Soul Is Heavy by Nneka

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  69.33
Genre:  Soul

Nneka's father is Nigerian (she was born in Nigeria) and her mother German (she currently lives in Germany); she sings , mostly, in English with strong influences from R&B, reggae and hip-hop.

The reviewer from MusicOMH.com probably has the most accurate description:  There's a lot to recommend in Nneka's third album, though if it was slightly shorter, it could be considered a great album rather than merely a good one."  The album is 15 songs and almost an hour long.  There are seven songs I'd call great and the rest are good to very good.

A couple highlights include the reggae Lucifer (No Doubt) or the 70's style R&B tune Shining Star (this one is the official video.)  Click the hyperlinks to stream the full songs.

Visions by Grimes

Released:  February 21, 2012
Rating:  67.69
Genre: Witch House or Grave Wave

Okay, so it's it's a style more than a genre.  But I couldn't resist when I discovered it as a description of Grimes (the alias of Vancouver native Claire Boucher.)  It's also a pretty apt description of the slightly haunting, intense, electronic dance music, accompanied by a wispy vocal track.

It's not for everyone, but if you're feeling a little adventurous, or if you just like House Music or electronica, I could suggest you check out the official videos for Nightmusic or Oblivion.

Animal Collective by Shearwater

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  70.91
Genre:  Alternative

Starting off as a Side Project for Okervill River's Will Sheff, Shearwater's been around since 2000 and this is their seventh album, but it's my introduction to them..  It's a solid record with a lot to love.  I'll be interested to see if it has staying power for me.  The opener Animal Life (click the link for the official video) is great folk/pop/rock.  You As You Were (again, click the link for the official video).

Vocalist Jonathon Meiburg's voice is a beautiful falsetto, and their music has been compared to Nick Drake and The National.  I'd be really appreicate other's opinions.

The Russian Wilds by Howlin' Rain

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  74.00
Genre:  Pure Classic Rock

Howlin' Rain is unapologetically steeped in '70s, blues based, hard rock.  There're hints of Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Grand Funk and Steely Dan; with smokin' guitar solos and pounding drums.  The quintet, fronted by Ethan Miller (from Santa Cruz, CA) debuted in 2006. This is their second line up and third album, produced by Rick Rubin

Check out a couple of highlights:

Phantom In The Valley starts off like Quicksilver Messenger Service, then morphs into Abraxas era Santana; 

Cherokee Wolf could have been done by Big Brother and The Holding Company; and

Collage is a actually a cover of the James Gang from 1969's Yer' Album, full of Crosby, Stills and Nash harmonies.

Arrow by Heartless Bastards

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Indie Rock

With elements of blues, hard rock, garage, punk and country, the Heartless Bastards, currently a quartet (they've been through several line-ups, but always ) lead by guitarist/singer Erika Wennerstrom.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, they were "discovered" by Pat Carney of the Black Keys, and are currently headquartered out of Austin Texas.  Which is where they met Jim Eno, percussionist for another of my favorite bands, Spoon, who produced the album.  (Music is a small world...)

A couple highlights/good examples are Parted Ways (with an Eagles influence - official video); The Arrow Killed the Beast (which feels a lot like an Ennio Morricone soundtrack for a "Spaghetti Westerns"); and Down In The Canyon (which opens with a riff that sounds a lot like early '70s Black Sabbath).

Sweet Sour by Band of Skulls

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Punk Blues

February's off to a great start with a couple of go old fashioned rockers.  Here's the second:
It's not surprising I really like this English trio. They're compared to the Kills, Duke Spirit, the Black Keys and even the White Stripes.  Two of those had albums in my top 10 for 2011.  (I'm gonna to have to look into Duke Spirit, of whom I've never heard.)

This is their sophomore effort and the critics are pretty upbeat on them.  I think I'm a little higher than they are.  One of the things that's so interesting about this album is the different tempos.  The opener (the title track) is hard driving, the second is a kinda subdued; the third has a lot of energy; and so it goes for 10 tracks.

Click the hyper links to check out  a couple of my favorites, including the title track Sweet Sour (it's the official video, skip past the ad, and see four preteens that can really dance, but we hope we're not raising) or the smokin' hot Wanderluster.

Blues Funeral by Mark Lannegan

Released:  February 7, 2012
Rating:  73.33
Genre: Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Mark Lannegan came of age with Screaming Trees, out of Seattle, in the mid '80s and began his solo career in 1990.  This is his seventh solo album and the first in 8 years (and the first for me.) 

Do not be fooled by the album cover or the album title.  Lannegan has a raspy, baritone voice and his influences are all over the place. It's all got a dark moodiness to it, but their isn't much blues and even less related to embroidered flowers. 

Harborview Hospital has an Edge-style guitar; my favorite, Riot In My House, has an awesome rock guitar from Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age;  Grey Goes Black is just hot pop rock.

The first half of the album is outstanding and I thought for a while this could be my favorite in 2012, but the second half drags a bit.

Be Strong by The 2 Bears

Released:  January 31, 2012
Rating:  70
Genre:  Alternative Dance

I don't know if it's proper to call this a debut, since it's more of a side project for Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and producer Raf Rundell.  The critics generally loved this album, though it seems that club music and electronica routinely get over-rated.  Don't get me wrong, there are some great tracks here, with just a couple fillers that lower the rating.  OIt is definitely worth checking out.

The influences are all over the place:  London Club, Caribbean, Techno, 80s, even some garage rock.  My favorite song is the Motown influenced Get Together.   The bass heavy title track, Be Strong is also excellent.

Out Of Frequency by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Released:  January 31, 2012
Rating:  75.38
Genre:  Scandinavian Indie Pop


This is the sophomore effort for the pop band from Copenhagen, and it's a blast.  There is no pretext to pass as serious as they put a 21st century spin on the late-'60s world of Burt Bacharach and Sly Stone.

There's reggae, middle eastern pop, Motown, prog and disco. You'll also find hip-hop beats, Southern soul, and loads of horns.  The opener, Gold Rush Part 1 could be the intro track to a remake of the Mod Squad and Cloak and Dagger would have been a great James Bond song.  Lead vocalist Mette Lindberg has a voice that's a cross between Björk and Duffy.

Give a listen to a couple of my favorites:

Major (and you'll know why Amy Winehouse them open for her) Heart Attack, or the title track, Out of Frequency.  (For a special treat, catch this accoustic take on Out of Frequency.)

Something by Chairlift

Released:  January 25, 2012
Rating:  69.09
Genre:  '80s Influenced Alt Rock

I hear influences of everything from Madonna to Annie Lennox (The Eurythmics), the Bangles to Cindy Lauper and Deborah Harry (Blondie).  Even a little Chrissie Hynde (the Pretenders) and a few things I can't place.

This is the second album from the Brooklyn (formerly Boulder, CO) two-piece band.  According to the press I can find on them, they formed in 2005 to write background music for haunted houses; and you can still here that in some of their slower tempo stuff.

Again, the reviewers seem somewhat higher on them than I am , but that's not to say it's not a really good album.  Check out Sidewalk Safari on YouTube by clicking the link.

Attack On Memory by Cloud Nothings

Released:  January 24, 2012
Rating:  70.00
Genre:  Noise Rock

Rolling Stone often under rates albums, While AMG often over-rates them.  In this case, they both gave this album the same rating and, by strange coincidence, it's the exact same rating I gave it.  However, the critics as a whole seem to be a lot more enthusiastic, with a metascore of 82.  The first half is easily the stronger. but it's definitely worth a listen.

Cloud Nothings is the band name under which an individual by the name of Dylan performs.  From Cleveland, Ohio, this is their third album in three years.  Produced by Steve Albini (who has produced Nirvana, The Pixies, The Stooges, Manic Street Preachers, PJ Harvey and Bush) his influence is very apparent.  The opener, No Future/No Past is so reminiscent of Nirvana, it's eerie; I love the intense, extended (nearly nine minute) angry jam on Wasted Days and the PJ Harvey-style Stay Useless is very cool.

(Click the hyper links to hear the full songs on youtube.)

Area 52 by Rodrigo Y Grabriela w/C.U.B.A.

Released:  January 24, 2012
Rating:  75.56
Genre:  World Music

If Carlos Santana teamed up with Otmar Leibert, and asked Ry Cooder, right off of the Buena Vista Social Club sessions, to produce them, this is what you’d get.  It just kicks! 

Click to see the album trailer on youtube or you can hear the whole album free on Spotify.

Most of the songs are reworked from their own catalog, recorded with pianist/arranger Pete Wilson and C.U.B.A. (Collective Universal Band Association) in Havana, with producer Peter Asher. Guest artists included Anoushka Shankar, flamenco and jazz bass legend Carlos Benavent, former Testament and White Zombie drummer John Tempesta, Le Trio Joubran, and Los Van Van drummer Samuel Formell Alfonso.

Guitarists Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero started, independent of one another, playing heavy metal in some of the toughest clubs in Mexico City though they also played together in the metal group Tierra Acida.  They went on to become the most recognizable flamenco duo in the 21st century.

 

 

We Don't Know Any Better by Black Taxi

Released:  January 17, 2012
Rating:  76.92

Frankly, I don't recall where I heard about this band, but it doesn't matter.  This is right up my alley.  and likely to stay in my top 10 for most of the year.  They remind me of the Virgins (who released one of my favorite albums back in '08) and I suppose it shouldn't be a total surprise, since Black Taxi is also a Brooklyn-based club band.

All I remember is they got on my 2012 list quick.  The problem was that I couldn't find the CD.  My local Dimple store didn't even have them listed and Amazon only had them (and still only have them) as an MP3 download.  I ended up at the band's website, ordering directly from them.

This is great, upbeat, fun party/dance/work out/housework/whatever you like music.

Click to check out the official video for my favotite song Tightrope and a live recording of Do What You Gotta Do, which opens with a riff from Yes and heads into Devo-esque dance tune.  (You can also hear a clean version on Spotify.)

 

El Camino by The Black Keys

Released:  December 6, 2011
Rating:  80

The Black Keys are a twosome from Akron Ohio, with Dan Auerbach on Guitar and Patrick Carney on drums.  They have a brilliant, trashy, blues-rock sound.  There is definitely a nod to classic rock here, updated for the 21st century.

My only challenge with this album was to decide, for each song, if I was totally blown away, or just loved the song.  The biggest competition for each song was the next song.

This album screamed up to my top 3 for 2011 and  I can't say it too strongly: if you don't already have it, get it.  If you need some convincing, try a couple of the songs by clicking the links to youtube for the official videos of Lonely Boy or Gold On The Ceiling.

I suffer from the affliction of many music snobs: if I really like a band that nobody knows, and then they become popular, I become a little disenchanted. I'm trying to overcome this and the Black Keys are helping. It also helps that my guy, Danger Mouse, produced this album.

To be fair to my fellow music fans out there, this is their 7th album and I've only been a fan since 2008's Attack and Release (another Danger Mouse produced album). The world seemed to take notice in 2010, when Brothers was nominated for 5 Grammies and won 3, including Best Alternative Music Album.

This wraps up 2011!  Time to start the 2012 collection.

Undun by The Roots

Released:  December 6, 2011
Rating:  78.18

The surprising thing about this album isn't that it's only my second rap album of 2011, or that it's my second rap album in a row.  Not even that it's rated so highly.  The surprise, for me, is that it's a December release.  December usually stinks for good music.  It's a great month for box sets and bubble gum pop, but I haven't bought a December release in 3 years!

I hope you're aware of the roots.  They are amazing.  Formed by ?uestlove and Black Thought in 1987 as street rappers in Philidelphia, they're now Jimmy Fallon's house band.  (Full disclosure:  I only became fully aware of them last year with the incredible How I got Over.)

I would urge that you give them a chance, regardless of your musical leanings.  Try a couple of my favorites by clicking on the links below to youtube:

• The tragic Sleep.
• The cool funk of Lighthouse.

If you want something totally different from a hip-hop crew, search out the calssically orchestrated Redford Suite.  A series of 4 instrumental tracks featuring strings, piano and ?uestlove's drums.

And now a note about the rating: I combined the rating for the Redford suite into a single rating of 3 stars (I like it a lot).  If each track had been rated independently, the sum total would have been closer to 75.

No Kings by Doomtree

Released:  November 22, 2011
Rating:  75.00


A mostly-white rap group? From Minnesota?  Are you kidding?  No, I’m not, and neither are they.  If you have any appreciation for rap or hip-hop, you need to give this album a spin.  This is my first rap album for 2011 and it deserves to be on the list.  A couple of key cuts include Bolt Cutter or String Theory.

They’re actually a hip-hop collaborative as they are five independent MCs (four men, one woman) and two producers.  Depending on who you ask, this is either their second or fourth proper studio album.

50 Words For Snow by Kate Bush

Released:  November 21, 2011
Rating:  70

This is one of the few arbitrary ratings I've given this year.  I'm torn between wanting to love this album because the critics are raving about it, and liking this album because it's just really pretty.  (Note that a 70 from me is probably equivalent to most critics' 80, or 4 out of 5 stars.)

The album consists of only 7 songs, but comes in at over an hour's playing time.  There's no filler.  The first 3 songs, and the last, are pretty much piano and vocal with some very subtle rhythm from bass and/or percussion.  In between are three, up-tempo songs; the 5th, Snowed In At Wheeler Street, is a duet with Elton John.

It's all good, so take your pick.  Click the song titles for a hyperlink to the songs:  The mournful Lake Tahoe (about a woman's ghost that haunts the lake) or the up tempo Wild Man ("They call you an animal, the Kangchenjunga Demon, Wild Man, Metoh-Kangmi". Better known to most of us as the Yeti or Abominable Snowman.)

Surprisingly, for me anyway, this is my first Kate Bush album.  She's been around for a long time.  Heck, she's two years older than me!  With help from David Gilmour (Pink Floyd guitarist) Kate Bush signed her first record deal at the age of 16, and released her fist album 3 years later, in 1978.  She's released 9 more studio albums since.

Strawberry by Wussy

Released: November 15, 2011
Rating: 75.00

I love this 4 piece band out of Cincinnati.  Jangly guitars, thrashy vocals and great hooks.  Just my cup of tea.  I didn't think the cumulative score based on songs (71) gave a fair picture of the overall album.  I loved 7 of the 11 tracks here and there was only one that I call filler.

There is something very Midwest about Wussy.  A little bit melancholy and a little bit "get over it and have some fun".  Give a listen to the slow burning: Asteroid (about getting dumped Way out/beyond the asteroid/that's where you took my heart and left it floating in a frozen void) or the rockin' Chicken.

Wussy has been around since 2001 and this is their 5th (or 6th, I can't quite figure it out from the web searches) proper album.  They were formed by Guitarist and vocalist Chuck Cleaver from alt-country band The Ass Ponys (nice name guys).  Of course, one of the alluring things for me is that almost no one else has ever heard of Wussy.  Just compare the link for Asteroids with 2121 views vs Tom Waits (another name that's not known to all) Satisfied with 714,369 views.

Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay

Released:  October 25, 2011
Rating:  69.09

I can't decide if I'm disappointed, or just underwhelmed.  I loved Coldplay's last album, Viva La Vida, so I suppose I was pretty anxious to hear this one.  It's good, but nothing really lit me up.  I read once that Coldplay kept a poster of U2 in their practice studio to remind them what their goal was.  I read recently that they've taken a different direction.  Maybe they should have stayed on track.

A couple of worthwhile tracks include Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall and The Princess of China, featuring Rhiana.  Click the hyper links to watch the videos on YouTube.

Bad As Me by Tom Waits

Released:  October 25, 2011
Rating:  73.85

Who's Tom Waits?!?!  He's released 30 Albums since 1973; been honored with 19 tribute albums; contributed to 58 movies as a composer and/or actor; won two Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011; his songs have been covered by Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles and Rod Stewart.

He has to be one of the most dramatic performers in all of music and this album would probably be rated higher, if I was a better judge.  In fact the average (normalized) review by the real critics was 88 out of 100, making it the best reviewed album of new music in all of 2011.

He has a tremendous cast of musicians that vary throughout the album, including, among others, Keith Richards on guitar, David Hidalgo (from Los Lobos) on almost everything, Flea (from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) on bass, Charlie Musselwhite on Harmonica and his son on drums.

My favorites include Talking At The Same Time and his response to the Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Satisfied where he sings "Now Mr. Jagger and Mr. Richards/I will scratch where I've been itchin.'"  (Richards is playing guitar on this song.)