Posts Tagged ‘wild beasts’
Winnie’s Top Albums Of 2011
Omgigosh, 2011 is almost done. This is the music that got me through. Here’s our best album / ep picks!!!
25. Radiohead – King Of Limbs
Radiohead surprised fans with a new album in February announcing it five days before it’s release with out any press following it because they don’t need to.
24.Lil B “Based God” – I’m Gay
The living meme, rapper Lil B has one of the biggest outputs in the rap game releasing two albums and more mixtapes than I can keep track of, including one with 676 tracks over the last year. That’s not even counting all of the twitter feeds he fills @lilbthebasedgod. Despite not being a house hold name yet he is one of the most prolific and fascinating artists of our time with his personality outshining his often rough but hidden gem ridden music.
23. Tony Castles – No Service (ep)
Brooklyn’s next Yeasayer?
Tony Castles – Black Girls in Dresses
22. Metronomy – The English Riviera
Metronomy’s third disco tinged album will transport you to the English Riviera with a cocktail in hand. Still bummed I missed their recent trip through town.
21. Wild Beasts – Smother
I didn’t miss this show and it was spectacular. There were fellow Wild Beast fan boys/men singing their falsetto songs before the group went on; it was beautiful. It was one of my favourite shows of the year. Definitely not for those who don’t like melancholic music or people who get uncomfortable by men singing in falsetto.
20. Sean Nicholas Savage – “Flamingo”
Montreal’s DIY pop label Arbutus Records, home of Grimes and Braids’ latest release was up as free download. Sean Nicholas Savage brings you to a smokey Las Vegas lounge to great effect. In “Days Go By”, below it’s almost as if he’s channeling late 70′s Lennon.
Sean Nicholas Savage – Days Go By
19. Cults – Self Titled
Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin of Cults have put together one of the best pop albums of the year with their debut borrowing heavily from Spector-esque 50s and 60s pop to pleasant effect.
18. Hercules & Love Affair – Blue Songs
A retro disco album with hints of early house thrown in to help you dance away the pain.
Hercules & Love Affair – Falling
17. Black Lips – Arabia Mountain
Vice Records rocker darlings. At-lana’s Black Lips teamed up with producer Mark Ronson on this album. He proves his talents really filling out the Black Lips garage rock sound into a riotous party.
16. Born Gold – Bodysongs
Formerly known as Gobble Gobble which they deemed to silly of a name to continue on as, Born Gold have been tearing up every place they touch from basement to festival main stages around NA. Touring their butts off they have been building a very solid young fan base.
Their name change makes sense perhaps isolating them from older / new fans? They shouldn’t be put off, Born Gold are the modern dance party. It’s almost like it’s the electronic version of the Pixies as reinterpreted by the children of the late 80′s.
They happen to play Fortune with Grimes for the soon to be sold out show February 18th. Advertise with Winnie.
15. Lost Lovers Brigade – Little Skeletons
A late Vancouver entry with a November release. A compilation of singer / songwriter Elisha Rembold’s songs written over the last ten years finally being released. Little Skeletons is a beautifully haunting play from start to finish. It will take you away to a windy cabin the woods. At times surf rock-ish with two of the Apollo Ghost gents in the band backing Elisha’s country / Wanda Jackson-esque vocals.
Lost Lovers Brigade – All the Stars
14. Oh No! Yoko – Pau Pau (ep)
Wtf is a Pau Pau? Our favorite high school grads will take you back to that time in between childhood and adolescents when the world seemed like it could be yours and maybe it will be. They need to get to work on their follow up asap.
13. ASAP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP (Mixtape)
Speaking of which, Odd Future may of created the most hype by a long shot for a new hip hop act but as far as listen ability goes ASAP takes it.
ASAP Rocky – Get Lit (feat. Fat Tony) (prod. Soufein3000)
12. Toro Y Moi – Underneath The Pine + Freaking Out (ep)
Toro Y bro ditches the chill wave moniker for a full band disco sound. He still satisfies his old fans with the more electronic 80′s influenced Freaking Out EP which is just as boss as the full length. He reinvented himself opening up his sound.
Toro Y Moi – All Alone From the Freak Out Ep.
11. Tiger & Woods – Through The Green
An obvious play/extended joke on the sexiest man in the golf game perhaps? It has been a big year for the return of house music, not “electro” or “club” but warehouse. Tiger & Woods sound how I would love the next Daft Punk album to be. A crisp loopy filter house sound with an 80′s electro-funk feel created by two Germans.
10. Holy Ghost! – Self Titled
I feel like there is so much good music made these days and so much less money in the industry to properly push the top acts that an album like this can slip by and not be even bigger than it is. Holy Ghost’s debut is quite accessible. Their live show was one of my favorites of the year. If you are looking for someone to fill in for LCD Soundsystem this is your band. They managed to sell out Fortune Sound Club but they deserve to be filling at least something twice that size especially with the amount of analog gear they haul around.
9. Elite Gymnastics – Ruin (ep)
Minneapolis’ Elite Gymnastics reinvent dance music sounds of the past yet their music sounds fresh, new and unlike anything else.
Elite Gymnastics – m i n n e a p o l i s b e l o n g s t o y o u
8. Tennis – Cape Dory
Tapping into the pop sounds of the 50′s and 60′s Cape Dory is a pleasant melody driven “jingly jangly” pop album. I love every song on it but perhaps it’s not for everyone? Best bro / @Beatroutebc’s @glennalderson can’t stand them. Different strokes.
7. Austra – Feel It Break
Pronounced “Oh-stra” not “Ahhstra” as I had at least been saying. I still can’t believe we hosted this act in a tiny basement show. I was trying to tell people they would be the next Fever Ray thanks to a hot tip from fellow Toronto act Diamond Rings.
6. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne
This album has a raw feeling to it as if two top of their game rappers are at play rather than at work. Does that make any sense? Either way it’s a classic that people will listen to and rap heads will discuss many years from now.
Jay-Z & Kanye West – Ni**as in Paris
5. No Gold – Self Titled
Local Vancouver chill bro act, No Gold are a pitchfork nod away from big things. You can hear the wealth of diverse influences from world music to house and disco and a willingness to experiment in their bizzaro pop gem of an album.
4. Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – We’re New Here
A very odd remix album from one of the best new producers, Jamie XX (Of The XX) of the legendary Gil Scott-Heron’s 2010 album, I’m New Here, his first in 16 years. Gil is best known for his spoken word work and is arguably one of the biggest pioneers of rap. The forward thinking album really grew on me as the year went on and I think became even more important with the passing of Gil right after the albums release and bringing to light his amazing although troubled life and body of work.
Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie XX – Ur Soul And Mine
3. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
Releasing an entire trilogy of work, it was a big year for an act that started the year out as a mysterious unknown act posting videos on youtube. They are now one of the biggest acts I still havn’t heard on the radio. Perhaps still under the mainstreams radar releasing all of their material through their website for free? Or maybe it’s all of the singing about sex, drugs and after parties?
2. James Blake – Self Titled
James Blake brought the underground UK electronic sound to the masses with his ethereal voice. One of the big breakout acts of the year.
1. Drake – Take Care
Y U SO SAD YOUNG DRIZZY? YR number 1 bb.
For years the highest selling Canadian hip hop act has been late 80′s / early 90′s Maestro (Fresh Wes). Big ups Maestro but twenty years is a long ass time to be the highest selling Canadian rapper. Drake has finally changed that. I can’t find anything else to say about Drake that doesn’t make me sound like i’m riding his shit so i’m going to leave it at that.
Drake – HYFR (Hell Ya Fuckin Right)
posted by @tristanorchard
Winnie’s Top Albums of 2009
Last year we got our top of the year lists out early.
This year it seemed like everyone was trying to get their lists out as early as possible to capitalize on the potential traffic or whatever it is people compete for. We decided to sit back and let the year finish before commenting on it (read: we were super lazy).
None the less, here’s our picks for the best albums of 09′ Here’s to hoping you get 18% more lay in 2010.
20. Don Cash – Freshy Fresh
Don Cash really does wear his sunglasses at night. This album was released as a free download, then on itunes, then re-mastered and re-released without some of my fave songs on it and there’s still talks of re-mastering it again and a label signing and release… Either way, this is a great album with some next level jams.
19.Tiga – Ciao!
Tiga’s collaboration with all his producer pals (James Murphy, Soulwax, Gonzales etc) made this album ironically transcend being just a dance album (mindless headfuck) and gave it some depth. Tiga was huge in the first part of the year as the anticipation for the album grew from the first couple of singles. Then it all seemed to die down… Not that I would ever steal anything but they were super tight fisted, blocking album leaks and maybe it hurt the album? I have no idea, maybe I’m B.S.ing but I feel like this album should have been bigger. I also wish Tiga would do more performances with a live backing band. Seeing him dj all of his hits was, um, err, mehhh. I also want to see more of his alter persona come to life.
Tiga – Love Don’t Dance Here Anymore ft. Soulwax
18.Metric – Fantasies
I’ll probably catch lots of flack for this but… Whenever a band gets big in Canada there’s sometimes a bit of backlash from the people who think we live in a tiny little fish bowl and despise the band for making it big while other more “authentic” bands don’t get recognized. I can’t see this happening in the US where there is much less of an identity crisis (albeit other ish). In 2009 Metric decided to go their own independent route, ditched their label and management and blew up worldwide by making a great pop record that’s a solid listen from start to finish. But then again, they are not noise punk.
17.Little Girls – Concepts
Josh McIntyre crafted this gem late at night, solo in his bedroom. He started a myspace under the anonymous moniker, “Little Girls” (which btw is code for “little girls”) to gauge peoples reaction to these sonic experiments. So far the response has been quite positive.
16 .Mountain Man – Mountain Man
You can’t find this album on the internet for free anywhere so you should pony up the $5 pay what you want minimum for this lesser known gem. For fans of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Chamomile tea.
15. Kap Bambino – Blacklist
I must be honest, I’m not an OG Kap Bambino fan. Apparently they made their sound a little less hardcore and a bit more poppy with this album. Their hybrid punk/electro blend is something completely new to my ears. It kiiiind of picks up where Crystal Castles left off. Still bummed I missed their live show. I think I’m too old to go out on Sundays.
14. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
It hasn’t come out yet officially in NA. It’s out in England and I have British citizenship. 2009 was huge for them, they have won over a lot of new fans with their on point four part harmonies and the general charm of five dudes playing their hearts out.
13. Handsome Furs – Face Control
Everybody’s fave indie rock couple lay down some guitar over drum machine loops and craft a solid follow up to Plague Park. Bow wow.
Handsome Furs – Radio Kaliningrad
12. Yacht – See Mystery Lights
Along with adding another member, signing to DFA has been a good thing. It sounds like they added a little more New York post punk disco to their landscape and reigned in the sometimes overly experimental bits. Pyschic City was definitely one of the songs of the year.
11.Antony and the Johnsons – The Crying Light
I really didn’t know what to think of Antony’s voice at first, it was quite shocking. It felt like a surprise reach around, if that’s something politically correct enough to say. But, the more I listened to it, the more I fell in love with the unique voice from which he speaks from and with. Their live show was one of the best of the year. Pretty much *tear* worthy (not that I would ever cry though). Do not fear the surprise reach around.
Antony & the Johnsons – Her eyes are underneath the ground
10.Peaches – I Feel Cream
Peaches oh Peaches, how I love thy teaches. This is what Lady Gaga is ripping off and toning down for a mainstream audience. That and maybe a lil Gwen Stefani… Peaches is chick power to the infinite. The best live show of the year. All of this summed up a lot better, here.
9.Matt and Kim – Grand
Watching Matt and Kim play is like seeing two kids having the time of their life and enjoying every minute of it. They just look so gosh darn humble you want to hug them. While their previous self titled effort was a little too annoying / earnest / catchy / mehhh, “Grand” is an 11 track pop gem.
Matt & Kim – I’ll Take Us Home
8.Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Speaking of bands whose year it was, these Frenchies served it up like gour-met pate. They should almost lay low for a year to let things cool off. On the other hand there are so many hits on this album they should probably keep working it.
7. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
Bringing the psychedelic back to the dance floor. Neon Indian makes me want to do acid and chill in a tent while watching bizarre projected patterns on the wall while practicing witchcraft.
6.Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
Falsetto bitches! I swear I hear a little Morrissey in here, that and a lot of lyrics about girls and wild forest fornication parties that I want to be at.
Wild Beasts – We Still Got The Taste Dancing On Our Tongues
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz!
“Waaaaaaah too electro!”. “What ever happened to the old YYYs?!?” Go listen to Fever to Tell and reminisce. It’s called progression and trying something new out. Besides, I swear I can’t hear the difference, I’m no electro racist. I think it worked and the YYYs are even more popular than ever. Whether that’s a good thing or not is your call. For me they are definitely one of the defining bands of the decade.
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Top ten lists with MPP at number #1 are soooo boring. diss.
Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes
3.Fever Ray – Fever Ray
This album grew on me all year. I think I was a little put off wanting it to be a bit more dance’y and Knife-like. As the great economic recession of 2009 wore on I began feeling more and more like a sad little goth boy turning to my trusty Fever Ray album for comfort. Also one of my fave live shows of the year.
2.The XX – xx
The XX came out of nowhere with this debut album. I don’t know whether it had to do with Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s whispery voices or the playful male / female back and forth or the above mentioned goth factor? It’s the perfect mix, incorporating electronics with more traditional instruments creating a somewhat electronic beat driven album that even the indie kids can dance to.
1. Japandroids – Post Nothing
How could we not champion the home town heroes? They are on to even better things. Post Nothing was not their debut and they have not peaked. Have you heard the new song they are playing in their set?? Hot damn. These sweethearts worked their butts off on this and earned everything 2009 has brought them. Hopefully they find some time to write some new songs about girls and summer while touring their butts off.
