Belong 's excellent Common Era was released this spring on Kranky . One half of the duo, Mike Jones, made a mix for our guest mix series, and now the other half, Turk Dietrich, names some of his favorite things from 2011. A sampling of some stuff I liked in 2011: Byetone : Symeta Dylan Ettinger : Lion of Judah 73 Jefre Cantu-Ledesma : Shining Skull Breath KPLR : Untitled Niggas With Guitars - 'Ethnic Frenzy' (not the [...]
1. Wild Flag , Wild Flag In a difficult era for unconceited, forthright rock, Wild Flag has seized an opportunity to act as a bantam foil to the wealth of snobbery that permeates almost every facet of modern alternative culture. In doing so, this infant group of alternative rock and riot grrrl veterans has also created something of an archetype for those who care not to weight marketability over substance or who simply want a balance of the two. Unlike bands who resign themselves to aping banal classic rock n' roll conventions (practically [...]
If you've been even remotely regular in following this blog, our number one shouldn't come as a surprise - I believe I've already bothered you enough with my love of Gang Gang Dance's latest effort (and GGD in general ). I'll leave the list unnumbered because, except for the first 7-8 entries, the rest come in kind of (but not entirely) particular order. And it's not a strictly albums -of-the-year list, as I've included some mixtapes/remix albums/ compilations. Also, I just realised we haven't covered half of this on the blog… Don't [...]
When 2011 is said and done, there can only be one that surpasses all others. While there were 3 records that were rated perfectly this year and 2 that were as close to perfect as anyone could get, the process involved in picking the best of 2011 was as pleasurable as it was difficult. I want to personally congratulate the artists mentioned here today and thank you for your tremendous talent and dedication to your craft- You guys are the best of the best and it was pleasure talking about all of you. And you, reading at home or where-the-fuck-ever, [...]
If you've read ENS at all, especially at the end of a year, you know I like lists. This year wasn't the best for albums in my humble opinion, but there were still some excellent albums that kept my attention. I like to clarify too, that I don't think these are necessarily the best albums of the year, but they are my favorite, and I hope that something on the list makes you want to check an album out, or give one another try. Enjoy. #25- Gardens & Villa - S/T [...]
11. Cold Cave - "Confetti" At one point the Cold Cave record was possibly my favorite of the year. It just got so many things right at the perfect time: we were due for a reexamination of 902s wide-eyed teenage apocalyptic romanticism via some kind of self-conscious, unsubtle goth/industrial/synthpop revival. Heavy monosynth moongazing that's simultaneously tongue-in-cheek hilarious and dead-fucking-serious. I'm not sure everyone got the high-wire act that Cold Cave was going for here. 12. Purity Ring - "Lofticries" This is the track that [...]
Another great year of music is coming to a close. Below are my 30 favourite international songs of the year (last week I put up my 30 favourite Irish tracks of the year). There could have been plenty more but I'm sure you'll find lots of other tracks to enjoy [Read more]
And so it begins... I did warn you at the end of last week I did warn you that I would be starting on my numerous end of year polls. Following on from the success of last years series of posts I have decided to run my Artists Albums of the Year, which basically meant that I went back to any of the bands and artists that have featured in my Scots Way-Hay posts over the past couple of years. To kick us off here are the choices of Happy Particles, Discopolis, John Knox Sex Club, Come on Gang! , [...]
25. Regina: Soita Mulle (Friendly Fire) 24. True Widow: As High As The Highest Heavens And From...
This only slipped through my radar cause it came out during my holidays but im very happy that i've bumped into it. "Make Me Return" is taken from New Orleans Duo Belong Dronegaze LP "Common Era" out on Kranky and is one of my choices for 2011 BEST ALBUM !!!!!!! Watch | Belong - Make Me Return
"Belong" comes to us from Red Coats the striking, unpredictable new indie alt/pop album due November 8 from former Rainer Maria frontwoman Caithlin De Marrais . A combination of tense, shimmering guitar echoes, pulsing bass lines and De Marrais' soft, measured vocals, "Belong", she says, is "an allegorical song that carries a warning. If you love a sailor, you might lose him to the sea. And if you love an artist you might lose him to his art. Loss is a recurring theme in this album, and this song is [...]
Do you remember the younger version of yourself that would just unabashedly... feel? Neither can we. But one night with TPBPAH can get you back to that place.
New Orleans ambient drone duo Belong showed up out of nowhere with the 2009 vinyl re-pressing of October Language , an album recorded in 2004 and previously released in 2006. A followup album ( Common Era ) was released earlier this year. Not bad for a group that's been around since 2002 and whose Allmusic bio refers to a followup album being due sometime in 2007. Perhaps the glacial pace of Belong's release schedule has something to do with the glacial pace of the music itself. "Late Night", [...]
Photo via The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's Facebook page The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is a mouthful isn't it? Fortunately, the band's music is much more digestible than the name. Catchy, melodic hooks and riffs that nostalgically look back at '80s new wave; unorthodox, spontaneous moments of noise and catastrophic sounds; and a pop sensibility that blends well with the band's sometimes experimental sound, help The Pains of Being Pure at Heart stand out. Their music is accessible, yet different, never fearing to incorporate sounds and ideas that may [...]
Watch this unofficial video from American experimental music duo Belong 's album Common Era .
Belong 's brand of thick, absorbing space-gaze is always ripe for visual treatment. I stumbled upon this unofficial clip (via PissChaps ) the other day and was amazed at how it captured such raw innocence and youthful curiosity that only tracks like Common Era 's "Perfect Life" can conjure. Plus, the type of film being used, or filter, adds to its incredible look. Common Era is available now through Kranky .
Clock Opera have set about to prove their versatility with new single Lesson No. 7 . In contrast to the mellow, hypnotic qualities of Belongings their latest song has a surprising intensity to it but is nonetheless impressive. The vocals still stand out as one of the main attractions of the track, although this time they are much more impassioned and their is a rockier edge to them as well as the song as a whole which creates the most startling difference between this and their previous offering. This ability to execute versatility with such skill [...]
¿Será que convivieron tanto que se hicieron grandes amigos? Ambos grupos tocaron juntos constantemente a principios de año y ahora se ha dado una colaboración que se antoja muy buena, ya que ambos grupos se encuentran en un gran momento creativo. Se trata de un remix del track "Heart in Your Heartbreak" , (incluido en "Belong" el reciente disco de The Pains of being Pure at Heart ) realizado por Twin Shadow , que puede ser descargado gratuitamente. Para obtener la canción, sólo dale click a este link
Sometimes when you are feeling pretty low to the ground, plain old sad songs don't cut it. Real depression calls for waves of sound to wash over you again and again, so that your breathing becomes thick and filled with bass. Belong's album Common Era , released towards the beginning of the year, let's it's dying synths, fuzzed out bass and far-away drums pound on your heart like a driving rain that doesn't let up until near the end of the record. Just my luck that they also happen to be from New Orleans. Whoa.. this post [...]
From the latest Pains of Being Pure at Heart single, "the Body," here's "Tomorrow Dies Today." The track is a b-side in the truest sense, sounding much different than the string of songs the band laid out on its new album, Belong . The production is a lot thinner, and intentionally so. A brittle guitar strums rhythm against some punchy drums, which lays a foundation for the same bring of pop bliss these guys lace into nearly every one of their songs. Stream the track above, and see the art below. [...]
NO CONCLUSION
Barryfest
Violent Success
EachNoteSecure
TREE CATHEDRALS.
The Point Of Everything
Peenko
SURFING ON STEAM
Audiopleasures
Direct Current
The Owl Mag
Lost In The Sound
B-Sides
FSNCPS CLUB
Eclectically Challenged
noiselab
Unpiano
The Needle Drop
![Niki & The Dove - The Fox [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/l2f6UbMnlq4_130.jpg)
Karmin – “Broken Hearted” and “I Told You So” 2/11 SNL
The Best Whitney Houston Covers: A Tribute
