Jam of the Day: Craft Spells - "Our Park By Night"

Infectious track from Craft Spells with its loping beat, dubby bassline, and ringing guitars.

2011 Albums of the Year: 20-11

Getting closer to the number one album in my list of 2011 Albums of the Year. Here are numbers 20-11:

20. WU LYF - Go Tell Fire To The Mountain

In this Internet age where you can find out basically everything about anything or anyone, it is a bit refreshing when something maintains a bit of mystery. WU LYF (or World Unite/Lucifer Youth Foundation) is a gang of Mancunians who don't have a Facebook/MySpace/Bandcamp/Twitter/Tumblr page, and not much is known about them other than their live shows are practically legendary (selling out before the band had even properly released any music), they famously ignored phone calls from famous producers to work with them, and have refused to work with major labels, choosing instead to record the album in an abandoned church and self-releasing the record on their own. Whether all of this behavior is truly meant to be a way of life, or just a PR stunt, remains to be seen, but, as I am fond of saying, at the end, all that matters is the music. Go Tell Fire To The Mountain doesn't reinvent the wheel per se, as some UK critics have pontificated, but is a stirring collection of songs drawing from many disparate sources (early U2, Sigur Ros, post-punk, post-rock, etc.), but bound together by a rich solemnity and vocalist Ellery Roberts' bizarre warble, which will either intoxicate you or make you run for the hills.

19. Iceage - New Brigade

Danish punk/post-punkers Iceage draw from Wire's precise minimalism and Joy Division's icy, cathartic despair. In a spare 25 minutes, New Brigade's 12 songs never overstay their welcome, quickly getting to the point, never containing a superfluous note. While they are really not bringing anything new to the table in terms of sound, what makes this band special is the energy they bring. It brings to mind The Strokes' Is This It? in terms of pure swagger and attitude. The band's live shows are apparently extremely aggressive affairs, the audience members referred to as "victims" and photos of the aftermath of gigs are usually posted to the band's website.

18. Chad VanGaalen - Diaper Island

In addition to his solo output, Chad VanGaalen is probably best known as the producer for Women's last two albums. He records out of his home studio and infuses a homespun, earthy quality to his records, yet always throws in some curve balls, like weird synth freakouts, and use of quirky instrumentation. Diaper Island, his fourth full length, and his most fully formed, is such a shockingly well-produced record, it provokes audio equivalents of a double-take. While there is still a homey quality to the production values, the record as a whole is musch more clear and concise. VanGaalen records primarily in a low-fi, late 80s early 90s alt-rock manner, evoking artists as diverse as Pavement, Miracle Legion, Grizzly Bear, and early post-punk Cure. The album veers back and forth from gorgeous, almost country-folk ballads, and raucous guitar raveups; linked by his wry lyrics.

17. Craft Spells - Idle Labors

Craft Spells' debut album Idle Labor travels in the same territory as 80s revivalists/chillwave acts such as Twin Shadow, Memory Tapes, and Toro Y Moi. The songs all feature delightfully tinny drum machines, echoing/chiming guitars, and soaring synths, borrowing from forbearers such as New Order, The Smiths, and Echo and the Bunnymen. I don't think it is just coincidence that the album cover blatantly recalls Power, Corruption, and Lies. When they hit their heights, as on lead song "For The Ages," with its gorgeous interlocking guitars and synths, and on "Scandinavian Crush," and its sing-song melody, you get the sense that the sky is the limit for this band. This album will take awhile to grow on you, but once it does, it is impossible to get out of your head.

16. When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie

Every once in awhile, a band or artist comes around with that spark of trying something different and challenging, but working in the realm of pop music. Danish quartet When Saints Go Machine, led by otherworldly vocalist Nicholas Vonsild, don't necessarily sound like Depeche Mode, other than the fact both primarily use synthesizers, however, they share the same restless creativity Depeche Mode enjoyed during their mid-80s tenure. It is actually quite difficult to describe the band's sound. Imagine a cross between the heavily treated electro-pop of The Knife and Fever Ray, the fluttering, archly fey vocals of Antony Hegarty, and the house music stylings of Hercules and Love Affair, and you might get slightly close to their sound. Instead of spending time trying to spot the influence, it is better to just allow the waves of quirky synth-pop wash over you. Word of caution, however, you will either love Vonsild's voice or will hate it.

15. Hooray For Earth - True Loves

Sounding like a lot of bands, but commanding their own distinct sound, Hooray For Earth is rooted in the dense, lush synth-pop of the 80s, brought into a 2010s context. Each track on their debut True Loves is built on layer upon layer of gorgeous, warm synthesizers, almost tailor made to hit the cheap seats of a stadium, but intricate and emotional enough to entrance the most jaded bedsitter. Perfectly paced, with melodies like earworms, True Loves is chock full of endlessly catchy singles that get more infectious with each listen. Their self-titled debut album and subsequent EP Momo only hinted at what this band was capable of, and subsequent tours with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and work with Twin Shadow over the past year really honed their craft, creating a truly wonderful album.

14. Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting

Canadian synth-pop duo Young Galaxy (Stephen Ramsay and Catherine McCandless) were unknown to me before the release of Shapeshifting. Having released two albums on the Arts & Crafts imprint, I was assuming they would have a similar sound to that label's two most popular acts: Broken Social Scene and The Dears. Surfing through some clips on Youtube all I found were some pleasant, yet rather dull, dream pop-like songs, that didn't give me much hope for liking the new record. Apparently, switching labels and enlisting the help of enigmatic Swedish producer Dan Lissvik of Studio has completely sparked new life into the band. The band provided Lissvik with the finished tapes of the record and he, via Skype, helped polish and mold the tracks. Throughout the album you can hear the bones of the record and how Lissvik added his warm synthesizers, thick guitars, and hazy Tropicalia to the mix. The pairing of the two together is pure genius, and they have collaborated on one of the best adult-dance pop albums of the year.

13. Arrange - Plantation

The experience of listening to Plantation, the self-released debut album from Florida teenager Malcom Lacey, is akin to rummaging around a stuffed attic, coming across old photo albums, journals, and keepsakes, being washed over by the floods of memory: the triumphs and failures, the joy and sadness, the important and the mundane. It is also an album steeped in loneliness and sadness, Lacey's voice almost a monotone, afraid to let the emotion crack the surface, less the anger break free and overtake him. The restraint fits well with these gorgeously evocative ten tracks. Despite his youth, Lacey has an amazing ear for arrangement (no pun intended) and builds these songs in layers, never adding too much or making things too bare. Plantation is truly an album that must be experienced in one sitting, as the themes and melodies flow throughout the record and with each listen, you pick up more and more, it all fitting together like pieces of a puzzle.

12. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Swedish indie pop princess Lykke Li's first album Youth Novels was a favorite of mine from 2008. Produced by Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, the album highlighted Li's odd voice, setting it up against non-traditional instrumentation and song structures, yet sometimes the songs seemed to veer too close to twee territory. With Wounded Rhymes, Li, once again working with Björn, doesn't exactly reinvent herself as much as she beefs up. Her voice is stronger and meatier (though it can still be an acquired taste), and the songs, drawing from 60s girl groups, garage rock, and the wall of sound perfected by Phil Spector, are cavernous and heavy, every note dripping with decay and dirt. Drums are deep and pounding, guitars rich with reverb, and her voice settles so well into the mix, sometimes triple and quadruple tracked. The songwriting on Wounded Rhymes is more complex and varied than its predecessor. Li shows that she still can project fragility while also showing strength within herself.

11. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

Diminutive, angelic looking singer Annie Clark, performing under the name St. Vincent, has released two albums of slightly subversive pop songs, Marry Me and Actor, which traffic in deceptively calm surfaces, with a dark undercurrent that is always surprising and thrilling. With the release of her third album Strange Mercy, Clark completely comes into her own. While her previous albums are quite wonderful, Marry Me could feel a little cloying at times, and Actor was almost too stuffed to the gills with embellishments that cluttered rather than enhanced the tracks. With Strange Mercy, Clark laser focuses the songs, highlighting her superb, innovative guitar playing, allowing only a few embellishments throughout, which actually add to the texture and or tone of the song to give it an extra kick. Clark still sticks to her trademark song writing style, singing tales of squeaky clean perfection always hiding dirt and grime in the background despite the characters' desperate attempts to keep up appearances.

Non-Sequiturs

Unfortunately, my beloved Cowboys didn't make it through the latest episode of The Amazing Race. Here's hoping that Justin and Zev win!

Based on this trailer, if the movie is only 1/4 as good, it will be awesome.

Cody Ross is too damn cute. And he has a really good sense of humor.



Coachella 2011 is barely over with and my gang are already looking at houses for next year.

I think it is time for Survivor to go away. The past couple of seasons have been a huge bore.

The Lollapalooza lineup came out this week and, aside from a few bands that didn't play Coachella that I wish I could have seen (Lykke Li, A Perfect Circle, Friendly Fires, and The Cars), I was not that thrilled with it. Most of the bands played Coachella, so there really isn't much of an incentive for me to ponder going. It's still a good lineup, I just wish there were some more amazing grabs.

I finally watched Black Swan on DVD. Although Natalie Portman was fantastic, and deservedly won the Oscar, I thought the movie was just ok. The pacing was all over the place and I never really connected with the character of Nina all that much.

We also watched Skyline and Season of the Witch. That is a collective 3 hours I will never get back of my life. Stupendously horrible.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Head

"I feel the need to go
and distance is the goal
if memory serves me right
I've done this before

I used to close the door when everything went wrong
you don't need to call I ignore everyone
nothing against you but you dragged me for too long
too long

this is me in my sorrow
this is me at eighteen
this is me at my greatest
all my friends begin to weep"

Craft Spells
"You Should Close The Door"

"I salute you Christopher
I declare you as our king
Or queen, depending on your mood"

IAMX
"I Salute You Christopher"

"Rather live out a lie than live wondering
how the fire feels while burning
for life is like a flame
and the ashes for wasting
so honey don't be afraid
to dance while we're waiting
we will live longer than I will
we will be better than I was
we can cross rivers without wind
we can do better than i can
so dance while you can
dance cause you must
love out of lust
dance while you can"

Lykke Li
"Love Out Of Lust"

Appealing Things

Hauschka
The new Beastie Boys album
Edwards' Hershey Chocolate Pie
Panda Bear
Zombie Smash
Hayden Panettiere in Scream 4

Annoying Things

Having to actually work at work
Tornadoes
My book that goes on and on and doesn't really get anywhere
No administrative assistance
The movies Skyline and Season of the Witch

Mini-Reviews

Holy Ghost!
Holy Ghost!
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Holy Ghost! have been around awhile, releasing amazing dance punk singles like "Hold On" and putting out amazing remixes for artists like LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, and MGMT. Their debut album was always on its way but long delayed. In the crowded dance/electronic music field, it is not unheard of for artists to only put out singles, however, Holy Ghost! have always seemed more of the album artist variety. So, finally, the finished product is here. I knew it would either blow me away or leave me wanting. Holy Ghost! is not the second coming nor is it the disaster it could have been; its just a little north of disappointing. "Hold On" is included here in its original form, and there are songs that are of that quality: the bouncy "Wait And See," the sunny tribute to the late Jerry Fuchs "Jam For Jerry," and the dance floor ready "It's Not Over." But too many times, the beats get lazy and the songs journey into genericland. I am always the first to admit I am more of an album person, but when a band puts out an album that contains the singles they've released over the past three years and only a handful of new songs, it seems like a cheat. Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, Holy Ghost! should just stick to releasing singles, because, to be honest, they are what is pushing my ranking up from Meh.

Craft Spells
Idle Labor
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Craft Spells' debut album Idle Labor travels in the same territory as 80s revivalists/chillwave acts such as Twin Shadow, Memory Tapes, and Toro Y Moi. The songs all feature delightfully tinny drum machines, echoing/chiming guitars, and soaring synths, borrowing from forbearers such as New Order, The Smiths, and Echo and the Bunnymen. I don't think it is just coincidence that the album cover blatantly recalls Power, Corruption, and Lies. When they hit their heights, as on lead song "For The Ages," with its gorgeous interlocking guitars and synths, and on "Scandinavian Crush," and its sing-song melody, you get the sense that the sky is the limit for this band. And for the first half of the album, the band is well on their game, unfortunately, by the back half, the melodies that were so fresh at the beginning get recycled and the ideas begin to run out. Idle Labor could have been a masterful EP, setting the stage for a proper debut that could have been classic. There is enough here though that shows this is a band to watch out for. Give them a little more time to mature, and some more money to get in a proper studio, and we'll be hearing a lot more of this up and coming band.

Kyle Bobby Dunnn
Ways of Meaning
Rating: Grrrr

Drone albums are notoriously difficult for me to review, mainly because there is such a variety of styles within the genre, it is hard to judge one against another. It really all comes down to whether I have an emotional connection to the music. Kyle Bobby Dunn's latest album Ways of Meaning, builds its tracks over guitar and organ, creating a lovely sense of space and time. The tracks are subtle; drawing you in slowly, hypnotizing you with their lucid power. Once enveloped in the album, your mind clears and it becomes a meditative experience. Each time I listen to the record, I find myself amazed at how quickly it passes, lost in my own sense of reverie. Dunn has stated that his tracks are born from personal moments, but that he wants "the minutiae of experience to pass through the grooves of the vinyl to the listener to act as a salve for our collective emptiness." I for one, am grateful for his art, which allows the mind to clear out the obtrusive noisiness of existence and find peace and clarity.

Kyle Bobby Dunn - Ways of Meaning (album preview) by experimedia

Peter Bjorn and John
Gimme Some
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Writer's Block put Peter Bjorn and John on the map with the ubiquitous single "Young Folks," that was as impossible to dislike as it was impossible to escape from. Quite like a teenager rebelling against their parents' wishes, PB&J's follow up, Living Thing, did everything it could to be the anti-Writer's Block. Gone were the hooks and fun songs, and instead, what was left was a long slog through discordant material that was difficult to enjoy. Although it is not quite the home run Writer's Block was, Gimme Some is definitely a step in the right direction. Instead of fighting what made them great in the first place, they are embracing the hooks and strong songwriting that is their bread and butter. From the pop rush of "Second Chance," chiming "May Be Macabre," and Kraut-rock inspired "I Know You Don't Love Me," the album has way more hits than missteps, and is hopefully a sign that the next album will be a full on pop masterpiece.



Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.

Non-Sequiturs

I am finally settled in at our house in Indio, California, mere miles away from the polo fields that host the Coachella Music Festival. Can't wait to hit the grounds and have some fun. Set times came out and unfortunately, as always, there are lots of conflicts. But, part of that make it fun, figuring out who you should focus your attention on.

First Klaxons drop out of Coachella (they were my only must kill to see band) and now word is that Suede's bassist is having visa issues and won't make it, but that they intend to play without him. Not sure how the hell that is going to work. Definitely makes me give long thought to whether I want to see them. If there is a conflict, I will likely skip them.

New crush on The Amazing Race, Justin Kanew. So cute and nerdy.

My favorite LOLcats from the past couple of weeks.

It's very strange how the mind works; locked in some dark room is some memory just waiting for a key to open the door to let it out. I had two distinct memories come out of nowhere today. The first was triggered by smelling the new carpet and paint from the office renovation; it brought me back immediately to when we moved into my family's house on Marsh Drive in Savannah. The second was triggered by a blast of cold air that has been on full in the kitchen area all day. It reminded me so much of my Communications Law class at UGA, and how we used to freeze in the classroom each Spring day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Head

"Leave it 'til the guilt consumes
Fucking in the nearest room
All our friends were unaware
Most had just passed out downstairs.

To think I'd hoped you'd be okay,
Now I can't think of what to say,
Maybe I misunderstood,
But I can't believe you're feeling good, from

Post break-up sex
that helps you forget your ex,
What did you expect from post break up sex?"

The Vaccines
"Post-Breakup Sex"

"I know the stars will align
if not tonight then some other time
sleeping off the shade in the back of a car
I tried to get away but the car wouldn't start

I may never get it right
my chemicals, they balance in some other light
I never thought that we wouldn't rule the world
I always think we will
I keep my teeth clenched still"

Cold Cave
"Confetti"

"Take my life
What's my life like?
What's my work like?
How do I pass time?

Open my eyes so I might see mine
So I'll be with mine
No matter what it takes
Take my life so high
Keep my life light"

Panda Bear
"Tomboy"

"Despite of all our conflict
I still sit and adore you
A tragedy for the ages
Now at least I can say this

Even though our love has died,
You're still mine
You're still mine
Even though our love has died,
You're still mine
You're still mine"

Craft Spells
"For The Ages"

Appealing Things

Ginger bears
Vacation
Having awesome neighbors take care of my cat while I am gone
Street Halo 12"
Simply Saline spray

Annoying Things

Barely getting Kurt's Coachella ticket before leaving for Indio
Waiting for the set times
Set time conflicts
Getting a horrible cold/allergy attack two days before leaving on vacation
Forecast of 98 degrees each day of the festival