Mardenhill's Best of 2011 CD Releases
Monday, December 19, 2011
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
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