2017 Favorite Albums (Numbers 50-41)

This week I will count down my 2017 Favorite Albums, starting with Numbers 50-41.

50.  Cigarettes After Sex - Cigarettes After Sex



If the Twin Peaks series needed a house band, Cigarettes After Sex would have won hands down. Nicotine-stained vocals, molasses slow drum beats, beds of pillow soft synths, and the ever present echo/reverb-laden guitars, are this band's calling cards. While some will say this record was a bit samey over the long haul, I thought of it more as variations on a theme. Several songs, including "Apocalypse" and "Each Time You Fall In Love," are instant classics, and send me into dreamy reveries.

49.  Ibeyi - Ash



French-Cuban twins Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz's second album borrows liberally from world beat, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and alternative electronia and creates a full-bodied musical soup, one that is layered and full of flavors.

48.  Zola Jesus - Okovi



After trying to go in a more pop music direction, Zola Jesus (a.k.a. Nika Danilova) wisely returns to her true calling, making intense, goth-flavored music that is heavy, yet never heavy handed. These dark, personal songs contain booming drums, ominous strings, and other-worldly synths, and of course her deep, rich voice.

47.  Lana Del Rey - Lust for Life



At this point in Lana Del Rey's (a.k.a. Elizabeth Grant) career, you are either going to love her or hate her. I am definitely in the former category. With each album, she tweaks her sound ever so gently, honing it until it gets more pointed and direct. Lust for Life is the best distillation of the Lana Del Rey persona, and I can only hope it gets better and better from here on out. Also, this record is just damn gorgeous.

46.  Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder



After a long hiatus, Broken Social Scene returned with Hug of Thunder, which more than lives up to its title. Over these masterfully confident rock tracks, one is enveloped in a warm cocoon of rushing guitars and intense purpose. They haven't felt this laser focused in a long time, and it is good to have them back.

45.  Liars - TFCF

TFCF, Liars' first record as ostensibly a solo vehicle for Angus Andrew, is a haunted break-up record, about the "death" of his creative relationship with former member Aaron Hemphill. The album is definitely a Liars record, still full of oddities and striving to push the boundaries of pop music. For the first time though, the record feels alone and isolated, you feel the pain of these songs. While it may not be my favorite Liars record, it is one of Liars most distinctive.

44.  Porcelain Raft - Microclimate



Twelve painstakingly layered dream pop tracks that, like microclimates, inhabit their own distinct worlds. This album is so easy to get lost in.

43.  Cloud Nothings - Life Without Sound



Although they have sanded down most of their endearing rough edges, Cloud Nothings still feel edgy and on the brink of collapse. Life Without Sound is by far their cleanest sounding record, which is not to mean it feels gutted, the sonic clarity enables the band to build in ever denser layers. It is a promising direction from a band that is not comfortable sticking to one approach.

42.  Arca - Arca



Radical, experimental pop music from Arca that is so far ahead of what else is out there at the moment, it is difficult to imagine anyone catching up with him.

41.  Kehlani - SweetSexySavage



One of the most assured R&B/pop records in recent years, Kehlani's SweetSexySavage recalls the best of TLC and Aaliyah while stamping it with her own personality.

Videos of the Week

Been awhile, but here are some awesome videos from this week:



Claustrophobic video for this intense Zola Jesus track.



Colorful, stop-motion animation clip for the is bouncy Django Django song.



Gorgeously filmed video for Floating Points.



Cute clip from up and coming Toronto pop singer Bossie.



Intense and dark clip from The Weeknd.

Videos of the Week

It was a very long and busy week. Here are some videos to get us right into the weekend:

Get More:
Purity Ring, Push Pull, Music, More Music Videos

The first video from Purity Ring's upcoming sophomore record Another Eternity is for the song "Push Pull," which finds singer Megan James in ethereal, gossamer mode.



Zola Jesus as sculpture in this clip for "Hunger."



Intriguing animated clip for this collaboration between Lxury and Deptford Goth.



Humorous clip for Interpol's latest single, showing the band members getting ready for a NYC show, with singer Paul Banks being the dick everyone assumes he is.



Beautifully shot clip from Boxed In features Oli Bayston interacting with a beached whale.



Cloakroom record amid a variety of different landscapes.



Dramatic, shoegazey track from Programm gets an elegantly shot black and white video.



New Zealand trio Yumi Zouma work some Twin Peaks' vibes in this clip.



Trippy clip from Run the Jewels.

Jillian Hervey, the daughter of Vanessa Williams, fronts Lion Babe, featuring her and producer Lucas Goodman. This clip for their song "Treat Me Like Fire" is a simple performance clip, but Hervey is such a striking presence, it is difficult to look away.



Arty clip from Barcelona post-punk band Mourn.

Jam of the Day: Zola Jesus - "Nail"

Majestic ballad from Zola Jesus' upcoming record Taiga.

Non-Sequiturs

Drool.

Handsome man.

Gorgeous fur and beard.

Woof.

Lovely abs.

Damn.

Wow.

I love a man in uniform.

Stocky.

Love the view.

Hot fur and belly.

Yum.

That is a damn hot man.

Gorgeous.

UNF.

Woof daddy.

Oink.

I know this is several weeks late. I went on vacation and decided to just take a small vacation from posting as well.

Andrew and I went to the Folsom Street Fair 2014 in San Francisco. It was my 3rd and his 2nd. Here are some observations and musings:

While Real Bad is the big party I like the most, my favorite party is the Big Muscle Bear party. It is small and intimate and a great way to spend Saturday afternoon.

Real Bad is still a blast. The organizers put on a an excellent event that is hard to top. I just wish it was a little less crowded, and not as hot.

The producers of Magnitude completely impressed me this year with their first time at Treasure Island. Logistically, everything was on point.

Aftershock, the after hours party, is still an unholy mess if you get there right when it opens. Wait until about 5:30 or 6 AM before going so all the crowd rush subsides.

We rented a house in Protero Hill through AirBnB and, aside from it being a little farther from where we initially thought it was, it turned out to be a nice diversion from the usual hotels. Also, it was infinitely cheaper.

Walking down the hill to the market was nice. The walk back up was killer.

Uber was our savior.

San Francisco will always be my hometown.

The Folsom Fair itself has become overrun with straight people gawking and has become, for me, not the focus of the weekend. We went to the fair, but only stayed a few hours.

The big parties are a lot of fun, but the best times of the trip were were the smaller moments, the house parties, or just meeting up with friends for a happy hour.

Even if you don't spend anything there, a trip to Mr. S Leather is a must.

I am on the host committee of a local charity called Ready For Hope that raises money to benefit AID Atlanta. After a year of events, we had our final weekend of five parties. At the closing party Sunday night, we revealed the grand total, which was over $45,000. I am very proud to be a member of this organization.

The week before vacation might as well be a vacation week, considering my mind is only focused on vacation.

Having no plans is having plans sometimes.

I am ready for fall. These last gasp humid summer days are killing me.

I so want to say this to certain people.

I have to admit, I never really got into The Sopranos.

I don't begrudge anyone their hard earned vacations but, damn, it always seems like some people are always traveling to some exotic, fun location.

Seriously Urban Outfitters, you are selling a "vintage" blood-splattered Kent State sweatshirt? SMH.

Today we leave for San Francisco and the Folsom Street Fair. I am so ready for this.

I have a few people in mind for this.

Why do I have to get a cold two days before leaving for San Francisco? At least it is a minor one.

Don't ask for advice if you aren't willing to hear the truth.

I realize I haven't watched Project Runway in awhile when I barely recognized any of the contestants on this season of All Stars.

There is something very gratifying about turning on the "out of office reply" on your work email for vacation.

Yes.

I can't resist Krispy Kreme donuts.

Every one's happiness is the same, but everyone's sadness is different.

Desperation is not an attractive trait.

Intelligence is far more attractive than looks.

Do you ever feel like your life is waiting for you to catch up with it?

LOL.

I hate Tuesday mornings because Andrew is in a very long meeting at his work and we don't get to chat almost the whole morning.

Ok Purity Ring, time for some new music.

While I commend Flying Lotus for tackling funk and jazz on his latest record You're Dead!, I really miss his more typically Brainfeeder-esque material. I just can't get emotionally invested in what he is doing anymore.

I absolutely detest politics; or at least modern politics. That is not to say that I don't follow them and keep up with them because I do want to be an informed voter, however, all the negative ads make me want to trash my television.

Ha ha.

I love soy sauce.

If I ever have a daughter I am going to name her Lizard then she'll get the nickname Liz and everyone will ask "Is that short for Elizabeth?" and she'll have to say "no, my name is Lizard."

The other day I was listening to The Unforgettable Fire from U2 and what struck me is how lifeless the band has now become. Even though The Unforgettable Fire is a messy, sloppy album, it is still brimming with ideas and, more importantly, passion.

Your cute for the day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Brain

"How am I supposed to survive
If I don’t know what’s wrong and what’s right
How am I supposed to know freedom?
If I don’t know, I’m living inside
Cuz you’ve got the nail to my all
My origins ain’t nobody’s work
You’ve got the nail to my all
A numb tic-tok can’t even control

Set me free
Pull the nail out with your teeth
Set me free Don’t leave me wasted

Slave hits the coal
And every luck is turned to gray
Sounds try to talk
And the words make sense in their own way
But it is a slave through it’s owner
And I won’t let nobody take it over
No, I won’t let nobody take it over
And all my whole like I won’t turn a shoulder
To the visions that keep us divided
Can’t hold on the cry that keep me who I am

Set me free
Pull the nail out with your teeth
Set me free
Don’t leave me wasted."

Zola Jesus
"Nail"

"I don't know where this night will end
If I open up the door
To the back of your simple mind
Will you end it and call the flood
When it all becomes too much
Spread your last legs
In the times you are afraid
In a room full of clouds
If I'm blowing myself away
Get through the bad times
Two birds on a wall
Your nose just grows
But you're just another drop
With this weather it is cold
We're waiting from the rocks
While you're waiting on the tide
Through the bad times
If I'm blowing myself away
Under hot florescent lights
Two birds on a wall
Your nose just grows and grows
(One day I'll grow up tall and I will be with you)."

Thom Yorke
"Nose Grows Some"

Appealing Things

A ton of our San Francisco friends coming to Atlanta for Pride
Working from home during a fire drill at work
Zola Jesus
Carnitas
Two weekends in a row with little to do
Finally in the mood for fall

Annoying Things

Waiting for my iPhone upgrade
Cleaning house when you are tired
Needy cats when you are working from home
When you think it is Friday and it is only Thursday

Videos of the Week

Here are the videos of the week:



Sweeping track from Zola Jesus gets a suitably sweeping video.



Kaleidoscopic black and white clip from Dublin noise-merchants Girl Band.



Diarrhea Planet recreate the opening to The Adventures of Pete and Pete in this fun clip.



Striking clip for this percussive track from My Brightest Diamond.





Boy and Girl versions of clips for the latest single from Alt-J. The videos are slightly NSFW.



Stylish clip from Danish post-punks Iceage.



Alternate video for the Coldplay collaboration with Avicii.

Jam of the Day: Zola Jesus - "Dangerous Days"

More gorgeous goth-pop from Zola Jesus, which finds her leaning more towards this pop this go around. It suits her well. "Dangerous Days" comes from her upcoming record Taiga.

Video - Orbital ft. Zola Jesus - "New France"

Electronica legends Orbital return this year with Wonky, their first album in over 8 years. First single "New France" with go-to chanteuse Zola Jesus now gets its video, featuring a cute stuffed lion having a hedonistic night out on the town.

Videos of the Week

Looking forward to a fun weekend. Here are the latest videos that bitch slapped me this week:



My favorite song from Friendly Fires. I am thrilled to get to see them tonight at The Loft.



Really dramatic song from Zola Jesus gets a very gothy, dramatic video.



While I am not a huge fan of the new song from Florence + The Machine (way too similar to the first album), I do like the well-shot video.



Video for Junior Boys' single "Banana Ripple."



Not a video, but a track from the debut album from Joker. Very odd song, but I love it.



New video from The Drums. Low key song gets a low key video.

Zola Jesus: Conatus - Album Review

Zola Jesus
Conatus
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Russian-American singer Nika Roza Danilova (a.k.a. Zola Jesus) paints with a very limited palate, primarily shades of black and grey. Through two EPs and now this full length, Danilova pairs her operatic/goth vocal stylings with pummelling drum machines and swirling synthesizers, now adding touches of strings and other instrumentation. If this were the 80s, Danilova would fit effortlessly in the 4AD label roster alongside Dead Can Dance, while drawing subtly from other acts like Siouxsie, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Kate Bush. Conatus is Latin for the philosophical belief that there is an innate inclination of a thing to continue to exist and enhance itself. With Conatus, the album, Danilova has attempted to stretch her sound, stating ""I had it in mind beforehand because I knew that's what I was going through even before I sat down to work on the record, I was already going through that emotional process of trying to push myself." While Conatus is not exactly a re-invention of the Zola Jesus sound, the subtle changes that are made are quite noticeable, as Danilova makes more use of acoustic instrumentation instead of relying solely on electronics.

Tracks like the two closing tracks, "Skin" and "Collapse," use stark piano and ghostly strings, respectively, to add color and dimension to the monochrome palate. The warmth of the music adds a human touch to Danilova's voice, which can be almost overwhelming in its strength and power.





Conatus is a monster of a record, sounding big and taking lots of risks in being so overt; to the point it can be a little too dramatic. After a brief instrumental intro, Danilova kicks right into the forceful building of "Avalanche," which is propelled by thumping drum machines, choirs of synthesizers, and her booming alto.



Likewise, first single "Vessel" is similarly melodramatic and haunting. Stark piano chords pound in between shards of synth drones, drawing comparisons with Fever Ray's icy sounds.



There is a melancholy, dark undertow to Conatus, with little room for humor or even a ray of light. Occasionally, there are small cracks in the dark exterior. From the string swells in the dramatic "Hiikikomori,"



rolling piano trills in the gothic blues of "Lick the Palm of the Burning Handshake,"



or the squiggly electronics burbling under the surface of "Shivers."



Conatus is fairly consistent across the board; I don't think there is even one song on the album I don't enjoy. However, that consistency comes across more as blandness than really strong songwriting. There are no standout singles on the album, or something to really grab your attention. When you listen to the album as a whole, the songs play well together as a cycle; divorce them from each other, and they are just pleasantly dramatic. This is not going to be her breakout album, unfortunately, but it is a good base form which to take her sound to another level. Zola Jesus has been one to watch in 2011, and it looks like it will be a little longer until we get something amazing from her.

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.

M83: Hurry Up. We're Dreaming

M83
Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Rating: Meh

Anthony Gonzalez, the main member of M83, has been building up to this album for quite some time. Moving from their initial more ambient releases, Gonzalez has shown mastery of shoegaze on Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts, epic space rock on the brooding, intense Before the Dawn Heals Us, and emotional 80s referencing college rock/electronic music on his masterpiece Saturdays=Youth. The question is, how do you follow up an album that seemed perfect in every way? Gonzalez has mentioned in interviews that he wanted to make something that would be his, and this era's, defining statement. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, is the result of a very short period of writing and recording, finishing up with 22 tracks all loosely tied together as a dreamscape. First listens are overwhelming; the beautiful and intense production values practically beg for either a great pair of headphones or playing the album at full volume. Unfortunately, subsequent listens, instead of being a treasure trove of missed details and surprises, reveal the album to be rather repetitive and unengaging. I always get nervous when a band wants to take a huge leap with a follow up to a classic album, I suppose the high from the success makes all the adrenaline cause delusions of grandeur, which few can translate into something seminal. Not that Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is a fiasco or anything. Seriously, there is a brilliant classic album lurking within these 22 tracks, however, the bloat and excess kill any flow that the album gets. Towards the end of the record you are just begging for it to be over with.

The beginning of the album starts with so much promise. The first five tracks are classic M83, full of analog synth swells and catchy melodies. Opening track "Intro" with Zola Jesus on vocals sets the bar pretty high, creating an excellent over-the-top but not quite calling card.

M83 - Intro (Feat. Zola Jesus) by edin2sun

And lead single "Midnight City" is one of his most goofy, catchy pop songs. Full of odd details like the hiccuping vocal sample, swarming synths, and even time for a cheesy sax solo straight out of St. Elmo's Fire.



"Reunion" is a driving, guitar led track, with an extremely catchy chorus.

M-83 Reunion by ProjectX1

"Wait" is a gorgeous ballad full of lush string swells, and a faintly Pink Floyd melancholy vibe.

M83 - Wait by Reike

Even the ridiculously goofy "Raconte-Moi Une Histoire" with blurping synths, plunky guitars, and seriously cute child-story sample, gets by on its charm and quirkiness.

Moi Une Histoire by icouldbeafish

These opening tracks really gave a false sense of hope for the album, as it was track after track of pure pop bliss, however, there is a long stretch of instrumentals and pointless tracks that stop the flow in their tracks. While there appears to be some melodic themes weaving through the record, it is rather indiscriminate and doesn't add much to the experience. You can see Gonzalez reaching for something grandiose and "important," but too often the songs just are filled with pretty instrumentation but lack any heart or through message. "Soon My Friend" and "My Tears Are Becoming A Sea" are perfect examples of how it is all surface but nothing inside. Things pick up towards the back half of the album, with the brilliant 80s funk-pop of "OK Pal," and the dense and rushing "New Map."

M83 - New Map by Drugs and Mirrors

But then, once again, the album bogs down with too many ethereal "important" instrumentals that are supposed to convey a sense of gravity to the album, but merely brings things to a screeching halt. I am not sure if the album was sequenced better if the experience would improve. I just grew weary with all of the fanfares and competing swells of synths, strings, and organs. Somewhere within this massive amount of songs is a great one disc record. Gonzalez still knows how to write a great pop song, he just doesn't need to overwhelm them within this excessive, bloated record. Further creating issues is Gonzalez' decision to sing more on the album. He has an uncanny ear for choosing excellent collaborators, however, his thin, reedy voice just can't carry a record of this magnitude. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is too much too soon. Gonzalez had just found his "sound" and should have stuck a little closer to the Saturdays=Youth template before trying something this ambitious. This record, instead of being an unqualified triumph, merely becomes an interesting curio.

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.

Videos of the Week

Finally it's Friday and here are the latest videos that are making me happy or angry:



First official video from the new Blonde Redhead cd Penny Sparkle. The reviews for the cd were decidedly mixed owing to the fact that it is a more electronic sound and much less guitar is utilized. I went into the cd heavily prejudiced against it, and luckily pushed those thoughts aside and fell in love with it. It is dreamy and insular, much like my favorite Bjork cd Vespertine.



Delorean's new cd Subiza started out in my favorites, but somehow has fallen out of favor lately. I still find it enjoyable, but not to the extent I did before. With that said, this is a fine single from the album with a pretty odd video. Killer puppies!



Although their sophomore cd Surfing The Void is a bit of a letdown, first single "Echoes" is a phenomenal blast of gorgeous pop music.



Another video from Blonde Redhead, this one a performance clip of first track on the new cd, "Here Sometimes."



Imaginative clip for new single from Amon Tobin. Creepy, then decidedly sweet.



Haunting clip for the goth chanteuse Zola Jesus. She is opening for The xx on their latest tour. As I have seen them three times this year, I am not going to make it to this one.

Snow And Taxis from Gold Panda on Vimeo.

Gorgeously shot video for new single from Gold Panda.



I couldn't believe that this was an actual commercial until I saw it on television. Completely over the top. Love it!



Pleasant song from Junip made even better from a bat-shit crazy video.



Creepy video from Royksopp for the new single "The Drug." The song is not really much and the entire cd is pretty disappointing.



Almost all electronic single from the new Deerhunter cd. They just sound better and better with each new release.