Top 10 Electronic/Instrumental albums of 2011

It feels a natural progression to write about electronic music after I discuss hip-hop music.  Modern electronic music owes much of it's soul *to* hip-hop music.  Albums that are purely instrumental can now be released *as* hip-hop albums, and though I don't like this classification, it is not hard to see why this is the case -- half of a hip-hop song is the beat, and where good-taste kings like ASAP thrive is there ability to chose these beats.  It should serve as no surprise, then, that the so-called "beats" can often stand on their own.  Hilariously, one of my producing friends offered electronic music as the "last great white hope" in hip-hop -- a medium by which non-Eminem white people can finally contribute without criticism to the music they love. 

Of course, that isn't too say that all electronic music is hip-hop influenced, but I still like to make the connection.  Often when not influenced, it is what is doing the influencing.  What was once an electronic staple often becomes the basis for future hip-hop songs -- look at the house beat on Azealia Banks' 212, or the Rattatat-turned-dubstep beat on Omar LinX's Out For Blood.  Rap has always been about a "DJ" and an "emcee", and whether they recognize it or not, electronic producers are the DJ in the equation.

All of these albums are either electronic, instrumental, simply "beat mixtapes", or something in between.  

10. Silky Johnson - Hater of the Year

Pretty much a beat mixtape, to me.  Don't have a lot to say about this album, besides the fact that I thought my favorite song would be the one sampling Lana Del Rey, when it is easily not.  Silky isn't completely solid throughout the entire thing, but when he is on, I can't get enough.  Could be an up and coming producer - would like to see what else he comes out with.  Really, I just want to hear some rappers try out some of his stuff.

9. Alias - Fever Dream

Ah, very interesting album.  Alias gets a little UK funky, a little housey at times -- most of the time he is just doing his own thing.  Really fun album, A+ would listen again.


8.  Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

How about that title?  I didn't even know what Mogwai was when I first saw this album cover, and I sincerely thought I was about to listen to some hardcore music.  I don't really like hardcore, but with a title like that -- I'm going to give you a chance.  This is not hardcore music.  This is beautiful post-rock.  Each song sounds different than the last -- though they are at their best when they are trying to sound momentous instead of melancholy.

7. Blue Sky Black Death - Noir

 
Noir is the kind of album that you can listen to in it's entirety, decide you like it, and not remember a single track.  It's not that the album itself is forgettable, it's that no single track really stands out on its on.  The whole thing is a beautiful and elegant post-rock piece that just makes great background music.
6.  No Gold - No Gold

Alright, so parts of this album would seem to not qualify for this category, with their organic instrumentals and real vocals -- but most of this album is one long and awesome jam session.  It's chill as fuck, a little dubby, and has great production value.  The entire album makes me want to drink piña coladas at a tiki-bar all night long.  Seriously overlooked album that makes some great mood music.  Watching them play live makes me want to see them even more.

5.  African Head Charge - Voodoo of the Godsent

Another well-produced, high-fidelity, completely original album.  The kind of album that makes me really mad that all this drone-shit is getting placed highly in various blogs' top album lists, and original and engaging material like this isn't even being listened too.  The entire this is a revolutionary take on dub, psychadellic, and just tribal music.  I listened to some of their earlier stuff (of which there is a lot... they've been around 30 years, jesus christ), and this is definitely miles ahead... I don't know.  It's cool and exciting stuff, and really just puts me in a good mood.  Goes well with No Gold's album, even though the groups performing them look to be of entirely different clans.  Unfortunately,  most of their stuff from this album cannot be found on YouTube.

4.  Modeselektor - Monkeytown

Monkeytown is rarely forgettable.  Sometimes that's an almost annoying song with an addicting buzzing beat that just rings in your head, and sometimes it's Radiohead's Thom Yorke's soothing voice over fast and dancable beats.  Great release, tons of singles on it that could be making playlists.

3.  Bibio - Mind Bokeh

Bibio kind of explores some new area for himself with this album -- in the past, he has had much more of a folk influence.  Mind Bokeh, on the other hand, can be funky, it can be futuristic, and at times it can just be pretty.  It's really lovely how diverse in style he gets while executing each one with grace and finesse.  Rarely does he seem out of his element.  An entirely upbeat album that unquestionably deserves its top 3 finish.

2.  Clams Casino - Instrumentals

Funny how one of the biggest names in Hip-Hop this year has been someone who never rapped a verse in his life.  He's the man behind ASAP Rocky's best beats, been used by Lil B, Lushlife, and countless others.  His music is just *big*, it has an incredibly epic feeling to it without ever once seeming obnoxious. 


1.  SBTRKT - SBTRKT

Beautiful music, with perfect instrumentals and classy vocals.  Many of the SBTRKT songs have a classy UK R&B thing going on, and they never once fall flat.  The album goes from club-ready tracks (song of the year, imo), to delicate and soulful songs.  One of the best albums released this year of any genre --  I am really excited to see more from him.  Really, I just want him to come to Texas with those funky masks of his.

I will be doing one more additional Top 10 Lists of the year for various genre's - keep checking to see what's up.

Top 10 Hip-Hop/R&B albums of 2011

Man, it's taken me a lot of hip-hop to get me to this point.  I remember the days (what, like 2 years ago?) when I my hip-hop library consisted of Kid Cudi and Kanye.  Most of my appeal to hip-hop in those days was based on a prolonged exposure to the few artists that I did listen to.  The only reason I liked Cudi and Yeezy were because I had listened to them enough around friends that I was able to understand what they are about.  Any other hip-hop seemed pretentious, or caricaturistic, or simply inaccessible to myself.

But over the last few years I slowly added more artists to my collection of "hip-hop that I enjoy".  At first, barely a single artist a month could make that cut -- any more was too much for me to stomach.  But as I added more artists, I was capable of enjoying even more.  Different styles of production, different kinds of flows, different lyrical material and strategies - things that just didn't catch my attention before were now much more apparent that my view of hip-hop as a whole had grown.  Eventually, the flood gates opened and my playlists and library are filled with hip-hop that I absolutely love.

The thing is, I didn't really get hip-hop at first.  I didn't have the context to feel excited about it.  Now I hear a mixtape, and in a single song I will get excited about who produced the beat, where a certain sample came from, or how a certain line may be a reference to a line that another rapper did over the same track.  All of this before I even consider the musical aspect of the song: the melody, the beat, just the way it makes you move.  Anyways, I've talked enough about how awesome hip-hop is, without further ado - here are my top 10 Hip-Hop/R&B releases of 2011. (Note - I'm combining Hip-Hop and R&B because often (especially nowadays) they can be quite indistinguishable.  Artists like Drake often have songs that are almost completely R&B, and if I allow him into the mix, I might as well mix the two).

10. Zion I & The Grouch - Heroes In The Healing of the Nation

These guys' best asset is their producer, AmpLive.  They've got great flows and all, but AmpLive makes the album interesting throughout, never allowing a song to sound redundant.  The rapping itself lends itself to great times in limited exposure, but it isn't the kind of stuff you want to leave on repeat.

9. ASAP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP

Again, the production is really what makes this album killer.  And don't get me wrong, the production on this is absolutely wonderful.  Clams Casino is largely responsible for this, but other relative unknowns even from Rocky's clan are also able to make killer beats.  Put Rocky's slow swagged out voice on top, and you have yourself a recipe for some dope music.

8.  Open Mike Eagle - Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes

God, I really just feel like Open Mike Eagle channels Del on The Processional.  Truth is, I can't always feel this kind of rap, it just doesn't always work for me.  But when it works, its awesome -- OME's ability to make a slow hip-hop song like The Processional a perfect party song is great, and I wish more people gave this kind of hip-hop credit even if it is outside of the norm.

7.  Big K.R.I.T. - ReturnOf4Eva

Big Krit, the dirty south's current best hope.  Krit's strength lies in his ability to make bumping bangers like Country Shit while able to make the chiller tracks that reveal something about the character of Krit himself.  Best parts of this album are Krit's surprising depth in his more honest tracks, and his references to previous southern classics ("You gotta get up get out and get something" is a line from Outkast's first album), while the weak parts are simply the filler of songs.  At 21 songs, I don't expect anyone to be completely solid, but I really just wish he made it shorter.

6.  CunninLynguists - Oneirology

The boys of CunninLynguists sure know how to turn a phrase.  They've got great lyrics that always impress me, and will probably impress you.  The entire album feels like it has heavy bass flowing through it in a near monotone fashion, which for some songs causes an incredibly big feeling.  It also allows for great moments towards the end of a song such as Anna Wise crooning "Don't give me that bullshit" at the end of Darkness.  However, the bass-heavy production leaves much of the album feeling stagnant, and I really wish there was more diversity in the production.

5.  Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - Lost in Translation

 
Alright, so I'm just going to warn you now:  there is a solid minute of this album that is nothing but the sound recording of eXquire getting head from what I can only assume to be the classiest of ladies.  There is no beat.  There is some rapping.  The girl raps a little before uhh... yeah.  Okay - ignoring that, eXquire is damned talented, and you can see it in songs like No Time, a five and a half-minute hook-less epic where eXquire raps about his legitimacy while changing his flow every minute.  It's really excellent and grows on you every time you listen to it.  There is a bit of filler, and the album doesn't feel completely solid -- but when eXquire is on, he is on, and he is like nobody else rapping right now.

4.  Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch the Throne

Funny thing is, they probably could have done better.  This album has such great production, probably the best out of any hip-hop album in 2011, and I'm not really that sure that this is the best they could have done.  It is no Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy -- this album is more club friendly.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is excellent in every aspect.

3.  Drake - Take Care

Take Care is much more like So Far Gone, in that it is a lot darker and not nearly as chock full of radio-ready songs. This is a plus.  Drake's best strength lies in his ability to rap about the 'downside of being famous and capable of wooing any woman' while actually leaving the listener feeling for him.  Even if he is rapping about money, fame, and women, he does it with a level of revealing honesty that is intriguing.  Combine that with his addicting flow and his ability to do both R&B style singing and rapping, and you have Drake's best work yet.

2.  Domo Genesis - Under the Influence

I'm really kind of... disappointed?  Yeah.  Disappointed.  I'm kind of disappointed that Under the Influence didn't get more attention and respect.  It's a great mixtape, and although it's subject-matter is nothing new, the production value and style that Domo has are really some of the best of the year. And most importantly, it is just so much better than Domo's debut release.  As far as what we should expect out of Domo, this flys through the roof.  Not only that, but Domo makes everyone else on his album look great too - songs like Guess Who's Back take a normally painfully mediocre Casey Veggies and make me want to hear more.  The fact that this is a personal triumph for Domo makes this high up on the list. 

1.  The Weeknd - House of Balloons

It's hard for me to place albums that came out so early -- it's easy to forget about them.  The Weeknd got me interested in R&B in a way that Frank Ocean, Drake, and others, couldn't even begin to.  Hauntingly dark production that flawlessly matching the tone of The Weeknd's words create an 'mixtape' that is just feels complete.  One of the best releases of the year to be honest, original yet accessible, twisted yet honest.

Honorable Mentions (Non-Full Releases)
There were two other artist's that came out with material this year as singles that I'm absolutely in love with.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
Thuggin'
Deep
Madlib is an awesome producer, though I mainly know him from his collaboration with MF Doom in Madvillain - Madvillainy, which is nearly a modern classic. Freddie Gibbs released a mixtape this year that I wasn't really feeling - but it is redeemed by these two songs, which display Gibbs' to be as real as can be.

Azealia Banks
212
Runnin'
I've told my friends I liken Azealia Banks to Missy Elliot, which I strongly believe.  The thing is though, she has such an incredible voice she can liken herself to almost any artist.  Though most of Runnin' sounds like Missy, she drops a Busta Rhymes level flow in the first verse.  212 has her sounding like Missy, Kreayshawn, and for one moment a spot-on female Major Lazer.  All of this in two songs, compared with an refreshing urban sound and very dancable tracks... I'm really impressed.  I think her album next year is going to be huge.  I could continue to name drop, but the fact is, she is working with some great producers that have both mainstream and underground credibility.

I will be doing two more additional Top 10 Lists of the year for various genre's - keep checking to see what's up.

If you don't feel it you can feel free

So, I was about to write about Mobb Deep, but despite that they are so much more real than any modern rappers that pretend to be hard (Officer Ricky?), I was really holding out for writing about something a little less known.  Luckily, some of my friends were playing some fresh stuff at a party this weekend, and now I have something new I am feeling.

Open Mike Eagle - Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes (2011)

Open Mike Eagle reminds me a lot of Del (of Deltron 3030, Gorillaz, and Del the Funky Homosapien fame) in his brand of intelligent hip-hop.  Some rappers, like Aesop Rock or Immortal Technique, like to show intelligence through conscientious rap - talking about important issues or telling meaningful stories filled with intricate rhymes.  Del and Mike do it without sacrificing their flow, and instead just have abstract rhymes filled with subtle word-play.  In turn, they maintain a spacey sound that is really easy to chill and, at times, party to. 

Standout Track(s):
The Processional (Funeral March)

This is the first track I heard, and definitely the coolest -- a perfect portrayal of how OME does a "party" song.  It isn't some fast upbeat song, yet it is still anthemic. Couldn't find a non-live version, so check this.

Why Pianos Break (ft. P.O.S.)
Ahhh - that beat.  Love that beat. And that flow.  Love that flow.

Also, check this out:
I'm going to start linking completely unrelated tracks at the end of articles that aren't really attached to albums, but remain solidly in my rotation.  Check out Lady Lamb cover Cher.  I know, it sounds lame.  It's awesome.

When's the last time you heard a funky diabetic?

One of the things I insinuated with my blog is that I will usually be writing about slightly lesser-known albums, albums that I think a large part of my audience might not have heard.  If we are referring to the prevalence of an album in mainstream culture, the previous Q-Tip album breaks that code a tiny bit -- and this album completely shatters it.

A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (1991)

The Low End Theory is often considered by critics for their lists of the top albums of all time -- of any genre.  Some people will argue that the next album Midnight Marauders is the pinnacle of Tribe, but the truth is that both them are incredible albums who's existence prove the legendary status of the group.  As the second album, The Low End Theory was particularly interest in context with all the doubt it was facing -- their first album was good and critically acclaimed, but a bunch of hook-based raps like Can I Kick It would be difficult to still sell as ground-breaking.  They definitely grew.

The album starts off with what I feel to be Tribe's best song of all time.  Excursionshas an amazing beat, and lyrics that allude to exactly why tribe is so groundbreaking -- they closely tie hip-hop to one of it's strong roots in historical black culture, jazz.  And the entire time, Q-Tip and the music itself...they exude this confidence that says Tribe knows it has fully realized the music they were seeking to create when they first put together the group in High School.  The rest of the album continues to shine and radiates this same confidence; listening to it has been a large factor in why I have been on an insatiable hip-hop craze for the past month or so.  Maybe something will break it soon, but if it doesn't, you'll probably be reading about more old-school hip hop in the near future.

Standout Track(s):
Excursions

See above.

Check the Rhime 

Q-tip and Phife Dawg repeat the playful banter of "You're on point..." a few albums later... but it doesn't really stick like it does on this album.

Interesting Fact(s):
The documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (named in reference to their fourth album) came out this year, and it documents Tribes entire quest from inception to modern time.  It's fairly incendiary, heh... you should check it out.  It's got a great sound-track.

Also... 1991 was a pretty awesome year for music.  This album, Nirvana's Nevermind, My Bloody Valentine's Loveless.... Proud to be born then.

Bringin' it Back

Q-Tip - The Renaissance (2008)

So, I've been listening to a lot of old-school rap lately.  90's stuff mostly - Tribe, Wu-Tang, Outkast, Digable Planets, UGK, etc.  Going back to the era - I really am amazed by the depth of solid material that still sounds good today.  Most genre's can't offer such a collection of music that doesn't just sound 'old' or simply overplayed.

I also am envious of the days when so many good hip-hop albums were coming out.  Now a days, almost all of the best stuff comes out on mixtapes.  Most (non-free) albums I've heard over the past few years are significantly worse than the artist's mixtapes.  I don't know what changed between now and then - but I'm sure it has to do with the commercialization of rap.  A shame, whatever the reason.

Q-tip, of A Tribe Called Quest, however, came out with an album a few years ago that is more than solid.  It's interesting hearing him grown up - and moving away from jazz influences to ones more R&B-centric (and bringing in a lot of guests to this tune).

Standout Track(s):
Life is Better (Ft. Norah Jones)

I've always been a huge fan of songs that go into name-dropping tangents, rapping off lists of artists and people that influenced, inspired, or simply entertained them.  LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, and others have made some of their best songs with the 'gimmick'.  It's refreshing to hear rappers like Q-Tip actually respecting and appreciating other rappers, as opposed to only reppin' Cash Money or the East Coast.  Not surprising for one of the few major artists who was rapping about moving on from the east-west coast rivalries from the 90's, instead of taking sides.

Dance on Glass

God - when that beat comes in... yuh.

Interesting fact(s):
Speaking of the east-west coast rivalry, did you know about the time Tupac fucked with Q-tip at the source awards?  Check it.  Pretty fucking lame to do to one of the more mutually respected figures of the time...  Tupac does sound pretty damn good on this clip though.

Don't Take It From Anyone Else

The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack (2010)

The thing that I like about garage rock bands like The Soft Pack is that they have spunk and energy analogous to punk rock, while adding their own brand of youthful vigor.  There is a friendliness to their intensity.  The kind that invites you to join a long and rock out, as opposed to joining along and simply rebelling for the purpose of rebelling.  As with all music, you can't put yourself above it-- you can't listen to it with an initial sense of superiority.  That will ruin any music who's purpose is to convince you to share their vibes.  You have to be willing to try it.

Standout Track(s):
C'mon

I'm going to pretend that this song is about what I talked about above - I'm not convinced that it is... I'm just going to pretend.

Answer to Yourself 

Interesting Fact(s):
Found The Soft Pack when Death Cab For Cutie gave a shout-out to them from their facebook face.  It was a welcome introduction -- the last real good garage rock I heard was The Babies.  Ofcourse, when I use the term "garage rock", I'm talking about the modern likes of Best Coast, Wavves, etc.  Not the perfect term - but rarely is it.

Actin' Invincible Just Ain't Sensible

I've been listening to a lot of Mos Def earlier, mostly his first album Black on Both Sides. I owe this new affinity to Mos Def entirely to this album, Mos Dub, which introduced me to the titan of a rapper that Mos Def is on top of chill and spacey reggae beats and samples.

Max Tannone - Mos Dub (2010)

I'm not actually a huge reggae fan.  Bob Marley was never for me -- I just have trouble appreciating the differences between different tracks.  Despite being heavily exposed to it, I probably couldn't tell you with reliable accuracy if a song was even Marley or not.  However, I do like to listen to reggae every once and awhile - the sound of it is soothing and engaging all the same, and even if I don't have the desire to "explore" the genre, I can enjoy it.  Hip-hop on top of reggae, however, takes everything I like about the genre, removes the frustratingly unchanging vocal styles, and adds the potential for lyrical complexity and diverse and smooth flows.  Mos-Def capitalizes on both of these potentials.

Seriously - from the very beginning of this album, you see why Mos Def was so uniformly critically praised from the late 90's to early 2000's.  "Beef isn't what Jay said to Nas, Beef is when the working people can't find jobs."  Insightful yet impassioned social commentary is something Mos Def is a master at, and his voice is one that I really wish more people would have the chance to here.

Standout Track(s):
Johnny Too Beef

First track, and one of the most solid.  Some of my favorite Mos Def lyrics, taken from his time with Talib Kweli as Black Star. 

Ms. Vampire Booty

Mos Def tells the tale of a lost love.  I guess that's one way to put it.  I mean, it's accurate, but it just reeeeaally doesn't sound right when talking about the words of Mos Def.

Interesting Fact(s):
Mos Dub was put together by the same guy that put together Jaydiohead (which if you haven't heard, is excellent).  I enjoy it more than this in some ways, and Mos Dub more in others -- but they really shouldn't be compared.  While Jaydiohead sounds cool, and also showcases Jay-Z's talent on a new sonic stage, the the combination of Mos Def with reggae seems to show much more foresight.  The roots and common themes of reggae just fit with Mos Def's message, and it is part of what makes this album so good.

We Used To Live Like Rebels

Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives (2006)

I know Voxtrot firstly from making one of the best 'love epics' I have ever known, but I recently went to look back at more of their stuff when I realized that they are from Austin.  Their other stuff seems to drop the lofi vocal effects that I knew from The Start of Something, and as a result seems less gimicky.  I don't think they could make anything as big as The Start of Something -- I'm almost glad that the rest is a slightly different style, because it allows you to listen to it without feeling that it is just too one-dimensional.

Another result of their change in style is that the lyrics don't jump out as much.  Most of the instruments are just a tad louder, and it's easy to get distracted by the sound of it all, never hearing the lyrics.  But if you are going to listen - I urge you not to fall trap to this.  The lyrics are the best part.  Ramesh Srivastava's songwriting is just impeccable, and I find so many of the lyrics are incredible.  If there's one thing that doesn't differ between The Start of Something and the rest of Voxtrot's catalog, it is the excellent story-telling and beautiful lyrics.

I kind of like bands like this.  I'm not always in the mood or mindset to get into them - a lot of times I just want new music that is easier.  But once I attach the meaning to their songs just once, I find I can go back to them and feel that meaning every time. 

Standout Track(s):
Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives

Title track... not a lot to say.  Likely the best here.

Soft & Warm

"Baby, I'd leave you for the person you used to be."   Love it.

Interesting Fact(s):
Voxtrot released 3 EPs (and one early... mixtape?  Maybe an EP.  I don't know, there isn't a ton of information on L'adieu à l'été!)  over the years before finally releasing a full-length album in 2007.  I haven't actually listened to it yet, it wasn't recieved well critically and well... They haven't made anything since.  But that's not what I want to talk about - the real interesting thing to me is how short all of the EP's were.  Each has between three and five songs on it, most of them excellent.  I always wonder what bands are doing when they are only sparsely releasing small collections of songs. 

I Wish My Name Was Clementine

Sarah Jaffe - The Way Sound Leaves A Room (2011)

Oh my god.  I already love Sarah Jaffe.  Her first album had virtually no non-hitters, and had a diverse selection of excellent acoustic folk.  One of the most underrated albums of 2010.  Now she comes out with a follow-up EP, and I was prepared to be underwhelmed.  It's easy to expect: her debut was a collection of songs spanning half a decade of her playing music.  Comparing cherry picked gems to whatever she can create in a single year... I wasn't going to be surprised if there wasn't a lot of growth.

But there was.  She starts off extremely strong - with a Drake cover of all things.  Shut it Down - is an unexpected cover that highlights the darkness of Drake's song in a way that Drake never could.  Removing Drake's easy-listening seductive voice, and adding an excellent female vocalists just makes you aware of the lyrics and gives the song a lot of power.

Anyway... Rest of the EP is fairly good as well... but despite the areas of growth, I don't think it touches her debut.  It is clearly an EP, featuring a redo of a Suburban Nature song, the cover, etc... It feels incomplete.  But it is good - if you are looking for something solid, I will always reccomend Suburban Nature.

Standout Track(s) -

Shut it Down

A Sucker For Your Marketing
Can't find this on YouTube or Grooveshark - but if you have Spotify (why don't you?) it can be found there.  I think I like this song mostly for the growth and change in style it has from her earlier stuff.

Interesting Note(s)-
Sarah is from Denton.  Don't have a lot to speak about the city itself, but I have great friends that live there - and whenever I see good talent coming out of the town, it makes me feel warm.

Spotify Link

Don't Go Killin The Vibe

Ducktails - III: Arcade Dynamics (2011)

No, this has nothing to do with Ducktales the cartoon show.  Instead of a rich duck with rambunctious nephew-ducks, Ducktails a man named Matthew Mondanile with a lovely knack for guitar. Ducktails originally got some attention for this album because Panda Bear featured on it, and the blogosphere loves to suckle on anything attached to PB- but this album certainly stands without Panda Bear.  Mondanile makes me feel like I'm chilling on the porch with a bunch of friends - and the resident guitar virtuoso is casually strumming out original, yet familiar feeling tunes that we can all vibe too.  Normally when someone is playing guitar at a chill-sesh, I want nothing more than for them to stop and put on some real music.  Ducktails lets me know what it would be like to not feel that way. It is a little lo-fi, and very homey.

Standout Track(s) - 
Little Window

Unlike Little Window, most of the tracks are not purely instrumental.  This song does capture a lot of what I like about Ducktails though, and that is... well... the guitar.  I like the guitar.

Hamilton Road

Every part of this song gets stuck in my head way too easily.

Interesting Info -
Matthew is also in a band called Real Estate - who should be dropping an album soon.  Should be pretty good - the previewed tracks from it are beautiful.

Not on Spotify.

Consuming the Room

ill.Gates - The ill.Methodology (2011)

This is an electronic album.  At heart.  Every other track seems to have vocals on it, usually rapping - enough to show off ill.Gates' large hip-hop influence.  But even on those tracks, the focus is the superb beats - the rapping usually contributing only sonically.  I mean, the raps are okay - but their best purpose is really just breaking the monotony of a full-electronic album, and they serve their purpose well.  This album has some bangers - and if you want to go hard, this album would love to join you.  If you like dubstep in the old-school sense (I'm not talking build-ups and drops), OR if you like dubstep in the brostep stance (I'm talking build-ups and drops), the ill.Methodology has something great for you.  It is actually a pretty diverse album despite it's seemingly consistent style.  That being said - it is too long.  18 Tracks - and it could definitely do without *a lot* of them.  Mostly the brostep ones.

The best tracks remain the purely electronic tracks.  They are just much closer to perfection in what Gates is trying to make - and while the vocalized tracks can be more interesting, they often just don't have the best vocals on them. 

You can stream parts of each track from here.  Not all of it, but more than iTunes would let you.  None of it is on YouTube or the like.

Standout Track(s) - 
Otoro
Great track as far as the beat goes.  Probably my favorite from the album.

Crystal Math
Purely instrumental - I wish the full track was on here, because I really like how it goes. Anyway... first track, what made me keep listening.

Interesting Info -
The most brosteppy song, Eviction, turns a recorded message from a neighbor ripping ill.Gates apart for his loud music into an extremely hard-hitting track.  I can only imagine him turning it up to 11 to play this song in response to the complaints.

Call It Valedictorian

Domo Genesis - Under The Influence (2011)

Where Tyler stagnated on Goblin and displayed little personal innovation to his style that is already becoming cliche, Domo improves markedly on his second release in every single facet: flow, lyrics, beats, production... even the album cover is better.  This is miles ahead of Rolling Papers.  Domo has matured and it shows - smooth classy beats, clever quick-witted verses... as far as style goes, Domo Genesis kills it.  He finds a way to maintain Odd Future's humorous trademark while having a tone that is less gimmicky and more mature.  Until Earl comes back, Domo, to me, is the most exciting Wolf Gang member.  Seriously, if you haven't given the "lesser known" members of OFWGKTA a look, check this out.
Standout Track(s) - 
Guess Who's Back

The original mixtape that I downloaded didn't list the features on each track --  when I realized that it was Cassie Veggies on this track, I was shocked.  I'd listened to a few of his songs, stopping them way before they were over, and didn't like him at all... but I love this guest spot - he starts off fresh from his first verse, and he keeps his charisma at a peak in spite of (or maybe supported by) his ridiculous voice.  Going to check more of his stuff out now...

More Clouds

I'm a little thrown off by his fabricated descriptions of how good his weed is... Really Domo?  Seeing colors in tie-dye?  I guess that really is some goku shit.  Whatever - lovely song.  I still dig it.

Interesting Info -
Odd Future is headlining Sunday of Fun Fun Fun Fest here in Austin.  I recommend you be there.

We Were Not Built To Raise The City Up

Lady Lamb The Beekeeper - Mammoth Swoon (2010)

So this girl won an award for best folk singer in 2010 - and though I'm not easily attracted to folk music, I can definitely see why.  Maybe it is because I think she's cute as hell.  More likely, it's because she has such a... I can't think clever and engaging style.  Her lyrics tell real stories while often being adorably surreal.  She just has clever word play that makes her fun to listen to.  But the real thing making me stay is that she has some of the most raw and affected vocals that I have ever heard.  Seriously... If you pay full attention to Taxidermist, Taxidermist below... It is heart-breaking even if you never catch the actual lyrics.  The album title of mammoth swoons really captures what she does sometimes.

This is the kind of folk I can dig.  Catchy melodies at times, occasionally intentionally broken up just to make you aware you are listening.  She never lets you just get lost in the melody.  She always makes you listen, and that is okay because she has vocals and lyrics that are unique and enticing... She can play guitar quite well too... I don't know - give it a listen.  I reccommend it.

Standout Track(s):
Crane Your Neck

Won't say much about this song - I love the lyrics.

The Nothing Part Two

Hopefully this song is more accessible.  Idk.

Taxidermist, Taxidermist

Taxidermist, Taxidermist... what can I say -- if you can give the full 8 minutes of the song your full attention (which I realize, may be difficult - it is one long song) and you do *not* feel chills when she sings "we shall be enraptured" at the end, then you probably do not have a soul.  It starts off a bit slower before transitioning into the good bits.  Trust me that it's not like this the entire song. At one point she says, "... oh I am intense" -  and you bet it Lady Lamb.  You god damn bet it.

Interesting Info - 
One of the artists I talked about earlier on in my blog (Alias) actually sampled her for one of his songs, and the only reason I know is because when I searched "lady lamb" in my iTunes to check out the album, his song "Lady Lambin'" came up.  Definitely samples her... cool stuff.  But that's not the real interesting info, the real interesting info is that she is only 20 (maybe 21 now)  years old, and that that is great because someday I am going to marry her.  Just an FYI.

Spotify Link

What I'm Listening To (9/16/11)

The Drums - Portamento (2011)

I didn't like The Drums at first - mostly because I saw this video of them performing live and looking obnoxiously apathetic.  The lead singer seemed like a overdone caricature of Kurt Cobain, and it made it difficult for me to give the band a chance.  Now, I just kind of hope that isn't the way they always are - because this new album is solid.  Jonathan Pierce's voice sounds straight out of the 80s, and it compliments the indie surf-sounding guitars oh so well.  Really makes me want to be back in California, driving to the beach, and enjoying the sun and sin that comes along.  Sidenote, why does this album cover look so Witch Housey?  It does not fit the album...

Favorite Tracks:
Money
Hard To Love 

Spotify Link

Sin Fang Bous -Clangour (2009)

Ahh, I've listened to this a lot.  Not really anything that sounds terribly like Sin Fang, besides his other band Seabear.  Beautiful stuff.  An incredibly solid 8 songs, and one of my favorite albums.

Favorite Tracks:

Clangour and Flutes

Catch The Light

Spotify Link

Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)

Yeah I still listen to Brand New.  Fuck you.

Favorite Tracks:

Sowing Season (Yeah)
Millstone

Spotify Link

Das Racist - Sit Down, Man (2010)

Such a solid mixtape - Das Racist really has some dope beats, and awesome rapping skills, even if they often don't take themselves seriously.  Their album dropped recently, I think it sucks.  Does anyone actually like the song Michael Jackson?  It seems like it is their single from it, and I am not feeling it.

Favorite Tracks:

All Tan Everything
Luv It Mayne

Spotify Link

Generationals - Actor-Caster (2011)

A lot of people think that this album is just more of their first album - but it really is not.  It is miles above.  It shares the same style - you can tell it is the Generationals for sure, but they've nearly perfected their formula with this album.  Even the songs that seem poppy and cheesy on this one grow on you on further listens, and have subtle emotional and sonic nuances that make this one of my favorite albums this year.

Favorite Tracks:

Black and White

Please Be It

Spotify Link

Snatchin' hip-hop from the light & bringing it back into dark

Planet Asia - EP (1998)

Usually when I write about music, I tend to write things and thoughts down while I'm listening to the album.  Though I had many thoughts formulate in my head while listening to the Planet Asia EP, I had to stop myself.  I didn't want to miss a single verse.  Plus,  I had a minor fear that I would lose the beat that PA got me bouncing my head too.  These beats are so simple and smooth, and Planet Asia has a great flow with incredible lyricism to go on top of it.  Seriously, some of these beats just seem way ahead of their time in terms of style.  Don't get me wrong, this stuff has a classic sound to it - just not in the way that you feel like your listening to a throwback rap mix - no, this sounds like something that was made today but with old-school emceeing and simple beats only to make you feel like this stuff is old.  But oh no, it actually is old. Released 1998.

Some beats are stronger than others, but they all share a similar dark-toned style.  Luckily, the EP is only 8 songs long, just short enough to prevent you from getting sick of it.  And when the beats aren't as strong, Asia makes up for it with even stronger raps.  So... yeah.  Check this out; or just ride with me, because I feel it will be in my rotation for awhile.


Standout Track(s) -
On The Corner Part 2
Quite a smoker's anthem.  Love it - gimme Asia over Wiz any day. (Note - I normally embed the youtube players, but they were defaulting to lower quality, and I think these benefit a bit from you playing it in the higher qualities, even though they are only like 480.)

Kalidascope
Probably my favorite beat on the whole thing.  It's just so smooth, and the whole thing has a classic feel.

Interesting Note(s) -
Found Planet Asia after he guested on MED's new Classic album.  I'm not emphasizing the word, that is the name of the album.  It's an alright album - but it mostly just has some very solid guest spots.

Check it

You Should Never Trust a Kid That Acts Like Me

      I have a love-hate relationship with the notion of genres.  Sometimes they are useful for grouping together music when I try to describe my taste.  It often feels plain and obvious that this band is chillwave, or that band is surf-rock.  But then you have bands or songs that refuse to fall neatly under one genre. How am I supposed to describe Radiohead to someone?  Allmusic.com, as lovely as they are at classifying music, describe them as pop/rock.  lol.

Wise Blood - These Wings (2011)

  

Then you have acts like Wise Blood.  What the hell am I supposed to classify this as?  It strikes me as a more decipherable How to Dress Well, an already elusive act, but even with HtDW this only shares some elements.  Manipulated and destroyed samples, combined only with Wise Blood’s interesting R&Besque vocals... But it sounds like there is more there. It’s weird.  But catchy. 

 

Standout Track(s) -

Loud Mouths
Check out I'm Losing My Mind (the "feeling" sample, or whatever is said, at 0:47 comes in for the first time... is so cash) and Loud Mouths from the album above.

 

Interesting Note(s) - 
 I put this in a playlist with Grimes, How To Dress Well, and Sea Oleena.  The playlist is titled “Elliot, nobody else likes to listen to this music”, but my iTunes shortens it to “Elliot, nobody...”, and it makes me feel like It’s a sort of existential introduction.  Nobody, this is Elliot.  Elliot, nobody.

Spotify Link
Amazon Link

What I'm Listening To (9/9/11)

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy (2011)

I think this may be St. Vincent's strongest album yet.  You can't actually get it yet, it's not released until 9/13, but if you are clever with the ways you acquire music you should be able to find it.  Her voice is rivaled in strength only by her impeccable guitar playing.  Fuzzy guitar compliments her vocals so well - or maybe it is the other way around. 

Favorite Tracks:
Dilettante

 

Strange Mercy (You've got to pretty much listen to this song all the way through... it gets so good at about 2:45 - I turn it all the way up every time.)

Spotify Link

Amazon Link 

Cake -Fashion Nugget (1996)

What a classic album.  I love cake like a fat kid loves... Whelp...

Favorite Tracks:

Frank Sinatra

Or you know... the whole album.

Spotify Link

Amazon Link 

Said The Whale - Howe Sounds (2008)

I recently joked on my facebook when linking Live off Lamb, "hey we sound like the shins."  Because on that track, they fucking do.  It's clear that that is what they are emulating - but I forgive them, because it sounds good, and I could always go for more of The Shins.  They don't always sound like The Shins, sometimes they emulate other bands.  And occasionally they even do their own thing.  Either way, decent album.  And very happy.

Favorite Tracks:

Live Off Lamb

The Light Is You

Spotify Link

Amazon Link  

Cloud Cult - The Meaning of 8 (2007)

The lead singer of Cloud Cult losing his child in 2002 was a tragic event, but it spawned over half a decade of creative and enthralling music in the kids memory.  This is probably my favorite Cloud Cult album, with lush and mesmorizing instruments backing Craig Minowa's insightful and at times mournful musings. 

Favorite Tracks:

Take Your Medicine

Brain Gateway

Spotify Link

Amazon Link 

The Babies - The Babies (2011)

Garage Rock, fuck yeah.  After all the hype over Best Coast last year, I was surprised to not see this album get more attention this year. Maybe people are already sick of the style... whatever - this album is a sleeper.  The Babies are a supergroup taking from Vivian Girls, Woods, Bent Outta Shape, and Ringers  It's great. So much energy. Check it out.

Favorite Tracks:

Run Me Over

Meet Me In The City

Spotify Link

Amazon Link