Thursday, October 2, 2014

My Top 100 Songs of the Millennium (2000-2014)

The following list is a list of my 100 favorites songs of the first fifteen years of this millennium.

Enjoy!!!


#1) White Lies – Big TV is an excellent album all the way through and the title song totally rocks…

 Click Here for more info on the album "Big TV" by White Lies
"Big TV" by White Lies
 

#2) The song Haifisch by Rammstein is a song about the shark and how despite it’s strength and power is often misunderstood. The song is featured on the 2009 album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da.

Click Here for more info on Rammstein

Haifisch by Rammstein

#3) I am a huge Pink Floyd fan, so naturally when I heard that David Gilmour was releasing an album I was on it immediately and bought it the day it was released. “On An Island” is easily one of my ten favorite albums of the millennium to date.  “The Blue” is a mesmerizingly beautiful song and is as affecting as anything he ever recorded with Pink Floyd.



"The Blue" by David Gilmour

#4) I became of fan of King Crimson in the mid 80’s after having discovered Adrian Belew from the Talking heads album “Remain In Light.” I basically had to own everything Belew was part of including albums by The Bears, Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, King Crimson and of course his solo albums. “Eyes Wide Open” is featured on the Crimson’s 2003 album “The Power To Believe.”



"Eyes Wide Open" by King Crimson

#5) Liam McKahey is easy one of this generations most underrated singer/songwriters. He first came to acclaim in 200 with the band Cousteau who had a semi-hit with the song “Last Good Day Of The Year.” The band released three albums before disbanding. Since then McKahey has released two albums with his new band called Liam McKahey and the Bodies. The deep and dark “Lovers and Fools” is featured on his 2009 album “Lonely Road.”


 "Lovers and Fools" by Liam McKahey and the Bodies

#6) Bastille is a young English synthpop, indie rock group that has hit the world by storm with a sound which is both alternative and accessible. To date they’ve released one album called “Bad Blood,” which is a solid set from beginning to end. My favorite tune is the anthemic “The Things We Lost In The Fire.”

"The Things We Lost In The Fire" by Bastille

1. Big TV – White Lies (2013)
2. Haifisch – Rammstein (2009)
3. The Blue – David Gilmour (2006)
4. Eyes Wide Open – King Crimson (2002)
5. Lovers and Fools – Liam McKahey (2009)
6. Things We Lost In The Fire – Bastille (2013)
7. Something In The Air – David Bowie (2000)
8. Saving Grace – Tom Petty (2006)
9. Se Bisonte, No Bufalo – Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2007)
10. Into The Galaxy – Midnight Juggernauts (2008)
11. Cold, Cold Heart – Norah Jones (2002)
12. Airstream Driver – Gomez (2009)
13. Cosmos – t.a.t.u (2005)
14. Moves – Gold Fields (2013)
15. Earth Intruders – Bjork (2007)
16. Transmission – Complot Bronswick (2010)
17. Dream On – Depeche Mode (2001)
18. My Superman – Santigold (2008)
19. The Satellites – Brian Eno/Karl Hyde (2014)
20. All Sparks – Editors (2006)
21. Catch The Sun – Doves (2000)
22. Rapid Toll Fire Booth – Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2007)
23. Rumour Has It – Adele (2011)
24. Boomerang – Massivivid (2001)
25. Flaws – Bastille (2013)
26.. American Dream Plan B – Tom Petty (2014)
27. Last Good Day Of The Year – Cousteau (Liam McKahey)(2001)
28. Stars – t.a.t.u. (2003)
29. Happy Pills – Norah Jones (2012)
30. Black – Danger Mouse (featuring Norah Jones)(2011)
31. That’s The Way – Donna Summer (2003)
32. Into The Frying Pan – King Crimson (2000)
33. A Tu Lado – Julieta Venegas (2003)
34. Ampersand – Adrian Belew (2005)
35. Out On The Road – Norah Jones (2012)
36. Long Black Train – Liam McKahey (2014)
37. Lost Weekend – Tiny Voices (2012)
38. Pretty Boy – Young Galaxy (2013)
39. Inside Out – Keb Mo (2011)
40. Extreme Ways – Moby (2002)
41. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)
42. Two Against One – Danger Mouse (featuring Jack White)(2011)
43. Where Are you Going? – Dave Matthews Band (2002)
44. A Whisper – Coldplay (2002)
45. It’s Not Over Yet – Klaxons (2007)
46. Too Close – Alex Clare (2011)
47. Bottles – V.V. Brown (2010)
48. Beautiful – Moby (2005)
49. I Want Love – Elton John (2001)
50. Mr. Music – Donna Summer (2008)
51. Oz Is Ever Floating – Oysterhead (2001)
52. I Think I Found The Culprit – Jack White (2012)
53. The Western Sky – Justin Hayward (2013)
54. (((s))) – Swimming In Lava (2012)
55. December – Norah Jones (2009)
56. I’m Shakin’ – Jack White (2012)
57. Starlight – Edison Glass (2006)
58. King and the Lionheart – Of Monsters and Men (2012)
59. Keep This Party Going – B-52’s (2008)
60. Me Voy – Julieta Venegas (2005)
61. Your Day Will Come – Cousteau (Liam McKahey)(2001)
62. A Sky Full Of Stars – Coldplay (2014)
63. New York City – Norah Jones (2003)
64. Our Velocity – Maximo Park (2007)
65. The Right Effect – Stereo MC’s (2001)
66. Who Killed Tangerine? – Tears for Fears (2004)
67. Creepin’ In – Norah Jones & Dolly Parton (2004)
68. Tune Your Mind – Megaphonic Thrift (2012)
69. A Place With No Name – Michael Jackson (2014)
70. We Are All Made Of Stars – Moby (2002)
71. Clocks – Coldplay (2002)
72. Nada Importante – Julieta Venegas (2013)
73. Lovely Rain – Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (2013)
74. Radiate – Jack Johnson (2013)
75. Boots Of Chinese Plastic – The Pretenders (2009)
76. The Moon – Cat Power (2006)
77. Vertigo – U2 (2004)
78. Out of the Ghetto – Donald Fagen (2012)
79. Imago – The Mars Volta (2012)
80. Schism – Tool (2001)
81. Stamp Your Feet – Donna Summer (2008)
82. Almost Gothic – Steely Dan (2000)
83. Future Memories – Klaxons (2010)
84. To Paris With Love – Donna Summer (2011)
85. Fragments – The Who (2007)
86. Lapochka – The Mars Volta (2012)
87. Freedom At 21 – Jack White (2012)
88. Green Book – Steely Dan (2003)
89. If I Had Eyes – Jack Johnson (2008)
90. Far Cry – Rush (2007)
91. Walk With Me – Neil Young (2011)
92. Your Head Is On Fire – Broken Bells (2010)
93. Chrome – Joe Jackson (2003)
94. Into The Ocean – Blue October (2006)
95. Beautiful Day – U2 (2000)
96. Well Thought Out Twinkles – Silversun Pickups (2006)
97. Gallows Pole – Neil Young (2012)
98. Runaway – X Marks The Pedwalk (2010)
99. Run, Run Mary – X Marks The Pedwalk (2012)
100. Seventeen – X Marks The Pedwalk (2010)

Bubbling Under
101. Fingers Never Bleed – Yeasayer (2012)
102. Heart Full Of Soul – Rush (2004)
103. Backwoods Barbie – Dolly Parton (2008)
104. Madder Red – Yeasayer (2010)
105. Kyptonite – 3 Doors Down (2000)
106. Babylon – David Gray (2001)
107. The Hardest Button To Button – The White Stripes (2003)
108. Into The Woods – My Morning Jacket (2005)
109. Curbside Prophet – Jason Mraz (2002)
110. Harem – Sarah Brightman
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Friday, December 20, 2013

Rock Albums XIII: Favorite Albums 2013

This is my 3rd Annual Year End Favorite Albums list. I haven't posted in this blog for a while as I have been crazy busy... but this year end list is one I enjoy doing. It's a time capsule of sorts for me.

As with previous years my primary taste in music is alt-rock, experimental rock and modern rock. To be sure, though this list also includes some jazz, country, industrial, electro-gaze, sophisiti-pop, indie pop/dream pop and blues.

A few of these albums were released in 2012, though I did not purchase them until late in 2012 or some time in 2013 and were influential to me in 2013.

In case you wish to see my previous lists here are the links:
2011: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2011/12/rock-albums-post-x-15-favorite-albums.html
2012: http://rock-music-more.blogspot.com/2012/12/rock-albums-post-xii-favorite-albums-of.html

Without further interruption it is with pleasure I present my 15 Favorite Albums of 2013

15. Ultramarine by Young Galaxy
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Label: Paper Bag Records
Producer: Dan Lissvick
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 75 out of 100
Notes: Young Galaxy is a Canadian band formed in 2005. Their sound is often categorized as indie pop or dream pop. "Ultramarine" is their 4th studio album. With "Ultramarine" Young Galaxy digs further into an atmospheric slow burning sophisticated pop which they developed with their previous album "Shapeshifting." Lead singer, Catherine McCandless' warm voice is enveloped with adrenalized synthesizer moods.

Young Galaxy - Pretty Boy



                                              14. Ride by Wayne Hancock

Release Date: February 25, 2013
Label: Bloodshot Records
Producer: Lloyd Maines
Chart Positions: #68 US Country Music charts
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: Not Rated
Notes: Wayne Hancock comes as close to Hank Williams as anyone can, even Hank's grandson Hank Williams III agrees. With "Ride" Hancock once again shines with his brand of traditional rootsy honky tonk bluegrass sounds. Hancock is a rebel in a business that is cut-throat. Though he's been on the music scene since 1995 he's yet to make it into the mainstream. Hancock however will manage to be remembered for his contribution to country music and he's has caught the attention of many in the industry - yet he continues to release his music on the independent Chicago label Bloodshot Records avoiding the glare of the big-time. "Ride" is Hancock's first album to chart on any Billboard chart reaching #68 on the country chart.

 Wayne Hancock - Ride
 



 13. The Jazz Age by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra

Release Date: November 26, 2012
Label: BMG Rights Management
Producer: Bryan Ferry, Rhett Davies
Chart Positions: #1 (US Jazz Albums), #35 (US Top Independent Albums), #50 (UK)
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 73 out of 100
Notes: Ferry says he went back to the music he liked when he was a young pre-teen. I have always been a Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry fan and this album came out as a complete surprise. At first I skipped over it and then around January of 2013 I realized I must purchase it as I have everything else Ferry has recorded. I was more than pleasantly surprised with the jazz stylings on this album - I'm a huge fan of jazz music - primarily hard bop, fusion and free jazz. This album is more along the lines of a traditional big band jazz style and is oh so tasty. Ferry's Orchestra covers songs recorded by Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry (solo). Ferry does not sing nor does he play any instruments on this album. He is credited as a co-producer and director. Many of the same musicians that worked on Ferry's 1999 album "As Time Goes By." My favorite track is "Love Is The Drug," on this album which is full of highlight after highlight. "Love Is The Drug" is featured on the 2013 soundtrack for the film "The Great Gatsby."

Bryan Ferry Orchestra - Love Is The Drug 


12. The Weight Of Your Love by Editors
Release Date: June 28, 2013
Label: PIAS
Producer: Jacquire King
Chart Positions: #1 (Belgium & Netherlands), #4 (Germany & Switzerland), #6 (UK), #7 (Greece), #9 (Ireland & Italy), #10 (Austria & Portugal) and also many other countries outside of the Top Ten. #17 (US Top Heatseekers)
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 55 out of 100
Notes: Upon first listen I felt this album was a bit of a step down from their previous album "In This Light on This Evening," though with subsequent plays I came to really enjoy this album. It is a slight change in direction for Editors. The sound is crisp and tight as usual with a heavy synthesizer base. Most prominently Editors have put Justin Lockey's guitar work front and center enveloping lead singer, Tom Smith's rich and deep baritone. These songs have a nice underlying bass rhythm which I find to be very appealing.
Editors - A Ton Of Love
11. The Sun, The Cold and My Underwater Fear by X Marks The Pedwalk

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Label: Metropolis
Producer: Sevren Ni-Arb
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: no rating
Notes: This album continues X Marks The Pedwalk's digging into some personal discoveries. The music is dark and trance-like with some outstanding beats and rhythms enveloped in an eerie sort of warmth. XMTP once again tops themselves. With each successive album tthe lyrics become more introspective and the musical arrangements are diversely complex. XMTP represents the best in electro-industrial genre.


 X Marks The Pedwalk - The Side Of Wrong


10. Synethesia by Hands 
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Label: Kill Rock Stars
Producer: Hands
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 59 out of 100
Notes: Synesthesia is a great and infectious pop album with a synth groove to it. From Los Angeles, CA Hands is a quartet formed in 2010 and released their debut album in 2013. Their music is filled with rhythmic guitar work, big drums, fat bass and electronic rhythms. Their music is highly influenced by Hot Chip, Phoenix and Depeche Mode.Hands is a band to watch.
Hands - Videolove



9. Equinox by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Release Date: January 1, 2013
Label: Rodriguez Lopez Productions
Producer: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: No Rating
Notes: This album is the second release in a trio of albums Omar released between January 1 and January 2, 2013. This trio capitalizes on Omar's use of synthesizers, sequencers and muted vocals. He picks up where Pink Floyd left on in the experimentation of electronics. This album has been categorized as prog-rock and psychotic rock. What I enjoy most from this album is the huge leaps Omar takes in intervals while playing guitar. This method creates an otherworldly effect that just leaves me spellbound. Omar has been my favorite musician since 2008.
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Lovely Rain


8. Uncanny Valley by Midnight Juggernauts

Release Date: June 14, 2013
Label: Ais/Siberia
Producer: Midnight Juggernauts
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 57 out of 100
Notes: "Uncanny Valley" is decidedly more ambient and moody than their previous efforts. This may be due to the fact that the album was recorded in a church in French Loire Valley. This album is sonically amazing with effects and laser sharp sounds crossing back and forth meshing into pure ecstacy. The album overall is an assemblage of mellow moods that elevate to a restful place. My favorite song is "Ballad Of The War Machine," this song was released as a music video prior to the album. The video was released anonymously under the guise of an 80's Russian band. Before the album was released Midnight Juggernaut's identity was revealed as the true artists of the video.


Midnight Juggernauts - Ballad Of The war Machine


7. The Moon Is My Sun by (((s)))

Release Date: September 1, 2012
Label: AFMusic
Producer: Nils Lassen
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: No Rating
Notes: Producer Nils Lassen is the man behind this esoteric work which is an guitar heavy electronic throwback to 80's new wave. This album is totally delicious. It's a great listen from beginning to end. (((s))) is an ungoogable band from Germany which inspires notions of mystique and curiosity with it's unusual take on music. My favorite tracks are "Swimming In Lava" and "Lovething" but really the entire album is pure gold.
(((s))) - Swimming In Lava



6. Get Up! by Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite

Release Date: January 29, 2013
Label: Stax
Producer: Chris Goldsmith / Ben Harper
Chart Positions: #27 (US), #13 (France)
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 79 out of 100
Notes: Ben Harper temas up with bluesman Charlie Musselwhite and scores an indisputable winner. Harper playes one mean slide guitar while Musselwhite brings us some great harmonica work. This is blues-rock that is well worth a few listens. Even-though Charlie Musselwhite's contribution is huge on this album it is still Ben Harper's show and he manages to deliver without a hitch.

Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite - I'm In, I'm Out and I'm Gone


5. Bankrupt! by Phoenix

Release Date: April 19, 2013
Label: Loyaute, Glassnote, Atlantic
Producer: Phoenix, Philippe Zdar
Chart Positions: #4 (US, Canada), #14 (UK), #3 (France), #5 (Australia), #10 (Ireland), #17 (Scotland) #18 (Germany), #20 (Japan), #21 (Belgium), #22 (Switzerland), #27 (New Zealand), #31 (Austria), #33 (Norway), #34 (Denmark), #48 (Spain), #57 (Holland), #94 (South Korea)
Certifications: NoneYet
Metacritic Rating: 72 out of 100
Notes: Bankrupt! is Phoenix's fifth studio album. I first noticed them with their 2009 "Wolfgang Amadeus" I considered purchasing that album but it just did not interest me enough to buy it. Right when I first saw "Bankrupt!" I knew I wanted to buy it. I listened to a few samples and my mind was made up. Phoenix is a band from France (silly me I always assumed they were from Arizona). "bankrupt!" offers everything I enjoy on a good modern rock album... great guitars, excellent percussive rhythms, hot synth beats and a hint of ambient sounds. What I like the best is the skillful wordplay in many of the lyrics.

Phoenix - Entertainment


4. Bright Black Heaven by Blaqk Audio

Release Date: September 11, 2012
Label: Superball Music
Producer: Blaqk Audio, Jade Puget
Chart Positions: #43 (US)
Certifications: NoneYet
Metacritic Rating: 59 out of 100
Notes: Blaqk Audio is a duo of former members from the group AFI. Critics have categorized them as goth-disco. Their sound is very reminiscent to early 80's electronic new wave ala Depeche Mode.



                                 Blaqk Audio - Cold War

 
3. Woman Gives Birth To Tomato by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Label: Rodriguez-Lopez Productions
Producer: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: NoneYet
Metacritic Rating: No Rating
Notes: Omar goes above and beyond with his guitar and synthesizers and creates a free jazz sound unlike any other. With this album Rodriguez-Lopez joins the ranks of the great jazz artists and brings us a completely successful artful project that just crawls right into your brain and stays there for hours. My favorite tracks are "Long Beach, California" and "Pueblo Mexico" I can close my eyes and listen to these pieces and just imagine myself in each locale. Thank you Omar for such a great experience!
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Pueblo Mexico


2. My Head Is An Animal by Of Monsters And Men

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Label: Republic Records
Producer: Of Monsters And Men, Aron Arnarsson, Jacquire King
Chart Positions: #1 (Australia, Ireleand), #3 (UK), #4 (Canada, Germany, New Zealand), #5 (Holland), #6 (US), #14 (Belgium), #17 (Austria)
Certifications: 2x Platinum (Canada, Iceland), Platinum (Australia, New Zealnd), Gold (Germany, Ireland, US)
Metacritic Rating: 66 out of 100
Notes: Of Monsters And Men was formed in Iceland in 2010 (Bjork is no longer Iceland's only great export). Their debut album "My Head Is An Animal" is a huge hit worldwide having made it into the Top 40 in 14 countries. I was shopping at a Home Depot store when I heard the song "King and Lionheart", I could not make out the lyrics at first I thought singer, Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, was singing "flying high" instead of lionheart and I kept running into dead-ends searching for the song. Finally (about a month later) I was able to stop and really listen to the song and realized she was saying "lionheart" and from there I was able to find the group and immediately fell in love with their sound.

Of Monsters And Men - King And Lionheart



1. Big TV by White Lies
White Lies - Big TV (click here for more)

Release Date: August 12, 2013
Label: Fiction (UK, Europe), Harvest (US), Universal Music Canada (Canada
Producer: Ed Buller
Chart Positions: #3 (Switzerland), #4 (UK), #10 (Denmark), #11 (Scotland), #14 (Belgium), #19 (Germany), #26 (Poland), #41 (Ireland), #56 (Sweden), #64 (Italy), #129 (France)
Certifications: None Yet
Metacritic Rating: 64 out of 100

Notes: St first I thought Of Monsters And Men's "My Head Is An Animal" was going to be my favorite album but once I gave it some thought and played some of the key tracks from each of these albums I realized that I really love "Big TV" and will love it for some time to come. The songs on this album are timeless and what I love most about the album is that each song sounds like I've known them for years eventhough they were all brand new to me. The album has a very 80's KROQ sort of Giorgio Moroder meets Echo and The Bunnymen meets Duran Duran meets Spandau ballet meets Depeche Mode sound that is refreshing. Again the album is guitar driven electronic music with great beats and rhythms.
White Lies - Big TV


This is it my "Best Of" list for 2013
There are others I loved this year which I will give worthy mention right now:
Billie Joe and Norah - Foreverly (this one may make my best of 2014 list)
Julieta Venegas - Los Momentos (one of my favorite Spanish language singers)
Jim James - Regions of Light and Sound of God (I love My Morning Jacket)
Atoms For Peace - Amok (I love Radiohead)

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Friday, December 14, 2012

Rock Albums Post XII: Favorite Albums of 2012

Here it is again... the end of another excellent year in music. Most of my musical tastes come from sample discs online and watching youtube videos and more to get the idea of the sound. I definitely do not look at Billboard album charts or anything like that. I tend to stay away from commercial and go more for the artistry in music. I shy away from the music video and and submerge into the audio. It's all about the music for me. I could care less what the people making the music look like, although I do enjoy a good album cover.

My prime taste in music is alternative rock. I've been an alt-rock fan ever since the late 1970's (yeah, I've been around for a while now - I was nineteen in 1979). Gary Numan and The Cars were my earliest forays into alt-rock. Pink Floyd has played a big part in my appreciation for alternative sounds. I also love dance music with heavy guitars, industrial is a favorite. 

My favorite non-rock genre is jazz. I mostly go for improvisational, fusion, abstract and hard-bop. Though I can enjoy some smooth jazz such as Diana Krall or Al Jarreau. Lately my jazz interests are Weather Report, Stefan Harris and Ornette Coleman. 

 Anyhow, this year's list contains my 18 favorite albums of the year. This list was originally my 20 Favorite but due to a few limitations from bloggers (mainly to do with labels) I did a Top 18 list. 

 Last year I made a list of Favorite Albums from 2011... here's the link if you want to see that list: "Favorite Albums of 2011".

- Randall Webb

18. Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill (click for more)

Release Date: October 30, 2012
Label: Reprise
Producer: Mark Humphreys
Chart Positions: #4 Germany, #6 Norway and Belgium, #7 Canada and Sweden, #8 US, #11 Netherlands and Denmark, #12 Austria, #14 UK, #18 Finland, #20 New Zealand, #25 Spain and #28 Australia
Certifications: None yet
Metacritic Rating: 80 out of 100
Notes: Neil Young and Crazy Horse released two albums in 2012, the first was "Americana" an album in which he does his renditions of traditional early American folk tunes. With "Psychedelic Pill" Young and Crazy horse hit their stride. The music is fully thought out and performed. Young's voice is in good form as he fills his performance with his brand of soul. The guitar work is what makes the album outstanding with every ranging from electrifying to down home strumming.

 
 "Twisted Road" from "Psychedelic Pill"



17. Grimes - Visions
Grimes -Visions (click for more)
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Label: Arbutus / 4AD
Producer: Grimes
Chart Positions: #46 Belgium, #65 Ireland, #67 UK, #98 US
Certifications: None yet
Metacritic Rating: 80 out of 100
Notes: Grimes is Canadian recording artist Claire Boucher. Grimes began her career music in 2009 (at the age of 21) and by 2010 released her first album. "Visions" is her third album and received great reviews from critics as well as generating enough sales to reach the charts in many countries throughout the world. Her music is an eclectic mix of electronica, vocal experimentation and psychedelia.


 
Grimes - Oblivion (from Visions)

Claire Boucher (Grimes)




16. Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society
 Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society (click for more)
Release Date: March 20, 2012
Label: Head's Up International
Producer: Esperanza Spalding, Q-Tip, Dave Love
Chart Positions: #10 US, #33 Norway, #39 Japan, #40 Spain, #41 Canada, #54 France, #59 Netherlands, #75 Switzerland, #75 Germany
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 74 out of 100
Notes: For those who love jazz and R&B Esperanza Spalding is a gift. Her music is expertly keyed and reaches into the heart and soul of matters. This album shows the versatility in her music from Gospel to soul to blues to Big Band Swing to smooth jazz and pop. Guest appearances are made by jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart, the each contribute their masterful percussion work (DeJohnette on "Let Her" and Hart on "Hold On Me". Spalding does an affecting cover of Michael Jackson's "I Can't Help It", written by Stevie Wonder. 

 Esperanza Spalding - Hold On Me



 15. Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos
Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos (click for more)
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Label: Reprise
Producer: Michael Leonhart, Donald Fagen
Chart Positions: #5 Norway, #10 Sweden, #12 US, #13 Netherlands, #22 Belgium, #23 UK, #36 Denmark, #46 Finland, #53 Germany, #59 Austria, #85 France
Certifications: None yet
Metacritic Rating: 82 out of 100
Notes: I have always been a fan of Steely Dan. I first heard them in 1974 when I was 14 and have loved them ever since. It was the song "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" that got me hooked. Of course when I heard Fagen was releasing a new album I was excited about it. This went to the top of my "must buy" list. I bought it the week it was released. His first three solo albums are great, but "Sunken Condos" may be my favorite of his solo work. I very much like the undertones of smooth funk grooves coupled with a tease of jazz influence. It makes for very pleasant pop music. I am especially enamored with Fagen's remake of Isaac Hayes' 1977 classic "Out Of The Ghetto". This album is all familiar territory for Fagen and the minions of his fans. "Sunken Condos" is completed with precision and a freshness that keeps this listener interested from beginning to end. 

An editorial on Amazon.com describes the album as; Donald Fagen's fourth solo album for Warner Reprise, Sunken Condos, will be released on October 16. His first three solo albums, The Nightfly, Kamakiriad and Morph the Cat comprised the project known as "The Nightfly Trilogy." Sunken Condos begins a chapter in the creative evolution of this innovative artist, whose career is still going strong after forty years.

 Donald Fagen - Out Of The Ghetto



14. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes (click for more)
Release Date: August 20, 2012
Label: 4AD
Producer: Kenny Gilmore
Chart Positions: #39 Norway, #136 US
Certifications: None yet
Metacritic Rating: 74 out of 100
Notes: Ariel Pink first came to my attention in 2010 with the album "Before Today". For some reason the album just did not catch on with me. It just did not appeal to me. When "Mature Themes" was released right away I went out and bought it on faith and I don't really know why considering the previous album did nothing for me. "Mature Themes" ended up being a pleasant surprise. The songs are eclectic yet reveal quite a bit of growth in the groups overall sound. "Mature Themes" is the beginning of better things to come from this group.

 
                                        

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Driftwood




13. Lettuce - Fly
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Label: Royal Family Records / Velour Records
Producer: Lettuce
Chart Positions: #6 (US Jazz Albums)
Certifications: None yet
Metacritic Rating: No Rating
Notes: Old school funk, smooth grooves, chunky guitar chords and jazz beats bring this album to life in the way only a band from Boston, MA can do.
Fly - Ziggowatt




 12. The Megaphonic Thrift
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Label: Club Ac30 / Sonic Unyon
Producer: Jorgen Traeen
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None yet
Metacritic Rating: 70 out of 100
Notes: The Megaphonic Thrift has quite a few traits that draw me to them. Upon reading their bio I was especially intrigued by the fact they're from Norway. I am always seeking bands from a country outside the US. Their music has an slight experimental edge to it as well as some killer guitar work. Amazon.com describes them as; "They make catchy melodies and then drench them in guitarnoise, best described as noisepop with shoegaze elements".

The Megaphonic Thrift - Tune Your Mind


11. Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts
 
Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts (click for more)

Release Date: April 25, 2012
Label: Blue Note
Producer: Danger Mouse
Chart Positions: #1 Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, #2 Canada, Denmark, France and US, #3 Czechoslovakia, Italy and Norway, #4 Sweden and UK, #5 Australia, Japan and Poland, #6 Scotland, #7 Finland and Hong Kong, #8 Hungary, #11 New Zealand and Spain, #12 Ireland and Russia, #13 Greece, #15 Portugal, #53 Mexico

Certifications: Gold: Belgium and Canada
Metacritic Rating: 69 out of 100
Notes: I remember watching Norah Jones perform live on the 45th Annual Grammy Awards (broadcast in February 2003). She just blew me away. It was just Norah with her voice and her piano. She was flawless. She sang every word perfect pitch and on-key. I hadn't heard a singer perform that well live (with no electronic enhancements) in a very long time. 2002's "Come Away With Me" became a big favorite for me. I went on to buy all her following releases, but until now with each album I became a bit less interested in her music. That's not to say her music isn't good. Every album she's released has been from outstanding to better than average, but still fall short of "Come Away With Me". "...Little Broken Hearts" does not reach the pantheons of "Come Away With Me", it does however infuse a breath fresh air into Norah's musical output. Norah has taken a welcome shift in direction with producer Danger Mouse (Broken Bells). Norah reaches a new level of emotional maturity in her vocal deliverance. This time around she injects an slight experimental edge to her songs. The Danger Mouse footprint is all over this album with hints of sounds he's created or used with other artists such as Broken Bells, The Black Keys and Electric Guest. I will go so far as to say that, with this album Norah's vocal abilities have evolved greatly from her last album 2009's "The Fall".

Norah Jones - 4 Broken Hearts





10. Jack White - Blunderbuss
Release Date: April 23, 2012
Label: Columbia
Producer: Jack White
Chart Positions: #1 Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, UK and US,  #2 Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, #5 France, #7 Poland, #12 Netherlands, #13 Japan, #20 Sweden, #26 Greece
Certifications: Gold: UK
Metacritic Rating: 84 out of 100
Notes: Jack White (White Stripes) reached for the stars with this album and successfully hit the mark. On top of being a critical success the album is also a huge commercial success making it into the Top 2 in eight countries and more. Jack White's solo album is more successful than any of his albums with White Stripes. As usual this album features White's unique take on music. The highlight of the album (for me anyway) is the awesome guitar work. Jack White proves he belongs with the best in the field, he will go down in history as one of this era's most significant musicians. 

 Jack White - Hypocritical Kiss



9. Deerhoof - Breakup Song
Release Date: September 3, 2012
Label: Polyvinyl, ATP Recordings
Producer: Deerhoof
Chart Positions: None
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 78 out of 100
Notes: If you crave different, unique and one of a kind in your music than Deerhoof is for you. From San Francisco, this fab four puts together some of most unusual Noise Pop ever recorded. "Breakup Song" brings Deerhoof back with more of their usual quirky sounds this time with a heavy emphasis on electronic grooves and funky beats. Like all their albums you've really got to put a pair of headphones on and listen real close, there are a good amount of twists and turns going on in the music... and of course the guitars rock...

Deerhoof - We Do Parties




8. Minus The Bear - Infinity Overhead
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Label: Dangerbird, Big Scary Monsters
Producer: Matt Bayles, Minus The Bear
Chart Positions: #31 US
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 67 out of 100
Notes: Crisp and clean is how I describe this Minus The Bear album. Minus This album doesn't pull any surprises and is fairly predictable. That given, "Infinity Overhead" excels as it is performed by a band who is musically able amongst any of their contemporaries and classics such as Yes, Rush, Genesis and U2. 

Minus The Bear - Cold Company 



7. Cat Power - Sun
Cat Power - Sun
Release Date: August 29, 2012
Label: Matador
Producer: Cat Power
Chart Positions: #5 Belgium, #7 France, #9 Germany, Denmark and Switzerland, #10 US, #11 Portugal, #12 Canada, #15 Sweden, #18 Norway and Spain, #21 Austria, #23 New Zealand, #26 Australia, #29 Italy, #33 Scotland and UK, #34 Finland, #46 Ireland, #49 Netherlands, #194 Japan
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 78 out of 100
Notes: After waiting six years for new material by Cat Power she is back with "Sun" and delivers a winner. "Sun" showcases Cat Power's understated emotion as well as treating us to her commercial side. After seventeen years and nine studio albums Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) is now a international star "Sun" reaching the Top Fifteen in nine countries around the world.
 Cat Power - Human Being




6. Ceremony - Zoo
Release Date: March 5, 2012
Label: Matador
Producer: John Goodmanson
Chart Positions: #24 US Hard Rock Albums, #16 US Top Hotseekers
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 71 out of 100
Notes: Ceremony is a true punk band. Not pop-punk like Green Day or Blink 182, but ferocious hardcore, straight ahead, crunch driven, power chord classic punk.  "Zoo" oftentimes sounds like it may have been inspired by Joy Division, The Clash, Buzzcocks, Circle Jerks and others from the era. Ceremony is a Bay Area band from California leading the way with a new brand of garage-rock... hopefully we'll see more bands like Ceremony. 
 Ceremony - Citizen




5. The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet
The Mars Volta - Noctourniquet (click for more)
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Label: Warner Brothers
Producer: Omar Rodriquez-Lopez
Chart Positions: #15 US, #18 Australia, #23 Finland, #25 New Zealand, #34 Norway, #47 Switzerland and Germany, #51 UK, #61 Netherlands, #66 Austria, #83 Spain, #90 Belgium, #130 France
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 72 out of 100
Notes: Any release by The Mars Volta will always end up in my Top Albums Year-End List. Noctourniquet is one of The Mars Volta's strongest releases and could most possibly be their final release as the band is currently on hiatus - let's hear it for hoping it is a short hiatus. "Noctourniquet" moves into a psychedelic direction with hints of catchy hooks despite this the album is far from being predictable. There are interesting twists and turns throughout the entire album. One of my favorite tracks from the album is "Empty Vessels Make The Loudest Sound", the song ranges from Pink Floyd inspired guitar chords and a mellow thought provoking vocal working into a thrashing wall of noise and feedback. "Molochwalker" is another standout track with heavy drums and all consuming guitar chords that capture and keep you hooked.

The Mars Volta - Molochwalker




4. Joe Jackson - The Duke
Joe Jackson - The Duke (click for more)
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Label: Razor & Tie
Producer: Joe Jackson
Chart Positions: #21 Netherlands, #49 Germany, #70 Belgium, #93 US, #1 US Jazz
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 59 out of 100
Notes: Several critics have panned this album saying Joe Jackson's renditions of Duke Ellington's classics strays too far from the originals. That precisely why I like this album. Joe Jackson combines modern day technology to these songs, which to my viewpoint make them quite intriguing. I really like his arrangement of "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing", in which he infuses an electronic beat to this high-steppin' swing tune. Overall I really enjoy this album and I am most enamored with Jackson's treatment of "Mood Indigo" and "Caravan".


                                  
Joe Jackson - It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't got That Swing




3. Crocodiles - Endless Flowers
Crocodiles - Endless Flowers (click for more)
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Label: Frenchkiss
Producer: Brandon Welchez, Charles Rowell, Duncan Mills
Chart Positions: #48 US Top Heatseekers
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: 66 out of 100
Notes: This album recalls the Cure, Joy Division, The Smiths and hints of Echo and the Bunnymen. "Endless Flowers is the San Diego, CA group's third studio album and was recorded in Berlin, Germany. The album is self produced with the two main band members (Brandon and Charles) putting most of the work in. The album is a great mix of power guitar chords, feedback, experimentation, rock and roll drum patterns and obscure sound effects. Crocodiles' music has been termed as Noise-pop, Lo-fi, Post Punk Revival and Psychedelic rock
  
 
Crocodiles - Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)




2. Floratone - Floratone II
Floratone II (click here for more)
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Label: Savoy Jazz
Producer: Tucker Martine, Lee Townsend
Chart Positions: #11 US Jazz Albums
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: No Rating
Notes: As a fan of jazz (primarily fusion, hard-bop and Free Jazz) I was excited when I first came across this disc. Honestly I was not familiar with Floratone, but it was Bill Frisell's name that got me interested. Frisell is a great jazz guitarist who has done a ton of outstanding work. I samples a few of the songs and quickly purchased the disc. Of course Frisell's guitar work alone is worth the price of the disc. But there is much more to this album than just Frisell. Each song creates it's own atmosphere full of great beats, dreamy keyboards and more than it's share of experimentation. Oh and did I mention the guitar work is fantastic!

 
Floratone II - The Bloom Is On



1. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Un Corazón de Nadie
 Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Un Corazón de Nadie 
(click for more)
Release Date: May 17, 2012
Label: Rodriguez-Lopez Productions
Producer: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Chart Positions: No chart action
Certifications: None
Metacritic Rating: No Rating
Notes: Upon my first listen of this album I wasn't sure if I cared for it or not. It border lined on being possibly boring. But having a history with Rodriguez-Lopez's music I knew I would have to listen to it a few more times to really form a viewpoint. I gave the album a few more listens and interestingly with each listen I heard something I missed before. There are layers upon layers of sounds in these haunting melodies. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez from The Mars Volta bends and twists instruments and sounds to create new ones. The dark spacey sunth sounds and metallic rhythms make this album an industrial sort of "machine at work" sound. This is an electronic music masterpiece.  
Omar is really quite amazing. This is his 20th solo album (he's released 2 more since this one). Omar has to be the most prolific musician on the music scene these days. Since 2004 he has released 22 solo albums. He's also released live albums, collaboration albums. Since 1996 he has been on the music scene with his groups At The Drive-In, De Facto and The Mars Volta. "Un Corazón de Nadie" is a tribute to his mother, who died 2 months before the album was released. Omar plays every instrument heard on the album and recorded all the vocals. This is 100% Omar.


 Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Ocho


Omar Rodriguez Lopez



2012
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