Purity Ring - "glacier ::in memory of rs::"

Purity Ring's latest self-titled record ends beautifully with a touching tribute to the late, great Ryuichi Sakamoto, which samples music from his soundtrack to the David Bowie-starring film, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.

 

Lady Gaga ft. Gesaffelstein) - "Killah"

Mayhem is a return to form for Lady Gaga, leaning more into weird artpop, which is always her sweet spot. "Killah," a collaboration with Gesaffelstein, marries Depeche Mode beats with David Bowie/Prince swagger.

Car Seat Headrest - "Golden Years (David Bowie Cover)"

Last year, Car Seat Headrest released their album Making A Door Less Open, and they have just released two EPs. One is a set of remixes of songs from the album called MADLO: Remixes and the other is called MADLO: Influences, which features cover songs of artists that influenced the album, including Kate Bush, The Who, and Nine Inch Nails. My favorite, however, is their cover of David Bowie's "Golden Years." I love how they lean into his plastic soul sound, which suits them very well.

Jam of the Day: Nine Inch Nails - "God Break Down The Door"

Menacing new track from Nine Inch Nails, incorporating pulsating synths and skronking saxophones, sounding like an industrial homage to David Bowie's later work.

Jam of the Day: Matthew Dear - "Modafinil Blues"

I'm digging this sleek, Bowie-esque art pop track from Matthew Dear.

2016 Favorite Albums (Numbers 10-1)

Without further ado, here are my top ten albums of 2016:

10.

Warpaint - Heads Up

Perfect mixture of their first album's driving post-punk and their sophomore album's murky electronics.

9.

Porches - Pool

Water themes abound in this haunting collection of synth pop masterpieces.

8.

The Weeknd - Starboy

The Weeknd is now firmly entrenched as a pop star, and he takes it to the next level with this deliciously varied set of R&B, pop, and electronic tracks.

7.

James Blake - The Colour in Anything

Yes, it is way too long and needed some judicious editing. With that said, the jewels here far outnumbered the duds. Further exploring that wonderful voice, Blake married it to the most richly textural electronics in recent memory. Each song is deeply felt, and is akin to aural sculpture.

6.

Beyonce - Lemonade

Only someone of Queen Bey's stature release an album about her husband's infidelity (with his assistance) and come out stronger and better than ever. This is a ferocious record that has Bey trying on all sorts of different musical looks, and making them all work for her.

5.

Solange - A Seat at the Table

While her sister's album has garnered a lot of attention, it wasn't enough to overshadow this stunning record. For me, Solange just barely edges out Bey, more because this album felt more like a cohesive cycle of songs about what it means to be black and a woman in these times. It also skyrockets Solange into the upper echelons of songwriters. A truly amazing experience.

4.

Beacon - Escapements

Ice cold synths and whispered vocals propel these tracks, reflecting on time, love, and memory. While to some this minimalism may be off putting, but for me, this duo expertly keeps you focused on their intricate productions. As the album journeys forward, the intensity rises, and by album's end, you are taken aback by how they have added more acoustic elements into the mix, showing that there is a beating heart at the center of things.

3.

David Bowie - Blackstar

What more there is to say about Bowie? It is likely that we will never ever see anyone like him every again. He left this world a fitting epitaph to his life and work, the stunning Blackstar. For an album that is mostly about ruminations on death, there is a creative vitality to this work that shows the life still emanating from this great man. RIP David Bowie. My life has been better for having had you exist in it.

2.

Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

Aside from "Burn the Witch," A Moon Shaped Pool is Radiohead's quietest record, full of ballads and lullabies. There is a despondency in these songs that is heartbreaking. Thom Yorke's haunting, very human voice gives the album its center and keeps it from being too morose. Radiohead are never satisfied with doing things the same way each time. It's a testament to their career, that they keep pushing the envelope, and A Moon Shaped Pool is certainly no exception.

1.

Haelos - Full Circle

I am sure most people are like, who? And, why this album? At the beginning of this year, I was tasked with taking the California bar exam, and this record was basically my life-line back to reality. I had very little free time while going through that experience and I would pretty much listen to it early in the morning when going to the gym and through getting to and from work. There is nothing ground-breaking about their sound. It's an update on 90s trip-hop, but there is a wonderful, warm glow beneath the sounds. The harmonies especially are magical. While the songs all touch on the hardships of love, and the hardships of existing in this insane world, that underlying warmth provided hope. We all need hope. That is why this is my record of the year. It's gorgeous.

2016 Favorite Songs (Numbers 50-41)

Once again, it is that time for end of the year lists. It was a really good year for music, which made it even more difficult to come up with my choices. This week I will be counting down to my favorite song of the year. Here are my selections for 2016, starting with numbers 50-41:

50. Blaqk Audio - "First to Love"



Since Depeche Mode still refuses to up the BPMs on their songs, we have to get our dance floor slammers from Blaqk Audio.

49. M83 - "Solitude"



Though the album Junk pretty much lives up to its title, this track is a gorgeous, cinematic stunner.

48. Underworld - "Low Burn"



Love the build up on this track; it's a great driving song.

47. Pantha du Prince - "Frau Im Mond, Sterne Laufen"



The only way to describe this song is techno lullaby.

46. FFX - "Little Boy"



Thumpingly good bass track from German duo FFX.

45. Deftones - "Prayers/Triangles"



Another amazing single from Deftones that perfectly meshes the atmospheric with the pummeling.

44. Braille Face - "Backwards/Medicated"



Haunting bedroom pop track from Braille Face.

43. David Bowie - "Lazarus"



David Bowie left this earth a better place with his music. His final album was truly brilliant, and this lead single was quite magical; a fitting rumination on aging and death.

42. Rihanna ft. SZA - "Consideration"



Sometimes simple is best. Over a skeleton beat and minimal musical backing, Rihanna and SZA's verses flow and intertwine with one another.

41. Clams Casino ft. Kelela - "A Breath Away"



Gorgeous future R&B from Clams Casino, featuring the emotive vocals of Kelela.

RIP: David Bowie

There will never be another soul like him. I'm completely gutted today.

Jam of the Day: David Bowie - "Lazarus"

Haunting track from Bowie's brilliant new record Blackstar.

Video: David Bowie - "Sue (Or A Season In Crime)"

Arty, black and white clip for this new track off David Bowie's upcoming career-spanning anthology Nothing Has Changed.

2013 Favorite Albums (50-41)

Last week I unveiled my Top Songs of 2013, and this week will be focused on my Top Albums. To get this week started off, here are Numbers 50 through 41.

50. Esben & The Witch - Wash The Sins Not Only The Face

On their second release, Wash The Sins Not Only The Face, UK trio Esben and the Witch continue their reverential exploration of moody, gothic inspired art rock. In revisiting their debut album Violet Cries (which I gave a very favorable review to here), I was still struck how dynamic their music was, but also how formal and rather stiff it could be. Expecting a similar palate of music and themes this go around, I was astonished from the open notes of "Iceland Spar" how more expansive and open their sound had gotten. It is still unmistakably Esben and the Witch, but where on Violet Cries they almost sought to be obtuse and off putting, here there is a warmth that was missing earlier, where now the songs tend to stick more to more standard song structures rather than meandering, but still allowing moments of experimentation and stark beauty.

49. Lorde - Pure Heroine

Although she is only 16, New Zealand singer Lorde (nee Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor) projects an image of a world-weary soul bored with all the trappings of our Internet age. While this could snarkily come across as the usual "teenagers think they know everything" cliche, Lorde is smart enough not to head down this path, choosing, for the most part, to use her critiques more towards expressing dissatisfaction, seeking more from life. Teaming up with writer/producer Joel Little for her debut Pure Heroine, Lorde works within a tightly controlled sound, however, these tracks, while thematically and musically linked, work together without sounding too monochromatic. While most people flocked to the record for her hit single "Royals," it was deeper cuts like "Ribs" and "400 Lux" that pull you in deeper and show the depth of her talent.

48. Gesaffelstein - Aleph

Probably best known at the moment for producing "Black Skinhead" and "Send It Up" on Kanye West's industrial leaning record Yeezus, French techno producer Mike Levy's debut record Aleph is a dense, foreboding set of dark techno. On listening to these tracks, one immediately sees what drew West to use the producer, as every square inch of each track is polished to a superhuman sheen, dripping with menace and darkness, even on the handful of more atmospheric numbers. Drawing from traditional techno to more intense genres like industrial and EBM, with even a slight touchdown in hip-hop, Levy has constructed an immaculately produced set of tracks. At over an hour, it is not an easy listen, with several of the tracks pummeling you with over-the-top aggression. The pacing, however, breaks up these intense assaults with carefully placed moments that pull you back into this sleek world.

47. David Bowie - The Next Day

From its defacing of the iconic album cover for "Heroes," The Next Day, David Bowie's 24th studio album and first record in 10 years, immediately announces itself as presenting the modern age Bowie through the refracted lens of his past work, specifically his storied Berlin trilogy. At 66, Bowie is no longer the restless chameleon who changed his persona and musical direction with each record; no longer does Bowie set trends or even attempt to stay in touch with current trends. The Next Day finally shows Bowie being comfortable with being Bowie, able to make music on his own terms without great expectations. Though this is Bowie's most relaxed set of music in years, perhaps decades, thematically it is one of his most introspective and melancholic, with these 14 tracks contemplating the past and the affects of age and memory, an album haunted by the ghosts.

46. When Saints Go Machine - Infinity Pool

Danish electro outfit When Saints Go Machine will likely never be accused of going mainstream; they are much too enamored of bending machine made sounds into the most twisted shapes imaginable. Over the course of two albums they have jumped back and forth from somewhat more traditional synthpop tracks (with a much needed edge) and extremely challenging soundscapes and musical experiments. I keep waiting for that one album from them that balances these two forces equally, creating that perfect blend of pop savvy and sonic exploration. Their last record Konkylie was about as close as they could get for me so far, with just a few too many tracks that skirted too close over the line at times into too experimental. The first two teaser singles for new record Infinity Pool immediately got my attention. "Love and Respect" featured a more hip-hop leaning bent, with boom bap programming and a guest turn from Atlanta rapper Killer Mike, showing a new edge previously missing from their records. While "Iodine," a more traditionally WSGM synthpop track, initially didn't make as stunning impression, its all-enveloping warmth and humanity washed over you so easily, taking you into its considerable spell. So with trepidation I received the full length album, really wanting every track to strike me the way these two did. While none of the remaining tracks hit the highs set by these two tracks, ultimately Infinity Pool works as a yang to Konkylie's yin, providing a similar experience, albeit one that is darker and more challenging, but yet still admirable.

45. Young Galaxy - Ultramarine

Montreal quintet Young Galaxy's first records went practically unnoticed by me, their Broken Social Scene/Arcade Fire-lite alternative rock was workman like and pleasant but lacked any type of individual spark that would make them transcend the comparisons with their countrymen. It wasn't until 2011's Shapeshifting that something interesting happened. The band, feeling a bizarre need to shake things up, sent the tapes for Shapeshifting over to Dan Lissik, former member of Swedish pop act Studio, who spread his Balearic magic over the album's 11 tracks. There was something fortuitous in this partnership as the resulting album gave the band much needed spark and buzz. It was an album of elegantly gorgeous synth pop that just got better and better with each listen. Wanting to keep their forward momentum going, Young Galaxy once again enlisted the production duties of Dan Lissik, and have come up with another insanely catchy collection of tracks that builds upon the foundation set by Shapeshifting.

44. Savages - Silence Yourself

We live in an age where there is so much technological overkill it is a wonder we can ever find peace and quiet these days, our senses overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. London quartet Savages appear to be railing against this turn of events, proclaiming in their manifesto that "”The world used to be silent. Now it has too many voices. The noise is a constant distraction." They have even gone so far as to try and, while not outright ban use of cell phones at concerts, at least make the audience aware that they are missing out on the connection between the band and audience by focusing too much on technology. While their music might add to said noise, it it is definitely going to grab and hold your attention. Although I have yet to see Savages live, it has been reported (which wasn't word of mouth the best way to hear of a band in the first place?) that their live shows are a revelation, and if the music on their assured debut Silence Yourself is any indication, I can definitely see why. Missing the post-punk revival by at least 10 years, Savages don't wallow in the mire of Joy Division, but align themselves more with the economy of sound of early Wire coupled with the brash feminism of Siouxsie and the Banshees while still allowing more modern influences seep in here and there, be it PJ Harvey's commanding way with a riff, or Karen O's astonishing lead vocal presence.

43. ON AN ON - Give In

Rising from the ashes of indie stalwarts Scattered Trees, Nate Eiesland, Alissa Ricci, and Ryne Estwing decided to continue on under a the new name ON AN ON, and worked with Broken Social Scene producer Dave Newfeld for their debut record Give In. Despite only having two weeks to regroup and plan their new approach, ON AN ON have crafted a remarkably assured debut record which builds from the influences of acts like BSS, Arcade Fire, and Radiohead. Give In creates a nice tension between acoustic and electronic elements that seldom feels forced or rushed, while chief songwriter Eisland finds interesting turns of phrase that linger long in the memory. From opening track and first single "Ghosts" you know you are in for something special. Minimal drum programming and subtle atmospherics lead into booming drums and chugging guitar riffs that slowly gestates into something more epic yet still intimate. Eisland's haunting words "I was on the verge to scream/When you wouldn't scream about anything" pushing his friend to keep alive, and pushes the track into immortality.

42. Banks - London EP

LA singer BANKS releases her second EP of the year, the 4 track stunner London, showcasing her sultry delivery and immaculate taste in collaborators, aligning herself with up and comers SOHN, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Lil Silva, and Jamie Woon. BANKS hangs in a sort of netherworld between pop, R&B, electronic, and indie-alternative, never really putting her foot firmly into any one camp, choosing to float loosely over them all, taking what works best to suit her sexy voice.

41. Drake - Nothing Was The Same

For arguably the most popular rapper at the moment, Drake sure puts out some strange albums, full of inward looking lyrics and some of the most atmospheric and texturally interesting backing tracks. Most of his records ping pong back and forth between straight up rap tracks and R&B crooners, sometimes blurring the lines between both. I find him more interesting when he sticks to one over the other, his raps being more of his hyper-id personality, full of broad boasts and some of his most chillingly harsh attacks on women, friends, and family, while his more vocal focused tracks find him in a more contemplative mood, looking deep inside himself, being his most harsh critic. His last record, Take Care, is, for me, the most representative and best of his records, finding the right balance between his two personas. That is not to say that his latest record, Nothing Was The Same, is a less impressive release. It is still one of, if not the best hip-hop records of the year, but for me it is Drake really trying to find himself, and with that stretch, the record is a bold experiment that works almost all the time. But when you stretch this hard, it is bound to be a mess at points, and there is a lot to criticize here, but overall, these mistakes somehow make him more human.

Non-Sequiturs

Damn.

Big Poppa!

Guns.

Leather Daddy.

Nice belly.

Handsome as hell.

Grrrr.

Police booty.

On the couch.

On the couch 2.

Damn damn.

Gorgeous.

I bet he'd jack hammer me hard.

Wow.

Woof.

So cute.

Adorable.

UNF

Sexy.

Sup?

Grrrrr.

Groink!

Perfect.

Amazing body.

Hey daddy!

Cigar daddy.

Yes please.

So beautiful.

I can't believe it is already December.

Andrew and I put up a Christmas tree. It is the first time I have put up decorations in over 7 years.

I hate coming in to work on Mondays when I don't feel well.

And it is on days when I don't feel well that I appreciate that my job is sometimes less mentally taxing.

Snicker.

How can no one else see that someone is just a complete and utter self-absorbed, egotistic asshole?

I have never taken a selfie at the gym.

Logictech has the most bizarre logo.

Working from home is always good in theory, not so much in execution.

Yeah, do it.

Carrie Underwood doing a live version of The Sound of Music. She has a beautiful voice, but lacks any sort of emotive capability.

I wish more people would learn the correct usage of "since" and "because."

When did pet medications become "great stocking stuffers?"

Too true.

I will be so glad when football season is over.

Thanksgiving is all about the mashed potatoes.

I love Will & Grace, but I do feel the show went downhill after Grace met Leo.

Although it is a little on the evil side, I do enjoy using the birthdays feature on FB to determine whether to unfriend someone or not. No interaction in the time we have been friends on there? Buh-bye!

Your cute of the day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Brain

"Poor soul
Spit upon that
Poor soul
He never knew what hit him
And it hit him so

Poor dunce
He pushed back the pig men
The Barbs laughed
The fool is dead

Poor dunce
He's less than within us
The brains talk
But the will to live is dead

And prayer can't travel
So far these days
The talk of your life
Standing so near
To innocent eyes, poor dunce

Swings through the tunnels
And claws his way
Is small life so manic
Are these really the days

Poor dunce
Poor dunce
Poor soul
Poor soul
Poor soul."

David Bowie
"A Small Plot of Land"

"That's how it starts
We go back to your house
We check the charts
And start to figure it out

And if it's crowded, all the better
Because we know we're gonna be up late
But if you're worried about the weather
Then you picked the wrong place to stay
That's how it starts

And so it starts
You switch the engine on
We set controls for the heart of the sun
One of the ways we show our age

And if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up
And I still don't wanna stagger home
Then it's the memory of our betters
That are keeping us on our feet

You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan
And the next five years trying to be with your friends again

You're talking 45 turns just as fast as you can
Teah, I know it gets tired, but it's better when we pretend

It comes apart
The way it does in bad films
Except in parts
When the moral kicks in

Though when we're running out of the drugs
And the conversation's winding away
I wouldn't trade one stupid decision
For another five years of life

You drop the first ten years just as fast as you can
And the next ten people who are trying to be polite
When you're blowing eighty-five days in the middle of France
Yeah, I know it gets tired only where are your friends tonight?

And to tell the truth
Oh, this could be the last time
So here we go
Like a sales force into the night

And if I made a fool, if I made a fool, if I made a fool
On the road, there's always this
And if I'm sewn into submission
I can still come home to this

And with a face like a dad and a laughable stand
You can sleep on the plane or review what you said
When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks
You think over and over, "hey, I'm finally dead."

Oh, if the trip and the plan come apart in your hand
Tou look contorted on yourself your ridiculous prop
You forgot what you meant when you read what you said
And you always knew you were tired, but then
Where are your friends tonight?

Where are your friends tonight?
Where are your friends tonight?

If I could see all my friends tonight
If I could see all my friends tonight
If I could see all my friends tonight
If I could see all my friends tonight."

LCD Soundsystem
"All My Friends"

"10:15
10:15
Saturday night
Saturday night
And the tap drips
And the tap drips
Under the strip light
Under the strip light
And I'm sitting
And I'm sitting
In the kitchen sink
In the kitchen sink
And the tap drips
And the tap drips
Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip
Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip

Waiting
Waiting
For the telephone to ring
For the telephone to ring
And I'm wondering
And I'm wondering
Where she's been
Where she's been
And I'm crying
And I'm crying
For yesterday
For yesterday
And the tap drips
And the tap drips
Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip
Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip

It's always the same
It's always the same."

The Cure
"10:15 Saturday Night"

Appealing Things

Andrew taking care of me when I am sick
Evil, soulless people leaving Atlanta
Walgreens Health Clinic
Christmas parties with Andrew for the first time
Bumble tree ornament
Toy Party

Annoying Things

Evil, soulless people moving to one of my favorite cities
Figuring out your flu is a nasty sinus infection
People who don't get a hint
December rain
Walgreens pharmacy: total clusterfuck