Just like last year, I decided to do a wrap-up of the music that I've really loved from the past 12 months. And also like last year, I'm not limiting myself to albums that came out last year. The reason is that even though new music can be very much "of a moment," I really feel that new artists or albums can relate to something that you're going through that might really strike a chord at a particular time in your life. Subsequently, I think it's fun to talk about those records too because readers may have missed them the first time around too.
Gang of Four - Content
I am a die-hard Gang of Four fan. When I hear that this album was coming out, I battled with equal parts excitement and apprehension. It seems like Punk is becoming more like the new Classic Rock with every passing day, but I was hoping the these guys hadn't lost their touch. Fortunately, I wasn't let down. Content sounds both like old GO4, and like something new. With so many bands influenced by GO4 out there these days, it's nice to know that they still have some lessons to teach.
The Kills - Blood Pressures
I'm not totally sure why, but this album really clicks for me. It probably has something to due with the minimal approach and electro-guitar sound combined with the drum loops. Allison Mossheart's pained wailing of considered lyrics can't hurt either. The total effect is a record that is fun to tap your foot to, but also stands up to deeper scrutiny.
http://youtu.be/Ja0I4TUF5aY
The Thermals - Personal Life
Ok, here's where I go off the rails and start in with albums that I didn't get around to until this year. I've liked The Thermals' previous releases, but this one really stuck with me. It's definitely a bit more chill than previous albums, with the track that I'm including below being the fastest and most hard-hitting of the bunch. Taken as a whole, the album has a great arc however. It's more dynamic, and at the same time this me a feeling of greater emotional range than their previous albums.
Battle House - Some Sleep
This one's the first up from the somewhat obscure local releases. From my perspective, Boston has a bit of a sleeper scene right now. For every Passion Pit, there are a dozen bands around here that are just fantastic and subversive but put on a great show. I would put Battle House on the top of that heap, with their hard-to-categorize sound and general weirdness. I'm not sure how much widespread appeal that they have, but I'd nominate them to be our Rock Ambassadors anyday. Download the album for free here.
tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L
I don't normally take to music endorsements from NPR as a rule. I couldn't help but an exception in the case of this record, which I heard about on Studio 360. It's a little tough to describe this release, what with each song being primarily composed of electronic loops, percussion, ukulele, bass, a couple saxophones and vocals. I guess the best way to sum it up is Paul Simon's Graceland through a post-punk lense. Great stuff.
Jeff the Brotherhood - We Are The Champions
I started to come into my own—personally and musically—in the mid-'90s. Looking back, it seems like a rather odd time in music, with Rock ’n’ Roll really looking purpose, Hip-Hop coming into it's own, and MTV really going through its transition to not playing music. I definitely fell into the Grunge thing fairly hard, especially on the heavier end of the spectrum, so that may be why I have a soft spot for this album. We Are The Champions sounds like something that could've come out during Grunge's heyday, but the suburban angst is swapped out for a generally chill vibe and songs about girls and partying. Basically, making it much more fun and less mope-y.
Olde Growth - s/t
Back to local releases, and this case probably the heaviest slab on this list. I've been checking out more and more metal these days, and Olde Growth plays exactly the kind of stuff I like. It's dripping with sludge, and pretty heavy at times, but the tempo still gets rolling and the variety of the tracks keeps things interesting. I'm pretty sure that these guys aren't really breaking any new ground, but I really like this album and I think it deserves attention from a wider audience for sure. Oh yeah: and there are Tolkien references. Check them out.
http://youtu.be/StPDD2Yvgm0
Various - Drive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Didn't see that one coming, right? When Drive came out in the theaters, I went to see it and generally enjoyed it. Good, but not awesome. For the week afterwards, the music kept haunting me though. It fit the mood of the movie really well, but it also seemed like it might stand on its own pretty well too. I grabbed the soundtrack, and it turned out to be quite good. In a way, it's two albums: five tracks by various electro/dance groups, and then 15 electronic and highly atmospheric instrumental pieces (by Cliff Martinez, no less). As with any compilation, there are a couple duds, but I think these tracks have longevity because they don't have that "soundtracky" feel that you often associate with glitzy Hollywood productions.
Iceage - New Brigade
12 tracks in 24 minutes. I'm not sure if there's a better indicator of quality in a record, but if you need one then this album probably isn't for you. It's fast, raw and refreshing. It could've been a Class of ’76 release, and I think it still would've stood out with the best of the Buzzcocks and 999.
Cold Cave - Love Comes Close
My other exception for the 2011 stricture. I bought Cherish the Light Years when it came out this year, and it was my introduction to Cold Cave. I really liked it, and the only reason that it's not on this list is that I went out and got Love Comes Close shortly after and liked it even more. I fully realize that this album sounds a lot like the ’80s recycled some thirty years later, but it still sounds great to me. I wasn't really aware of the early 1980s New Wave music when it first came around, so I can appreciate it much more now. As more of an oddity in 2011, it's easier to appreciate that it's just enjoyable music to listen to.
Generally, I think it was a pretty good year for music. It's a great time to be a music fan, since groups are pulling from so many different time periods and stylistic influences. Especially in small, local scenes (like Boston), artists are exploring and pushing some interesting boundaries.
So what do you think? Did you guys enjoy any of these albums too or did I shine the light on some stuff that you might've missed the first time around?