Songbird
Dec
27
Eleven Favorite Albums Of 2011
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This list is a long time coming and a little later than I would have liked it to be, but I do not take lists lightly so I didn’t want to rush it. For me 2011 was a great year in music. I have opened myself up and listened to a lot of stuff that I don’t think I would have given a chance a couple of years ago. I also saw a fair amount of shows in 2011. Alexi Murdoch, The Decemberists, The Kills, James Vincent McMorrow and these are all albums I consider to have made up a large portion of my 2011 soundtrack. Thank you for listening and reading. I am going on my sixth year of this and I still love it. Thank you so much for sharing this joy of music with me. Happy Holidays!
 
When I first heard the album the only thing I was disappointed with was how short it was. I wanted more. The thing about Radiohead is that they always surprise me. Their music is ever evolving and King Of Limbs is a perfect example of that. I have said from the beginning it is a mix of old and new. It has the eclectic layered sound of Kid A mixed with a new electronic beat driven sound. With each listen new layers are revealed and kudos to them for continuing to expand their music and keeping their fans on their toes. I am waiting impatiently for word of a show in California… Waiting with baited breath.
 
This album took me by surprise. I was and still am obsessed with it which is a strange because I have never been this smitten with any of her previous albums. Metals however is different than any of her other albums. The sound is bigger and more refined. Her voice is complimented so well by the bold melodies. It has been on constant rotation and deserves this spot on my list.
This band exploded onto the scene a couple of years ago and took my breath away. I have a spiritual awakening when I hear their indie rock booming through my speakers. This album is filled with whirling melodies and layered arrangements that are simply stunning. Currently opening for some Radiohead shows… I am determined to see them live hopefully with Radiohead.
Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is An Animal
Oh man I went back and forth on whether I should include this album. But I decided I have it and I have been listening to it constantly and it has been a big part of my life in 2011. This Icelandic band has quickly become my favorite new band. I love their upbeat sing along indie rock and this debut album is a must! It is totally worth the import cost.
p.s. I forgot to mention that there is a hidden track on the last song, Yellow Light. So good.
 
Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince kick so much ass! Blood Pressures simply rocks. I saw them live and I fell in love with them and this album just that much more. It is gritty and dynamic. An absolute must have in your music collection.
 
Boy & Bear is another band I waited patiently for… Their debut album was well worth the wait. Colorful arrangements matched with Dave Hosking’s unique vocals. Their music just makes me feel good which is why it was a definite favorite of 2011.
 
Alexi Murdoch – Towards The Sun
This album is a special one. I have actually been listening to it for about two years since I got a copy at his concert back in 2009 and I have been listening to it ever since. I finally got it on vinyl last night for Christmas thanks to my dear friend. If you are an avid reader or even just a casual reader of Untitled Records you know my undying love for Alexi Murdoch. Seeing him live this year at the intimate Bootleg theater really made me realize he is my favorite singer-songwriter of all time.
 
I wasn’t really expecting this album to make it onto the year end list honestly but here it is. It took me by surprise, I have always enjoyed their music, but on We Are The Tide I can put it on and let it play and play. Their music is infectious and this sophomore album is absolutely fantastic.
 
James Vincent McMorrow – Early In The Morning
Another singer-songwriter I saw live this year. He took me by storm with his delicate singer-songwriter arrangements with his unique vocals that will remind you of Bon Iver, but I feel James Vincent McMorrow has fuller arrangements that compliment his fragile vocals. His debut album, Early In The Morning has been on constant repeat throughout the year and he was such a treat to see live in a fantastically intimate setting which was just perfection.
 
I don’t think there is an album that Zach Condon creates that is not on my end of year list. The Rip Tide is one of my favorite albums since Gulag Orkestar. Trumpet galore mixed with that French Chanson style along with a modern twist that only Zach Condon can bring to the table. Light and beautiful. His prettiest album to date.
 
The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
Oh Decemberists… How I love thee. How I loved seeing them live this year and being in their presence felt like coming home. Their music, their style, their spirit, their lyrics. Everything. This is one of my favorite albums since The Crane Wife but I feel The King Is Dead has taken the top spot hands down. So well done.
Dec
14
Of Monsters And Men
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It has almost been a year since I first discovered Of Monsters and Men and I waited very patiently for word of an album or EP. Well they are finally releasing an EP, Into The Woods on 12/20 and they will be releasing their debut full length album, My Head Is An Animal in 2012. I have fallen head over heels in love with this six piece band hailing from Iceland. It is a mix of Sigur Rós and Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros. Toe-tapping, dancing folk. Of Monsters and Men has become my new favorite band and I guarantee you will be hearing a lot about them in the next few months as they explode onto the music scene.
p.s. Thanks to a very nice reader their full length album is available through shopicelandic.com
Six Weeks – Of Monsters and Men
Into The Woods EP 2011
Dec
9
That Year
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 4 Comments
I can’t fully express what this song means to me. Every word resonates with me and how ironic that it shuffles on today… After all of these years I can’t say we are friends but I can say that I have grown past all of it, I have grown more than I ever imagined I could. Cheers to that.
Give Up the Ghost 2009 (Sony)
“That Year”
I must have been sleeping
I must have been drinking
I haven’t been dreaming about you for years
There was a sharp turn and a sunburn
I was too cool for high school that yearIt must have been New Years
No one invited you
You took things too far
But I miss you
And your antics
You were lonesome
And blue eyed
And so special to usYou should have taken a long break
Instead of a long drop from a high place
Ten years I never spoke your name
Now it feels good to say it
You’re my friend againHe said he forgave you
I said I hated you
He was the bigger man
I was sixteen
All the innocence
It took for
You to finally make the year book
That year
That yearYou should have taken a long break
Instead of a long drop
Instead of a leap of faith
Ten years I never spoke your name
Now it feels good to say that
You’re my friend again
You’re my friend againI was angry
I was a Baptist
I was a daughter
I was wrong
Dec
6
Black Moon
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 1 Comment
Tonight… I just want to sit back and listen to Black Moon on repeat until I fall asleep.
The Whole Love 2011
I was always right
About the morning
Okay, I’m an old shoeDanced above the blaze
Never stopped crawling
Over the black dunesAnd I’m waiting for you
Waiting forever
Are you awake now, too?I’m always one
Without a warning
Old days re-appearLift away, past the gate
Desert keeps forming
Underneath The black moonAnd I’m waiting for you
Waiting forever
Are you awake now, too?
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