So, where does a year go? As we march tiredly towards the season of the Santa I offer below my year in music. Rather than doing a top ten this year it’s a chronology of the new music that crossed my radar. I struggle with lists by preference as I tend to appreciate the latest discovery or release more (a bit like having children!). In some cases they actually raised their heads during different months, sometimes in response to gigs and sometimes because I found them on This Is My Jam, which is one of the best places to find new bands and rediscover songs long forgotten. Hopefully the You Tube links will be stable for a little while but catch them while you can and my apologies for any regional restrictions encountered. Take your time, it’s all worth checking out.
01 – Jan – La Busta Gialla – Il Sogno Del Marinaio
Featuring Mike Watt, bass player with the Stooges, fIREhOSE, J Mascis and the marvelous Minutemen I caught Il Sogno Del Marinaio at a tiny venue in Leicester. A very individual album, more of a song cycle than a set of songs and with wide ranging references. I blogged a little about it here.
I saw Pere Ubu many years ago in London and they are one of those mythic bands that drift into memory. I was surprised to see that they were playing at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and not knowing their recent (and consistently strange) output over recent years was intrigued to take a look. David Thomas is an idiosyncratic artist. Well worth reading more about if you like your artists focused on the process and not the audience. Real grumpy as well. The gig was 90% new material form the current record.
414 Seconds by Pere Ubu
03 – Feb – m.b.v – My Bloody Valentine
A lot has been written about m.b.v. Snook out after 14 years in production via their website one Sunday night in February it was universally well received. But you know all this. If I was scoring them this would be in the upper reaches.
New You by My Bloody Valentine
04 – Feb – Push the Sky Away – NCATBS
Nick Cave is one of my favourite artists and this is a beautiful album. A fairly small set of Bad Seeds used on this but to great effect. An artist so far ahead of the pack and I suspect still heading to the top of game (to mix a few metaphors). This album features one the greatest opening song lyrics ever committed – see Mermaids. Bad man….
Tom Yorke and his ‘super group’ Atoms for Peace. An expansion of his previous solo album and another diverse mix of styles and references. As with all super groups the end doesn’t always equal the sum of the parts but engaging and original non the less.
Amok by Atoms for Peace
06 – Feb – The Raven That Refused to Sing and Other Stories – Steven Wilson
An artist new to me and discovered through TIMJ. It’s probably been used but think contemporary Mike Oldfield. Keeping the prog flag flying.
The Raven That Refused to Sing by Steve Wilson
07 – March – Next Day – David Bowie
Another artist sneaking a new project out with ut warning after extended leave. He followed up ‘Where Are We Now’ with the brilliant ‘Next Day’ album. Still milking the franchise with an ‘extra’ edition somewhat cynically but the original song set was an impressive return. This was my favourite track and has a great video.
08 – March – Chelsea Light Moving – Chelsea Light Moving
Thurston Moore, after quitting Sonic Youth and splitting with Kim Gordon released his contribution to the new projects from Lee Renaldo and Gordon. Still very ‘Youth’. Would have loved to see them live but the tour was cursory in the UK.
Burroughs by Chelsea Light Moving
09 – March – The Invisible Way – Low
Low first came to my attention when Robert Plant covered a couple of their songs and since then I’ve amassed quite a few of their many albums. They all have a different character and the Invisible Way is quite subtle in many ways. Managed to see them in November and they give good gig. Their mastery of the quite / loud dynamic is black belt standard.
Plastic Cup by Low
10 – May – More Light – Primal Scream
I played this album to death when it came out. A massive double album with some impressive material. The song below is probably one of the more low key tracks but the mixed up second half really makes it work. The album also featured a slightly cleaned up version of the Grinderman ‘Worm Tamer’ track which was a surprise.
River of Pain by Primal Scream
11 – June – Tomorrows Harvest – Boards of Canada
One of those bands I had heard about but not really experimented with. In many ways they have become a softer experience and I prefer the earlier ‘left field’ albums. Still an interesting record when taken at the appropriate time.
Reach for the Dead by Boards of Canada
12 – July – Peace, Love & Sympathy – Six By.Seven
A new Six By.Seven album from Chris Olley. I know Chris a little bit and he is a committed and prolific artist. Along with his solo and electro beat music he got the band back together with a brilliant and dynamic new drummer for this album. Their homecoming gig in Nottingham was huge and really enjoyable. More about that here including a live version of this track.
Sympathy by Six By.Seven
13 – July – Slow Focus – Fuck Buttons
Like the Boards of Canada I was encouraged to try this record. Sonic terrorists with flashing lights. Unfortunately I missed their local gig but I’ve very much enjoyed discovering their material.
Just incredible. David Lynch makes unique music. This is darker than Crazy Clown Time and features Lynch on some very distorted guitar and heavily processed vocals. There is nothing else like it. He post released an additional track ‘Bad the John Boy’ which is so dark it sucks light out the room.
Star Dream Girl by David Lynch
15 – Aug – Civil Wars – Civil Wars
Nu-Folk but done well (think, completely unlike Mumford & Sons). It was however pretty much this track that I bought the album for. A cover of the Smashing Pumpkins epic, Disarm.
Disarm by Civil Wars
16 – Aug – The Bootleg Series Vol. 10 – Another Self Portrait (1969–1971) – Bob Dylan
The Bobcat came out with Vol 10 of the Bootleg series and a real curve ball choice. Featuring material from Self Portrait & New Morning as well as the Isle of Wight concert in 1970 it was probably the lowest down most Dylanites list of preferred re-issues. It does however sound fresh and alive and proves Dylans history isn’t just his presumed classics.
Pretty Saro by Bob Dylan
17 – Sept – And I’ll Scratch Yours – Various – Peter Gabriel
Completing his ‘Scratch my Back’ project, this compilation of Gabriel songs features a number of artists covering his songs. A mixed bag but with some highlights. This being the highest even before the poignancy of Lou’s demise.
Solsbury Hill – Lou Reed
18– Sept – Dream River – Bill Callahan
Another highlight. I became aware of Bill/Smog through I Break Horses a couple of years ago. His album though is very high up the list of memorable 2013 issues. Lyrically and musically individual. Another sadly brief number of UK shows, maybe next time.
Javelin UnLanding by Bill Callahan
19 – Sept – Man & Myth – Roy Harper
And another artist steeping out of retirement with a solid return. I was never the biggest Harper fan but he does have moments of genius. Unfortunately his year went downhill but the jury is still out.
The Exile by Roy Harper
20 – Oct – Lightning Bolt – Pearl Jam
Eddie and the Lightening Rods flashing around again. Not peak era Pearl Jam but good for a blast. Maybe they are just too big now.
Sirens by Pearl Jam
21 – Oct – Last Night on Earth – Lee Ranaldo & the Dust
More ex-Sonic Youth output. Of all of them this is my favourite and it’s been hammered in the car. With Youth drummer Steve Shelly included it has some huge songs and great guitar work outs. Another band very high on the ‘wltm’ list.
The Rising Tide by Lee Ranaldo & the Dust
22 – Oct – Birmingham (Live) – Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
As a long standing fan of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel I don’t know why I missed the live shows but at least the double album release of Human Menagerie & Psychomodo turned out well. Exhuberant performances of some timeless songs.
Tumbling Down by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
23 – Nov – Sweet Summer Sun, Hyde Park 2013 – Rolling Stones
Yep. The Stones got it back together and they are still breathing and on good form. I wasn’t there. I don’t like crowds…..
Miss You by the Rolling Stones
24 – Dec – Live from KCRW – NCATBS
A possibly opportunistic live release of some material from Push The Sky Away and a few other tracks. However, its completely brilliant, especially Higgs Boson Blues (absolutely the best song of the year) and an evil version of Jack The Ripper.
Mercy Seat by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
25 – Dec – Live from the Cellar Door – Neil Young
Cheating slightly here because at the time of writing this hasn’t been released. I have heard about half of it though and I’m really looking forward to it.
I love artefacts, real things, made with care and intent. Yesterday I collected a special delivery parcel from the Post Office, incoming from Stateside. This limited edition release is a track not included on the recent The Big Dream album by David Lynch. Its a way in from left field electro noise filtered piece of Lynchian nightmare soundscape. Release by Sacred Bones Records from NYC, USofA.
From their website;
On the heels of David Lynch’s hugely successful sophomore full length, The Big Dream, comes a very limited edition 12-inch, “Bad the John Boy.” While technically this track qualifies as a non-album or bonus track, Dean Hurley, Lynch’s producer had this to say about the song: “it wasn’t really recorded with the LP in mind, but it was done around the end of last year when the bulk of the album was being made. It was earmarked for something else entirely, but that thing didn’t happen in a way that required the song… so up until now, it was ‘a song with no home.’ ”
Complimenting Lynch’s left-of-center A-side, the B-side proudly features a Venetian Snares remix of the album’s title track. Despite the fact that Canadian electronic musician Aaron Funk has been known for reinventing breakcore, with this remix he breathes a completely new approach into the song, turning it into something far from your typical dance remix. Hurley describes this track as, “music for the end crawl of a bootlegged sci-fi/horror film that you borrowed from your friend’s older brother and caused you to realize for the first time that you were actually scared in broad daylight.”
Everything from Lynch is stamped with strange including the scratched on the wall artwork used as cover art. Hang on to your chair and turn up the bass.
The B-Side is a remix of the title song from the album.
One of my favourite albums from the past year. There is a lot of lamenting that Lynch isn’t making movies at the moment but his musical out (Crazy Clown Time, The Foxbat Strategies, BlueBob) are unique and strange. He has recently exhibited paintings, prints and drawings as well as opening a night club in Paris. Also worth investigating on a dark night is ‘Rabbits’, a follow on from Inland Empire. This has a anxiety filled soundscape similar to the white noise that makes Eraserhead such a tense experience.
…and if you can make it through that then Hotel Room is walk in the park (part from the violence and psychosis). A truly scary performance from Harry Dean Stanton in the first episode.
“Hotel Room was a three episode 1993 HBO television series produced by David Lynch (who directed two of them). Each drama takes place in the same New York City hotel room (number 603 of the Railroad Hotel) at different times (1969, 1992, and 1936, respectively). This is all three episodes back to back.”
NSFW or those of a nervous disposition and with a propensity to get offended.
Please forgive this wilful seasonal predictability, but I’m on a mission to give a shout to my Top Ten Albums of 2011. Yes, I know there are a thousand and one top tens in the culture mag & tabs this time of year. I will deviate slightly from the norm in that I don’t have ten and I’m not rating them. Playing albums is no game of chance. They need to fit the moment and the mood, and more importantly be to hand when you need them. Far more has been than will be in my attentive lifetime so I’m sure I have played more old music than I have recent. But despite the constant callings of Bob, Pink, Neil & Jimi there has been plenty to rock the lobes.
So, marching on, in no particular order, here’s my favourite moments from 2011……………………..
The bands last studio album. I’ve been a fanboy of the band since seeing them on the Oxford Road Show singing So. Central Rain in 1984. It’s a little sad that they have stopped the box car rolling but I’m sure they will all produce more music worth following.
This is the best song from the album. A slow burner with a beautiful Stipe vocal.
The ‘Scratch My Back’ & ‘New Blood’ projects by PG both received some negative fan feedback. This was totally undeserved. PG has always stepped up to new plates and whether its other artists songs or revisits of his own he has such a stunning and emotive voice, and talent for song writing, that you can’t ignore his output. I saw the 3D show of the ‘New Blood’ performance and it raised some neck hair. I hope we get the promised ‘I’ll Scratch Yours’ album with some great covers of PG’s songs by the great & the good. Lou Reeds ‘Solsbury Hill’ is a great start.
Here’s a brilliant song from the Jools Holland show…
The best guitarist in world. Don’t argue, it’s true. His first properly named solo album (except the Amma record & ‘Martin and Me’) and a real doozie. Great songs, amazing playing. I had a ticket to see J & the Fog but it was cancelled. There aren’t enough people who appreciate this man. Pay attention to this…
Getting close to my favourite album. Maria & Fredrik from Sweden released their debut album on Bella Union mid year. Its an absolute joy of stargazzy electropop and ambience. I hope they do a more pronounced tour of the UK in 2012.
Another Bella Union band but this time from Newcastle. I saw them in the Bodega and had to buy the album. Looking forward to more from them in the future.
As a male person of a certain age and socio/cultural background I am born’n’breed to give Kate my attention. Having watched ‘Wuthering Heights’ on TOTP back in my youth I’ll twitch to all new notes she drops. ‘Directors Cut’ was good and the new version of ‘The Red Shoes’ was worth the purchase, but to have a new-new album so soon after was a big surprise. It’s such an amazing album with incredible side shows and a stunning main act. Elton’s contribution has to be his best vocal in years and Stephen Fry’s alliteration and verbosity is engrossing and clever. Above all, Kate singing about her dreaming of humping a snowman and waking up with wet sheets & the snow flake animism of the opening song are worth the buy in.
This is a fan video of the song ‘Snowed In At Wheeler Street’.A great effort by someone who cares.
Anything that Tom puts out is worth some time. 8 years since the ‘Mule Variations’ with ‘Orphans’ & ‘Glitter & Doom’ inbetween. A brilliant studio album with some of the best musicians playing along. The duet with Keef and the excellent Marc Ribot on guitar. Tom stays at the top of my bucket list of artists to see.
One of the best lyricists writting words like “what sounded like fireworks turned out to be just what it was…” No one else comes close to Tom.
There is so little to say about this. David Lynch is simply an artist who is in the enviable position od doing pretty much what he wants. Make a movie on betamax, open a night club, have prom party. ‘Crazy Clown Time’ is completly original, a little bit funny and totally scary. It’s jostling for No1 on here and is mental enough to get the top slot.
If you didnt know, DL is into TM. That probably has something to do with this. Listen carefully for the link between happiness and good dental hygiene.
John’s postumous album. Part complete when he moved on and completed by friends. It’s not quiet there with is great albums but it has a wonderful mumbling beauty that no one else could ever achieve. I saw him live maybe half a dozen times and he was a uniquely talented artist. Phil Collins contribution is good and brings back memories of ‘Grace & Danger’.
Predictable. Radiohead can do no wrong. I’ll buy thier extreme product versions for random amounts of money and indulge the albums, remixes, versions, YouTube specials etc etc. Because they are good, unlike Coldplop, U-aswell, Snowshovell etal.
The second album by Justin Vernon owes a lot I think to Peter Gabriel. Really interesting production, a bit themeic/conceptual with some moments of elation amongst the angst. PG covered one of his songs on ‘Scratch’ and I hope he returns the favour on ‘Yours’.
I guess he’s my No#1. I saw him live twice. It’s not the happiest record ever made. But there are so few other things it can be compared with. The playing is exemplary, the lyrics are so patently pawed over endlessly, the performance is dragged out from the bottom of a tainted soul. When he plays he breaks up the pain with blue jokes and prat falls, but nothing distracts from the huge talent that makes this happen. This is Josh T. Pearson on the shores of the Rivers of Babylon…..
So there you go.
My musical wishes for 2012 are …..
Something new from David Bowie (please, please, please….)
A Metal album from Josh T Pearson
A tour from I Break Horses
Finding the cash to see Tom Waits live if he plays ever…..
Everything from Lynch is stamped with strange including the scratched on the wall artwork used as cover art. Hang on to your chair and turn up the bass.
adrian4 
The Best of 2013
So, where does a year go? As we march tiredly towards the season of the Santa I offer below my year in music. Rather than doing a top ten this year it’s a chronology of the new music that crossed my radar. I struggle with lists by preference as I tend to appreciate the latest discovery or release more (a bit like having children!). In some cases they actually raised their heads during different months, sometimes in response to gigs and sometimes because I found them on This Is My Jam, which is one of the best places to find new bands and rediscover songs long forgotten. Hopefully the You Tube links will be stable for a little while but catch them while you can and my apologies for any regional restrictions encountered. Take your time, it’s all worth checking out.
01 – Jan – La Busta Gialla – Il Sogno Del Marinaio
Featuring Mike Watt, bass player with the Stooges, fIREhOSE, J Mascis and the marvelous Minutemen I caught Il Sogno Del Marinaio at a tiny venue in Leicester. A very individual album, more of a song cycle than a set of songs and with wide ranging references. I blogged a little about it here.
Partisan Song by Il Sogno del Marinaio
02 – Jan – Lady From Shanghai – Pere Ubu
I saw Pere Ubu many years ago in London and they are one of those mythic bands that drift into memory. I was surprised to see that they were playing at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and not knowing their recent (and consistently strange) output over recent years was intrigued to take a look. David Thomas is an idiosyncratic artist. Well worth reading more about if you like your artists focused on the process and not the audience. Real grumpy as well. The gig was 90% new material form the current record.
414 Seconds by Pere Ubu
03 – Feb – m.b.v – My Bloody Valentine
A lot has been written about m.b.v. Snook out after 14 years in production via their website one Sunday night in February it was universally well received. But you know all this. If I was scoring them this would be in the upper reaches.
New You by My Bloody Valentine
04 – Feb – Push the Sky Away – NCATBS
Nick Cave is one of my favourite artists and this is a beautiful album. A fairly small set of Bad Seeds used on this but to great effect. An artist so far ahead of the pack and I suspect still heading to the top of game (to mix a few metaphors). This album features one the greatest opening song lyrics ever committed – see Mermaids. Bad man….
Jubilee Street by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
05 – Feb – AMOK – Atoms For Peace
Tom Yorke and his ‘super group’ Atoms for Peace. An expansion of his previous solo album and another diverse mix of styles and references. As with all super groups the end doesn’t always equal the sum of the parts but engaging and original non the less.
Amok by Atoms for Peace
06 – Feb – The Raven That Refused to Sing and Other Stories – Steven Wilson
An artist new to me and discovered through TIMJ. It’s probably been used but think contemporary Mike Oldfield. Keeping the prog flag flying.
The Raven That Refused to Sing by Steve Wilson
07 – March – Next Day – David Bowie
Another artist sneaking a new project out with ut warning after extended leave. He followed up ‘Where Are We Now’ with the brilliant ‘Next Day’ album. Still milking the franchise with an ‘extra’ edition somewhat cynically but the original song set was an impressive return. This was my favourite track and has a great video.
The Stars Are Out Tonight by David Bowie
08 – March – Chelsea Light Moving – Chelsea Light Moving
Thurston Moore, after quitting Sonic Youth and splitting with Kim Gordon released his contribution to the new projects from Lee Renaldo and Gordon. Still very ‘Youth’. Would have loved to see them live but the tour was cursory in the UK.
Burroughs by Chelsea Light Moving
09 – March – The Invisible Way – Low
Low first came to my attention when Robert Plant covered a couple of their songs and since then I’ve amassed quite a few of their many albums. They all have a different character and the Invisible Way is quite subtle in many ways. Managed to see them in November and they give good gig. Their mastery of the quite / loud dynamic is black belt standard.
Plastic Cup by Low
10 – May – More Light – Primal Scream
I played this album to death when it came out. A massive double album with some impressive material. The song below is probably one of the more low key tracks but the mixed up second half really makes it work. The album also featured a slightly cleaned up version of the Grinderman ‘Worm Tamer’ track which was a surprise.
River of Pain by Primal Scream
11 – June – Tomorrows Harvest – Boards of Canada
One of those bands I had heard about but not really experimented with. In many ways they have become a softer experience and I prefer the earlier ‘left field’ albums. Still an interesting record when taken at the appropriate time.
Reach for the Dead by Boards of Canada
12 – July – Peace, Love & Sympathy – Six By.Seven
A new Six By.Seven album from Chris Olley. I know Chris a little bit and he is a committed and prolific artist. Along with his solo and electro beat music he got the band back together with a brilliant and dynamic new drummer for this album. Their homecoming gig in Nottingham was huge and really enjoyable. More about that here including a live version of this track.
Sympathy by Six By.Seven
13 – July – Slow Focus – Fuck Buttons
Like the Boards of Canada I was encouraged to try this record. Sonic terrorists with flashing lights. Unfortunately I missed their local gig but I’ve very much enjoyed discovering their material.
Brainfreeze by Fuck Buttons
14 – July – The Big Dream – David Lynch
Just incredible. David Lynch makes unique music. This is darker than Crazy Clown Time and features Lynch on some very distorted guitar and heavily processed vocals. There is nothing else like it. He post released an additional track ‘Bad the John Boy’ which is so dark it sucks light out the room.
Star Dream Girl by David Lynch
15 – Aug – Civil Wars – Civil Wars
Nu-Folk but done well (think, completely unlike Mumford & Sons). It was however pretty much this track that I bought the album for. A cover of the Smashing Pumpkins epic, Disarm.
Disarm by Civil Wars
16 – Aug – The Bootleg Series Vol. 10 – Another Self Portrait (1969–1971) – Bob Dylan
The Bobcat came out with Vol 10 of the Bootleg series and a real curve ball choice. Featuring material from Self Portrait & New Morning as well as the Isle of Wight concert in 1970 it was probably the lowest down most Dylanites list of preferred re-issues. It does however sound fresh and alive and proves Dylans history isn’t just his presumed classics.
Pretty Saro by Bob Dylan
17 – Sept – And I’ll Scratch Yours – Various – Peter Gabriel
Completing his ‘Scratch my Back’ project, this compilation of Gabriel songs features a number of artists covering his songs. A mixed bag but with some highlights. This being the highest even before the poignancy of Lou’s demise.
Solsbury Hill – Lou Reed
18– Sept – Dream River – Bill Callahan
Another highlight. I became aware of Bill/Smog through I Break Horses a couple of years ago. His album though is very high up the list of memorable 2013 issues. Lyrically and musically individual. Another sadly brief number of UK shows, maybe next time.
Javelin UnLanding by Bill Callahan
19 – Sept – Man & Myth – Roy Harper
And another artist steeping out of retirement with a solid return. I was never the biggest Harper fan but he does have moments of genius. Unfortunately his year went downhill but the jury is still out.
The Exile by Roy Harper
20 – Oct – Lightning Bolt – Pearl Jam
Eddie and the Lightening Rods flashing around again. Not peak era Pearl Jam but good for a blast. Maybe they are just too big now.
Sirens by Pearl Jam
21 – Oct – Last Night on Earth – Lee Ranaldo & the Dust
More ex-Sonic Youth output. Of all of them this is my favourite and it’s been hammered in the car. With Youth drummer Steve Shelly included it has some huge songs and great guitar work outs. Another band very high on the ‘wltm’ list.
The Rising Tide by Lee Ranaldo & the Dust
22 – Oct – Birmingham (Live) – Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
As a long standing fan of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel I don’t know why I missed the live shows but at least the double album release of Human Menagerie & Psychomodo turned out well. Exhuberant performances of some timeless songs.
Tumbling Down by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
23 – Nov – Sweet Summer Sun, Hyde Park 2013 – Rolling Stones
Yep. The Stones got it back together and they are still breathing and on good form. I wasn’t there. I don’t like crowds…..
Miss You by the Rolling Stones
24 – Dec – Live from KCRW – NCATBS
A possibly opportunistic live release of some material from Push The Sky Away and a few other tracks. However, its completely brilliant, especially Higgs Boson Blues (absolutely the best song of the year) and an evil version of Jack The Ripper.
Mercy Seat by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
25 – Dec – Live from the Cellar Door – Neil Young
Cheating slightly here because at the time of writing this hasn’t been released. I have heard about half of it though and I’m really looking forward to it.
Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young
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Tagged as AMOK, Another Self Portrait, Atoms For Peace, Bill Callahan, Boards of Canada, Bob Dylan, Bowie, Chelsea Light Moving, Civil Wars, Crazy Clown Time, David Lynch, Fuck Buttons, il sogno del marinaio, Invisible Way, Lee Ranaldo, Lou Reed, Low, Lynch, M.B.V., My Bloody Valentine, NCATBS, Neil Young, Next Day, Nick Cave, Pearl Jam, Pere Ubu, Peter Gabriel, Primal Scream, Rolling Stones, Roy Harper, Six By Seven, Sonic Youth, Steve Harley, Steve Wilson, Steven Wilson, Thurston Moore