Monday, December 31, 2012
And Along Came The World On A Thread
New album available for free limited-time download. 9 songs recorded throughout the second half of 2012. Inspired by the juxtaposition of chance and fate.
Friday, December 23, 2011
21 best albums of 2011 and mixtape
2011 was a transitional year for music - where the underground continued to bubble up into mass culture in unexpected and fragmented ways. From Bon Iver at the grammys to Dubstep becoming Dadstep - the appropriation of otherwise 'strange' music by otherwise traditional sources was inescapable. Here are some of my favorite albums from the past year. Click on the play button below to listen to a mixtape of the best tracks from each.
#21 - BLOUSE "Blouse"
The 80s were back in a big way - and Blouse took a fresh approach to new-wave synth pop by adding a twee and sinister haze over it.
#20 - CRAFT SPELLS "Idle Labor"
Another 80s throwback sound - this one more like the "band" elements of New Order. Rock you could dance to.
#19 - KURT VILE "Smoke Ring For My Halo"
A scrappy modern-day Dylan if you ask me.
#18 - ZOLA JESUS "Conatus"
The voice of Siouxsie Sioux reborn for a new generation.
#17 - ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER "Replica"
Who knew 80s commercial samples could be compiled to make the most haunting ambient album this year?
#16 - ATLAS SOUND "Parallax"
Bradford's art pop sound is carefully crafted into something even more accessible than his last LP with Deerhunter.
#15 - ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER "Last Summer"
1/2 of the Fiery Furnaces creates a beautiful laid-back pop record that wouldn't sound out of place in the mid 70s, yet manages to be thoroughly modern at the same time.
#14 - VERONICA FALLS "Veronica Falls"
Sinister twee-pop from England. Hooks that you won't be able to get out of your head.
#13 - THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART "Belong"
A fresh take on fuzzed-out shoegaze ala Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine if they had just fallen in love for the first time.
#12 - PANDA BEAR "Tomboy"
Noah Lennox creates music that sounds like childhood. One of the most anticipated records this year.
#11 - CLASS ACTRESS "Rapprocher"
One music blog cited this album sounding like early Madonna meets early Depeche Mode. Not too far off.
#10 - WASHED OUT "Within and Without"
2011 was the year Chillwave died and was born again as a new take on hip-hop influenced 90s art pop.
#9 - MIREL WAGNER "Mirel Wagner"
Dark folk of the blackest kind. Hauntingly beautiful and sad.
#8 - JULIANNA BARWICK "The Magic Place"
A minister's daughter develops an angelic choir-like ambient sound that gives you a glimpse into what heaven sounds like.
#7 - PJ HARVEY "Let England Shake"
A timeless take on the horrific effects of war that doesn't come off as preachy or heavy-handed. Could very well be Ms. Harvey's masterpiece.
#6 - JAMES BLAKE "James Blake"
From dubstep to modern day singer-songwriter balladry. This shift was a surprising one for Blake who produced a record that sounds nothing like what came before it.
#5 - SHABAZZ PALACES "Black Up"
Spaced-out psychadelic hip-hop of the most futuristic kind.
#4 - ROBERT SCHIPUL "Dream Theft"
Had to.
#3 - JOHN MAUS "We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves"
Midieval chamber pop meets Robocop at a Joy Division concert.
#2 - BON IVER "Bon Iver"
Justin Vernon crept into the mainstream this year which can only be a good thing for top 40 music - this is some beautiful and nostalgic stuff.
#1 - GROUPER "A I A : Dream Loss / Alien Observer"
A double album magnum opus from Liz Harris. Otherworldly ambient drone that could be the soundtrack to both the happiest and saddest moments of your life. A masterpiece.
2011 mix by Rob Schipul on Mixcloud
#21 - BLOUSE "Blouse"
The 80s were back in a big way - and Blouse took a fresh approach to new-wave synth pop by adding a twee and sinister haze over it.
#20 - CRAFT SPELLS "Idle Labor"
Another 80s throwback sound - this one more like the "band" elements of New Order. Rock you could dance to.
#19 - KURT VILE "Smoke Ring For My Halo"
A scrappy modern-day Dylan if you ask me.
#18 - ZOLA JESUS "Conatus"
The voice of Siouxsie Sioux reborn for a new generation.
#17 - ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER "Replica"
Who knew 80s commercial samples could be compiled to make the most haunting ambient album this year?
#16 - ATLAS SOUND "Parallax"
Bradford's art pop sound is carefully crafted into something even more accessible than his last LP with Deerhunter.
#15 - ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER "Last Summer"
1/2 of the Fiery Furnaces creates a beautiful laid-back pop record that wouldn't sound out of place in the mid 70s, yet manages to be thoroughly modern at the same time.
#14 - VERONICA FALLS "Veronica Falls"
Sinister twee-pop from England. Hooks that you won't be able to get out of your head.
#13 - THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART "Belong"
A fresh take on fuzzed-out shoegaze ala Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine if they had just fallen in love for the first time.
#12 - PANDA BEAR "Tomboy"
Noah Lennox creates music that sounds like childhood. One of the most anticipated records this year.
#11 - CLASS ACTRESS "Rapprocher"
One music blog cited this album sounding like early Madonna meets early Depeche Mode. Not too far off.
#10 - WASHED OUT "Within and Without"
2011 was the year Chillwave died and was born again as a new take on hip-hop influenced 90s art pop.
#9 - MIREL WAGNER "Mirel Wagner"
Dark folk of the blackest kind. Hauntingly beautiful and sad.
#8 - JULIANNA BARWICK "The Magic Place"
A minister's daughter develops an angelic choir-like ambient sound that gives you a glimpse into what heaven sounds like.
#7 - PJ HARVEY "Let England Shake"
A timeless take on the horrific effects of war that doesn't come off as preachy or heavy-handed. Could very well be Ms. Harvey's masterpiece.
#6 - JAMES BLAKE "James Blake"
From dubstep to modern day singer-songwriter balladry. This shift was a surprising one for Blake who produced a record that sounds nothing like what came before it.
#5 - SHABAZZ PALACES "Black Up"
Spaced-out psychadelic hip-hop of the most futuristic kind.
#4 - ROBERT SCHIPUL "Dream Theft"
Had to.
#3 - JOHN MAUS "We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves"
Midieval chamber pop meets Robocop at a Joy Division concert.
#2 - BON IVER "Bon Iver"
Justin Vernon crept into the mainstream this year which can only be a good thing for top 40 music - this is some beautiful and nostalgic stuff.
#1 - GROUPER "A I A : Dream Loss / Alien Observer"
A double album magnum opus from Liz Harris. Otherworldly ambient drone that could be the soundtrack to both the happiest and saddest moments of your life. A masterpiece.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
DREAM THEFT - free download and LP pre-order
DREAM THEFT is finally available for high-rez download - for free. And you can pre-order the LP (due in late December/early January). Album sounds fantastic - it was mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering in Brooklyn NY (Animal Collective, Julianna Barwick, etc.). Download and/or pre-order now!
Friday, November 4, 2011
DREAM THEFT LP on the way
New LP "Dream Theft" is currently being mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering, Brooklyn NY. It will feature 11 new songs. Take a listen (and download for free) two new tracks from the LP.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, July 26, 2010
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