The Wheel's Still In Spin

Favorite Albums of 2011

Here is my highly-subjective, personal list of favorite albums of 2011.

1. Wild Flag – Wild Flag | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Romance” (mp3)

   Rarely do supergroups like this one meet their expectations. But the members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and The Minders combined to surpass expectations. On their self titled debut, Carrie Brownstein’s punk guitar and Mary Timony’s grunge riffs dominate but all four musicians meld together perfectly to create ferocious and powerful music. This band picked up where Sleater-Kinney’s last album, The Woods, left off but then added to the sound.

   
   
2. Alexi Murdoch – Towards the Sun | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Towards the Sun” (mp3)

   This is the second album by Murdoch and his first since 2006. He was featured on the soundtrack to the film Away We Go. With his tender picking and swooping vocals, he sounds like a complacent and more contented version of Nick Drake. His music is nearly as engaging as Drake’s, but Murdoch has a more placatory sound without the dark undertones. It sounds familiar, even on the first listen.

   
   
3. Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers – Starlight Hotel | CD MP3
   Download “If I Can’t Trust You With a Quarter (How Can I Trust You with My Heart?)” (mp3)

   This honky-tonk songstress is backed by an assiduous band. Her songwriting brings to mind Loretta Lynn, but her voice has the timbre of a young Emmylou Harris. The way she drawls out lines like, “The way you love me, darlin’, suits me just fine,” you know she’ll be raising more than a few barns with this album.

   
   
4. Yuck – Yuck | CD Deluxe CD Vinyl Deluxe Vinyl MP3 Deluxe MP3
   Download “Rubber” (mp3)

   This four-piece band plays music that is heavily influenced by the alternative bands of the 90s. The guitar driven music has riffs that summon Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. references. Their self titled debut is a tight and compact set of explosive dirges, shoegaze songs, and melodic guitar prowess.

   
   
5. Dead Man Winter – Bright Lights | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Nicotine” (mp3)

   Dave Simonett is the lead singer and guitarist of Trampled By Turtles, an all acoustic band. He also now fronts Dead Man Winter, a band that allows him to explore more amplified music. There’s still an acoustic basis for these 11 songs that are steeped in Americana. The band adds a diverse set of instrumentation with layers of guitars, lap steel, banjo, and fiddle. The best songs, like “Get Low,” and the opening track, “Nicotine,” play like burning rock that will be hard to put out.

   
   
6. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Stone Rollin’” (mp3)

   The former singer of Tony! Toni! Toné! is back with another album of classic soul music. This set drips with a retro sound that perfectly captures the energy of the original R&B and soul revues and is the year’s best album of that genre.

   
   
7. The Cave Singers – No Witch | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Swim Club” (mp3)
   Download “Black Leaf” (mp3)

   For their third album, this folk rock trio release another set of addictive songs. No Witch has a little bit more production than their last album (a favorite from 2009) but that ends up being a good thing for this consistently alluring album. The vocals are direct and focused to the center of the mix while the guitarwork travels between ripe folk and aggressive blues lines.

   
   
8. Library Voices – Summer of Lust | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Generation Handclap” (mp3)

   The duo of Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer share instruments and vocals on these eclectic pop songs. They blend acoustic and electronic instruments into catchy and upbeat music and mix modern and nostalgic sounds into indelible songs.

   
   
9. Thievery Corporation – Culture of Fear | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Culture of Fear” (mp3)

   The DJ duo of Eric Hilton and Rob Garza has returned with a new album that mixes trip hop, jazz, and other styles. There is a deep groove to the music and vocals that have a strong sense of conscience. It’s a diverse album with multiple guest vocalists and rounded out with a stellar set of studio musicians.

   
   
10. Scattered Trees – Sympathy | CD MP3
    Download “A Conversation About Death on New Year’s Eve” (mp3)
    Download “Love and Leave” (mp3)

    The lead singer of this sextet from Chicago wrote Sympathy after his father passed away. The songs have unworldly outlooks. The music sounds as if Thom Yorke had taken the shells of early Radiohead songs and used the current cast of Wilco as the backing band.

    
    

Favorite EPs of 2011

Here is my highly-subjective, personal list of favorite EPs of 2011.

1. Nikki Lane – Gone, Gone, Gone | MP3
   Download “Gone, Gone, Gone” (mp3)

   Nikki Lane has a voice that belts like Loretta Lynn’s on this debut album of delectable, honky tonk country. This EP was released as a precursor to her full-length album, Walk of Shame, which was also released this year. This shortplayer includes the two best songs from Walk of Shame, “Gone, Gone, Gone” and “Coming Home to You,” but it also includes two great additional tracks – “Western Bound” and “Down to the Wire.”

   
   
2. Milo Greene – The Hello Sessions | MP3
   Download “1957” (mp3)

   The Hello Sessions is the debut EP from Milo Greene, a five-piece band that plays supple and acquiescent pop songs. The music has acoustic guitars mixed with the light jangles of electric guitars and a few other instruments. The full sound is rounded out with multi-layered harmonies, making the vocals jump out of the affable music.

   
   
3. Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman – Union Town | CD Vinyl MP3

   The Rage Against the Machine guitarist has been releasing folk music under the name of The Nightwatchman. This is an album of 8 union fighting songs. He travelled to Madison, WI, to support unions during their contentious – and still ongoing – battle with the state’s governor. The final song of this EP was recorded at the Capital Square in Madison on February 21 of this year. There are 3 original songs and 5 classic covers, including “This Land is Your Land” and “Solidarity Forever,” on the album. As Morello declares, “Here’s a soundtrack for our fight.”

   All of the proceeds from this album will benefit The American Votes Labor Unity Fund via SaveWorkers.org. You can go to their website to download the title track.

   
   
4. Family Lumber – Look to the Sidelines | MP3
   Download “No Worries” (mp3)

   After releasing a handful of EPs one full-length album in the past few years, Family Lumber returns with this shortplayer. Michael Tiejen’s vocals and guitar playing give this album a catchy and diverse sound. This is an album that starts strong and builds appeal with each song. The four songs move through some unique styles but always have the deft guitarwork driving them. It sounds as if Built to Spill released a batch of short, Nada Surf-like pop songs.

   
   
5. Darlings – Warma | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Big Girl” (mp3)

   This quartet is fronted by Peter Rynsky and Maura Lynch, whose vocals are each great on their own and doubly potent together. This is a collection of 5 catchy songs that ride the line between jangly pop and garage rock.

Favorite Movies of 2010

The Academy Awards and Indie Spirit Awards winners will be announced this weekend, marking the end of the awards season. On the heels of the prizes, here is a list of my top ten favorite films of 2010.

Favorite Albums of 2010

1. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Burden of Tomorrow” (mp3)
   Download “King of Spain” (mp3)

   The Tallest Man on Earth is the sardonic musical name of five-foot-seven-inch Kristian Matsson. He has a raspy voice, sings songs with beguiling melodies and refined lyrics, and picks and strums with verve. Both The Wind Hunt and Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird are each the most consistently relishable albums of the year.

   
   
2. Quasi – American Gong | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download ”Repulsion” (mp3)
   Download “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler” (mp3)

   Quasi is Sam Coomey on guitars and vocals supported by Joanna Bolme and Janet Weiss, the current rhythm section for Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, the latter also having been the drummer for Sleater-Kinney. In keeping with that company, American Gong is the best package of guitar driven indie rock of the year.

   
   
3. Defiance Ohio – Midwestern Minutes | CD Vinyl MP3 | Download from the band and pay what you want
   Download “Hairpool” (mp3)

   Defiance Ohio is a chamber pop band with a dedication to do-it-yourself aesthetics. There is a catchy layer of instruments supported by a punk attitude and energy. Melodic string lines – from violin, cello, and upright bass – are added to a foundation of guitars, keyboards, and drums. The album can be downloaded for free (or with a donation) from the band’s website.

   
   
4. Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can | CD MP3
   Download “Rambling Man” (mp3)

   For her second album, Laura Marling created a mature document. The subject matter focuses on topics of responsibility, specifically the responsibility of womanhood. The voice of the folk musician is also more developed. All of this blanketed by Ethan Johns perfect production.

   
   
5. Dr. Dog – Shame, Shame | CD Vinyl MP3 Deluxe MP3
   Download “Stranger” (mp3)

   Dr. Dog creates soulful modern pop steeped in ‘60s psychedelic influences. With each of their five albums, including Shame, Shame, the production qualities have increased. This album sounds like a George Martin produced an album by The Band. It boasts mellifluous layers of guitars, keyboards, accordions, chimes, and handclaps, while the most indelible aspect of their sound, their tight and frequent harmonies, remains a principal part of every track.

   
   
6. The Roots – How I Got Over | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Doin’ It Again” (mp3)

   The Roots focused on creating a positive album. The result was a mellow, jazzier slant to their organic hip hop sound. They added a unique list of guest spots from rap, R&B, indie rock, and folk musicians. There aren’t too many standout tracks, but this is, overall, one of the best flowing albums of the year.

   
   
7. Otis Gibbs – Joe Hill’s Ashes | CD MP3
   Download “The Ballad of Johnny Crooked Tree” (mp3)

   Otis Gibbs is a folk musician who follows the troubadour paces of Woody Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. He sings with a weathered voice about and for the worker, the everyman. New lines stand out as favorites every time I listen to this album. Stream the entire album at Otis’s Bandcamp.com site.

   
   
8. Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Harlem River Blues” (mp3)

   Justin Townes Earle, Steve Earle’s son, makes better records with each release. Harlem River Blues not only showcases his songwriting skills, it also has a mystical quality that makes the album sound timeless. He lives up to his namesake, both for his middle and last names.

   
   
9. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | CD CD/DVD MP3 Deluxe MP3
   Download “Monster” (mp3) [from RCRD LBL]
   Download “So Appalled” (mp3) [from RCRD LBL]
   Download “Devil in a New Dress” (mp3) [from RCRD LBL]

   Kanye West has taken the best elements of his past albums and layered them into a new, huge album. With a wealth of guest spots – from the expected (Jay-Z, Alicia Keys) to the unexpected (Elton John, Bon Iver, and, apparently, everyone in between (Chris Rock) – the spotlight is still clearly on Kanye. The album is by and about him.

   
   
10. Glossary – Feral Fire | CD MP3
    Download “Bend with the Breeze” (mp3)

    This is a searing set of countrified rock and roll. Joey and Kelly Kneiser’s vocals lead the soulful Americana music that crests with palpable electric and lap steel guitars. The music, like the lyrics, is straightforward and poignant.

Favorite EPs of 2010

1. The Tallest Man on Earth – Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Like the Wheel” (mp3)

   These five songs are a quintessential example of the Tallest Man on Earth, the recording name used by Swedish folk singer Kristian Matsson. Only his guitar accompanies his gravelly voice. There are rollicking, upbeat songs and arresting ballads. He picks, strums and sings melodies that will require surgical extraction to remove them from your head.

   
   
2. Double Dagger – Masks | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Pillow Talk” (mp3)

   This trio consists of drums, vocals, and a distorted and melodic bass. There are equal parts of the hardcore influence of Black Flag, the punk irreverence of Mclusky, and the avant-garde qualities of Sonic Youth in the band’s sound. The songs on this short-player assault with a blistering barrage influenced by decades of the original alternative and punk aesthetics.

   
   
3. Megafaun – Heretofore | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Volunteers” (mp3)

   This album clocks in at over 30-minutes in length. It may be a stretch to call it an EP (the band calls it a “mini-LP”), but with 6 songs of varying length, I’ve taken the liberty of including it in this list. Megafaun experimented with their folk-based sound and created a lush and diverse album that typifies and transcends the limits of folk rock.

   
   
4. Solomon’s Hollow – Genre Studies | FREE MP3
   Download “Silent Film” (mp3)

   Barn Owl Records is offering this album as a free download. Nate Agenbroad is the man behind Solomon’s Hollow. On his second album, Agenbroad handled every aspect of the creative process. The folk musician crafts heartening songs and infuses them with stellar production work.

   
   
5. Girls – Broken Dreams Club | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Heartbreaker” (mp3)

   The San Francisco band has a decidedly retro sound, but is firmly grounded in indie pop. The production on this album shimmers and Christopher Owens’s vocals have an alluring, ghostlike quality. The jangly pop songs have layers of horns and haunting lap steel to create a bewilderingly beautiful sound.

Favorite Movies of the 2000s

Adding to my list of favorite movies, here are the inductees from the 2000s.

Favorite Movies 1995-1999

Adding to my list of favorite movies, here are the inductees from the second half of the 1990s.

Favorite Movies 1990-1994

Adding to my list of favorite movies, here are the inductees from the first half of the 1990s.

Favorite Movies 1980-1989

Adding to my list of favorite movies, what follows are the inductees from the 1980s.

Favorite Movies 1970-1979

Adding to my list of favorite movies, what follows are the inductees from 1970s.