Check out the year end review for 2010 at Scene Point Blank
It is on the main page. I did write quite a bit material for this. It will give you an idea of what I listened to this past year.
The top records lists will be up on the site sometime soon. I will keep you posted.
Showing posts with label End of Year Lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label End of Year Lists. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Year End build full of pseudo suspense...
Our propensity and obsession with making year end and even decade end lists is preposterous, but still, we continue to see it and do it ourselves. I am not sure what drives us to rank or list anything, but it seems such a part of our human nature to do so; the sad thing is, I totally am into these types of lists.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
2009...the year in review
I guess it is that time of year again. Time to review the year's scores and triumphs as well as the troughs of hopelessness. Seriously, 2009 has been an excellent year in many ways and hope that it continues that trend for the remainder of my years on this rock.
As always I will be posting a bunch of year end lists at Scene Point Blank. But the extras will be showing up here in the meantime, and will probably beat my SPB lists by a couple of weeks.
I heard a ton of great music this year...a ton. So hoping that 2010 is the same.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
While We Are At It
So since looking back at 2008, I recently found my top 25 lists for past years. Here is my Top 25 from that year and a bit about how I still feel about each one. After time, some records definitely grow in stature and some fall; tastes change as does critical thinking.
1. Young Widows- Settle Down City (Jade Tree)
Surely, almost three years on, a record might just grow old, but that really is not the case with Settle Down City. It still holds a special place in my collection, and based on their follow up, 2008's Old Wounds, I feel completely justified in this record being my #1 of 2006.
2. Tom Waits- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards (Anti)
Ah the great Tom Waits, this monster of a record at 3 CDs and not a bad song on it. I still feel comfortable with this here as well.
3. Tragedy- Nerve Damage (Tragedy)
Tragedy is a force. Love the records. Love seeing them play. And even though this might be their weakest record, it still destroys 90% of what others put out.
3. Black Heart Procession- The Spell (Touch and Go)
Such a good record. I remember not being able to choose between this or Tragedy as my #3. I still can't. The Spell really is a gem.
5. Isis- In the Absence of Truth (Ipecac)
Ok...this one drops, although I am not sure where yet. I love Isis, but this is the first record that they recorded which disappointed me in some way. Not that In the Absence of Truth is bad, but I definitely do not find myself listening to it as often as anything else they have done.
6. Sunn0)))/Boris- Altar (Southern Lord)
Another one that drops, Alter was good; but it was not amazing to me. SunnO))) was another band that was gold up until this point for me, and I am still waiting for them to fully recover. Pentemple and Domkirke are getting there though but neither really gets them back to top form. Boris on the other hand does nothing for me at all and that might be another reason why this languishes more and more for me.
7. Isis/ Aerogramme- In the Fishtank Vol 12 (Koncurrent)
This record still rips, and I still listen to it pretty regularly. Something about it just continues to strike a chord with me.
8. Jesu- Silver (Hydra Head)
Yes, Silver was down at 8 for me in 2006. Not sure if this rises, but I have come to enjoy it more now than I maybe did then.
9. Converge- No Heroes (Epitaph)
Converge is one of those bands. I am really into what they do; I respect them as artists and musicians. No Heroes was another feather in their cap.
10. Hope Conspiracy- Death Knows Your Name (Deathwish Inc)
Death Knows Your Name was one hell of a comeback record.
10. Planes Mistaken for Stars- Mercy (Abacus)
So was Mercy which is why they tied.
12. Micah P Hinson- And the Opera Circuit (Jade Tree)
Micah is great. I still enjoy this record thoroughly.
13. Envy- Insomniac Doze (Temporary Residence)
Here is one that would jump a ton of places. Insomniac Doze was the record which put Envy on my map.
14. Coliseum/ Young Widows (Auxiliary)
A good record and has Young Widows material not available anywhere else.
15. Red Sparowes- Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun (Neurot)
Red Sparowes is interesting to me. I enjoy them live much more than on record. This is their 2nd album and is good, but does not match their first for me. I still think this would fall around here though.
16. Sonic Youth- Rather Ripped (Geffen)
Another album that would relatively stay put. Rather Ripped is a good record.
17. Mastodon- Blood Mountain (Warner Bros)
Blood Mountain would plummet. I really like a couple of songs on the album but that is pretty much it. Does not have anywhere near the potency of Leviathan.
18. Versoma- Life During Wartime (Robotic Empire)
OK, so I really think that this record would move up quite a bit. I listen to this more and more. Versoma just had a sound...one that I still want to hear. The fact that this band spawned two really good bands also helps its case and will probably be one of those criminally underrated records in a few years that people talk about like a religious experience.
19. The Draft- In a Million Places (Epitaph)
Yes, I still really like this as well. It certainly would not fall.
20. Johnny Cash- American 5: A Hundred Highways (American)
Same here. Probably Cash's last album, American 5 does have quite a bit of sentimental value; but I still listen to it.
21. Rainer Maria- Catastrophe Keeps Us Together (Grunion)
Catastrophe Keeps Us Together probably would move up if I am being honest. I still really dig this record even if it is not Rainer Maria's best.
22. Rocky Votolato- Makers (Barsuk/Second Nature)
Seriously, Rocky makes good albums, this one probably jumps a few spaces as well.
23. Rise and Fall- Into Oblivion (Deathwish Inc)
This might go up a bit as well. Still waiting for a new album from Rise and Fall.
24. Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan- Ballad of the Broken Sea (V2)
Really enjoyable record. It would still make this list.
25. Sick of It All- Death to Tyrants (Abacus)
I love these guys, but I probably would not include this in the list again.
25. Cult of Luna- Somewhere Along the Highway (Earache)
Somewhere Along the Highway would definitely move up the rankings here, Big time. I still think my review of this record is right on, but I like it more and more in any case. For a while, earlier this year, I listened to this album obsessively.
25. Fleeting Joys- Despondent Transponder (Only Forever Recordings)
OK, I probably would still include Despondent Transponder still. Fleeting Joys are another band which I am awaiting a follow up from them.
Starkweather- Croatoan (Candlelight USA)
Now this record just might peak up into the list. I should have included them in the first place.
So...
It is a bit different, but I think this is more accurate as per what my listening habits and desire to hear the record have become. Here is my revamped list:
1. Young Widows- Settle Down City (Jade Tree)
2. Tom Waits- Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards (Anti)
3. Tragedy- Nerve Damage (Tragedy)
3. Black Heart Procession- The Spell (Touch and Go)
5. Envy- Insomniac Doze (Temporary Residence)
6. Jesu- Silver (Hydra Head)
7. Isis/ Aerogramme- In the Fishtank Vol 12 (Koncurrent)
8. Cult of Luna- Somewhere Along the Highway (Earache)
9. Versoma- Life During Wartime (Robotic Empire)
10. Converge- No Heroes (Epitaph)
11. Isis- In the Absence of Truth (Ipecac)
12. Micah P Hinson- And the Opera Circuit (Jade Tree)
13. Rainer Maria- Catastrophe Keeps Us Together (Grunion)
14. Coliseum/ Young Widows (Auxiliary)
15. Rocky Votolato- Makers (Barsuk/ Second Nature)
16. Hope Conspiracy- Death Knows Your Name (Deathwish Inc)
16. Planes Mistaken for Stars- Mercy (Abacus)
18. Red Sparowes- Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun (Neurot)
19. Sonic Youth- Rather Ripped (Geffen)
20. The Draft- In a Million Places (Epitaph)
21. Johnny Cash- American 5: A Hundred Highways (American)
22. Rise and Fall- Into Oblivion (Deathwish Inc)
23. Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan- Ballad of the Broken Sea (V2)
24. Starkweather- Croatoan (Candlelight USA)
25. Sunn0)))/Boris- Altar (Southern Lord)
25. Fleeting Joys- Despondent Transponder (Only Forever Recordings)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Top Records of 2008 Well...
...#26-50 actually.
My Top 25 of the year got posted at Scene Point Blank late last night in the big year end feature. Go check that out.
26. Aughra- Proof of Dark Matter| Light the Lights (Magic Bullet)
27. Trap Them- Seasons In Barren Praise (Deathwish Inc)
28. Fucked Up- The Chemisty of Common Life (Matador)
29. SunnO)))- Pentemple (Southern Lord)
30. Disfear- Live the Storm (Relapse)
31. The Gutter Twins- Saturnalia (Sub Pop)
32. Hope & Suicide- Hope Suicide (Supernova)
33. Steve Von Till- A Grave Is A Grim Horse (Neurot)
34. 5ive- Hesperus (Tortuga)
35. Fight Amp- Hungry for Nothing (Translation Loss)
36. The Night Marchers- Scene Report (Swami)
37. Crevecoeur- II (Denovali, 2008)
38. J. Bannon- Blood of Thine Enemies (Deathwish Inc)
39. Gridlink- Amber Grey (Hydra Head)
40. Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan- Sunday at Devil Dirt (V2)
41. Capsule- Blue (Robotic Empire)
42. City of Ships- Tour (self released)
43. Rocket from the Crypt- RIP (Swami/ Vagrant)
44. Nadja- Desire In Uneasiness (Crucial Blast)
45. Pyramids- Pyramids (Hydra Head)
46. Stove Bredsky- Black Ribbon Award (Hydra Head)
47. The Kills- Midnight Boom (Rough Trade)
48. Haiyano Daisuki- Headbanger’s Karaoke Club Dangerous Fire (Hydra Head)
49. Grey Daturas- Return To Disruption (Neurot)
50. Celeste- Nihiliste(s) (Denovali)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Debut records from 2008.
Hearing good new bands is something that I really enjoy getting to do. It might be one of my favorite aspects of music; hearing different combinations of people making really great music is awesome and just never seems to get old. To an extent this goes against common attitudes that many people have (comparing new bands negatively to vaunted bands of the past is a common occurrence), but this strikes me as really strange.
In any case, 2008 had a bunch of great new records. My list over at Scene Point Blank barely scratched the surface of some of the great debut records that came out this year. I definitely had more that were more than worth mentioning so here are more debuts by bands and people that were noteworthy in 2008:
True Widow- True Widow (End Sounds)
True Widow's self titled debut is good on many different levels and full of subtle beauty. It is tough to really pick pieces of the record out so listening to it from start to finish is really the only way to listen to it. True Widow made a cohesive record that makes me jealous. Definitely a record more people need to check out.
Gods and Queens- Untitled (Robotic Empire/ Adagio 830 / Dead Format)
Noisy and urgent sounding, Gods & Queens untitled debut hits people in the gut with a thick sound and volume to match. A real killer that finds its way onto more stereos because it is that good. I really hate comparing bands to others so...go listen to them and make up your own damn mind. If you go to the Robotic Obscurities blog (linked to mine over there to your right), there are some demos and rarities from the band as well.
Aughra- Proof of Dark Matter| Light the Lights (Magic Bullet)
Aesthetically speaking, Brett Eyestone (the lone member of Aughra) contines to put out great art and music. Proof of Dark Matter | Light the Lights is the long time coming first full length from this ambient/ soundscape project, and it continues and broadens the paths which Aughra has tread on a 7", Cassettes, split, and an EP/Book. Hopefully there is more to come from Mr. Eyestone with Aughra.
Mamiffer- Hirror Enniffer (Hydra Head)
Calling this album infectious to my personal ears would be an understatement. The more that I listen to it, the more it creeps into my listening habits (to the tune of my listening to it 2 to 3 times a day at present). It is a beautiful sounding record and though it might not be considered a true full length, it is a deserving debut. It is brutal because now I need to hear more from Mamiffer...damn them for being so good.
The Gutter Twins- Saturnalia (Sub Pop)
The long talked about pairing of Greg Dulli (of Afghan Wigs and Twighlight Singers fame) and Mark Lanegan (of shredded vocals, Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees fame) does not disappoint in any way. I think this record sounds incredibly sleezy (in a great way) and just sounds great. Think of a dark, smoky night club and this record could probably be the soundtrack.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
More Year End Lists
Being that with the sheer amount of music being created all the time, it is bound to happen that people will miss out on albums, EPs, what have you. In this case, given the facts, it can also be extrapolated that people could continually miss good music. If such music continually is missed, these pieces of music can and might fall into obscurity and being rendered out of print. Another scenario that might cause a record to go out of print could be that the original label that issued the release could no longer support the release or keep it in print due to finances (it happens). Yet another scenario (which is mostly tasteless in my opinion) is when a label purchases a release from the original label with the express intent to re-issue the music.
Regardless how one views them Re-Issues can be a tricky thing. Sometimes, the re-issue is more than worth it as the record label puts a lot of time, love, and effort into the new version of the record; while, at other times, the re-issue comes out with nothing different from the original release and seems to be nothing more than a cash grab. Besides the list that I wrote which will be available on Scene Point Blank here are more Reissues/ Rarities comps that were worth it to me that were released in 2008:
Envy- All the Footprints You’ve Ever Left… (Temporary Residence)
Envy- Compiled Fragments (Temporary Residence)
Envy- A Dead Sinking Story (Temporary Residence)
The re-issue series which Temporary undertook to make available or more widely available is possibly questionable. Though I am not sure how available All The Footprints... and A Dead Sinking Story were at the time, but Compiled Fragments never was really all that widely available in the United States. Nothing new was really done with the records, but at least they are out and people can find them. The records themselves are all excellent and well worth getting. People who already owned them, though, really have no reason to pick them up again.
Hot Water Music- Till the Wheels Fall Off (No Idea)
This nifty collection compiles demos, outtakes, compilation tracks etc that normally took a lot of tracking down to collect. Neatly packaging all of this material and making it available in one place is a boon for Hot Water Music fans.
Rocket From the Crypt- All Systems Go Vol. 3 (Vagrant/ Swami)
Another nice collection that takes unreleased tracks and combines them with singles and alternate versions of songs from the massive Rocket From the Crypt catalog. This record really produces some nice gems (Like "Total Bummer") as well as funny liner notes produced by Speedo himself.
Cavity- Laid Insignificant (Hydra Head)
Ah...a long out of print record sees the light of day again. I was so glad that Hydra Head re-issued this so that paying "collector" prices was not necessary.
Supermachiner- Rise of the Great Machine (e-vinyl)
Finally available on vinyl, Rise of the Great Machine sounds like it was meant to be in this format. I am glad someone released it on vinyl because it was long overdue. Packaging looks great as well.
Planes Mistaken for Stars- We Ride to Fight (No Idea)
All of this was pretty much available previously, but compiling it into one nice package was a neat idea. I am sure some fans of later Planes Mistaken for Stars were surprised by how this sounds.
Today Is the Day- Today Is the Day (Supernova)
Today Is the Day- Supernova (Supernova)
I never realized how good early Today Is the Day was before hearing these reissues, partially because getting a hold of them could prove to be a bit problematic. Now that they are more widely available, hopefully more people will check these out because both the self-titled and Supernova are definitely worth it. Even thought his music has evolved over time, Steve Austin still made disturbing music even at this stage in Today Is the Day's development.
Skullflower- IIIrd Gatekeeper (Crucial Blast)
This Skullflower record is another album that was very difficult to find or acquire. Crucial Blast really came through in re-issuing this. It is more structured than later Skullflower releases, but that crushing noise which the outfit is known for is still evident on IIIrd Gatekeeper.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Top Music Lists of 2008
Sometime soon, the online zine which I write for, Scene Point Blank, will be publishing our year end Feature for 2008. We do it a bit later than other places, but we tend to jam releases that are released pretty late in the year into it. One of the pieces that I popped in will be my Top 5 EPs of 2008.
EPs are great. They give artists a wide pallette to do many things with their music: experiment, expand, tease, hold over fans, etc. From a listeners point of view, EPs are usually a treat in some way. This year had quite a few which I enjoyed, and besides what you can see in Scene Point Blank's feature, here several more EPs that I liked that came out in 2008:
The Night Marchers- Scene Report (Swami)
Bulwarked by the great song "Scene Report", this single, which is available only from the band on tour, reminds me of why singles can be awesome. These quick three songs blast by with more fun and reckless rock n roll abandon than most horrific sounding garage acts can muster ever. "Scene Report" itself is one of the Night Marchers best tracks and was recently included on the double LP issue of their debut album See You In Magic; so if you missed out on the single and don't want to pay ridiculous ebay prices...look there.
The Night Marchers- Mystery Machine/ Rock-a-Bye Maybe (Swami)
This is the second tour only single which the Night Marchers have released, and it is worth getting a hold of (again from the band on tour). I really like the Night Marchers are utilizing the single format; it is exciting going to see them and seeing a new single available. Although for those unadventureous types, you miss out on these records.
J. Bannon- The Blood of Thine Enemies (Deathwish Inc)
A haunting debut and teaser for future solo work from the vocalist of Converge and artist of note. The Blood of Thine Enemies is a marked departure and light years away from what Converge enthusiasts. The plinking piano, subtle swirling electronics and low bass hum underlay Bannon's clean vocal performance create this haunting atmosphere. The single is intriguing enough to create anticipation for more of this project.
City of Ships- Tour (self released)
This little EP still serves as quite the pleasant surprise when I pop this on my stereo or headphones. A rocking 4 tracks from a powerful sounding three piece, this tour EP was just what I wanted at the time; and I didn't even realize it until I sat down to write my review of it. I cannot wait to see what City of Ships does next.
Haiyano Daisuki- Headbanger’s Karaoke Club Dangerous Fire (Hydra Head)
When I first put on Haiyano Daisuki's debut, I was frothing at the mouth expecting grind mayhem akin to vocalist Jon Chang's awesome Discordance Axis. Imagine my surprise when the thrashing style of Headbanger's Karaoke Club Dangerous Fire came rushing out of the speakers. The inital disappointment quickly wore off as I noticed a great many things that made this good in its own right.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Year End Music Lists
Writing for Scene Point Blank can really make me think hard about what music I listen to in a given year. I do a ton of reviews and those eat up so much listening time that this time of the year I can spoil myself and really check out new things. It also gives me the chance to listen to a ton of records from over the course of the year in order to make tons of these ridiculous lists.
However ridiculous they may be, I think these lists do serve a purpose of sorts in that they allow one to compartmentalize the music in order to digest it. Rationally, so much music comes out in a given year that it is impossible for all of us to listen to so much. So, when records are on multiple lists like these, it kind of allows for people to check out records they missed in this manner. I miss good records every year, hence why I write a top 5 or so list of good records that I missed the previous year.
On Scene Point Blank, I just submitted this slew of Top 5 lists from 2008.
- Top 5 Record Packaging
- Top 5 EPs
- Top 5 Re-Issues
- Top 5 Debuts
- Top 5 Splits
- Top 5 Missed in 2007
Over the next several days, I will post additional tracks that did not quite make these Top 5 lists. Consider them additional material...consider them honorable mentions...what have you.
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