Bittersweet Melody’s top 10 albums of 2011 (Spotify playlist edition)

William Elliott Whitmore. Photo by Nate Burrell

The year 2011 was a great one for music. My #1 was an album that I heard at the beginning of the year, but it was able to stay in my top spot, a rare occurrence for me.

My top 10 also included an album (The Black Keys) that I didn’t hear until about December 1. After more time, it may have been higher (or lower). Others were new finds for me in 2011. All in all, it was an excellent year for new music.

10. Dawes – “Nothing Is Wrong”

Some say Dawes sound a lot like Jackson Browne from his heyday in the ’70s. I can’t deny the similarities. The laid-back style and vocals are eerily similar. Dawes, however, brings a modern take to the sound. Favorites include “Time Spent in Los Angeles” and “Fire Away.”

9. William Elliott Whitmore – “Field Songs”

Having never heard Iowa-based William Elliott Whitmore prior to this album reaching the stacks at KDHX earlier this year, I didn’t know what to expect. His distinct bluesy vocals and spare Americana arrangements certainly don’t lend themselves to parties. In concert and on the album, the songs are accompanied either by his guitar or banjo with some songs also featuring a kick drum. But the songs need no more than this to exude both power and warmth. Favorites include “Everyone Gets Gone,” “Field Song” and “Bury Your Burdens in the Ground.”

Listen to WEW’s Live at KDHX session from 2011.

8. The Lonely Forest – “Arrows”

The Lonely Forest, from the Pacific Northwest, signed to Chris Walla’s (guitarist in Death Cab for Cutie) label and released their debut full-length album in 2011. Their album is full of power-pop gems. Favorites include “Turn Off This Song and Go Outside,” “We Sing in Time” and “I Am the Love Addict.”

Listen to Lonely Forest’s Live at KDHX session from 2011.

7. The Black Keys – “El Camino”

Much poppier than any previous Black Keys album. Almost as if they wanted to experiment with hand claps, short songs and pop structures. As a fan of their darker albums before this one, initially I wasn’t sure if this was a direction I was entirely happy about. Luckily, the songs have grown on me. Favorites include “Stop Stop,” “Little Submarines” and “Gold on the Ceiling.”

6. The Blind Eyes – “With a Bang”

Locals the Blind Eyes released a terrific album in 2011. My only hope is that their indie-pop songs reach outside of St. Louis. Favorites include the title track, “Hold Down the Fort” and “Into the Breach.”

Listen to the Blind Eyes’ Live at KDHX session from 2011.

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Posted by | January 6, 2012 | Music | Comment 

Robin Wheeler’s top 10 albums and concerts of 2011 (heard, seen and unseen edition)

Nate Burrell

The year 2011 doesn’t end with one giant stand-out album, but a pool of admirable work. A list of 20 favorites would have been so much easier. This list was dictated by my mood during one week in December. Ask me in a month, and it could be different.

With concerts, it’s not just about bearing witness to some great nights, but also the regret of shows missed and the ridiculous reasons why.

Ten Favorite Albums

Cults – “Cults”

Not even two years old, the New York duo of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion managed to capture the lo-fi power of ’60s garage rock with girl group-worthy vocals, without sounding like a dated throwback. “Go Outside” was the earworm of the year.

Hanni El Khatib – “Will the Guns Come Out”

California skate punk El Khatib created sparse and brutal soundscapes on a debut album with primal beats and fuzzed-out guitar that capture a dark hopelessness in songs like “Fuck It, You Win” and the doo-wop-freckled “Dead Wrong.”

The Features – “Wilderness”

Someone please give this Tennessee quartet their due, already. They continue making some of the wittiest pop-rock out there with “Wilderness,” their third full-length record. Don’t let their association with Kings of Leon (The Features are on KoL’s label) or presence on sparkly vampire movie soundtracks fool you; this is a smart band with the humor to write a song begging a lover to take everything but his records (“Fats Domino”).

Eleanor Friedberger – “Last Summer”

All of the creativity of her work with Fiery Furnaces, stripped of the noise and weirdness, Friedberger’s debut solo album is full of singer-songwriter pop that tell stories heavy on setting (“Scenes From Bensonhurst”) and heartache.

Ha Ha Tonka – “Death of a Decade”

West Plains’ favorite musical sons got some well-deserved publicity in the days before releasing their third album when Anthony Bourdain featured them on his Travel Channel show, “No Reservations.” Not only did the band get to barbecue with the acerbic chef, but they got to play their album’s opener, “Usual Suspects,” to a national audience. Ha Ha Tonka continues to move towards complex songwriting and arrangements without forgoing their Ozark roots, defying the southern-rock label.

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Posted by | January 3, 2012 | Music | Comment 

Will Kyle’s top 10 albums and songs of 2011 (loud, quiet and lyrical edition)

Fleet Foxes. Photo by Dustin Winter.

Here’s my list of top 10 favorite albums and favorite songs of 2011. Enjoy and happy new year!

Top 10 albums of 2011

10. James Blake – “James Blake”

This 22-year-old British singer/songwriter broke out with a Feist cover, and on his first feature length offers up dark takes on dubstep and re-imagines R&B to ridiculous and infectious effect.

9. PJ Harvey – “Let England Shake”

Political? Yes. Painful? Most certainly. Beautiful? Without a doubt. PJ Harvey’s newest employs autoharp, tripped-out vocals, a one-of-a-kind lyrical sensibility and delivery that always surprises fans.

8. Lykke Li – “Wounded Rhymes”

Lykke Li goes for a bigger sound, and in doing so creates a record that runs the gamut of emotion. “Youth Knows No Pain” buoys listeners, and the quiet “Unrequited Love” realizes melancholy with surfer guitar. Produced by Björn Yttling, Li’s newest outing sounds like the Velvet Underground having a woozy dinner party with the Temptations.

7. Yuck – “Yuck”

Shoegaze at its finest. In a year with no new work from the Silversun Pickups, London’s Yuck delivers a refreshing disc of wall-of-sound riffage, breezy-dark melodies and euphoric hooks. Check out the twisted, horror-fused video for “Holing Out.”

6. Dodos – “No Color”

With syncopated drums and guitar strums falling like cascades of burly punches, “No Color” weds the melody of “Time To Die” to the unbridled power of “Visiter” with finesse. The new glossy production adds a shimmer previously unseen on Dodos records.

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Posted by | January 2, 2012 | Music | Comment 

Memphis to Manchester’s top 15 reissues of 2011

Listed below are 15 of my favorite compilations and/or reissues from 2011. So much to choose from. I believe any of the following will provide hours of rewarding listening.

1. Ray Charles – “Singular Genius – The Complete ABC Singles” (Concord)

Every a & b side from his singles recorded with ABC-Paramount. This reasonably priced 5-CD set includes 106 tracks and comes with a 48-page liner notes booklet. Singular genius, indeed.

2. Various Artists  – “The Fame Studios Story: 1961-1973″ (Kent)

This 3-CD set features recordings from various artists recorded at Muscle Shoals from 1961-1973. Absolutely no filler on this collection of not often heard singles, hits & deeper tracks. Packaged with a beautifully put-together hardback book.

3. Various Artists – “This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel on 45RPM 1957-1982″ (Tompkins Square)

Flat-out terrific 3-CD compilation featuring 72 rare independent gospel 45 tracks. The intensity of some of these performances will blow you away.

4. Mickey Newbury  – “An American Trilogy” (Saint Cecilia Knows)

This collection consists of his trilogy of albums  from 1969-1973 – Looks Like Rain, Frisco Mabel Joy & Heaven Help The Child – plus an extra disc of demos, rarities & unreleased tracks.

5. Various Artists - “Sweet Inspiration: The Songs of Dan Penn & Spooner” Oldham (Ace)

Featuring songs written by Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham recorded by artists such as Charlie Rich, Etta James, Sandy Posey, The Box Tops, James Carr, Dionne Warwick & Barbara Lynn. This is just a single-disc compilation so it only contains a fraction of the songs written by one of the finest pair of soul music songwriters ever but these soul, country and pop versions of their songs serve as a really satisfying introduction.

6. Willie Wright  – “Telling the Truth” (The Numero Group)

Willie Wright was from Bayland, MS & later moved to Massachusetts. In 1977, he recorded this release & 1,000 copies were pressed. This soul-folk masterpiece remained buried in obscurity until unearthed by The Numero Group. One of the musical surprises  for me in 2011. Reminds me, somewhat, of Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’ album.

7. Charlie Rich  – “It Ain’t Gonna Be That Way: The Complete Smash Sessions” (Ace)

29-track, single-disc compilation of all the tracks he recorded for the Smash label in the 60s. Soul, country, rock & pop and it’s pretty great. Even includes an excellent rockin’ Christmas song as an added bonus.

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Posted by | January 2, 2012 | Music | Comment 

The Back Country’s top 10 albums of 2011

facebook.com/pages/Zoe-Muth-And-The-Lost-High-Rollers/122565481152887

Here’s my roundup of favorite country sounds of 2011. Enjoy!

The Carper Family – “Back When” (Self-released)

Three gals from Austin create a sophomore release mixing great covers and original tunes with wonderful three-part harmonies. Brennen Leigh adds mandolin and guitar, and the steel guitar and dobro of the great Cindy Cashdollar round out this fine release.

Cow Bop – “Too Hick for the Room” (B-4MAN)

Bruce Forman, Pinto Pammy and friends serve up another helping of jazz and swing tunes with great arrangements. Bruce’s guitar work is stellar.

Amber Digby & Midnight Flyer – “Live at Swiss Alp Hall” (Heart of Texas)

There’s nothing quite like a live honky tonk album, and Amber Digby delivers the goods, recorded at a historic Texas dance hall. Midnight Flyer features her uncle, steel guitar Hall of Famer Dicky Overbey, while HOT label mate and duet partner Justin Trevino lends his voice to the evening.

The Five and Dimers – “Quarter of a Tank” (Five and Dimers)

A relatively new band from the East Side, the Five and Dimers feature lead singer and chief songwriter Matt Taul, along with fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass and drums, with occasional pedal steel worked in. A strong debut release.

Merle Haggard – “Working in Tennessee” (Vanguard)

He’s mellowed somewhat — like an aged Tennessee whiskey — but his output still amazes me. His marvelous songwriting continues to impress and his voice sounds as vibrant as 30 years ago. There’s even a reworked version of his hit, “Working Man Blues” with fellow country icon Willie Nelson. Long live the Hag!

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Posted by | December 29, 2011 | Music | Comment 

Kenji Yoshinobu’s top 10 vinyl discoveries of 2011 (crate-digging edition)

This is a list of records I found while digging through the excellent record stores that St. Louis has to offer. I did enjoy a number of 2011 releases, but this year my most memorable experiences listening to music came from these records (with the exception of the new Thundercat album).

Happy 2012! Enjoy all the music you can before the world ends!

The Beach Boys – “I Can Hear Music/ All I Want To Do” 7″

I’ve always liked Carl Wilson’s voice best and he has superb lead vocals on this Barry/Greenwich/Spector-penned song. Good song to sing if you’re trying to get out of jury duty.

Blue Magic – “Blue Magic”

I only got this album because of the song “Look Me Up.” If I had a falsetto like that I’d probably try to play in the WNBA.

Bootsy Collins – “Ultra Wave”

“F-Encounter” is a song everyone should experience at a party. Preferably, a freaky party with costumes.

D-Train – “You’re The One For Me”

Classic dance album from ’82. The record cover — a woman smiling at D-Train from the window of a train — is actually how D-Train meets all his women. COME RIDE THE D-TRAIN, BABY! Fun Fact: D-Train helped write the Pokemon rap song for the cartoon show. Don’t call it a comeback.

Deodato – “Artistry”

Gotta cite my sources and say my boyee Neil showed me this. It was recorded live at the Mississippi River Festival in Edwardsville, Ill. I can’t believe how crisp the sound is for a live recording — this ain’t “Kiss Alive” sucka! My fav song is “Rio Sangre.”

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Posted by | December 28, 2011 | Music | Comment 

The Mixtape’s top 10 releases of 2011 (national, local and reissues)

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Ten Best National Releases

1. The Wombats – “The Wombats Present: This Modern Glitch”

Literate, funny, biting, sincere and maudlin, all the same breath. This collection of indie-pop/electro gems has the wearying problem of being too good too consistently. Every song on this 14-track sorta-concept album is good. And that’s something you don’t hear often.

2. Hail Mary Mallon – “Are You Gonna Eat That?”

Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic team up and wreak havoc on tracks. It boasts big, blustery tracks stacked with verbose rhymes and a dense sorta-mythology, making it the hip-hop equivalent of a Mars Volta album.

3. Kanye West & Jay-Z – “Watch The Throne”

Some would give me hell for including this album on my list, but you can’t deny the sheer gut-punch power of Kanye and Jay-Z’s collaboration. Though it does occasionally misfire (“Lift Off” featuring Jay’s wife Beyonce reeks of nepotism).

4. Wild Flag – “Wild Flag”

Sleater-Kinney is dead. Long live Sleater-Kinney. The synth-heavy debut by an indie-rock supergroup of sorts, this first outing is a doozy, turning what could have been a retread of old ideas into something visceral and youthful and alive.

5. Mister Heavenly – “Out Of Love”

Stomping from New York with a brand of music they’ve affectionately called “Doom Wap” this other supergroup-ish collaboration slinks through styles, never really settling on one, save for power-chord overload.

6. Telekinesis – “12 Desperate Straight Lines”

Indie rock so baroque and perfect, you’d wonder if you had accidentally slipped a Guided by Voices best-of. In fact, Telekinesis cover GBV’s “Game of Pricks” on their EP that came before this album. The comparison, though less lo-fi, is apt. Jangly alterna-pop with a Beach Boys bent and a savvy penchant for lyrics. Short, but never
disappointing.

7. Tom Waits – “Bad As Me”

Once and future king of weirdness returns with a more straight-forward record than even last year’s “Glitter and Doom” tour album. Which says a lot. Mr. Waits’ latest twangs and strums and bangs and does all the other things we’re used to, but somehow it’s more streamlined. And that’s a good thing.

8. Peter Bjorn and John – “Gimme Some”

The story was tailor made as a kind of a Yeah Yeah Yeahs-in-reverse, an electronics-heavy band ditches the electro for guitars. And, unlike the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, it actually delivers on the premise. The Cure-biting “Eyes,” cowbell-banging “Second Chance” are the standouts, though the whole record is top-to-bottom excellent.

9. Amanda Palmer, Ben Folds, Damian Kulash and Neil Gaiman (aka 8in8) – “Nighty Night”

A one-night writing, editing, performing and singing session brought together a British author, his wife the piano-banging punk-cabaret singer, their friend the lead singer of YouTube superstars OK Go and producer to the stars Ben Folds. It’s about as awesome as expected, particularly Neil’s singing debut on “The Problem With Saints” wherein Joan of Arc wreaks havoc in modern times.

10. M83 – “Hurry Up We’re Dreaming”

Electronic and dreamy and synth-heavy, somehow it still stands out because of how human it all sounds. Messy and illogical and purely pop, it takes leaps over other pop albums for its sheer audacity.

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Posted by | December 27, 2011 | Local, Music | Comment 

Top 10 banjo moments of 2011

flickr.com/photos/katarokkar/4713225363 / Shawn Robbins

Derided in countless jokes, often by the very people that play it, the banjo just might be poised to show us why it really is the greatest instrument ever. Or, at the very least, to make a good case as to why it isn’t the worst.

1. Jens Kruger releases the “Appalachian Concerto,” an homage to the banjo and its place in the history of Appalachia. And it’s a concerto. With, like, strings and everything.

2. Noam Pikelny releases “Bluegrass Diva” a video that is not only funny, but includes some of the most notable players of the instrument ever, including Béla and Earl. And, for once, it’s the singing that makes the piece funny, not the presence of a banjo.

3. Béla Fleck premieres his “Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra.” Hmm, that makes two banjo concertos this year.

4. Steve Martin releases a banjo album with a title intended to poke a bit of fun at birdwatchers. (How’s that for the pot calling the kettle black?) The strength of “Rare Bird Alert” helps make Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers the IBMA performers of the year.

5. Eight-year-old Jimmy Mizzone records a version of “Flint Hill Special” with his two brothers in his bedroom that, when posted to YouTube garners a gazillion hits.

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Posted by | December 26, 2011 | Music | Comment 

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