PS Spring Hall thanks for the Swans stuff. I've been listening and can confirm I do indeed like them. Going to dive in with a few purchases very shortly.
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The albums thread - 2014
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spring hall convert
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Not seen enough of this beauty in year end lists. Did you get on with the Andy Stott record? It's kind of in the same vein.
Thanks for these. Will have a go with them.
FWIW the Fear of Men is definitely in my top 10. Terrific album.
spring hall convert
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It's very much your kind of sound isn't it? I found it a bit too one paced and predictable to be bowled over by. They didn't really do it for me live either, it all seemed very staged and professional
They deserve to be much better known than they are, there's quite a market for that female fonted, dream-pop sound.
Should I be offended by this?
As I said in my brief review of it - I liken it very much in pace and tone, to Veronica Falls, which in my household is high praise indeed.
Lutine is pretty.
Listening to the Great Pagans one now. Not sure about your 'FFO The Smiths' - sounds more like The Railway Children, or the other quasi-indie pop bands of that era. Its pretty good.
spring hall convert
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Should I be offended by this?
Ha. We all have our weaknesses, I'd imagine someone else could make the same accusation about Soft Walls, it's just that hits my spot!
They're a good band, just not for me.
Catch Lutine live if you get the chance, they are fab
Machiavelli
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Haven't acquainted myself with Andy Stott as yet. I'll see if I can fit it in, as I may well do with AK/DK, as the description you've provided works for me, especially the space element -- I can't break out of the role that Joy Division had on my musical journey, in which I've increasingly come to recognise how Martin Hannett injects space into their recorded output.
On a different note, as much as I love those three FFO bands you've aligned with Esben, from the little I heard I couldn't get on with them. If you want to post a link to a track that you think might prompt a re-consideration, I'm open to re-education.
spring hall convert
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The new record (like everything they've recorded so far) is a departure from what they did before. Stripped away the electronics, went to record with Steve Albini and presented themselves as something of a "power trio."
I think this is the best track they've ever done - accessible, brief, with an instantly memorable refrain. An early PJ vibe.
This one reminds me of Jesus Lizard, their claws come out.
And this one Patti Smith vs Swans vs Sonic Youth??
Theatre of Trees
Well-known member
My top ten albums of the year
1. Soundcarriers - Entropicalia
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2. Gazelle Twin - Unflesh
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3. Dementio13 - VTOL
[yt]4bAj0BSIHVo[/yt]
4. Roladex - Anthems for the Micro-Age
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5. Kero Kero Bonito - Intro Bonito
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6. Andy Stott - Faith in Strangers
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7. Lorelle Meets the Obsolete - Chambers
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8. Vessel - Punish honey
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9. Cherry Glazerr - Haxel Princess
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10. Eccentronic Research Council - Magpie Billy and the Egg that Yolked
[yt]k-XfHDZLoRA[/yt]
1. Soundcarriers - Entropicalia
[yt]S5jY4uNDQ-M[/yt]
2. Gazelle Twin - Unflesh
[yt]opfewQ2eab8[/yt]
3. Dementio13 - VTOL
[yt]4bAj0BSIHVo[/yt]
4. Roladex - Anthems for the Micro-Age
[yt]5MaEzDohD7U[/yt]
5. Kero Kero Bonito - Intro Bonito
[yt]B42S91e2U-4[/yt]
6. Andy Stott - Faith in Strangers
[yt]6sn1eYzhi_U[/yt]
7. Lorelle Meets the Obsolete - Chambers
[yt]xiXR0__lYdM[/yt]
8. Vessel - Punish honey
[yt]F35yL5xrPlg[/yt]
9. Cherry Glazerr - Haxel Princess
[yt]wUj6P7EeXt8[/yt]
10. Eccentronic Research Council - Magpie Billy and the Egg that Yolked
[yt]k-XfHDZLoRA[/yt]
spring hall convert
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Theatre of Trees - 3 of my favourite albums of the year in there, 2 I like, 5 I clearly need to hear!
spring hall convert
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Anyone like the band DIIV? I did before I read this
http://sexism-in-music.tumblr.com/post/105092338499/devin-ruben-perez-from-diiv-is-a-racist
http://sexism-in-music.tumblr.com/post/105092338499/devin-ruben-perez-from-diiv-is-a-racist
My top 5 purchases this year have been
The Bones Of What You Believe - Chvrches (think it was released at the end of 2013), saw them at Brixton this year and they were superb
Inspiral Carpets by Inspiral Carpets (seeing them on Thursday also at Brixton Academy)
The Road of Bones by IQ
Songs of Innocence by U2 (got tickets for the 4 O2 gigs and also 2 nights in Koln - cant wait)
Big Music by Simple Minds
The Bones Of What You Believe - Chvrches (think it was released at the end of 2013), saw them at Brixton this year and they were superb
Inspiral Carpets by Inspiral Carpets (seeing them on Thursday also at Brixton Academy)
The Road of Bones by IQ
Songs of Innocence by U2 (got tickets for the 4 O2 gigs and also 2 nights in Koln - cant wait)
Big Music by Simple Minds
Machiavelli
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Bought a few albums on Friday, including Andy Stott and Melanie de Biasio, neither of which I've listened to yet. I have listened to one that doesn't seemed to have featured on anyone's lists, although it's number one in The Guardian, which is St Vincent, and it's another storming quirky pop record. Not as good as an album that has featured on several people's lists on this thread, namely Timbre Timbre. The songwriting and arrangements on that album are on a different level. Thanks all of those that have brought this to my attention.
CorgiRegisteredFriend
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Here are my favourite 10 tracks of the year in no particular order-
Sleaford Mods- Tiswaz
Sleaford Mods- A Little Ditty
Phantom Band- The Wind That Cried The World
Joanna Gruesome- Jerome
The June Brides- She Seems Quite Free
The Amazing Snakeheads- I'm A Vampire
Liars- Mess On A Mission
Slug- Cocked Eyed Rabbit Wrapped In Plastic
Half Man Half Biscuit- Adam Boyle Has Cast Lad Rock Aside
Savages-F*****S
Sleaford Mods- Tiswaz
Sleaford Mods- A Little Ditty
Phantom Band- The Wind That Cried The World
Joanna Gruesome- Jerome
The June Brides- She Seems Quite Free
The Amazing Snakeheads- I'm A Vampire
Liars- Mess On A Mission
Slug- Cocked Eyed Rabbit Wrapped In Plastic
Half Man Half Biscuit- Adam Boyle Has Cast Lad Rock Aside
Savages-F*****S
pb21
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- Apr 23, 2010
- 6,335
Picked up the Resident 2014 end of year thing yesterday. Can't disagree with their top two although I would swap them round.
Having listened to Mark Kozelek's various work over the past 10 years, his latest LP under Sun Kil Moon 'Benji' really is the culmination of over 20 years of excellent music.
The War on Drugs 'Lost in the dream' doesn't have the same impact on me, but in it's own right is as close to a perfect album you can't get IMO.
Having listened to Mark Kozelek's various work over the past 10 years, his latest LP under Sun Kil Moon 'Benji' really is the culmination of over 20 years of excellent music.
The War on Drugs 'Lost in the dream' doesn't have the same impact on me, but in it's own right is as close to a perfect album you can't get IMO.
spring hall convert
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If we were to revisit the 2012 thread you'd find me banging on about Gravenhurst's ridiculously good 'The Ghost In Daylight' album. A career highlight from an outstanding artist.
Unfortunately he passed away a couple of weeks ago aged 39. A great loss - RIP Nick Talbot.
Unfortunately he passed away a couple of weeks ago aged 39. A great loss - RIP Nick Talbot.
Whitechapel
Famous Last Words
I'm not great at descriptions, but I'll stick together a top 10 list. Although, I'm a massive Hip-Hop fan, so there might not be a lot to take from this list for some people on here. However, I'd say the Top 4 albums are all well worthy of a listen, even if it isn't your preferred genre. I've also tried to not include albums that have made it in to a lot of other lists on here. The War On Drugs might have released a brilliant album, but everybody on here has heard it and knows it's great, so I've not included it.
10. Schoolboy Q - Oxymoron
Top Dog Entertainment live up to their name when it comes to Hip-Hop & Rap. Whilst most of the focus is on star pupils Kendrick Lemar and his ability to weave narrative in to his songs, people shouldn't forget about the heavy-drinking, blunt-smoking, pill-popping Schoolboy Q. Q turned to rapping to escape the usual barriers found by young males in a rough area of L.A. This is his 3rd full length album since he was released from jail, but the first one that had hype before its release.
There isn't anything particularly new here, in fact it seems like Q has fallen in to a bit of a safety area, releasing an album he knows will be solid, without pushing himself too far BUT
9. Mikill Pane – The Godfather EP
Mikill Pane is quite simply, the Punchline King. The Godfather EP is only 4 songs long, but its overflowing with the jokes and personality that made his début album "Blame Miss Barclay" one of my favourite albums of last year. The Godfather EP is a tiny sample of what to expect from his unannounced second LP. Whether he's telling you that you're " the worst thing since Germany's sausage" or revealing his plans to use his Godson to attract MILF's, Mikill Pane oozes word-play and charisma.
8. The Underachievers - Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium
The Underachievers are a a hip-hop duo containing Issa Gold & AK who are both from Flatbush, New York. Part of the growing Beast Coast movement along with the more famous Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies. Cellar Door is their first full album, which was pretty highly anticipated after their mixtape; Indigoism, which is one of the finest Hip-Hop albums of the last few years. Sadly, CDTUT didn't quite reach the heady heights but it's still a very good album. I think the best way to sum up this album is with two simple facts. 1) They're signed to Brainfeeder records, the record label owned by Flying Lotus. 2) They're heavily in to Psychedelic drugs and that comes across in their album. If you want something a bit different then they're worth checking out.
7. Sage Francis - Copper Gone
How to sum up Sage Francis? The American Scroobius Pip is probably as close as you can get to a description. Sage is a spoken word poet/hip-hop artist who is respected in the Poetry Slam and Emceeing scenes. Copper Goneis his 6th studio album, but his first since 2010 and is another spoonful of what you'd expect from somebody of his calibre - Interesting beats combined with angry lyrics dripping with social commentary.
6. Glass Animals - ZABA
Glass Animals are going to be MASSIVE in 2015. ZABA is the debut album of the 4-piece Indie Rock* band from Oxford. However, labelling them as just "Indie Rock" *like Wikipedia does is pretty iffy and really doesn't do them justice as they bring a really interesting mix of sounds and genres to the table. There are elements of Trip-Hop & Dubstep merged almost seamlessly. If I had to label them with a sole genre it probably would be Future Garage. This mix of musical styles means they manage to both be soothing and energetic, leading to a really, really solid debut album.
10. Schoolboy Q - Oxymoron
Top Dog Entertainment live up to their name when it comes to Hip-Hop & Rap. Whilst most of the focus is on star pupils Kendrick Lemar and his ability to weave narrative in to his songs, people shouldn't forget about the heavy-drinking, blunt-smoking, pill-popping Schoolboy Q. Q turned to rapping to escape the usual barriers found by young males in a rough area of L.A. This is his 3rd full length album since he was released from jail, but the first one that had hype before its release.
There isn't anything particularly new here, in fact it seems like Q has fallen in to a bit of a safety area, releasing an album he knows will be solid, without pushing himself too far BUT
9. Mikill Pane – The Godfather EP
Mikill Pane is quite simply, the Punchline King. The Godfather EP is only 4 songs long, but its overflowing with the jokes and personality that made his début album "Blame Miss Barclay" one of my favourite albums of last year. The Godfather EP is a tiny sample of what to expect from his unannounced second LP. Whether he's telling you that you're " the worst thing since Germany's sausage" or revealing his plans to use his Godson to attract MILF's, Mikill Pane oozes word-play and charisma.
8. The Underachievers - Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium
The Underachievers are a a hip-hop duo containing Issa Gold & AK who are both from Flatbush, New York. Part of the growing Beast Coast movement along with the more famous Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies. Cellar Door is their first full album, which was pretty highly anticipated after their mixtape; Indigoism, which is one of the finest Hip-Hop albums of the last few years. Sadly, CDTUT didn't quite reach the heady heights but it's still a very good album. I think the best way to sum up this album is with two simple facts. 1) They're signed to Brainfeeder records, the record label owned by Flying Lotus. 2) They're heavily in to Psychedelic drugs and that comes across in their album. If you want something a bit different then they're worth checking out.
7. Sage Francis - Copper Gone
How to sum up Sage Francis? The American Scroobius Pip is probably as close as you can get to a description. Sage is a spoken word poet/hip-hop artist who is respected in the Poetry Slam and Emceeing scenes. Copper Goneis his 6th studio album, but his first since 2010 and is another spoonful of what you'd expect from somebody of his calibre - Interesting beats combined with angry lyrics dripping with social commentary.
6. Glass Animals - ZABA
Glass Animals are going to be MASSIVE in 2015. ZABA is the debut album of the 4-piece Indie Rock* band from Oxford. However, labelling them as just "Indie Rock" *like Wikipedia does is pretty iffy and really doesn't do them justice as they bring a really interesting mix of sounds and genres to the table. There are elements of Trip-Hop & Dubstep merged almost seamlessly. If I had to label them with a sole genre it probably would be Future Garage. This mix of musical styles means they manage to both be soothing and energetic, leading to a really, really solid debut album.
Whitechapel
Famous Last Words
5. The Glitch Mob - Love Death Immortality
Time to show myself up as a bit of a rookie when it comes to Electronic music by admitting I'd never heard of Glitch Mob (unlike all of my friends) until I got dragged along to see them at Reading Festival this summer. However they blew me away with an excellent live show. Made up of 3 DJ's (eDIT, Boreta & Ooah), Glitch Mob are well worth a listen if you're in to EDM or Glitch-Hop and haven't heard of them then they're well worth a listen.
4. Jamie T - Carry on the Grudge
I've never been a big Jamie T fan. I'll happily admit that he's got talent, but neither Panic Prevention nor Kings & Queens ever managed to grab me. So, it was with low expectations that I gave COTG a listen. All I can say is that I'm glad I did. IMO, Carry on the Grudge is Jamie T finally maturing and living up to his undoubted potential. Finally, an album that steps up to the high expectations that have been piled on him. "like the ******* lovechild of Billy Bragg and Mike Skinner doing his best Joe Strummer impression" is a line from Canvas magazine that I've had to steal as it's PERFECT when describing JT. In hindsight I'm gutted I missed his secret show at Reading, but he's there again next year and I can't wait.
3. Busdriver - Perfect Hair
Strange, but brilliant. "Possessing a hyper-literate, intellectual style of rapping augmented with dizzying elocution that would tongue-tie even the fiercest auctioneer, Busdriver is eclectic and eccentric enough to cite vocalese jazz singer Jon Hendricks as a primary influence." I've ran out of time to finish writing reviews so that'll do. The best Alternative Hip-Hop album in a while with some very good artists featured.
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata
Madlib - Possibly the best producer in Hip-Hop history.
Freddie Gibbs - Old school style Rapper from a pretty rough area of Indiana.
Combine them - Stunning album.
1. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2.
Run The Jewels are an America Hip-Hop duo which is made up of emcee Killer Mike and producer/emcee El-P. They first teamed up for the 2012 Killer Mike solo album R.A.P Music. A formidable Hip-Hop duo was formed. In 2013 they released their first joint album, Run The Jewels. It combined hard-hitting lyrics with some outstanding El-P instrumentals. Run the Jewels 2 is; surprisingly, more of the same but (IMO at least) even better. Lyrically smart, whether its turning the perceived gender roles in music around (Love Again) or a story of remorse from a crack dealer who has clients which include heavily pregnant women (Crown). If you're a fan of their music then for the low-low fee of $150,000 you can get the pair to come to a local restaurant of your choice where they'll film an episode of Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares, whether the owners like it or not - No, I'm serious.
A true masterpiece of an album, and probably close to staking a top 10 place in my all-time album list.
Time to show myself up as a bit of a rookie when it comes to Electronic music by admitting I'd never heard of Glitch Mob (unlike all of my friends) until I got dragged along to see them at Reading Festival this summer. However they blew me away with an excellent live show. Made up of 3 DJ's (eDIT, Boreta & Ooah), Glitch Mob are well worth a listen if you're in to EDM or Glitch-Hop and haven't heard of them then they're well worth a listen.
4. Jamie T - Carry on the Grudge
I've never been a big Jamie T fan. I'll happily admit that he's got talent, but neither Panic Prevention nor Kings & Queens ever managed to grab me. So, it was with low expectations that I gave COTG a listen. All I can say is that I'm glad I did. IMO, Carry on the Grudge is Jamie T finally maturing and living up to his undoubted potential. Finally, an album that steps up to the high expectations that have been piled on him. "like the ******* lovechild of Billy Bragg and Mike Skinner doing his best Joe Strummer impression" is a line from Canvas magazine that I've had to steal as it's PERFECT when describing JT. In hindsight I'm gutted I missed his secret show at Reading, but he's there again next year and I can't wait.
3. Busdriver - Perfect Hair
Strange, but brilliant. "Possessing a hyper-literate, intellectual style of rapping augmented with dizzying elocution that would tongue-tie even the fiercest auctioneer, Busdriver is eclectic and eccentric enough to cite vocalese jazz singer Jon Hendricks as a primary influence." I've ran out of time to finish writing reviews so that'll do. The best Alternative Hip-Hop album in a while with some very good artists featured.
2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata
Madlib - Possibly the best producer in Hip-Hop history.
Freddie Gibbs - Old school style Rapper from a pretty rough area of Indiana.
Combine them - Stunning album.
1. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2.
Run The Jewels are an America Hip-Hop duo which is made up of emcee Killer Mike and producer/emcee El-P. They first teamed up for the 2012 Killer Mike solo album R.A.P Music. A formidable Hip-Hop duo was formed. In 2013 they released their first joint album, Run The Jewels. It combined hard-hitting lyrics with some outstanding El-P instrumentals. Run the Jewels 2 is; surprisingly, more of the same but (IMO at least) even better. Lyrically smart, whether its turning the perceived gender roles in music around (Love Again) or a story of remorse from a crack dealer who has clients which include heavily pregnant women (Crown). If you're a fan of their music then for the low-low fee of $150,000 you can get the pair to come to a local restaurant of your choice where they'll film an episode of Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Nightmares, whether the owners like it or not - No, I'm serious.
A true masterpiece of an album, and probably close to staking a top 10 place in my all-time album list.
spring hall convert
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I really enjoyed RTJ2, I prefered the Ratking record, they played probably my favourite show at The Great Escape. Thanks for the list though, I will investigate.