Wahoo! We are back on the air tomorrow morning for the first time since April with the Flipside. Check me out on WQFS where I'll be playing new rock from PS I Love You, Richard Hawley, Sebadoh, Bob Mould and sooooo much more.
One little problem, we will not be web casting this week and the transmitter has as much power as a light bulb. Nevermind, it will still be a great show, hope those of you within a five block radius of Guilford College get to catch it, 6-8am EST on Your Only Alternative, WQFS
Friday, September 14, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
HALF WAY HOME- the best of 2012 albums, so far......
Yeah, I know, it's
been a while since I thrown out my overtly over stated ramblings about the
world of music for public scrutiny. The people who frequent this blog appear to
have given up and the fewer visitors in my stats page has made that apparent .
Let's face it, I didn't want to say anything until I have something to say. The
lack of the radio show as a means of venting has bottled up enough useless
energy that I will cause my brain to blow up with the force of a thousand Mount
Saint Helens. And so we get to the
halfway point of 2012.
It's been a pretty good year so far for album releases. I am throwing into the mix albums along with
select EPs, by far a better fare than those offered up in 2011, and we are only half way through the year. Here's a
few select choices for the year so far:
"Attack on Memory" by Cloud Nothings - a band with potential that
actually lives up it, novel thought. The follow up to their 2010 debut shows
that not only can they rock but rock intelligently. One of the best bands to
come from a vibrant scene in Northern Ohio and the spirit is captured on this
album.
"Tramp" by Sharon Von Etten- Listening to this
album was like your emotions getting their ass kicked. Call me a softie but I'm
a sucker for records about shattered relationships, etc... No better record
this year so far in capturing the feeling of pain.
"Better Luck Next Life" by the Royal Baths-a
number of albums have surprised me this
year. If you weren't hooked on this band before, listen to the seven minute
track "Burned".
"Arab Spring" by Literature- another band from
Ohio (this time Southwestern Ohio). Imagine taking the band Big Trouble, mixing
in the Strokes and throw in the music texture of Let's Active. Start to finish,
a complete album with little filler.
"Death Dreams" by PS I Love You- Duo from Ontario,
close enough to Detroit to pick up that motor city swagger of the MC5, lead
vocals that sound like the Cure's Robert Smith on meth (that's good). You'll be
hearing more from Paul Saulnier in the future, the man can play guitar.
"Sweet Heart Sweet
Light" by Spiritualized-a band that's been around for years, this may be
they're best album to date. Get well Jason Pierce!
"America Give Up" by
Howler- band from Minneapolis, the band congers up memories of twin city bands
of the past along with a touch of Jesus and the Mary Chain.
Bad Bibles , self titled EP-
bicoastal post punk band formed from a dissolved syn-pop band(?). Four songs on the EP are more memorable than
much of what has come out this year.
"Killing Time" by Terry
Malts- Drunk rock re-incarnated, sloppy guitar driven rock with a brain, albeit
maybe not a sober one. Tracks include "I'm Neurotic" and " No
Sir, I am Not a Christian". What's not to like?
"Celebration Rock" by
Japandroids- I anticipated a good follow up to 2009's "Post Nothing"
but got blown out of the water. Husker Du for summer people, the albums awakens
ghosts from rocks past that should be exercised.
"Driver" by the
Bayonets- formally known as Caleb Caudle and the Bayonets, the Winston Salem
band has put out another one of my surprise album picks. The jump from
"Snake River" to this album is monumental. Check them out at http://bandcamp.com/ .
"The Money Store" by Death Grips-the best hip hop
album I've heard in ages. Combination of techno, rock and super f-ed up beat
signatures, the album seriously kicks, check out "Hacker" and "Blackjack".
"Falling Off the Sky" the dB's- a magnificent
comeback, the first with original lineup in 30 years. The band does not lose
any of the creative energy that made them regulars in the college rock crowd
back in the 1980's. Gentlemen, where have you been?
"Let's Eat the Factory" & "Class Clown
Spots a UFO" by Guided By Voices- First release of any new guided music since 2003 and the first with the
"classic" line up since 1995's "Alien Lanes". After touring
all last year the band has managed to recreate some of that magic. Purists will
argue that it isn't Lanes or "Bee Thousand" but at least we get the
real thing back.
"Burned Youth" by Lantern- Stick me in a garage
with this band anytime. Band from Philly, Burned Youth takes us on a trip from the Thirteenth Floor
Elevators to Velvet Underground with their fuzzy low- fi back drop. This album
has the hooks that make you want more.
"Slaughterhouse" by the Ty Segall Band-including
two hold-overs from 2011's year end list, Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin, TSB gives
us a journey through multiple rock genres and leaves the garage to do it.
Listen to "The Tongue" , it echoes early 80's Huskers, "Tell Me
What's Inside Your Heart" 60's Brit Pop. Ty's done it again. (and has yet
another new release slated for September!)
New Multitudes, self titled- indie super group doing Woody
Gutherie songs? Not a far-fetched notion. But when they are Yim Yames, Jay Farrar, Will Johnson and Anders Parker,
putting music to Woody's lyrics, this is something special.
"Standing At the Sky's Edge" by Richard Hawley-studio
musician extraordinaire , Hawley's seventh solo album is musically his best
(and most successful commercially). The album moves between Psychobilly and
Indie Pop.
"Beard Wives Denim" by Pond- band from Perth
Australia that got great exposure at SXSW, the release of BWD has showcased the
bands pop sensibilities without shedding any of the psych-rock soul. Check out
"Leisure Pony" , you'll be a believer.
"Fear Fun" by Father John Misty -J Tillman's (late
of Fleet Foxes)moniker, the first release under the Father John name, the album
could have been Laurel Canyon but is more a sampling of Americana mixed with
Beatlemania.
King Tuff self titled-San Francisco DIY move out of the
garage and turn a fantastic album without losing the garage feel. Not quote
polished but not low fi either, the pains of a band growing.
"Total Dust" by Dusted-Dusted is Brian Borcherdt (Holy Fuck, LIDS) and Leon Taheny (Final
Fantasy, Rituals, Bruce Peninsula (band) ) and the album would
appear to be low fi but none of the low fi noise. Instead the album focuses on
melody.
Also considered Jack White "Blunderbuss", Allo Darlin "Europe", A Place to
Bury Strangers "Worship", Little Bighorn "Chaperones" and
so much more. The list above is a sampling, Listen in on WQFS in August for
more great new music.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Blow it Up!
My apologies to those of you who followed my blog until I seemingly fell off the earth.
I am posting what may my last show on WQFS, its at least my last show until
August when Guilford College finishes the renovations to the station. I have seriously enjoyed dj'ing on the
weekends. Its allowed me to reconnect with one of my true loves (obsessions),
music. I appreciate the support the people at Guilford College and the readers
of the blog have given me over the past two years. Hopefully we will return with
a vengeance in the Fall to bring more new rock to the masses.
The playlist from today's show listed below is divided into
two sections, the usual new music format and the second which is music that has
touched me in one form or another over the past, well, many years. Another show under the belt, another glorious
mess:
Breeders
"Flipside" -off Last Splash
(1993) show theme, played every Saturday morning at 6am of course.
Nenah Cherry and the
Things "Dream Baby Dream"(Suicide cover) - truly different take
on a classic. Bravo.
Howler "Back of
Your Neck" radio edit - this is still one of my favorite album of the
year.
Pond "Moth Wings"
- I would have hoped to play more from the band, so little time.
Young Hines
"Can't Explode" - 90s
style quiet start, blows up at the end, great song.
A Place to Bury
Strangers "Burning Plastic " - off the soon to released album Worship.
Japandroids "the
House That Heaven Built" - Fun song from one of my favorite two piece
bands .
Deer Tick "Born
At Zero" - song is too damn
good to not be played on the air given the language issues. from the ep Tim, a shout out to the Mats.
WALK "Anniversary" - I could play this song every week, off the Icebreaker ep.
Royal Baths "Be
Afraid of Me" - Off Better Luck
Next Life, this is one of my favorite pure rock albums of the year so far.
Dirty Projectors
"Gun has No Trigger" - brand new from an album yet to be named.
The Bayonets
"Bottles and Cans" - Off self titled record, band from Winston
Salem that sounds big time.
Terry Malts
"Tumble Down" - another one of the songs I can play anywhere
anytime. Drunk rock at its best.
Plants and Animals
"The End of That" - not sure if this appears on the latest album
or if its a single release but it has a 90's vibe to it and a soul of Leonard
Cohen.
At this point in the show we take a step back and go
retrospective;
Elvis Costello
"Lipstick Vogue" - Off This
Years Model. Arguably one of the best drum solos I've ever heard.
The Smithereens
"Behind the Wall of Sleep" - off 1985's Especially for You. For most of us, this was the first we heard
from one of the truly great band of our time
Cream "NSU" - off 1966's Fresh Cream. Always loved Clapton's rhythm guitar work in this
song.
The Thermals "No
Culture Icons" - off 2003's More Parts Per Million, one of those songs that good me listening to
rock
Big Star
"September Gurls"- Alex Chilton RIP
Violent Femmes
"Add It Up" - I would be remiss in not playing this song during
my time on the air. A song that is single handedly associated with me at a some
liberal arts college in Ohio.
David Bowie
"Hang on to Yourself"- off
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, one of those tracks that doesn't make
it to the airwaves. This is my public service.
The Ramones
"Beat on the Brat" - RIP Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee.
The Clash
"Complete Control" - one of my favorite Clash songs, its an honor
to play it on the radio.
Guided By Voices "Game
of Pricks" - Someone once wrote that this was the best John Lennon
song he never wrote. I Concur!
Pavement
"Trigger Cut" - off Slanted
and Enchanted. Everybody always plays Summer Girls but this is just as
good.
The Replacements
"Hold My Life " - off Tim
of course.
The B-52's "52
Girls" I can't stress the
impact the band had on me. I saw back in 1983 with Ricky Wilson on guitar.
Still one of the best shows I've seen.
Pylon "Cool"
-an influence to all, in Georgia and out.
Deerhunter
"Revival " - off Halcyon
Digest. the most current song played in the last hour.
REM "The End of
the World As We Know It and I Feel Fine" -appropriate.
Thirteenth Floor
Elevators "You're Gonna Miss Me"
I'll keep you posted on the blog. Stayed tuned.
Until next time we'll see ya......
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Okay, folks. It's been a while, I know but we're a quarter of the way through the year and its about time to dust off the keyboard and get back to business.
Since my last post many wonderful (some not so wonderful) things have happened. For one, the Flipside was moved back to its original time slot of 6-8am on Saturdays. Still on the great WQFS 90.9fm, starting off the weekend with the best new indie and alt rock that we can get our hands on. Still on Your Only Alternative, Guilford College Radio.
Secondly, and this could be interpreted as being not so wonderful, we will be off the air coming in late April. Not just the Flipside but the whole station. The good news is that the station, which has remained relatively unchanged in its own little corner in Founders Hall since 1970, is undergoing a massive renovation. Our new digs will be up and running by August (from what I'm told). It will be bigger, bolder and most importantly, brighter. Not to say the station currently looks like a dungeon but it looks like a dungeon and smells like on too.
During this time I will be keeping up the blog with thoughts and musings, starting with my thoughts on the first three months of 2012, and throwing my two cents in periodically for good measure. By the time the new station is up and running the Flipside will be podcasting and likely back dating shows all the way into 2010. Hope to hear from you soon!
Since my last post many wonderful (some not so wonderful) things have happened. For one, the Flipside was moved back to its original time slot of 6-8am on Saturdays. Still on the great WQFS 90.9fm, starting off the weekend with the best new indie and alt rock that we can get our hands on. Still on Your Only Alternative, Guilford College Radio.
Secondly, and this could be interpreted as being not so wonderful, we will be off the air coming in late April. Not just the Flipside but the whole station. The good news is that the station, which has remained relatively unchanged in its own little corner in Founders Hall since 1970, is undergoing a massive renovation. Our new digs will be up and running by August (from what I'm told). It will be bigger, bolder and most importantly, brighter. Not to say the station currently looks like a dungeon but it looks like a dungeon and smells like on too.
During this time I will be keeping up the blog with thoughts and musings, starting with my thoughts on the first three months of 2012, and throwing my two cents in periodically for good measure. By the time the new station is up and running the Flipside will be podcasting and likely back dating shows all the way into 2010. Hope to hear from you soon!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Flipside top 25 Albums of 2011
Tough year because there was no stand out, this is the grand list. Debate and enjoy.
#25 (tie) The Black Keys "El Camino"- A late comer to the list. The Akron duo provide the perfect antidote to the years abundance of electronic offerings with straight ahead blues oriented rock. Dangermouse couldn't even over produce this one. Selected: "Gold On the Ceiling"
#25 (tie)Dum Dum Girls "Only In Dreams" -The most complete offering to date by the girls. Would have played "Coming Down" the best song on the album but its six minutes long. A perfect compliment to their EP release earlier this year. Selected:"Just A Creep"
#24 Sloan "The Double Cross" - By far, Sloan's best work in Twenty years and one of their best in their career. The best Power Pop album of the year, the songs are so well crafted its sick, almost automatic. Selected:"Beverly Terrace"
#23 The Decemberists "The King is Dead" -the first big indie album of 2011, the band shakes off the last two lack luster efforts and produces a gem. Colin Meloy's vocals have never been stronger. Features Gillian Welch with additional vocals and Peter Buck. Selected:"Down By the Water"
#22 A A Bondy "Believers" -Excellent follow up to 2009's "When the Devils Loose", for the former Verbena frontman. A great mix of folk and indie with some musical twists. Not your typical indie rock album. Selected:"The Heart is Willing"
#21 The Rosebuds "Loud Planes Fly Low" -What do you do when as a married duo undergoing a divorce? Make a record, of course. The tension in music is subtle in spots, in your face obvious in others. Its a great train wreck worth watching. Selected:"Go Ahead"
#20 Wye Oak "Civilian" -The Baltimore duo's follow up to 2009's the Knot. Jenn Wasner's vocals are excellent and the band is tight but the production goes too lo-fi at times. Still worth the price of admission. Selected:"Holy Holy"
#19 Wild Flag "Wild Flag" -Debut album by music veterans from Slater Kinney and Helium. The band sounds like it's been together for years and the sound is a progression from the other two bands mentioned above and it rocks. Selected :"Future Crimes"
#18 The Rural Alberta Advantage-"Departing" - One of my favorite albums of the first half of 2011, there is no filler in this album. A true blend of pop, indie with a twist of americana. The track "Good Night" has show stopping vocals. Selected: "The Breakup"
#17 Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks "Mirror Traffic" - It may not be Stephen Malkmus' best work but still an excellent album. Beck's production brings out the best in terms of musical range working with the Jicks. Selected "No One Is(As I Are Be)"
#16 Bass Drum of Death "GB City"-The duo from Mississippi produce an album that channels everything rock from the Ramones to the White Stripes. The band kicks in appropriately placed breaks and hooks on tracks like "Young Pros" and "Get Found" . Selected "Heart Attack Kid"
#15 Big Troubles "Romantic Comedy"-The boys from Jersey via Brooklyn produce a remarkable indie nugget. Check out songs like "Sad Girls" and "Minor Keys" The album is texture laden, appropriate given its production by music vet Mitch Easter. Selected "Misery"
#14 Mikal Cronin (Self Titled)- Debut solo album by the veteran of the San Francisco DIY movement. Plenty of help from other SF sceners including Ty Segall. The albums shows the 60's garage rock influence while 70's pop sensibilities. Cronin excels as a songwriter on tracks such as "Gone" and "Apathy". Selected "Apathy"
#13 Obits "Moody Standard and Poor"- Ironic album title, deep volume of great rock on the band's sophomore offering. Tracks are timely including "You Gotta Lose" which digs up the ghosts of Archers of Loaf. Selected "Everything Looks Better in the Sun"
#12 Wilco "The Whole Love"- Possibly Wilco's best album in ten years, far superior to the self titled album from 2009. This time around the band rocks with tracks like "Art of Almost" and abruptly changes direction with slow burners like "Black Moon". Selected "Dawned On Me"
#11 Apex Manor "The Year Of Magical Drinking"-Former Broken West member Ross Flournoy's band produces on the best songs of 2011 in response to writer's block, "Under the Gun". Unblocked, the band kicks out greats tracks such as "Teenage Blood" and "The Party Line". Only ironic that Flournoy was admitted to the hospital in August for a drinking problem, magical indeed. Selected "Under the Gun"
#10 Times New Viking "Dancer Required" -the band from Columbus OH drips into the Guided by Voices formula and produces a true Lo-fi classic. They were able to expand on 2009's Born Again Revisited with deeper songwriting and more complex arrangements. The production sounds DIY with the analog hiss but it's part of the show. Selected "No Room To Live"
#9 The Vaccines "What Did You Expect From the Vaccines" -The one truly British album and hard to believe it's their first album. Definitely some Stooges and Ramone influences here along with some more current British band like the Arctic Monkeys. "Post Break up Sex" is a candidate for song of the year. Selected "Wetsuit"
#8 Fleet Foxes "Helplessness Blues"-An album that is not much indie rock but a folk based trip across a musical landscape. In the album, you can hear influences of the Beach Boys and Bitches Brew era Miles Davis to Radiohead and Animal Collective with a production value of Phil Spector. I tried not to like this album but it sucked me in. Selected "Battery Kinzie"
#7 Iceage "New Brigade" -Danish punk band's debut. It's great to see a punk band actually have a musical vision and carry it off. The band uses sixties style harmonies ("Broken Bones") along with unconventional beat signatures ("IIIIIIIII") to create a remarkable record that does not let down in its angst but can still be easy on the ears. Selected "Broken Bones"
#6 Richmond Fontaine "The High Country" -An album about a lady who works in an auto parts store and a speed freak, homicidal lumberjack. I kid you not. An Americana opera written in narrative. It may not be a first of its kind, but nothing matches story behind the album. Like much of the Who's "Tommy", the album needs to be taken as a whole to understand the parts and in the end you'll hate Angus King. Selected "The Chainsaw Sea"
#5 EMA "Past Life Martyred Saints"- Former singer of the pyscho/folk group the Gowns, Ericka M Anderson (AKA EMA) gives one of the most stirring and most emotionally charged albums of 2011 and yes, its her debut solo release. The track "California" is one of the best of the year with rap/sermon delivery or the Phil Collin beats of "Milkman". The vocals are reminiscent of a younger Kirstin Hersh with similar dark imagery. Selected "Milkman" and "Anteroom"
#4 Five Eight "Your God is Dead to Me Now" -Veteran rockers out of Athens GA known more for their live shows drop what is arguably their best album in their 23 year career, their first since 2004. The album is an introspective about faith and false profits. It floats from straight on rocker to americana, from the title track's take on deities ("you're not real, that's just how I feel") to the optimism of "Ode to Massachusetts" . Selected "Sad Eyes" and "Ode to Massachusetts"
#3 Veronica Falls "Veronica Falls" - British quartet that seemingly came out of nowhere. Praised for their performance at this year's SXSW, the band released their self titled debut album. Surf guitars , boy/girl vocal harmonies straight from the Mamas and the Papas and the darkness of Jesus and the Mary Chain. Nothing new but given its simplicity in the sound with reverb and a lot of tambourines , there is only a tip of the ice berg showing here. Selected "Bad Feeling" and "Right Side of My Brain"
#2 Kurt Vile "Smoke Ring for My Halo"-Singer/Songwriter from Philadelphia came into 2011 after leaking one of the tracks, "In My Time" in November 2010 and making Smoke Ring one of the most anticipated albums coming into the year. It did not disappoint. You can see all of Vile's influenced evident in the album up to and including Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and Sebadoh. Word imaging close to that of a mid 60's Dylan is all over tracks like "Jesus Fever", "Baby's Arms" and the title track. Vile's guitar work on Peeping Tomboy some of the best I've heard all year. Selected "Puppet to the Man" and "In My Time"
#1 Ty Segall "Goodbye Bread" -Talk about a busy year. Ty Segall released a live album ("Live In Aisle Five"), an EP of T. Rex covers ("Ty Rex"), a compilation of his early works ("Singles") along with "Goodbye Bread" not to mention he drums on 5 tracks of Mikal Cronin's solo album (see #14). The album veers away ever so slightly from the lo-fi sound that was Segall's trademark. More focused, you can hear his influences from the Who power chords and Moonesque drumming on "The Flood" to more T Rex on "You Make the Sun Fry" to the indie jangle of "Fine", DIY indie has found its flag bearer. Selected "The Flood" and "You Make the Sun Fry"
Honorable Mention:
The War On Drugs "Slave Ambient"
TV on the Radio "Nine Types of Light"
We Were Promised Jetpacks "In the Pit of the Stomach"
The Cults "The Cults"
The Builders and the Butchers "Dead Reckoning"
Male Bonding "Endless Now"
Tough year because there was no stand out, this is the grand list. Debate and enjoy.
#25 (tie) The Black Keys "El Camino"- A late comer to the list. The Akron duo provide the perfect antidote to the years abundance of electronic offerings with straight ahead blues oriented rock. Dangermouse couldn't even over produce this one. Selected: "Gold On the Ceiling"
#25 (tie)Dum Dum Girls "Only In Dreams" -The most complete offering to date by the girls. Would have played "Coming Down" the best song on the album but its six minutes long. A perfect compliment to their EP release earlier this year. Selected:"Just A Creep"
#24 Sloan "The Double Cross" - By far, Sloan's best work in Twenty years and one of their best in their career. The best Power Pop album of the year, the songs are so well crafted its sick, almost automatic. Selected:"Beverly Terrace"
#23 The Decemberists "The King is Dead" -the first big indie album of 2011, the band shakes off the last two lack luster efforts and produces a gem. Colin Meloy's vocals have never been stronger. Features Gillian Welch with additional vocals and Peter Buck. Selected:"Down By the Water"
#22 A A Bondy "Believers" -Excellent follow up to 2009's "When the Devils Loose", for the former Verbena frontman. A great mix of folk and indie with some musical twists. Not your typical indie rock album. Selected:"The Heart is Willing"
#21 The Rosebuds "Loud Planes Fly Low" -What do you do when as a married duo undergoing a divorce? Make a record, of course. The tension in music is subtle in spots, in your face obvious in others. Its a great train wreck worth watching. Selected:"Go Ahead"
#20 Wye Oak "Civilian" -The Baltimore duo's follow up to 2009's the Knot. Jenn Wasner's vocals are excellent and the band is tight but the production goes too lo-fi at times. Still worth the price of admission. Selected:"Holy Holy"
#19 Wild Flag "Wild Flag" -Debut album by music veterans from Slater Kinney and Helium. The band sounds like it's been together for years and the sound is a progression from the other two bands mentioned above and it rocks. Selected :"Future Crimes"
#18 The Rural Alberta Advantage-"Departing" - One of my favorite albums of the first half of 2011, there is no filler in this album. A true blend of pop, indie with a twist of americana. The track "Good Night" has show stopping vocals. Selected: "The Breakup"
#17 Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks "Mirror Traffic" - It may not be Stephen Malkmus' best work but still an excellent album. Beck's production brings out the best in terms of musical range working with the Jicks. Selected "No One Is(As I Are Be)"
#16 Bass Drum of Death "GB City"-The duo from Mississippi produce an album that channels everything rock from the Ramones to the White Stripes. The band kicks in appropriately placed breaks and hooks on tracks like "Young Pros" and "Get Found" . Selected "Heart Attack Kid"
#15 Big Troubles "Romantic Comedy"-The boys from Jersey via Brooklyn produce a remarkable indie nugget. Check out songs like "Sad Girls" and "Minor Keys" The album is texture laden, appropriate given its production by music vet Mitch Easter. Selected "Misery"
#14 Mikal Cronin (Self Titled)- Debut solo album by the veteran of the San Francisco DIY movement. Plenty of help from other SF sceners including Ty Segall. The albums shows the 60's garage rock influence while 70's pop sensibilities. Cronin excels as a songwriter on tracks such as "Gone" and "Apathy". Selected "Apathy"
#13 Obits "Moody Standard and Poor"- Ironic album title, deep volume of great rock on the band's sophomore offering. Tracks are timely including "You Gotta Lose" which digs up the ghosts of Archers of Loaf. Selected "Everything Looks Better in the Sun"
#12 Wilco "The Whole Love"- Possibly Wilco's best album in ten years, far superior to the self titled album from 2009. This time around the band rocks with tracks like "Art of Almost" and abruptly changes direction with slow burners like "Black Moon". Selected "Dawned On Me"
#11 Apex Manor "The Year Of Magical Drinking"-Former Broken West member Ross Flournoy's band produces on the best songs of 2011 in response to writer's block, "Under the Gun". Unblocked, the band kicks out greats tracks such as "Teenage Blood" and "The Party Line". Only ironic that Flournoy was admitted to the hospital in August for a drinking problem, magical indeed. Selected "Under the Gun"
#10 Times New Viking "Dancer Required" -the band from Columbus OH drips into the Guided by Voices formula and produces a true Lo-fi classic. They were able to expand on 2009's Born Again Revisited with deeper songwriting and more complex arrangements. The production sounds DIY with the analog hiss but it's part of the show. Selected "No Room To Live"
#9 The Vaccines "What Did You Expect From the Vaccines" -The one truly British album and hard to believe it's their first album. Definitely some Stooges and Ramone influences here along with some more current British band like the Arctic Monkeys. "Post Break up Sex" is a candidate for song of the year. Selected "Wetsuit"
#8 Fleet Foxes "Helplessness Blues"-An album that is not much indie rock but a folk based trip across a musical landscape. In the album, you can hear influences of the Beach Boys and Bitches Brew era Miles Davis to Radiohead and Animal Collective with a production value of Phil Spector. I tried not to like this album but it sucked me in. Selected "Battery Kinzie"
#7 Iceage "New Brigade" -Danish punk band's debut. It's great to see a punk band actually have a musical vision and carry it off. The band uses sixties style harmonies ("Broken Bones") along with unconventional beat signatures ("IIIIIIIII") to create a remarkable record that does not let down in its angst but can still be easy on the ears. Selected "Broken Bones"
#6 Richmond Fontaine "The High Country" -An album about a lady who works in an auto parts store and a speed freak, homicidal lumberjack. I kid you not. An Americana opera written in narrative. It may not be a first of its kind, but nothing matches story behind the album. Like much of the Who's "Tommy", the album needs to be taken as a whole to understand the parts and in the end you'll hate Angus King. Selected "The Chainsaw Sea"
#5 EMA "Past Life Martyred Saints"- Former singer of the pyscho/folk group the Gowns, Ericka M Anderson (AKA EMA) gives one of the most stirring and most emotionally charged albums of 2011 and yes, its her debut solo release. The track "California" is one of the best of the year with rap/sermon delivery or the Phil Collin beats of "Milkman". The vocals are reminiscent of a younger Kirstin Hersh with similar dark imagery. Selected "Milkman" and "Anteroom"
#4 Five Eight "Your God is Dead to Me Now" -Veteran rockers out of Athens GA known more for their live shows drop what is arguably their best album in their 23 year career, their first since 2004. The album is an introspective about faith and false profits. It floats from straight on rocker to americana, from the title track's take on deities ("you're not real, that's just how I feel") to the optimism of "Ode to Massachusetts" . Selected "Sad Eyes" and "Ode to Massachusetts"
#3 Veronica Falls "Veronica Falls" - British quartet that seemingly came out of nowhere. Praised for their performance at this year's SXSW, the band released their self titled debut album. Surf guitars , boy/girl vocal harmonies straight from the Mamas and the Papas and the darkness of Jesus and the Mary Chain. Nothing new but given its simplicity in the sound with reverb and a lot of tambourines , there is only a tip of the ice berg showing here. Selected "Bad Feeling" and "Right Side of My Brain"
#2 Kurt Vile "Smoke Ring for My Halo"-Singer/Songwriter from Philadelphia came into 2011 after leaking one of the tracks, "In My Time" in November 2010 and making Smoke Ring one of the most anticipated albums coming into the year. It did not disappoint. You can see all of Vile's influenced evident in the album up to and including Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and Sebadoh. Word imaging close to that of a mid 60's Dylan is all over tracks like "Jesus Fever", "Baby's Arms" and the title track. Vile's guitar work on Peeping Tomboy some of the best I've heard all year. Selected "Puppet to the Man" and "In My Time"
#1 Ty Segall "Goodbye Bread" -Talk about a busy year. Ty Segall released a live album ("Live In Aisle Five"), an EP of T. Rex covers ("Ty Rex"), a compilation of his early works ("Singles") along with "Goodbye Bread" not to mention he drums on 5 tracks of Mikal Cronin's solo album (see #14). The album veers away ever so slightly from the lo-fi sound that was Segall's trademark. More focused, you can hear his influences from the Who power chords and Moonesque drumming on "The Flood" to more T Rex on "You Make the Sun Fry" to the indie jangle of "Fine", DIY indie has found its flag bearer. Selected "The Flood" and "You Make the Sun Fry"
Honorable Mention:
The War On Drugs "Slave Ambient"
TV on the Radio "Nine Types of Light"
We Were Promised Jetpacks "In the Pit of the Stomach"
The Cults "The Cults"
The Builders and the Butchers "Dead Reckoning"
Male Bonding "Endless Now"
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