Best Music of 2011 (part two of four)
I'm a day late and way more than a dollar short, but I'll continue with my December recounting of music from 2011 blogfest or whatever, whether you like it or not. I'll try to keep it short. (Remember, I'm not in it for the videos. Ignore them. Just click play and turn up the volume.)
Super smooth production for another throwback sound. This time it's the seventies, mixing horns aplenty with a contemporary electropop sound. If that doesn't make any sense, just give the meandering "Bay of Pigs" a listen for 11 minutes of bliss.
Some people say Adele is the voice of the century. I say it's Florence Welch. Each song builds to a worthy climax of a crashing sounds and her perfect, brawny voice.
I liked their first album, but there was something too forced about the efforts. Pala, however, sounds so easy, so fluid. Friendly, frothy synths and singable, memorable hooks. That's all you need.
I love this band so much I can even abide the short bursts of rap. Heady layers of indie rock, hip hop beats, and, yes, cheers and chants make up The Go! Team's signature sound. Frolicking fun.
Runners up: No accompaniment here. Check them out if you can.
Feist, Metals
Feist's first album is pure, gooey ear candy. Her second made her famous, but the music wasn't as awesome. This third album follows with her distinctive voice leading the way through not the most memorable songs. But as Homer says about the flying pig: It's still good. It's still good.
Generationals, Actor-Castor
Another retro 60's guitar group sound mashed up with modern indie pop. Jangly stuff.
The Hampdens, The Last Party
More pleasant indie pop. With a cool cover of The Postal Service's "The District Sleeps Tonight."
That's it for today. I'll try to be on time next Monday.
Destroyer, Kaputt
Super smooth production for another throwback sound. This time it's the seventies, mixing horns aplenty with a contemporary electropop sound. If that doesn't make any sense, just give the meandering "Bay of Pigs" a listen for 11 minutes of bliss.
Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials
Some people say Adele is the voice of the century. I say it's Florence Welch. Each song builds to a worthy climax of a crashing sounds and her perfect, brawny voice.
Friendly Fires, Pala
I liked their first album, but there was something too forced about the efforts. Pala, however, sounds so easy, so fluid. Friendly, frothy synths and singable, memorable hooks. That's all you need.
The Go! Team, Rolling Blackouts
I love this band so much I can even abide the short bursts of rap. Heady layers of indie rock, hip hop beats, and, yes, cheers and chants make up The Go! Team's signature sound. Frolicking fun.
Runners up: No accompaniment here. Check them out if you can.
Feist's first album is pure, gooey ear candy. Her second made her famous, but the music wasn't as awesome. This third album follows with her distinctive voice leading the way through not the most memorable songs. But as Homer says about the flying pig: It's still good. It's still good.
Another retro 60's guitar group sound mashed up with modern indie pop. Jangly stuff.
More pleasant indie pop. With a cool cover of The Postal Service's "The District Sleeps Tonight."
That's it for today. I'll try to be on time next Monday.
Nice choices. Mostly... :)
ReplyDeleteI like seeing your choices in music. You are a music guru.
ReplyDelete@ Julie: What do you mean, mostly? What don't you like? I'd like to be able to explain to you why you're wrong... :)
ReplyDelete@ Michael: I like being a guru. Not enough people recognize gurus when they see them.
I guess I need to troll around on my radio and not stay stuck on the "Classic Rock" stations all the time. Sounds like there is some good stuff out there.
ReplyDeleteFlorence vs. Adele is turning into the new Elvis vs. Beatles. Me, I'm sitting on the fence for both battles.
ReplyDelete@ darev: Oh, you won't find much of this music on the radio. But the next time "Dust in the Wind" comes on, maybe you could change the station. :)
ReplyDelete@ Nicki: I didn't realize there was a conflict a-brewin'. Elvis and Beatles makes sense because they were both hugely popular. So, with Adele with the biggest album of the year, and Florence and the Machine still on the outskirts of awareness, I think Adele wins.