I will get out of it.
10. Grizzly Bear
Shields
Grizzly Bear’s fourth album “Shields” is their most collaborative album and strongest compositionally. It is also their most verbose, but lyrically it still remains somewhat cryptic and is their strongest lyrically as well. The production and sound of this album is a shift for the band – the vocals are more raw, the drums are more in your face, and there are more direct arrangements which translated great into their live performance. An essential listen for any fan of the band and any fan of indie-rock.
9. The Bad Plus:
Made Possible
The piano trio’s
eighth album is one of their strongest to date. It continues the trend of primarily using original
compositions that began on their previous effort, “Never Stop”, and only consists
of one cover (which is a very haunting Paul Motion tune). It is the first of their albums to
include any electronic drums or synthesizer and these added instruments are used
very tastefully and although they may take some listeners off guard at first,
they do not distract from the songs themselves and add some pretty interesting
textures. The compositions are
more adventurous and looser. While
some songs show the bands ability to create a maze of compelling rhythmic
grooves, such as “Seven Minute Mind”, other tunes are among the most beautiful
and epic songs the Bad Plus have composed such as the opener “Pound for Pound”
and the longest Bad Plus song to date, “In Stitches”, which even clocking in at
14 minutes remains as compelling as anything they have ever done.
8. Demdike Stare: Elemental
The British electronic duo Demdike Stare’s "Elemental" is an intense,
dark, and atmospheric two hour ride that is Lynchian and post-apocalyptic. While some tracks are more drone
oriented, others are more percussive, industrial, and tribal. Think if Set Fire to Flames were
electronic musicians influenced by Dubstep. Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Mnemosyne" here.
7. Captain Murphy: Duality
The second record that Steve Ellison (AKA Flying Lotus) released this year was unknown to
be from him for nearly a month after it’s release, as he released it under the alias
Captain Murphy. Upon it’s release
there was much speculation of the true identity of Captain Murphy since lyrically
there was nothing that gave him away and Ellison had not released recordings of him
rapping before. In addition, the vocals being as processed as they are further disguised
him. However, towards the end of
the release show of the deluxe edition of “Duality”, he revealed his true
identity. The debut mixtape/visual album from Captain Murphy is one an extremely colorful psychedelic audio/visual 30
experience. The visuals are taken
from a wide variety of sources such as videos from cults, popular movies, the discovery
channel, and pornography. The
video samples are sometimes collaged in layers or through rapid shifts. The beats themselves stand alone as
great hip-hop instrumentals and the production on this album is really
original. There is a
comic-bookesque vibe to this persona reminiscent of hip-hop artists such MFDOOM,
and it definitely has that Stonesthrow feeling to it. Ellison’s rapping is rhythmically really interesting and the
pitch shifted (and often layered) vocals give him a very unique voice. I’ve heard some folks say that
lyrically it’s more low-brow, which I think is really only at a surface
level. Yes, there are track names
like, “Mighty Morphin Foreskin”, and there’s plenty of humor in this mixtape
(got to love those LOTR and Star Wars refrences), but with looking deeper and
some decoding there’s also some really thought provoking things going on lyrically
and at times Ellison let’s more personal emotional material shine through the
persona. Download/listen/watch the
mixtape/visual album for free on Captain Murphy’s site or watch it below.
6. Flying Lotus:
Until The Quiet Comes
Flying Lotus is 29 year old Steve Ellison, the great-nephew of Alice Coltrane and her husband John Coltrane (making him Ravi Coltrane’s nephew). However, unlike these relatives of his, Ellison fits more in with the hip-hop and electronic music scene. But jazz is in his musical DNA and is a large component of what he does. His fourth album is his most meditative. He characterized it as "a collage of mystical states, dreams, sleep and lullabies"… "a children's record, a record for kids to dream to"
5. Vijay Iyer Trio: Accelerando
Winner of the DownBeat Critic's poll of Jazz Artist of the year, Top Pianist, Rising Star Composer, Best Jazz Group, and Top Jazz Album –and Vijay Iyer lives up to all the hype. His music has been described as math jazz by some – for example his rendition of the tune “Mystic Brew” from 2009 which used shifting successive asymmetric Fibonacci ratios (5:3, 8:5, and 13:5) into a 21 beat cycle that actually sounds extremely natural and grooves inexpressibly hard. On this record he continues using these rhythmic schemes that connects often with traditional music of South India and Africa. Iyer has described this album as " in the lineage of American creative music based on dance rhythms," The album consists of some original tunes and a variety of covers, ranging from Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature”, Flying Lotus’s “Mmmhmm”, and Herbie Nichols' "Wildflower". The trio sound like they are working together more telepathically and are making music that is extremely complex and innovative as well as groovy and at times nearly danceable. Check out one of my favorite originals from the album "The Star of the Story".
4. Nik Bartsch's Ronin: Live
The Swiss composer/performer Nik Bartsch’s music is meditative, hypnotic and very Steve Reichesque. While his group “Mobile” have ritual-concerts that last up to 36 hours, the group “Nik Bartsch’s Ronin” is more in the vein of jazz/fusion that is minimalist and more focused on phasing and polyrhythmic. His music is also sometimes classified as “math-jazz” and I've also heard the genre “zen-funk” thrown around to describe what they do. Nik Bartshch’s Ronin second live album doesn’t offer any previously unreleased material – but with the compositions on these two discs are infused with a new energy in the live setting that makes it well worth checking out for fans and newcomers.
3. Mouse on Mars: Parastrophics
The German electronic duo Mouse on Mars’ 10th record, “Parastrophics”, which is their first in six years, is dense and cerebral but still remains irresistibly groovy and surprisingly accessible.
2. Death Grips: The Money Store
Death Grips debut album is anarchic, brutal, and cerebral. Death Grips is a new breed of psychedelic/experimental hip-hop consisting of Zach Hill (experimental composer, musician, and visual artist), Stefan "MC Ride" Burnett, and in addition for this album Andy "Flatlander" Morin. Zach Hill (who is also one half of the group Hella - an extremely technical noise/math rock band) is a beast and he brings some serious-music weight to the table with his unconventional/avant-garde approach to rhythm and timbre. Burnett’s rapping is aggressive and in your face. The production and synth sounds on here are mind-boggling and extremely rewarding with repeated listens. The importance of this record can not be overstated. This album is going to shape a genre of music that is just beginning to form. I feel like many folks will not grasp the depth and cerebral quality and of this record. This becomes more and more clear when I read reviews for this album that are very positive, but say things like "The Money Store is about as intellectual an experience as a scraped knee”…which absolutely terrifies me. Musicians who have an ear like that reviewer, only understanding and appreciating this music at a surface level, will create a lot of angry sounding garbage. Similar to how bands pioneering the fusion of rock and hip hop in the late 80s and early 90s such as Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers inspired many terrible nu-metal bands such as Limp Bizket and Linkin Park. But I also believe there are enough musicians out there that can hear the complexities and musical integrity of this band and will be inspired to continue in developing what this album has begun.
1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor:
'ALLELUJAH! DON'T BEND! ASCEND!
This record had a lot to live up. Godspeed you black emperor is one of the bands that dominated the post-rock scene from in the late 90s and early 2000s and then went on hiatus in 2003 forming several different bands (A Silver Mount Zion and Set Fire to Flames, and Fly Pan Am). Godspeed reunited in 2010 and seeing them on this tour is a gift that I never thought I would receive as I did not expect them to ever reunite. I saw them this year on October1st, 2012, and this was the night they released their first record in ten years. The album consists of two pieces that are both around 20 minutes, and two drone pieces that are both around six and a half minutes. The first of the two twenty minute pieces, “Mladic" is the heaviest, most aggressive piece they have ever released. Beginning with a distorted speech sample and drones, and picks up pace like a train-wreck that builds tension into, an apocalyptic wall of sound. On the flip side, “We Drift Like Worried Fires” is one of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching pieces they have ever created. The two drone pieces "Their Helicopters' Sing" and "Strung Like Lights at Thee Printemps Erable" are both mysterious and hypnotizing worlds of sound which for me brings to mind composers like Pauline Oliveros. This album not only lives up to it’s high expectations but affirms their place at the top of their genre in my eyes. Listen to my personal favorite from the album "We Drift Like Worried Fires" or a stream of the entire album below.
Other Great Albums From 2012:
Laura Jorgensen: Home - An EP from a really original singer-songwriter that will leave
you wanting more. Great tunes,
playing, artwork and production.
Infinity Girl: Just Like Lovers
Medeski Martin & Wood: Free Magic
Infinity Girl: Just Like Lovers
Medeski Martin & Wood: Free Magic
Dirty Projectors: About to Die
Andrew Young: The Kingston Soundbook - Really cool experimental/psychedelic music from a young composer
who kicks a whole lot of ass
Mouse on Mars: WOW
Killer Mike: Rap Music
Ab-Soul: Control System
Ab-Soul: Control System
The Weekend: Trilogy
H.L.A: Square Raps- H.L.A.’s debut has some sick beats (have been really digging the
track “Brighter Day” which samples Bill Frisell) and some great verses and
hooks.
Daniel Rossen: Silent Hour/Golden Mile
Deftones: Koi No Yokan
Jack Primo: The Blaze EP -Looking forward to picking up my cassette tape of it.
Jack Primo: The Blaze EP -Looking forward to picking up my cassette tape of it.
Theme Park: Party Culture - This may be the first cyclical album
(that to get its full effect you need to play it at least three times in a row
on repeat). Extremely original
experimental music that is challenging, but really rewarding and well worth
checking out.
Holly Herdon: Movement
How to Destrow Angels: An Omen EP
Liars: WIXIW
Faces in the Floor: Bones - A truly bad ass EP from the heavy experimental band Faces in the Floor.
Aesop Rock: Skelethon
Faces in the Floor: Bones - A truly bad ass EP from the heavy experimental band Faces in the Floor.
Aesop Rock: Skelethon
Lindstrom: Six Cups of Rebel
Marco Benevento: TigerFace
Miguel: Kaleidoscope Dream
Wild Windigo: Stay the Course
Tim Berne: Snakeoil
Albums I Made/Was a Part of Making in 2012:
Neighbourhood 29 Youth & Mike Simonelli: Neighbourhood 29
Holiday Mountain: Become Who You Are
Mike Simonelli: Kaleidoscope
Hope you find some tunes you dig!
Happy Holidays,
Mike
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