![Wisp [The Shimmer Hour]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/2719606_lg.jpg)
Lost in 2009, this is a pretty listenable electronic album. Wisp filled the void (if only temporarily) by Aphex in electronica world but his album is a worthy delivery on the promise of his 'Katabatic' EP. Maybe more aptly described as ambient and downtempo electronica. Some of his tracks were influenced by old school computer games. I can't speak extensively about electronica, but Wisp balances his drum palettes and synths with restraint to keep things ambient and not too distracting (my productivity was way better with this album than the one before it- the Mutt's 'We Float' EP). 'World Rim [...]
I was startled to hear the English indierockers, The Heavy, featured on a Superbowl commercial. I thought the ad was pretty charming (this is the one where life size toys recreate The Hangover in a Kia SUV), and the band is certainly worth hearing. There are many current bands that claim 70s soul and Curtis Mayfield influences and make it modern with feedback and grunge, but TH get it right. Their album last year, 'The House that Dirt Built' has many (I think) better songs especially with 'Sixteen' and their closing track 'Stuck.' They've already been getting attention [...]
Sometimes the best records float by unnoticed. Case in point Richard Laviolette 's All of Your Raw Materials . The 2009 independent release showcased Laviolette's honest song writing and fantastic voice - one rich in personality and charisma - bolstered by a collection of talented friends ( Meredith Grant, Lisa Bozikovic, Mathias Kom, Jenny Mitchel l and Mike Brooks to name a few) and still almost no one paid attention (yes, I missed it too). Thankfully the good people at You've Changed records did. Daniel Romano's [...]
When it comes to the art of metal, Rodney Githens of Vertebrae33 - a.k.a. the man who designed this awesome MetalSucks t-shirt - obviously knows his shit. Join him now as he tells you which albums had the best cover art of '09, and why... As the music industry crumbles around itself trying to deal with [...]
I'm late, but I wanted to go ahead and post favorites albums / songs of 2010. I think 2009 was a good year for music, but then again, I think there is great music made and released every single year, you just have to be open to it. As far as lists go...they're completely subjective, everyone has favorites and mine is no better (or worse) than anyone else's. So here they are in no particular order, but where I thought they fit best in a mix-a-lot form. Oh, yes Happy 9 days [...]
For the first Mini Mixtape Monday of 2010, Chad put together this playlist of the 'Best Of 092 which consists of some of the biggest tracks of the year and probably some of the most played songs at last weeks New Years Eve parties. Music Playlist at MixPod.com Related Posts: [...]
After posting our own year-end lists for 2009, we asked you, oh ye MetalSucks faithful, to tell us what you thought the best metal album of the year was. And you have answered, overwhelmingly voting for the latest from Atlanta's psychedlic prog-metal masters: Interestingly enough, the album that got the second most number of votes (although [...]
I yield the floor to Metz, this generation's Bill Simmons of top ten music lists: Hey everyone, I hope everyone's well on this Christmas Eve night. I plan to finish this BEFORE Christmas officially starts. Unlikely. And now it's Christmas night. I'm bad at finishing. I prefaced my Top Ten of 2008 with this disclaimer. I'm still behind it in 2009: The idea of a "Top Ten" is certainly open to interpretation. For example, when you're voting for an MVP in baseball, there are always questions pertaining to voting [...]
Following a successful residency at Pianos in the Lower East Side and a spattering of solid press touting their tunes, Mon Khmer have become a band to watch out for in 2010. Their music is definitely worthy, opting not for the sound of the moment but a more classic version of rock music. It's solid and driving and really has us excited for what to expect from these guys in the coming year. Considering other bands that have had residencies at Pianos the past few years, bands like Passion Pit, Ra Ra Riot, and [...]
It has been a bit of a crazy year for the New York band known as Milagres . For starters the five piece went through a bit of a metamorphosis, changing their name from The Secret Life of Sofia only months after being name The Deli Magazine's third best band in New York. I suppose the band weren't content with being known as the 3rd best anything and only weeks after releasing the fantastic Empty Sleeves EP they renamed themselves and set to work tweaking their sound and style. The result is something [...]
Back in October the latest release from We Are Wolves kind of flew under our radar here. The record, Invisible Violence , actually has maintained a pretty low profile south of the Canadian border, which is a damn shame because after checking it out we realize it is loaded with their usual mix of fantastic garage, electro, and post-punk sounds. The record is pretty immediate so maybe it will catch on a bit better when you guys start listening and passing it on to friends, but until then we are excited to have [...]
Just a couple of weeks ago North Highlands released their debut EP Sugar Lips , a record with a soothingly sweet blend of indie pop, folk, and psychedelic sounds. We haven't yet gotten around to posting on the EP, the onslaught of the holiday season and all this list making have left us with little time and a little too weary to write much on any new music, but hopefully you guys will all head on over to the iTunes store after checking out their song "Collar Bones" below. Mike Barron who helms [...]
If you're looking for the perfect soundtrack to the dark cold days of winter ahead of us look no further then Tim Williams' latest release Careful Love , a record that is loaded with melancholy songs detailing the fragile nature of our lives. It's a deep, touching piece of work that should certainly challenge for spots on many year end lists, and one that continues to build the style and scope of Williams' music as he becomes a better and more refined songwriter. Tim was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to provide us with [...]
To say Tim Fite is a character is understating the obvious. Over the course of the last few years Tim has shown time and time again that he may just be sharpest, funniest person putting all those talents into music. His stage show is the type of antic ridden act he normally loathe for the cheesiness of it all, but Tim turns it into an experience that is laughed with more than it is laughed at. This year Tim Fite was little quiet, releasing another Halloween EP and the underrated [...]
In recent years the crowd that is claiming "the album is dead" has grown louder and louder. We couldn't disagree more. As more and more people turn to iTunes and the Hype Machine to download the latest and greatest singles, we have stuck to the traditional album listening and found that there are still some truly great records being made these days. For most of this year we have been inundated by bands breaking into the world, mainstream artists trying to recapture their former glory, and indie rock "superstars" growing into their own, it has been exciting and fun and [...]
In 2009 Pterodactyl unleashed Worldwild on us, an album that absolutely explodes right from the minute you hit play. It is a record meant to be played loud and full of art rock with a bit of energy and excitement behind it. This is not cross your arms and nod along rock, this is go ape shit as the band makes you deaf for the next half hour rock. Jesse from the band was kind enough to put together a couple of lists for us counting down the best of the decade [...]
In recent years the crowd that is claiming "the album is dead" has grown louder and louder. We couldn't disagree more. As more and more people turn to iTunes and the Hype Machine to download the latest and greatest singles, we have stuck to the traditional album listening and found that there are still some truly great records being made these days. For most of this year we have been inundated by bands breaking into the world, mainstream artists trying to recapture their former glory, and indie rock "superstars" growing into their own, it has been exciting and fun and [...]
Two of the three members of Jukebox the Ghost were kind enough to submit lists counting down the best of the decade and the best of the year with us. We've already seen Tommy's list and now it's on to Jesse Kristin's list! Jesse counts down his 25 favorite albums of the decade in alphabetical order then chimes in with his top five of this year. It's a pretty sweet and fairly eclectic list that definitely shows a wide taste in music and styles but also shows a [...]
In recent years the crowd that is claiming "the album is dead" has grown louder and louder. We couldn't disagree more. As more and more people turn to iTunes and the Hype Machine to download the latest and greatest singles, we have stuck to the traditional album listening and found that there are still some truly great records being made these days. For most of this year we have been inundated by bands breaking into the world, mainstream artists trying to recapture their former glory, and indie rock "superstars" growing into their own, it has been exciting and fun and [...]
Since releasing the fantastic Get Young last year the guys in Pretty & Nice have spent a good chunk of 2009 on the road, opening up for acts like The Thermals and building up their following. We haven't been able to chat with them about what they're planning to follow Get Young up with, but we're sure these guys are probably getting ready to do something to that extent. The guys combined to submit two pretty sweet lists, the first is a compilation of "Under-Appreciated Acts" they hope to turn [...]
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