tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21662603375842727392024-02-18T23:14:46.835-08:00Electric Avenue BlogvilleJason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-68029356678677231602019-12-19T14:40:00.000-08:002019-12-19T14:40:13.942-08:00It's that time again. Say goodbye to the 20 tens...Another year flies by. Where does the time go? So much music to squeeze into such a small space. 2019 seemed like a transitional year for music, just as the country seems to be going through a transition of its own. There seemed to be fewer absolute standout full length records this year, perhaps more a sign of the times, as singles seem to be all most of the general public seem to find time to be bothered with anymore, while the albums that did resonate seemed to reach a smaller audience than usual. Sure, there was the odd Taylor Swift record that made the mainstream, but mainly we are talking about special records that had a smaller audience but cut deeply.<br />
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However, there were some very fine full length releases this year, but they were usually ones you had to actually search for, as they didn't gently fall into your lap the way record companies of old would vigorously promote them on radio and TV. We are heading into a new era...2020...a decade that begins with music everywhere and yet, less knowable than ever due to its way of inserting itself into the backdrop of everyday life rather than being a distinctive focal point. Large venues are still selling lots of concert tickets, but how long will that last when all the superpowered heavy hitters of old are dying off? The last five years were particularly bad, losing some major talents like David Bowie (who seemed to have retired touring long before), Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, Prince, George Michael, Glenn Frey, Emerson & Lake, Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Scott Weiland, Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, Merle Haggard, Guy Clark, Dolores O'Riordan, Mark E. Smith, Lemmy Kilmister, Dr. John, Ric Ocasek, and too many others to name here. When one thinks about all the artists in their 70's and up still out there touring, it's a shame that we are likely on the cusp of losing a generation of some of the most influential artists in music that have ever lived (I won't name examples here in case they read this and get depressed). So let's focus on the now and what resonated with us here at our humble shop in 2019...Hopefully you find something in the list you feel like checking out...<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">1) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS--Ghosteen</span></b></i><br />
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More a work of art than a work of commerce, Nick Cave continues paying tribute to the memory of his deceased son by focusing on his family unit in the aftermath of a tragic accident. This album operates in a world divorced from most modern music, one where word painting and sonic ambience combine to reflect the beauty of the love in Cave's soul. Transcendent.<br />
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<img alt="Ghosteen" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Beb9tCAiL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">2) ANGEL OLSEN--All Mirrors</span></i></b><br />
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Angel Olsen was a woman of many labels. American indie female singer-songwriter etc. This album shatters much of what people knew of her. Layers of warm and swirling orchestras slide around her shifting vocal hues to create one of the most unique sounding albums of 2019. If Kate Bush was an influence, the torch seems to be getting passed through the mirrors of this album, Olsen's own <i>Hounds of Love</i>.<br />
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<img alt="All Mirrors" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1nrMm2bSwL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">3) WEYES BLOOD--Titanic Rising</span></i></b><br />
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If Angel Olsen's album was 2019's nod to Kate Bush, Weyes Blood's 2019 album was a bit of an homage to Aimee Mann in a spacey sort of way. Whether or not Natalie Mering's intention was to invoke that sound (adding a bit of Nilsson and Nyro in the process), she spins melodies here that sound like the best classic singer-songwriter records of rock's golden age without being merely a copy artist. A breathtaking talent emerges.<br />
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<img alt="Titanic Rising" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71mN1CnCQIL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">4) THOM YORKE--Anima</span></i></b><br />
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After all the records Thom Yorke has made over the past three decades, Radiohead was still going strong, as 2016's <i>A Moon Shaped Pool</i> was one of their best. Yorke steps away from that band in what is basically a side-trip, but what a trip this one is. There are definitely times here where past and future collide, but Yorke somehow seems to keep mining new ideas from what have become his typical musical palette (granted, his palette is more expansive than most). Only Thom could take a song like "Dawn Chorus", a one-note melodic offering with fractured bits of text, and turn it into one of the most soul-crushing songs of the year.<br />
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<img alt="ANIMA" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71J3Jpm9Z9L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">5) ELBOW--Giants of All Sizes</span></i></b><br />
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Elbow. The band that very few in the know or have even heard of. That's an unfortunate thing, because as much as Guy Garvey gets compared to Peter Gabriel vocally, one would think they could be on the level of popularity that Gabriel had at least before his 80's pop explosion. They quietly continue making records, and this, their eighth studio record, deals with the death of Garvey's father in emotionally poignant ways. The band seems somewhat reinvigorated here, with some of Garvey's finest vocal work to date on display. An unassuming treasure.<br />
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<img alt="Giants of All Sizes [LP]" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1tZv4u-CfL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">6) LANA DEL REY--NFR!</span></i></b><br />
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The year of the Lana. I begin to ask myself this...What makes this album so much better than her others? That's a question seriously worth pondering as really...all of her albums have been very good (yes, even <i>Honeymoon</i>). While the album is a bit lengthy with the third song being the nearly-ten-minute romp "Venice Bitch", <i>NFR!</i> could have probably done with a bit of editing and track rearrangement, but overall it's just another strong piece of modern Americana from a woman who continues to find new facets of the character that is Lana Del Rey.<br />
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<img alt="NFR! [2 LP]" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81dp5g3JTwL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">7) THE NATIONAL--I am Easy to Find</span></i></b><br />
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Some folks wanted to write this off as a kind of vanity side-project, but I'll go out on a limb and say it's one of their best albums yet. The National are still managing to find new ways to present their material, and while it might be just a tad long and feature one or two too many interlude moments (I'm looking at the choir mostly), overall, this is a very beautiful album, probably their most intimate. Intimacy may not sell scads of records, but what they tapped into was a certain calm with the addition of several female vocal contributors including a peerless Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie), Sharon van Etten, and Lisa Hannigan among others. It's easy to find much to like here if you can suspend expectation.<br />
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<img alt="I Am Easy to Find (COLOR VINYL)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41YgCIbbmdL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">8) THESE NEW PURITANS--Inside the Rose</span></i></b><br />
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Possibly the most obscure artist on the list, These New Puritans took six years making this album, a dark and beautiful mix of electronic and acoustic chamber music, claustrophobic and also expansive. Twin brothers George and Jack Barnett are now the remaining core of the group (after slimming down from a foursome), and while the hushed <i>Spirit of Eden</i>-ness of their last effort, <i>Field of Reeds</i>, has been replaced with a certain dark keyboard texture, this album and its focal attention to detail is what makes it so uniquely special. I'm intrigued by what the next chapter will bring.<br />
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<img alt="Inside The Rose" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-Bi2-GRXL._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">9) DIVINE COMEDY--Office Politics</span></i></b><br />
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Neil Hannon has been at it now for nearly 30 years. If you live in America, chances are you have never heard of him. He is a British icon, one of the pack of Britpop bands of the 90's and virtually the only who has been at it the entire time. His music is extremely English...Fun and funny, quirky and endearing, and while he's had one or two detours (EMI tried pushing him in a Radiohead direction once, pairing him with their producer, Nigel Godrich...It didn't really work...), he always produces quality material. This concept album about the workplace and it's pitfalls is full of (divine) comedy and tragedy, with Hannon showing how one cannot have yin without yang. There are a couple goofy diversions, but with tracks called "The Synthesiser Service Center Super Summer Sale" and "Philip and Steve's Furniture Removal Company" (named for composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich, who used to move furniture in their early days), you know you're going to be in for a bit of humor as well.<br />
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<img alt="Office Politics (Deluxe)" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1o6F7A10-L._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>10) JENNY LEWIS--On the Line</b></i></span><br />
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The album Jenny Lewis was destined to make. While exhibiting some vocal chops in her prior band, Rilo Kiley, Lewis went on to make quiet folk and indie rock records that were all interesting, but didn't seem to put her up where she deserved to be. Her last album, 2014's <i>The Voyager</i>, was quite good, but there's a certain effortless breeziness about this album and tracks like "Red Bull & Hennessey" or "Rabbit Hole". Having a clear reference point to write about (mostly based on her mothers' problems with partying and being mom), Jenny's pen grew sharp and her melodies tough and yet vulnerable. Definitely a great summer driving album and catchy as hell.<br />
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<img alt="On The Line" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81frUTibqfL._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">11) VAMPIRE WEEKEND--Father of the Bride</span></b></i><br />
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Six years away, and while the overall feel is a bit more mature, Vampire Weekend are still one of the greatest indie bands in America.<br />
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<img alt="Father of the Bride" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61xAKwAZqHL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>12) PIROSHKA--Brickbat</i></b></span><br />
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Largely overlooked, Miki Berenyi (formerly of British shoegaze band, Lush) returned with a new band that featured enough sonic touchstones of her past work, coupled with a new sense of political urgency and fire. Extraordinary.<br />
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<img alt="Brickbat" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91L9qE-8baL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">13) BIG THIEF--U.F.O.F. / Two Hands</span></i></b><br />
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Big Thief gave us not one, but two great albums in 2019, and while they really are rather different in tone and style, they are two sides of the greater whole that is Big Thief 2019. Does that make any sense at all??<br />
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<img alt="U.F.O.F." src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81vHSSxuScL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Two Hands" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81rs%2BtIQ-iL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">14) MICHAEL KIWANUKA--Kiwanuka</span></b></i><br />
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Kiwanuka's third studio album continues to show just how talented and essential this guy is to the current music scene, bringing an old-school sensibility and intelligence to a world sorely lacking in it.<br />
Glorious stuff.<br />
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<img alt="KIWANUKA" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61OaMGe9u3L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">15) SHARON VAN ETTEN--Remind Me Tomorrow</span></b></i><br />
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Featuring some of the best cover art this year, van Etten returns after five years away (and a stint in the Twin Peaks roadhouse in 2017) to deliver her most potent collection of material yet, with "Seventeen" being one of the best songs of the year as well.<br />
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<img alt="Remind Me Tomorrow" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91pktLvKSdL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">16) CHARLI XCX--Charli</span></i></b><br />
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Either you get Charli or you don't, but this surely has to be the sound of pop music in 2019. While there's a lot of Taylor, Carly, and Katy still around, Charli is the loose cannon of pop. You never know exactly where she's going, but somehow you can't look away.<br />
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<img alt="Charli (CD)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/6109K0jp76L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">17) ALEX CAMERON--Miami Memory</span></b></i><br />
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Speaking of loose cannons, <i>Miami Memory</i> was a bit of a detour from the Springsteen stance of the last Alex Cameron album, as he moves squarely into more personal territory, describing his love, hate, and intimate sexual situations in graphic detail (the title track's lyric "Eating your ass like an oyster/The way you came like a tsunami" taking the prize). Still, there's a lot of heart here, and certainly more of Alex.<br />
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<img alt="Miami Memory" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91%2B09Tm-SUL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">18) SHURA--Forevher</span></i></b><br />
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Getting personal must have been the theme of 2019, since we got the records we did from Nick Cave, Jenny Lewis, Alex Cameron, and this one from Shura. Detailing her love and courtship with a female paramour, Shura is not only funky on tracks like "Religion", but she can also be quite sensitive on songs like "Princess Leia", reminiscing about how she felt hearing Carrie Fisher had died while she herself was flying on a plane. Touching.<br />
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<img alt="Forevher" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81K7MUzmKjL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">19) LIAM GALLAGHER--Why Me? Why Not</span></b></i><br />
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It shouldn't work but it does. Gallagher's second solo album since ditching the Beady Eye moniker has brought Liam back to pretty full Oasis-y swagger, while his brother continues to make experimental art rock (and Robbie Williams makes bloated Christmas cookies). You can't keep Ol' Liam down, thank God.<br />
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<img alt="Why Me? Why Not." src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/B1MYv7d47BS._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">20) LOWER DENS--Competition</span></b></i><br />
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If Beach House were peppier and more political, they'd sound more like these fellow Baltimoreans. American yacht pop delivered with a message.<br />
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<img alt="The Competition" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71XHrHMcwGL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>21) BON IVER--i.i</i></b></span><br />
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Finding a better synthesis of the electro-avant garde than he did on <i>22.a million</i>, Bon Iver brings elements more effortlessly full circle, making a more enjoyable album in the process as well.<br />
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<img alt="i,i" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1sw1BFqyfL._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">22) LIZZO--Cuz I Love You</span></i></b><br />
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What else can be said except she IS the breakout star of the year along with Billie Eilish, and her hits "Juice" and "Truth Hurts" can be found here. Sasha Flute indeed.<br />
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<img alt="Cuz I Love You (Deluxe)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QBGNark9L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">23) BILLIE EILISH--When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go</span></i></b><br />
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The other big breakout star of 2019 is 17-year old Billie Eilish, who made one of the most daring and rather bleak albums for such a young artist. It's almost like the absence of melody without being rap...<br />
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<img alt="WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71SHkMeVdhL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">24) HOT CHIP--Bath Full of Ecstasy</span></b></i><br />
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They just keep quietly making great records, and this one features a couple of their most well-rounded songs with "Melody of Love" and "Hungry Child".<br />
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<img alt="A Bath Full Of Ecstasy" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91kPV7n-OpL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">25) DIIV--Deceiver</span></i></b><br />
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A victory lap for a band who has risen above many personal problems, <i>Deceiver</i> is their most focused and exciting effort so far. Keep it up, guys.<br />
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<img alt="Deceiver" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91O2errAKHL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">26) MARK RONSON--Late Night Feelings</span></b></i><br />
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Who would have thought that Mark Ronson's best album would be a late-night comedown record featuring only guest female singers crooning laments over textured dance beats? Well...it is. Points to Yebba, who is one of the most extraordinary vocal talents that has yet to really break through, and while the Camila Cabello and Miley Cyrus contributions help to sell the record, the best turns (other than Yebba) are from Angel Olsen, Lykke Li, and King Princess.<br />
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<img alt="Late Night Feelings" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71m8Vcm0CdL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">27) WILCO--Ode to Joy</span></b></i><br />
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Wilco made another enjoyable album here, and while texturally more muted than most of their records (it has more in common with the last Jeff Tweedy solo record sonically), there's fire in the lyrics guiding these songs down their spinning paths. Rewarding on repeat listens.<br />
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<img alt="Ode to Joy" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6183uoIN64L._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">28) JULIA JACKLIN--Crushing</span></i></b><br />
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An unbelievable album that slipped by early in the year, Australian artist Julia Jacklin details an imploding relationship in crushing detail. Speaking your truth in honest detail can be cathartic. This record is a do not miss.<br />
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<img alt="Crushing" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815WD2ab8hL._SS500_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">29) UNDERWORLD--Drift Series 1</span></i></b><br />
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Making a song a week for a year is a tricky prospect. You have to really be committed to the effort, and once you begin, you really can't stop. Underworld did just that, and they were so happy with the results, they're doing it again in 2019! Here they pick out their personal highlights to make an album that plays well as a continuous experience, and if you've got five hours and some extra cash, pick up the box set to hear their whole damn year.<br />
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<img alt="DRIFT Series 1 Sampler Edition [2 LP]" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71qQdvYsCHL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">30) PURPLE MOUNTAINS--Purple Mountains</span></b></i><br />
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RIP David Berman. Great album. That is all.<br />
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<img alt="Purple Mountains" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71qVbYDYZiL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Honorable Mention:<br />
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<b><i>PRINCE--Originals</i></b> AND <b><i>1999 (Deluxe edition)</i></b>----<br />
----(These would probably top the list but I'm trying to keep it to things recorded this year)<br />
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<i><b>AMERICAN FOOTBALL--American Football</b></i><br />
<i><b>BAT FOR LASHES--Lost Girls</b></i><br />
<i><b>JENNY HVAL--Practice of Love</b></i><br />
<i><b>RIDE--This is Not a Safe Place</b></i><br />
<i><b>BOB MOULD--Sunshine Rock</b></i><br />
<i><b>SWANS--Leaving Meaning</b></i><br />
<i><b>BETTER OBLIVION COMMUNITY CENTER--Better Oblivion Community Center</b></i><br />
<i><b>EDWYN COLLINS--Badbea</b></i><br />
<i><b>FRIENDLY FIRES--Inflorescence</b></i><br />
<i><b>CRANBERRIES--In the End</b></i><br />
<i><b>JESSICA PRATT--Quiet Signs</b></i><br />
<i><b>TAYLOR SWIFT--Lover</b></i><br />
<i><b>STURGILL SIMPSON--Sound & Fury</b></i><br />
<i><b>BRITTANY HOWARD--Jaime</b></i><br />
<i><b>SLEATER-KINNEY--Center Won't Hold</b></i><br />
<i><b>STRAND OF OAKS--Eraserland</b></i><br />
<i><b>JOE JACKSON--Fool</b></i><br />
<i><b>BECK--Hyperspace</b></i><br />
<i><b>NEW PORNOGRAPHERS--In the Morse Code of Brake Lights</b></i><br />
<i><b>HIGHWOMEN--Highwomen</b></i><br />
<i><b>ANDREW BIRD--My Finest Work Yet</b></i><br />
<i><b>MARK LANEGAN--Somebody's Knocking</b></i><br />
<i><b>BLACK KEYS--Let's Rock</b></i><br />
<i><b>RACONTEURS--Help Us Stranger</b></i><br />
<i><b>SPECIALS--Encore</b></i><br />
<i><b>SWERVEDRIVER--Future Ruins</b></i><br />
<i><b>CAGE THE ELEPHANT--Social Cues</b></i><br />
<i><b>RICHARD HAWLEY--Further</b></i><br />
<i><b>OCEAN BLUE--Kings & Queens/Knaves & Thieves</b></i><br />
<i><b>MAVIS STAPLES--We Get By</b></i><br />
<i><b>BILL CALLAHAN--Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest</b></i><br />
<i><b>MOUNTAIN GOATS--In League With Dragons</b></i><br />
<i><b>CRAIG FINN--I Need a New War</b></i><br />
<i><b>HOLD STEADY--Thrashing Thru the Passion</b></i><br />
<i><b>JOAN SHELLEY--Like the River Loves the Sea</b></i><br />
<i><b>CATE LE BON--Reward</b></i><br />
<i><b>FOALS--Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost 1 & 2</b></i><br />
<i><b>PURE BATHING CULTURE--Night Pass</b></i><br />
<i><b>POND--Tasmania</b></i><br />
<i><b>BARONESS--Gold & Gray</b></i><br />
<i><b>HOWARD JONES--Transform</b></i><br />
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Bring on 2020! It's already shaping up to be a very strong music year!<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-53915696009869320282019-07-14T11:47:00.004-07:002019-07-14T11:47:48.417-07:0050% of 2019 is gone...Where were you when these hit the shelf?2019 rolls along like a freight train and a lot of music was released. In some ways, it has felt like a lot of records with a few that stick out as great and several that are very good. Behind that, a mountain of stuff that's fair to middling, but of course, that's just an opinion. There's always new music we're discovering every day, so those lists are always mutating somehow. It's a quiet week in the shop with the holiday that we thought it was a good time to reminisce about the first half of the year, wrapping up our favorites so far in an effort to get a good year end list together once the release schedule lets up. It has actually been a more active June than usual, as it seems record companies are starting to focus more on the summer months than before, with most of March sometimes problematic depending on weather situations up north. Maybe this isn't the case, but it sure feels that way. Big recent releases from The Black Keys, The Raconteurs, Bruce Springsteen, and a mountain of archival material from everyone Neil Young and Grateful Dead to Prince and The Rolling Stones show what an active period it's been.<br />
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Without further ado, here are our favorite albums in 2019 so far (We would write descriptions, but there's a ton of info out there already about these albums through the power of Google, so we'll save that part for the year end list)...What were <i>your</i> choices?:<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">1) WEYES BLOOD--Titanic Rising</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">2) PRINCE--Originals</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">3) THOM YORKE--Anima</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">4) DIVINE COMEDY--Office Politics</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">5) THESE NEW PURITANS--Inside the Rose</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">6) THE NATIONAL--I Am Easy to Find</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">7) JENNY LEWIS--On the Line</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">8) SHARON VAN ETTEN--Remind Me Tomorrow</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">9) HOT CHIP--A Bathfull of Ecstasy</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">10) VAMPIRE WEEKEND--Father of the Bride</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">11) PIROSHKA--Brickbat</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">12) AMERICAN FOOTBALL--American Football 3</span></b><br />
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<img alt="American Football (LP3) (180-Gram Colored Vinyl w/ download card)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61JuPfXMg9L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">13) LIZZO--Cuz I Love You</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">14) BILLIE EILISH--When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">15) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN--Western Stars</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">16) BETTER OBLIVION COMMUNITY CENTER--Better Oblivion Community Center</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">17) BLACK KEYS--Let's Rock!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">18) BOB MOULD--Sunshine Rock</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">19) JOE JACKSON--Fool</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">20) CRANBERRIES--In the End</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">HONORABLE MENTION:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">BIG THIEF--U.F.O.F.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">THE RACONTEURS--Help Us Stranger</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">THE SPECIALS--Encore</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">CAGE THE ELEPHANT--Social Cues</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">CATE LE BON--Reward</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">STRAND OF OAKS--Eraserland</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">MOUNTAIN GOATS--In League With Dragons</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">CRAIG FINN--I Need a New War</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">SWERVEDRIVER--Future Ruins</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">BARONESS--Gold & Grey</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">PURE BATHING CULTURE--Night Pass</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">FOALS--Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">ANDREW BIRD--My Finest Work Yet</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">HOWARD JONES--Transform</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">POND--Tasmania</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">OCEAN BLUE--Kings & Queens/Knaves & Thieves</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">LADYTRON--Ladytron</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">EDWYN COLLINS--Badbea</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">MARK RONSON--Late Night Feelings</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">RUSTIN MAN--Drift Code</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">BILL CALLAHAN--Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">PEDRO THE LION--Phoenix</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">CARLY RAE JEPSEN--Dedicated</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">TOY--Happy in the Hollow</span></b><br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-6037011048718097842018-12-12T19:27:00.001-08:002018-12-12T19:53:58.286-08:00The Best Albums of 2018 as we see them...Once again, another year is nearing the end, and it's time for our yearly review of what we found riveting in the world of music. What a weird year it has been. So much good music has been released, and yet, music seems so fractured now and the variety is so huge, there is really no way to cover all worthy titles in one simple list. The following is not necessarily the albums we loved the most in 2018 (although we did love or at least like many of them), but they are the ones that impressed us to the point that we were moved in some way to promote or discuss them with other music fans.<br />
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So here is our list of Best Albums of 2018. Please be kind if we omitted one of your favorites. It was hard to remember everything...<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">1)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE QUEEN--Merrie Land</span></b><br />
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Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) joins back up with Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve), and Tony Allen (Fela Kuti) for the first time in 11 years to spin a yarn of dystopian post-Brexit England. Albarn calls it a sequel to <i>Parklife</i>, Blur's big Oasis-competing album of the mid-90's, only now he wonders if all that English Pride has somehow created an Us v Them mentality of isolationism and racial preservation at the expense of its own future. It might not hit you over the head on the first play, but over repeated listenings, this is a deeply unsettling album about a troubled nation at war with its own ideologies. Creaky decay abounds...<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">2)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> SUEDE--The Blue Hour</span></b><br />
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Their third album after a successful reunion album and tour in 2013 (<i>Bloodsports</i>), <i>The Blue Hour</i> follows <i>Night Thoughts</i> as a self-proclaimed trilogy in which the band finally seem to be dispensing with attaching "London" to the beginning of their name. It's one of their best albums yet, focusing on the death and decay one finds if they look hard enough at the suburbs of England's largest cities. Grand in scope, it features some of their best songwriting with the final three ballads being particularly haunting. Great seeing a band that's been through so much making such impressive artistic statements so far into their near-30-year career.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">3)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> LOW--Double Negative</span></b><br />
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From the second this album begins to play, Low demand you listen on their terms. They are exploring new musical languages here where even their vocals get buried under layers of distortion, all in service to the overall effect. It's rare when one finds an album in which the studio itself has been used as a musical instrument, and the ideas here are nothing short of inspiring. A groundbreaking achievement in what one thinks of as "alternative" music, and a leap in a chapter of Low, a long-existing band that still manage to find new ways to make music interesting.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">4)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> FATHER JOHN MISTY--God's Favorite Customer</span></b><br />
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Could it be that Josh Tillman is THE singer-songwriter of this generation? He's certainly in the running, and this is his third album in the past three years, nothing short of prolific (especially considering the length of last year's <i>Pure Comedy</i>). <i> God's Favorite Customer</i> is a tighter, briefer album than his last, and yet there is still a wealth of ideas and arrangements. What really stands out is Tillman's sarcasm, most evident on songs like "Mr. Tillman", which he composed while living in an LA hotel. It's one observational piece in the puzzle that makes up the enigma of Father John Misty.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">5)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> GORILLAZ--The Now Now</span></b><br />
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Damon Albarn strikes again! His second entry in the top 10 was this summer's latest Gorillaz album, <i>The Now Now</i>, which follows last year's <i>Humanz</i> (This guy's been busy). One reason this album succeeds is how it presents itself as the antithesis to the last album, marred by too many guest spots and too little of Damon's weary, creaky Britpop vocals to balance the project (it was like a super mixtape). <i>The Now Now</i> feels much more personal and fully developed, with clubby and summery tracks rubbing up against new wave styled material and forlorn balladry. It's actually one of Albarn's best records to date.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">6)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> PARQUET COURTS--Wide Awake</span></b><br />
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One of the most surprising records of the year was the great new Parquet Courts album. It took their ramshackle style, harnessed it to a Danger Mouse production that basically stayed out of the way but said "You guys need to bring the hooks". What developed was an album with energy and urgency, flipping through a bunch of different styles from one track to the next, and they seem pretty comfortable with every one of them. This is a great alternative rock record that's a throwback while pointing the future to a positive Parquet Courts to come. And "Total Football" is a jam!<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">7)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> SHAME--Songs of Praise</span></b><br />
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Another big surprise this year was the debut of Shame, a twitchy and punky young British act (Think Gang of Four, Buzzcocks, Wire, etc). A band with a charismatic lead singer/howler that takes in alterna-pop fare on tracks like "One Rizla", but then goes sort of darkly off the deep end with some of their other tracks ("Gold Hole" is particularly disturbing in a Trump-y sort of way). Not for the faint of heart but definitely worth the time, Shame has a bright future indeed.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">8)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> THE 1975--A Brief History Into Online Relationships</span></b><br />
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Matty Healy and co. continue to stretch their emo souls as they release what may be their best album yet. Still unwieldy in structure and difficult to pin down, the latest album from The 1975 finds them taking on Bon Iver-styled electronica, ambient textures, light jazz and hip hop, rousing dance pop, and more. None of this would work, however, were it not for the lyrics Healy comes up with, honest tropes that push the profound and the banal together in one sentence. The 1975 may seem cookie cutter in some ways, but in reality, they are a unique band in a sea of soundalikes. Something here for everybody.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">9)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> JANELLE MONAE--Dirty Computer</span></b><br />
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Janelle continues to thrill with her latest album, <i>Dirty Computer</i>, in which she takes a bit of a break from the Cindy Mayweather story of her past couple archandroid releases. The sci-fi is still present, yet Janelle has other things she wants to discuss here, mainly more about humans, whether it be race and civil rights, sex and gender equality, shackles of poverty and an unfair justice system, and freedom for everyone. These are heady topics that she generally nails with observational grace, and while it may lack some of the freeform aspects of its predecessors, it's an album from an artist who has become so very important to the world of popular music and a much needed voice right now.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">10)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> LILY ALLEN--No Shame</span></b><br />
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Oh Lily. At first we weren't really feeling this record, as she has traded much of the charming ska and light electronica that made her a hit in the first place for something a bit more trendy and trap-centric, so we sort of dismissed it. Then we listened again. And again. It's like a car crash one can't turn away from. Allen's personal life fell into shambles when she began making this record, and it plays like the diary of a very hurt individual after a painful divorce. Lily gets more personal than ever, and while the music may sometimes be a bit skeletal, she always delivers in the lyrics and the melodies, showing why this album was nominated for this year's Mercury Prize in England. It was likely her most difficult album to make, but the payoff is there if you stick with it. Some of the saddest songs I've heard all year.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">11)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> BEACH HOUSE--7</span></b><br />
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Baltimore's Beach House do it again with another album of soft-focus psychedelic pop that brings forth some of their best qualities that had diminished somewhat with their last two releases that came out a couple years ago almost together (<i>Depression Cherry</i> and <i>Thank Your Lucky Stars</i>...not including the B-sides album of last year too). Ultimately, 7 is one of the most enjoyable Beach House releases as it pulls together their most direct tendencies as a statement of purpose with a bit of experimentation thrown in for good measure. If you liked <i>Teen Dream</i> or <i>Bloom</i>, this is more along those lines.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">12)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> GANG OF YOUTHS--Go Farther in Lightness</span></b><br />
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As we previously stated, this album was actually released in 2017 but not physically until early 2018 in the US. These Australians take the best influences from the anthemic rock of Springsteen and the alternative heart of early Arcade Fire, channel it through a bit of emo and Eno, and come up with one of the most heartfelt and engaging albums of the year, musically and lyrically. It's an album that deals with illness of a loved one, but projects a rather optimistic future after all the heartbreak, giving the listener a ray of sunshine after the storm. It's cathartic and moving, and one that we'll be playing for years to come, moody instrumentals and all.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">13) </span><span style="font-size: large;"> NATALIE PRASS--The Future & The Past</span></b><br />
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Virginia's own Natalie Prass sort of flew under our radar a couple years back with her debut, and while she continued working with most of the same people for this release, she took some artistic risks that really paid off here. Channeling both Karen Carpenter and Janet Jackson may seem like a bit of a stretch, but Natalie imbues this album with the soul and lighter touches of Jackson's early funk balladry with the precision of Carpenter's melancholy. It's a rewarding combination that stuns on repeated listens, and we think it's one of the most purely enjoyable albums of the year (In other words, you really don't have to try to like it). Her musicality also opens the doors to what the possibility of the future holds, and we can't wait to see where she goes from here.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">14)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> MITSKI--Be the Cowboy</span></b><br />
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Mitski is rather new to the music "scene", having had some critical acclaim with her previous album, <i>Puberty 2</i> from 2016. <i>Be the Cowboy</i> is a different beast entirely, as she becomes much more comfortable with the studio and expanding her sonic palette. The jump in production technique between the two releases is shocking, as she now seems so professional as though she's been doing this for years, and while she is musically adept, the songs speak with more fluidity as a result of this newfound sophistication. <i>Be the Cowboy</i> is the album that proves Mitski is one to watch for the future.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">15)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> TRACEY THORN--Record</span></b><br />
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Tracey Thorn albums have become special events anymore, as she has basically receded from "the music thing" to the point that she no longer plays live (she says she has developed stage fright), and this is after several years as half of the duo Everything But the Girl (with husband Ben Watt). Her albums now feel like labors of love, as she continues to work with longtime producer Ewan Peterson on <i>Record</i>, an album of seven rather brief pop tracks and an extended one (the fantastic "Sister" featuring Corinne Bailey Rae on backing vocals). It's one of the most personal albums of the year (alongside Lily Allen and Gang of Youths) as a sort of chronological autobiography of her life journey in song as she is now fifty-something with stories to tell. Strangely, she continues to shun working with her musician husband after nearly two decades of tiny guest spots and a few solo albums for both, yet she continues to plough her own musical path in the process. With records this good, that seems to be an OK thing.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">16)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> ARCTIC MONKEYS--Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino</span></b><br />
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One of the bravest and most audacious moves of the year was this album from Arctic Monkeys. Following the super popular AM (2013), years spent doing other things (like Last Shadow Puppets) changed Alex Turner's perception of what this band could be. Here he avoids anything that plays like a radio hit, instead coming up with an art piece describing a story of himself as fading rock star who tires of the whole thing and decides to move to Mars where he can focus on life in the intergalactic hotel and casino. This, kids, is what we used to call a "concept album". Few hooks and tons of lyrics, Turner stretches out and slows things down considerably for an album that may seem easy to admire and hard to love, and yet, the more you hear it, the more it settles into a very strong piece of work with moments of humor and wit. Not your typical Arctic Monkeys record then, but with Turner at their heart, that's OK.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">17)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> CHARLI XCX--Number 1 Angel / Pop 2</span></b><br />
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This is sort of cheating since Charli's two mixtapes, <i>Number 1 Angel</i> and<i> Pop2</i> both came out in 2017 (April and December, respectively), but in today's marketplace, we didn't hear either of these here until 2018 when they were released on vinyl together. A modern pop career that is comprised of albums, singles, collaborations, mixtapes...this new pop thing is all a bit confusing to keep up with...yet, these two collections comprising 20 tracks play as a definitive version of what it means to sound "pop" in 2018. <i>Number 1 Angel</i> is the more melodic and catchy of the two, placing heartfelt ballads inbetween cut n paste dance tracks, while <i>Pop2</i> is definitely more experimental. They feature an array of post-millennial guest stars including Carly Rae Jepsen, Tove Lo, SOPHIE, Mykki Blanco, and Cupcakke among others.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">18)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> BREEDERS--All Nerve</span></b><br />
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Who would have thought the Breeders foursome that made the classic <i>Last Splash</i> album would reunite to make one of the best "alternative" albums of 2018? Somehow the Breeders' reunion seemed to produce results that picked up right where <i>Last Splash</i> left off, and landed much closer to their former material than the Pixies' recent reboot without (member of both) Kim Deal did. Even the artwork was 4AD worthy, echoing the look and feel of their former record label. While there are some darker turns on this album than their usual fare, the experimentation opens the door to new areas of exploration. This is how to do a reunion right, and here's hoping they can build on what they released here.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">19)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> KACEY MUSGRAVES--Golden Hour</span></b><br />
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Simply put, Kacey Musgraves wins the award for the most easily likable album of 2018. She is proving herself to be much more than the typical country artist, imbuing her songs with charm and wit, humor and heartache, and she continues to talk about things that have been endlessly written about in new and unique perspectives. While Taylor Swift seems like she can sometimes be trying too hard, Kacey is effortless in her work and appeal. There's not a wasted moment on this album, and if you have not heard it, here's a good example of what a good country/pop crossover SHOULD sound like in 2018.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">20)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> MARIANNE FAITHFULL--Negative Capability</span></b><br />
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Has Marianne Faithfull made the bravest album of 2018? We'll let you decide. The 71-year old former Mick Jagger flame continues to push herself, even when it seems as though her voice is trying to leave her. There is no place for her voice to hide here, and the years of drug abuse when she was younger have definitely taken their toll. It's even more apparent how worn her voice has become than it was on 2014's <i>Give My Love to London</i> album. One listen to her raw reworking of "As Tears Go By", her hit song written by Jagger/Richards/Oldham and released when she was 18, and comparing it to the original shows she has had a very hard life of hard living. Even so, she bares herself more intimately than any other singer of her age and condition (or almost any other singer, really), and it's rather shocking being confronted by this sound so directly. A couple more Dylan and Pretty Things covers mix here with originals by Nick Cave, Ed Harcourt, and Mark Lanegan. Marianne, however, is the star of the show.<br />
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<b style="background-color: red;">Other Highlights:</b><br />
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<b>JOHN GRANT--Love is Magic</b><br />
<b>SPIRITUALIZED--And Nothing Hurt</b><br />
<b>KALI UCHIS--Isolation</b><br />
<b>WYE OAK--The Louder I Call, the Faster it Runs</b><br />
<b>BELLY--Dove</b><br />
<b>JAMES--Living in Extraordinary Times</b><br />
<b>PREOCCUPATIONS--New Material</b><br />
<b>KAMASI WASHINGTON--Heaven & Earth</b><br />
<b>OF MONTREAL--White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood</b><br />
<b>ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER--Rebound</b><br />
<b>DIRTY PROJECTORS--Lamp Lit Prose</b><br />
<b>HOP ALONG--Bark Your Head Off, Dog</b><br />
<b>DJANGO DJANGO--Marble Skies</b><br />
<b>MESHELL NDEGE'OCELLO--Ventriloquist</b><br />
<b>J MASCIS--Elastic Days</b><br />
<b>STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS--Sparkle Hard</b><br />
<b>JACK LADDER--Blue Poles</b><br />
<b>SLEEP--The Sciences</b><br />
<b>SNAIL MAIL--I Feel Pretty</b><br />
<b>JAKE SHEARS--Jake Shears</b><br />
<b>LEON BRIDGES--Good Thing</b><br />
<b>MUSE--Simulation Theory</b><br />
<b>SHRIEKBACK--Why Anything? Why This?</b><br />
<b>ELVIS COSTELLO--Look Now</b><br />
<b>DUBSTAR--One</b><br />
<b>SIMPLE MINDS--Walk Between Worlds</b><br />
<b>KURT VILE--Bottle it in</b><br />
<b>BELLE & SEBASTIAN--How to Solve Our Human Problems 1, 2 & 3</b><br />
<b>COURTNEY BARNETT--Tell Me How You Really Feel</b><br />
<b>FLORENCE & THE MACHINE--High as Hope</b><br />
<b>CAR SEAT HEADREST--Twin Fantasy</b><br />
<b>JOHNNY MARR--Call the Comet</b><br />
<b>GRUFF RHYS--Babelsberg</b><br />
<b>LISA STANSFIELD--Deeper</b><br />
<b>FRANZ FERDINAND--Always Ascending</b><br />
<b>JOHN COLTRANE--Both Directions at Once</b><br />
<b>SHANNON SHAW--Shannon in Nashville</b><br />
<b>MGMT--Little Dark Age</b><br />
<b>CHVRCHES--Love is Dead</b><br />
<b>OUGHT--Room Inside the World</b><br />
<b>THE VOIDZ--Virtue</b><br />
<b>SLOAN--12</b><br />
<b>RY COODER--The Prodigal Son</b><br />
<b>ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO--The Crossing</b><br />
<b>JOHN PRINE--Tree of Forgiveness</b><br />
<b>YO LA TENGO--There's a Riot Going On</b><br />
<b>SOPHIE--Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides</b><br />
<b>SUPERCHUNK--What a Time to Be Alive</b><br />
<b>LO MOON--Lo Moon</b><br />
<b>CAT POWER--Wanderer</b><br />
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Treat yourself and bring some of these into your life...See you in 2019...Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-2075974724912079272018-07-07T09:45:00.000-07:002018-07-07T11:02:12.428-07:002018...Let's meet in the middle...Hello music lovers! It's the midpoint of 2018 and time to pause for a little retrospective reflection and see just what music has really reached into our souls this year. 2018 has seemed like a fairly active year musically, with lots of things being released (some digital only, which we will not consider here as they don't really exist except in a purely cyber world, right purists?), and with every exciting release, there seemed to be a few unfortunate letdowns. Face it, everyone has them. Even Gorillaz, who had a minor blip last year with <i>Humanz</i>, their first album in seven years, comes roaring back here a year later with <i>The Now Now</i>, one of the best albums of their career. Go figure! I can't really think of any major disasters, but some seemed a little less inspired or lackluster than usual, while others maintained their high quality of delivering time after time, or elevated their sound to something new while still engaging the listener. Below is our list of our top favorites of the first half of 2018. Did any of yours make the list? If the first six months were this full, imagine what the next six will bring...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) FATHER JOHN MISTY--<i>God's Favorite Customer</i></span></b><br />
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Somewhat more reined in than last year's <i>Pure Comedy</i> but no less brilliant, Josh Tillman now turns the spotlight on himself and his own insecurities on a less indulgent album, maintaining his high quality of melodicism while finding new ways to approach lyrical conceits that may seem all too familiar. He makes them work here, especially in songs like the heartfelt "Just Dumb Enough to Try" and compelling "The Songwriter", while single "Mr. Tillman" is an ode to himself featuring lyrics name-checking Jason Isbell! As Josh continues chipping away at the persona that is Father John Misty, the lines are beginning to blur as we get closer to the real Mr. Tillman. It's been an interesting journey so far...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) GORILLAZ--<i>The Now Now</i></span></b><br />
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Now now this is more like it. Last year's <i>Humanz</i> was a bit of a scattered mess...Interesting yes, but a hodgepodge of rounded up tracks strewn across Damon Albarn's floor, picked and sequenced to make some kind of statement while dodging core politics (he decided not to namedrop Trump or Theresa May anywhere in order to keep them from getting any more publicity). It came across more as "Look what I can do with my bag of tricks" and not "Here's an album you're going to fall in love with". Maybe had he mixed tracks from <i>Humanz</i> and <i>The Now Now</i>, it would have given fans the respite they were looking for with Damon's voice being more omnipresent. However, by not mixing them together, he has ended up with the most concise and consistent Gorillaz album to date. Damon sings every song but one (an instrumental) and guests are kept to an extreme minimum (three as opposed to 25+), making for one superb, cohesive, happily melancholic and super summery album. <i>The Now Now</i> really feels like the now now, and Damon manages to give the fans mostly what was missing from <i>Humanz</i>. Try mixing tracks from both for an awesome mixtape!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) PARQUET COURTS--<i>Wide Awake</i></span></b><br />
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Parquet Courts have, over the course of a few albums, maintained a constant push toward something more refined that doesn't sacrifice any of their ramshackle spirit, and with <i>Wide Awake</i> (assisted by star producer Danger Mouse), they are reaching that sweet spot between artistic credibility, musicality, passion, and drive. The album features a variety of styles and sounds, channeling their punky spirit on album opener "Total football" (ending with the chant "And fuck Tom Brady"), forays alternately into gentle psychedelia and raucous chantalongs, and Talking Heads-grooviness on the title track. It's a fun and engaging listen that also has something to say, and that's not an easy thing to do. Check it out if you have not.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) SHAME--<i>Songs of Praise</i></span></b><br />
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Shame is an indie band from England, so they are already saddled with expectations before uttering a note. What Shame brings that makes them unique is their spoken/yelled lyrics that can evolve into catchy melodies from vocalist Charlie Steen (some Mark E. Smith tendencies), a band that can play both playfully loose or wound up tight, and a somewhat confrontational stage presence that is riveting in its commitment to the cause. They are the real deal, and <i>Songs of Praise</i> is a must have for any self-respecting fan of UK alterna-punk of the 80's and beyond. Just listening to Steen utter the word "gynecologist" is pretty riveting on its own.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) JANELLE MONAE--<i>Dirty Computer</i></span></b><br />
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What else can be said about Janelle that hasn't been already? Talented singer, actress, activist, artist, etc. After setting screens ablaze with her appearances in Oscar winning films like <i>Moonlight</i> and <i>Hidden Figures</i>, I have to admit I was a bit worried she wouldn't return to the world of music. What a gift that she did. So much of <i>Dirty Computer</i> is imbued with the spirit of Prince, frequent Monae collaborator and advisor...even "Make Me Feel" is like Prince's "Kiss" piped in from another time. While Monae seems to have temporarily abandoned the Cindy Mayweather narrative somewhat that she has employed on her past three releases, the new album resonates with the spirit of the #Metoo movement and empowerment. Face it, Janelle, this girl from Kansas City who's mom used to clean hotel rooms, is unstoppable, and we are all the more blessed for her voice in these troubling times.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6) GANG OF YOUTHS--<i>Go Farther in Lightness</i></span></b><br />
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Actually released in Australia in 2017 but physically issued in the US in 2018, this Australian band came up with an album full of optimism after the lead singer dealt with a situation involving his girlfriend's cancer diagnosis and how one moves on after such a devastating situation. An epic sprawl of an album befitting a classic Arcade Fire record, <i>Go Farther in Lightness</i> is full of bursting energy, quiet reflection, heartfelt lyrics, abundant melodies, bookending interludes, and is simply one of the most engaging albums you'll hear all year. Do yourself a favor and make this one part of your collection the way I have. It deserves a much wider audience.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7) BEACH HOUSE--<i>7</i></span></b><br />
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While Beach House are beginning to seem like old pros at this music thing, here they expand their sonic palette for album <i>7</i> by employing producer Sonic Boom (ex-Spacemen 3). The result is a big sounding album full of buzzy synths and distorted textures befitting a My Bloody Valentine ballad. There's still a wooziness on some tracks like the ethereal "Lemon Glow", but tracks such as opener "Dark Spring" displays a newfound aggression not present in much of their other music. This is a way for Beach House to move forward while still giving the fans what they want or expect. It's an endearing record that develops it's charms over repeated listens, and is their best effort since <i>Bloom</i>.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8) NATALIE PRASS--<i>The Future & the Past</i></span></b><br />
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Talk about taking it to the next level. Natalie Prass' debut a couple years back was a pleasantly engaging listen, wonderfully arranged and written, but when she set out to make album number two, the #Metoo movement and Janet Jackson stirred her consciousness. This directed the album toward an airy sort of funk, the kind of record Steely Dan would have made if they'd had a female singer back in the 70's. A couple moments of pure Karen Carpenter-balladry slip in here and there, but overall, this is one for the sisters who are doin' it for themselves. It's catchy AND meaningful, not an easy thing to do, and it leaves the listener wanting more.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9) NINE INCH NAILS--<i>Bad Witch</i></span></b><br />
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Trent Reznor continued his exploration of the rawer side of Nine Inch Nails with the third of his three planned EP's (or new album, depending on what you think of a six track record with at least one instrumental and a total running time of about 30 minutes). <i>Bad Witch</i> is the most successful of the three, as it opens with a couple grinding NIN stormers, followed closely by some <i>Low</i>-era Bowie sax playing and crooning, something he's never really done this way before. Trent and Bowie were pretty good friends, and <i>Blackstar </i>(Bowie's final record)<i> </i>looms large over this project in scope and tone. It's bracing stuff, and shows a new path for future Nine Inch Nails material. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10) TRACEY THORN--<i>Record</i></span></b><br />
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At this point, every album Tracey releases is a something special. <i>Record</i> is her first effort since 2010 (if you don't count 2012's Christmas album, <i>Tinsel and Lights</i>). She has stated that she now suffers from severe stage fright, and has not performed on stage for nearly twenty years, retreating into motherhood, songwriting, and becoming a lauded author (she has released a couple very good books). One gets the sense that <i>Record</i>, one of her most personal efforts, loosely traces the journey of her life from song to song, as indie musician, member of Everything But the Girl and eventual wife to Ben Watt of said duo, and then motherhood and the mothballing of EBTG and middle age. It is her third solo since their break, and shows just how much she has come into her own. Oddly enough, there is never much mentioned about her history in EBTG or her current home life (although Ben shared quite a bit of himself in his autobiography after his near death around 1990). <i>Record</i> lets us in just enough (although on first listen you wonder if things are well at home), and there are some stunning songs like the epic "Sister" and the poppy "Air", both featuring guest women artists in Corinne Bailey Rae and Shura. Welcome back, and don't wait so long next time.<br />
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<img alt="Number 1 Angel/Pop 2 (Explicit)(2LP Color Vinyl)" src="data:image/webp;base64,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" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">11) CHARLI XCX--<i>Number 1 Angel/Pop 2</i></span></b><br />
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Bratty pop from a fascinating artist who goes all in on what she calls "mixtapes" here. The amount of collaborations sort of lends itself to that, but most pop singers' main records don't sound this fully formed or brave for that matter. That makes it hard to know where exactly to put this project, so maybe we're just better off enjoying it for what it is...a couple really good collections of catchy modern pop tunes.<br />
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<img alt="Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518jZmZ%2BEaL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">12) ARCTIC MONKEYS--<i>Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino</i></span></b><br />
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Much has already been said about this album and its difficult nature, so I will say less here, except that it's a very enjoyable concept album about a rock star moving to another planet. It takes more than three minutes to tell the story, so you have to listen to the whole 45. Do you have the patience?<br />
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<img alt="All Nerve" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vFWWvO2vL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">13) BREEDERS--<i>All Nerve</i></span></b><br />
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Proving you can go back, The Breeders reunited with all four original members for this new record for the first time in over 25 years and came away with an album that actually lives up to the promise of follow-up to <i>Last Splash</i>! It makes one wonder what sort of music we could have been getting all along from this band, much less others who seem to have gone silent or mixed it up with different people when there was a certain chemistry that just worked. Belly (featuring Tanya Donnelly who used to be in the original Breeders) recently reunited and did the same (Lush and Stone Roses tried but couldn't bring themselves to reach the finish line). Sometimes it has to be about preserving your legacy, and whatever the motivation here, it worked, and better than the recent Pixies albums.<br />
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<img alt="Twin Fantasy" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZROWpNXHL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">14) CAR SEAT HEADREST--<i>Twin Fantasy</i></span></b><br />
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Will Toledo has got something. After Ric Ocasek rained all over his parade on previous <i>Teens of Denial</i>, Will went to his comfort zone and re-recorded an earlier album of his, <i>Twin Fantasy</i>. It was a mostly successful endeavor as it benefits from sharper (and more expensive) production. <i>Twin Fantasy</i> is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of Will and into the mind of a young gay man searching for love, not something you're likely to find in heaps of rock records from the past.<br />
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<img alt="High As Hope [Explicit]" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51h%2B-ymZMhL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">15) FLORENCE & THE MACHINE--<i>High as Hope</i></span></b><br />
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Florence dials it back here, employing a bit less-is-more ethos, and it seems to help reach a certain level of depth and intimacy that she hasn't quite reached until now. By making a more personal record, she has given the listener something familiar and something new simultaneously, another win-win for Ms. Welch. Where on earth will she go from here? Will we ever know what The Machine is all about?<br />
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<img alt="Heaven and Earth" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/416TRk2dd6L._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">16) KAMASI WASHINGTON--<i>Heaven & Earth</i></span></b><br />
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Kamasi took some time making this latest magnum jazz opus, and it was worth the wait. Of course, if you're making an album over two hours long and then add a 40 minute EP to it, that's gonna take some time. Coming off like a modern Sun Ra gone funky, Kamasi mixes different kinds and sizes of groups, sometimes including vocals and choirs, to achieve a heady mix of psychedelic acoustics that are quite effective as something to focus on or alternately a soundtrack to a life. Fascinating stuff, but prepare yourself...You're gonna need some serious time to digest it all...<br />
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<img alt="Hell-On" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61YUaGkkynL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">17) NEKO CASE--<i>Hell-On</i></span></b><br />
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The chanteuse of Northwestern indie darlings New Pornographers may have introduced Case and her distinct vocals to a larger audience, but her most interesting work continues to be what she does outside of the band. A couple years back, she participated in a trio with other ladies of the north Laura Veirs and k.d. lang to stunning effect, and now she is back on her own, delivering an album of intricately written and arranged songs, featuring a few male guest vocalists (Mark Lanegan, Eric Bachmann, Porno's own A.C. Newman), and yet she has never sounded more self-assuredly Neko. A series of unfortunate events was the inspiration for this effort, and it feels like much of her life is always on fire somewhere, just as reflected in the album's crazy cover art. It continues the trajectory of an artist who keeps things interesting while she continues to explore her world.<br />
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<img alt="Tell Me How You Really Feel" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41K-VN6eAVL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">18) COURTNEY BARNETT--<i>Tell Me How You Really Feel</i></span></b><br />
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I have to admit I wasn't much for Courtney's shared album with Kurt Vile last year. They are two artists that are great on their own, but for some reason, they just didn't mesh for me as well as I would have liked. Maybe they're each a little too blase about their vocals that two of them at once was too much. I'm not sure. In any case, I am very glad to have Courtney back on her own here, and she rises to the challenge with an album full of great songs and lots of humor to boot. Hopefully she sticks to herself for a little while and develops her sound a little more, as the results here are much more endearing.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">19) KACEY MUSGRAVES--<i>Golden Hour</i></span></b><br />
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Kacey is one of the few country artists on this list, although I hesitate to use that moniker, as she is constantly growing and changing. It amazes me that she manages to live in a Taylor Swift world and yet is still making music that can be considered "country" that still appeals to lots of former Swifties. <i>Golden Hour</i> is her most pop-centric effort to date, but her lyrics and vocals tend to take her in more of a breezy country route. This album has been one of the highest rated albums of 2018, and it's not hard to see why, as there is nothing extraneous, no fluff, just a tight and well-made record that makes you wanna play it again as soon as it ends. That's the sign of something remarkable.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">20) BELLY--<i>Dove</i></span></b><br />
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Another reinvigorated band of the past returns with all it's original members, and while <i>Dove</i> doesn't rewrite the playbook, it gives us a more mature version of Tanya Donnelly as a vocalist 23 years after <i>King</i> was released. It's pleasant enough stuff, and also has the added effect of reminding us how much autotune and studio trickery is a part of all music now, as this is a pretty straightforward record made with their original producer in order to preserve something of their legacy. Just fine the way it is.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">21) OF MONTREAL--<i>White is Relic / Irrealis Mood</i></span></b><br />
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Their most invigorating album in years, and the psychedelic electro-funk would make Prince happy.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">22) WYE OAK--<i>The Louder I Call the Faster it Runs</i></span></b><br />
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Brilliantly talented duo soldiers on after moving around and side projects, now incorporating all elements of their abilities full on. It only goes up from here.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">23) GRUFF RHYS--<i>Babelsburg</i></span></b><br />
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Super Furry Animals' lead singer returns with a great chamber pop album that reminds one of both Scott Walker and The Divine Comedy. One of the best things he's ever done.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">24) JOHNNY MARR--<i>Call the Comet</i></span></b><br />
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Marr continues to grow and develop as a singer and songwriter years after his first gig in the Smiths, and this latest is one of his best so far. Oasis fans take note.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">25) PREOCCUPATIONS--<i>New Material</i></span></b><br />
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Formerly Viet Cong, this Canadian band is sometimes difficult to figure out and can be quite dark. Preoccupations is laser focused on presenting a certain sound and feel, which they achieved here.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">26) BELLE & SEBASTIAN--<i>How to Solve Our Human Problems</i></span></b><br />
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The strategy of releasing 3 EPs over a three month period was sort of genius but also a bit confusing. If one gets to the heart of the songs contained in these EPs, we'd have an excellent full album to hear in one full listening.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">27) TRACYANNE & DANNY--<i>Tracyanne & Danny</i></span></b><br />
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Camera Obscura lost keyboardist Carey Lander at age 33 to bone cancer, and singer Tracyanne felt lost. After taking a break and taking care of her young child, she has taken steps back toward music with the help of her friend, Danny Coughlan. Their debut is a bit of an ode to an American road-trip, something to help take Tracyanne to a new place mentally and spiritually. Light from darkness.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">28) LO MOON--<i>Lo Moon</i></span></b><br />
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If you liked Talk Talk and missed their <i>Colour of Spring</i> era music, this is the closest you're going to get to a rebirth as they have long called it a day. You could do a whole lot worse for inspiration or execution of a sound than this. Featuring Dave Stewart's (Eurythmics) son with Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama, Shakespear's Sister) Sam on guitar as an added bonus.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">29) ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER--<i>Rebound</i></span></b><br />
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Eleanor went to Greece after her last record, and not only did she make a different sounding record (less band involvement), she also reflected a little on what was going on in the US viewing it as a spectator from the other side of the world. Another winner from her.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">30) KALI UCHIS--<i>Isolation</i></span></b><br />
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One of the brightest new artists to jump on the scene is Colombia by way of DC based Kali Uchis. You may have heard Uchis but not known it was her, as she has appeared on recordings with Gorillaz and Damon Albarn (on her album too), Tyler the Creator, Jorja Smith, Juanes, and Lana del Rey among others. <i>Isolation</i> is a unique but self-assured debut.<br />
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More great albums:<br />
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<b>JOHN COLTRANE--<i>Both Directions at Once: the Lost Album</i></b><br />
<b>LUMP featuring Laura Marling--<i>Lump</i></b><br />
<b>JACK LADDER--<i>Blue Poles</i></b><br />
<b>FRANZ FERDINAND--<i>Always Ascending</i></b><br />
<b>THE VACCINES--<i>Combat Sports</i></b><br />
<b>LAURA VEIRS--<i>The Lookout</i></b><br />
<b>FIELD MUSIC--<i>Open Here</i></b><br />
<b>SHANNON SHAW--<i>Shannon in Nashville</i></b><br />
<b>OUGHT--<i>Room Inside the World</i></b><br />
<b>DJANGO DJANGO--<i>Marble Skies</i></b><br />
<b>MGMT--<i>Little Dark Age</i></b><br />
<b>STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS--<i>Sparkle Hard</i></b><br />
<b>DAVID BYRNE--<i>American Utopia</i></b><br />
<b>HOLLIE COOK--<i>Vessel of Love</i></b><br />
<b>LILY ALLEN--<i>No Shame</i></b><br />
<b>ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO--<i>Ventriloquism</i></b><br />
<b>CHVRCHES--<i>Love is Dead</i></b><br />
<b>LISA STANSFIELD--<i>Deeper</i></b><br />
<b>GAZ COOMBES--<i>World's Strongest Man</i></b><br />
<b>HOP ALONG--<i>Bark Your Head Off, Dog</i></b><br />
<b>CREEPSHOW featuring John Grant--<i>Mr. Dynamite</i></b><br />
<b>TUNE-YARDS--<i>I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life</i></b><br />
<b>SLOAN--<i>12</i></b><br />
<b>YO LA TENGO--<i>There's a Riot Going On</i></b><br />
<b>SUNFLOWER BEAN--<i>Twentytwo in Blue</i></b><br />
<b>THE VOIDZ featuring Julian Casablancas--<i>Virtue</i></b><br />
<b>JOSH T. PEARSON--<i>The Straight Hits!</i></b><br />
<b>BUFFALO TOM--<i>Quiet & Peace</i></b><br />
<b>BRANDI CARLILE--<i>By the Way, I Forgive You</i></b><br />
<b>DECEMBERISTS--<i>I'll Be Your Girl</i></b><br />
<b>FIRST AID KIT--<i>Ruins</i></b><br />
<b>CALEXICO--<i>Thread That Keeps Us</i></b><br />
<b>US GIRLS--<i>In a Poem Unlimited</i></b><br />
<b>I AM X--<i>Alive in New Light</i></b><br />
<b>SIMPLE MINDS--<i>Walk Between Worlds</i></b><br />
<b>RY COODER--<i>The Prodigal Son</i></b><br />
<b>TY SEGALL--<i>Freedom's Goblin</i></b><br />
<b>RYLEY WALKER--<i>Deafman Glance</i></b><br />
<b>SARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERS--<i>Years</i></b><br />
<b>SUPERCHUNK--<i>What a Time to be Alive</i></b><br />
<b>ICEAGE--<i>Beyondless</i></b><br />
<b>THE DAMNED--<i>Evil Spirits</i></b><br />
<b>DAMIEN JURADO--<i>Damien Jurado</i></b><br />
<b>LUCY DACUS--<i>Historian</i></b><br />
<b>EDITORS--<i>Violence</i></b><br />
<b>BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB--<i>Wrong Creatures</i></b><br />
<b>MANIC STREET PREACHERS--<i>Resistance is Futile</i></b><br />
<b>DAPHNE & CELESTE--<i>Daphne & Celeste Save the World</i></b><br />
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What did we miss?Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-90170907927597737632017-12-05T10:14:00.000-08:002017-12-05T10:40:09.610-08:00Can it be? 2017 is quickly fading away...It seems like the only thing our blog is good for these days is recommending our favorite albums of a specific period. Now, is that such a bad thing? We wish there were more time to interact with you all through this forum, and maybe one day we will get to, after we have troweled the depths of Facegram and Instabook (we haven't been tweeting as much as we'd like either, although we're leaving that to the professionals lately...hint hint).<br />
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In all seriousness (yeah, right, you say), it is time to announce our top albums of 2017. "What's an album?" says anyone under the age of 13. Tell them it's something a musician creates as a body of work that actually took some thought to construct and generally means something. We love a good single as much as the next person, but albums are where it's at, so here ya go:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) LCD SOUNDSYSTEM--American Dream</span></b></div>
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James Murphy took some time off and came back with our favorite record of the year. The break did him good, and while he's never been the greatest singer in the world, what he lacks vocally he makes up for in the delivery, and the musical palette. There are so many touchstones on this record (Talking Heads and Bowie being the most obvious), but there is also a beating heart throughout the album's entirety, and there is nary a dull or wasted moment. Even the final track, a ten minute pulse with Eno-esque piano flourishes is somehow captivating in its intimacy and lack of movement. Welcome back LCD, and we hope it's not your last this time. No idle threats now...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) BJORK--Utopia</span></b></div>
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Bjork is odd. Always has been, always will be. Accept it. Her last album, 2015's <i>Vulnicura</i>, (our number eight record that year) was all about breaking up. <i>Utopia</i> is all about finding love again. While Bjork's appeal dipped a bit during the <i>Volta</i> and <i>Biophilia</i> era, these two most recent records find her plowing new paths and returning to more melodic territories, even if the music is rather beatless in the regular sense. The expansive nature of Arca's soundscapes lends itself quite well to Bjork's flights of fancy as she knows where to reign him in to create something a bit more direct than his solo work, and while the album can meander a bit at 70 minutes, the lyrics are always intriguing, with the textures and melodies are some of the most intimate and beautiful she has ever created, including the delicate parts of <i>Vespertine</i>. Think of it as that album part two, with more sounds of nature and loads of flute!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) FATHER JOHN MISTY--Pure Comedy</span></b></div>
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I'm not sure what I can say about this album that hasn't already been said, but Josh Tillman and friends created a meaningful treatise on the downtrodden average Joe in modern America that seems to mix a gift for melody akin to Elton John's more substantial work with lyrics that dig at the heart of the hopelessness felt across the heartland as big business sucks the country dry. There may be no more poignant and timely album on this list.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) THE HORRORS--V</span></b></div>
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Since their sophomore album, the Horrors have continued to shock and inspire with each passing album, showing a path of staggering growth and a willingness to try new things that still fit snugly within their aesthetic. <i>V</i>, their fifth album, is full of hooky choruses, gothic tinged vocals, beats reminiscent of Screamadelica-era Primal Scream, brilliant production courtesy of Paul Epworth (Adele's <i>21</i>) with sharp bursts of color at unexpected moments, and songs that can stand the test of time (closing track and single "Something to Remember me by" being a perfect illustration, and somewhat indebted to New Order). They keep moving, and we keep following.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) SLOWDIVE--Slowdive</span></b></div>
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After 22 years away, the level of expectation had to be high. Basically the band delivered with an album that brings out so many of the great elements that made the first three Slowdive albums classics decades ago. This one was a reunion done right, and an album that takes its place among their previous work without being the least bit embarrassing. Congratulations!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6) THE XX--I See You</span></b></div>
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While the XX had been gone for a while, they did some growing and came back better than ever. The obvious influence of Jamie XX's beatmaking from his recent solo album has translated nicely here to the band's songs without getting in the way. In fact, his skills enhance them. There are some truly touching songs here about dealing with loss, insecurity, and addiction, yet there is such an element of hope and optimism among the gloom, and with the added improvement of singing ability, the XX have a rather bright future ahead of them.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> 7) MORRISSEY--Low in High School</span></b></div>
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Moz returns with another great record, albeit one laden with references to the current political climate and sex sex sex. Is this his sexiest record ever? Probably. It also features some of his best singing ever, and he is in fine form. Some may be a little put off by detours into darker and slower territory, or tangos for that matter, but the band is incredibly tight and talented, and Morrissey never fails to put on a show (except when he fails to show up). Don't be too quick to judge this record...It benefits from repeated plays, and one hopes Morrissey will continue to make albums regardless of how the press treat him. His music is far and above most of the music being written today.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8) DESTROYER--Ken</span></b><br />
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Dan Bejar's latest Destroyer project takes a turn toward the sound of the fantastic previous album <i>Kaputt</i>, albeit with less saxophone. The difference is the brevity of many of the songs, and their construction being a bit less dreamy and more direct, as they were channelling early-80's Cure and New Order records sonically. It makes for one of the most direct albums in Bejar's obtuse canon, and at 40 minutes, is fairly easy to listen to again and again. What his lyrics actually mean, however, is anyone's guess, and that's part of the charm.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9) ALEX CAMERON--Forced Witness</span></b></div>
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The album where 80's Springsteen and Ween meet, Alex Cameron is a one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter who here mixes chest-beating Americana with some of the most offbeat self-depricating humor. Previously, this Australian channeled a bit of Nick Cave and Tom Waits on his previous album debut, <i>Jumping the Shark</i>. Here we are a few years later, and he's duetting with the Killers' Brandon Flowers and indie-darling Angel Olsen and playing alongside newcomers Kirin Callinan and Jack Ladder with an album full of some of the best lyrics you'll hear this year. Case in point, his 70's lounge-track "The Chihuahua": "Our love was like a fire, I pissed on it so I could sleep."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10) FLEET FOXES--Crack-Up</span></b><br />
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This one was a real head-scratcher on first listen until leader Robin Pecknold told us he was trying to make a film through music, one that is disjointed and may flip around, telling things out of order until they come into focus (sort of like an episode of <i>This is Us</i>). Proving the Harvard graduate deserves his recent title, this album has all the warmth of a Fleet Foxes record with added depth courtesy of these newly deployed storytelling techniques. An album to remember.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">11) SPOON--Hot Thoughts</span></b><br />
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The fact that a band can be together for twenty years and still come up with fresh and new ways to play music is astonishing. Spoon continue their hot streak with this very uptempo record, probably the grooviest of their career. That's not to say, however, that there's not a darker side brewing in its underbelly. There's plenty of disembodied saxophone wailing just to remind you of that.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">12) MAGNETIC FIELDS--50 Song Memoir</span></b><br />
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Stephen Merritt took the challenge of writing a fifty song album seriously, and it actually holds together remarkably well. The most riveting of these songs concern Stephen's young life, being tossed around by a loving but scattered mother and her terrible choices in men (along with a cat that apparently didn't like him), while the later songs about romantic relationships seem somehow a little less revealing. Still, a massive undertaking with numerous highs.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">13) JENS LEKMAN--Life Will See You Now</span></b><br />
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Oh Jens, when will you get some respect? This Swedish singer-songwriter seems to keep plugging along without a lot of accolades, yet he writes some of the most humorously charming tunes, many based on real life experiences and feelings. His somewhat broken English only adds to the charm, and this is actually his most upbeat and polished album to date. Don't let the cover that looks like it was drawn by a nine year old fool you...There are some sweet and alternately haunting moments here. Who else would write a song about a 3D printer representation of a tumor that was taken out of a good friend as a conversation piece? Think about that for a minute.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">14) LANA DEL REY--Lust for Life</span></b><br />
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Lana continues to plumb the depths of faded Hollywood glamour and lost innocence, yet <i>Lust for Life</i> is the first time we hear optimism in her music. There is also sometimes a sense of happiness and less gloom. Maybe a tad overlong and heavy on features (The Weeknd, Stevie Nicks, assorted rappers), this is her most endearing record since the first. It begs the question as to what she'll do next time, as she's explored this character now about as much as one could.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">15) GOLDFRAPP--Silver Eye</span></b><br />
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Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have been making music together as Goldfrapp for nearly twenty years now. <i>Silver Eye</i> was a sort of amalgamation of all of their sounds on one record, with the glammy and biting electronica, the woozy and haunted film music, and a tinge of the psychedelic. It's a heady brew that rewards on repeated listens, and features some stunning photography by Alison herself. Like Beck, they're a band that you might not ever know what's coming musically, but it doesn't matter because their personalities are what come through every time.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">16) SAINT ETIENNE--Home Counties</span></b><br />
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<i>Home Counties</i> finds Saint Etienne moving in a more intimate and stripped back direction from their past two rather brilliant albums, <i>Tales from Turnpike House</i> and <i>Words and Music</i>. Rather than being about a suburban towerblock or the art of writing music, this one deals with the suburban areas around London and the different types of characters who inhabit them. Sarah Cracknell is in fine vocal form, and the music is generally rather light and airy, although there are moments of menace, such as the song "Heather". The best UK pop group most Americans have never heard of with 25 years of music behind them already.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">17) WAR ON DRUGS--Deeper Understanding</span></b><br />
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What can one say about War on Drugs that has not been said already? This is another fantastic record as they continue to grow and evolve into what might one day be a massively popular artist. If you like Springsteen at his ballad-y best, this should foot the bill, although there are so many more influences than that. Perfect for driving to as well.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>18) LORDE--Melodrama</b></span><br />
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Lorde took a big chance on her sophomore record, waiting years to release it, and having it met with the lack of a huge hit single like "Royals" (although "Green Light" and its video are amazing), radio seemed to lose interest. And yet, her concerts were very well attended and successful. There is still a chance for this album to find a wider audience, but its very personal nature and general stripped back vibe might make for an album that people respect but don't necessarily love. In any event, it's quite good and deserves more attention.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">19) SPARKS--Hippopotamus</span></b><br />
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Fresh from their Franz Ferdinand collaboration FFS, Sparks go it alone once more with Hippopotamus, one of their best efforts ever. Since their first album nearly 45 years ago, Ron and Russell Mael have been glam rockers, electro geeks, new wave nerds, and classical anarchists. Hippopotamus attempts to bring all of that together in one stew, and for all intents and purposes, it works. If you like catchy songs with a heavy dose of wry humor, this is your band. If you're interested in them, this is actually a good place to start, as they have almost 20 albums to date, and it may be hard to know where to begin.<br />
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<img alt="As You Were (Explicit)(Deluxe Edition)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81MS2IIjV5L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">20) LIAM GALLAGHER--As You Were</span></b><br />
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It's hard to say exactly where to place this record, because while it is generally enjoyable and probably the best thing Liam Gallagher has done since Oasis' break-up, it is also VERY Oasis-y and self-referential. Noel Gallagher (his brother) also released a very good album about a month later. One can only imagine what their album would have sounded like together (You could always try mixing up the tracks from both to find out), but for us, Liam's album has a slight edge simply by the fact that the tunes are more easily planted in your head, but they are both quite good. No reunion on the horizon though...<br />
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<img alt="Masseduction [Explicit]" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41on99Y3BzL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">21) ST VINCENT--Masseduction</span></b><br />
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Annie Clark continues to spread her wings as St Vincent, and while this album is a bit all over the place, it also contains some of her most direct and endearing moments on record. It seems as though she's been through a lot emotionally and is channeling a lot of her influences through an ever-expanding electronic sonic palette, alternately using string sections, piano, or fuzzed out guitar textures for contrast. Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) contributed to production duties, and you'll find his hand in many other 2017 albums (like Lorde and Katy Perry's latest).<br />
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<img alt="Mental Illness" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51paf0STNBL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">22) AIMEE MANN--Mental Illness</span></b><br />
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Aimee Mann has been quietly making records for thirty years, with her biggest splashes being her debut as the lead singer of Til Tuesday with "Voices Carry" and the haunting songwriter who inspired Paul Thomas Anderson's film <i>Magnolia</i> (1999). Mental Illness is Aimee's best album in about a decade, full of some of her most introspective tunes and intimate arrangements from any of her recordings to date, and while some of the songs are pretty, they all have a sense of pain and unease within (hence the album title). She's got melodies worthy of McCartney on display here.<br />
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<img alt="Cigarettes After Sex" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61RkEVSpOFL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">23) CIGARETTES AFTER SEX--Cigarettes After Sex</span></b><br />
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Another great album and band you may never have heard of, Cigarettes After Sex released their album over the summer that was the perfect soundtrack to those quiet moments, playing like a retro soundtrack to a summer that saw the return of David Lynch's <i>Twin Peaks</i> TV show after a 25 year absence. The show was known for its references to fifties icons, whether a James Dean-like character or patent leather shoes, and this El Paso by way of New York band nails that retro futurism with their sexually ambiguous lead vocals and lyrics that are more than suggestive. There is a certain consistency here that makes one wonder what they'll do for an encore, but in the moment, this was about as perfect a romantic album we could get in an era of Tove Lo's "Disco Tits" (not gonna go there).<br />
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<img alt="DAMN. [Explicit]" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jNytp9pxL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">24) KENDRICK LAMAR--DAMN.</span></b><br />
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Kendrick does it again with <i>DAMN</i>, an album that may sound super different than his high water mark, <i>To Pimp a Butterfly</i>, but it's the messages that are important, and in an era of racial unrest and Trump, the message here was loud and clear. There's a reason he is known as a voice of his generation, and <i>DAMN</i> was a good example of that.<br />
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<img alt="Colors" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61SwVwnPYbL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">25) BECK--Colors</span></b><br />
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It was two years from the time Beck released the first single from this album ("Dreams") and a year from the second ("Wow"), almost as if he was afraid to release this album or wasn't sure what his audience would make of it. Well, it's actually a rather enjoyable pop record. Granted, you're not going to find anything profound here, but he does a very good job of making an album that can sit snugly next to other pop found on the charts now, yet still retaining enough of his personality to carry it forward. Whether he's sending up Elliott Smith or the Police, <i>Colors</i> is an album that plays well and doesn't outstay its welcome. What next, Mr. Hansen?<br />
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<img alt="The Punishment of Luxury" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51osXmiEfmL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">26) OMD--The Punishment of Luxury</span></b><br />
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The brilliant OMD return with their third album since reuniting about a decade ago, and this one goes all in on their love of electronic music. Using their last album, <i>English Electric</i> (2013) as a launching pad,<i> The Punishment of Luxury</i> is even heavier on the synths and general homages to Kraftwerk, and features some very peppy tunes mixed with some rather experimental stuff as well. It's so great to see these guys working together again and still being restlessly creative, even if the sales aren't massive these days. An example for all of us not to give up.<br />
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<img alt="Crooked Calypso" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51FXnQjZUtL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">27) PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOTT--Crooked Calypso</span></b><br />
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Paul & Jacqui (of Beautiful South fame) got back together a few years ago and made an excellent comeback record worthy of their past work, and after a very good follow-up, they are back for a third time. This record goes a little deeper into religion and politics than their other recent efforts, and while the effect may be a tad polarizing, it really doesn't seem to bother them, especially when Paul continues to write such great tunes and lyric material. Heaton is another British national treasure who has gone a bit unsung next to artists such as Morrissey, and he deserves much higher praise (although they do sell a lot of records in their own country).<br />
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<img alt="Hey Mr Ferryman" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bB-o6ZSdL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">28) MARK EITZEL--Hey Mr. Ferryman</span></b><br />
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Mark Eitzel continues to forge a superb body of solo work on the outside of his former band, American Music Club. <i>Hey Mr. Ferryman</i> was actually produced by another legendary band member, Bernard Butler, the original guitarist from Suede, and he gives Mark a bit of a boost in production this time around, as well as some added guitar textures that never get in the way, but support Mark's artistry as a songwriter and singer. One of the best albums this year by someone who has been working for decades that people are generally unaware of. What does it take to get heard?<br />
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<img alt="Other" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41wKWP-SBZL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">29) ALISON MOYET--Other</span></b><br />
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<i>Other</i> follows on Alison's other production with Guy Sigsworth (Frou Frou, Bjork) from 2013, <i>The Minutes</i>. Alison turned a big corner in partnering with Sigsworth, as he knows how to treat a big voice without letting it belt all the time. There are some very dark and tender (and even spoken word) moments on <i>Other</i>, which show Alison as much more of an artist and writer than people tend to give her credit for. These two recent albums will likely be viewed one day as her most impressive offers to date in a 36-year career which began as the singer of Yaz in 1981 ("Only You").<br />
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<img alt="Hug Of Thunder" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61lbjryh6cL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">30) BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE--Hug of Thunder</span></b><br />
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This Canadian collective hadn't made an album in years, and who knew what they were capable of anymore after a couple albums of somewhat diminishing returns. <i>Hug of Thunder</i> is not only one of their best efforts to date, it returns them to the glory of being a musical act to be respected and revered. There are some truly great moments here, and even when featuring artists who have gone on to big careers outside the group (Emily Haines of Metric, Feist), their features are enjoyable and appropriate for the setting. A big win for this band.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">OTHER GREAT ALBUMS OF 2017:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">31) RYAN ADAMS--Prisoner</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">32) BLONDIE--Pollinator</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">33) HAIM--Something to Tell You</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">34) QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE--Villains</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">35) DEPECHE MODE--Spirit</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">36) FOXYGEN--Hang</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">37) NEW PORNOGRAPHERS--Whiteout Conditions</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">38) JESUS & MARY CHAIN--Damage & Joy</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">39) SUFJAN STEVENS--Planetarium</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">40) GORILLAZ--Humans</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">41) MARK LANEGAN--Gargoyle</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">42) BEACH FOSSILS--Somersault</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">43) BNQT--BNQT</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">44) JAPANDROIDS--Near to the Wild</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">45) ROGER WATERS--Is This the Life We Really Want?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">46) PHOENIX--Ti Amo</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">47) CUT COPY--Haiku From Zero</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">48) COUSTEAUX--Cousteaux</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">49) KILLERS--Wonderful Wonderful</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">50) AFGHAN WHIGS--In Spades</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">And still more:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">PERFUME GENIUS--No Shape</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PAUL WELLER--Kind Revolution</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">LUCKY SOUL--Hard Lines</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">IRON & WINE--Beast Epic</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SHOUT OUT LOUDS--Ease My Mind</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DUTCH UNCLES--Big Balloon</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ERASURE--World be Gone</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE SHINS--Heartworms</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DAN AUERBACH--Waiting on a Song</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FUTURE ISLANDS--Far Field</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">BRITISH SEA POWER--Let the Dancers Inherit the Party</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MUNA--About U</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">RIDE--Weather Diaries</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FEIST--Pleasure</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">LAURA MARLING--Semper Femina</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ELBOW--Little Fictions</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">JARVIS COCKER & CHILLY GONZALES--Room 29</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MENZINGERS--After the Party</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART--Echo of Pleasure</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">NINE INCH NAILS--Add Violence EP</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WIRE--Silver/Lead</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD--Flying Microtonal Banana</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PREATURES--Girlhood</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">NICK HEYWARD--Woodland Echoes</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MARC ALMOND--Shadows & Reflections</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">CLIENTELE--Music for the Age of Miracles</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR--Omnion</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MOUNTAIN GOATS--Goths</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">RANDY NEWMAN--Dark Matter</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS--Soul of a Woman</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and for supporting indie stores like ours!</span></b><br />
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Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-29633515266723483752017-06-27T21:16:00.001-07:002017-06-27T21:16:23.556-07:00Our Favorites Halfway: A 2017 EditionThese lists seem to be getting harder and harder to do, especially when there's so much good new music being released in such a wide variety. The first half of 2017 was particularly good, and with new offerings coming in the second half from LCD Soundsystem, Queens of the Stone Age, War on Drugs, Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Oh Sees, Haim, Lana del Rey, Iron & Wine, Broken Social Scene, and more, there's far too much to assimilate into a mere list of "the best so far". However, we will attempt to list our favorite offerings so far now that we are at the halfway point. Maybe your favorite is here somewhere, or maybe you have one you'd like to check out, form a special bond with, and decide you need a hard copy to last for all time (don't put complete faith in streaming services...they can always take them away tomorrow...)<br />
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And so we begin...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) FATHER JOHN MISTY--Pure Comedy</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Pure Comedy" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61OIGRhVOlL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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Josh Tillman blew us away with his last album, <i>I Love You, Honeybear</i>, and he continues to blow us away here. More thoughtful and broad in scope, <i>Pure Comedy</i> is like a modern protest album filtered through some great 70's Laurel Canyon-esque vibes, aided by producer and musician Jonathan Wilson (who also appears on the new Roger Waters album). The ability for Tillman to speak his mind as such also reminds us of prime period Randy Newman. In 20 years when someone asks what the best album of early 2017 was, Father John Misty will surely come to mind, It's a modern classic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) SLOWDIVE--Slowdive</b></span><br />
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<img alt="Slowdive" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z3jZC%2B9fL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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2017 seems to be the year of the ever expanding list of returning artists after decades away. Who would have thought Slowdive would even be a proposition in 2017? Not only did they make an album that does what Slowdive does best, it's also pretty great. After releasing three albums in the mid-90's, this new effort manages to synthesize all three into one united sound without losing the best parts of all of them. More please!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) THE XX--I See You</span></b><br />
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<img alt="I See You" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51FTbQxtfPL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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Some people had a hard time with this new XX record, as they felt it amplified their commercial side a bit too much. Personally, we thought it was fantastic. Insecurity lurked in songs about parents who have died and fighting alcohol addiction, but it was all done with style and a sense of real depth. The vocals improved, and Jamie XX has really stepped up his role as a sonic engineer, giving these tunes some added warmth and variety. They are definitely on to something here.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) FLEET FOXES--Crack-Up</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Crack-Up" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51AANeSoOKL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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Why anyone should be surprised that Fleet Foxes first album in seven years is rather impenetrable is beyond us. Robin Pecknold, fresh out of Columbia University, packs these songs with dense concepts, flipping back and forth like the listener is hearing two or three albums at the same time. This was completely intentional. It's probably a good thing Josh Tillman left so he could be Father John Misty, but this is pretty interesting and well written too...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) SPOON--Hot Thoughts</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Image result for spoon hot thoughts" src="https://artistxite.com/imgcache/album/006/279/006279281_500.jpg" /><br />
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Who says you can't teach an old band new tricks? Moving on from the great <i>They Want My Soul</i>, the latest Spoon record finds them really branching out and taking some chances sonically, heading into new wave territory. This was an unexpected turn of events for a band over twenty years old, and one that makes sense, unlike the craziness from the latest Linkin Park and Nickelback projects, who expect their fans to follow them into completely unrelated territories. Spoon did it right!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6) MAGNETIC FIELDS--50 Song Memoir</span></b><br />
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<img alt="50 Song Memoir (5LP)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/813qle7g-pL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Definitely the longest album on this list at 2 1/2 hours running time, Stephen Merritt certainly embraced the challenge of making an album representing the fifty years he has spent on this planet. While not every song is perfect, it all coheres into a stunning story of a life in song, featuring several of his catchiest tunes. Not for everyone, but it's basically his best album since <i>69 Love Songs</i> came out nearly twenty years ago.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7) JENS LEKMAN--Life Will See You Now</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Life Will See You Now" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81aMALj%2Bn0L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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One of the greatest Swedish artists next to Robyn and the members of ABBA, Jens Lekman is like a more self-deprecating Stephen Merritt (is that possible?), and tells just as many tales, albeit in more digestible packages. After a bit of a break and some time brainstorming lots of song ideas, Lekman came up with his most immediate collection of songs ever, featuring some engaging lyrics, tropicalia rhythms, and the most Swedish of male voices around.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8) SUFJAN STEVENS & CO--Planetarium</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Planetarium" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61LNBgMnYiL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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Another expansive project hits this list as Sufjan Stevens returns from his intimate <i>Carrie & Lowell</i> album about his relationship with parents to a concept harnessing the solar system to personality archetypes in present day. It runs more along the lines with his <i>Age of Adz</i> album, yet features new sonic input from Bryce Dessner of The National, and particularly from string arranger Nico Muhly. Surging orchestrations collide with folky guitar plucks and electronic meltdowns to create something entirely new and disarming. One of the most fascinating pieces of music you'll hear this year.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9) GOLDFRAPP--Silver Eye</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Silver Eye" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xyybeg3OL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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Goldfrapp continue their run of brilliant albums with the dark and brooding <i>Silver Eye</i>. This was quite a change after the previous <i>Tales of Us</i> album, which was also rather dark, but featured lots of strings, and seemed very personal in nature. This record is more in line with Sufjan's <i>Planetarium</i> (albeit in smaller scope), as there is much talk of planets, the moon, and earthly elements like fire and water. A certain primeval tone makes <i>Silver Eye</i> a compelling listen.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10) SAINT ETIENNE--Home Counties</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Home Counties" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61OrFbirblL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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How can this trio with 25 years behind them still manage to find new things to say about their home towns? <i>Home Counties</i> finds them returning home (metaphorically) after years spent in London, and finding that some of the pleasantries have devolved into cold neighborhoods where Brexit has taken hold and people close their doors to the outside world. The music has a different feel from their previous albums, even though it's a completely logical progression, incorporating elements of many of their past works. Sarah Cracknell's voice is a beautiful and comforting thing too, having developed significantly through the years in depth and confidence.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">11) ROGER WATERS--Is This the Life We Really Want?</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Is This The Life We Really Want?" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71Y8l5Sk44L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Well, it's Roger Waters alright. It's also probably his best or second best solo album, and could have been a worthy successor to <i>The Wall</i>. Produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck), it sounds like Roger is intact, and he ruminates on politics and the state of the world, continually asking the question posed in the album's title track. Things were supposed to be getting better, but he's not so sure. If you like <i>The Wall</i>, this is comfortably up your alley.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">12) JESUS & MARY CHAIN--Damage & Joy</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Damage And Joy" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81nbXsAM%2BpL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Another band who had virtually disappeared for almost twenty years, the Reid brothers patched things up and got back together for this really great reunion album. It works in the same way the Slowdive and Saint Etienne records do, in that it references several past stages of the band, yet presents them in a fresh new way that is not off-putting. Even when featuring duets with female guest stars (Sky Ferreira for one), they remain a fully JAMC proposition. If only most returns were on this level.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">13) GORILLAZ--Humanz</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Humanz (Explicit)(2CD Limited Deluxe Edition)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/818uN0Gm7%2BL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Hard to believe it's been seven years since the last Gorillaz album too (although Damon Albarn made Blur and solo albums). Supposedly there were over 100 tracks recorded for this record, and it sure feels like it. Damon whittled it down to a group of tracks that worked together in a post-millenial tension sort of way, and while some griped about a general lack of Damon throughout parts of the album, there is plenty of him in there, and this may be the most fun-house sort of album this "group" could have released now. Looking forward to their cartoon series!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">14) CIGARETTES AFTER SEX--Cigarettes After Sex</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Cigarettes After Sex (Limited Edition Grey Vinyl)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/414BWXXS-4L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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2017 is the year Twin Peaks returned after 25 years since the TV show (and storyline) supposedly ended. In celebration, we now have the debut of the incredible Cigarettes After Sex. Granted, these songs may sound rather similar throughout, They are, however, bolstered by the effortless and sweet vocals by lead singer Greg Gonzalez, and aside from some really dark and sometimes humorous lyrics, the mood created is that of a band dreamily vibing at the Twin Peaks Roadhouse. This is what modern music from El Paso, Texas sounds like? It's not all country music out there folks... <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">15) PHOENIX--Ti Amo</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Ti Amo" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/B1NnIb%2B3veS._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Phoenix return after a four year absence with their most playful and bright album yet. <i>Ti Amo</i> is like a French love letter to Italy, and a romanticised version of it at that. The breezy electro rhythms recall something like New Order on holiday (they even have a song called "Tutti Fruitti", the name of a New Order track on their last album), and while they may not reach their former level of popularity with <i>Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix</i> (2009), they sound like they're still having fun nearly two decades after beginning as Daft Punk's more rock-minded friends.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">16) FOXYGEN--Hang</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Hang" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91DCs6fGM%2BL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Well this was a shocker. I guess we should just come to expect the unexpected from these guys. Their last album was a bloated and unfocused mess, and here we have a succinct and detailed effort loaded with creativity and musicality. What it all means is anyone's guess, but they sure make it sound like something important. If you like mid-70's Queen and the tin pan alley side of Randy Newman, this is highly recommended. Where do they go next? Hopefully more of this now.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">17) MARK EITZEL--Hey Mr. Ferryman</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Hey Mr Ferryman" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41gk8V4IAcL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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The American Music Club frontman continues making great music with this new album, produced by Bernard Butler of nineties British rockers Suede. Butler's touch adds a thicker dimension to Eitzel's tunes while staying completely out of the way when it's appropriate on songs like "In My Role as Professional Singer and Ham". Eitzel is an incredible artist still making it happen decades on.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">18) DEPECHE MODE--Spirit</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Spirit" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91StJlAUODL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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Depeche Mode are still around. Oh yes, they are. <i>Spirit</i> is their most fired-up album politically speaking in a long, long time, and man, are they angry. Martin Gore keeps bringing the moody blues-tronica sound they've perfected over the last few albums, but there is a new sense of urgency in Gahan's delivery. Maybe it seems disingenuous for millionaires to be singing the plight of the downtrodden, but it's also rather brave for those who do have wealth to sing for those who do not, instead of ignoring it completely. U2 built an entire career on it. <i>Spirit</i> remains a very good album.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">19) ALISON MOYET--Other</span></b><br />
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<img alt="Other" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41wgnqC7ZqL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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On the other side, and coming from the same town Depeche came from, Alison Moyet (formerly the singing half of Yaz, featuring Vince Clarke, Depeche founder), continues to plough a very personal and creative artistic solo career. Pairing up again with producer Guy Sigsworth (Bjork, Madonna), this partnership has been Moyet's strongest since working with Pete Glenister in the 90's and Sigsworth's strongest since Imogen Heap. <i>Other</i> shows Moyet honing her writing skills to a fine point, while Sigsworth provides the detailed bed of sound for her aching vocals. A triumph of art and artist, Moyet continues growing 35 years after she started. Will Adele eventually be this brave?<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">20) AFGHAN WHIGS--In Spades</span></b><br />
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<img alt="In Spades ( Loser Edition )" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61D%2BPx53YVL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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The Whigs continue their excellent return trajectory with this second album since reforming a couple years ago. The songs are short and to the point, and Greg Dulli's voice is just as cutting as ever. If anything, it's even darker than its predecessor, and the band is on fire more often than not. So glad to have them back.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">21) AIMEE MANN--Mental Illness</span></b><br />
Her best album since the <i>Lost in Space</i> era. Fractured hymns for haunted souls. It's all quite beautiful.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">22) BLONDIE--Pollinator</span></b><br />
Debbie Harry and co. may have found a bunch of collaborators for this album (Sia, Johnny Marr, etc.), but <i>Pollinator</i> is their best, most rocking album since <i>Eat to the Beat</i> (1979).<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">23) RYAN ADAMS--Prisoner</span></b><br />
Ryan Adams delivers one powerful breakup album in <i>Prisoner</i>, his first original material in three years (his last, 1989, was a Taylor Swift cover album).<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">24) PAUL WELLER--Kind Revolution</span></b><br />
What can't Weller do at this point? One of his strongest solo records in a string of albums back to the late seventies as part of the Jam.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">25) NEW PORNOGRAPHERS--Whiteout Conditions</span></b><br />
This band just keep delivering time and time again, with catchy anthems that just light up the room everytime they're on the stereo. Another winner.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">26) PERFUME GENIUS--No Shape</span></b><br />
Mike Hadreas continues to develop and grow, moving on from the glammy aspects of the last album to something even more transcendental here, also a tribute to his longtime partner.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">27) MARK LANEGAN--Gargoyles</span></b><br />
Lanegan makes great music, and <i>Gargoyles</i> feature some of the former Screaming Trees frontman's most immediate tunes ever. Like his friend Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs), they just keep improving.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">28) JAPANDROIDS--Near to the Wild Heart of Life</span></b><br />
Fantastic return for the indie duo as they sort of hit the big time with this catchy album after a bit of a break. If this is where they continue to go, they're headed for big things.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">29) BEACH FOSSILS--Somersault</span></b><br />
For those who love The Shins or Real Estate, while both of those bands made great records this year, this album is generally along those lines, and even with a bit of spoken word, might actually be better than both of them. Can't wait to see what comes next.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">30) BNQT--Volume 1</span></b><br />
Functioning as a sort of indie Traveling Wilburys, BNQT features Texas band Midlake fronted by a cast of guest singers (from Band of Horses, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, and Grandaddy). "Real Love" is the best George Harrison song he never wrote.<br />
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And the rest:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GRANDADDY--Last Place</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FUTURE ISLANDS--Far Field</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ALGIERS--Underside of Power</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">BRITISH SEA POWER--Let the Dancers Inherit the Party</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MUNA--About U</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">LORDE--Melodrama</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ERASURE--World Be Gone</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DUTCH UNCLES--Big Balloon</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MEW--Visuals</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">OLD 97'S--Graveyard Whistling</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">RIDE--Weather Diaries</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">MENZINGERS--After the Party</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">BUCKINGHAM/MCVIE--Buckingham/McVie</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">LAURA MARLING--Semper Femina</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ELBOW--Little Fictions</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WIRE--Silver/Lead</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">JARVIS COCKER & CHILLY GONZALES--Room 29</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE SHINS--Heartworms</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">REAL ESTATE--In Mind</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">FEIST--Pleasure</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD--Flying Microtonal Banana</span></b><br />
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Bring on part 2!Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-57458827135183522362016-12-13T21:49:00.000-08:002016-12-13T21:49:33.198-08:00<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">2016 YEAR END ROUND-UP: Our most loved and spun records</span></b></i><br />
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Let's face it...2016 seems like a blur. There was some truly great music released in what was a rather tumultuous year (mostly in the first half), and some of the things on this list you will have seen on our earlier recap (actually, quite a few things). What we are MOST excited about now are the excellent titles on the horizon for 2017. January will come in roaring with new offerings from great artists like the Flaming Lips, Run the Jewels, and the XX, followed quickly by Japandroids, Ryan Adams, Depeche Mode, and longtime gone artists like the return of Ride, the Feelies, and the Jesus and Mary Chain. The Shins, Elbow, Gorillaz, Sun Kil Moon, Temples, and Spiritualized all have albums coming during the first part of the year, with others promised by Arcade Fire, Haim, Erasure, Sky Ferreira, Charli XCX, Grandaddy, Strand of Oaks, and heavily mentioned albums from Beck and Bruce Springsteen (which are yet to have dates attached). But first...<br />
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Here is our list for 2016. It is completely subjective and based on what we enjoyed and played a lot. It may not all resonate with your taste, but maybe you'll see something and want to check it out. Who knows? Maybe you'll even come purchase the title if you enjoy it enough. Whatever the case, we are listing our top 30 and after that mentioning more we really liked...a LOT...<br />
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<img alt="Blackstar" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51RHm9wIQOL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>1) DAVID BOWIE--Blackstar</i></b></span><br />
Maybe this isn't really surprising, although it did come out only a few days into the year, and in the following weeks after his passing managed to stay on top. His loss is immeasurable.<br />
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<img alt="A Moon Shaped Pool" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61y%2B6uURcDL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>2) RADIOHEAD--A Moon Shaped Pool</i></span></b><br />
After the tepid <i>King of Limbs</i>, the lush and haunting arrangements of Radiohead's latest release were supremely fantastic, and in any other year in which David Bowie's death and the release of his final record had happened, this album could have easily been at the top. Always the bridesmaid...<br />
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<img alt="Skeleton Tree" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61AG4lCxU3L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>3) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS--Skeleton Tree</i></span></b><br />
Coming to grips with the death of a child is one thing. Challenging your art through a poetic song cycle loosely connected to the event is harrowing. Nick made us feel his pain on this album, and while none of it will receive radio airplay, that doesn't seem to be a concern here. Stunning and cathartic.<br />
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<img alt="Hopelessness" src="data:image/webp;base64,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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">4) ANOHNI--Hopelessness</span></b></i><br />
In a year in which Anohni blasted Obama in song about his policies on drone bombing and the middle east, one can only imagine what Anohni would have to say in song about the recent election winner. That being said, Anohni really opened her sound on this album, embracing technologically produced music more than ever before (case in point: Her history in Antony & the Johnsons' chamber pop style), while also embracing her new transgender status as Anohni. A passionate record about a number of socially disturbing issues set to a detailed electronic backdrop that sets the bar high.<br />
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<img alt="case/lang/veirs" 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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">5) CASE/LANG/VEIRS--Case/Lang/Veirs</span></b></i><br />
One would think this rather conventional album of Laurel Canyon-styled female sung tracks is sort of ho-hum, and that may be so on the surface, but dig into the songs and performances, and be prepared for something very special. While kd lang gives some of her best vocal performances EVER and Neko Case features in some very fine arrangements evoking the expanse of open spaces of the west, the revelation here is Laura Veirs, who imbues these songs with a lot of personality and care. Her songs are excellent vehicles for all three of these remarkable women to interpret.<br />
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<img alt="Take Her Up To Monto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71bM6sxCIUL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">6) ROISIN MURPHY--Take Her Up to Monto</span></b></i><br />
Murphy can be a hard egg to crack, a maverick soul singer from Ireland who is more Grace Jones than Enya, and a fearless artist who puts the blue-eyed soul of influences like Scotland's Annie Lennox into her quirky and off-beat R&B. Her second comeback record after last year's <i>Hairless Toys</i>, the eight year break seems to have made her even more resolved to forge her own unique path. The impressive body of work expands then...<br />
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<img alt="SVIIB" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/710PHDnbkRL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">7) SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS--SVIIB</span></b></i><br />
The final School of Seven Bells album was a bittersweet sendoff for the duo, anchored by Alejandra Deheza's ethereal vocals and Benjamin Curtis' gorgeous soundscapes, work on this album had begun while Curtis fought for his life against lymphoma, a battle he sadly lost in 2013. Deheza was left with an album she wanted to complete in a way that paid tribute to the depth and beauty of the music they created together. It's an album you can practically feel the tears falling from, and yet there are moments of hope and optimism that are embodied in the clarity of lyrics coming into focus. What a brilliant sendoff fitting of their all-too brief legacy.<br />
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<img alt="Coconut Kiss" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Sl8yUzMXL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">8) NIKI & THE DOVE--Everybody's Heart is Broken Now</span></b></i><br />
Every year needs a melancholy dance record, and this lovely diamond of an album from this Swedish duo sounds like being transported back to the era where Prince and Stevie Nicks were making tracks together in the studio again. This sophomore album is looser and more fun than it's predecessor too, with tracks like "Coconut Kiss" and "Shark City" displaying a fun, tropical side. Just wish the distribution of this album wasn't so difficult--vinyl copies are available only online from Europe (expensive shipping), and they refused to make a CD (a sentiment shared by Kanye West). There are downloads, but then you might miss the bonus vinyl-only tracks (also great). When did supporting your favorite artists become such a chore?<br />
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<img alt="Night Thoughts" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41b0Nh3Sf2L._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">9) SUEDE--Night Thoughts</span></b></i><br />
Suede have been cursed for their past two comeback efforts by releasing their albums at virtually the same time David Bowie was releasing his comeback albums (and this time he even died, ensuring Suede wouldn't receive nearly as much press). What a great album this was, probably their best since the classic <i>Dog Man Star</i> of 23 years ago. Hopefully their reunion and renaissance continue, because they just keep getting better. A perfect example of carrying on the Bowie legacy too.<br />
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<img alt="Super (CD) - UK Release" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61mhEK0OXzL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">10) PET SHOP BOYS--Super</span></b></i><br />
Talk about veterans, this duo who began their world dominance in 1985 with a little #1 called "West End Girls" are still going strong over 30 years later. <i>Super</i> features everything you'd want from Pet Shop Boys in 2016: Wry, deadpan vocals, smart lyrics, electronic flourishes, groovy beats, all tied together with some banging tunes. More than spinworthy.<br />
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<img alt="Wildflower" 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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">11) AVALANCHES--Wildflower</span></b></i><br />
Sixteen years in the making, the new Avalanches album is a fabulous mix of modern hip hop and the cut and paste culture of sampling. Supposedly it took them years just to clear the samples...it was worth the wait.<br />
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<img alt="Post Pop Depression" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1adsrYoMlL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">12) IGGY POP--Post Pop Depression</span></i></b><br />
The same year we lost Bowie we also got one of Iggy's best albums in decades. With help from Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age (and an Arctic Monkey), Pop returned focused, refreshed, and ready to cement his status as one of the most exhilarating personalities ever to prowl a rock and roll stage. This album was his vehicle.<br />
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<img alt="Strange Little Birds" 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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">13) GARBAGE--Garbage</span></b></i><br />
With popular music being so watered-down and antiseptic these days, the world could use a good shot in the arm from Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, and Co. <i>Garbage</i> was a record that returned them to their glory-day mid-90's, Filled with the band's signature precise aggression and Manson's dark and provocative lyrical tropes. If she hasn't already been crowned heir to the Debbie Harry throne, she surely should be.<br />
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<img alt="Image result for dragonette royal blues" src="https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000191737782-20quxa-t500x500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">14) DRAGONETTE--Royal Blues</span></b></i><br />
In an alternate universe, if there were any justice, Dragonette would be massive stars. They make the kind of catchy pop people SHOULD be listening to in 2016. Thoughtful and inventive (and so. damn. catchy!), their fourth album was a four year labor of love where the core duo of this Canadian trio (Martina Sorbara and Dan Kurtz) went through a divorce and had to find a way to move on and continue working together. This became the fire for what would be possibly their best album yet. How this isn't being pushed by a major label is baffling as they could seriously reach a wider audience (the record is also rather difficult to get). If you like well-crafted pop music, this one's for you.<br />
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<img alt="2013" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51sLFn02-VL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">15) MEILYR JONES--2013</span></b></i><br />
Meilyr Jones is a rather unknown Welsh singer-songwriter who was in a briefly-lived band, Race Horses. In 2013, with his band breaking up (as well as his relationship), he wrote some tender and thoughtful songs, ran to Rome for some breathing space, and brought in some chamber musicians to help shape this wonderful little record, a meditation on art, love, and optimism in the face of adversity. If Belle and Sebastian is your thing, you may like this.<br />
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<img alt="Everything You've Come To Expect" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51SBhSCYQyL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">16) LAST SHADOW PUPPETS--Everything You've Come to Expect</span></b></i><br />
Brilliant second offering of Arctic Monkey's side project featuring Alex Turner and Miles Kane. It's like a smoother and sexier version of that band, with track suits. Feel the swagger.<br />
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<img alt="Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61FtNHW%2BMlL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">17) UNDERWORLD--Barbara, Barbara, We Face a Shining Future</span></b></i><br />
The latest Underworld record sees the duo reclaim a bit of what made them special in the first place over 25 years ago, while also pushing their sound forward with some interesting turns. Karl Hyde's time spent working with Brian Eno over the past couple years (two albums as Eno+Hyde) seem to have given him a little jolt in creating the vocals on these tracks, which morph and grow in interesting directions. There's even a bit of ambient stuff going on. Even Hyde and instrumentalist Rick Smith's daughters are feature vocalists on the final two tracks...a family affair!<br />
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<img alt="Choreography" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51hYyUvv%2BQL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">18) BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT--Choreography</span></b></i><br />
Rod Thomas' journey as Bright Light reached a new zenith this year as he went out opening for Elton John on an expansive tour, and released this gem of a pop album with its roots planted in the 80's but featuring a much more contemporary vibe. Comprised of catchy dance tunes and ballads, Thomas was inspired by dance scenes from a host of classic films to construct these songs, and featured small video clips of the scenes set to his finished songs online. Guest artists include Elton John, Alan Cumming, and every member of the Scissor Sisters. Not bad.<br />
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<img alt="Image result for abc lexicon of love 2" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0223/4339/products/image_2096363_large.jpg?v=1475854743" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">19) ABC--Lexicon of Love II</span></i></b><br />
Martin Fry was ready to make a new ABC album (it had been roughly eight years since <i>Traffic</i>) when he got the idea of making a sequel to his classic album of 34 years ago as a man who has seen love and moved on in life. He even reunited with Anne Dudley, orchestrator for the original album (and arguably as much or more important than original producer Trevor Horn, was was sadly not used on this album), and her arrangements pump up the well-produced songs into more Lexicon-esque territory. It is a perfect fit for Fry's wry and nuanced vocal performance, bringing Lexicon to a new generation of listeners while keeping it modern.<br />
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<img alt="Toy" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51wLFaimCtL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">20) YELLO--Toy</span></b></i><br />
For nearly 40 years the Swiss duo of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank have been turning out quirky pop confections and dada-ist artscapes (or both; see Ferris Bueller-theme "Oh Yeah"). After an eight year silence, it's doubtful anyone expected these guys to put out a record in 2016. Not only that, it's thoroughly fun, weird, and well-made at the same time. Perfect music for the crazy year we've had.<br />
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<img alt="Matador" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TAnRxnj6L._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">21) GAZ COOMBES--Matador</span></b></i><br />
Supergrass mainman goes solo with a fantastic album of rock arrangements encompassing thoughtful arrangements and styles. Superior musicianship is the key as Coombes casts off some of the jokey-ness of his former group and gives us something deeper like 90's-era Radiohead. An overlooked gem.<br />
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<img alt="Every Now & Then" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41mlWA23oxL._SS500.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">22) JAGWAR MA--Every Now & Then</span></b></i><br />
These Australian mavericks love mixing it up. One minute it's Oasis-style Britrock, the next Primal-Scream-indebted house music with trippy psychedelics. Witty and inventive, this sophomore effort illustrates just how fearless Jagwar Ma is at harnessing disparate influences to make something new. Who says there's nothing new to say in rock music? Pshaw.<br />
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<img alt="Jet Plane And Oxbow" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41mQB0mE7wL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">23) SHEARWATER--Jet Plane and Oxbow</span></b></i><br />
Probably the only band to feature an ornithologist (bird studies) as its lead singer, Shearwater have been a going property for nearly twenty years now, and seem to really be hitting a groove with this album in particular. If you like U2 but are tired of the pomposity, this may be up your alley. A brilliant effort from a group that keeps getting exponentially better. Check out the videos of their full cover album of David Bowie's Lodger from earlier this year.<br />
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<img alt="Can't Touch Us Now" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81YXNA3epHL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">24) MADNESS--Can't Touch Us Now</span></b></i><br />
The nutty boys are back with their eleventh(!) studio album, already a top 5 release in the UK. They sang "Our House" 35 years ago and continue to create amazing song vignettes about people and life in England, such as the fantastic "Mr. Apples" and ode to a granny addicted to gambling "Pam the Hawk". They've still got it.<br />
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<img alt="Two Vines" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1%2Bk7I4jiCL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">25) EMPIRE OF THE SUN--Two Vines</span></i></b><br />
The Australian duo continues to refine their sound to a polished sheen of super-catchy electropop on this their third full length. How pop music is supposed to sound in 2016.<br />
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<img alt="Nothing's Real" src="data:image/webp;base64,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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">26) SHURA--Nothing's Real</span></b></i><br />
The best pop album from a girl in the UK you've probably not heard of before. If you like early Madonna with a tinge of bittersweet shyness, Shura is for you. A pop album with a surprising amount of depth.<br />
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<img alt="Matter" 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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">27) ST. LUCIA--Matter</span></b></i><br />
This super poppy 80's inspired record came from a New York collective with some of it's origins in South Africa. There is a commitment to melody and energetic tropical pop that seemed to reach epic levels here. Total feelgood music.<br />
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<img alt="Junk" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91R%2Bga%2BPxkL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">28) M83--Junk</span></i></b><br />
Speaking of 80's, M83 did a 180 with this album that confused many of their fans who had grown used to their dark soundtracks to imaginary films. Bubbly 80's synths and cheesy instrumentals meet with a certain French aesthetic and guest vocals from artists such as Beck and Susanne Sundfor, making a left turn of a record that actually sounds like a band having some fun.<br />
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<img alt="Wild Things" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71Ep9D9h8VL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">29) LADYHAWKE--Wild Things</span></b></i><br />
The last time Pip Brown made an album, she was pushing a driving rock guitar edge that left fans bewildered. Here she seems to flip the opposite direction into super glossy pop territory filtered through an electronic sheen. She sounds much more comfortable here, and there are some seriously good tunes people need to hear more of.<br />
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<img alt="Chaosmosis" 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" /><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">30) PRIMAL SCREAM--Chaosmosis</span></b></i><br />
Bobby Gillespie is often misunderstood. This is part of his charm. It is also his Achilles' heel. He and the Scream are a group willing to try just about anything from record to record, choosing to jettison the angular glam rock of their stunning 2013 album <i>More Light</i> for a poppier approach here. Like M83, they confused some of their more casual fans here, but if you followed them for their 30 year career, you know to expect the unexpected. Moreover, this was a very well crafted pop album.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ADDITIONAL FAVORITES:</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THE 1975--I Like it When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of it...</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ANGEL OLSEN--My Woman</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BAT FOR LASHES--The Bride</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BLOOD ORANGE--Freetown Sound</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BRIAN ENO--The Ship</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CAR SEAT HEADREST--Teens of Denial</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CARLY RAE JEPSEN--Emotion: Side B</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CAT'S EYES--Treasure House</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CHAIRLIFT--Moth</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CHRISTINE & THE QUEENS--Chaleur Humane</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DIIV--Is the Is Are</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DINOSAUR JR.--Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DIVINE COMEDY--Foreverland</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS--American Band</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EAGULLS--Ullages</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ED HARCOURT--Furnaces</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ELAINE FRIEDBERGER--New View</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FLOCK OF DIMES--If You See Me, Say Yes</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JAMES--Girl at the End of the World</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JAYHAWKS--Paging Mr. Proust</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JUSTICE--Woman</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">KINGS OF LEON--Walls</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">KRISTIN KONTROL--X-Communicate</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LEONARD COHEN--You Want it Darker</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LYDIA LOVELESS--Real</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MARGO PRICE--Midwest Farmer's Daughter</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MICHAEL KIWANUKA--Love & Hate</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MINOR VICTORIES--Minor Victories</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MOBY--These Systems are Failing</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NIGHT BEATS--Who Sold my Generation</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PAUL SIMON--Stranger to Stranger</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PETER, BJORN & JOHN--Breakin' Point</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PREOCCUPATIONS (formerly VIET CONG)--Preoccupations</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PRETENDERS--Alone</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ROBBIE WILLIAMS--Heavy Entertainment Show</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SANTIGOLD--99 Cents</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SAVAGES--Adore</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SIA--This is Acting</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SOLANGE--A Seat at the Table</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">STURGILL SIMPSON--A Sailor's Guide to Earth</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SWANS--The Glowing Man</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">TEGAN & SARA--Love You to Death</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">TOM CHAPLIN--The Wave</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">TOY--Clear Shot</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A TRIBE CALLED QUEST--We Got it From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THE VEILS--Total Depravity</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">WEEZER--White Album</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">XIU XIU--Xiu Xiu Plays the Music of Twin Peaks</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">WILD BEASTS--Boy King</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">WIRE--Nocturnal Koreans</span></i></b><br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-21288508628594389592016-08-19T13:35:00.000-07:002016-08-19T13:35:15.883-07:002016 is more than half over...where does the time go?We at Electric Avenue feel we have been remiss in talking about the music we love more often. Let's just say running an indie record shop in this day and age can present many challenges to say the least, so taking time to reflect on the beauty of the music we are surrounded by is something that tends to fall by the wayside. It's time to catch up by catching you all up on what is floating around our heads and hearts as of late, and maybe you'll take a chance on something you'd like to check out and find something you like too.<br />
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Here is a quick reference guide to our favorite albums for the first half of 2016...Is YOUR favorite on the list? Please don't judge us...<br />
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<img alt="Blackstar" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51RHm9wIQOL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) DAVID BOWIE--Blackstar</span></b><br />
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It would be easy to say we are just choosing this because it is a popular choice and Bowie's passing was an incredible loss. We didn't even begin to eulogize him in print here because it is simply a loss too great that almost defies comment. We were huge fans of his. HUGE. Therefore, this choice may not be completely unbiased. Let's just say that everything Bowie did had a purpose or intent, and hinting toward his imminent passing from this earthly world through his music was something that truly displayed his sense of genius and dedication to his art and his fans. <br />
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<i>Blackstar</i> does not overstay it's welcome. It is a rather brief seven songs, beginning with the extended title track, something of a throwback to songs like the title track from 1976's <i>Station to Station</i>. The video combined with the song is even more unsettling in the imagery Bowie is trying to convey about losing his battle with cancer. The album is filled with small details which are sometimes abstract, but always lead to the same end. Closing with the wistful and conventionally melodic (compared to much of the rest of <i>Blackstar</i>) "I Can't Give Everything Away", one gets the sense that Bowie felt he really earned his place in the pantheon of artists, and found it terribly difficult just letting go. We will comment more on this album at end of year, but for now, <i>Blackstar</i> is dark, abstract, unconventional, humorous, charming, haunting, scary, and a little bit sad at the same time. He was a true icon in every sense of the word, and if there is any justice, history should treat him very well for a number of reasons.<br />
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<img alt="A Moon Shaped Pool" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91lMJlKmYsL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) RADIOHEAD--A Moon Shaped Pool</span></b><br />
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Had Bowie not released such a great piece of art, this surely could have ascended to the top. When this album premiered on BBC radio, the world got to hear it for the first time at the same time, and while it may be made up of a large number of songs they've worked out live on stage before, there is a feeling of new to most of us who have not seen them recently, and there's also an elegant beauty that has now infused their music. Johnny Greenwood's experience soundtracking films has brought some grace and warmth to Radiohead's music that was lacking at times during their Aphex-influenced 00's era, and they're all the better for it. This also works as such a cohesive whole that it really needs to be played in its entirety. A very special record worthy of the praise it has received.<br />
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<img alt="Hopelessness" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71UKENg5yeL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) ANOHNI--Hopelessness</span></b><br />
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Not an album for everyone (much less the fainthearted), Anohni's (formerly Antony) has spent the past couple years undergoing many personal and artistic changes. Aside from a gender transition, her new album is a musical transition as well, collaborating with electronic artists like Hudson Mohawk and Oneohtrixpointnever to create something more synthetic than her previous chamber pop while singing about important global issues. Songs such as the first single, "Drone Bomb Me", are sung from the perspective of a person who has been so shellshocked by the loss of life around them due to drone bombs, they are praying for the same thing to happen to themselves. It's a harrowing concept that has not been documented enough, and these kinds of statements about culture and the environment put Anohni in a category with artists like MIA more than the chamber pop she usually releases. Brave, daring, uncompromising, and yet, the most accessible album she's ever made. <br />
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<img alt="case/lang/veirs" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61cdpdd5LlL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) CASE / LANG / VEIRS--case / lang / veirs</span></b><br />
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This album seemingly came out of nowhere and blindsided us, becoming one of the most enjoyable albums of the year. kd lang has always had that special kind of voice that is alternately classy and inviting, whether crooning or countryfied, it's always a thing of beauty. Mix in Neko Case's powerful and ringing voice and Laura Veirs' down to earth folky tones, and you get a very special trio that knows when to unite to make magic and when to back off to let certain individuals shine. Jazz, folk, americana and country all mix into a heady whole that evokes simultaneous images of a world where Laurel Canyon tenderness meets Twin Peaks atmosphere in Portland, Oregon (where the album was produced by Veirs' husband, Tucker Martine). Don't miss this...It's a thing of great beauty and charm.<br />
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<img alt="Take Her Up To Monto" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71bM6sxCIUL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) ROISIN MURPHY--Take Her Up to Monto</span></b><br />
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After lackluster sales for what should have been Murphy's big EMI major label breakthrough in 2007 (Overpowered), she took a long break to start a family and rejuvenate her muse. Last year's <i>Hairless Toys</i> proved that, not only had the former Moloko frontwoman moved on from that era, but she had elevated her more experimental side once more, resulting in a Mercury Prize nomination for the album. <i>Take Her Up to Monto</i> was born from the same recording sessions as <i>Toys</i>, yet the results are entirely different. While the previous album had extended songs featuring melodic hooks and a sort of hushed approach to vocals (something which she can more than flip in the other direction), it resulted in a rather introverted sort of record, possibly reflective of her time away. <i>Monto</i> is more extrovert, but no less personal, and maybe even more knotty than it's predecessor, with loads of unexpected turns. It's experimental in the way Bjork albums can be, yet grounded in some sort of musical underpinning that keeps things from skittering into unfocused territories. Songs like "Pretty Gardens" have an element of funky-cabaret to them, while "Ten Miles High" is icy electronics with a dark soul vibe. As some tracks edge toward <i>Toys</i> territory, (the endearing "Whatever" for example), most are entirely different beasts, appealing to Moloko fans while showing the breadth of her interpretive range. It's a grower that rewards upon repeated listenings, and will never become tiresome due to its wealth of ideas and sheer ingenuity.<br />
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<img alt="SVIIB" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/710PHDnbkRL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6) SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS--SVIIB</b></span><br />
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When Benjamin Curtis passed away, Alejandra Deheza was left with the workings of what would be their final project together. While most of their albums were sort of mystical in the lyric sense, this swansong is much more grounded in the realities of what happens when someone is faced with a friend's terminal illness and has to cope after that soul is gone. It is a dark proposition, and one that Deheza takes on with determination on songs like "Open Your Eyes" and "Confusion". These are the most direct lyrics we've gotten from the shoegaze-y band up to this point, and they are all the better for it. It's such a shame this excellent album sprang from such tragic circumstances, and I dare you to really be at one with this album in peace and quiet and not be emotionally moved by the knowledge of their story and the lyrics reflecting this situation in which two young people were so interconnected and one had to go against his will. Heartbreaking.<br />
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<img alt="Everybody's Heart Is Broken Now (Deluxe Version)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Sl8yUzMXL._SS500_SS280.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7) NIKI & THE DOVE--Everybody Has a Broken Heart</span></b><br />
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Scandi-duo Niki & the Dove released an album a few years ago on SubPop Records to mixed sales results, and have changed over to Ten Records this time. This makes their album distribution difficult globally (including the fact that they plan on releasing no physical CD of the album). For whatever reason, the label is obviously wary of marketing this to countries where it may not sell, which is an understandable yet sad effect of the lack of support artists are getting for their music these days. If you liked early-80's Stevie Nicks when she was working with Prince, add just a little Tom Tom Club and this album is right up your alley. There are even moments on songs like "Everybody Wants to be You" where singer Malin Dahlstrom channels a Prince-level performance supported by the touch of musical mastermind Gustaf Karlof. This record is such a brilliant progression from their first, we can only hope for more of the same, delivering a sublime summery vibe just in time.<br />
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<img alt="Night Thoughts (CD/DVD)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61MKsRi2bnL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8) LONDON SUEDE--Night Thoughts</span></b><br />
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Capitalizing on their comeback album <i>Bloodsports</i> (2013), Suede returned early this year with one of their best efforts yet. <i>Night Thoughts</i> goes deeper with a concept revolving around a man committing suicide by drowning as a result of mid-life crisis and depression. There are stunning pop tracks like "Outsiders" and "Like Kids" that represent the best glam-rock of their past albums mixed with more reflective fare like "Pale Snow" and "The Fur and the Feathers". It all adds up to a project that they can be very proud of, one that seals the deal on how important they've been to the world of modern music for the past 25 years(!), and points the way toward an even more exciting future. Suede are once again firing on all cylinders.<br />
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<img alt="Super" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2BA48ewtZL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9) PET SHOP BOYS--Super</span></b><br />
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Pet Shop Boys can be credited as one of the most consistent and fantastic duos in the history of British pop music. After nearly 40 years working together, Tennant and Lowe should be as well known at this point as Lerner and Loewe, repeatedly cranking out great tunes with catchy melodies, sparkling arrangements, and smart lyrics. <i>Super</i>, their second in a row working with producer Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers) hits hard with a bunch of dancefloor ready jams, not the sort of thing you might expect from 2 guys about 60 years old. <i>Super</i> is fresh, fun, and yet has its darker moments ("Twenty Something" is about the lack of jobs for millennials, "The Dictator Decides" about a tyrant who is tired of the job, and "Sad Robot World" about the lack of love machines show for each other). In other words, its a reflection of the world in 2016, as no happy element exists without a darker, painful companion. Carry on, gentlemen.<br />
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<img alt="Wildflower" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51s9Rh1SJNL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10) AVALANCHES--Wildflower</span></b><br />
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It only took 16 years for the Avalanches to follow up their debut album, <i>Since I Left You</i>. That album was a culmination of daisy-chain samples and understated hip-hop beats that has now become an underground classic. The possibility of a followup seemed forever in limbo until <i>Wildflower</i> arrived, and what a gift it is, full of the trademark samples and happy-funk of their past combined with additional guest vocal appearances. The album is peppered with help from Camp Lo, Danny Brown, MF Doom, Toro y Moi, Biz Markie, Warren Ellis, Ariel Pink, Jonathan Donahue of Mercury Rev, and others. Not only do the guest vocals add another element, but there are also some fantastic string parts added by Jean-Michel Bernard sweeten the pot. The band once described the project as a "hip-hop Yellow Submarine", and with bits of Zappa and Beastie Boys added, it's a rather apt description.<br />
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<img alt="Post Pop Depression" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1adsrYoMlL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">11) IGGY POP--Post Pop Depression</span></b><br />
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Iggy gets revved up again with help from Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme. Possibly the best album he's made since the Bowie-produced <i>Lust for Life</i> of 1977.<br />
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<img alt="Strange Little Birds" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81vFMZnP9JL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">12) GARBAGE--Strange Little Girls</span></b><br />
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Shirley Manson and Butch Vig along with their cohorts continue to rock the scene over 20 years after their beginnings with one of their best efforts yet!<br />
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<img alt="2013" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71kw1%2B0CADL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">13) MEILYR JONES--2013</span></b><br />
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Quirky Welsh singer details the breakup of his band and a romantic relationship in a move from Britain to Rome and starting fresh, all backed by a winsome group of chamber musicians. "Refugees" is particularly affecting. <br />
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<img alt="Everything You've Come To Expect (Deluxe Edition)" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51cJZqNgs0L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">14) LAST SHADOW PUPPETS--Everything You've Come to Expect</span></b><br />
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The return of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Miles Kane eight years after their debut finds them in a more relaxed, 70's FM vibe. One of the strongest British pop/rock albums of the year. <br />
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<img alt="Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MiYOBl1EL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">15) UNDERWORLD--Barbra, Barbra, We Face a Shining Future</span></b><br />
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Underworld has taken long breaks between their last couple records (vocalist Karl Hyde made a couple albums with Brian Eno recently), and their latest shows the duo finding some new paths to travel that give them an extended lease on their electronic art-rock. Brilliant. <br />
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<img alt="Choreography" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91QoVtain6L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">16) BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT--Choreography</span></b><br />
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Rod Thomas (another Welsh-man!) cranks up the 80's time machine with this incredibly fun and catchy album. Inspired by dance sequences from movies ("Symmetry of Two Hearts" came from watching Kim Cattrall in Mannequin) and featuring guest appearances from Elton John and Scissor Sisters, this is BLBL's third and finest full length to date. <br />
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<img alt="Lexicon of Love II" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/717xeSyOp6L._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">17) ABC--Lexicon of Love 2</span></b><br />
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Speaking of 80's time machines, it's been 34 years(!) since ABC conquered the pop world with their Trevor Horn-produced debut, Lexicon of Love. While all band members have moved on (Where is Steve Singleton anyhow?), Martin Fry joins forces with orchestrator Anne Dudley and other fabulous session musicians to create a sequel to that very special project. Very well made and done with heart. <br />
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<img alt="Matador" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/516xfETr-aL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">18) GAZ COOMBES--Matador</span></b><br />
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While the lead singer of England's Supergrass was collecting royalty checks for his ex-band's "Alright" still being used in TV commercials, Gaz leaped back into the scene with this beautifully arranged rock album that shows just how talented he can be on his own, and this is the beginning of a new chapter for him. Check it out! <br />
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<img alt="Jet Plane And Oxbow" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41mQB0mE7wL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">19) SHEARWATER--Jet Plane & Oxbow</span></b><br />
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This band have been around for a bit, but this is the album where they jumped from good to wow with additional help from composer and former Redd Kross member, Brian Reitzell. Layers of percussion and bells adorn these well-written gems, and in a just world, this album should have sold several thousand copies. For fans of U2 who tire of their bloated side. <br />
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<img alt="Nothing's Real" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81m-rfQswtL._SX425_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">20) SHURA--Nothing's Real</span></b><br />
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Several new faces entered the pop scene this year, and Shura is a unique artist who may sonically appeal to early Madonna fans, yet her lyrics display a shy side that Madonna rarely addressed. Not only can she construct great songs (many made with help from Joel Pott of British band Athlete), but there is an effortless quality to her tunes which glide gracefully from one to the next. A name to watch then. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">21) M83--Junk</span></b><br />
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The most fun album the Frenchman has given us to date, including a guest appearance from Beck. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>22) ST. LUCIA--Matter</b></span><br />
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South Africa by way of New York band that could give Mr. Mister a run for their money. Super 80's pop overload. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>23) LADYHAWKE--Wild Things</b></span><br />
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Also more pop than her last effort, it took four long years for <i>Wild Things</i> to materialize, and it was worth the wait. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">24) KRISTIN KONTROL--X-Communicate</span></b><br />
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Kristin Welchez (Dum Dum Girls) breaks out with a solo record and persona that emulates Debbie Harry and early Madonna with panache. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">25) JAMES--Girl at the End of the World</span></b><br />
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The string of great James albums continues with this, their 14th! Just missed having their first #1 album in England thanks to Adele... <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">26) EAGULLS--Ullages</span></b><br />
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If you like the Cure, this sounds a LOT like them, and is probably better than anything they could come up with at the moment. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">27) BETH ORTON--Kidsticks</span></b><br />
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Beth finds new sounds after a move to California and having a rethink. Ironically, it's the closest she has sounded to her first album nearly 20 years ago. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>28) CHAIRLIFT--Moth</b></span><br />
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This rather overlooked effort is their most polished to date, yet retains some of their trademark quirkiness. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">29) BLOOD ORANGE--Freetown Sound</span></b><br />
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Dev Hynes continues his search for the truth on his most fully-formed effort to date as Blood Orange. It's also an album with something to say about social issues, yet does so without aid of firearms. Sublime. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">30) ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER--New View</span></b><br />
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Ever since Friedberger left Fiery Furnaces her albums just keep getting better. <i>New View</i> is just a great example of what a well-made indie album should be. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">31) TEGAN & SARA--Love You to Death</span></b><br />
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Tegan & Sara made a fantastic album in 2013 (<i>Heartthrob</i>), and this one continues the journey with uber-pop producer/arranger Greg Kurstin in tow. They should be huge now.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">32) MINOR VICTORIES--Minor Victories</span></b><br />
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A supergroup made up of Rachel Goswell (Slowdive) and members of Editors and Mogwai, this album is actually probably the best project any of the members have been involved with in some time. Dark and windswept. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">33) PETER BJORN & JOHN--Breakin' Point</span></b><br />
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After 5 years away, PB&J take some cues from radio and channel some of the catchiest pop tunes you'll hear on any album this year, yet somehow they manage to steer clear of becoming cloying. Actually one of their best. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">34) WYE OAK--Tween</span></b><br />
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An interesting project as Jenn Wasner gets ready to release a solo full length as Flock of Dimes, <i>Tween</i> is just what it says it is...an album made of tracks recorded between the last couple records. It still adds up to some great moments that leave one wondering how they ever hit the cutting room floor. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">35) MICHAEL KIWANUKA--Love & Hate</span></b><br />
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While it may not be the most original album on the list, Ugandan-born Kiwanuka pairs up with Danger Mouse and turns up the 70's psychedelia with electric guitar solos that would make David Gilmour proud, and a Bill Withers vocal delivery with songs that resonate in the current political climate. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">36) BRIAN ENO--The Ship</span></b><br />
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Eno continues pushing boundaries with this album, containing long instrumental passages, spoken word, and an actual (somewhat) conventional vocal song. The definition of art. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>37) SAVAGES--Adore Life</b></span><br />
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Uncompromising band returns with their sophomore effort, a little less intense but no less fueled by anger and disillusionment. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">38) DMA'S--Hill's End</span></b><br />
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Great new band for those who miss bands like Oasis. Super catchy and so easy to like. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">39) THE 1975--I Like it When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful...</span></b><br />
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Confounding sophomore effort from this British band who went from being indie rock darlings to 80's synth-poppers overnight. Influenced by Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and Brian Eno (!--the interludes), this album is either enjoyable fun or career suicide. In other words, it's sort of like Ted Cruz. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">40) BAT FOR LASHES--The Bride</span></b><br />
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Natasha Khan comes up with a concept about a bride on her way to her wedding when her groom gets killed in a car accident. An ingenious idea set to some extremely downbeat music.<br />
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Be on the lookout for our next post. You KNOW it won't be more than six months from now!<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-42586890080159901412015-12-24T08:02:00.000-08:002015-12-24T08:02:48.597-08:00It's a Year End Thing...2015 as it Sounds to Us<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another year, another list, and quite frankly, we feel guilty for not posting more often. There is so much going on in the world of music and so much to talk about, yet most of the time at Electric Avenue is spent running the store. We should have known this would happen when we became store owners, so it's not really surprising, but we must offer heartfelt apologies to all of you (and there may not be many) who are waiting with bated breath from week to week with any kind of sage wisdom regarding the state of the current musical landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that being said, it has been a super year for music. Not a great year for the music business, but a great year for music. It was just last month that I mused aloud about how less than two decades ago the general public were so upset that artists from the 50's and 60's were generally robbed blind by their managers, labels, and producers. Here we are in 2015 in a "civilized" world, and the majority of the general public takes music from the artists without even batting an eyelid. Times changed, belief systems were turned over, and it is impossible now to make it as an albums-artist without the benefit of touring, and yet, some music is not conducive to the live arena. Older artists may not be able to make a living in the future as they age and depend on streaming revenue for their additional income. In effect, the art world is back at square one thanks to this system that's in place to take from the creators. On the eve of Beatles going to the world of streaming, it's sort of surprising they are caving to the streaming culture. After all, they have made over a billion dollars and do not need that sort of weak income stream at this point. It's because they can afford to accept the loss in order to stay hip with a young generation who expect it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The media keep droning on about the bright spot being the return of vinyl. While this is obviously good for stores like ours, it's also a bit frustrating as big record companies begin to pounce on a moneymaking opportunity, taking pressing plant time away from independent labels and controlling the flow of who gets their exclusive pressings (Urban Outfitters and Barnes & Noble being the big offenders). What's to keep these big companies from farming out more exclusive vinyl the way they were doing with CDs, which was usually giving other mass market chains extra tracks on their discs and now will be earlier releases or colored vinyl, to the FYE's and Best Buys of the world? Today they announced the return of Columbia House, and the strain on the vinyl manufacturers can only increase from here. The dark side of silver linings then...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No more digression from Scrooge here, but suffice it to say that if you love music, support it by actually supporting the artists and paying for their art. We love music at Electric Avenue, so without further ado, here are our top picks for 2015: </span><br />
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<img alt="Music Complete" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61ms%2Bt2tVkL._SY450_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1) NEW ORDER--Music: Complete</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our favorite record of 2015 is one that had us alternately laughing and crying at the same time, it was that damn good. This statement may be an oversell for some of you, but for those who lived through the era when New Order was the most important band in the world, you will know what we are talking about. New Order in the 80's was all about moving on from the depressed-post-suicide of their Joy Division leader, the late, great Ian Curtis, and embracing doing whatever the hell they wanted, whether it be guitar indie, New York electro, hip hop, pop, house music...they did it ALL (and even made fun of hair metal in their video for "Touched By the Hand of God"). Like their historic past, this album has it ALL, a true blend of the best sides of the band, from mid-life crisis single "Restless", to the JD-referencing "Singularity" (complete with goth-y introduction), electro-blazing "Plastic" (including shady putdowns to an unnamed recipient), to dance-pop "Tutti Frutti", to funky-house "People on the High Line"...there's even a big Iggy Pop spoken-word contribution to "Stray Dog", and that's just in the first half of this album! The band thought so well of their efforts too, they even went to the lengths of expanding the length of these already somewhat lengthy tracks for a colored-vinyl deluxe edition featuring one extended song per side. The second half of the album delivers some great guitar-driven songs, as well as some forays into techno, and the final sparkling track, "Superheated", which sounds like Yazoo fronted by the Killers' Brandon Flowers (he actually guests on the track). With lead singer Bernard Sumner turning 60 in January and a disgruntled bass-playing Peter Hook leaving the band, who knows how many more New Order albums there will be. For now, sorry you missed this one Peter...it's their best in over 20 years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2) BLUR--Magic Whip</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We've already said a lot of positive things about this album (our favorite at mid-year) but let's leave this with the statement that if Blur never make another record, at least they ended on a high note this time. We can only hope Gorillaz 2016 return (with David Bowie supposedly) won't take so much time away from how happy we were to have Blur back in 2015, and how much we valued and missed them.</span><br />
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<img alt="Carrie & Lowell" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81b%2BUcMfhCL._SY450_.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">3) SUFJAN STEVENS--Carrie & Lowell</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most uncomfortably intimate record of 2015 is right here. Stevens has definitely moved on from his dissecting the history of our nation's states (stopping after just two), and his abstract electro-musings on 2010's Age of Adz. Like listening to Stevens' diaries, Carrie & Lowell is the sound of the artist telling you very specific and sometimes uncomfortable personal stories that might just rip your heart out. Gorgeous stuff.</span><br />
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<img alt="Hairless Toys" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/712lsuJDzkL._SY450_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4) ROISIN MURPHY--Hairless Toys</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The least known artist in the top 5 makes her first appearance on this list in eight years (Not exactly--her 2007 album, Overpowered, topped our personal blog album list long before the store blog began, while "Let Me Know" topped our singles the same year). Murphy may be best known for her time as the frontwoman in the alternative electronic duo Moloko, and this is her third solo album since leaving that project, following an extended sabbatical to take some time off and have two(!) babies. It's also a departure from the catchy funk-pop of it's predecessor, leaning more toward internal head music of a cerebral nature. Murphy dabbles in house, funk, pop, even country(!), but it's all channeled through her somewhat cool and restrained delivery that could easily belt it all out (I'm looking at you, Adele). The title of the record is an in-joke of misunderstood lyrics, but each song here has a purpose and a unique heart of its own. In an alternate world, she should be as big as Annie Lennox. </span><br />
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<img alt="Poison Season" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qt5Ftip-L._SY450_.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5) DESTROYER--Poison Season</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our top ten is peppered with quirky personalities, with Canadian Dan Bejar as a real standout. A member of big alternative band New Pornographers, Bejar even manages to stand out in that group of musical mavericks. The last Destroyer album, Kaputt (2011), traded on 80's sounding synths and lots of atmospheric trumpets, while Poison Season brings in string sections and Springsteen's E-Street chug to create his most accessible album yet. There's a certain thread running through the lyrics, especially on "Times Square", which is repeated in three different iterations here, and while there is a concept somewhat involving the Broadway life, this remains rather vague in typical Bejar fashion. What isn't vague is his ability to write great tunes, which are all over this album. He may be the most literate, erudite person in the world of rock music. </span><br />
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<img alt="I Love You, Honeybear" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rIrx-CesL._SY450_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6) FATHER JOHN MISTY--I Love You, Honeybear</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brilliant second album from Josh (J) Tillman as Father John Misty. This could quite possibly be the most cynical love letter ever written to a significant other, but the actual heart is still beating strong and true. An early album that stayed strong all year upon repeated listens, it would've made Harry Nilsson proud.</span><br />
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<img alt="FFS" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/A1asDLfGxfL._SY450_.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>7) FFS--FFS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most inspired collaboration of the year did work when Franz Ferdinand and Sparks got together and made an entire 16-song album together. Bringing together the wit and melodies of vintage Sparks (a band that has been around for over 40 years, y'all) with the rock and rhythmic drive of Franz, FFS (which might mean something else in Google) gave both bands an album that counts as one of their best. Maybe FFS stands for Fun Fun Supreme!</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8) BJORK--Vulnicura</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Certainly the saddest album of the year came from the Icelandic powerhouse that is Bjork, and on Vulnicura she returns to the strings of Homogenic days, but adds synthetic sauce from producers like Arca and The Haxan Cloak. The album plays out chronologically detailing the end of her relationship with husband Matthew Barney, with a persistent sense of pain and loss. At it's core, this is Bjork's recent life story as told in music, and it's a compelling one.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>9) SUSANNE SUNDFOR--Ten Love Songs</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A star in her native Norway, Sundfor is probably most known in the US for her collaborations with artists like M83 and Royksopp. Ten Love Songs are actually more like Ten Break-up Songs, and this is certainly not the work of any novice, as this is Susanne's fifth album. There is a certain dark beauty to Sundfor's voice that seems to be in Scandinavian water...the ladies from ABBA have it, and Nina Persson of the Cardigans has it too. It's a piercing melancholy, both happy and sad, and no matter what style of music is being presented, the vocals are always front and center with diamond-like clarity. Not only does this album become darker and more tense as it progresses, but it also features a perfect balance of art and commerce, with the ten minute M83 collaboration "Memorial" as its centerpiece, incorporating a full piano concerto excursion. Sublime.</span><br />
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<img alt="Honeymoon [Explicit]" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71eIbdOk2WL._SY450_.jpg" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>10) LANA DEL REY--Honeymoon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Del Rey's third effort in as many years (not including the Paradise EP) is her strongest conceptual effort yet. Continuing with the faded Hollywood glamour vibe, Honeymoon features many glacial but affecting tracks painting a bleak portrait of the seedy side of life as a lonely starlet. Disappointment is the name of the game in songs like "God Knows I Tried" and "The Blackest Day", while "High on the Beach" and "Freak" operate closer to the character invented on her classic debut Born to Die. Less rock than the previous album and less pop than it's predecessor, Honeymoon operates in a space where time is relative and David Lynch is the director. The sadder female Chris Isaak on quaaludes then, and completely enthralling.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>11) TAME IMPALA--Currents</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tame Impala continue to evolve and enthrall with this album, their latest and greatest.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>12) BELLE & SEBASTIAN--Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some saw this as B&S go electronic, when really it was just another gleaming chapter in the evolution of one of the greatest indie bands of all time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>13) COURTNEY BARNETT--Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The level of ingenuity and excitement raised by relative newcomer Barnett is something that makes you want to just sit up and take notice.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>14) HOT CHIP--Why Make Sense?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most lovable dudes from indie-tronica return with another loose and engaging collection of tunes from their bottomless well.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>15) LOWER DENS--Escape From Evil</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Baltimore produces another great band with another charismatic frontwoman, Jana Hunter, echoing legendary singers like Siouxsie Sioux.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>16) NEON INDIAN--Vega Intl. Night School</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alan Palomo breaks through after a four year absence with an album put together on cruise ships (supposedly), synthesizing indie with 80's Prince-ly funk. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>17) LIBERTINES--Anthems for Doomed Youth</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the category of "never thought you'd hear from this band again" comes the great new Libertines reunion record, Pete Doherty and all...</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>18) KURT VILE--B'lieve I'm Goin' Down</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Philadelphia's own fantastic singer-songwriter puts out yet another great album in 2015, mural optional.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>19) JOHN GRANT--Grey Tickles, Black Pressure</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grant continues to confound and delight with his latest masterpiece, part of a growing catalog of indispensable art.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>20) CHVRCHES--Every Open Eye</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brilliant followup to brilliant debut proves if it ain't broke, don't fix it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>21) UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA--Multi-Love</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unexpected turn from indie to funky done with aplomb from a band who continue to do whatever they want to.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>22) WOLF ALICE--My Love is Cool</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Excellent debut from excellent band who fearlessly try several outfits on during the course of their first album with stunning results.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>23) ASH--Kablammo!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The new Ash record proves they were some of the best songwriters of post-Britpop and bridge the melodic gap between Oasis and Weezer. It should have been heard by many more people.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>24) JAMIE XX--In Colour</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While waiting for the new XX album, we get a taste of what we wish it will sound like. The year's best mixtape.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>25) LAURA MARLING--Short Movie</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gorgeously rocking album finds Marling recharged after a couple more dreamy acoustic albums, still channeling Joni gloriously.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>26) MERCURY REV--Light in You</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the finest produced albums of the year, Rev return after years away with a beautiful album about walks in the park and rainy day records...what could be better?</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>27) LOW--Ones & Sixes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After several great Low albums, they suddenly turn in one of the best in their entire decades-long career. If you ever liked this band, don't let this one slip by...it's a keeper.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>28) JOE JACKSON--Fast Forward</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That guy returns with one of his best records in years, echoing the greatness of his 80's classic, Night & Day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>29) GRIMES--Art Angels</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grimes makes huge strides with Art Angels, bridging the gap between art & commerce and doing it all on her own terms.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>30) GUY GARVEY--Courting the Squall</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That burly guy from Elbow breaks out and makes a solo record which takes some stylistic chances that are a welcome change from the normal Elbow box.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>31) VACCINES--English Graffiti</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Their bid for a big American hit gets closer every time as the Vaccines produce their most accessible pop album yet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>32) ALGIERS--Algiers</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sound of modern gospel blues on the railroad, Algiers is one intense ride.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>33) APARTMENTS--No Song, No Spell, No Madrigal</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Haunting elegy to a lost child, the first Apartments record in years is worth your time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>34) MARC ALMOND--The Velvet Trail</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Almond returns with a gorgeous album of original pop songs, his first in years, showing how much wonderful material is still in his heart and mind after 35 years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>35) JULIA HOLTER--Have You in My Wilderness</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Holter's latest riveting album operates on a higher musical plane than most, and there is also more warmth and emotion on parade here than ever before.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>36) RYAN ADAMS--1989</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nearly as good as the Taylor Swift version, and it seems VERY sincere.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>37) CHEMICAL BROTHERS--Born Into the Echoes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Return of one of the best DJ duos in the UK, featuring contributions from St. Vincent, Q-Tip, and Beck.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>38) DUTCH UNCLES--O Shudder</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Angular rock of a very particular nature, Dutch Uncles continue to grow while living within their own structural framework.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>39) PAUL WELLER--Saturn's Return</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Continuing his run of great recent albums is one of Weller's boldest and brightest yet, released in the same year as a Jam documentary and vinyl reissues.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>40) YOUNG GALAXY--Falsework</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Third great album in a row featuring these Quebec mavericks with Norwegian electronic producer Dan Lissvik, who now seems to be a fully integrated member of the band.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>41) SWIM DEEP--Mothers</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tame Impala wasn't the only band who evolved between their last two albums this year. Take a listen to Swim Deep's two records and you might not know they were the same band, trading Britpop for euphoric psychedelia.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>42) BLACK RIVERS--Black Rivers</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The other two from the Doves that are not Jimi Goodwin make Black Rivers, and a great side project it is, flying under many radars but a strong album in it's own right.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>43) PUBLIC IMAGE LTD.--What the World Needs Now</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Who says John Lydon isn't still angry? There's plenty of bile plus a little more sunshine than usual on this latest epic in the PIL cannon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>44) LIANNE LA HAVAS--Blood</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">La Havas turns up the heat and brings a little more rock and soul with her sophomore effort, recorded mostly in Jamaica with Matt Hales of Aqualung.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b>45) MODEST MOUSE--Strangers to Ourselves</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mousers, you have been missed. Several years have passed since your last (relatively tame) effort, and though Johnny Marr may be gone, this band presses on--in mostly good ways--mostly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>46) SARAH CRACKNELL--Red Kite</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lovely solo effort from Saint Etienne lead vocalist, doing her best to channel peak period Petula Clark and Cilla Black, featuring a guest vocal from Manic Street Preachers' Nicky Wire.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>47) SQUEEZE--Cradle to the Grave</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nobody expected Difford and Tilbrook to get back together again, but that's just what happened after 17 years for this generally great album...too bad Jools Holland was too busy to join the party.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>48) EL VY--Return to the Moon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2015 seemed like the year of side projects, and El Vy (plural for Elvis) was one of the best, mixing the National's quirkier tendencies with Menomena's poppier side. Charmingly effective.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>49) SLEATER-KINNEY--No Cities to Love</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2015 also seemed to be the year of the reunion, with so many bands we haven't heard from in a long time getting back together. Sleater-Kinney was one of those bands, once Carrie Brownstein could clear a couple months in her busy calendar.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>50) BUILT TO SPILL--Untethered Moon</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The return of another great (and highly underrated) indie band, Built to Spill helped shake up the earlier part of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>51) MARINA & THE DIAMONDS--Froot</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Marina is one of the best pop artists on the planet. Her first three albums have all been excellent, with Froot taking a small step back into more conventional instrumentation after the superpop of Electra Heart.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>52) JANET JACKSON--Unbreakable</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Miss Jackson made her return in 2015 after a long silence, still reeling from the years of the Superbowl and Nipplegate. While Miley Cyrus parades her crotch in publications, the lashing Jackson received in the press seems quaint and comical now by comparison. Unbreakable is somewhat restrained and covered-up (she is married again), but the demure attitude plays well off her more reflective side in this Jam & Lewis production, not only reminiscent of her best work, but her best album since Velvet Rope nearly 20 years ago. If you ever liked her before, you should give it a try.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>53) IAMX--Metanoia</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another great album from ex-Sneaker Pimp Chris Corner as he continues to plumb the darker depths of electro-Weimar cabaret. If you like the sleazier side of Depeche Mode this was built for you, and even better, there are five earlier albums of the stuff...you have some catching up to do...</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>54) OH LAND--Earth Sick</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While her last album (2013's Wishbone) featured production from heavy hitters like Dave Sitek and Pharrell Williams, Earth Sick is largely an ego-free production, featuring Nanna Fabricius' friends and children of friends, as well as her own opera-singing mother on background vocals. It is a very charming and unassuming pop album that deserved more attention than it got. </span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>55) MEW--+/-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Norwegian band Mew continue to confound and enthrall with their big pop-rock opus +/-, reaching for bigger audiences with their anthemic yet somehow still quirky tunes. The spinning quality of these songs show attention to a deeper sound than most bands of the post-modern Radiohead school, but contain the brightness of Coldplay's melodies, a tricky tightrope they walk with confidence.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>56) THE CHURCH--Further Deeper</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They may have lost guitarist Marty Wilson-Piper with this album, but somehow (like New Order), the Church sound more like the Church than they've sounded in years. Dark and brooding melodies are what's on offer, including some of the best songs they've written in years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>57) WIRE--Wire</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Plowing a similar path to erstwhile post-punkers the Church, Wire also lost an integral member here with Bruce Gilbert, yet Colin Newman manages to give us some of their best arrangements and material since some of their 80's albums, and that's saying something since their past couple records have also been quite good. A welcome effort.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>58) FLORENCE & THE MACHINE--How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The return of the Machine in 2015 was very good, and loses only a little point for being sort of labored over. Florence delivers some of her best vocals yet here, with more nuance and emotion than the usual bluster, and songs like "St. Jude" have a very special, personal quality. She also ditches a little of her fairy dust for a more down-to-earth effort, leaving the door wide for future possibilities.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>59) DJANGO DJANGO--Born Under Saturn</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Art rockers sophomore album showcases amazing arrangements and vocal harmonies, polished to a perfect shine.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>60) BRANDON FLOWERS--The Desired Effect</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Killers frontman Flowers one-ups his band's recent efforts with a second solo record that should have been huge in an alternate universe. Catchy tunes, great production, and music Brandon really sells as he sounds like he really believes in it. Why it didn't get more attention remains a mystery.</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>61) SHAMIR--Ratchet</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Excellent but flawed debut from Shamir Bailey, who pens odes to his hometown Las Vegas, and tries on some mid-tempo balladry for his lofty falsetto. Where he really shines is on the fun and catchy numbers like "Call it Off" or "On the Regular"...more please...</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>62) SWERVEDRIVER--I Wasn't Born to Lose You</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes reunions aren't all they're cracked up to be. That is certainly NOT the case with the return of Swervedriver, finding them reinvigorated and inspired. Some call it shoegaze, but there are enough tight melodies here to keep their feet on the ground.</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>63) JACK LADDER & THE DREAMLANDERS--Playmates</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the best breakouts of the year was this catchy album from a relative unknown in the US, Jack Ladder. Channeling like a young Nick Cave fronting Erasure, there are enough dark moments on Playmates to counter the sweetness in the arrangements, and Sharon van Etten's guest vocals on a couple tracks also add levity. A pleasant surprise!</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>64) MUSE--Drones</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Working with hitmaker Robert "Mutt" Lange (Def Leppard, Shania Twain) for the first time gave Muse a sonic kick into heavier territory, and while the material doesn't always rest at the top of the critical foodchain, they play with commitment and gusto throughout, and fans were far from disappointed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>65) JOSE GONZALEZ--Vestiges & Claws</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A beautifully textured folk record from Gonzalez who leaves his post as frontman for his band Junip after a couple albums with them. This is a much more stripped down and haunted affair, calling artists like Nick Drake back from the grave.</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>66) LITTLE BOOTS--Working Girl</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The third album from Little Boots was released over the summer, and was one of a few bright spots in EDM and dance music that showed some originality. "Better in the Morning" in particular was a breezy number incorporating rhythmic elements of Tom Tom Club classic, "Genius of Love".</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>67) ALBERT HAMMOND, JR--Momentary Masters</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Super underrated album from Strokes' guitarist and one of the best guitar pop records of the year. Also the best thing a member of the band has done outside the band (sorry Julian Casablancas)...It bodes well for the Strokes return.</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>68) DURAN DURAN--Paper Gods</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This very catchy record from Duran pushed them out of their comfort zone, and while there were some incredibly catchy songs like "Pressure Off", this album was just a little too slick compared to the last, and probably needed a little more Mark Ronson (who was too busy making "Uptown Funk" with Bruno Mars--he did a little work here), and a little less Mr. Hudson. Don't forsake the human aspect...</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>69) A-HA--Cast in Steel</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Return effort from the supposedly defunct Norwegian trio who just can't stay away from each other. It's OK if their albums are this good.</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>70) RICHARD HAWLEY--Hollow Meadows</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the best living crooners from the UK is back with an album that brings out the best of all the sides of Hawley. While he keeps giving us quality albums, we will keep accepting them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>71) MELODY GARDOT--Currency of Man</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Gardot took a left turn from her last album of Brazilian beach music with this great album featuring a fair amount of bluesy and jazzy tunes. There's also understated orchestral pop noir to be found, and while the album has some great songs, it varies wildly as to whether you get the official album or the director's cut, which is yet to come.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>72) SHRIEKBACK--Without Real String or Fish</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Infuriatingly difficult for Americans to get, this classic British band continue their streak of great albums with one of their strongest in 30 years, featuring the return of founding member, Carl Marsh. Seek this one out if you like them...it's worth the trouble.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>73) PRINCE--Hitandrun Vol. 1 & 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Prince released two volumes of the Hitandrun albums this year (surprise, after all), and while both featured varying degrees of regal tunes, they also had some really great standouts, with the first volume being more electronic and the second more acoustic (and the horns!)...It's another positive step in the rehabilitation of a recording career that has suffered in the past couple decades.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>74) NICOLAS GODIN--Contrepoint</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fantastic side-project from Air man featuring his take on works made famous by JS Bach. Who knew Bach could be varied in so many interesting ways?</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>75) ADELE--25</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By no means a weak album, Adele released just one of many very fine albums in 2015, yet it is worth mentioning it is also the biggest selling album on this list. The fact that it appears at number 75 will have no effect on Adele, I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>76) ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA--Alone in the Universe</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jeff Lynne trudges on decades after ELO began (over 40 years ago!), and here's another great album full of cracking tunes, heartfelt lyrics, and arrangements that would make a Wilbury proud. Our only wish was that it wasn't so short, yet there is absolutely not one single wasted moment.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>77) CHUNGKING--Defender</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's been quite a while since the last Chungking effort, and while Richard X is not involved this time, they have overhauled and ramped up their sound a bit, making for an atmospheric pop record that sounds unique in a musical landscape of soundalikes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>78) BIRD & THE BEE--Recreational Love</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Beautiful return for the daughter of Lowell George (Little Feat) and former Geggy Tah member and uber-producer Greg Kurstin (Adele, Kylie Minogue). This band and album are total labors of love, and it's an enjoyable effort from beginning to end.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>79) EDITORS--In Dream</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While Tom Smith's vocals are, at times, extuhreemuhlee deep, Editors keep making records that are rather enjoyable, mainly due to the way the band creates the music to surround the important lyrics with. If you sort of like Interpol but want something catchier, start here.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>80) JASON ISBELL--Something More Than Free</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Former Drive-By Trucker continues his ascent since leaving said band and getting clean and sober (as well as becoming a father). This record was a little more laid-back and settled than his masterpiece from a couple years back, Southeastern, but it's a slow burn that pays off over and over.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>81) THE WEEKND--Beauty Behind the Madness</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The summer of 2015 belonged to this Canadian artist and his Michael Jackson-worthy hit, "Can't Feel My Face". This album has the same problem many of the Weeknd's albums do, in that there are large stretches featuring depressing or disturbing lyrics with slow music, yet something happens around the mid-point of this album, and everything else feels like Abel has begun a new chapter of looser, more pop material, including duets with Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey. A step toward world domination then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">82) BEACH HOUSE--Depression</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> Cherry</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first of two Beach House records, it strips away a lot of the reverb that made Bloom a big sounding record, offering a more direct approach, with the same haunting songwriting, and a choir-fuelled closing track...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>83) BEACH HOUSE--Thank Your Lucky Stars</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...And because they had so much success with Depression Cherry, Beach House released a second album mere weeks after the first one. Lucky Stars has a looser feel than Cherry, and more variety in the tunes and arrangements as well. This can be either a good or bad thing depending on what you're looking for from them, but for fans, the more the better.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>84) KATE BOY--One</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're missing the poppier side of The Knife, Sweden's own Kate Boy released a strong album in 2015 that has yet to elicit a physical release. Worrisome as this encourages forgetfulness and throwaway records...give us something we can hold Kate Boy!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>85) PURE BATHING CULTURE--Pray For Rain</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">PBC follow their last super-ethereal album with something a little more down to earth and electronic. Cocteau Twins seemed to provide the prior template, and bringing it down to earth brought down our impression of the band a little too. Still, there are good moments here, so it's worth exploring.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>86) BEST COAST--California Nights</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another good record from this California band, as they continue to build a strong legacy of good California records. Bethany Cosentino's vocals really make this band something special.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>87) PUGWASH--Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pugwash is an Irish band formerly signed to Andy Partridge of XTC's record label, Ape House. Now signed to the great Omnivore label, Pugwash finally released this US debut in 2015 featuring guest appearances from Neil Hannon of Divine Comedy, Ray Davies of the Kinks, Andy Partridge, and ELO's Jeff Lynne!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>88) !!!--As If</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'll admit !!! is a band I've been trying to love for years, but something always stops me short. I think they finally hit on something special with As If, especially by the time they get to the third track, "Every Little Bit Counts". It should have been one of the biggest hits of 2015, and the album around it is their best yet. Keep on keeping on...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>89) YEARS & YEARS--Communion</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Years & Years were the biggest new pop band in England in 2015, and American still doesn't know who they are. "King" and "Gold" were all over UK radio, and maybe it just takes a few minutes for things to cross the pond.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>90) FRATELLIS--Eyes Wide Tongues Tied</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The latest Fratellis record features many of their tried and true sounds but adds some pop and some melancholy where the needs to expand their sound a bit more. A good album that might shock old fans of the band.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>91) MARTIN COURTNEY--Many Moons</b></span><br />
New Jersey band Real Estate espouse a easy-breezy lush style of stripped down guitar playing, unobtrusive yet charmingly compelling. Martin is their "lead" singer, and here he strikes out on a solo record with similar lovely results.<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>92) ALABAMA SHAKES--Sound & Color</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sophomore effort from Alabama Shakes may not have gone in all the directions their fans expected them to go, but it made for a widely varied and enjoyable record that proves they can do just about anything successfully. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>93) MIGUEL--Wildheart</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While Prince released some decent but relatively tame records in the past 18 months, Miguel brings a little of the nasty-sexy back but also keeps the edges a little rough and interesting. He continues to ascend. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>94) DEERHUNTER--Fading Frontier</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This album is probably better than this number implies, and once again Deerhunter make a shift in sound to a more FM based idea, albeit with lots of little detours. A grower of an album and one to return to more in 2016. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>95) KENDRICK LAMAR--To Pimp a Butterfly</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kendrick deserves to be the biggest artist in hip hop right now...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>96) VERUCA SALT--Ghost Notes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Big return for the reunited Veruca Salt who are here to make right what fell apart at the end of the 90's. Girl group grunge is all the rage again!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>97) HOP ALONG--Painted Shut</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Philly's own Hop Along made some major inroads this year with a sprightly and loose record featuring the effervescent vocals of Frances Quinlan front and center. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>98) BILL RYDER-JONES--West Kirby Country Primary</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ex-Coral lead guitarist Ryder-Jones ploughs his own path with this superb folk-rock album after 5 albums with his previous band. One to watch for sure. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>99) SEAL--7</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Seal reunites with producer extraordinaire Trevor Horn with this lush and reflective album, his best in over a decade. While there is some softer material here, there are also songs like "Padded Cell" that recall his own classics like "Crazy". </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>100) COLDPLAY--Head Full of Dreams</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I may feel differently about this album in a few months. It's a very good album (definitely a step up from the previous Ghost Stories), but there is a heavy dose of pop here, and while we love pop (see much of this list), there's also a certain sense that we want Coldplay to deliver something a bit deeper and darker. At times it's difficult to tell whether or not the rest of the band played along, sounding more like a Maroon 5 effort. Catchy as heck, they'll surely get more radio play than Radiohead with this one. Hello Superbowl 2016! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you didn't see your favorite album on this list, it's probably just an oversight. Like we said...SO MANY great records this year. Music is becoming like TV...more and more choices and hard to keep up with everything. Huzzah! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-30627434762717367732015-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:002015-07-11T10:27:20.195-07:00The Midpoint: It's been a long time y'all 2015Hey friends of Electric Ave! <br />
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I feel the need to once again apologize for such a long gap in posts. When we opened the store, I planned on making these blog posts a regular sort of thing, y'know, sharing thoughts on music in general, and life just continues to get in the way. I guess you could say that, at least we must be busy enough that I rarely have time to get some thoughts together, much less type them out in a blog. That does not mean that I have turned my back on music. Au contraire! <br />
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I've been listening like a busy little bee judging and compiling all the info about my favorite music of the year 2015 (so far), and here I am about to share those thoughts with you. I assume you will most likely disagree...I mean, everyone has an opinion, right?...but these are my thoughts and my hope is that something will click for you, and you will feel the push to investigate that music too. After all, we are now living in a culture where you have to seek this music out...it will no longer just jump into your lap. So here are the frontrunners for the first fifty percent (that means they might have a good shot to land on the year end list too):<br />
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1) BLUR--The Magic Whip<br />
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Maybe it seems cliche, but I REALLY love this Blur album. It seems like the culmination of something Damon Albarn has been searching for since the band sort of fell apart 15 years ago. Amazingly, it was pulled together mainly by guitarist Graham Coxon and producer Stephen Street after the band had a little time off to jam on some ideas while in Hong Kong in 2013. It's a little Damon's solo album from last year, <i>Everyday Robots</i>, a little Albarn project Gorillaz, a little another Albarn project The Good, the Bad, & the Queen, and a little Blur! A sense of being surrounded by millions of people who all seem connected through portable devices, yet seem more lonely and distant due to a lack of direct human contact, seems to pervade this album and is indicative of where it was created. It rocks, it's melancholy, it has heart, sadness, and even a little party in tracks like the singalong, "Ong Ong". There's even a little, dare I say it, Britpop in songs like "Lonesome Street" and "I Broadcast". "Go Out" even seems a little dark and dangerous. It would be a shame if this were the last Blur album, but at least it would be one to be proud of if it had to end on a high note.<br />
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2) SUFJAN STEVENS--Carrie & Lowell<br />
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Stevens eschews any desire for commercial success in favor of his art. What a brilliant choice he makes here. A sort-of diary observation of life as a child with his mother who has now passed and a stepfather who remains close years after his divorce from his mother, some of the observations contained in these quiet and personal hymns is almost too much to bear upon repetition. After speaking with those who attended Stevens' concerts this spring, every attendee equated the show to having a religious experience, including lots of crying and holding lovers close. The soft folk balladry in these songs goes beyond typical folk music and enters that Nick Drake-y territory where the lyrics in combination with the music become overwhelmingly moving and effective. I am convinced one reason this clicks so much with listeners is that we all have stories of growing up like this, and the way he articulates them allows us to relate to him on a personal level. It doesn't hurt the music is beautiful to boot.<br />
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3) ROISIN MURPHY--Hairless Toys<br />
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Probably the least known artist in the US near the top of this list is Ms. Murphy (Roisin is pronounced Ro-sheen). She was the lead singer of quirky electro-funk/pop band Moloko for over a decade from the early 90's, went solo in the mid-oughts, first making a very experimental album with producer Matthew Herbert (Bjork), then a super-commercial electronic dance album called <i>Overpowered</i>. When that album didn't sell the bucketloads EMI expected it to, Roisin decided to take time off, had a child, met another man and had another child, and seven years later has returned to sharing her music with the world. <i>Hairless Toys</i> is largely an experimental album mixing minimal house music and the unique stories and emotions Roisin conveys with restraint and sensuality. Less is more, and being one of the most underrated vocalists from the UK, she understands this here, and uses her voice as a tool of expression more than as simply a singer. Mini-forays into country ("Exiled") and ambient ("Unputdownable"), the eight lengthy songs here create an intimate portrait of a woman's internal dialogue after travelling the world and then settling down to become a homebody, and the disparate emotions that come with the territory.<br />
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4) FATHER JOHN MISTY--I Love You, Honeybear<br />
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One of the most refreshing albums to be released this year, <i>Honeybear</i> acts as a cynical love letter from Josh Tillman to his wife. Formerly the drummer for highly respected indie band Fleet Foxes, Tillman seems to be carving his own path of unique artistry here. Singing like a folkier version of Harry Nilsson mixed with Beck, this album has tunes galore, and who else could come up with lyrics like "Oh I just love the kind of woman who can walk over a man, I mean like a god damn marching band". Get it now!<br />
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5) FFS (FRANZ FERDINAND & SPARKS)--FFS<br />
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As the penultimate track on this album states, "Collaborations Don't Work", Franz Ferdinand and Sparks set out to prove that old mantra wrong with FFS (google what social media does with those letters if you dare). Franz have been around for about a dozen years and made a few albums, all sort of twitchy northern-UK funk and pop. Sparks have been around for about 40 years and made over 20 albums, and no matter if rock band, electropop, or orchestral angle, they always deliver with Ron's baroque-style keyboard playing and brother Russell's histrionic vocals to rival Freddie Mercury at his most operatic. While their concept sounds British, Sparks are actually from Los Angeles, using humor as a tool to create riveting lyrics, and they have already collaborated with artists as far flung as Faith No More, Erasure, Jane Wiedlin (Go-Go's), Giorgio Moroder (Donna Summer), among others (so they know their way around a collab). FFS brings out the best in both bands, and while leaning a little more toward Sparks in the song department, Franz pump up the rock side usually lacking in later Sparks material, making for the best sounding Sparks album in over 30 years. Russell Mael and Franz' Alex Kapranos do most of the vocal duties, usually sharing songs instead of just letting one or the other take over from song to song. It's amazing how well their voices compliment each other, and at 16 songs the album is so good, one never tires of it. Here's hoping for another record, and check out the new classic, "Piss Off".<br />
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6) BJORK--Vulnicura<br />
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When not curating installations of her art at MOMA in New York (as happened this spring), Bjork is busy making art. <i>Vulnicura</i> is her latest masterpiece, and signals a return of sorts to the kind of music that made her so lauded by critics and fans alike. Unfortunately, the album had a difficult birth, being based on the dissolution of Bjork's romantic relationship to longtime partner, Matthew Barney. She always can be relied on to pick interesting collaborators, and this album is no exception, using electronic producers Arca and the Haxan Cloak, who bring back the strings to delve deep into the sadness at the core of this project. It's even told chronologically as though it was a story, with the final three songs as a bit of retrospection. Even former collaborator Antony Hegerty returns for a guest appearance. Then there is the artwork...wow...<br />
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7) SUSANNE SUNDFOR--Ten Love Songs<br />
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Sundfor is a star in her home country of Norway, and has begun to start catching on more in other countries. US listeners might know her from the theme to the Tom Cruise film Oblivion (with M83), or from guest appearances on the most recent Royksopp album, but her clear as a bell voice that most resembles an ABBA member with gothic tendencies is at the forefront of her own recent spectacular solo album. Whether dark or light, electronic or acoustic, Sundfor's voice is the star of the show, and the album centerpiece, the ten-minute "Memorial" (once again with M83), shows how fearless she is by placing a 5-minute piano/orchestra interlude in the middle of the song which is in the middle of the album. The fact that most of these "love" songs are also about the loss of it or falling out of it is not lost on the listener either. Marvelous stuff.<br />
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8) LOWER DENS--Escape From Evil<br />
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Baltimore may have had riots earlier this year, but Lower Dens have little outright angst in their music, as Jana Hunter's soulful voice swoops from one octave to the next like a less-witchy Siouxsie Sioux. The band itself rides that delicate Chris Coady-produced sound a la local peers Future Islands and Beach House, and while Hunter brings a certain androgyny to proceedings, the music is nothing short of pleasurable and textured, draped with keyboards and perfectly placed guitar shadings. They even dabble a bit in krautrock, but mostly this is a vehicle for Hunter's voice and lyrics, and she is a star in the making. Look out Karen O...<br />
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9) BELLE & SEBASTIAN--Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance<br />
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Stuart Murdoch and co. return with a new lease on their career, taking some definite musical detours with their first album in a few years. Incorporating more pop and dance elements into their sound, the lyrics are still focused on the personal and things very British. While the album was produced by Ben H. Allen (Washed Out, Matt & Kim, Animal Collective) in Atlanta, the poppier songs lean more toward Saint Etienne's style of discopop (see "Enter Sylvia Plath"), and may be a step too far for those traditionalists who want B&S to churn out the same type of indie rock time after time. Murdoch saw the need to change things up just a little, and for the most part it works. It doesn't hurt that this album's opening track, "Nobody's Empire", is one of Stuart's most affecting tunes ever.<br />
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10) COURTNEY BARNETT--Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit<br />
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If you don't know about Courtney, you should probably get out more. The best thing to come from New Zealand since Hobbits, Courtney is a feisty young singer-songwriter with a punky edge who tells it like it is. Sometimes things just come along and knock you out, and Courtney is that kind of a surprise. Lift that rock and check her out now. Her song and video for "Kim's Caravan" are particularly good for a debut album.<br />
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11) HOT CHIP--Why Make Sense?<br />
Fun and funky indie-dance from the UK...Each album has a unique colored cover<br />
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12) UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA--Multi-Love<br />
Psychedelic project now incorporates more R&B in the mix. A winner!<br />
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13) ASH--Kablammo!<br />
Still around! Possibly the catchiest rock record you will hear all year (and one of their best)<br />
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14) THE APARTMENTS--No Song, No Spell, No Madrigal<br />
First album in decades from introspective Australian indie band with poignant lyrics about dealing with the death of singer Peter Milton's son<br />
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15) ALGIERS--Algiers<br />
Is it rock? Indie? Gospel? Trip-hop? All of these and one of the most interesting records of the year too<br />
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16) THE VACCINES--English Graffiti<br />
Super catchy British rock with a move toward something a bit more accessible to US listeners<br />
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17) WOLF ALICE--My Love is Cool<br />
Debut from British group mixing male and female vocals over backdrops that shimmer and shine, recalling a more aggressive Sundays at times...<br />
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18) MARC ALMOND--The Velvet Trail<br />
Almond stuns again with his 22nd solo album, his most accessible album in years, featuring Beth Ditto<br />
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19) PAUL WELLER--Saturn's Return<br />
This latest album in Weller's saga of great albums continues the trend. If you miss things like Oasis...<br />
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20) DUTCH UNCLES--O Shudder<br />
Quirky indie with a nod to David Sylvian's Japan and Roxy Music. Angular riffs and melodies with a suave delivery<br />
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21) JAMIE XX--In Colour<br />
XX sound sculptor makes what is, in effect, a brilliant mixtape<br />
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22) LAURA MARLING--Short Movie<br />
Marling plugs in and continues to electrify with her fifth album<br />
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23) BLACK RIVERS--Black Rivers<br />
2/3 of the Doves make their own mark with this great record<br />
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24) MODEST MOUSE--Strangers to Ourselves<br />
They're baaaaacccckk after a long hiatus, and recharged<br />
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25) SARAH CRACKNELL--Red Kite<br />
Saint Etienne's lead singer with first solo album in almost 20 years, girly and British<br />
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26) BUILT TO SPILL--Untethered Moon<br />
First in eight years highlights their best qualities, like they never left<br />
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27) MARINA & THE DIAMONDS--Froot<br />
She continues to grow and explore what makes great female pop music<br />
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28) OH LAND--Earth Sick<br />
Crowdfunded and recorded at home, Nanna Fabricius keeps getting better with an album that sounds personal AND professional, featuring her mom on background opera vocals<br />
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29) MEW--+/-<br />
One of the best bands to come out of Scandinavia keeps moving forward with their happiest to date<br />
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30) MIGUEL--Wildheart<br />
Proves his Prince-ly love with this album of experimental R&B that'll keep pulses racing<br />
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31) MELODY GARDOT--Currency of Man<br />
Gardot explores the blues more than ever, and shines on fractured and haunted orchestral ballads<br />
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32) SHAMIR--Ratchet<br />
Las Vegas own answer to Sylvester, Shamir has delivered one of the summer's most fun albums with pipes to match<br />
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33) SWERVEDRIVER--I Wasn't Born To Lose You<br />
It's a shoegaze revolution with Swervedriver making their first in well over a decade. Buzzy!<br />
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34) MUSE--Drones<br />
Polished to a perfect shine by producer Mutt Lange, Muse return to rock their hardest in a while.<br />
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35) JACK LADDER & THE DREAMLOVERS--Playmates<br />
Australian Jack Ladder comes on like a mix of Nick Cave and Depeche Mode...What else could you want?<br />
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36) JOSE GONZALEZ--Vestiges & Claws<br />
One for the Nick Drake set, this album certainly qualifies as one of the most haunting and beautiful of the year<br />
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37) LITTLE BOOTS--Working Girl<br />
Little Boots continues working hard to show what it means to be a working girl...electropop at it's best<br />
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38) SHRIEKBACK--Without Real String or Fish<br />
The Shriekback legacy continues with this their best album since 1986's <i>Big Night Music</i>...only currently available from their website<br />
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39) WIRE--Wire<br />
Mostly a Colin Newman show now, the latest Wire album brings the band full circle, allowing them to play some of the catchiest music in their vast 40-year catalog.<br />
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40) FLORENCE & THE MACHINE--How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful<br />
Florence has found more vulnerability in her delivery this time around, and she is more the better for it.<br />
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Thanks for reading! Thoughts?...<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-87335553541458789602014-12-30T23:56:00.004-08:002014-12-30T23:56:55.993-08:002014 YEAR END FAVORITESWe know you all have been very patiently waiting our year end list just to see what music we enjoyed in 2014, and what we recommend you check out if you have not yet done so. There is an apology that needs to be made here, as we feel we have been somewhat neglectful of our blog lately, which was something we really wanted to pay more attention to when Electric Avenue opened. Most of this neglect can be attributed to the fact that we were coming to terms with running a new business on our own, and one which has also grown over the past year more than expected (in other words, time was spent in other areas).<br />
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While we have had little time to think about updating our posts here, we have channeled the time we did have into interacting with many of you face to face. It has been inspirational getting to know many of you personally in 2014. We would like to take a moment to dedicate the following post to our friend, Gary Schade and his wife Katherine, who passed away suddenly two days following Thanksgiving in a tragic house fire. Gary was one of our best and most involved customers here, and while his loss put a huge damper on the holiday season in many ways, his spirit lives on in all he did to help Electric Avenue, whether alerting us to music he liked by ordering and making purchases, promoting us at every opportunity, or doing little simple fixit jobs to help out around the store. We would like to remember him as an Honorary Electric Avenue Team Member, and he is already greatly missed.</div>
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Enough of the sad and depressing...</div>
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Now comes the part Gary was looking forward to and would have enjoyed...our year end list. Here are the records that moved us the most in 2014. They are not always the top critical faves (sorry <i>Rolling Stone</i>, U2 was not our #1), but they either had something fresh to offer, were great guilty pleasures, or a return to form for artists from the past. Some you may have heard of, and some not. Some you may have only heard a clip and really need to take in the whole project to get a true picture of the image being painted. Without further ado then...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 FUTURE ISLANDS--Singles</span><br />
Our favorite record of the year was from a little known Baltimore band with a charismatic frontman in Sam Herring. It proves that electronic pop music doesn't have to be twee or silly, and with reflective lyrics and riveting vocals, every track on <i>Singles</i> feels like a single.<br />
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<img alt="Singles" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51M%2BCKFzCZL._SS280.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART--Days of Abandon</span></div>
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POBPAH released their most confident album in 2014, with Kip Berman handing some of the vocal reins over to Jen Goma of the similarly cool A Sunny Day in Glasgow. The tradeoff works well, and songs like "Simple and Sure" and "Eurydice" were some of the best songs of 2014 not to be featured in a John Hughes movie.<br />
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<img alt="Days Of Abandon" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hos3Orv3L._SS280.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ABBOTT--What Have We Become?</span><br />
Unbelievable that a record as good as this was not released in the US. Heaton is a UK national treasure, between his work with the Housemartins and the Beautiful South. Jacqui Abbott was the best female singer in the South, and left when she needed a break to raise a family. Now, Heaton and Abbott are back together with a band that sounds like an amped-up early Style Council, suiting their barbs perfectly (the album ends with the lyrics "Phil Collins must die"). Worth seeking out!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 MORRISSEY--World Peace is None of Your Business</span><br />
Even with all the personal, tour, and label turmoil in 2014, Morrissey released his best solo album in nearly 20 years. Worth the price alone for "Staircase at the University", Morrissey is about to reenter the studio to bang out another one while he's got a great band in tow. Smart move...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5 LANA DEL REY--Ultraviolence</span><br />
Some say overrated, some say underrated. Regardless, she should be rated as one of the best jazz-rock singers out there now. This album was decidedly more downbeat and hazy than the debut, but the fractured rock details provided by Dan Auerbach of Black Keys work in Del Rey's favor, even if it was difficult getting these tracks to radio. Voice of a generation?<br />
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<img alt="Ultraviolence [Explicit] [+digital booklet]" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ixjVf1EhL._SS280.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 BECK--Morning Phase</span><br />
An early contender for album of the year, Beck's first album in six years was the best Sunday morning album of the year, and featured orchestrations from his dad. This might just be the album we will all be listening to for the longest time in the future.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">7 WILD BEASTS--Present Tense</span><br />
The Beasts have similar ethics to those of elder statesmen, Radiohead, yet they still remember how to write a good melody. Seemingly, their best songs sound like deconstructions of fuller arrangements, and with more keyboard textures and vocals from two excellent singers (graduating from the Peter Gabriel School of Brooding Singers), Wild Beasts have quite a future ahead of them. Now, if people just knew who they were...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">8 BRIAN ENO & KARL HYDE--High Life</span><br />
The best album to come out this year from a legendary producer and the lead singer of an electronic band (Underworld), this Eno collaboration was one of two releases to come out from this pair in 2014 (<i>Someday World</i> was the other). This was our favorite of the two, as the songs stretched close to 10 minutes, and the vocals were more sporadically placed, allowing for breath in the arrangements. A stunning work reminiscent of Eno's work with Talking Heads on <i>Remain in Light</i>...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">9 NEW PORNOGRAPHERS--Brill Bruisers</span><br />
Made up of a core trio of amazing artists in their own right (AC Newman, Neko Case, and Dan Bejar of Destroyer), somehow New Pornographers manage to get together and sync up their schedules every few years to make a record, and this one was a corker. Bejar is such a quirky presence alone, and here he contributes the catchiest track with "War on the East Coast". Relentlessly catchy!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">10 DAMON ALBARN--Everyday Robots</span><br />
Damon quietly turned in his most intimate album in 2014 away from Gorillaz and Blur. He sounds like the kind of guy you'd hang around and trade stories with, and this one is what you'd want to hear after stumbling home from the bar late at night. </div>
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<b>11 THESE NEW PURITANS--Field of Reeds</b><br />
How did these guys get this together and make it work? Quirky British art rock goes cerebral...</div>
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<b>12 BRYAN FERRY--Avonmore</b><br />
His best album in 20 years is so confident and self-assured, he never needs to change style again.</div>
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<b>13 SNOWBIRD--Moon</b><br />
One Cocteau Twin (Simon Raymonde) finds life worth living with wildlife and Stephanie Dosen.</div>
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<b>14 MARIANNE FAITHFULL--Give My Love to London</b><br />
This is the latest brilliant record from the Grand Dame. Nick Cave, Roger Waters, Brian Eno, etc.</div>
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<b>15 SUN KIL MOON--Benji</b><br />
Mark Kozelek may need an attitude adjustment but this was one of the best albums of the year.</div>
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<b>16 TENNIS--Ritual in Repeat</b><br />
Fantastically hummable album from great married duo--for fans of Beach House and Best Coast</div>
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<b>17 KYLIE MINOGUE--Kiss Me Once</b><br />
Guilty pleasure with best pop album of 2014, executive produced by Sia Furler (#44)</div>
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<b>18 JAMES--La Petite Mort</b><br />
Lyrics about the loss of loved ones meets optimistic music for one of the best in their long career </div>
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<b>19 THE HORRORS--Luminous</b><br />
Fearless band goes through so many style changes. Too bad about cancellation of the US tour though</div>
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<b>20 SCOTT WALKER & SUNNO)))--Soused</b><br />
Dark septuagenarian meets metal with songs about dictators and such. Happy New Year!</div>
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<b>21 ROYKSOPP--The Inevitable End</b><br />
Their last album with many songs about death and the end. Sad, yes, but production of the year?</div>
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<b>22 MR. TWIN SISTER--Mr. Twin Sister</b><br />
Another incredible production from NY band who have been through tough times. More to come??</div>
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<b>23 MUSIC GO MUSIC--Impressions</b><br />
ABBA are alive and well and making albums called <i>Impressions</i>. Addictive!</div>
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<b>24 EX HEX--Rips</b><br />
Riot girls dig up the ghosts of the Runaways and Go-Go's for a fantastic record of short, sharp songs</div>
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<b>25 MURRAY LIGHTBURN--Mass:Light</b><br />
Dears lead singer does it all alone with more electronics on this visceral project.</div>
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<b>26 INFORMATION SOCIETY--Hello World</b><br />
First album featuring original 3 members in 22 years! Worth the wait!</div>
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<b>27 SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR--Wanderlust</b><br />
UK dance maven goes acoustic and dark on this Ed Harcourt aided project. More please?</div>
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<b>28 NEIL FINN--Dizzy Heights</b><br />
Latest change from Split Enz/Crowded House leader, featuring both sons and his wife on bass...</div>
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<b>29 2 BEARS--The Night is Young</b><br />
We love Hot Chip, and 2 Bears featuring Joe Goddard of HC are not far behind. This one's great!</div>
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<b>30 KAISER CHIEFS--Education Education Education & War</b><br />
Cruelly underrated album of political and societal reflections on the UK. Catchy stuff!</div>
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<b>31 WYE OAK--Shriek</b><br />
Baltimore band WO pull off moving more electronic due to Jenn Wasner's hypnotic vocals.</div>
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<b>32 PREATURES--Planet Blue Eyes</b><br />
Haim didn't release an LP in 2014, but with records this good, they aren't missed as much...</div>
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<b>33 ST. VINCENT--St. Vincent</b><br />
The more popular Wye Oak, #1 on Entertainment Weekly's list...yeah, it's pretty darn good...</div>
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<b>34 LYKKE LI--I Never Learn</b><br />
Raw and personal album from U2 collaborator, dark and lovely</div>
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<b>35 APHEX TWIN--Syro</b><br />
Qrrky...blip blip blip...what's a syro anywhoo???</div>
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<b>36 JIMI GOODWIN--Odludek</b><br />
Solo record from the Doves leader. Some great experimental stuff here and help from Guy of Elbow</div>
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<b>37 TEMPLES--Sun Structures</b><br />
Best 60's prog-pop album of 2014. Can't wait to hear what they'll do for a second act!</div>
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<b>38 LA ROUX--Trouble in Paradise</b><br />
Sadly overlooked return after five years from troubled duo (now single). NME agrees.</div>
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<b>39 FIRST AID KIT--Stay Gold</b><br />
How can two Swedish teenage girls do Americana better than Americans? Breathtaking!</div>
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<b>40 OWEN PALLETT--In Conflict</b><br />
Arcade Fire orchestrator finds his voice with this complex and candid album.</div>
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<b>41 SPOON--They Want My Soul</b><br />
Best mainstream indie-rock album of 2014 perhaps? They hit their stride again...</div>
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<b>42 RAVEONETTES--Pe'Ahi</b><br />
"I saw my dad f**k a redhead whore, I never thought I would..." Overlooked fuzzy masterpiece...</div>
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<b>43 ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN--Meteorites</b><br />
Their best album in 20 years. There, I said it...</div>
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<b>44 SIA--1,000 Forms of Fear</b><br />
"Chandelier" chanteuse who refuses to show her face makes another very good album. Why Sia??</div>
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<b>45 TV ON THE RADIO--Seeds</b><br />
Hip band returns with their most catchy and polished album to date after personal tragedy</div>
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<b>46 WAR ON DRUGS--Lost in the Dream</b><br />
One of the best breakthough albums of the year even if Mark Kozelek doesn't think so...</div>
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<b>47 ELBOW--Take Offs and Landings of Everything</b><br />
Quietly making another album we'll be listening to in 20 years...</div>
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<b>48 JOHN HARLE & MARC ALMOND--The Tyburn Tree</b><br />
Companion type of album to Marianne Faithfull's exploring the darker side of historic London</div>
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<b>49 SWANS--To Be Kind</b><br />
Visceral, uncompromising, long, tortured, long, St. Vincent, long...</div>
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<b>50 SIMPLE MINDS--Big Music</b><br />
Another great alternative to the new U2 album (they've actually been around longer)</div>
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<b>Honorable mentions:</b></div>
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<b>TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS--Hypnotic Eye</b></div>
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<b>KELIS--Food</b></div>
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<b>JENNY LEWIS--Voyager</b></div>
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<b>HOZIER--Hozier</b></div>
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<b>SMASHING PUMPKINS--Monuments to an Elegy</b></div>
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<b>WEEZER--Everything Will be Alright in the End</b></div>
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<b>SINEAD O'CONNOR--I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss</b></div>
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<b>KASABIAN--48:13</b></div>
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<b>MANIC STREET PREACHERS--Futurology</b></div>
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<b>REAL ESTATE--Atlas</b></div>
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<b>PERFUME GENIUS--Too Bright</b></div>
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<b>BASEMENT JAXX--Junto</b></div>
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<b>HOLLIE COOK--Twice</b></div>
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<b>D'ANGELO--Black Messiah</b></div>
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<b>RYAN ADAMS--Ryan Adams</b></div>
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<b>TODD TERJE--It's Album Time</b></div>
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<b>LILY ALLEN--Sheezus</b></div>
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<b>JOHNNY MARR--Playland</b></div>
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<b>ALT-J--This is All Yours</b></div>
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<b>MERCHANDISE--After the End</b></div>
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<b>DUM DUM GIRLS--Too True</b></div>
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<b>DAMIEN RICE--My Favourite Faded Fantasy</b></div>
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<b>FKA TWIGS--LP1</b></div>
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<b>TOY--Join the Dots</b></div>
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<b>BLACK KEYS--Turn Blue</b></div>
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<b>INTERPOL--El Pintor</b></div>
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<b>SUZANNE VEGA--Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles</b></div>
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<b>BOB MOULD--Beauty & Ruin</b></div>
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<b>JACK WHITE--Lazaretto</b></div>
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<b>MARTIN CARR--Breaks</b></div>
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<b>DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS--English Oceans</b></div>
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<b>PRINCE--Art Official Age</b></div>
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<b>PRINCE & 3RDEYEGIRL--Plectrumelectrum</b></div>
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<b>LONDON GRAMMAR--If You Wait</b></div>
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<b>COLDPLAY--Ghost Stories</b></div>
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<b>ERLAND & THE CARNIVAL--Closing Time</b></div>
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<b>ENGINEERS--Always Returning</b></div>
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<b>STEVIE NICKS--24K Gold</b></div>
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<b>ROYAL BLOOD--Royal Blood</b></div>
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<b>BROKEN BELLS--After the Disco</b></div>
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<b>BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT--Life is Easy</b></div>
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<b>CYMBALS--Age of Fracture</b></div>
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<b>SAM SMITH--In the Lonely Hour</b></div>
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<b>JESSIE WARE--Tough Love</b></div>
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<b>ZOLA JESUS--Taiga</b></div>
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<b>ERASURE--The Violet Flame</b></div>
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<b>FRESH & ONLYS--House of Spirits</b></div>
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<b>IAMAMIWHOAMI--Blue</b></div>
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<b>VISAGE--Hearts & Knives</b><br />
<b>U2--Songs of Innocence</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy New Year!</b></span></div>
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Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-25331881737553971392014-06-16T11:39:00.000-07:002014-06-16T17:31:52.610-07:00BEST OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2014Talk about long overdue! We're sorry we have not been more communicative on the blog as of late. So many things got in the way this spring with Record Store Day 2014 (Thanks very much to our supporters!) and a full release schedule that seemed never-ending, and now summer is here! Kids may just be getting out of school, but they'll be going back in about 8 or 9 weeks (not that long, really), and the fall release schedule begins heating up. Since we were approaching Midpoint 2014, we thought it was a good time to take a look back and reflect on our favorite records of 2014 up to now.<br />
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It's been an odd year in some ways, with a certain hangover of big releases from last year (Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, etc.), and some big releases this year that got a lot of buzz, but maybe haven't captured that rabid fandom those others have. There have been releases from heavy hitters like Beck, Black Keys, Jack White, Coldplay, Neil Young, the Roots, and Bruce Springsteen, that have all had varying degrees of success. Some say Coldplay was too soft, Springsteen too hard, with Beck being just right if you wanted a Sunday morning record from him. In any event, we heard a boatload of things we liked, even if they did not all go on to become platinum sellers (What does these days anyhow?). So many of these were SO good, we think you may want to reassess whether or not you need them in your collection. Answer...you DO (We always suggest vinyl but CD would work too). Now that we've strung you along, here is our latest set of records to revel in, and always remember to support the artists buy purchasing their music...that way they can make more:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1) LANA DEL REY--Ultraviolence</span></b><br />
Whether or not you buy into Lizzie as Lana could be a deciding factor for you, but<i> Ultraviolence</i> is quite possibly the album that will solidify her talent as the real deal, regardless of what you think of the persona. <i>Ultraviolence</i> plays like the older, darker sister to 2011's <i>Born to Die</i>, and a good comparison would be the Cure's <i>Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me</i> as <i>Born to Die</i> and <i>Disintegration</i> as <i>Ultraviolence</i>...It's that much darker, heavier, murkier, and bleaker, mostly due to Dan Auerbach's (Black Keys) production. He manages to bring these songs haunted arrangements to frame her ghostly vocals around while giving her a more mature palate to draw from. Whether fractured and frail ("Sad Girl") or tortured and possessed ("Money Power Glory"), there is a certain despair that exists in these songs that was not present in her past work to this extent. Fortunately the mood changes with songs like "West Coast", which sits nicely in the middle of the record as a great single with a shuffling beat and time change featuring a guitar-line quote from the Beatles' "And I Love Her", making the song all the more nostalgic and poignant. An even bigger musical debt falls to "Old Money", which almost directly lifts the Love Theme from "Romeo & Juliet" ("A Time for Us" by Nino Rota), that brings on the heavy Godfather vibes (anyone for pasta?). It's an ingenious thing to do, but without the chanteuse to pull it off, it would be much less. (Imagine Jennifer Lopez or Britney Spears performing this song--<i>cringeworthy</i>!) Song titles like "Cruel World", "Pretty When You Cry", and "F**ked My Way Up to the Top" really say it all, like Eminem by way of Billie Holiday. I can see David Lynch calling her up shortly for a cameo, guest appearance, or theme song...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2) PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART--Days of Abandon</span></b><br />
As much as I have talked this record, people seem rather reluctant to embrace it. My goal is not to oversell, my goal is to spread positivity when I feel strongly about something. I feel strongly about this. It's sort of derivative and like Belle and Sebastian without the Scottish emotional baggage, but it features some really top-notch alt-pop songwriting and arrangements, and there is something so carefree infused in the jangle that would make even Morrissey happy.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3) FUTURE ISLANDS--Singles</span></b><br />
One of the best bands from Baltimore that isn't Beach House, Samuel T. Herring has not only mastered the art of duck-and-cover dance moves, he has also mastered some pretty great songwriting. Singles, produced by Chris Coady, takes their sound to elevated levels, yet finds a balance to retain some of their quirkier and edgier material. A song like "Fall From Grace" goes full throttle when Herring wants to stress how deeply he feels about something. It's like technopop voiced by a black metal singer, and the fact that Herring has this ability to shift his tone is remarkable. This should be just the beginning of a big new career for them, and shows how to make fans of metal, mainstream, and hipster all happy about something simultaneously.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4) WILD BEASTS--Present Tense</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OfHR65oFL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5) THESE NEW PURITANS--Field of Reeds</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jCTzycX7L._SL500_AA280_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">6) SUN KIL MOON--Benji</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41T4Kgkgi7L._SL500_AA280_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">7) SNOWBIRD--Moon</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416AtG7YJLL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" /><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">8) THE HORRORS--Luminous</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">9) TEMPLES--Sun Structures</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">10) BECK--Morning Phase</span></b><br />
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11) KAISER CHIEFS--Education, Education & War<br />
12) JOHN HARLE & MARC ALMOND--The Tyburn Tree<br />
13) NEIL FINN--Dizzy Heights<br />
14) KYLIE MINOGUE--Kiss Me Once<br />
15) ST. VINCENT--St. Vincent<br />
16) BRIAN ENO & KARL HYDE--Someday World<br />
17) WYE OAK--Shriek<br />
18) WAR ON DRUGS--Lost in the Dream<br />
19) SWANS--To Be Kind<br />
20) LILY ALLEN--Sheezus<br />
21) DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS--English Oceans<br />
22) BLACK KEYS--Turn Blue<br />
23) LYKKE LI--I Never Learn<br />
24) JACK WHITE--Lazaretto<br />
25) FIRST AID KIT--Stay Gold<br />
26) ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN--Meteorites<br />
27) BROKEN BELLS--After the Disco<br />
28) TOY--Join the Dots<br />
29) REAL ESTATE--Atlas<br />
30) BOB MOULD--Beauty & Ruin<br />
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Roll on, 2014!<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-15324716697448153232014-03-04T20:28:00.001-08:002014-03-04T20:28:36.263-08:00Our favorite records of winter 2014Let's hope that winter is actually winding down because this one was B R U T A L! Our first winter open and Mother Nature was none too kind, as we were actually closed for five full days. March is here, and while it is still under 20 degrees outside, we wanted to look back at the first couple months of 2014 and let you know what our favorite releases so far have been. These records were easy to miss if you haven't been out and about, but there may be two or three you feel worth adding to your want list. By the way, each one of these albums works better when listened to as a whole rather than as single tracks. Take our word for it. <br />
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OUR FAVORITES:<br />
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<b>SUN KIL MOON--<i>Benji</i></b><br />
Mark Kozelek has been recording for 20 years now, whether solo, collaborative, or as a member of Red House Painters or Sun Kil Moon. <i>Benji</i> (whose title was inspired by the dog movie from the 70's) is one of Mark's most personal records to date. While there is plenty of storytelling going on, this one includes riveting tales of people who have died. Whether stories of mass death relating to 9/11 or the Newtown school massacre, serial killers and their victims, or family members like is mother, father, cousin and her father, all are riveting when put through the Kozelek blender. There are also stories of his first teenage sexual conquest and trips to visit the head of his former record label in Santa Fe (Ivo Watts-Russell of 4AD Records, an Englishman who actually does currently reside in Santa Fe). While Mark sonically cribs from the Neil Young school of acoustic records, there is enough of his personality here to show what a true and unique voice he has. The future will likely find Mark as one of the most talented writers of this generation, and <i>Benji</i> as one of his best albums.<br />
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<b>THESE NEW PURITANS--<i>Field of Reeds</i></b><br />
Possibly the definition of "critically acclaimed", the third album by These New Puritans is not for everyone. It's not really anything like traditional rock music. In fact, it may even be it's own new genre of music. The closest relation would be something like Robert Wyatt or the later Talk Talk albums, a hybrid of jazz, classical, and English folk with a dark side. Choirs, brass, bells, organs...plus a male lead singer with a conversational voice and a Portuguese female singer who appears more like a guest artist, words are used sparingly and poetically here to convey a feeling of hazy love and searching for life connections. This is definitely the record for people who are looking for something different and prefer their music with a healthy dose of art.<br />
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<b>WILD BEASTS--<i>Present Tense</i></b><br />
Returning with their fourth album, Wild Beasts have an interesting sound, and <i>Present Tense</i> is their strongest effort to date. Every one of their albums presents something different, and they have changed a lot over the years, from a sort of somewhat noisy indie rock band, to a darker, smoother, post-Radiohead styled art rock band with a penchant for sexual themes and male singers with high voices. The voices we speak of are Hayden Thorpe (the higher voice), and Tom Fleming (the lower of the two--a bit like Guy Garvey or Elbow or Peter Gabriel), and whether solo per song or weaving in and out of each other's voices, Wild Beasts is a riveting example of a less-is-more approach. <i>Present Tense</i> feels like a record that originally had many more layers that were stripped away as it was mixed, as lone guitar textures or singular synth lines resonate now with importance and clarity. Not the most immediate record, it's the kind of album that rewards on repeated listenings, and bodes well for the future of the band.<br />
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<b>ST VINCENT--<i>St Vincent</i></b><br />
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<b>REAL ESTATE--<i>Atlas</i></b><br />
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<b>BECK--<i>Morning Phase</i></b><br />
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<b>NEIL FINN--<i>Dizzy Heights</i></b><br />
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<b>TEMPLES--<i>Sun Structures</i></b><br />
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<b>SNOWBIRD--<i>Moon</i></b><br />
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<b>TOY--<i>Join the Dots</i></b><br />
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<b>BROKEN BELLS--<i>After the Disco</i></b><br />
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PLUS FIVE:<br />
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<b>DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS--<i>English Oceans</i></b><br />
<b>CYMBALS--<i>Age of Fracture</i></b><br />
<b>DUM DUM GIRLS--<i>Too True</i></b><br />
<b>BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB--<i>So Long, See You Tomorrow</i></b><br />
<b>SUZANNE VEGA--<i>Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles</i></b><br />
Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-48892599997120170352013-12-23T17:03:00.000-08:002013-12-23T17:03:58.282-08:00Our Top Album Picks of 2013 (Part 2)FINALLY, Eryn finished her list. While there may be some overlap with Jason's list, there are some differences as well, just to prove that we are not the same person (aka Michael & Diana). Here she goes:<br />
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ERYN'S LIST: BEST ALBUMS OF 2013<br />
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1) WOODKID--The Golden Age<br />
Yoann Lemoine made an indelible mark with this incredible debut record in 2013. The dramatic music. The brooding vocals. The haunting lyrics. The spectacular videos. Even Absolut Vodka loves this stuff. A debut for the record books in sheer amazingness.<br />
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2) JANELLE MONAE--The Electric Lady<br />
Monae is a one of a kind talent in a world of generic R&B-ers, and while she may not hit the top of the charts as much as Beyonce or Rihanna, she is in a class of her own. To be able to release this sophomore record and hang tough with the likes of Prince and Erykah Badu, hats off to this disarming charmer.<br />
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3) DAFT PUNK--Random Access Memories<br />
A virtual history lesson in dancepop and disco, Daft Punk had the audacity to eschew pure electronic bliss in favor of layered tracks laced with orchestra, acoustic guitar, piano, and live drums. Then add disco Gods Nile Rodgers and Giorgio Moroder to the mix with a touch of the legendary Paul Williams and modern contributors Pharrell, Panda Bear, and Julian from the Strokes. Somehow, it all works. This puts two albums by French guys in Eryn's top 3. Guess those years spent learning French continue to resonate...<br />
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4) ARCTIC MONKEYS--AM<br />
Are those sound waves, sunglasses, or a bikini top on the cover? No matter, as Arctic Monkeys created one of the grooviest albums of the year, and well written and sung as well. Five albums in and they keep getting better.<br />
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5) WILLY MOON--Here's Willy Moon<br />
Fun and very underrated, Willy Moon made some very catchy retro pop in 2013. "Yeah Yeah" was a monster in advertisements, but there was also a spooky vibe to some of the more downbeat tracks. He also covers Jack White. Ballsy.<br />
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6) DAVID BOWIE--The Next Day<br />
Can't say any more about this that I have not already said except you MUST buy this NOW and is MUST be in your collection. His first work in a decade, but his BEST work in 30 years. What's your excuse?<br />
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7) FUTURE BIBLE HEROES--Partygoing<br />
Stephen Merritt suffers from tinnitus and cannot play this album live, so you should do the next best thing and get this album. Dark humor always wins out, and with songs like "Keep Your Children in a Coma", you cannot lose.<br />
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8) ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ROOTS--Wise Up Ghost<br />
A kooky idea on paper turns into a brilliant idea on record. Costello rejigs old lyrics with new while the Roots provide a suitably funky and appropriate background beat. In a year that saw Jimmy Fallon's backing band advance to the new Tonight Show musical group, there is some serious magic at work here.<br />
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9) SUEDE--Bloodsports<br />
Best reunion album of the year, back with original producer, Ed Buller. Like they picked things up right after the <i>Trash</i> album of 1996. <br />
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10) NINE INCH NAILS--Hesitation Marks<br />
Brilliant return to form and more mature with more subtleties in the mix, Trent Reznor has not lost his touch for making great records. Some serious anger is bubbling just below the surface, but Trent does all he can not to show his hand so easily. Those years of making soundtracks like <i>The Social Network</i> and <i>The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo</i> have made his own work that much better.<br />
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11) HAIM--Days Are Gone<br />
12) VAMPIRE WEEKEND--Modern Vampires of the City<br />
13) PET SHOP BOYS--Electric<br />
14) EMPIRE OF THE SUN--Ice on the Dune<br />
15) ARCADE FIRE--Reflektor<br />
16) GOLDFRAPP--Tales of Us<br />
17) PHOENIX--Bankrupt!<br />
18) FRANZ FERDINAND--Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action<br />
19) CHVRCHES--The Bones of What You Believe<br />
20) CUT COPY--Free Your Mind<br />
21) FITZ & THE TANTRUMS--More Than Just a Dream<br />
22) SHOUT OUT LOUDS--Optica<br />
23) CAMERA OBSCURA--Desire Lines<br />
24) HOLY GHOST!--Dynamics<br />
25) YEAH YEAH YEAHS--Mosquito<br />
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Honorable Mentions:<br />
RHYE--Open<br />
JOHN LEGEND--Love in the Future<br />
TEGAN & SARA--Heartthrob<br />
M.I.A.--Matangi<br />
SLEIGH BELLS--Bitter Rivals<br />
<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-18083682351005402712013-12-06T21:16:00.002-08:002013-12-06T21:35:22.644-08:00Our Top Album Picks of 2013 (Part 1)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As 2013 winds down, we want to take a quick glance back on the year in music that was, and maybe shine a little light on what we thought were the best albums of the year. Ah, albums...a quaint idea, right? WRONG. Nothing in the world of recorded modern popular music makes a bigger statement than an album that plays from beginning to end, taking you on a voyage of emotion specifically plotted and created by the artists involved in making them. Sure, you could cherry pick singles or tracks you like here and there, but not only would you be missing some of their most vibrant work, you are doing a disservice to yourself by stunting your musical growth by limiting the process of exploration. There have been many albums with songs that may take a while to seep into our consciousness, and many times, those same songs will become our favorites in the long run because they wear better upon repeated playing. This process of music discovery is a unique journey, and if it's all too familiar on first listen, what's left to gain? This is why so many of the pop kids sound completely interchangeable these days. On that note...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are Jason's favorites of the year, and check back for Eryn's coming up soon. Maybe you'll find something you wish to check out for yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JASON'S LIST--BEST ALBUMS OF 2013:</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) PRIMAL SCREAM--More Light</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bobby Gillespie and co. return with the best album of their 20+ year career, mixing the best of their past with dashes of Bowie, Can, Sun Ra, Stones, Zeppelin, dub reggae...and making it all their own. This is the sound of a great rock & roll band effortlessly blending their best qualities, and what a feat it can be making something so difficult sound so easy to do. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) WOODKID--The Golden Age</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A conceptual album of the highest artistic order, Yoann Lemoine aka Woodkid, released one of the most startling debuts of the year with an album detailing the tale of a young boy fighting against all odds and ultimately losing his tragic battle. Mixing a little of Nick Cave, Antony Hegarty, and Marc Almond, Lemoine's baritone flexes against the pounding and tribal rhythms in the upbeat songs, while gently smoothing out the ballads with heartfelt tenderness. While it's seriously difficult to believe this is his first album, one can only wonder where on earth he goes from here. Brilliant.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) JOHN GRANT--Pale Green Ghosts</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reading like pages of his diary, Grant's fearlessness comes full force on this album, his followup to 2010's <i>Queen of Denmark</i> (chosen by Mojo Magazine as it's 2010 album of the year). Both humorous and heartbreaking, Grant's dark and brooding voice is set against downbeat folk rock and stark electronic textures courtesy of Iceland's Gus Gus. While there is a fair amount of soapboxing going on here, funny songs like "GMF" and "Sensitive New Age Guy" lighten the mood. Simultaneously, the closing "Glacier" is one of the most transcendent songs in recent memory. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) MOONFACE--Julia With Blue Jeans On</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a guy and his piano, Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown) shows off some amazing talent on an album extolling the virtues of an ex-girlfriend in this modern song cycle. Recalling a mixture of Nick Drake and Nick Cave, these highly personal songs were recorded live and feature no studio overdubs. This was Krug's first album from all of his projects to be so stripped down, and it's all the better as the songs get the chance to breathe in direct ways. An astonishing piece of work.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) PET SHOP BOYS--Electric</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming a mere 10 months after their previous album, the muted <i>Elysium</i>, this British duo have continued to create fantastic pop music for the past 30 years. Their latest, <i>Electric</i>, is the first on their own record label (x2), and features production from master electronic producer Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers). Expanding some of their songs in a looser format than usual, <i>Electric</i> ultimately continues the trajectory of Tennant-Lowe's history of witty and emotional songwriting that, with such a rich career, should place them in the category with other past luminaries like Lennon and McCartney.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6) DAVID BOWIE--The Next Day</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An album most of us never thought would be made, Bowie shocked and surprised at the beginning of the year with his first release in a decade, and what a release it was. <i>The Next Day</i> is invigorating with a sound that recalls some of his best past work like <i>Heroes</i> or <i>Scary Monsters </i>(Tony Visconti returns as producer), but lyrically stares down the end of a life that sees the number of days ahead shrinking. Fire and brimstone are the word of the day here, yet the cover belies a flippant reaction to this weighty subject. In a year that lost Lou Reed, the return of Bowie was almost like a resurrection. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FdR9XTfcMzLN9x6od95An9cY5NtcypDy3bDTpKLBm-fTEBvB5Z1pwsxcQrgILxkaZXs0-0_udoRy0iI6kzzPngmw_kYZ9gl7rIQxXDcip3Pz_ET8oM20jmLQlNBAfJqrjULiVpcg1WY/s1600/knife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FdR9XTfcMzLN9x6od95An9cY5NtcypDy3bDTpKLBm-fTEBvB5Z1pwsxcQrgILxkaZXs0-0_udoRy0iI6kzzPngmw_kYZ9gl7rIQxXDcip3Pz_ET8oM20jmLQlNBAfJqrjULiVpcg1WY/s1600/knife.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7) THE KNIFE--Shaking the Habitual</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Certainly one of the most dividing records of the year, the Swedish brother-sister duo that make up The Knife returned with their first album of new material in seven years (Fever Ray came in-between). Most of the songs clock in around the 8-minute mark, as this record stretches over two CDs or three LPs. There's even an ambient track in the middle running nearly 20 minutes. Still, the grinding industrial rhythms clash against sounds that seem as though they were created at the bottom of an Asian sea, as these tracks don't always function as songs, more often as sound collages. Not for the faint of heart.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8) JAGWAR MA--Howlin</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A liberating mix of British Oasis-style psychedelic rock mixed with late-80's rave culture, Australia's Jagwar Ma manage to find a sound that sits somewhere between the Stone Roses' debut and Primal Scream's Screamadelica. These are not shabby reference points, to be sure. Guitars weave in and out as dubby drums smash against walls of sequencers and trippy looped vocals. With their debut, JM have managed to create something that references specific sounds of the past while retaining a fair amount of indivuality and originality. Plus, it's damned catchy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-evttRHEGD-XXQHOJOujIj6iyqme35mcovC3a4gPFnb-LV_CdnFOQcXPaoj57IIy84Cdvy4cHZKna_hnwgYpA5BXhGGmg1j5CKnKzaYoXY-2ZU_IxjSkcXOAzFHAK6wQN21ezmRNyag/s1600/tegan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-evttRHEGD-XXQHOJOujIj6iyqme35mcovC3a4gPFnb-LV_CdnFOQcXPaoj57IIy84Cdvy4cHZKna_hnwgYpA5BXhGGmg1j5CKnKzaYoXY-2ZU_IxjSkcXOAzFHAK6wQN21ezmRNyag/s1600/tegan.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9) TEGAN & SARA--Heartthrob</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twin sisters Tegan & Sara have been making music for a decade, but it took producer Greg Kurstin (Kylie Minogue, Bird & the Bee) to really turn them on to the poppier side of their sound. They are all the better for it, making the best pop record of the year (the similar Haim was close, but there's room for both). Recalling 80's Fleetwood Mac at their most melodic (again, see Haim), Tegan & Sara took a chance on alienating their audience, but have found a larger new one in the process, and have shown growth potential while also showing their fans another side of themselves. This was an album that kept giving all year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNrKwJqXJYTAz9avdaYgsmLrWZCq0jTh1QIfychm6-iUIwvk_2zh7NQACtVmN32GHhcqu8zimw_ECvZ1rx6D7LH-2I0XiChoeP0mYXbLT8FhLHMFwcV6mVfaRM3lYyuD3PxZnwG3w8yc/s1600/nin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNrKwJqXJYTAz9avdaYgsmLrWZCq0jTh1QIfychm6-iUIwvk_2zh7NQACtVmN32GHhcqu8zimw_ECvZ1rx6D7LH-2I0XiChoeP0mYXbLT8FhLHMFwcV6mVfaRM3lYyuD3PxZnwG3w8yc/s320/nin.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10) NINE INCH NAILS--Hesitation Marks</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nine Inch Nails is no longer the new band it once was--Trent Reznor's project has been active off and on for nearly 25 years now, yet <i>Hesitation Marks</i> is one of his freshest releases to date. Reznor has shaken some of the shackles of the expectations of what an industrial album must sound like in 2013, with his work on soundtracks like <i>The Social Network</i> and <i>The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo</i> an influence. He doesn't seem to be trying so hard to please here, finding more space in between the sounds, allowing for more creative textural nuances. It's a slow-burning album with much of the anger tucked under the surface rather than being thrown in your face, and because of that, rewards on repeated listenings. After a long break, this was another welcome return.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS--Push the Sky Away</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12) CUT COPY--Free Your Mind</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13) M.I.A.--Matangi</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14) VAMPIRE WEEKEND--Modern Vampires of the City</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15) JANELLE MONAE--The Electric Lady</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16) CHVRCHES--The Bones of What You Believe</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17) EMPIRE OF THE SUN--Ice on the Dune</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18) SUEDE--Bloodsports</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19) PREFAB SPROUT--Crimson/Red</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20) ARCADE FIRE--Reflektor</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21) YEAH YEAH YEAHS--Mosquito</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22) SHOUT OUT LOUDS--Optica</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23) NEKO CASE--The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the Harder I Fight...</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24) GOLDFRAPP--Tales of Us</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25) OMD--English Electric</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26) ALISON MOYET--The Minutes</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">27) HOLY GHOST!--Dynamics</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">28) OH LAND--Wishbone</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">29) HAIM--Days Are Gone</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30) VV BROWN--Samson & Delilah</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">31) ARCTIC MONKEYS--AM</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">32) JULIA HOLTER--Loud City Song</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">33) SIGUR ROS--Kveikur</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">34) THE VEILS--Time Stays, We Go</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">35) LAURA MARLING--Once I Was an Eagle</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">36) RHYE--Open</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">37) DAFT PUNK--Random Access Memories</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">38) ST. LUCIA--When the Night</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">39) ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ROOTS--Wise Up Ghost</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">40) SAVAGES--Silence Yourself</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">41) FUTURE BIBLE HEROES--Partygoing</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">42) LORDE--Pure Heroine</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">43) LITTLE BOOTS--Nocturnes</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">44) LADY GAGA--Artpop</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">45) YOUNG GALAXY--Ultramarine</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">46) MARY ONETTES--Hit the Waves</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">47) DEPECHE MODE--Delta Machine</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">48) JOSEPH ARTHUR--Ballad of Boogie Christ</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">49) CAMERA OBSCURA--Desire Lines</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">50) IAMX--Unified Field</span></b><br />
<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-7103148060000399472013-11-18T21:52:00.002-08:002013-11-18T21:52:36.650-08:00Album Spotlight: SUEDE--Dog Man Star<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Suede always seem to get the short end of the stick. Along with Pulp, they were one of the bands that shifted the early 90's Britpop revival into full gear, a dubious distinction which they themselves might not be too keen on, and would pave the way for mega-bands like Oasis and Blur. Fusing influences such as The Smiths and David Bowie (and a bit of Pink Floyd here), Suede were unique in that they had a distinct rock edge, while also knowing when a sparse piano ballad would do the trick. With an enigmatic and charismatic front man, Brett Anderson displayed his individual talent by not only writing lyrics containing tales of the downtrodden and dispossessed, but also infusing them with the right amount of sneer, pathos, and vulnerability. Bernard Butler was his highly talented sideman, a guitarist (and sometime pianist) with extreme talents who has since gone on to big production gigs (Duffy "Rockferry"), and during his later days with Suede as on the making of <i>Dog Man Star</i>, their second LP, suffered from bouts of depression and social ostracism after the recent death of his father. This combustible combination of band captains led to the demise of Suede MK1 as this album was being completed, and Butler would soon be replaced by newspaper ad respondent and teenage guitar wunderkind, Richard Oakes. However, before Butler was sent packing, he helped craft the band's sophomore album, not only a fantastic example of what 90's Britpop had the potential of becoming, but also one of this author's favorite records of all time.<br />
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The cover image was considered somewhat controversial at the time of release (October 1994), but suits the music perfectly, and is typical Suede, as the ambiguous image of their debut LP featured two androgynous women sharing a passionate kiss. "Introducing the Band" is an apt way to open the record, showing Suede in a more psych-drone-y way than they've been before or since. When they released "The Wild Ones" as a single, "Introducing the Band" became a B-side with a 15-minute Brian Eno ambient remix, but here it has more punch, laying out the band's intentions in a couple minutes with some riveting opening lyrics ("Dog man star took a suck on a pill, and stabbed a cerebellum with a curious quill..."). This was followed by the glam-rocking "We Are the Pigs", a song which halted their run of big hit singles in the UK. Not the best choice for a lead single, British kids just didn't get know what to do with it, and knowing that Butler was out of the band already did not help. Additionally, the song has a darker political and psychedelic tone than anything from their debut's era, but even Lady Gaga would appreciate the chorus lyrics ("We Are the Pigs, We Are the Swine, We Are the Stars of the Firing Line"), and the song closes with children chanting the words "We'll watch them burn". "Heroine" really lifts the album up a bit where needed, and reflects the glammier side of Suede with tales of lust and debauchery. Butler's guitar absolutely cuts through the dense textures and "Heroine" remains one of the albums most rousing moments for it.<br />
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"The Wild Ones" follows, and will stand as one of the best songs of the 90's Britpop era. Opening with Butler's strummed acoustic guitar and Anderson's croon in a lower register, the song gradually builds over five minutes into something magical that closely resembles this era's "Heroes"(Bowie), and probably should have been the lead single. An elegant ballad with nuances that Oasis could have only hoped to reach, "The Wild Ones" was their second consecutive single not to reach the British top 10, even though the album still managed a UK number three placing. "Daddy's Speeding" is an atmospheric ballad detailing a reckless drive behind the wheel backed by haunting piano lines and a scuzzy building guitar over five minutes of little-to-no drums, ending with the sound of a car crash. "The Power" closes the first half, and remains bittersweet for the band as it is the only track not to feature Butler on guitar. It's a swaying ballad that would not have been out of place on Bowie's <i>Hunky Dory</i>, and it's "lalala" closing refrains let in just a little light from all the sadness, anger, and longing up to this point.<br />
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"New Generation" begins Side 2 with something a bit more optimistically pounding and catchy. It was the third single not to make the top 10 (it peaked at #21 while previous singles both made #18), but by this point the band were on their way to America to promote the album (they never registered with US listeners much, besides the fact they were still fighting name recognition against Maryland folk singer Suede, being forced to operate under the name "The London Suede" to avoid confusion). The heaviest rocker on the album, "This Hollywood Life", is up next, and with tales of fantastic icons of the silver screen with a super-glam treatment, builds to a massive cliff of a climax. <br />
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What follows is what some would consider ballad heavy. However, if ballads such as these are the stock in trade, they could have written and recorded album after album of them. That this album does not sag under their weight belies just how strong the arrangements and material sound 20 years later. "The 2 of Us" is a dark ballad that absolutely haunts, bridging the gap between glam and goth with its deep atmosphere. Followed by the slightly lighter "Black or Blue", there is still an air of something gone awry, lovers lost to drugs, or something much worse. The nearly 10-minute "Asphalt World", the centerpiece of the album, manages to hold your attention for the full running time with a prog-rock build containing some of Butler's best guitar work on record, some of Anderson's best singing, and while the band were literally coming apart at the seams, they continued to create some of their most vital and intriguing work. The album closes with the epic string-drenched "Still Life", one of the best album closers of all time. A song so good it could never be a radio single, cascades of orchestra mixed with Ed Buller's sometimes eerie production and Anderson's most sensitive singing that hint at regret and loss. It's a chilling tearjerker of the highest order.<br />
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Fans of Suede know the castoffs from their first two albums which were used as B-sides were generally as good as the album tracks, and most were included on the <i>Sci-Fi Lullabies</i> compilation. However, <i>Dog Man Star</i> remains the favorite album of most Suede fans, even though it was generally misunderstood at the time it was released. It is so highly regarded today that it was recently ranked the #31 album of all time by the <i>NME</i> staff of reviewers in England ahead of <i>Paul's Boutique</i>, <i>Abbey Road</i>, and <i>London Calling</i>. Originally released on indie Nude Records in the UK and Columbia in the US, Edsel Records did a big remaster program on the Suede catalog a couple years ago as triple disc packages, crammed with bonus tracks and a DVD featuring concert footage from each of their five albums up to their extended hiatus after 2002's <i>A New Morning</i>. This year's <i>Bloodsports</i> saw most of Suede (excepting Butler) reunited to channel some of that magic again, yet Anderson has said he feels they have yet to make their masterpiece. With albums like <i>Dog Man Star</i>, they may be trying to top it for many years to come.<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-69548970609196463002013-10-12T12:55:00.001-07:002013-10-12T16:30:05.391-07:00Album Spotlight: JANELLE MONAE--The Electric Lady<br />
<img alt="The Electric Lady" src="http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0003/625/MI0003625637.jpg?partner=allrovi.com" /><br />
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There have been many reviews of Janelle Monae's recent albums written and published. So why do I feel so possessed to write another one? Because Monae's talent is so undeniable, that regardless of what style of music you are into, you should not deny yourself the ability to experience her music. Growing up through much of her childhood in Kansas City, KS (go Kansas!), Monae's father had drug problems, and her mother was a housekeeper in a hotel, a job Janelle also took alongside her as a teenager. Using music as an escape, Janelle eventually got to go away to college in Atlanta where she met many of the people in her band that still play on her records. Sean Combs (P. Diddy) was so impressed, he took a chance and signed her to his record label, which would allow her the artistic freedom to explore all sides of her music personalities. While artists like Stevie Wonder and Prince loom large in the Monae-verse of inspirations, other styles she inhabits include pop, jazz, funk, hip-hop, folk, psychedelic rock, rockabilly, R&B, Bond-style balladry, and all shades in-between. Her visual style sees her in numerous uniform-style outfits and tuxedos (mostly black and white), throwbacks to her uniform-wearing days from her hotel job. She has the stage presence, energy, and dancing ability of James Brown or Prince in their prime. <i>The Electric Lady</i> is technically her second album, although she had an early EP (Suite I) previously released. That effort featured a few tracks which collectively introduced the Archandroid concept that Monae has mined ever since. A Messianic android from the future (2719 to be exact), Monae has been genoraped and cloned, then time travels back to our current world as Cindi Mayweather, the android who will lead the oppressed out of Metropolis (another inspiration), alter the course of the future, and be reunited with her true love, Sir Anthony Greendown. (This is further explained in the liner notes from her last full length, <i>The Archandroid</i> (2010), featuring Suites II and III).<br />
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Admittedly, all of this highbrow conceptualism would hopelessly fail if Monae didn't have the musical chops to back it up. She does, and then some. <i>The Electric Lady</i> is a tighter record than it's predecessor, and while it does feature many of similar stylistic diversions, they are less expansive, allowing Monae to clarify her vision a bit more. While moments of wild experimentation from the previous album ("Mushrooms & Roses", "Wondaland", BaBopByeYa") are less prominent, Monae amps up the energy a bit here, still has her experimental moments, and does so without veering too distantly from her template. The specter of Prince still looms large, and here he even guests on opening dirty-funk track, "Givin Em What They Love". Tracks that follow continue in the funk genre with guests like Erykah Badu (the supreme "Q.U.E.E.N."), Solange (the title track), and Miguel (the Prince-ly ballad, "Primetime"). "We Were Rock and Roll" and "Dance Apocalyptic" flesh out Suite IV, with the former a pop-rock track and the latter a kooky retro-futuristic smash in the waiting. The suite closes with the Bond-esque ballad, "Look Into My Eyes", which Shirley Bassey would have been proud to sing. The track is kept at a minimal 2:18 in an effort to streamline the album so it does not drag, but this song certainly left this listener wanting even more.<br />
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Suite V (as with Suite III from the last record) is more varying with tempo and character, however this group of songs feels the most indebted to a singular artist: Stevie Wonder. Songs like "It's Code" and "Victory" have an ease and affability with their quietly melting chord progressions and instrumental parts, including more guitar solos from her supporting cast. "Ghetto Woman" and "Can't Live Without Your Love" are pure-70's Stevie, while "Sally Ride" and "Dorothy Dandrige Eyes" add to themes of female empowerment and history simultaneously, and the optimistic "What An Experience" closes the album in what harkens back to songs like Janet Jackson's "Whoops Now", the hidden closing track at the end of her 1993 blockbuster, <i>Janet</i>. We feel like we have come so far with the Cindi Mayweather story, and while we aren't sure if there will be more story or not (yes, please!), it is a time to stop and reflect on the happiness we have felt through her musical journey so far. <br />
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The other Janet-referencing additions to this album are the hysterical comic skits which take place at an urban radio station from the future. Radio callers either support or criticize the android cause, questioning whether or not they can actually function or embody similar values as humans (It's all a bit Battlestar Galactica-Cylon-ey). When a caller insists "Robot love is queer", and the DJ runs to defend androids, one cannot help drawing parallels to the gay community today and how they are becoming able to marry and have equal rights (in some cases) that straight people have had for centuries. It's just one more deep and provocative angle on Monae's vision. Her records may have yet to sell in stacks, but Monae is a unique and special talent deserving of our attention. She really is an artist ahead of her time.<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-12727729974362180732013-09-29T20:53:00.001-07:002013-09-29T21:01:10.099-07:00Best albums of the Third Quarter (or July--September 2013)Maybe you've been wondering, 'where is that album of the week?' for the past couple weeks. Maybe you have not, and unless you are among the few brave souls that read our updates here, you probably could not care less. That's all fine and good, but we care enough to have taken a few extra days here to ruminate about the best music we've heard in the past three months. A quarter of a year goes by in such a flash, but the amount of great music being made always seems to be a full meal. While the third quarter is typically one of the slower release periods of the year, some really great music is usually unleashed during this time as artists are usually wanting to hit the road to promote their projects from late summer into early autumn. 2013 seems to be no exception, and we could probably make a best-of-the-year list out of what's here alone, but we will be gearing up for that in December. (You may have seen our extensive half-year list a few months back.)<br />
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So, here are our favorites. Remember, this list is TOTALLY subjective and only reflects our opinions. You may have an opinion of your own. That's fine, and we would like to see your lists as well if you feel like adding a comment. We're sure there will be some great lists by the end of the year. Here's a recent roundup then:<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20) MAN MAN--On Oni Pond</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19) BASTILLE--Bad Blood</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18) EDITORS--Weight of Your Love</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17) HAIM--Days Are Gone</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16) FRANZ FERDINAND--Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15) ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ROOTS--Wise Up Ghost</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14) LITTLE BOOTS--Nocturnes</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13) ELTON JOHN--The Diving Board</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12) ARCTIC MONKEYS--AM</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11) JULIA HOLTER--Loud City Song</span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>10) OH LAND--Wishbone</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>9) JANELLE MONAE--The Electric Lady</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>8) NEKO CASE--The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Try, The Harder I Try, the More I Love You</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>7) CHVRCHES--Bones of What You Believe</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6) HOLY GHOST!--Dynamics</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5) GOLDFRAPP--Tales of Us</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4) VV BROWN--Samson & Delilah</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3) JAGWAR MA--Howlin'</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2) NINE INCH NAILS--Hesitation Marks</b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1) PET SHOP BOYS--Electric</b></span><br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-40068536821174219432013-09-09T19:11:00.000-07:002013-09-09T19:11:05.504-07:00Album of the Week #7: Goldfrapp--Tales of Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall has arrived and so has a landslide of new music titles. This week, I'm taking a look at Goldfrapp's sixth album, <i>Tales of Us</i>. If you are not familiar with who Goldfrapp are, it's OK. America has yet to really wake up to this band, and they seem to like it that way. They tour rather infrequently, and are most certainly not out to compete with Lady Gaga or Katy Perry for chart domination here. Alison Goldfrapp was a sometime singer with UK trip-hop artist Tricky, and Will Gregory mainly a studio musician who played saxophone on Tears For Fears <i>Songs from the Big Chair</i> (see "Working Hour"). Will also played keyboards (lots of them), and Alison was a songwriter with operatic training, and they eventually formed a partnership that sees her as the face and stage presence aside Will's cinematic soundscapes. Their first album, <i>Felt Mountain</i>, appeared in 2000 to rave reviews. An atmospheric record, it featured lots of haunting strings, a bit of dark acoustic guitar and bass (courtesy of Portishead friend Adrien Utley), and a little bit of electronica on songs like "Utopia". This sound was blasted open with their sophomore effort, <i>Black Cherry</i> (2003), filled with buzzing synthesizers and slamming drum machines ("Strict Machine" for one).<br />
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Goldfrapp (the band) made it clear that every album would be a little bit different from here. <i>Supernature</i> (2005) blended sounds from both albums into a great hybrid that brought them their biggest sales in the UK, while <i>Seventh Tree</i> (2008) recoiled from all the synthetic dance music, opting for pastoral English countryside folktronica, coming off like a mix of Cocteau Twins etherealism and Nick Drake's sad reflection. <i>Head First</i> (2010) has now been criticised by both Alison and Will for being too hastily recorded and too blatantly pop. To some extent, they may be right, although that album isn't nearly as bad as they would have you believe, as it was their most direct statement, written while Alison was very in love, and it shows.<br />
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Like all other Goldfrapp records, <i>Tales of Us</i> is a reaction to what came before, and is Goldfrapp's most elegiac and haunting record yet. The cover art sets the tone, with Alison strolling through a group of parked cars at night, headlights trained on her, in black and white. It's in stark contrast to <i>Head First</i>'s pinky-blue sky with her head floating in the middle, and the music is just as representative of the cover art as the cover art is of the music. All the songs feature one word titles, namely names (a possible indirect reference to Cocteau Twins' <i>Treasure</i> album, in which every song featured a Greek name). It's a mood piece and a collection, one that works much more effectively as a full length album than single tracks. "Jo" sets the tone with a much more acoustic based sound than the previous album's pop-tronica. It's quickly followed by "Annabel" and "Drew", two of the best and most beautiful songs on the album. The former is quite sad, based on a harpsichord riff, and spins at length in sonic reference to <i>Felt Mountain</i>'s lush textures. The latter is a melodic centerpiece of the first half of the album, and features some of Alison's most intriguing lyrics and beautiful lyrics and singing to date. "Ulla" and "Alvar" round out the first half with lush strings and Goldfrapp's sensual coo. It becomes apparent that she disguises many of her lyrics through the delivery so the listener can make their own conclusions as to what she might be saying. It's an open-ended gambit, but makes you want to listen closer just to pin down the meaning in the lyrics.<br />
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"Thea" has been described as a traditional Goldfrapp stomper, although I think that is a bit of a misnomer and an oversell. It is, however, a great song, and the most energetic moment to be found here. "Simone" and "Stranger" are quite different in character, but both have beautiful melodies and string textures. "Laurel" is the most ambiguous song on the album, with Alison's lyrics quite obscured, and "Clay" ends things on a musical up note, with rushing melodies and a bit of synth pulse underneath the epic arrangements. However, while "Annabel" is based on a Patricia Highsmith novel about a hermaphrodite forced to choose to become male, "Clay" is about a true story of two young male soldiers who met and fell in love during WWII, only for one to be quickly killed by the enemy, leaving the other to live on in sadness. In these tales of us, nobody gets out unscathed, and nobody can be truly happy. Loss is a theme that haunts this record just like ghosts of our loved ones that refuse to leave. It's an amazing concept for a pop record, and may be the most truthful Goldfrapp album yet. Where they go from here is anyone's guess.<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-37519602085062280562013-09-02T18:33:00.000-07:002013-09-03T05:40:58.227-07:00Album of the Week #6: Nine Inch Nails--Hesitation Marks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pennsylvania native Trent Reznor returns this week with one of the best albums of his career, <i>Hesitation Marks</i>. Coming off a five year hiatus from the band, Reznor has started a family, begun a new band with his wife called How to Destroy Angels (their debut album was released a couple months ago), and recorded movie soundtracks for high profile films <i>The Social Network</i> and <i>The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo</i> (the former won him an Academy Award). One other major change was getting sober in 2005, and after years of already great music, it seemed like he was tired and just needed a break. All of these elements combine here to create one of Reznor's most mature and focused efforts of his twenty-five year career. <br />
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Nine Inch Nails have always been known for the ability to synthesize rock and technology by going from a whisper to a scream instantaneously. That happens here as well, but in more subtle ways, and with fewer histrionics. "Copy of A" is a great example of a song that glides and builds from moment to moment, and while it's a masterclass in programming, it also moves along effortlessly, showing just how well Reznor has internalized his craft and the ability to construct a song. This is followed by "Came Back Haunted", the lead single from the album--one of the catchiest and most insistent songs here. The fact that the David Lynch directed video came with a disclaimer that epileptics may be in danger of seizures might make it difficult for some to watch, but it's one of Reznor's best lead singles in a while, yet in a world with Miley Cyrus, he may have to keep working harder to get your attention. "Find My Way" follows with a sound that is generally more indicative of the album by melding softer keyboard lines and tuned percussion to a lightly throbbing beat. Here, Reznor find a seamless way to integrate his soundtrack skills and his industrial side into a passionate whole with tinkly piano lines and moody atmospherics. "Everything", serving as a mid-point palate cleanser, is noteworthy not only for it's brevity and buzziness, but also for being the first song this writer can recall that he has written in a major key, echoing his newfound cautious optimism.<br />
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"All Time Low" and "Satellite" address the more aggressive and funky sides of NIN respectively, while "Disappointed" is all clangy precussion and softer rhythms. While "Various Methods of Escape" is one of the most melodically tuneful songs here (and would make a good single), "I Would For You" and "In Two" are two of the albums best songs, coming late and showing how far Reznor's writing has come since the days of "Head Like a Hole" (<i>Bow down before the one you serve/You're gonna get what you deserve</i>). They are aggressive without hitting the button marked ANGER, and are followed by the most alarming song on the album, closer "While I'm Still Here". Notable in its quietude, this song plays like a mantra expressing Reznor's current mental state, and features a skronking sax riff by Reznor himself. There is also a bit of guitar noodlery courtesy of Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham. In fact, Buckingham, along with guitar maestro Adrien Belew, appear all over <i>Hesitation Marks. </i>These might seems like strange reference points, but they integrate perfectly into the sonic palate Reznor envisions. There are also songs tucked within like "Running" that feature nobody else but Reznor (with the possible aid of a studio tech), and illustrate just how self-sufficient and talented this man is. Now in his early fifties, it feels like he is finally reaching his stride. <i>Hesitation Marks</i> is a mini-masterpiece sonically more connected to <i>Pretty Hate Machine</i> than anything else he's done, bringing his sound full circle. Here's hoping the next album isn't another five year wait. <br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-88274025799271801302013-08-26T12:17:00.000-07:002013-08-26T12:17:15.568-07:00Album of the Week #5: Franz Ferdinand--Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four years in the making, Franz Ferdinand have finally returned with their fourth album, <i>Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action</i>. At the dawn of the millennium, much of what was considered "Britpop" was either changing (Oasis, Suede) or disbanding (Pulp, Blur, Suede). FF were at the forefront of a new wave of punchy and groovy guitar rock with indie cred with a slighty punk edge (they would be snapped up by Sony quickly). After a minor breakthrough in the US with their debut and the hit single "Take Me Out", they quickly had loads of competition and imitators in other bands like Kaiser Chiefs and the Fratellis. Their biggest competition came in younger form a couple years later as Arctic Monkeys took the rockier edges of their sound and amped them up with darker lyrics. FF spent their next couple albums trying to stay in the game, but struggled a bit by album number three while looking to synths for new sounds and rhythms to add to the mix. They recorded the album twice, and while it was a good record, it lost a bit of their energy in the process.<br />
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Back with the indie label, <i>RTRWRA</i> does a bit of restoration in that department, as the songs bounce along with lighter feet than recent offerings, and much of the sonic structure shows a band very confident in their abilities and open to new influences without letting them overtake the party. The opening title track is a case in point, where the rhythm gets a little funkier than in the past, but the song by way of repetition becomes completely embedded in your skull after one hearing. Other songs like "Evil Eye" sort of reference the sound that FF came up with on their debut, albeit with a bit more of a haunted vibe. "Fresh Strawberries" is one of the most upbeat rock ballads they've come up with, while "Bullet" and "Treason! Animals." are just the type of quirk and cheek we've come to expect from them. It all ends with the spooky ballad, "Goodbye Lovers and Friends", leaving one to wonder if it is an epitaph to the album, this particular style of FF, or the band themselves. It's just one reason we keep coming back to them, as their lyrical ambiguity always keeps us on our toes. Every time we wait three or four years we are reminded why we like them, but wonder why they can't keep the momentum more regular. In any case, <i>Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action</i> is another enjoyable album in their repetoire, and hopefully not the end.<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-42460798246097466202013-08-19T19:18:00.001-07:002013-08-19T19:18:20.811-07:00Album of the Week #4: Pure Bathing Culture--Moon Tides<br />
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Once in a while a new sound strikes you as reminiscent of something you have heard before, yet still retains an originality to distinguish itself from previous releases. That tends to be the case with the lush new release from New Jersey-by-way-of-Portland's Pure Bathing Culture, <i>Moon Tides</i>. If you are into bands like the Shins, Beach House, or Cocteau Twins, you really should take note. Recorded in a mere ten days at Richard Swift's (Shins) studio, the duo features Sarah Vesprille's beguiling vocals, Daniel Hindman's chiming guitars, and while less histrionic than Liz Fraser's gliding bird calls of yore, there is something a bit sweeter and uplifting compared to Cocteau's or Beach House's darker material. The difference is very apparent on songs like the spinning opener, "Pendulum" and the melodically poppy "Only Lonely Lovers". "Scotty" goes one further by (strangely) quoting a Benny Mardones hit of decades ago, "Into the Night", and works it seamlessly into the song. These tend to be the more grounded songs on the record, while tracks like the Cocteau-esque "Even Greener" has more ethereal guitar work, and closer "Temples of the Moon" is akin to some of that parent band's darker closing album tracks. Heck, "Twins" may even be an indirect tribute of sorts. What sets this apart is A)The fact that their vocals are in decipherable English, and 2)There is a warmer, more earthly connection than in much Cocteau work, which puts it more in the aforementioned Beach House territory. With that being said, if you are looking for a lazy and gorgeous record to wind up your summer daze and you like the bands I've mentioned, <i>Moon Tides</i> might just do the trick. "Scotty" is streaming below:<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-85932236917802277772013-08-05T07:13:00.000-07:002013-08-05T08:22:29.823-07:00Album of the Week #3: August 5th, 2013John Cale is most known for his work as a member of the Velvet Underground and producer who has worked with stars such as Patti Smith and Brian Eno. A classically trained musician, once Cale no longer was part of VU, he began a solo career with the LP <i>Vintage Violence</i>, a sort-of homage to Americana coming from a British born artist. This was followed by his most famous album, <i>Paris 1919</i>, which put him alongside unique songwriters of the day like Randy Newman. Meanwhile, Cale had been producing stark records by former Velvets singer Nico and edgy legends like the Stooges and the Modern Lovers. That sound finally spilled over into his own work on <i>Fear</i>, his first for Island Records in 1974, a year on from the previous LP.<br />
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<i>Fear</i> opens with the chugging title track in which Cale repeats "Fear is a man's best friend" like a mantra. It's a statement of purpose that will carry Cale through all of his Island albums which follow. Cale really lets go toward the end of the song where he begins shrieking over and over, showing a darker side that will also surface a bit in Patti Smith's <i>Horses</i>, which he was working on around the same time. "Buffalo Ballet" follows as a bit of a throwback to his more western glancing material. "Barracuda" (not the Heart song) and "Emily" follow with more of a quirky Roxy Music vibe (Phil Manzanera, Andy MacKay, and Brian Eno all guest on this album, as does Richard Thompson). "Ship of Fools" with it's cascading piano melody is one of the cornerstones of the album, and predates Elvis Costello's <i>Imperial Bedroom</i> by a few years.<br />
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Side 2 (or part 2 if you have the CD), begins with the 8-minute rocker, "Gun", a song featuring an amazing dual guitar solo by Manzanera being shadowed (or messed up) on synthesizer by Eno. Eno and Cale would continue their working relationship on Cale's next couple of releases, and they would record the great collaborative duet album <i>Wrong Way Up</i> in 1990, the same year Cale would reunite with ex-Velvets Lou Reed for another collaborative album, <i>Songs for Drella</i>. (Siouxsie and the Banshees liked "Gun" so much, they covered it on their <i>Through the Looking Glass</i> covers album, and then asked Cale to produce parts of their final studio record from 1994, <i>The Rapture</i>.) The Beach Boys-esque lark "The Man Who Couldn't Afford to Orgy" comes next to lighten the mood considerably, followed by the stunning "You Know More Than I Know", another overlooked gem. "Mommama Scuba" closes the album on a dark glam-rock note.<br />
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<i>Fear</i> was a turning point for Cale, and while struggles with substances have been somewhat documented, it is a leap of confidence into something new for him, becoming as interesting as the artists he was producing. The next two Island albums, <i>Slow Dazzle</i> and <i>Helen of Troy</i> follow suit with the template <i>Fear</i> sets out with. It's a remarkable body of work from an artist who tends to get marginalised compared to other 70's luminaries of the genre such as Bowie and Talking Heads. Now in his 70's, Cale continues to experiment and grow as an artist, releasing last year's interesting <i>Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood</i> LP and the <i>Extra Playful</i> EP. He refuses to retire or rest on his laurels, and <i>Fear</i> is a fantastic and somewhat overlooked rock record.<br />
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All of Cale's three Island solo releases plus his collaboration with classical artist Terry Riley (<i>Church of Anthrax</i>) have been recently remastered and reissued by the Culture Factory label. Here's a short, fan-made version of a series of comic book covers to the song "Gun":<br />
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<br />Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-35210636626887906812013-07-28T22:37:00.001-07:002013-07-28T22:39:18.895-07:00Album of the week #2: July 29, 2013Approaching a weekly album review presents challenges, with one of the biggest being what to review in the first place. Since I am highlighting albums that I feel merit some sort of attention, whether something classic that is somehow special, or something new that inspires and excites. Edition two is a tough one, for while week one was rather simple to choose, being impressed by a new release, week two needs to contrast by focusing on something from the past that some or many may know, but shouldn't be something that <i>everybody</i> knows already.<br />
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My choice this week is Prince's seventh studio album, <i>Around the World in a Day</i>. Released on April 22, 1985, it arrived a mere ten months after the <i>Purple Rain</i> soundtrack of June '84, and is one of only four Prince albums to hit number one on the Billboard charts (the others being the aforementioned soundtrack, the <i>Batman</i> soundtrack, and <i>3121</i> in 2006). The album was an incredible departure from everything he had done up to that point, with some considering it a failed experiment. Prince had always been a very R&B based artist, writing, performing, and producing nearly everything on his albums. <i> Purple Rain</i> felt more like a full band effort, with his band The Revolution taking a more prominent position in the sound of the album, and it showcased his many sides in a very concise effort fusing dance and funk music with rock like a hybrid of James Brown and Jimi Hendrix. <i>Around the World in a Day</i> was an about face that shocked many of his R&B leaning fans by fully embracing psychedelic rock and stripped down funk and pop, functioning as his own personal summer of love record and reflecting his love of Joni Mitchell and that style of music. The album is now seen as a minor dip in quality between <i>Purple Rain</i> and <i>Parade</i> (another great record), but did go on to sell three million copies in the US (<i>Rain</i> sold 13 million), and spawned two top ten hits with "Raspberry Beret"(#2) and "Pop Life"(#7).</div>
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There are many touches of Beatle-based influences (not to mention cover art), and the album is full of surprises. The title track features lots of strange and warped percussion mixed with carnival-esque instrumentation including flutes and sitar-like sounds. "Paisley Park" is likely the cornerstone album track, with big beats similar to "When Doves Cry" from the previous year, out-of-tune organs, and ringing guitars. Not only was this the name of a great song, but it became the name he chose for his record label AND recording studio complex in Minneapolis. While the singles were other melodic highlights, there is some weird stuff going on between them. "Condition of the Heart" is a big and powerful ballad that strives to twist <i>Purple Rain</i>'s "Beautiful Ones" into something altogether trippier. "Tamborine" is one of the shortest and strangest songs Prince ever wrote, a stark, brittle funk workout. "America" is a unique take on the patriotic tune in a minor key, and the album closes with the big and inspiring "The Ladder" (Prince would do this again two years later to great effect on <i>Sign O the Times</i> with "The Cross"), and the epic "Temptation", where Prince seeks advice from God, a vocodered version of himself. Albums tended to be shorter in this period, especially from Prince, who produced many albums for his artists that contained as few as six tracks, yet this still had nine. "Hello", "Girl", and the classic "She's Always in My Hair" were three more B-sides that came from this era, great songs that are included on his B-sides collection.</div>
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Prince was always rather experimental for an R&B artist, much more so even than Michael Jackson, and this was one of his most out-there projects. Coming on the heels of such a successful soundtrack, this would be considered commercial suicide by many, but Prince knew that kind of crazy success could not be maintained, so he threw caution to the wind and made something extraordinary. What this album does offer is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a musician without restraint, doing exactly what he wants to do without a care of sales figures, and may actually be an artistic pinnacle in a career full of them. Prince hasn't made a truly great album in nearly 20 years, but if he wants some inspiration, maybe he should listen to this record to find a way out of his recent cold and slick mode. When the album came out, it was an unexpected statement, and Prince was in his most confident place musically speaking, making something loose with more outside contributions. He would be wise to do more of that today. Still, what a fabulous legacy of recordings he made during this imperial phase, and this should be regarded as another masterpiece.</div>
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I would have posted a youtube video link to one of the singles below, but Prince still does not allow his music to appear on streaming sites and has a team of lawyers ready to remove music if it gets posted.</div>
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Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166260337584272739.post-58307526996352995862013-07-21T20:49:00.000-07:002013-07-21T20:49:03.797-07:00Album of the Week #1: July 22, 2013We thought it was about time to start an Album of the Week post where we choose an album, new or vintage, that we wish to highlight as something rather special. Considering the thousands of records we've heard in our lifetimes, as well as the thousands we carry in the store (not to mention the handful nearly every week that bring something interesting to the table), we hope to bring to the blog albums that we love and love to talk about. This is a purely subjective exercise based on our personal opinions, and if you find that you are left cold by what we have to discuss, it is likely because our general tastes don't mix (this doesn't mean we can't be friends). It does not mean that we cannot hear redemptive qualities in music that isn't generally appealing to us...in fact, nearly everything has something to recommend it (some things more than others). These entries are just meant to act as little love letters of sorts to albums that have had some impact in our music world, and maybe you will find or be interested in something that you never really thought much of before.<br />
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Our inaugural entry is a new release, the brand new Pet Shop Boys album, <i>Electric</i>. We have already featured this album in store emails (sorry about the extra face time), but want to mention again what an extraordinary album this is. In a year where Daft Punk is practically sainted for their retro-disco grooves on <i>Random Access Memories</i> (a history lesson in disco), Pet Shop Boys (that other electronic duo from across the English Channel) return with the heavily synthetic and modern <i>Electric</i>. There are a couple reasons this is extraordinary: 1)Their last album, the lovely <i>Elysium</i>, appeared a mere ten months ago, and served as a pastoral reflection on being an ageing pop musician in a young persons' game, and 2)In their fifties, the duo of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have been at it for 30(!) years, and not only assembled a massive catalog of incredible songs to rival catalogs of Rodgers & Hammerstein or Lennon & McCartney, but sound newly energized on this loosely structured collection of rambunctious tunes.<br />
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Rather than give a rundown of what all the songs sound like (there are plenty of reviews out there on the web, nearly all rating the album highly), we would just like to say a couple things about the general project. The album is three songs shorter than it's predecessor, but about the same running length. That allows the songs to stretch out more and breathe, bearing a similar resemblance to some of their earliest work on the <i>Disco</i> compliation and third album, <i>Introspective</i>. Tapping producer Stuart Price (Madonna <i>Confessions on a Dance Floor</i>, Kylie Minogue <i>Aphrodite</i>) was a masterstroke at bringing them back to the strong rhythms and layers found in much of their early work. Vintage equipment was used in combination with the modern to create a mixture of sounds that references older material with a wink while creating something completely new. <br />
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Of course, the subjects covered in the lyrics are typically wry and witty observations from Tennant's pen. While a couple (mostly) instrumental tracks are present, other songs deal with moving forward after a breakup by busying oneself with extracurricular activities and shunning the prospects of future love ("Love is a Bourgeois Construct"), Thursday being the new-and-ever-earlier beginning of the party weekend ("Thursday"), and the transformative power of dance music ("Vocal"). There are a couple dark and provocative tunes placed in the middle ("Fluroescent", "Inside a Dream"), and a stunningly random cover of a recent Bruce Springsteen song ("The Last to Die" from 2007's <i>Magic</i>), as well as a kooky song called "Bolshy" (something to do with being enamored with the new Russian capitalist youth). By the end of <i>Electric</i>, you begin to realize that very few people in the world of dance music would ever think to write songs about subjects such as these. Tennant was a music journalist before becoming a recording musician, and continues to grow as a lyricist, while Lowe (the computer-geek half) is constantly pushing boundaries in chord progressions and song structure. "Bourgeois" even goes so far as to using a melody from Renaissance composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695) as its main theme. In fact, many of <i>Electric</i>'s songs have lengthy intros, minimal choruses, verses functioning as choruses, or no chorus at all. While they've dabbled with unorthodox song structures in the past, this liberation from rote songwriting began in earnest on 2009's <i>Yes</i>, produced by UK hitmakers Xenomania (Girls Aloud), who were known for placing choruses before verses, and that idea really takes hold here in a way that these guys realize they can do about anything they want structurally. (They would be very humbled to be known as 'architects of song').<br />
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What this boils down to is <i>Electric</i> is a highly enjoyable summer dance-party album with an educational conscience. It's just another fascinating chapter in the history of a band who recently ended their contract with Parlophone Records after a 28-year association and 50 million records sold when EMI was sold to Universal last year. Instead of signing away rights to future material to join another major label, Neil and Chris decided to start their own label, x2, in association with music publishing company, Kobalt. This has allowed them the freedom to promote the project how they see fit, and they have been so inspired by the response to the album, they are now promising a further two albums of similar material and production to function as a trilogy. Here's hoping they get working on that idea sooner rather than later, as <i>Electric</i> really puts them back in touch with their energetic side, reminding us why we fell in love with their music in the first place.<br />
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Here's a look at current single, "Vocal":<br />
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Jason @ Electric Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10299605651589456781noreply@blogger.com0