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Mardenhill's Best of 2011 CD Releases











25.  Dum Dum Girls – Only In Dreams 
 I went back and forth with this one.  I liked the cd but wasn’t sure it would make it long term.  After a few months I returned to it still enjoying it so here you go.  Fuzzed out 60s surf with great melodies and sing along choruses.  Musically, the Dum Dum Girls improved since their debut and if this growth is to be maintained look out for their next release.  This is really a summer album but it can still be enjoyed on a sunny winter day.











 24.  Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter – Marble Son
On her 4th full length Jesse Sykes turns up the distortion and tears through a dark and bluesy 8-minute opening track.  For the next few songs, Jesse settles into her standard Folk Rock/Americana style with hypnotic and swirling sounds.  Jesse’s vocals are soft, dusty and haunting adding to the mystique of the music.  This one rocks harder than previous ones but after a few listens you welcome the change.  











23.  Low – C’mon
On their 9th studio release, Low continue to play their slowcore style of music with tweaks to it at times.  The music is soft, melodic, somber and perfect for late night or rainy day listening.  Married couple Alan and Mimi alternate vocals and compliment each other on backup.  Since “The Great Destroyer” Low haven’t been afraid to use more distortion to complete their sonic landscape.  These changes add to the variety of music and one that is great in the background of any conversation.













22.  R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now
No one thought this would be R.E.M.’s last cd when it was released but looking back it makes sense.  They did a great job at revisiting many of their unique sounds throughout the last 31 years.  Instead of blowing up in a huge fight, the band released their last music together, parted ways and thanked all their fans for their support over the years.  I am very happy with the cd, I think it’s a fair assessment of the band’s career and hope one day for some reunion.












21.  Vetiver – The Errant Charm
Hailing from San Francisco and on their 5th release, Vetiver play some amazing music.  Quiet and melancholy with soft and whispering vocals layered over some beautiful melodies.  This is not wimpy emo, just lighthearted Indie Rock that can be enjoyed on lazy Sunday mornings.













20.  Beirut – The Rip Tide
Blending World Music with Indie Rock, Beirut travel down a curious path that balances competing genres with an interesting and enjoyable result.  The Eastern European gypsy influence adds texture to the folksy vocals and keeps the listener from tuning out.  There are a number of bands playing in this genre but I have to say Beirut are one of the best.











19.  Portgual. The Man – In The Mountain In The Cloud
This one took a few listens to sink in.  I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it might just be too gimmicky for its own good.   A few months later, I was still interested and came to appreciate the band.  You have lots of 70’s glam going on with Elton John and David Bowie popping up over and over.











18.  The Jayhawks – Mockingbird Time
It was 1995 when Mark Olsen left the band, 16 years later and reunited with Gary Louris, the Jayhawks don’t miss a beat.  Amazing alt country full of strings, steal pedals, keyboards and perfectly crafted melodies.  The band set out to make the best Jayhawks record and I believe they did it.












17.  Florence & The Machine - Ceremonials
UK’s latest siren releases her 2nd cd “Ceremonials” undercutting any naysayers who think she was a one hit wonder.  On this cd, Florence streamlines her style into a dark and haunting full bodied and rich sound.  Layers of organs are reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan but Florence’s voice is strong that any comparisons really fall flat.  The songs are full of crescendos, sweeping melodies and soul.  On headphones this cd creates a firestorm of enjoyment inside your head.












16.  Ryan Adams – Ashes And Rain
It had been 3 years since the last official release, which is an eternity in Ryan’s world.  We did see a Cardinals record at the end of last year but that had been recorded back in ’06.  Anyways, Ryan returns to the music scene with a stripped down and introspective release.  Lots of acoustic guitar and hushed vocals here along with a return to the Alt Country of Ryan’s past.  This one takes a bit of getting used to but well worth it when you spend the time.












15.  Gillian Welch – The Harrow And The Harvest
It had been 8 years since Gillian’s last release but that time was well spent.  Pulling from the past, Gillian along with David Rawlings revives the country duet for a new generation of listeners.  With the minimalist approach, each listen feels like a personal concert gathered around a fire. 












14.  The Head And The Heart – The Head And The Heart
The first time I heard their song “Rivers And Roads” I couldn’t get it out of my head.  They are one of those toe tapping, head bobbing infectious bands that burrow deep into your brain and never let loose.  They are not a cheesy jam band but more a reflection of the new brand of Americana.   












13.  Beady Eye – Different Gear Still Speeding
Oasis minus Noel is pretty much Beady Eye but Liam, Andy and Gem do their best to separate the two.  Liam plays homage to many 60s bands throughout the release while hoping to find a place he can call home.  By running in the opposite direction of Oasis, Beady Eye created a cornucopia of sound with many directions they can travel and hone for release #2. 












12.  Crooked Fingers – Breaks In The Armor
Eric Bachmann returns with a brilliant new release that focuses more on him and his guitar than the whole ensemble of music.  This isn’t a bad thing, previous cds tended to be concept or full music ensembles.  This one feels like a solo record with a few people backing him up with a bit of atmosphere.  There is a nice mix of crunchy and acoustic guitar, with Eric’s trademark vocals playing tour guide throughout the cd.












11.  Kasabian – Velicorapter
On their 4th release, Kasabian strive to create their own sound and show some growth from their previous releases.  In doing so, the band have probably released some of their best songs to date.  Yes its fun to sing along to “Club Foot” and “Reason is Treason” but those were blatant rip offs of all the best sounds from the UK late 80’s early 90’s.  Many of the new songs are moodier with lots of orchestration and world music vibes.  Production quality is amazing which makes we really excited for their US tour next year.












10.  Josh Rouse And The Long Vacations – Josh Rouse And The Long Vacations
Josh ditches the Spanish influences and heads back to the Americana roots rock with this release.  Sunshine emanates from many of the songs with interesting and subtle orchestration filling in the rest.  Simple at first but after a few listens you can really pick up on Josh’s vast musical past.












 9.  Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds  - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Unlike Beady Eye, Noel Gallagher doesn’t shy away from being in Oasis.  Many of the songs could have appeared throughout the years but it seems like Noel kept these close to his chest waiting for the right time.   There is a bit of freedom poking thru on many of the songs with bits of the Beatles surfacing at times.  Noel spared no expense and added lots of orchestration and layers to each song.












8.  Babybird – The Pleasures Of Self Destruction
As usual Stephen Jones creates some form of controversy, this time pissing off the American Family Association with the help of Johnny Depp on the song “Jesus Stag Night Club”.  The rest of the cd does settle into the normal Babybird formula, love songs, hate songs, songs about death, drugs, drinking, more love loaded with vivid imagery and satire.  Stephen Jones does know how to write the perfect love song, just expect a few turns to the left, a swerve across the road then back on track. 












7.  Amanda Shires – Carrying Lightning
Young, fresh and feisty with an old soul and the knack for some good fiddle playing pretty much sums up Amanda Shires.  On her 2nd solo, Amanda expands her sound and delivers some amazing Alt Country that anyone can enjoy.  The music ranges from tender to lonely to rockin showcasing Amanda's wide range of talent.  Check out Amanda playing fiddle on Jason Isobell's  latest release as well.












6.  Buffalo Tom – Skins
Classic BT here with perfectly crafted songs balanced between Bill and Chris’s.  Songs about women, love, loss, aging and everyday things wrapped around simple melodies with raw guitar.  25 years later, the guys still have it and are wonderful musicians and songwriters.  This is not a mid life, lets throw a few songs together to make some cash record, instead its perfectly crafted representation of where the guys are in their lives.   











5.  The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow 
I will start with Erika told me about this band after seeing them on CMT one day.  I fell in love with their sound, the alternating vocals layered over beautiful Country and Americana.  There is no Country twang, no beer drinking sing along anthems just simple and gorgeous melodies. 












4.  The Kills – Blood Pressure
Alison Mosshart & Jamie Hince take The Kills in a new direction with “Blood Pressure”.  Yes they are still a 2 piece with a drum machine but this release moves somewhat away from the garage sound of the past and dives deep into a rich sonic landscape.  It’s a grower so give it a few listens. 











3.  J Mascis – Several Shades Of Why
J Mascis turns off the distortion pedal and goes soft with this release.  While its lighthearted and melancholy, it has some interesting layers and textures that come out after a few listens.  J’s voice is still unique and one that can always be picked out of a lineup.  J proves that you don’t always need feedback to write a great song.  











2.  The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient
I first heard this band on Sirius XM while driving one day and was blown away.  All I could think of was Bob Dylan playing in modern Indie Rock band.   You have some complex layers with lots of atmosphere going on but not too much to make it unlistenable.  The sound fills the room and sounds even better on a nice set of headphones.












1.  Twilight Singers – Dynamite Burns
Greg finds his stride with his latest release “Dynamite Burns”.  Tension, emotion, anger, beauty and attitude permeate from all the songs reminding us why Greg was so amazing a decade ago and why he is still relevant.  Mark Lanegan lends his vocals to one track which is to be expected but Greg handles the rest.  These songs are amazing live which is why the band released their 1st live cd from the tour just last month.  It’s a perfect companion to an amazing release and Greg’s finest Twilight Singers to date. 

Posted by mardenhill 12/19/2011 09:36:00 PM 2 comments