DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN JANUARY:
1. IRON & WINE-“KISS EACH OTHER CLEAN” (HORRIBLE. APPARENTLY SAM BEAM IS NOW OBSESSED WITH “PISS” LATELY SINCE THE WORD SHOWS UP IN SEVERAL SONGS. THE WRITING IS TERRIBLE, CRINGE INDUCING. EVERYTHING HE MAY HAVE LEARNED FROM CALEXICO HAS APPARENTLY ALL WORN OFF AND THIS IS WHAT HE’S BECOME NOW. THIS IS A TERRIBLE EXAMPLE OF WHAT POPULARITY CAN DO TO SOME PEOPLE. DEFINITELY WORST RELEASE OF THE YEAR SO FAR. CONGRATULATIONS!)
2. DANIEL MARTIN MOORE-“IN THE COOL OF THE DAY” (I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS A RELIGIOUS ALBUM. I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO IT BUT I DO LIKE DANIEL’S OTHER ALBUM WITH BEN SOLLEE. THE MUSIC IS NICE SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A RELIGIOUS RECORD THAT’S NEW THEN THIS COULD BE FOR YOU.)
3. CHAIN AND THE GANG-“CRY, CRY, CRY OVER YOU B/W SNAKES ON A PLANE” (SINGLE) (HORRIBLE! IAN FROM THE MAKE UP AND EVERY OTHER BAND HE COULDN’T MAKE WORK. HE’S DEFINITELY PAST RETIREMENT DATE. SAD)
4. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM-“LONDON SESSIONS” (I CAN HONESTLY SAY I’M NOT A FAN. I’VE LIKED A FEW SONGS OVER THE YEARS BUT LISTENING TO THIS SESSION I CAN SAY THESE SONGS DON’T STAND UP AT ALL. I’M SO BORED AND COULDN’T WAIT FOR THIS CRAP TO END. TOTALLY OVERRATED! AND HIS ATTENTION GRABBING “I’M ENDING LCD AND THESE ARE MY FINAL SHOWS” SO HE CAN PLAY BIG ROOMS LIKE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IS SO PATHETIC.)
5. YOUNG THE GIANT-“YOUNG THE GIANT” (INSIPID AND COMPLETELY UNORIGINAL. AN APPARENTLY UNASHAMED ATTEMPT TO BE COLDPLAY. JUST LISTEN TO “ISLANDS” OR “GUNS OUT” OR THE U2 WANNABE SINGLE OF “MY BODY” (IF YOU CAN) AND YOU CAN HEAR THAT THIS BAND ASPIRES TO MORE BLANDLESS THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. IT’S BORING AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO SAY. MAKE IT STOP!!!)
FAVOURITE SINGLES BY MONTH:
JANUARY (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. WIRE-“NOW WAS”
2. WIRE-“MOREOVER”
3. PURO INSTINCT-“STILYAGI”
4. SHONKY-“LE VELOUR (FRANCK ROGER COSMIC VERSION”
5. BAD VEINS-“GOOD PEOPLE”
6. ABIGAIL WASHBURN-“CHAINS”
7. BRITISH SEA POWER-“WHO’S IN CONTROL
8. BRITISH SEA POWER-“WE ARE SOUND”
9. THE DUKE SPIRIT-“EVERYBODY’S UNDER YOUR SPELL”
10. BRITISH SEA POWER-“OBSERVE THE SKIES”
11. EDIE BRICKELL-“PILL”
12. EDIE BRICKELL-“YOU COME BACK”
13. LISA GERRARD-“SLEEP”
14. BROKEN RECORDS-“A DARKNESS RISES UP”
15. CAGE THE ELEPHANT-“RIGHT BEFORE THE EYES”
16. JURGEN PAAPE-“WE LOVE”
17. THE DECEMBERISTS-“DOWN BY THE WATER” (W/ GILLIAN WELCH)
18. THE DECEMBERISTS-“THIS IS WHY WE FIGHT”
19. DISAPPEARS-“HALO”
20. DOLOREAN-“THINSKINNED”
21. DUCKTAILS-“ART VANDELAY”
22. MOGWAI-“HASENHEIDE”
23. THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS-“THE BEST EXPLANATION”
24. THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS-“THE GENERAL PUBLIC”
25. THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS-“PART OF YOUR NATURE”
26. THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS-“TO BE YOUR LOSS”
27. THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS-“WHO IS THEY”
28. SMITH WESTERNS-“ALL DIE YOUNG”
29. SMITH WETERNS-“DANCE AWAY”
30. R.E.M.-“DISCOVERER”
31. THE JOY FORMIDABLE-“WHIRRING”
32. MILLIONYOUNG-“REPLICANTS”
33. SOME COMMUNITY-“RANDOM WORDS”
34. CULTS-“OH MY GOD”
35. PAPERCUTS-“DO WHAT YOU WILL”
36. WE ARE COUNTRY MICE-“FESTIVAL”
37. TELEKINESIS-“CAR CRASH”
38. DESTROYER-“CHINATOWN”
39. BYRDS OF PARADISE-“TOUCH TUNNEL”
40. APEX MANOR-“UNDER THE GUN”
41. BRIGHT EYES-“SHELL GAMES”
42. KURT VILE-“JESUS FEVER 192”
43. DOM-“BOWL CUT” (FEATURING MADELINE OF CULTS” (AISLYN REMIX)
44. SEX BEET-“DIRTY BOOTS” (SONIC YOUTH COVER)
45. TWIN SHADOW & HOORAY FOR EARTH-“A PLACE WE LIKE”
46. TENNIS-“MARATHON”
47. OH NO! OH MY!-“WALKING INTO ME”
48. OH NO! OH MY!-“SUMMERDAYS”
49. YOUNG PRISMS-“IF YOU WANT TO”
50. YOUNG PRISMS-“IN YOUR ROOM”
51. YOUNG PRISMS-“IF DON’T GET MUCH”
52. WHITE LIES-“BIGGER THAN US”
53. WARPAINT-“KRIMSON”
54. ASOBI SEKSU-“TRAILS”
55. LOWER DENS-“BATMAN”
56. AMOS LEE-“WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN”
57. ARTHUR’S LANDING-“YOU CAN’T GO BACK”
58. ARTHUR’S LANDING-“IT’S A BOY”
59. CLOUD NOTHINGS-“UNDERSTAND AT ALL”
60. CLOUD NOTHINGS-“SHOULD HAVE”
61. CLOUD NOTHINGS-“FORGET YOU ALL THE TIME”
62. CLOUD NOTHINGS-“HEARTBEAT”
63. CLOUD NOTHINGS-“BEEN THROUGH”
64. DEERHOOF-“BEHOLD A MARVEL IN THE DARKNESS”
65. GANG OF FOUR-“YOU’LL NEVER PAY FOR THE FARM”
66. GANG OF FOUR-“GLASS (RE-RECORDED)”
67. EULOGIES-“WILL I”
68. CAROLINE-“SLEEP”
69. ANNA CALVI-“DESIRE”
70. ANNA CALVI-“SUZANNE AND I”
71. DESTROYER-“CHINATOWN”
72. FOSTER THE PEOPLE-“HOUDINI”
73. FOSTER THE PEOPLE-“HELENA BEAT” (DEFINITELY ONE OF MY FAV’S OF THE MONTH!)
74. I WAS A KING-“ECHOES”
75. I WAS A KING-“OLD FRIENDS”
76. CRYSTAL CASTLES-“NOT IN LOVE (FEATURING ROBERT SMITH OF THE CURE)”
77. LYKKE LI-“I FOLLOW RIVERS (THE MAGICIAN REMIX)”
78. LOVEDRUG-“OUR WAR”
79. LOVEDRUG-“LET IT GO”
80. APEX MANOR-“UNDER THE GUN”
81. JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW-“AND IF MY HEART SHOULD SOMEHOW STOP”
82. THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION-“FLOCK OF HEARTS”
83. THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION-“WONTON”
84. THE RADIO DEPT-“HEAVEN’S ON FIRE”
85. CORINNE BAILEY RAE-“I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER” (PRINCE COVER)
86. THE VEILS-“BLOOM”
87. SERYN-“WE WILL ALL BE CHANGED”
88. CASEY SPOONER-“EXQUISITE CORPSE”
89. CASEY SPOONER-“RSVP”
90. CASEY SPOONER-“C.R.E.E.P.” (THE FALL COVER)
2011 FAVOURITE ALBUMS BY MONTH 2011:
JANUARY (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. BRITISH SEA POWER-“VALHALLA DANCEHALL”
2. THE MORNING AFTER GIRLS-“ALONE”
3. THE DECEMBERISTS-“THE KING IS DEAD”
4. DOLOREAN-“THE UNFAZED”
5. CLOUD NOTHINGS-“CLOUD NOTHINGS”
6. DESTROYER-“KAPUTT”
7. ANNA CALVI-“ANNA CALVI” + THE SEPARATE SINGLE: “JEZEBEL B/W MOULINETTE”
8. SERYN-“THIS IS WHERE WE ARE”
9. FOSTER THE PEOPLE-“FOSTER THE PEOPLE EP”
10. YOUNG PRISMS-“FRIENDS FOR NOW”
11. BRAIDS-“NATIVE SPEAKER”
12. BROKEN RECORDS-“LET ME COME HOME”
13. EULOGIES-“TEAR THE FENCES DOWN”
14. JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW-“EARLY IN THE MORNING”
15. CASEY SPOONER-“ADULT CONTEMPORARY”
16. THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION-“BUFFALO”
17. AGORIA-“IMPERMANENCE”
18. SMITH WESTERNS-“DYE IT BLONDE”
19. WIRE-“RED BARKED TREE”
20. SYSTEM 7-“CLASSICS” (2-CD 12” SINGLE REMIXES)
21. ASOBI SEKSU-“TRAILS” [EP]
22. MOGWAI-“RANO PANO B/W HASENHEIDE” (SINGLE)
23. TAPE DECK MOUNTAIN-“SECRET SERF” [EP]
24. ANA HELDER-“ANA HELDER”
25. LOWER DENS-“BATMAN B/W DEAR BETTY BABY” (SINGLE)
26. DEERHOOF-“DEERHOOF VS. EVIL”
27. APEX MANOR-“THE YEAR OF MAGICAL DRINKING”
28. MY DISCO-“LITTLE JOY”
29. TENNIS-“CAPE DORY”
30. THE DUKE SPIRIT-“KUSAMA” [EP]
31. DISAPPEARS-“GUIDER”
32. RESOE-“THE BLACK VOID OF SPACE…”
33. ROBAG WRUHME-“WUPPDECKMISCHMANFLOW” (A KOMPAKT COMPILATION MIXED BY ROBAG)
34. FRANCESCO TRISTANO-“IDIOSYNKRASIA”
35. WARPAINT-“EXQUISITE CORPSE” [EP]
36. CAROLINE-“VERDUGO HILLS”
37. TAPES N’ TAPES-“OUTSIDE”
38. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“MOJO MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2011 ISSUE PRESENTS: NEIL YOUNG’S “HARVEST” REVISITED”
39. COM TRUISE-“CYANIDE SISTERS EP” (DELUXE EDITION)
40. DUCKTAILS-“DUCKTAILS 3: ARCADE DYNAMICS”
41. OH NO! OH MY!-“PEOPLE PROBLEMS”
42. AMOS LEE-“MISSION BELL”
43. LOVEDRUG-“LOVEDRUG EP – PART 3”
44. ARTHUR’S LANDING-“ARTHUR’S LANDING”
45. FUJIYA & MIYAGI-“VENTRILOQUIZZING”
46. JOHN VANDERSLICE WITH THE MAGIK*MAGIK ORCHESTRA-“WHITE WILDERNESS”
47. GANG OF FOUR-“CONTENT”
48. GROUPLOVE-“GROUPLOVE” [EP]
49. CAGE THE ELEPHANT-“THANK YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY”
50. I WAS A KING-“OLD FRIENDS”
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
JANUARY (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. CHAIM-“U & EYE” [EP]
2. SHONKY-“LE VELOUR” [EP]
3. BAD VEINES-“OUTLIERS” [EP]
4. ABIGAIL WASHBURN-“CITY OF REFUGE”
5. EDIE BRICKELL-“EDIE BRICKELL”
6. HANNAH PEEL-“THE BROKEN WAVE”
7. AETHENOR-“EN FORM FOR BLA”
8. WHITE FENCE-“IS GROWING FAITH”
9. WHITE LIES-“RITUAL”
10. SONIC YOUTH-“SIMON WERNER A DISPARU” (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK)
11. THE HONEY PIES-“THINK OF ENGLAND”
12. SHACKLETON-“FABRIC 55”
13. JATOMA-“LITTLE HOUSEBOAT REMIXE” [EP]
14. WANDA JACKSON-“THE PARTY AIN’T OVER”
15. NITE JEWEL-“IT GOES THROUGH YOUR HEAD” [EP]
16. THE VEILS-“TROUBLES OF THE BRAIN” [EP]
17. ZS-“NEW SLAVES PART 2: ESSENCE IMPLOSION!”
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION FOR 2011. JANUARY FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. NEW MUSIK-“FROM A TO B / ANYWHERE” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION) (1980/1981)
2. THE JAYHAWKS-“TOMORROW THE GREEN GRASS” (2-CD LEGACY EDITION)
3. THE JAYHAWKS-“HOLLYWOOD TOWN HALL” (EXPANDED EDITION)
4. JOY DIVISION-“+- SINGLES 1978-80” (REMASTERED COLLECTION)
5. THE RADIO DEPT-“PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE: SINGLES 2002-2010” (2-CD COLLECTION)
6. JURGEN PAAPE-“KOMPILATION”
7. MEW-“EGGS ARE FUNNY (A COMPILATION)”
8. LISA GERRARD-“THE BLACK OPAL” (2009/2011)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN FEBRUARY:
1. CHIXDIGGIT!-“SAFEWAYS HERE WE COME”
2. GRIZZLY BEAR (AND A FEW OTHERS)-“BLUE VALENTINE” (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK)
3. TICK TOCK-“IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE” [EP]
FEBRUARY SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. ASOBI SEKSU-“TRAILS”
2. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS-“EVERYBODY NEEDS LOVE”
3. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS-“USED TO BE A COP”
4. RADIOHEAD-“LITTLE BY LITTLE”
5. RADIOHEAD-“LOTUS FLOWER”
6. JAMES BLAKE-“THE WILHELM SCREAM”
7. JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN-“KISS THE SPECIFICS”
8. JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN-“SAY YES”
9. ADELE-“ROLLING IN THE DEEP”
10. ADELE-“TURNING TABLES”
11. ADELE-“HE WON’T GO”
12. ADELE-“SOMEONE LIKE YOU”
13. THE LOW ANTHEM-“BOEING 737”
14. THE CIVIL WARS-“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN”
15. THE CIVIL WARS-“POISON & WINE”
16. MILLIONYOUNG-“REPLICANTS”
17. MILLIONYOUNG-“LOVE IS ALL AROUND”
18. …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD-“SUMMER OF ALL DEAD SOULS”
19. MEN-“LIFE’S HALF PRICE”
20. SEEFEEL-“DEAD GUITARS”
21. CUT COPY-“NEED YOU NOW”
22. CUT COPY-“THIS IS ALL WE’VE GOT”
23. DIAMOND DOGS-“PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT” (THE SMITHS COVER)
24. JONNY-“CANDYFLOSS”
25. JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD-“OUR HEARTS ARE WRONG”
26. NICOLE ATKINS-“YOU COME TO ME”
27. COVENANT-“DYNAMO CLOCK”
28. OVER THE RHINE-“UNDAMNED (FEATURING LUCINDA WILLIAMS)”
29. WHEN SAINTS GO MACHINE-“FAIL FOREVER”
30. BRIGHT EYES-“SHELL GAMES”
31. BRIGHT EYES-“SELASSIE”
32. THE DEARS-“5 CHORDS”
33. THE BABIES-“SUNSET”
34. THE BABIES-“ALL THINGS COME TO PASS”
35. THE VACCINES-“POST BREAKUP SEX”
36. THE WAILIN’ JENNYS-“SWING LOW SAIL HIGH”
37. THE WAILIN’ JENNYS-“ASLEEP AT LAST”
38. THE TWILIGHT SINGERS-“WAVES”
39. YUCK-“GET AWAY”
40. YUCK-“HOLING OUT”
41. ARBOURETUM-“THE EMPTY SHELL”
42. LA SERA-“SLEEPTALKING”
43. MOGWAI-“SAN PEDRO”
44. MOGWAI-“GEORGE SQUARE THATCHER DEATH PARTY”
45. COWBOY JUNKIES-“FLIRTED WITH YOU ALL MY LIFE”
46. TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT-“THE UNIVERSE IS A WOMAN”
47. TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT-“THEY NEVER DID KNOW”
48. ULYSSES-“ACID REFLUX (ORIGINAL MIX)”
49. THE CAVE SINGERS-“BLACK LEAF”
50. THE CAVE SINGERS-“HAYSTACKS”
51. TORO Y MOI-“NEW BEAT”
52. PURO INSTINCT-“LUV GOON”
53. TELEKINESIS-“PLEASE ASK FOR HELP”
54. TELEKINESIS-“CAR CRASH”
55. STEFFI-“YOURS (FEATURING VIRGINIA) (ORIGINAL MIX)”
56. YOUNG GALAXY-“B.S.E. (BLACK SWAN EVENT)”
57. CULT OF YOUTH-“MONSTERS”
58. CULT OF YOUTH-“THROUGH THE FEAR”
59. SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION-“TARGET ON YOUR HEART”
60. THE LUCKY STRIKES-“MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM”
61. ROBERT SCOTT-“ON THE LAKE
62. NOW, NOW-“REBUILD / GIANTS”
63. THOSE DANCING DAYS-“I’LL BE YOURS”
64. THOSE DANCING DAYS-“WHEN WE FADE AWAY”
65. RON SEXSMITH-“THE REASON WHY”
66. THE DIRTBOMBS-“COSMIC CARS”
67. THE DIRTBOMBS-“SHARIVARI”
68. JULIANNA BARWICK-“BOG IN YOUR GAIT”
69. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE-“SWIMMING”
70. SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION-“AHEAD OF MYSELF”
71. SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION-“NEVER FAR FROM MY HEART”
72. SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION-“TARGET ON YOUR HEART”
73. MY JERUSALEM (JEFF KLEIN)-“SWEET CHARIOT”
FEBRUARY (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. THE CIVIL WARS-“BARTON HOLLOW”
2. MOGWAI-“HARDCORE WILL NEVER DIE BUT YOU WILL”
3. RADIOHEAD-“THE KING OF LIMBS”
4. PJ HARVEY-“LET ENGLAND SHAKE”
5. THE LOW ANTHEM-“SMART FLESH”
6. SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION-“BRIGHT EXAMPLES”
7. ADELE-“21”
8. THE WAILIN’ JENNYS-“BRIGHT MORNING STARS”
9. CULT OF YOUTH-“CULT OF YOUTH”
10. THE TWILIGHT SINGERS-“DYNAMITE STEPS”
11. THE BABIES-“THE BABIES”
12. YUCK-“YUCK”
13. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS-“GO-GO BOOTS”
14. ARBOURETUM-“THE GATHERING”
15. MILLIONYOUNG-“REPLICANTS”
16. ENSEMBLE-“EXCERPTS”
17. JULIANNA BARWICK-“THE MAGIC PLACE”
18. PHOTEK-“AVALANCHE” [EP]
19. PEAKING LIGHTS-“936”
20. DIAMOND DOGS-“THE GRIT & THE VERY SOUL”
21. TIM HECKER-“RAVEDEATH, 1972”
22. ASOBI SEKSU-“FLUORESCENCE”
23. ARRANGE-“QUIET STATE”
24. COWBOY JUNKIES-“DEMONS (VIC CHESNUTT COVERS) (THE NOMAD SERIES VOLUME 2)
25. ROBERT SCOTT (FROM BOTH OF THE BANDS: THE CLEAN & THE BATS)-“ENDS RUN TOGETHER”
26. JAMES BLAKE-“JAMES BLAKE”
27. RICK RIZZO & TARA KEY-“DOUBLE STAR”
28. THE LUCKY STRIKES-“GABRIEL, FORGIVE MY 22 SINS”
29. JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD-“TELL ME”
30. STEFFI-“YOURS AND MINE”
31. COVENANT-“MODERN RUIN” (DELUXE EDITION 2-CD)
32. THE DEARS-“DEGENERATION STREET”
33. EAST RIVER PIPE-“WE LIVE IN RENTED ROOMS”
34. KING CREOSOTE-“THRAWN”
35. THOSE DANCING DAYS-“DAYDREAMS AND NIGHTMARES”
36. PEAKING LIGHTS-“936”
37. THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE-“DEPARTING”
38. NICOLE ATKINS-“MONDO AMORE”
39. SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION-“BRIGHT EXAMPLES” [EP]
40. MY JERUSALEM (JEFF KLEIN)-“GONE FOR GOOD”
41. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE-“LUNGS: THE B-SIDES”
42. THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE-“DEPARTING”
43. DAVID WAX MUSEUM-“EVERYTHING SAVED”
44. BRIGHT EYES-“THE PEOPLE’S KEY”
45. JUNE TABOR-“ASHORE”
46. OVER THE RHINE-“THE LONG SURRENDER”
47. MOBY-“BE THE ONE” [EP]
48. PURO INSTINCT-“HEADBANGERS IN ECSTASY”
49. TORO Y MOI-“UNDERNEATH THE PINE”
50. TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT-“TREEFIGHT FOR SUNLIGHT”
51. THE BUILDERS AND THE BUTCHERS-“DEAD RECKONING”
52. THE LUYAS-“TOO BEAUTIFUL TO WORK”
53. THE CAVE SINGERS-“NO WITCH”
54. JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN-“THE DEEP END”
55. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“POP AMBIENT 2011”
56. BRAD MEHLDAU-“LIVE IN MARCIAC” (2-CD/1-DVD)
57. THE VACCINES-“THE VACCINES EP”
58. PAPERCUTS-“DO WHAT YOU WILL B/W THOUGHTS ON HELL” (SINGLE)
59. A CLASSIC EDUCATION-“HEY THERE STRANGER” [EP]
60. TELEKINESIS-“12 DESPERATE STRAIGHT LINES”
61. DANIELSON-“THE BEST OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY”
62. ESBEN AND THE WITCH-“VIOLET CRIES”
63. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“WERKSCHAU” (A COMPILATION OF TRAX FROM ELLEN ALLIEN’S BPITCH CONTROL LABEL)
64. ULYSSES-“ACID REFLUX” [EP]
65. ISOLEE / ROBAG WRUHME-SPLIT SINGLE: “THORA VUKK / TAKTELL”
66. MARTYN MIKE SLOTT-“COLLABS #1” (SINGLE)
67. A HAWK AND A HACKSAW-“CERVANTINE”
68. LA SERA-“LA SERA”
69. JUNIP-“IN EVERY DIRECTION” [EP]
70. BART DAVENPORT-“SEARCHING FOR BART DAVENPORT” (COVERS)
71. MEN-“TALK ABOUT BODY”
72. OH LAND-“OH LAND”
73. …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD-“TAO OF THE DEAD”
74. AKRON/FAMILY-“AKRON/FAMILY II: THE COSMIC BIRTH AND JOURNEY OF SHINJU TNT”
75. STEPHAN MATHIEU-“A STATIC PLACE”
76. BLSSD OUT-“BLISSED OUT”
77. WHEN SAINTS GO MACHINE-“FAIL FOREVER” [EP]
78. GREG TROOPER-“UPSIDE-DOWN TOWN”
79. YOUNG GALAXY-“SHAPESHIFTING”
80. DAVID DONDERO-“A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION”
81. LUCKY SOUL-“UPON HILLY FIELDS” [EP]
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
FEBRUARY (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. SEEFEEL-“SEEFEEL”
2. CUT COPY-“ZONOSCOPE”
3. JONNY-“JONNY”
4. TEDDY THOMPSON-“BELLA”
5. TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB-“TOURIST HISTORY REMIX EP”
6. DANIEL STEINBERG-“SHUT UP”
7. SHACKLETON-“DEADMAN” [THE REMIX EP]
8. MARCO CAROLA-“GROOVE CATCHER” [EP]
9. NOW, NOW-“NEIGHBORS”
10. RON SEXSMITH-“LONG PLAYER LATE BLOOMER”
11. TAHITI 80-“THE PAST, THE PRESENT & THE POSSIBLE”
12. MIKE WATT-“HYPHENATED-MAN”
13. EARTH-“ANGELS OF DARKNESS, DEMONS OF LIGHT”
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION FOR 2011. FEBRUARY FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. AUTECHRE-“THE EPs 1991-2002” (BOX SET)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN MARCH:
1. BEADY EYE-“DIFFERENT GEAR, STILL SPEEDING” (HONESTLY, THEY REALLY SHOULD HAVE CALLED IT: “FAMILIAR RIFFS, STILL STEALING”. THAT’S WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON HERE. PERHAPS THIS IS WHY OASIS REALLY SPLIT UP BECAUSE NOEL’S OUTPUT SINCE THEN HAS BEEN MUCH BETTER. SURE LIAM CAN SING AND I DO LOVE HIS VOICE, BUT HE CLEARLY HAS NOTHING TO SAY AND THIS IS MISSING ANY SLIGHT NOTICE OF ORIGINALITY SO I SAY SHAME ON THEM AND EVERYONE THEY STOLE FROM SHOULD SUE.)
2. BLACK FRANCIS (AKA FRANK BLACK)-“THE GOLEM” (APPARENTLY THIS IS A SOUNDTRACK OF A SORT TELLING THE STORY OF THE JEWS BEING PERSECUTED IN PRAGUE. PERHAPS I’M NOT LISTENING TO THE SAME RECORD AS THE REVIEWS I’VE SEEN. MUSICALLY, IT SOUNDS LIKE A DISASTER. FRANK SOUNDS LIKE HE’S ON DRUGS AND I COULDN’T DISCERN ANYTHING IN THE LYRICS PERHAPS BECAUSE IT SOUNDED BAD TO ME. AS MUCH AS I WANTED, I JUST COULDN’T CONNECT WITH THIS “PROJECT”.)
3. HUMAN LEAGUE-“CREDO” (UGH!!!! THIS IS JUST HORRIBLE! OK, THE CORRECT WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS ALBUM IS “STUPID”. THE DUMB RUDIMENTARY LYRICS OUTSHADOW ANY ATTEMPT AT ANYTHING MUSICAL HERE. THEY COME OFF AS ONE OF THE DUMBEST BANDS AROUND. I CAN’T BELIEVE I LET IT PLAY TO THE END SINCE IT WAS CLEARLY A WASTE OF TIME. CLEARLY WAY PAST THE RECOMMENDED RETIREMENT DATE. MAKE IT STOP!!!!!)
4. COTTON JONES-“SIT BESIDE YOUR VEGETABLES” [EP] (IT CAME AND WENT TWICE SO APPARENTLY I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICED I’D TRIED TO LISTEN TO IT TWICE. UGHHHHHHH)
5. RICHARD ASHCROFT & THE RPA-“UNITED NATIONS OF SOUND” (THE REVIEWS WERE MIXED ON THIS LAST YEAR WHEN IT CAME OUT AS AN IMPORT ONLY RELEASE. THE U.S. RELEASE IN MARCH THIS YEAR GAVE ME A CHANCE TO HEAR IT AND DECIDE FOR MYSELF. I DON’T LIKE WHAT RICHARD IS NOW UP TO HERE AND I’M GOING FOR IT AT ALL, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PSEUDO-RAPPING THING GOING ON. AND THE TERRIBLLY EMBARRASING LYRIC “LET’S DO THIS THING CALLED LIFE”. NOW LIFE IS A THING? C’MON RICHARD. AND “BEATITUDES” IS JUST SO EQUALLY HUMILIATING FOR HIM. I CRINGED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE THEN HIT THE “NEXT” BUTTON BECAUSE I JUST COULDN’T TAKE ANOTHER SECOND OF THAT AWFUL MESS. ACTUALLY TO BE HONEST THIS ENTIRE RECORD IS CRINGE ENDUCING. I’M VERY SAD OVER THIS MESS. THIS IS THE FIRST REALLY BAD ALBUM THAT I COULDN’T EVEN MAKE IT THROUGH INDIVIDUAL SONGS. I MADE IT THROUGH IRON & WINE BUT JUST BARELY! APPARENTLY HE’S INTO HIP HOP TOO. UGH! MAKE IT STOP. PLEASE.)
6. LIZ JANES-“TIME & SPACE” [EP] (THIS IS AN EP OF COVERS. IT’S COMPLETELY POINTLESS AND A WASTE OF TIME. THERE’S NOTHING TO LISTEN TO ONCE LET ALONE REPEATEDLY. LIZ HAS TOTALLY LOST ME ON THIS ONE. COLOUR ME PERPLEXED.)
7. THE BAND OF HEATHENS-“TOP HAT CROWN & THE CLAPMASTER’S SON” (THAT TITLE ALONE! THEY ARE A GOOD BAND HOWEVER, I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO THIS MATERIAL AT ALL! THE MUSICIANSHIP IS DEFINITELY THERE BUT THESE SONGS ARE NOT MY THING AT ALL.)
8. THE SCENE IS NOW-“MAGPIE ALARM” (IT WAS KIND OF JUST THERE – AND I WAS GLAD WHEN IT FINALLY WAS OVER BECAUSE I WAS BORED WITH IT.)
9. SMOKING POPES-“THIS IS ONLY A TEST” (THE LYRICS ALONE ARE SO SUPER BAD (SEE HUMAN LEAGUE FOR MORE HIDEOUS LYRICS) AND THEN MUSICALLY IT’S ALL JUST A CRINGE INDUCING NIGHTMARE. THEY SHOULD HAVE STAYED BROKEN UP INSTEAD OF RELEASING THIS EMBARRASEMENT. ALTHOUGH, ONE GOOD SONG LIES WITHIN “HOW DANGEROUS”. THE REST IS THROWAWAY)
10. PANIC! AT THE DISCO-“VICES & VIRTUES” (MOSTLY, IT’S JUST AN OVERPRODUCED HOT MESS!!!!)
11. LAURA JANSEN-“BELLS” (INTERNATIONAL VERSION) (I’M STUMPED AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO LAURA BUT NEARLY ALL OF THIS IS A COMPLETE DISASTER. THE ONLY FULLY LISTENABLE EXCEPTIONS ARE: “BELLS” & “COME TO ME”. I HAD TO CONTINUALLY HIT THE FORWARD BUTTON TO GET TO THE NEXT DISASTROUS TRACK! UGH!!!!)
12. THOSE DARLINS-“SCREWS GET LOOSE” (I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD. SADLY, THESE SONGS ARE JUST SO UNMEMORABLE TO ME. I COULDN’T RELATE – AND WORST OF ALL, I COULDN’T WAIT FOR THE RECORD TO END!)
13. UV RACE-“HOMO” (A DISASTER FROM AUSTRALIA! AT LEAST I GET THE FEELING THEY DIDN’T EVEN TRY.)
MARCH SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. LUCINDA WILLIAMS-“SEEING BLACK”
2. LUCINDA WILLIAMS-“KISS LIKE YOUR KISS”
3. DEVOTCHKA-“EXHAUSTIBLE”
4. BEADY EYE-“FOUR LETTER WORD”
5. FRIVOLOUS-“CRYIN’”
6. FRIVOLOUS-“RED TIDE”
7. ELBOW-“DEAR FRIENDS”
8. ELLIE GOULDING-“LIGHTS”
9. ELLIE GOULDING-“GUNS AND HORSES”
10. ELLIE GOULDING-“THE WRITER”
11. ELLIE GOULDING-“STARRY EYED (PENGUIN PRISON REMIX FEAT. THELOPHIOUS LONDON)”
12. R.E.M.-“OH MY HEART”
13. ADVENTURE-“FEELS LIKE HEAVEN”
14. I’M FROM BARCELONA-“GET IN LINE”
15. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART-“THE ONE”
16. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“HOLD ON”
17. DUM DUM GIRLS-“THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT” (THE SMITHS COVER)
18. LYKKE LI-“I FOLLOW RIVERS”
19. LYKKE LI-“GET SOME”
20. MIDDLE BROTHER-“MILLION DOLLAR BILL”
21. PAPERCUTS-“DO YOU REALLY WANNA KNOW”
22. PAPERCUTS-“DO WHAT YOU WILL”
23. PAPERCUTS-“WHITE ARE THE WAVES”
24. PAPERCUTS-“WAIT TIL I’M DEAD”
25. PAPERCUTS-“MARIE SAYS YOU’VE CHANGED”
26. BEACH FOSSILS-“WHAT A PLEASURE”
27. BEACH FOSSILS-“ADVERSITY”
28. BETH DITTO-“I WROTE THE BOOK”
29. STARFUCKER-“JULIUS”
30. EXENE CERVENKA-“BRAND NEW MEMORY”
31. EISLEY-“SMARTER”
32. EISLEY-“BETTER LOVE”
33. EISLEY-“I WISH”
34. BELONG-“NEVER CAME CLOSE”
35. BELONG-“DIFFERENT HEART”
36. RIVAL SCHOOLS-“WRING IT OUT”
37. WYE OAK-“HOT AS DAY”
38. THE DODOS-“WHEN WILL YOU GO”
39. THE DODOS-“BLACK NIGHT [MAGIK VERSION]”
40. PARTS AND LABOR-“REST”
41. J MASCIS-“SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY”
42. J MASCIS-“NOT ENOUGH” (SINGLE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH!!!)
43. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART-“BELONG”
44. THE NAKED & FAMOUS-“ALL OF THIS”
45. THE JOY FORMIDABLE-“I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU LIKE THIS”
46. THE JOY FORMIDABLE-“WHIRRING”
47. THE DAMNWELLS-“NO ONE LISTENS TO THE BAND ANYMORE”
48. THE DAMNWELLS-“THE GREAT UNKNOWN”
49. JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD-“DIAMOND WAY”
50. KIP BOARDMAN-“CAN’T TAKE THIS”
51. KIP BOARDMAN-“THIS TOO SHALL PASS”
52. BRAVE IRENE-“NO FUN”
53. BRAVE IRENE-“CAMPFIRE”
54. DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH?-“PULL OUT MY INSIDES”
55. BUFFALO TOM-“DOWN”
56. BUFFALO TOM-“HERE I COME”
57. KURT VILE-“JESUS FEVER”
58. KURT VILE-“IN MY TIME”
59. KASEY ANDERSON AND THE HONKIES-“EXIT GHOST”
60. GUS BLACK-“FALL INTO YOU”
61. GUS BLACK-“WAITING IN THE COLD”
62. THE STROKES-“TWO KINDS OF HAPPINESS”
63. DEEP DARK ROBOT-“I’M COMING FOR YOU”
64. DEEP DARK ROBOT-“FUCK YOU, STUPID BITCH”
65. MEMPHIS-“APOCALYPSE POP SONG”
66. MEMPHIS-“I AM THE PHOTOGRAPHER”
67. NOAH AND THE WHALE-“TONIGHT’S THE KIND OF NIGHT”
68. ACID HOUSE KINGS-“UNDER WATER”
69. ACID HOUSE KINGS-“THERE IS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL”
70. PETER MURPHY-“THE PRINCE & OLD LADY SHADE”
71. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“MAKE MY BODY”
72. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS-“ESTATE SALE SIGN”
73. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS-“NEVER QUITE FREE”
74. IF BY YES (PETRA HADEN & YUKA HONDA)-“YOU FEEL RIGHT (REMIX BY KEIGO “CORNELIUS” OYAMADA)
75. IF BY YES (PETRA HADEN & YUKA HONDA)-“THREE AS FOUR”
76. THE LONELY FOREST-“WE SING IN TIME”
77. TREMBLING BELLS-“WHERE DO I GO FROM YOU?” (PHENOMENAL, CLOSE TO SONG OF THE MONTH? W/ J. MASCIS?)
78. ADVENTURE-“FEELS LIKE HEAVEN”
79. ERLAND & THE CARNIVAL-“I’M NOT REALLY HERE”
80. ERLAND & THE CARNIVAL-“THIS NIGHT”
81. GENERATIONALS-“YOU SAY IT TOO”
82. GENERATIONALS-“GOOSE & GANDER”
83. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART-“BELONG”
84. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART-“HEAVEN’S GONNA HAPPEN NOW” (THESE 2 PAINS SINGLES ARE FAVOURITES FOR SURE!!)
85. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART-“HEART IN YOUR HEARTBREAK”
86. PETER BJORN AND JOHN-“SECOND CHANCE”
87. PETER BJORN AND JOHN-“(DON’T LET THEM) COOL OFF”
88. PETER BJORN AND JOHN-“LIES” (A FAV!!)
89. VOXHAUL BROADCAST-“IF I RUN”
90. NOSFERATU-“BOMBERS”
91. NOSFERATU-“BLACK HOLE”
92. SMOKING POPES-“HOW DANGEROUS”
93. OH LAND-“SUN OF A GUN”
94. OH LAND-“RAINBOW”
95. ANNIE-“CRUSH (RICHARD X – ORIGINAL VERSION)
96. THE BOXER REBELLION-“STEP OUT OF THE CAR”
97. THE BOXER REBELLION-“BOTH SIDES ARE EVEN”
98. PANIC! AT THE DISCO-“LET’S KILL TONIGHT”
99. CRAFT SPELLS-“PARTY TALK”
100. CRAFT SPELLS-“FROM THE MORNING HEAT”
101. CRAFT SPELLS-“AFTER THE MOMENT”
102. MOON DUO-“MAZES”
103. CHAPEL CLUB-“FIVE TREES”
104. ROYAL BANGS-“LOOSELY TRUTHING”
105. SOUTHEAST ENGINE-“SUMMER AND HER FERRIS WHEEL”
106. HEIDE SPENCER AND THE RARE BIRDS-“HIBERNATION”
107. WILLIAM FITZIMMONS-“THE TIDE PULLS FROM THE MOON”
108. WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS-“PSYCHASTHENIA”
109. WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS-“LET YOU BREAK (FEATURING JULIA STONE)”
110. THE ARK-“BREAKING UP WITH GOD”
111. HUNX AND HIS PUNX-“BAD BOY”
112. YELLE-“CHIMI PHYSIQUE”
113. GUNNAR BJERK-“STAY”
114. MARIANNE FAITHFULL-“WHY DID WE HAVE TO PART”
115. ISRAEL NASH GRIPKA-“FOOL’S GOLD”
MARCH (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. LUCINDA WILLIAMS-“BLESSED” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION)
2. PAPERCUTS-“FADING PARADE”
3. THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART-“BELONG”
4. ISRAEL NASH GRIPKA-“BARN DOORS AND CONCRETE FLOORS”
5. ELBOW-“BUILD A ROCKET BOYS!”
6. GRAILS-“DEEP POLITICS”
7. GUS BLACK-“THE DAY I REALIZED”
8. KURT VILE-“SMOKE RING FOR MY HALO”
9. PARTS AND LABOR-“CONSTANT FUTURE”
10. CRAFT SPELLS-“IDLE LABOR”
11. HEIDI SPENCER AND THE RARE BIRDS-“UNDER STREETLIGHT GLOW”
12. THE DODOS-“NO COLOR”
13. MEMPHIS-“HERE COMES A CITY”
14. J MASCIS-“SEVERAL SHADES OF WHY”
15. PETER BJORN AND JOHN-“GIMME SOME”
16. THE MOUNTAIN GOATS-“ALL ETERNALS DECK”
17. BUFFALO TOM-“SKINS”
18. THE BOXER REBELLION-“THE COLD STILL”
19. ROYAL BANGS-“FLUX OUTSIDE”
20. LYKKE LI-“WOUNDED RHYMES”
21. BATHS-“THE NOTHING/NIGHTLY, DAILY/SLEEPLESS” (3-TRACK SINGLE)
22. ACID HOUSE KINGS-“MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU”
23. FRIVOLOUS-“METEOROLOGY”
24. MIDDLE BROTHER-“MIDDLE BROTHER”
25. BELONG-“COMMON ERA”
26. ADVENTURE-“LESSER KNOWN”
27. THE JOY FORMIDABLE-“THE BIG ROAR”
28. MOON DUO-“MAZES”
29. THE NAKED & FAMOUS-“PASSIVE ME, AGGRESSIVE YOU”
30. WYE OAK-“CIVILIAN”
31. STARFUCKER-“REPTILIANS” (DELUXE EDITION)
32. BRAVE IRENE-“BRAVE IRENE”
33. R.E.M.-“COLLAPSE INTO NOW” (DELUXE EDITION)
34. ERLAND & THE CARNIVAL-“NIGHTINGALE”
35. BETH DITTO-“BETH DITTO EP”
36. TREMBLING BELLS-“THE CONSTANT PAGEANT”
37. ELLIE GOULDING-“LIGHTS” (U.S. EDITION)
38. SOUTHEAST ENGINE-“CANARY”
39. CHAPEL CLUB-“PALACE”
40. ALEXI MURDOCH-“TOWARDS THE SUN”
41. BEACH FOSSILS-“WHAT A PLEASURE” [EP]
42. GENERATIONALS-“ACTOR-CASTOR”
43. RIVAL SCHOOLS-“PEDALS” (DELUXE EDITION)
44. THE MEMORY BAND-“OH MY DAYS”
45. SIN FANG-“SUMMER ECHOES”
46. KIP BOARDMAN-“THE LONG WEIGHT”
47. DEEP DARK ROBOT-“8 SONGS ABOUT A GIRL”
48. IF BY YES (PETRA HADEN & YUKA HONDA)-“SALT ON SEA GLASS”
49. THE SHOES-“CRACK MY BONES”
50. GOLD PANDA-“COMPANION”
51. DEVOTCHKA-“100 LOVERS”
52. DUM DUM GIRLS-“HE GETS ME HIGH” [EP]
53. THE DAMNWELLS-“NO ONE LISTENS TO THE BAND ANYMORE”
54. PET SHOP BOYS-“THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING” (A BALLET MUSIC COMPOSED BY PSB) (2-CD)
55. MAE MOORE-“FOLKLORE”
56. BANJO OR FREAKOUT-“BANJO OR FREAKOUT”
57. JOHN FOXX & THE MATHS-“INTERPLAY”
58. PETER MURPHY-“I SPIT ROSES B/W THE PRINCE & OLD LADY SHADE” (SINGLE)
59. SUNDELLES-“GEORGIA SWAN”
60. OBITS-“MOODY, STANDARD & POOR”
61. KEREN ANN-“101”
62. LUMERIANS-“TRANSMALINNIA”
63. EISLEY-“THE VALLEY”
64. THE GENTLE GOOD-“TETHERED FOR THE STORM”
65. EXENE CERVENKA-“THE EXCITEMENT OF MAYBE”
66. DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH?-“DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T WARN YOU”
67. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“INSOUND DIGITAL MIXTAPE COMPILATION MARCH 2011”
68. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“SPIN MAGAZINE PRESENTS AUSTIN POWER: BEST SXSW BANDS 2011”
69. FOR AGAINST-“BLACK SOAP” (3-TRAX PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED FROM 1984)
70. ACTRESS-“HARRIER ATTK / GERSHWIN” (SINGLE)
71. KASEY ANDERSON AND THE HONKIES-“HEART OF A DOG”
72. TYPHOON-“A NEW KIND OF HOUSE”
73. GUNNAR BJERK-“BACK THEN B/W STAY” (SINGLE)
74. THE DIRTBOMBS-“PARTY STORE” (COVERS)
75. SHANNON MCNALLY-“WESTERN BALLAD”
76. GERMAN ERROR MESSAGE-“AFTER THE WARMTH”
77. VOXHAUL BROADCAST-“TIMING IS EVERYTHING”
78. SCORN-“YOZZA” [EP]
79. YELLE-“SAFARI DISCO CLUB”
80. PETE AND THE PIRATES-“COME TO THE BAR” (SINGLE)
81. PARENTHETICAL GIRLS-“PRIVILEGE, PART III: MEND & MAKE DO” [EP]
82. RAINBOW ARABIA-“BOYS AND DIAMONDS”
83. THE BERG SANS NIPPLE-“BUILD WITH EROSION”
84. 11TH DREAM DAY-“RIOT NOW!”
85. WARM GHOST-“UNCUT DIAMOND” [EP]
86. ELLEN ALLIEN-“DUST” (THE REMIXES) (2-CD)
87. LADYTRON-“THE HARMONIUM SESSION” [EP]
88. MARIANNE FAITHFULL-“HORSES AND HIGH HEELS”
89. BIBIO-“MIND BOKEH”
90. NAKED ON THE VAGUE-“TWELVE DARK NOONS” [EP]
91. EGYPTRIXX-“BIBLE EYES”
92. JOAN ARMATRADING-“LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL”
93. ALL TINY CREATURES-“HARBORS”
94. ANR-“STAY KIDS”
95. FACTORY FLOOR-“(R E A L L O V E)” (REMIX SINGLE)
96. DIRTY BEACHES-“BADLANDS” (THIS HAS TO BE THE MOST INTERESTING RELEASE OF THE MONTH BY FAR. I STILL DON’T KNOW WHAT I THINK OF IT YET. COULD GROW ON ME OR I COULD END UP NOT LIKING IT AT ALL!?)
97. NOAH AND THE WHALE-“LAST NIGHT ON EARTH”
98. GLASS ROCK-“BABY BABY BABY”
99. TORO Y MOI & CLOUD NOTHINGS-“I WILL TALK TO YOU” B/W “FOR NO REASON” (A SPLIT SINGLE)
100. PSYCHIC REALITY-“VIBRANT NEW AGE”
101. THE CURIOUS MYSTERY-“WE CREELING”
(MARCH) OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL
1. STATELESS-“MATILDA” (DISC ONE)
2. HUNX AND HIS PUNX-“TOO YOUNG TO BE IN LOVE”
3. NICOLAS JAAR-“SPACE IS ONLY NOISE”
LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
MARCH (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. BLACK FRANCIS-“ABBABUBBA (B-SIDES, ETC.)
2. CAITLIN ROSE-“OWN SIDE NOW”
3. THE STROKES-“ANGLES”
4. WILD PALMS-“UNTIL SPRING”
5. OKKERVIL RIVER-“WAKE AND BE FINE B/W WEAVE ROOM BLUES” (SINGLE)
6. THE LONELY FOREST-“ARROWS” (DELUXE EDITION) (I HAVE A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS ONE! SEVERAL TRACKS I REALLY LIKE BUT THE ONES I DON’T LIKE, I REALLY DON’T LIKE! CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF. SEE MY FAVOURITE SONGS & SINGLES LIST FOR WHAT I ENJOYED ABOUT THIS BAND)
7. BROKEN BELLS-“MEYRIN FIELDS” [EP]
8. TRUST-“CANDY WALLS” B/W “TRINITY” (SINGLE)
9. NOSFERATU-“WONDERLAND”
10. OH LAND-“OH LAND”
11. ANNIE-“CRUSH” (REMIX EP)
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION FOR 2011. MARCH FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. (THE LONDON) SUEDE-“THE BEST OF SUEDE” (2-CD)
2. TRAFFIC-“JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION)
3. SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES-“GOLDEN GREATS NO. 1” (A TSOOL INTRODUCTION FOR DUMMIES STEP ONE)
4. THE ARK-“ARKEOLOGY: THE COMPLETE SINGLES COLLECTION”
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN APRIL:
1. THE SUBMARINES-“LOVE NOTES/LETTER BOMBS” (IT’S WAY TOO “POPPY” SOUNDING FOR ME. KINDA CROSSES OVER INTO THAT TOP 40 SOUND I SO DESPISE. THEY’VE NOW GONE TO PLACES I NEVER TREAD LIKE BUBBLEGUM POP…BASICALLY, MAKE IT STOP!!!)
2. TIMBER TIMBRE-“CREEP ON CREEPIN’ ON” (I JUST COULDN’T GET INTO IT. AT ALL.)
3. LOUISE RUTKOWSKI-“MIMI” (ONE TRACK SINGLE) (UGH! NOTHING BUT BAD SCMALTZ)
4. JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD-“(DAVID BOWIE I LOVE YOU) SINCE I WAS SIX” (FEATURING DAN AUERBACH OF THE BLACK KEYS) (ONE TRACK SINGLE) (FROM THE MOTION PICTURE ‘APART’) (I THINK THIS IS A TOTAL THROWAWAY TRACK. JESSICA’S NEW ALBUM IS VERY GOOD (SEE MY FEBRUARY 2011 CHARTS) SO WHY DID SHE DO SUCH A BAD SOUNDTRACK SONG?)
5. METRONOMY-“THE ENGLISH RIVIERA” (UGH! THIS IS SO BAD!!!!!! HANDS DOWN WORST ALBUM OF THE MONTH. IT’S BLAND, BORING, DEVOID OF ANY SUBSTANCE WHATSOEVER AND IT’S NOT EVEN A TOP 40 RECORD! IMAGINE THAT? AVOID AT ALL COST. I HAD TO MAKE IT GO AWAY OR WHO KNOWS WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE?!!! WHY ARE THE REVIEWS ONLINE AMAZING FOR THIS RECORD? WHAT DID I MISS? UGH!!!)
6. MATTHEW DEAR-“SLOWDANCE” [EP] (THE 2 MAIN TRACKS WITH REMIXES ARE BORING!!!!! ONE REMIX OF “LITTLE PEOPLE” I REALLY LIKE, OTHERWISE THIS WAS POINTLESS)
7. JASON FORREST-“THE EVERYTHING” (IT’S A CONFUSED MESS. I DON’T THINK HE KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS TO DO NOWADAYS)
APRIL SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. COLD CAVE-“THE GREAT PAN IS DEAD”
2. COLD CAVE-“CATACOMBS”
3. COLD CAVE-“UNDERWORLD USA”
4. MARITIME-“PARAPHERNALIA”
5. ISRAEL NASH GRIPKA-“BALTIMORE”
6. DAVID KILGOUR & THE HEAVY EIGHTS-“DIAMOND MINE” (GOTTA BE SINGLE OF THE MONTH!!)
7. LOW-“SOMETHING’S TAKING OVER”
8. THE APPLESEED CAST-“MIDDLE STATES”
9. GLASVEGAS-“YOU”
10. GLASVEGAS-“DREAM DREAM DREAMING”
11. GLASVEGAS-“EUPHORIA, TAKE MY HAND”
12. THE RAVEONETTES-“RECHARGE & REVOLT”
13. THE RAVEONETTES-“FORGET THAT YOU’RE YOUNG”
14. THE RAVEONETTES-“IGNITE”
15. THE RAVEONETTES-“NO JOY”
16. K.D. LANG & THE SISS BOOM BANG-“PERFECT WORD”
17. K.D. LANG & THE SISS BOOM BANG-“SORROW NEVERMORE”
18. FOO FIGHTERS-“ROPE”
19. FOO FIGHTERS-“THESE DAYS”
20. TV ON THE RADIO-“WILL DO”
21. CRYSTAL STILTS-“SILVER SUN”
22. CRYSTAL STILTS-“SHAKE THE SHACKLES”
23. BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB-“X PARADISE” (FEATURING AJA EMMA COSMETICS)
24. BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB-“IN DOUBT” (FEATURING COCKNBULLKID)
25. THE FEELIES-“NOBODY KNOWS”
26. THE FEELIES-“SHOULD BE GONE” (IS THIS SINGLE OF THE MONTH? SO FREAKIN’ GREAT!!!)
27. THE FEELIES-“TIME IS RIGHT”
28. FIGURINES-“NEW COLORS”
29. FIGURINES-“FREE TODAY”
30. FIGURINES-“LUCKY TO LOVE”
31. PANDA BEAR-“TOMBOY”
32. PANDA BEAR-“LAST NIGHT AT THE JETTY”
33. THE NATIONAL-“EXILE VILIFY” (FROM THE GAME ‘PORTAL 2’”
34. JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT-“ALABAMA PINES”
35. JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT-“GO IT ALONE”
36. THE ONE AM RADIO-“SUNLIGHT”
37. THE ONE AM RADIO-“EVERYTHING FALLS APART”
38. VIVIAN GIRLS-“I HEARD YOU SAY”
39. VIVIAN GIRLS-“DANCE (IF YOU WANNA)”
40. THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT-“NUMB”
41. THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT-“HALF OF SOMETHING ELSE”
42. THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT-“STRANGE GIRL”
43. THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT-“ALL I EVER WANTED”
44. DIRTY VEGAS-“LITTLE WHITE DOVES”
45. DIRTY VEGAS-“ROUND AND ROUND”
46. EMMYLOU HARRIS-“THE ROAD”
47. EMMYLOU HARRIS-“HARD BARGAIN”
48. DAVID KILGOUR AND THE HEAVY EIGHTS-“A BREAK IN THE WEATHER”
49. DAVID KILGOUR AND THE HEAVY EIGHTS-“DIAMOND MINE” (THIS HAS TO BE MY FAVOURITE SINGLE OF APRIL!)
50. ART DEPARTMENT-“WITHOUT YOU”
51. ART DEPARTMENT-“I C U”
52. MARITIME-“ANNIHILATION EYES”
53. ATARI TEENAGE RIOT-“BLOOD IN MY EYES”
54. BURIAL-“STREET HALO”
55. UNKLE-“MONEY AND RUN (FEATURING NICK CAVE)”
56. EPIC45-“WEATHERING”
57. GIRLS NAMES-“WHEN YOU CRY”
58. GIRLS NAMES-“I LOSE” (MY NEXT FAVOURITE SINGLE OF APRIL!)
59. BALKANS-“EDITA V”
60. SHIT ROBOT-“LOSING MY PATIENCE (THE UNABOMBERS REMIX)”
61. XRAY EYEBALLS-“CRYSTAL”
62. XRAY EYEBALLS-“DIE LITTLE LOVE”
63. THE REPUBLIC TIGERS-“MERRYMAKE IT WITH ME”
64. OH SUSANNA-“DRUNK AS A SAILOR”
65. THAO & MIRAH-“LITTLE CUP”
66. THURSDAY-“SPARKS AGAINST THE SUN” (A FAVOURITE OF THE MONTH!)
67. THURSDAY-“MAGNETS CAUGHT IN A METAL HEART”
68. TY SEGALL-“BUICK MACKANE” (T.REX COVER)
69. TITLE TRACKS-“TURN YOUR FACE”
70. L/O/N/G-“AMERICAN PRIMITIVE”
71. BELL X1-“SUGAR HIGH”
72. THE UNTHANKS-“LAST” (A FAV!)
73. MAZES-“GO BETWEENS” (A FAV!)
APRIL (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. DAVID KILGOUR ANDD THE HEAVY EIGHTS-“LEFT BY SOFT”
2. COLD CAVE-“CHERISH THE LIGHT YEARS”
3. PANDA BEAR-“TOMBOY”
4. THE RAVEONETTES-“RAVEN IN THE GRAVE”
5. THE FEELIES-“HERE BEFORE”
6. GIRLS NAMES-“DEAD TO ME”
7. FIGURINES-“FIGURINES”
8. VIVIAN GIRLS-“SHARE THE JOY”
9. THE UNTHANKS-“LAST”
10. ALELA DIANE-“ALELA DIANE & WILD DIVINE”
11. OH SUSANNA-“SOON THE BIRDS”
12. EPIC45-“WEATHERING”
13. HA HA TONKA-“DEATH OF A DECADE”
14. GLASVEGAS-“EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK///”
15. K.D. LANG & THE SISS BOOM BANG-“SING IT LOUD” (DELUXE EDITION)
16. LOW-“C’MON”
17. CRYSTAL STILTS-“IN LOVE WITH OBLIVION”
18. L/O/N/G (CHRIS ECKMAN OF THE WALKABOUTS + RUPERT HUBER)-“AMERICAN PRIMITIVE”
19. GOLDEN KANINE-“OH WOE!”
20. EMMYLOU HARRIS-“HARD BARGAIN”
21. THE APPLESEED CAST-“MIDDLE STATES” [EP]
22. SCISSOR SISTERS-“SCISSOR SISTERS VS. BOYZ NOIZE MIXTAPE”
23. 2562-“FEVER”
24. BURIAL-“STREET HALO” [EP]
25. RADIOHEAD-“SUPERCOLLIDER B/W THE BUTCHER” (2 BONUS TRACKS FROM THE BAND FOR “THE KING OF LIMBS” ALBUM)
26. CEREMONY-“EXTENDED PLAY” (REMIXES)
27. THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT-“ALL AT ONCE” (DELUXE EDITION)
28. ARIL BRIKHA-“DEPARTURE IN TIME – THE REMIXES EP”
29. DIRTY VEGAS-“ELECTRIC LOVE”
30. THE ONE AM RADIO-“HEAVEN IS ATTACHED BY A SLENDER THREAD”
31. ATARI TEENAGE RIOT-“BLOOD IN MY EYES B/W ACTIVATE” (SINGLE)
32. THE BELLE BRIGADE-“THE BELLE BRIGADE”
33. TV ON THE RADIO-“NINE TYPES OF LIGHT”
34. BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB-“CIRCUS”
35. STEVE EARLE-“I’LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE”
36. THURSDAY-“NO DEVOLUCION”
37. MARIA MINERVA-“NOBLE SAVAGE”
38. THAO & MIRAH-“THAO & MIRAH”
39. PANGAEA-“INNA DAZE B/W WON’T HURT” (SINGLE)
40. BILL CALLAHAN-“APOCALYPSE”
41. EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY-“TAKE CARE TAKE CARE TAKE CARE”
42. FELIX DA HOUSECAT-“SON OF ANALOGUE”
43. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“GUIDED BY VOICES (A TRIBUTE TO)”
44. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“INSOUND DIGITAL MIXTAPE” (APRIL 2011 ISSUE)
45. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“UNCUT MAGAZINE PRESENTS: HOMEWARD BOUND – 21ST CENTURY TROUBADOURS” (APRIL 2011 ISSUE)
46. AMIINA-“PUZZLE”
47. JENIFEREVER-“SILESIA”
48. ULVER-“WAR OF THE ROSES”
49. THE WATSON TWINS-“NIGHT COVERS” [EP]
50. HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER (MC TAYLOR OF THE COURT AND SPARK)-“FROM COUNTRY HAI EAST COTTON”
51. MATT POND PA-“SPRING FOOLS” [EP]
52. XRAY EYBALLS-“NOT NOTHING”
53. OLD CALF (NED OLDHAM)-“BORROW A HORSE”
54. TITLE TRACKS-“IN BLANK”
55. TY SEGALL-“TY REX (T. REX COVERS)” [EP]
56. ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION-“PAPER AIRPLANE”
57. MARITIME-“HUMAN HEARTS”
58. THE REPUBLIC TIGERS-“NO LAND’S MAN” [EP]
59. GREG ASHLEY-“ONE THIN HEROINE B/W MISERY AGAIN” (SINGLE)
60. THE KILLS-“BLOOD PRESSURES”
61. JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT-“HERE WE REST”
62. PANTHA DU PRINCE-“XI VERSIONS OF BLACK NOISE” (REMIX ALBUM)
63. CASS MCCOMBS-“WIT’S END”
64. CIRCLE-“INFEKTIO”
65. ABOUT GROUP (ALEXIS TAYLOR OF HOT CHIP & JOHN COXON OF SPIRITUALIZED)-“START AND COMPLETE”
66. MAZES-“A THOUSAND HEYS”
67. ART DEPARTMENT-“THE DRAWING BOARD”
68. UNKLE-“ONLY THE LONELY” [EP]
69. THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS-“HANNA” (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK)
70. MARIA MINERVA-“TALLINN AT DAWN”
71. HAUSCHKA-“SALON DES AMATEURS”
72. SCHAUFLER & ZOVSKY-“THE VILLAGE”
73. MOON DUO-“’MAZES’ REMIXED”
74. VANDAVEER-“DIG DOWN DEEP”
75. SHIT ROBOT-“LOSING MY PATIENCE” (REMIXES EP)
76. WORLD GANG-“PROMISE/1”
77. BELL X1-“BLOODLESS COUP”
78. DEAD ROCK WEST-“BRIGHT MORNING STARS”
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
APRIL (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. BEACH FOSSILS & WILD NOTHING-“A TRIBUTE TO THE WAKE” (2-TRAX SINGLE) (I LIKE THE WILD NOTHING TRACK BUT THE BEACH FOSSILS TRACK IS A DISAPPOINTMENT)
2. DESTROYER-“IDEAS FOR SONGS (1995-1997)” (I LOVE THE DESTROYER “REGULAR” RELEASES. PERHAPS HE SHOULD HAVE REALLY KEPT THESE IDEAS TO HIMSELF)
3. FOO FIGHTERS-“WASTING LIGHT” (OVERBLOWN MESS)
4. ROBBIE ROBERTSON-“HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT” (WHY HAVE THE REVIEWS BEEN SO GREAT? HE SOUNDS BORED TO TEARS VOCALLY AND WHILE I MAY LIKE SOME OF THE LYRICS, THE SONGS THEMSELVES ARE BORING AND BLAH BLAH BLAH. THERE ARE 3 TRACKS I DO KIND OF LIKE BUT THE REST ARE BAD ESPECIALLY THE CRINGE INDUCING TITLE TRACK.)
5. THOUSANDS-“THE SOUND OF EVERYTHING” (MOST OF THE TIME I REALLY DISLIKED THE VOCALS. I DIDN’T REALLY LIKE ANY SONGS UNTIL NEAR THE END OF THE ALBUM WHEN TWO SONGS ARRIVED THAT I QUITE LIKE)
6. THE WOMBATS-“THE WOMBATS PROUDLY PRESENT…THIS MODERN GLITCH” (UGH! I COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE SO MANY FUCKING SONGS ON HERE! SOME OF THE WRITING IS GREAT AND SOME IS SO ELEMENTARY I WAS APPALLED FOR THEM! THE BAND CAN PLAY, I WILL DEFINITELY GIVE THEM THAT, BUT THIS IS ONE HOT MESS AND THEY NEED SERIOUS HELP.)
7. BECCA STEVENS-“WEIGHTLESS” (HER COVER OF THE SMITHS-THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT IS TRULY THE HIGHLIGHT. SMOOTH JAZZ ANYONE? NOT ME!)
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. APRIL FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“SPIN MAGAZINE APRIL 2011 COMPILATION”
2. FELT-“BUBBLEGUM PERFUME” (SINGLES COLLECTION FROM THEIR CREATION YEARS)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN MAY:
1. BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISE MAKERS-“BRIDE OF THE NOISEMAKERS” (AMAZON’S 3-CD EDITION) (I DON’T KNOW WHY I DOWNLOADED THIS EXCEPT IT WAS DIRT CHEAP AND I GUESS I THOUGHT SOME MIGHT BE GOOD. I COULDN’T GET THROUGH IT AND I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S THE SAME GUY. WHATEVER IT IS THAT HE THINKS HE IS NOW HE NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT IT’S JUST PLAIN AWFUL. THE BUTCHERING OF “THE WAY IT IS” & “MANDOLIN RAIN” ALONE IS ENOUGH TO MAKE ONE CRY – AND BETWEEN CRINGING I KNOW I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES. I GUESS BRUCE FANCIES HIMSELF A “JAZZ ARTIST” NOWADAYS. UGH, PLEASE – NOT EVEN!!!!! OH, AND BRUCE YOUR VOICE IS GONE – SHOT TO HELL. WHEN YOU CAN’T HIT THE NOTES NICELY YOU SHOULDN’T EVEN TRY. SO TAKE YOUR MILLIONS AND PLEASE GO RETIRE. NO REUNION TOURS (SEE THE CARS) OR CONTINUING ON THIS RIDICULOUS MANNER (SEE ELTON JOHN AND STEVEN TYLER). WHEN YOU’RE DONE YOU ARE DONE – SO ACCEPT IT)
2. SLOAN-“THE DOUBLE CROSS” (THERE ARE 3 SONGS I KIND OF LIKE. THE REST IS LIKE THEY SWALLOWED A BOX OF “BUBBLEGUM” AND SPIT OUT THE DRIVEL THAT IS THE MAJORITY OF THIS RECORD. I MOSTLY HATED IT AND AM STILL SURPRISED THIS IS THE NEW SLOAN ALBUM)
3. THE ELECTED-“BURY ME IN MY RINGS” (UGH! ANOTHER BUBBLEBUM SATURATED DISGRACE. I HATE THIS CRAP!!! I’VE NO IDEA WHAT’S HAPPENED HERE.)
4. DAVID SYLVIAN-“DIED IN THE WOOL / MANAFON VARIATIONS” (IT’S A DIFFICULT LISTEN FOR SURE. I LOVE DAVID’S VOICE AND SOME OF THE POEMS ARE NICE BUT IT DOES REEK OF PURE SELF INDULGENCE AND I WOULD NOT IMAGINE MYSELF RETURNING TO THIS RECORD AGAIN)
MAY SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. FLEET FOXES-“GROWN OCEAN”
2. SEAPONY-“DREAMING”
3. PYGMY LUSH-“JANUARY SONG”
4. THE SEA AND CAKE-“UP ON THE NORTH SHORE”
5. BORIS-“HOPE”
6. ohGr-“BELLEW”
7. THE CARS-“BLUE TIP”
8. THE CARS-“SAD SONG”
9. THE CARS-“FREE”
10. LADY GAGA-“MARRY THE NIGHT”
11. LADY GAGA-“JUDAS”
12. LADY GAGA-“SCHEIBE”
13. FOSTER THE PEOPLE-“HELENA BEAT” (ALBUM VERSION)
14. FOSTER THE PEOPLE-“PUMPED UP KICKS” (ALBUM VERSION)
15. CAT’S EYES-“FACE IN THE CROWD”
16. CAT’S EYES-“OVER YOU”
17. LAMB-“LAST NIGHT THE SKY”
18. LAMB-“BACK TO BEGINNING (FEATURING DAMIEN RICE)”
19. DECIBULLY-“THE GRASS OR THE GREEN”
20. OKKERVIL RIVER-“LAY OF THE LAST SURVIVOR”
21. OKKERVIL RIVER-“YOUR PAST LIFE AS A BLAST (A PERSONAL FAVORITE!)
22. ANTIETAM-“SOMETHING’S GONNA GIVE”
23. ANTIETAM-“BIG BLUFF LOVE”
24. THE ANTLERS-“FRENCH EXIT”
25. CITY CENTER-“PUPPERS” (LOVE IT!)
26. CITY CENTER-“MODERN LOVE” (LOVE IT!!)
27. JESU-“SEDATION”
28. THE SEA AND CAKE-“UP ON THE NORTH SHORE”
29. SLOAN-“THE ANSWER WAS YOU”
30. WEEKEND-“END TIMES” (RADIO EDIT)
31. THE WATERBOYS-“TRUMPETS (HEADSTRONG REMIX 2011)”
32. MOBY-“BE THE ONE”
33. WHITE DENIM-“STREET JOY”
34. THURSTON MOORE-“BENEDICTION”
35. FRIENDLY FIRES-“HURTING”
36. FRIENDLY FIRES-“SHOW ME LIGHTS”
37. FRIENDLY FIRES-“TRUE LOVE”
38. FRIENDLY FIRES-“HELPLESS”
39. KING CREOSOTE & JON HOPKINS-“BATS IN THE ATTIC” (A TOTAL FAVOURITE! STUNNING SONG)
40. ART BRUT-“LOST WEEKEND”
41. JOSEPH ARTHUR-“OUT ON A LIMB”
42. JOSEPH ARTHUR-“ALMOST BLUE”
43. JOSEPH ARTHUR-“LOVE NEVER ASKS YOU TO LIE”
44. BORIS-“HOPE”
45. BORIS-“SPOON”
46. BORIS-“TU, LA LA”
47. GUS GUS-“OVER”
48. GUS GUS-“MAGNIFIED LOVE” (ANOTHER FAV!)
49. AIDAN MOFFAT & BILL WELLS-“(IF YOU) KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART”
50. BRENDAN PERRY-“WINTERSUN”
51. PULSEPROGRAMMING-“PERFECT PROBLEMATIC” (LOVE IT!)
52. PULSEPROGRAMMING-“FIRST THEY FIRE”
53. JOHN TEJADA-“UNSTABLE CONDITION” (ANOTHER FAV!)
54. PETE AND THE PIRATES-“COME TO THE BAR”
55. PETE AND THE PIRATES-“WINTER 1” (A FAV!)
56. GOLD-BEARS-“RECORD STORE” (A FAV!)
57. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE-“UNDERNEATH THE SYCAMORE” (A FAV!)
58. MY MORNING JACKET-“THE DAY IS COMING”
59. MY MORNING JACKET-“YOU WANNA FREAK OUT”
60. THE VACCINES-“IF YOU WANNA”
61. AUSTRA-“LOSE IT”
62. AUSTRA-“BEAT AND THE PULSE” + REMIX (A FAV!)
63. SARABETH TUCEK-“AT THE BAR”
64. SEAPONY-“DREAMING” (A FAV!)
65. COUNTRY MICE-“FESTIVAL” (A FAV!)
66. COUNTRY MICE-“WORN HEARTS”
67. HERE WE GO MAGIC-“TULIP”
68. GANG GANG DANCE-“MINDKILLA”
69. WILD BEASTS-“BED OF NAILS”
70. TREMBLING BLUE STARS-“KIDNEY BINGOS”
71. LOVE INKS-“BLACKEYE”
72. THE NATIONAL-“THINK YOU CAN WAIT” (FROM THE FILM ‘WIN WIN’)
73. OTHER LIVES-“FOR 12”
74. ROBAG WRUHME-“PNOM GOBAL” (A FAV!)
75. LITURGY-“GENERATION” (A FAV!)
MAY (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. FLEET FOXES-“HELPLESSNESS BLUES”
2. JOSEPH ARTHUR-“THE GRADUATION CEREMONY”
3. KING CREOSOTE & JON HOPKINS-“DIAMOND MINE”
4. GUS GUS-“ARABIAN HORSE”
5. DOMINIK EULBERG-“DIORAMA”
6. AUSTRA-“FEEL IT BREAK”
7. COUNTRY MICE-“TWISTER”
8. THE ANTLERS-“BURST APART”
9. CAT’S EYES-“CAT’S EYES”
10. ROBAG WRUHME-“THORA VUKK”
11. OTHER LIVES-“TAMER ANIMALS”
12. BORIS-“ATTENTION PLEASE”
13. ANTIETAM-“TENTH LIFE”
14. AIDAN MOFFAT & BILL WELLS-“EVERYTHING’S GETTING OLDER”
15. CITY CENTER-“REDEEMER”
16. GOLD-BEARS-“ARE YOU FALLING IN LOVE?”
17. PULSEPROGRAMMING-“CHARADE IS GOLD”
18. JOHN TEJADA-“UNSTABLE CONDITION B/W THE LIVING NIGHT” (SINGLE)
19. WHITE DENIM-“D”
20. BORIS-“HEAVY ROCKS”
21. LAMB-“5”
22. THURSTON MOORE-“DEMOLISHED THOUGHTS”
23. OHGR-“UNDEVELOPED”
24. DECIBULLY-“YOU MIGHT BE A WINNER, YOU MIGHT BE A LOSER, BUT YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A GAMBLER”
25. COLOURMUSIC-“MY___ IS PINK”
26. TREMBLING BLUE STARS-“CORRESPONDENCE” [EP]
27. THE VACCINES-“WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM THE VACCINES?”
28. ROBYN HITCHCOCK-“TROMSO, KAPTEIN”
29. BRENDAN PERRY-“ARK”
30. EMA-“PAST LIFE MARTYRED SAINTS”
31. JESU-“ASCENSION”
32. JAMES PANTS-“JAMES PANTS”
33. DAMON & NAOMI-“FALSE BEATS & TRUE HEARTS”
34. LITURGY-“AESTHETHICA”
35. PETE AND THE PIRATES-“ONE THOUSAND PICTURES”
36. FRIENDLY FIRES-“PALA” (DELUXE EDITION)
37. BALKANS-“BALKANS”
38. GUS GUS-“MAGNIFIED LOVE B/W WITHIN YOU” (SINGLE)
39. MOBY-“DESTROYED” (DELUXE 2-CD EDITION)
40. THE SEA ND CAKE-“THE MOONLIGHT BUTTERFLY”
41. WILD BEASTS-“SMOTHER”
42. AMOR DE DIAS (LOVE OF DAYS)-“STREET OF THE LOVE OF DAYS”
43. ECHO LAKE-“YOUNG SILENCE” [EP]
44. OKKERVIL RIVER-“I AM VERY FAR”
45. ASOBI SEKSU-“PERFECTLY CRYSTAL” [EP]
46. ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS-“SWANLIGHTS” [EP]
47. THIS WILL DESTROY YOU-“TUNNEL BLANKET”
48. GANG GANG DANCE-“EYE CONTACT”
49. ART BRUT-“BRILLIANT! TRAGIC!”
50. GRUFF RHYS-“HOTEL SHAMPOO”
51. SEAPONY-“DREAMING + 2” (SINGLE)
52. HERE WE GO MAGIC-“THE JANUARY EP”
53. SARABETH TUCEK-“GET WELL SOON”
54. DERRICK MAY-“RELICS – A TRANSMAT COMPILATION SAMPLER”
55. STORNOWAY-“4AD SESSION” [EP]
56. FOSTER THE PEOPLE-“TORCHES”
57. FRANK FAIRFIELD-“OUT ON THE OPEN WEST”
58. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE-“CODES AND KEYS”
59. MY MORNING JACKET-“CIRCUITAL”
60. BIBIO-“K IS FOR KELSON” [EP]
61. BAHAMAS-“PINK STRAT”
62. BOXCUTTER-“THE DISSOLVE”
63. SEAPONY-“GO WITH ME”
64. LOVE INKS-“E.S.P.”
65. WEEKEND-“END TIMES B/W COMA SUMMER” (SINGLE MIXES)
66. DAVID BAZAN-“STRANGE NEGOTIATIONS”
67. EDDIE VEDDER-“UKELELE SONGS”
68. SPARROW AND THE WORKSHOP-“SPITTING DAGGERS”
69. KRISTEEN YOUNG-“V THE VOLCANIC” [EP]
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
MAY (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. THE CARS-“MOVE LIKE THIS”
2. GRINDERMAN-“EVIL” (REMIX EP)
3. LADY GAGA-“BORN THIS WAY”
4. THE FELICE BROTHERS-“CELEBRATION, FLORIDA” (THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT ALBUM FOR ME!)
5. LAURA CANTRELL-“KITTY WELLS DRESSES: THE SONGS OF THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC” (I LOVE LAURA AND HER VOICE IS SPECTACULAR. WHAT I DIDN’T LOVE ABOUT THIS ALBUM IS THAT EVERY SINGLE SONG SOUNDED REMARKABLY LIKE THE SONG THAT HAD JUST COME BEFORE IT! THAT’S NEVER A GOOD THING)
6. BATTLES-“ICE CREAM” [EP] (ALL THE CRITICS ARE CRAZY FOR THIS AND I AM FAN OF BATTLES. HOWEVER, THIS LEFT ME WONDERING WHAT’S THE BIG FUSS. ALTHOUGH I WILL ADMIT IT COULD BE GROWING ON ME I HAVEN’T GOTTEN AROUND TO LISTENING TO THE FULL ALBUM SO I’LL RESERVE JUDGEMENT ON THAT BUT THIS SINGLE DOESN’T DO IT FOR ME AND I LIKE MATIAS AGUAYO ALSO BUT HE COULDN’T DO ANYTHING FOR THIS SONG EITHER IN MY OPINION.)
7. WET HAIR-“RADIANT LINES B/W DECAY” (IT PLAYED. IT ENDED. I FORGOT IT ALREADY)
8. KATE BUSH-“THE DIRECTOR’S CUT” (I HATE TO AGREE WITH THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS OUT THERE BUT IF THIS IS WHAT KATE REALLY WANTED RELEASED SHE’S NOT IN TOUCH WITH HER GREATNESS BECAUSE THIS IS ALL SUB PAR TO THE OTHER VERSIONS.)
9. PLANNINGTOROCK-“W” (THIS IS ONE TOUGH RECORD. IT COULD BE LIKE A FUNGUS BUT ONLY TIME WILL TELL)
10. A STORM OF LIGHT-“AS THE VALLEY OF DEATH BECOMES US, OUR SILVER MEMORIES FADE” (WITHOUT ANY VOCALS WHATSOEVER I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO IT)
11. BRANDI CARLILE-“LIVE AT BENAROYA HALL WITH THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY” (BRANDI HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL BUT RESORTING TO VOCAL ACROBATICS THAT FELT MORE PLANNED THAN FELT, AND INSIPID AUDIENCE SINGALONGS THAT REALLY RUINED THIS LIVE SYMPHONY BACKED EFFORT AS A WHOLE FOR ME. ALSO, WAY TOO MANY COVERS, I EXPECTED MORE FROM HER. ALSO, SHE REALLY (!!!) SHOWS IGNORANCE BY INTRODUCING “FOREVER YOUNG” AS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS FROM THE 80’S, WHEN DYLAN RELEASED IT IN 1974. INCREDIBLY LAME & EMBARRASING STATEMENT. I ENJOYED PIECES BUT NOT THE WHOLE.)
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. MAY FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. THE WATERBOYS-“IN A SPECIAL PLACE (THE PIANO DEMOS FOR ‘THIS IS THE SEA’ FROM 1985)” (AMAZING! MIKE SCOTT’S VOICE IS SO INCREDIBLE. IF ONLY I COULD HAVE BEEN GIFTED WITH A VOICE LIKE HIS!)
2. MORRISSEY-“THE VERY BEST OF MORRISSEY”
3. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“UNCUT MAGAZINE MAY 2011 ISSUE: “SUN IT RISES” COMPILED EXCLUSIVELY FOR UNCUT BY FLEET FOXES’ ROBIN PECKNOLD”
4. MORRISSEY-“GLAMOUROUS GLUE B/W TREAT ME LIKE A HUMAN BEING (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED DEMO)” (SINGLE) (THE SOUND IS FANTASTIC AND THE B-SIDE IS CLASSIC MOZ!)
5. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE-“S/T” (1998/2011 DELUXE REISSUE)
6. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“INSOUND DIGITAL MIXTAPE COMPILATION” (MAY 2011)
7. THE LONG RYDERS-“NATIVE SONS” (DELUXE EDITION) (1984/2011)
8. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“MOJO MAGAZINE MAY 2011 ISSUE: “PRESENTS- 1,2,3,4! THE ROOTS OF THE RAMONES”
9. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“SPIN MAGAZINE COMPILATION” (MAY 2011)
10. PETER CASE-“THE CASE FILES: 1985-2010”
11. BLANK DOGS-“COLLECTED BY ITSELF: 2006-2009”
12. THE REATARDS-“TEENAGE HATE / FUCK ELVIS HERE’S THE REATARDS” (1998/2011)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN JUNE:
1. ARCTIC MONKEYS-“SUCK IT AND SEE” (IF THIS RECORD HAS A POINT I’VE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. WHATEVER HAS HAPPENED TO THEM NOW IT ISN’T LIKE THE SAME BAND WHO GAVE US THE PAST 2 ALBUMS. THIS SUCKS!)
2. SONDRE LERCHE-“SONDRE LERCHE” (HIS PREVIOUS ALBUM WAS EXCELLENT. I JUST COULDN’T GET INTO THIS AT ALL. THE ARRANGEMENTS WANTED TO BE DIFFERENT AND AT TIMES DIFFICULT BUT IT JUST DIDN’T FEEL LIKE IT WORKED AT ALL AND IT ONLY MADE SONDRE’S SINGING COME ACROSS AS QUITE FLAT. I REALLY COULDN’T WAIT FOR IT TO END)
3. DUNCAN SHEIK-“COVERS 80’S” (ANOTHER MESS. STRIPPED DOWN COVERS THAT COULD HAVE WORKED. I LIKED QUITE A BIT OF THE INSTRUMENTATION IN VARIOUS SONGS BUT DUNCAN
4. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“MOJO MAGAZINE JUNE 2011: BROTHERHOOD – A COMPILATION FROM THE BLACK KEYS” (UGH! THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY HERE.)
5. VARIOIUS ARTISTS-“UNCUT MAGAZINE JUNE 2011: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB: A 70TH BIRTHDAY GIFT TO BOB DYLAN” (THIS COMPILATION IS SO STUPID!!!! THE SONGS ARE SEEMINGLY MEANINGLESS IF YOU ARE BOB DYLAN. I DON’T GET THIS AT ALL. IT FELT LIKE ZERO THOUGHT WENT INTO WHAT THIS MAYBE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. I JUST HATED IT.
6. COM TRUISE-“GALACTIC MELT” (MOSTLY QUITE BORING. NOT MUCH HAPPENING IN EACH SONG. I WAS WAITING FOR IT TO END FOR IT WAS MERELY BACKGROUND. NEVER A GOOD SIGN IN MY BOOK!)
7. BRUNO PRONSATO-“LOVERS DO” (2-CD) (I WANTED IT TO BE GREAT, BUT IT WAS JUST FLAT OUT BORING!)
8. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“RAVE ON BUDDY HOLLY” (A TRIBUTE) (OK, I KNEW THIS WOULDN’T BE A FAVOURITE BEFORE I LISTENED TO IT. I REALLY HAD TO HAVE THE PATTI SMITH TRACK AND IT AND THE FIONA APPLE DID NOT LET ME DOWN)
9. THE BOOK OF KNOTS-“GARDEN OF FAINTING STARS” (INCLUDING THE MALE VOCALS/RANTING WAS A HUGE MISTAKE HERE. GONE ARE THE GUEST FEMALE VOCALISTS AND IN IT’S PLACE IS A HOT MESS OUTSHADOWING THE MUSIC ITSELF. TRAGIC.)
10. STAY COOL FOREVER-“WHENEVER” [EP] (WHATEVER I MAY HAVE BEEN EXPECTING IT WASN’T THIS. IT’S JUST BAD IS ALL I CAN REALLY SAY.)
11. UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA-“UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA” (THE FIRST TWO SONGS ARE GREAT. IT WENT DOWNHILL FROM THERE, MEANING IT WAS VERY FORGETTABLE. I BELIEVE THEY WERE LIKE THAT LIVE. JAMES AND I ENDED UP TALKING THROUGH THEIR SET. THAT’S NEVER A GOOD SIGN.)
JUNE SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. CULTS-“OH MY GOD”
2. GILLIAN WELCH-“THE WAY IT WILL BE”
3. SONDRE LERCHE-“PRIVATE CALLER”
4. CULTS-“GO OUTSIDE”
5. GIVERS-“WORDS”
6. HOORAY FOR EARTH-“SAILS” (A FAV!)
7. PETER MURPHY-“THE PRINCE & OLD LADY SHADE” (TIED FOR FIRST WITH ARMY NAVY!!)
8. BATTLES-“ICE CREAM (FEATURING MATIAS AGUAYO)”
9. BATTLES-“MY MACHINES (FEATURING GARY NUMAN)”
10. ARMY NAVY-“LAST LEGS”
11. ARMY NAVY-“THE LONG GOODBYE” (TIED WITH PETER MURPHY FOR FIRST)
12. ARMY NAVY-“I THINK IT’S GONNA HAPPEN”
13. VETIVER-“IT’S BEYOND ME” (A FAV)
14. MARISSA NADLER-“THE SUN ALWAYS REMINDS ME OF YOU”
15. PHOTEK-“AVIATOR” (LOVE IT A FAV!)
16. BLACK LIPS-“TIME”
17. FUCKED UP-“UNDER MY NOSE”
18. FUCKED UP-“SHIP OF FOOLS”
19. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“HOLD ON” (A FAV!)
20. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“TASTE OF HEAVEN”
21. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“MATTER OF TIME”
22. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“UNDERCOVER” (A FAV!)
23. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“TELL ME”
24. THE JAPANESE POPSTARS-“LET GO (FEATURING GREEN VELVET)”
25. THE JAPANESE POPSTARS-“FIGHT THE NIGHT (FEATURING MORGAN KIBBY)”
26. THE JAPANESE POPSTARS-“JOSHUA (FEATURING TOM SMITH OF EDITORS)”
27. ICEAGE-“WHITE RUNE”
28. ICEAGE-“YOU’RE BLESSED”
29. CENTRO MATIC-“AGAINST THE LINE”
30. THE WOODEN BIRDS (ANDREW KENNY OF AMERICAN ANALOG SET)-“SECRETS”
31. HANDSOME FURS-“DAMAGE” (A FAVOURITE!)
32. HANDSOME FURS-“WHAT ABOUT US?”
33. WHEN SAINTS GO MACHINE-“CHESTNUT”
34. BUTCHER THE BAR-“GIANT”
35. LIAM FINN-“DON’T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME”
36. PIERRE LX-“INDEX 1”
37. ELLIE HERRING-“FULL BLOWN”
38. PETER BRADLEY ADAMS-“I MAY NOT LET GO”
39. THE APARTMENTS-“BLACK RIBBONS (SPRING MIX)”
40. UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA-“FFUNNY FFRIENDS”
41. PORCELAIN RAFT-“TIP OF YOUR TONGUE”
42. VIVA VOCE-“BLACK MOOD RING”
43. THE LADYBUG TRANSISTOR-“LIGHT ON THE NARROW GAUGE”
44. DALE EARNHARDT JR JR-“NOTHING BUT OUR LOVE”
45. JOHN MAUS-“STREETLIGHT”
46. JOHN MAUS-“HEAD FOR THE COUNTRY”
47. SUN AIRWAY-“WILD PALMS”
JUNE (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. THE JAPANESE POPSTARS-“CONTROLLING YOUR ALLEGIANCE”
2. PETER MURPHY-“NINTH”
3. ARMY NAVY-“THE LAST PLACE”
4. GILLIAN WELCH-“THE HARROW & THE HARVEST”
5. LAUREL HALO-“HOUR LOGIC” [EP]
6. BIOSPHERE-“N-PLANTS”
7. THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974-“WAYWARD FIRE”
8. ICEAGE-“NEW BRIGADE”
9. PHOTEK-“AVIATOR” [EP]
10. WU LYF-“GO TELL FIRE TO THE MOUNTAIN”
11. WOODS-“SUN AND SHADE”
12. PIERRE LX-“OUT 1”
13. KANGDING RAY-“OR”
14. FUCKED UP-“DAVID COMES TO LIFE”
15. GAVIN FRIDAY-“CATHOLIC”
16. HANDSOME FURS-“SOUND KAPITAL”
17. BUTCHER THE BAR-“FOR EACH A FUTURE TETHERED”
18. CULTS-“CULTS”
19. VETIVER-“THE ERRANT CHARM”
20. MARISSA NADLER-“MARISSA NADLER”
21. HEIRLOOMS OF AUGUST-“FOREVER THE MOON”
22. PETER BRADLEY ADAMS-“BETWEEN US”
23. VIVA VOCE-“THE FUTURE RWILL DESTROY YOU”
24. BON IVER-“BON IVER”
25. THE APARTMENTS-“BLACK RIBBONS” (2-TRACK SINGLE)
26. DALE EARNHARDT JR JR-“IT’S A CORPORATE WORLD”
27. JOHN MAUS-“WE MUST BECOME THE PITILESS CENSORS OF OURSELVES”
28. WHEN SAINTS GO MACHINE-“KONKYLIE”
29. HOORAY FOR EARTH-“TRUE LOVES”
30. BATTLES-“GLOSS DROP”
31. BAREM-“BLUE” [EP]
32. ELLIE HERRING-“FLAILING IN ATTRACTION” [EP]
33. CENTRO-MATIC-“CANDIDATE WALTZ”
34. SYSTEM 7-“UP”
35. THE LADYBUG TRANSISTOR-“CLUTCHING STEMS”
36. PORCELAIN RAFT-“GONE BLIND” [EP]
37. THE WOODEN BIRDS (ANDREW KENNY OF AMERICAN ANALOG SET)-“TWO MATCHSTICKS”
38. PAT METHENY-“WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT” (COVERS)
39. BODIES OF WATER-“TWIST AGAIN”
40. THE ROSEBUDS-“LOUD PLANES FLY LOW”
41. LIAM FINN-“FOMO”
42. TELEPATHE-“THROW AWAY THIS B/W DESTROYER” (SINGLE)
43. THE BOXER REBELLION-“THE RUNNER” (REMIXES EP)
44. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“SPIN MAGAZINE JUNE 2011 COMPILATION”
45. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“PAST MAGAZINE DIGITAL SAMPLER ISSUE #1 WEEK OF JUNE 27, 2011”
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
JUNE (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. GIVERS-“IN LIGHT”
2. BEIRUT-“EAST HARLEM B/W GOSHEN” (I LIKE THE B-SIDE WELL ENOUGH BUT EAST HARLEM IS LIKE HUH?)
3. EMMY THE GREAT-“VIRTUE”
4. BLACK LIPS-“ARABIA MOUNTAIN” (I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH TOO MANY SONGS…)
5. JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD-“WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS” (A VERY DISJOINTED RECORD. THEY DON’T SEEM SURE OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. THE BLAND STUFF IS JUST THAT. THE GOOD TRAX ARE GOOD BUT THEY DON’T FLOW INTO EACH OTHER AND THE BAD SONGS INBETWEEN REALLY RUIN THE RECORD AS A WHOLE SO I JUST THINK THERE’S TOO MUCH THROWAY AND THEY WEREN’T READY FOR A FULL ALBUM.)
6. IKUE MORI & JULIANNA BARWICK-“FRKWYS VOL. 6” (I SUPPOSE I WAS EXPECTING MORE. INSTEAD THEY JUST OOHED AND AAHED OVER ALL 4 TRACKS. THERE WERE MOMENTS I CONNECTED SO I SUSPECT THAT SUBSEQUENT LISTENS MAY REVEAL A MORE REWARDING EXPERIENCE SO I CAN’T GIVE IT A “BAD” REVIEW. THIS ONE MAY REQUIRE A GESTATION PERIOD…)
7. JOLIE HOLLAND & THE GRAND CHANDELIERS-“PINT OF BLOOD” (THE FIRST COUPLE SONGS I CAN’T SHAKE THE FEELING THAT JOLIE IS INTENTIONALLY TRYING TO CHANNEL HER INNER LUCINDA WILLIAMS WITH INFLECTIONS SHAMELESSLY LIFTED FROM LUCINDA’S THROAT. THEN, I DIDN’T NOTICE IT AS MUCH FOR THE NEXT 4 OR 5 SONGS AND THEN IT WAS BACK. I DIDN’T LOVE HER VOCALS ON THIS RECORD MOST OF THE TIME. IS JOLIE IN NEED OF A CUP OF COFFEE OR IS SHE ON DRUGS? MAYBE IT’S NEITHER BUT SOMETHING’S UP.)
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. JUNE FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. COLOUR REVOLT-“THE CRADLE” (DELUXE EDITION 2-CD) (2010/2011)
2. TEENA MARIE-“FIRST CLASS LOVE: RARE TEE” (2-CD COLLECTION) (DISC ONE HAS A LOT THAT I COULDN’T BE BOTHERED WITH BUT DISC TWO IS THE REAL GEM HERE: ACOUSTIC DEMOS FROM THE 70’S ARE PRICELESS. DISC ONE HAS ONE WONDERFUL TRACK WHICH IS TEENA’S COVER OF “MORE LOVE” AND IT’S EXCELLENT.)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN JULY:
1. LITTLE DRAGON-“RITUAL UNION” (REMIXES EP) (COMPLETELY UNMEMORABLE!)
2.
JULY SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER-“MY MISTAKES”
2. MEMORY TAPES-“WAIT IN THE DARK”
3. GARDENS & VILLA-“STAR FIRE POWER”
4. SWIRLIES-“SAN CRISTABAL DE LAS CASAS”
5. MY TEENAGE STRIDE-“CREEP ACADEMY”
6. VACATION-“JEANE”
7. WASHED OUT-“ECHOES”
8. WASHED OUT-“AMOR FATI”
9. CUT OFF YOUR HANDS-“YOU SHOULD DO BETTER” (SINGLE OF THE MONTH!!)
10. CRYSTAL ANTLERS-“DOG DAYS”
11. AMY LAVERE-“DAMN LOVE SONG” (ANOTHER FAV!)
12. MILK MAID-“NOT ME”
13. S.C.U.M.-“AMBER HANDS”
14. LITTLE DRAGON-“BRUSH THE HEAT”
15. THE MIDDLE EAST-“JESUS CAME TO MY BIRTHDAY PARTY”
16. THE MIDDLE EAST-“DAN’S SILVERLEAF”
17. THE MIDDLE EAST-“HUNGER SONG”
18. GERARD STARKIE-“PREVIOUS NOTES”
19. PICTUREPLANE-“BLACK NAILS”
20. PICTUREPLANE-“REAL IS A FEELING”
21. RELEASE THE SUNBIRD-“NO LIGHT” (A FAV!)
JULY (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. CUT OFF YOUR HANDS-“HOLLOW”
2. RELEASE THE SUNBIRD-“COME BACK TO US”
3. THE MIDDLE EAST-“I WANT THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS HAPPY”
4. WASHED OUT-“WITHIN AND WITHOUT”
5. GERARD STARKIE-“POTIONS” (FORMERLY WITNESS UK)
6. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“MOJO MAGAZINE COMPILATION: JULY 2011: COMMUNION RECORDS: A NEW GENERATION OF SONGWRITERS”
7. RADIOHEAD-“RADIOHEAD’S 20 BEST COVER SONGS”
8. DIGITALISM-“I LOVE YOU, DUDE” (IT FEELS LIKE THE ALBUM THAT DAFT PUNK HAS WANTED TO MAKE SINCE THEIR DEBUT, BUT HASN’T. I LIKE IT A LOT. OF COURSE I HATE THE TITLE.)
9. MEMORY TAPES-“PLAYER PIANO”
10. VARIOUS ARTTISTS-“INSOUND DIGITAL MIXTAPE JULY 2011 IN 3 PARTS: HUDSON RIVER PARK’S RIVER ROCKS SERIES; THE BEACH PARTY MUSIC SERIES; SOUND BITES @ FULTON STALL MARKET PRESENTS BROOKLYN LOCAL MIX TAPE”
11. DELICATE CUTTERS-“SOME CREATURES”
12. OLD 97’S-“THE GRAND THEATRE VOLUME 2”
13. AMY LAVERE-“STRANGER ME”
14. TIM EASTON-“SINCE 1966, VOLUME 1”
15. DEX ROMWEBER DUO-“IS THAT YOU IN THE BLUE?”
16. S.C.U.M.-“AMBER HANDS”
17. CRYSTAL ANTLERS-“TWO-WAY MIRROR”
18. GROOMS-“PROM”
19. MOTOR CITY DRUM ENSEMBLE-“DJ KICKS”
20. LITTLE DRAGON-“RITUAL UNION”
21. PORTUGAL. THE MAN-“IN THE MOUNTAIN IN THE CLOUD”
22. MILK MAID-“YUCCA”
23. GARDENS & VILLA-“S/T”
24. PICTUREPLANE-“THEE PHYSICAL”
25. KASEY CHAMBERS-“LITTLE BIRD”
26. LA VAMPIRES GOES ITAL-“STREETWISE” [EP]
27. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“SPIN MAGAZINE COMPILATION: JULY 2011 COMPILATION”
28. BRIAN ENO-“DRUMS BETWEEN THE BELLS”
29. WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE-“FIELD SONGS”
30. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“DIM MAK RECORDS PRESENTS: ELECTRONIC VAULT VOLUME 1” (2-CD COLLECTION)
31. FENNESZ-“SEVEN STARS” [EP]
32. LALI PUNA-“MOVE ON B/W AFTER ALL STOP” (SINGLE)
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
JULY (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. WASHED OUT-“EYES BE CLOSED” (REMIX EP)
2. ATARI TEENAGE RIOT-“IS THIS HYPERREAL?”
3. PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT FEATURING ROWETTA-“1102” [EP] (REDOING 4 JOY DIVISION SONGS)
4. JENNY O.-“HOME” [EP]
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. JULY FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. R.E.M.-“LIFE’S RICH PAGEANT” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION 1986/2011)
2. SUEDE-“COMING UP” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION)
3. SUEDE-“DOG MAN STAR” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN AUGUST:
1. FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE-“SKY FULL OF HOLES” (THIS IS A CLOSE FRONT RUNNER TO THE WORST ALBUM OF THE YEAR ALONG WITH IRON & WINE. JUST TERRIBLE. MAYBE IF A WORD WASN’T SUNG ON THIS RECORD IT MAY BE OK MUSICALLY, BUT THE LYRICS ARE SO HORRENDOUS THAT IT’S ALL INEXCUSABLE. THERE IS AN AMAZON BONUS TRACK A COVER OF THE MOODY BLUES’ “THE STORY IN YOUR EYES” AND THAT IS QUITE GOOD. THEIR OWN SONGS SUCK BADLY. AVOID AT ALL COST EXCEPT THE COVER!)
2. MISTER HEAVENLY-“OUT OF LOVE” (DEFINITELY THE WORST ALBUM OF THE MONTH! UGH. WHAT A MESS. TO KNOW THAT MEMBERS OF: ISLANDS, THE UNICORNS, THE SHINS, MAN MAN & MODEST MOUSE COULD ACTUALLY PUT THIS OUT IS DISHEARTENING. IF THEY WERE INFLUENCED BY 50’S DOO WOP AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY CLEARLY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. TOTAL EMBARRASMENT.)
3. NEWVILLAGER-“NEWVILLAGER” (THIS MESS IS SUPPOSED TO BE INFLUENCED BY R&B. I COULDN’T WAIT FOR IT TO END. I WAS TOTALLY UNINSPIRED. ANOTHER YUCK!)
4. JUNIP-“WITHOUT YOU” (REMIXES EP) (UNMEMORABLE)
AUGUST SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. JESSE SYKES AND THE SWEET HEREAFTER-“COME TO MARY”
2. FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE-“THE STORY IN YOUR EYES” (MOODY BLUES COVER)
3. IVY-“FASCINATED”
4. BIBIO-“TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT”
5. SCREAMING TREES-“ASH GRAY SUNDAY”
6. JIM WARD-“ON MY WAY BACK HOME”
7. JIM WARD-“COASTLINES (ELECTRIC)”
8. NIKKI LANE-“GONE, GONE, GONE”
9. GUS GUS-“OVER (SASSE REMIX)” (A FAV!)
10. DOM-“FAMILY OF LOVE”
11. DOM-“DAMN”
12. WIDOWSPEAK-“GUN SHY”
13. THE DUKE & THE KING-“YOU AND I”
14. THE WAR ON DRUGS-“BEST NIGHT” (A FAV!)
15. THE HORRORS-“I CAN SEE THROUGH YOU” (A FAV!)
16. THE HORRORS-“ENDLESS BLUE” (A FAV!)
17. GANGLIANS-“GOOD TIMES”
18. GANGLIANS-“FASTER”
19. I BREAK HORSES-“PULSE”
20. ANA EGGE-“MOTORCYCLE”
21. BEIRUT-“SANTA FE”
22. JOHN DOE-“NEVER ENOUGH”
23. MALE BONDING-“SEEMS TO NTICE NOW”
24. MALE BONDING-“WHAT’S THAT SCENE”
25. MALE BONDING-“CHANNELING YOUR FEARS”
26. HALLOWEEN, ALASKA-“EMPIRE ALASKA”
27. CHAIRLIFT-“AMANAEMONESIA”
28. UME-“THE PUSH”
29. MAGIC TOUCH-“CLUBHOUSE”
30. BLOOD ORANGE-“FORGET IT”
31. BLOOD ORANGE-“SUTPHIN BLVD.”
32. THE FEATURES-“ANOTHER ONE”
AUGUST (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. THE HORRORS-“SKYING”
2. JIM WARD-“QUIET IN THE VALLEY, ON THE SHORES THE END BEGINS & THE ELECTRIC SIX” (2-CD)
3. THE WAR ON DRUGS-“SLAVE AMBIENT”
4. MALE BONDING-“ENDLESS NOW”
5. BLOOD ORANGE-“COASTAL GROOVES”
6. DRUGSTORE-“ANATOMY”
7. I BREAK HORSES-“HEARTS”
8. UME-“PHANTOMS”
9. ACTIVE CHILD-“YOU ARE ALL I SEE”
10. ANA EGGE-“BAD BLOOD”
11. BEIRUT-“THE RIP TIDE”
12. MARTYN-“MASKS B/W VIPER” (SINGLE)
13. THE BLACK DOG-“LIBER KULT (BOOK 1 OV 3)” [EP]
14. AUSTRA-“SPARKLE” (REMIXES)
15. GUS GUS-“OVER” (THE REMIX EP)
16. BALAM ACAB-“WANDER/WONDER”
17. CATIE CURTIS-“STRETCH LIMOUSINE ON FIRE”
18. FIONN REGAN-“100 ACRES OF SYCAMORE”
19. TOMMY KEENE-“BEHIND THE PARADE”
20. GANGLIANS-“STILL LIVING”
21. BALAM ACAB-“WANDER / WONDER”
22. WE ARE AUGUSTINES-“RISE YE SUNKEN SHIPS”
23. NICOLAI DUNGER-“BALLAD OF THIS LAND”
24. HOTEL LIGHTS-“GIRL GRAFFITI”
25. GOLD LEAVES-“THE ORNAMENT”
26. THE WEATHER STATION-“ALL OF IT WAS MINE”
27. RICHARD BUCKNER-“OUR BLOOD”
28. JOHN DOE-“KEEPER”
29. THE PARSON RED HEADS-“YEARLING”
30. FOOL’S GOLD-“LEAVE NO TRACE”
31. RIVULETS-“WE’RE FUCKED”
32. CYMBALS EAT GUITARS-“LENSES ALIEN”
33. HALLOWEEN, ALASKA-“ALL NIGHT THE CALLS CAME IN”
34. BOSTON SPACESHIPS-“LET IT BEARD” (2-CD)
35. CLEM SNIDE-“CLEM SNIDE’S JOURNEY” [EP] (COVERS OF 6 JOURNEY SONGS)
36. VERONICA FALLS-“BAD FEELING B/W TRY AGAIN” (SINGLE)
37. HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR-“BLUE SONGS” (DELUXE 2-CD EDITION)
38. CANON BLUE-“RUMSPRINGA”
39. THE DUKE & THE KING-“THE DUKE & THE KING”
40. DOM-“FAMILY OF LOVE” [EP]
41. CLOUD SEEDING (FEATURING MARISSA NADLER)-“INK JAR B/W UNQUESTIONING” (SINGLE)
42. BRAID-“CLOSER TO CLOSED” [EP]
43. JOE GODDARD (HOT CHIP)-“GABRIEL” [EP]
44. BIBIO-“TOYS” [EP]
45. SHORES-“COUP DE GRACE”
46. WIDOWSPEAK-“WIDOWSPEAK”
47. SILK FLOWERS-“DAYS OF ARREST” [EP]
48. CFCF-“COMETRUE” [EP]
49. PHOTEK-“CLOSER” (SINGLE)
50. OLLABELLE-“NEON BLUE BIRD”
51. STEPHEN MALKMUS AND THE JICKS-“MIRROR TRAFFIC”
52. SPEED THE PLOUGH-“SHINE”
53. MARIA TAYLOR-“OVERLOOK”
54. MAGIC TOUCH-“I CAN FEEL THE HEAT” [EP]
55. MEMORIES OF MACHINES-“WARM WINTER”
56. HER SPACE HOLIDAY-“HER SPACE HOLIDAY”
57. GUY CLARK-“SONGS AND STORIES LIVE 2-CD)”
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
AUGUST (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. JESSE SYKES & THE SWEET HEREAFTER-“MARBLE SON”
2. FRUIT BATS-“TRIPPER”
3. THE WILD SWANS-“THE COLDEST WINTER FOR A HUNDRED YEARS”
4. MOONFACE (SPENCER KRUG FROM WOLF PARADE)-“ORGAN MUSIC NOT VIBRAPHONE LIKE I’D HOPED”
5. ANNI ROSSI-“HEAVY MEADOW”
6. BARBRA STREISAND-“WHAT MATTERS MOST: BABS SINGS THE LYRICS OF ALAN & MARILYN BERGMAN”
7. CSS-“LA LIBERACION” (PERPLEXING MOST OF THE TIME. AND I’M A BIG FAN OF THEIR DEBUT. THIS IS LIKE, HUH?)
8. GLEN CAMPBELL-“GHOST ON THE CANVAS” (I WOULD HAVE LIKED IT MORE BUT THE BAND DECIDED TO “DECORATE” THE RECORD WITH 6 INCIDENTAL INSTRUMENTAL LEAD IN TRACKS THAT REALLY JUST WEREN’T DONE WELL. ONE IN THE MIDDLE ACTUALLY HAS OVER 30 SECONDS OF SILENCE. VERY STUPID. ALSO, THIS REALLY BORDERS ON A RELIGIOUS ALBUM AND THAT’S JUST NOT MY THING. ON THE OTHER HAND, GLEN SOUNDS REALLY GOOD AND THE SONGS ARE PERFECTLY EXECUTED. WORTH HEARING FOR SURE.
9. INNERGAZE-“SHADOW DISCO” [EP]
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. AUGUST FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS-“UGLY BUILDINGS, WHORES & POLITICIANS: GREATEST HITS 1998-2009” (IT’S EXCELLENT, HOWEVER IT IS INEXCUSABLE THAT THEY’VE LEFT OFF “THIS FUCKING JOB”. ARGUABLY ONE OF THEIR FINEST MOMENTS EVER!)
2. SONIC YOUTH-“HITS ARE FOR SQUARES” (A COLLECTION)
3. PATTI SMITH-“OUTSIDE SOCIETY” (A COLLECTION)
4. MARC CARROLL-“IN SILENCE” (A CAREER RETROSPECTIVE)
5. SCREAMING TREES-“LAST WORDS: THE FINAL RECORDINGS 2000”
6. SUEDE-“HEAD MUSIC” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION) (1999/2011) (DEFINITELY NOT THE BEST SUEDE ALBUM. I HAD TO SKIP A FEW OF THESE CRINGE INDUCING SONGS. THE BONUS DISC HOWEVER IS A DIFFERENT STORY. THIS IS THE GEM IN THIS REISSUE. LOVE THE BONUS DISC TOO BAD THEY DIDN’T USE A FEW OF THESE TRACKS AND SUBSTITUTE OUT THE BAD ONES THAT ENDED UP ON THE REAL RELEASE)
7. SUEDE-“A NEW MORNING” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION) (2002/2011) (SADLY, LIKE ‘HEAD MUSIC’ IT’S NOT TOO GREAT OF AN ALBUM. HOWEVER IN THE SAME VEIN THE BONUS DISC IS EXCELLENT! IT HAS A LOT OF GEMS AND WELL WORTH THE PRICE.)
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN SEPTEMBER:
1. THE RAPTURE-“IN THE GRACE OF YOUR LOVE” (THIS IS A REALLY UNEVEN EFFORT. A COUPLE OF SONGS I LIKE OR KIND OF LIKE BUT AS A WHOLE I REALLY WAS PERPLEXED AND MOSTLY JUST WANTED IT TO END)
2. GRACE JONES-“HURRICANE” (I LOVE GRACE, BUT THIS WAS RATHER BORING AND LARGELY FORGETTABLE FOR ME)
3. BLITZEN TRAPPER-“GOLDWING” (WHAT HAPPENED? I LOVED THEM BUT COULDN’T REALLY RELATE TO THIS RECORD MUCH AT ALL)
4. THE HORRIBLE CROWES-“ELSIE” (WELL, IT MAY SOUND INSIPID, BUT AT LEAST THEY GOT THE HORRIBLE PART CORRECT)
5. GROUPLOVE-“NEVER TRUST A HAPPY SONG” (MUCH LIKE FOSTER THE PEOPLE, WHAT KILLS THIS BAND IS THE AWFUL LYRICS! MUSICALLY THEY ARE QUITE COMPETENT AND I COULD HAVE LIKED THESE SONGS IF NOT FOR THE CONSTANTLY CRINGING OVER THE CHILDISH LYRICS. BOTH BANDS SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND GO TO AN ADULT CAMP AND GROW UP.)
6. SNOW PATROL-‘CALLED OUT IN THE DARK” (UNFORTUNATELY, RATHER INSIPID. NEW ALBUM MAY SUCK BASED ON FIRST SINGLE. SAD WHEN GOOD GUYS DECIDE THAT SELLING STUPID POP SONGS IS SUPERIOR TO WHAT THEY PREVIOUSLY HAD DONE.)
7. OPETH-“HERITAGE” (A CONFUSED AND CONFUSING ALBUM. WHAT IS IT? WHAT DOES IT WANT TO BE? I’M QUITE SURE THE BAND DOESN’T EVEN KNOW. EACH TRACK GOES NOWHERE BUT OFTEN VEERS INTO SOFT JAZZ TERRITORY AND THE VOCALS, WHILE NICE IN AND OF THEMSELVES, SOUND SO ILL PLACED WHENEVER THEY COME IN. IT’S NOT FLATTERING AT ALL. WHERE IS OPETH?)
8. DOMINANT LEGS-“INVITATION” (IT BEGAN WITH SUCH PROMISE AND QUICKLY DESCENDED INTO POP HELL!!!!!! STUPID INSIPID LYRICS WITH JUST TOTAL AWFULLNESS. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
9. LINDSTROM-“DE JAVU” (SINGLE) (AWFUL! WHAT HAPPENED?)
SEPTEMBER SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. TORI AMOS-“YOUR GHOST”
2. TORI AMOS-“CARRY”
3. BUTCHER BOY-“RUSSIAN DOLLS”
4. THE DRUMS-“DAYS”
5. THE DRUMS-“MONEY”
6. SCOTT MATTHEWS-“HEAD FIRST INTO PARADISE”
7. ZOLA JESUS-“SEEKIR”
8. AM & SHAWN LEE-“CITY BOY”
9. AM & SHAWN LEE-“DARK INTO LIGHT”
10. AM & SHAWN LEE-“THE SIGNAL”
11. BLITZEN TRAPPER-“AMERICAN GOLDWING”
12. ALICE COOPER-“CAFFEINE”
13. ALICE COOPER-“RUNAWAY TRAIN”
14. WILD FLAG-“ROMANCE”
15. WILD FLAG-“BOOM” (A FAV!)
16. NEON INDIAN-“THE BLINDSIDE KISS” (A FAV!)
17. NEON INDIAN-“HALOGEN (I COULD BE A SHADOW)” (A FAV!)
18. A A BONDY-“THE HEART IS WILLING”
19. GUI BORATTO-“STRIKER” (A FAV!)
20. SLOW CLUB-“IF WE’RE STILL ALIVE”
21. TORO Y MOI-“SATURDAY LOVE”
22. TORO Y MOI-“I CAN GET LOVE”
23. WOODEN SHJIPS-“LAZY BONES”
24. MILAGRES-“HERE TO STAY”
25. SULLY-“LET YOU”
26. MEMORYHOUSE-“LATELY” (A FAV!)
27. BARN OWL-“PALE STAR” (SPECTACULAR!)
28. CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH-“SAME MISTAKE”
29. CANT-“ANSWER”
30. THE JAYHAWKS-“CLOSER TO YOUR SIDE”
31. THE JAYHAWKS-“CINNAMON LOVE”
32. RICHMOND FONTAINE-“LOST IN THE TREES”
33. APOPTYGMA BERZERK-“LOVE WILL TEAR US APART” (JOY DIVISION COVER)
34. BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB-“BAD TIMING” (A FAV!)
35. BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB-“TAKE THE RIGHT ONE”
36. CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH-“SAME MISTAKE”
37. IVY-“DISTANT LIGHTS”
38. IVY-“FASCINATED”
39. A SHORELINE DREAM-“LOSING THEM ALL TO THIS TIME”
40. JUNE TABOR & OYSTERBAND-“THAT WAS MY VEIL”
41. JUNE TABOR & OYSTER BAND-“LOVE WILL TEAR US APART”
42. TAMMAR-“SUMMER FUN”
43. VERONICA FALLS-“FOUND LOVE IN A GRAVEYARD”
44. VERONICA FALLS-“BAD FEELING”
45. WILCO-“I MIGHT”
46. WILCO-“BLACK MOON” (A FAV!)
47. WILCO-“BLACK MOON (ALTERNATE VERSION)”
48. DUM DUM GIRLS-“ALWAYS LOOKING”
49. DUM DUM GIRLS-“COMING DOWN” (A FAV!)
50. YUCK-“GET AWAY” (A FAV!)
51. YUCK-“HOLING OUT” (A FAV!)
52. ROBERT HOOD-“THE GREATEST DANCER” (A FAV!)
53. YOUTH LAGOON-“CANNONS”
54. JONATHAN WILSON-“ROLLING UNIVERSE”
SEPTEMBER (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. LAURA MARLING-“A CREATURE I DON’T KNOW”
2. TORO Y MOI-“FREAKING OUT” [EP] (BEST EP OF THE YEAR!!)
3. TORI AMOS-“NIGHT OF HUNTERS”
4. DUM DUM GIRLS-“ONLY IN DREAMS”
5. YUCK-“YUCK” (DELUXE EDITION 2-CD)
6. JONATHAN WILSON-“GENTLE SPIRIT”
7. THE DRUMS-“PORTAMENTO”
8. WILCO-“THE WHOLE LOVE” (DELUXE EDITION 2-CD)
9. AM & SHAWN LEE-“CELESTIAL ELECTRIC”
10. SCOTT MATTHEWS-“WHAT THE NIGHT DELIVERS”
11. A.A. BONDY-“BELIEVERS”
12. MOGWAI-“EARTH DIVISION” [EP]
13. WILCO-“THE WHOLE LOVE”
14. THE JAYHAWKS-“MOCKINGBIRD TIME”
15. APPARAT-“THE DEVIL’S WALK”
16. BUTCHER BOY-“HELPING HANDS”
17. GUI BORATTO-“3”
18. MEG BAIRD-“SEASONS ON EARTH”
19. GEM CLUB-“BREAKERS”
20. ROBERT HOOD-“THE GREATEST DANCER (SISTER SLEDGE COVER) B/W DANCER (GINO SOCCIO COVER)” (SINGLE) (VERY EXCELLENT!)
21. ST VINCENT-“STRANGE MERCY”
22. BARN OWL-“LOST IN THE GLARE”
23. THE FIELD-“LOOPING STATE OF MIND”
24. MEMORYHOUSE-“THE YEARS” [EP]
25. WILD FLAG-“WILD FLAG”
26. JUNE TABOR & OYSTERBAND-“RAGGED KINGDOM”
27. BOMBAY BICYLE CLUB-“A DIFFERENT KIND OF FIX”
28. MARK MCGUIRE-“GET LOST”
29. PLAID-“SCINTILLI”
30. YOUTH LAGOON-“THE YEAR OF HIBERNATION”
31. WALLS-“CORACLE”
32. RICHMOND FONTAINE-“THE HIGH COUNTRY”
33. LADYTRON-‘GRAVITY THE SEDUCER”
34. GIRLS-“FATHER, SON, HOLY GHOST”
35. ZOLA JESUS-“SEEKIR” (SINGLE)
36. LISA HANNIGAN-“PASSENGER”
37. ROCKY VOTOLATO / MATT POND PA-“OM MA B/W PETIT OISEAUX” (SPLIT SINGLE)
38. CARISSA’S WIERD-“TUCSON B/W MEREDITH & IRIS” (SINGLE)
39. DOWNLOAD-“FIXER”
40. A SHORELINE DREAM-“LOSING THEM ALL TO THIS TIME”
41. WOODEN SHJIPS-“WEST”
42. DRUGSTORE-“STANDING STILL” [EP]
43. SULLY-“CARRIER”
44. MILAGRES-“GLOWING MOUTH”
45. EVANGELISTA-“IN ANIMAL TONGUE”
46. VERONICA FALLS-“VERONICA FALLS”
47. LADYTRON-“GRAVITY THE SEDUCER”
48. NEON INDIAN-“ERA EXTRANA”
49. SLOW CLUB-“PARADISE”
50. KEVIN DEVINE-“BETWEEN THE CONCRETE & CLOUDS”
51. TAYLOR DEUPREE-“FOCUX”
52. CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH-“HYSTERICAL”
53. IVY-“ALL HOURS”
54. THE MIST-“HOUSE”
55. CONTAINER-“LP”
56. CHUCK RAGAN-“COVERING GROUND”
57. ALESSI’S ARK-“TIME TRAVEL”
58. INSTRA:MENTAL / TREVINO-“SPLIT SINGLE: PYRAMID B/W CHIP”
59. APOPTYGMA BERZERK-“BLACK EP VOL. 2”
60. APPARAT-“SONG OF LOS” [EP]
61. GABRIEL KAHANE-“WHERE ARE THE ARMS”
62. RADIATION CITY-“THE HANDS THAT TAKE YOU”
63. TAMMAR-“VISITS”
64. WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM-“CELESTIAL LINEAGE”
65. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“UNCUT MAGAZINE COMPILATION: THE BEST OF THE YEAR SO FAR 2011” (SEPTEMBER ISSUE)
66. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“INSOUND DIGITAL MIXTAPE COMPILATION” (SEPTEMBER ISSUE)
67. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“MOJO MAGAZINE COMPILATION: WELL…ALL RIGHT! NOEL GALLAGHER PRESENTS A 15 TRACK MUSICAL JOURNEY FOR MOJO”
68. KAISER DISCO-“SILFIDE B/W ONDINA” (SINGLE)
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
SEPTEMBER (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. VARIOUS ARTISTS-“SPIN MAGAZINE COMPILATION SEPTEMBER 2011 ISSUE SAMPLER”
2. VINNY PECULIAR & THE BLUE POPPIES OF AMBROSIA-“SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A KING”
3. CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG-“TERRIBLE ANGELS” [EP]
4. LOVEDRUG-“PINK CHAMPAGNE B/W DINOSAUR” (SINGLE)
5. XIU XIU-“DAPHNY B/W ONLY GIRL (IN THE WORLD)” (SINGLE)
6. ALICE COOPER-“WELCOME 2 MY NIGHTMARE” (ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME IS AWARE OF HOW FOND I AM OF ALICE. HOWEVER, IT’S TOUGH TO STILL BE AN ALICE FAN. EVERYTHING FROM THE PAST COUPLE DECADES IS HIT AND MISS. THERE ARE A FEW HITS ON THIS ALBUM BUT MOSTLY IT’S MISSES AND RATHER LAME. STILL I’M SUPER GLAD ALICE IS STILL AROUND AND TRYING IN HIS OWN WAY…)
7. MATES OF STATE-“MOUNTAINTOPS” (I LIKE SOME AND THE REST IS TOO POPPY / ANNOYING)
8. CANT (CHRIS TAYLOR OF GRIZZLY BEAR & GEORGE LEWIS JR OF TWIN SHADOW)-“DREAMS COME TRUE” (IT HAS ITS MOMENTS AND IT HAS ITS POTENTIAL. I WANTED TO LIKE IT MORE. IT WILL DEPEND ON REPEAT LISTENS…)
9. TARWATER-“INSIDE THE SHIPS” (HONESTLY, THIS IS THEIR FIRST RELEASE THAT HAS CONFOUNDED ME. I’VE FOLLOWED TARWATER SINCE THEIR INCEPTION IN 1996. IT’S A CONFUSING AND CONFUSED RECORD. NOT LOOKING LIKE IT’S GETTING A SECOND SPIN. CERTAINLY NOT ANYTIME SOON…)
10. MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND-“BE BRAVE” (REMIX EP) (WHATEVER!)
11. BONNIE “PRINCE” BILLY & THE PHANTOM FAMILY HALO-“THE MINDEATER” [EP] (IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE I THINK)
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. SEPTEMBER FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
1. LAURA NYRO-“THE ESSENTIAL” (2-CD)
2. DOWNLOAD-“HELICOPTER + WOOKIE WALL” (2009/2011)
3. VINNY PECULIAR-“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VINNY PECULIAR? PART 1: SELECTED OUT TAKES AND INSERTS 1989-2003”
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN OCTOBER:
1. DEER TICK-“DIVINE PROVIDENCE” (I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM BUT HERE’S THE MEMO: YOU ARE NOT THE REPLACEMENTS. THAT’S ALL I THINK I CAN SAY. IT’S JUST AN AWFUL RECORD. I WAS SHOCKED.)
OCTOBER SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. SKINNY PUPPY-“ICKTUMS”
2. SKINNY PUPPY-“POINT”
3. SKINNY PUPPY-“VYRISUS”
4. SKINNY PUPPY-“VILLAGE” (A FAV!)
5. DEATH IN VEGAS-“BLACK HOLE”
6. DEATH IN VEGAS-“SCISSORS”
7. DEATH IN VEGAS-“YOUR LOFT MY ACID (FEARLESS TRANS HOUSE MIX)”
8. DEATH IN VEGAS-“I.W.Y.L.A.”
9. ZOLA JESUS-“SHIVERS”
10. S.C.U.M.-“FAITH UNFOLDS”
11. S.C.U.M.-“AMBER HANDS”
12. S.C.U.M.-“WHITECHAPEL”
13. MUTEMATH-“ALL OR NOTHING”
14. WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS-“MEDICINE”
15. WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS-“PICTURE OF HEALTH”
16. COMET GAIN-“AN ARCADE FROM THE WARM RAIN THAT FALLS”
17. RYAN ADAMS-“DO I WAIT”
18. FUTURE ISLANDS-“BEFORE THE BRIDGE”
19. MODESELEKTOR-“EVIL TWIN (FEATURING OTTO VON SCHIRACH)”
20. MARTYN-“GHOST PEOPLE”
21. MARTYN-“TWICE AS”
22. MARTYN-“HORROR VACUI”
23. HIGH PLACES-“DRY LAKE”
24. DOWNPILOT-“THROUGH YOUR LINES”
25. XENO & OAKLANDER-“BLUE”
26. XENO & OAKLANDER-“ITALY”
27. XENO & OAKLANDER-“AUTUMNS EDGE” (A FAV!)
28. XENO & OAKLANDER-“THE STAIRCASE” (A FAV!)
29. CLASS ACTRESS-“KEEP YOU”
30. REAL ESTATE-“EASY” (A FAV!)
31. REAL ESTATE-“IT’S REAL”
32. M83-“MIDNIGHT CITY” (A FAV!)
33. M83-“REUNION” (A SUPER FAV!)
34. THE WALKABOUTS-“THE DUSTLANDS”
35. THE BATS-“SIMPLETONS” (A FAV!)
36. THE BATS-“SPACEJUNK”
37. DJ SHADOW-“SCALE IT BACK” (A FAV!)
38. LANA DEL REY-“VIDEO GAMES” (DEFINITELY SINGLE OF THE MONTH!)
OCTOBER (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. SKINNY PUPPY-“HANDOVER”
2. S.C.U.M.-“AGAIN INTO EYES” (DELUXE EDITION)
3. DEATH IN VEGAS-“TRANS-LOVE ENERGIES” (2-CD DELUXE EDITION)
4. REAL ESTATE-‘DAYS”
5. COMET GAIN-“HOWL OF THE LONELY CROWD”
6. FUTURE ISLANDS-“ON THE WATER”
7. HIGH PLACES-“ORIGINAL COLORS”
8. XENO & OAKLANDER-“SETS & LIGHTS”
9. ZOLA JESUS-“CONATUS”
10. LANA DEL REY-“VIDEO GAMES” [EP]
11. MARKETA IRGLOVA-“ANAR”
12. THE WALKABOUTS-“TRAVELS IN THE DUSTLAND”
13. DOWNPILOT-“NEW GREAT LAKES”
14. WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS-“IN THE PIT OF THE STOMACH” (DELUXE EDITION)
15. THE DRIFT-“BLUE HOUR”
16. M83-“HURRY UP WE’RE DREAMING” (2-CD)
17. MARTYN-“GHOST PEOPLE”
18. DIVE-“SOMETIME B/W CORVALIS” (SINGLE)
19. JAMES BLAKE-“ENOUGH THUNDER” [EP]
20. LAUREL HALO-“KING FELIX” [EP]
21. EMIKA-“EMIKA”
22. THE BATS-“FREE ALL THE MONSTERS”
23. DEERHOOF / THE RACCOONISTS-“BEHOLD JEFF TWEEDY IN THE DARKNESS B/W OWN IT” (SINGLE)
24. TWIN SISTER-“IN HEAVEN”
25. RYAN ADAMS-“ASHES & FIRE”
26. ANDY STOTT-“WE STAY TOGETHER” [EP]
27. LAUREL HALO-“ANTENNA” [EP]
28. CARL CRAIG-“JUST ANOTHER DAY”
29. THE ALBUM LEAF-“ON A PLAIN” (SINGLE) (NIRVANA COVER)
30. JUSTICE-“AUDIO, VIDEO, DISCO”
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
OCTOBER (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. BONNIE “PRINCE” BILLY-“WOLFROY GOES TO TOWN” (I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT’S GOTTEN ON MY NERVES! THERE ARE SOME GREAT MOMENTS ON HERE BUT MAYBE WILL NEEDS TO GO BACK WITH THE CAIRO GANG BECAUSE THOSE RECORDS ARE EXCELLENT.)
2. MUTEMATH-“ODD SOUL” (I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS OVER THE DIRECTION THEY’VE TAKEN. I LIKE SOME OF IT AND SOME OF IT I JUST DON’T KNOW WHY THEY ARE DOING IT. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY TALENTED BUT SOMETHING HAS BEEN MISSING FROM THE LAST 2 ALBUMS…)
3. LONEY DEAR-“HALL MUSIC” (IT’S GOOD, BUT IT’S NOT GREAT. PERHAPS HIS FIRST NOT GREAT RECORD?)
4. BJORK-“BIOPHILIA” (THIS IS A TOUGH ONE. ON MANY LEVELS. BEING A BIG FAN I WAS EXCITED. HOWEVER, WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN APP FOR EVERY SONG, MY EXCITEMENT ABATED. I NEVER BOTHERED. PERHAPS THE VISUALS REALLY BRING THESE “PIECES” TOGETHER SINCE IT’S APPARENTLY MEANT TO BE A DUAL PROJECT? I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WAS EXPECTING BUT IT MUST NOT BE THIS. WHEN I HAVE TIME I MAY INVESTIGATE THE VISUALS AND SEE IF THE TRACKS COME TO LIFE AT THAT JUNCTURE.)
5. PETER MURPHY-“THE SECRET BEES OF NINTH” [EP] (CONSIDERING HOW MUCH I ADORE THE “NINTH” ALBUM, THIS IS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. PERHAPS PETER SHOULD HAVE KEPT THESE TRAX TO HIMSELF?)
6. MODESELEKTOR-“MONKEYTOWN” (IT’S A REAL SHAME ABOUT THE RAP AND OTHER MISHAPS. THOM YORKE ONLY SHINES ON “SHIPWRECK” BUT THE REAL HIGHLIGHT HERE IS OTTO VON SCHIRACH ON “EVIL TWIN”. TURN THAT ONE UP!!)
7. MATTHEW RYAN-“I RECALL STANDING AS THOUGH NOTHING COULD FALL” (I REALLY LIKE MATTHEW, SO THIS ONE DOESN’T FEEL WELL THOUGHT OUT. IT’S MISSING THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL HIS OTHER RECORDS HAVE…)
8. CLASS ACTRESS-“RAPPROCHER” (NOT ANYWHERE NEAR WHAT I’D HOED IT BE AFTER HEARING “KEEP YOU” THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE RECORD.)
9. TOM WAITS-“BAD AS ME” (DELUXE EDITION) (WELL, IT WAS THERE AND I REALLY DIDN’T ENJOY LISTENING TO MOST OF IT. I’D BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND MYSELF REVISITING THIS ONE EXCEPT FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF SONGS I REALLY ENJOYED.)
10. BODY LANGUAGE-“SOCIAL STUDIES”
11. DIRTY BEACHES-“LONE RUNNER B/W STYE EYE” (SINGLE)
12. DJ SHADOW-“THE LESS YOU KNOW THE BETTER” (IT DEFINITELY HAS ITS MOMENTS. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN INCOHESIVENESS AND THE APPARENTLY “OBLIGATORY” RAP SONG IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. CAN’T FORGET THE GREAT “SCALE IT BACK” SONG THAT PRINCE IS PROBABLY SMACKING HIMSELF SILLY FOR HAVING NOT PENNED IT HIMSELF.)
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. OCTOBER FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
DIDN’T REALLY CARE FOR MUCH AT ALL IN NOVEMBER:
1. NOEL GALLAGHER-“NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS” (I DEFINITELY EXPECTED THIS TO BE A REALLY GOOD RECORD, UNLIKE HIS BROTHER’S STUPID BEADY EYE ALBUM. HOWEVER, THIS SUCKS ALMOST AS BAD. THE SAME OLD STUPID SONGS, BLAND BORING SAME OLD ARRANGEMENTS FROM FOREVER. UNINSPIRED DRIVEL I HAD TO FAST FORWARD THROUGH MOST OF IT JUST LIKE THE BEADY EYE ALBUM! PERHAPS THEY CAN ONLY MAKE SOME GOOD MUSIC WITHIN OASIS. BUT THOSE DAYS ARE OVER SO I THINK THE GALLAGHER BROTHERS AND THEIR BIG MOUTHS SHOULD JUST RETIRE AND GIVE IT A REST.)
2.
NOVEMBER SINGLES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. FLORENCE & THE MACHINE-“NO LIGHT NO LIGHT” (A FAV!)
2. MAZZY STAR-“LAY MYSELF DOWN”
3. MAZZY STAR-“COMMON BURN”
4. PHANTOGRAM-“TURNING INTO STONE” (A FAV!)
5. CASS MCCOMBS-“THE SAME THING” (A FAV!)
NOVEMBER (IN ORDER BEGINNING WITH MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE MONTH)
1. ONEOTRIX POINT NEVER-“REPLICA”
2. CASS MCCOMBS-“HUMOR RISK”
3. ATLAS SOUND-“PARALLAX”
4. FLORENCE & THE MACHINE-“CEREMONIALS” (DELUXE 2-CD EDITION)
5. PHANTOGRAM-“NIGHLIFE” [EP]
6. SOFT MOON-“TOTAL DECAY” [EP]
7. MAZZY STAR-“LAY MYSELF DOWN B/W COMMON BURN” (SINGLE)
8. FIRST AID KIT-“THE LION’S ROAR B/W MARIANNE’S SON” (SINGLE)
9. KATE BUSH-“50 WORDS FOR SNOW”
10. THE ORB-“C BATTER C”
OTHER RELEASES I LIKED BUT EITHER WEREN’T AMAZING TO MAKE MY FAVOURITES LIST, OR THEY ONLY HAD A FEW TRACKS I REALLY LIKED. STILL THEY ARE WORTH A LISTEN AND A MENTION OTHERWISE SEE MY DIDN’T CARE FOR AT ALL LIST FOR THOSE THAT I JUST COULDN’T RELATE TO.
NOVEMBER (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER AT ALL)
1. HUSSEY –REGAN (WAYNE HUSSEY OF THE MISSION UK AND JULIANNE REGAN OF ALL ABOUT EVE)-“CURIOS” (NEARLY ALL COVERS ALBUM) (IT HAS A COUPLE GOOD MOMENTS BUT MOSTLY I COULDN’T RELATE TO WHAT THEY HAD DONE)
2.
THESE ARE EITHER A RE-RELEASE OR BEST OF COLLECTION OR COMPILATION FOR 2011. NOVEMBER FAVOURITES IN ORDER:
Are you paying more than $5 per pack of cigarettes? I'm buying my cigs over at Duty Free Depot and I save over 50% from cigs.
ReplyDelete