After much encouragement from friends &colleagues I've decided to create a place that I can share my favorite new artists, upcoming concert dates, and my own musical predictions. Really this is designed to help people who hate Top 40 radio, are tired of the songs they grew up with and want to hear something new!I hope that even if you have a bad day, some posting on here can make you smile, I truly believe music heals all & maybe you'll be amused by my witty commentary:)
* Sound-- considering the venue (UIC Pavillion) purposed as a basketball arena sound was perfect! you could hear every string, every horn, every whisper of Justin Vernon. Not one overpowered the other, but everything in perfect unison.
* Crowd (I've never seen that many people since Lolla) it made me glad I had seats being the wimp that I am I'd get claustrophobic in the sea of people on the main floor
*Lighting (as it should) enhanced as a means of the song's emotion. Not just for spectacle's sake. It was a 10 person band with Justin Vernon in front, doing everything from keyboards to guitar. he said ''this is a strange band to be in, but the only time it's not strange is when we play in front of all of you'' he kept thanking us the fans for all of our support. Geniunely humbled.
I never wanted it to end. I closed my eyes and basically lived a whole lifetime of flashbacks in my mind signficant moments (no I was not smoking pot!) that's just how powerful his songs are. each one covers a different period of life, falling in love, breaking up,(Skinny Love) loss, life, boredom, (Michigant) isolation, happiness, hope (Blood Bank)community. No secret his lyrics are hard to follow, but when I was standing there I felt what he felt as he was singing. Combined with the emotional performance of the band. The perfect ensemble.
Songs like Stacks I used to love but as with everything, sometimes you avoid listening to for the memories it brings, but after some time has passed you listen to it again and remember everything you originally loved about it, and put it back in rotation.
Or with Perth. I remember the first week it was released and it instantly appeared on all of my friend's playlists. From the first few chord's its a genius arrangement!.
The encore was my favorite it made me appreciate songs I'd previously dismissed
Flume
For Emma
Skinny Love
The only thing that ever disappoints me about seeing one of my favorite artists live is knowing that i'm going to go back to my Ipod and the songs are going to sound ''precious'' in comparison. I hope he will be releasing a live DVD/cd in the near future..
I've seen more shows in the past 2 years than I can count, and hopefully many more to come, but I know that spending literally my last $50 for a ticket to that show was worth every penny. Something I'll never see again!
Some of these picks might be new to you, some definitely mainstream--all definitely talked about in previous posts but as a whole I think 2011 brought some light and hope regarding new music.
Most of the artists here take some retro influences or in some artists case their earlier work. Some went in an entirely new direction than previous albums. but the one thing they all have in common? Heart.
I decided I am not going to list them in numerical order starting with the best. But give them specific catagories I made up instead. I will probably add more later on and forgive me if some of these albums came out in late 2010.
Best Rock Album (return to Rock God Glory)
Foo Fighters Wasting Light-- Best Foo album in years! not all the tracks are necessarily radio play worthy, but I feel like this album was more for hardcore rock fans than previous albums that I thought catered were more mainstream commercially pleasing ''hits'' Dave Grohl's scream at the beginning of Bridges Burning? I called Foo's return to rock when DG appeared on Slash's album for the ''Watch This'' track. I would love to see more Foo albums stay this direction.
Music Appreciation Album--Death Cab-- Codes and Keys
what I mean by this catagory is that Death Cab has been around a long time, some albums are cult classic and some no so much. This album combines everything fans love about death cab into one album (essentially a greatest hits'' but with new lyrics. See ''Monday Morning'' but shows serious growth. They aren't all just sad bastard songs, they talk about growing up, settling down, and generally being stable and content with your postion in life. ''Stay Young Go Dancing'' But by no means is this album boring. Doors Open & Unlocked, is a true jam song and defintely my favorite.
Best Breakthrough Album on a 2nd try.--
Cage the Elephant-Thank you Happy Birthday--when I heard the lead vocal I was excited & nostalgic. I watched the video of some grungy skinny, young guys. It reminded me of what might have been if Kurt Cobain had an nephew or cousin in a band. Are they as creative or groundbreaking? Not yet. But they are fun and Angsty. ''Shake me Down'' ''Aberdeen''
Most eclectic (comeback) album you proably haven't listened to yet
Lenny Kravitz-Black & White America--this album has a little bit of everything, rock, rap, soul, funk, dance. It epitomizes why I have been a Lenny fan for 10+ years. Let Lenny Rule!
Most Potential--Childish Gambino
Known best for his role as Troy on Community, Donald Glover's rap alter ego has really created a persona that people should listen up and watch for next year. He has a message and the potential to appeal to a broader audience beyond the confines of the obvious fans of rap.
Best Breakout Brit(Tie)-- Ed Sheeran-- Plus & Birdy
I fell in love Ed awkward nerdy ginger genius once I discovered that Birdy (had covered his song A-Team)
and more notably the song he did''Lego House'' video that features Rupert Grint ''Ron'' from HPotter. a lovable musican with a sense of humor. www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
but note he is not just a guitar strumming swoonworthy heart melting musician. he can have range!--
check out this electro inspired track '' You need me I don't need you''
Birdy is on her way to pop superstardom ( A younger equally talented and soulful Adele) She has already covered Bon Iver, the xx's(my fave) Ed Sheeran, and she's only 15! Can't wait to hear what else she's capable of!-- www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXwPUYU8rTI
Most artistically creative album
Bon Iver-Bon Iver
(I think this is an album you either love or hate, you get it or you don't. It IS abstract. more big picture concepts than just those that insprired ''Skinny Love'' but I called it with his collaboration with St. Vincent, that this is the right direction for him.
Best ''Sad Bastard'' Album
City & Colour-Little Hell-- not since Adele have I heard such a soul strring, hearachingly beautiful voice (Dallas Greene) about love, reflection, life, growth. and anything that comes from a real place that people don't like to talk about. The feelings we all keep buried but are still there all the same. I didn't think he could top his last album ''Bring me Your Love'' but he does it here, and shows more versatility to boot adding some bass, keyboards, ect, and some funk to ''Fragile Bird,''
Best ''Recovering from a Breakup Album''
The Drums-Portamento
I love that the Drums are the closest band I can get to my favorite of all the The Cure no --infectious beats and melodies that make me want to dance 80's style and still hold my middle finger in the air to stick to whomever. ''How it Ended'' and ''Days'' & ''I Need A Doctor''--this last track belongs inserted into John Hughes Pretty in Pink
Best Dance Album
Friendly Fires- Pala
(I'm kind of dissappointed that they were not recognized for best alternative or dance album) :( picture this album played during a beach party, skate party with an awkward yet hot skinny Brit dancing around in snake formation).. How could you not love it??
Best re-creation album comeback of genre The Cults
when this band released their first album I fell in love with the overall vibe remniscent of a Motown 60's girl group, nothing that i've heard until the release captivated everything that included joy, youth, and the energy that made this genre a classic. Previous bands never had all the elements. and when Madeline's sweet innocent voice combined with companion Brian (her real life love) it was magic. -- I am a bit disappointed that said magic doesn't translate as well live as it does in the studio, (energy was there, but the sound quality was terrible, lead singer is not a belter so everything was a quiet whisper even in the first five rows it was hard to hear)-- But I have to wonder.. Is this going to be a one album band, future attempts will not be as good?
Luckily they are experimenting with rap collaborations--http://stereogum.com/882022/cults-bad-things-remix-feat-freddie-gibbs/mp3s/ I like this
I would love to see a dance remix with them with the right DJ
Best Cover Album (Remake of U2) Achtong Baby
This album really was all I wanted it to be from Jack White, to Depeche Mode & the Fray, they really did the album justice. The Snow Patrol cover of Mysterious Ways was too out of the box for my taste, but the Damian Rice balanced that out.
Let's end the list on a hopeful note what am I most excited about for a year in music next year?
Best Artist on the Rise-- James Blake-refer to entire post on JB featuring collaborations with Bon Iver, and Drake Remixes.. he's Indy now, but he is truly a renaissance man, limited to not just one type of music. One fo the best mix master's I've ever heard.
