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.
It’s been a funny year for new music, not many of the old artists bringing new records out (just re-releases and re-markets) and a awful lot of new music from big contemporary artists being pretty ropey and second rate. The nastiness of X-Factor & BGT still pervades the UK airwaves and TV…..shudders….
Still there have been some interesting events and I have to thank @thisismyjam and the enthusiasm of the users for introducing me to artists that had passed me by before. So in no particular order, here are a few high points from 2012.
These discovered through This Is My Jam. Psychedelic tinged indie from Australia. They must have absorbed a lot of prog and more than a little Hawkwind to sound like this.
Another Jam discovered band. There are a lot of American artists hanging out in the folk field. These guys stand out though. Particularly liked the first album but this is from the 2012 album of the same name.
I was really excited when I heard about this. Instrumental jams by J Mascis and two school friends, pre Dinosaur but re-recorded for this. Just noise, great noise though…
A wonderful oddity, DB, Annie and a brass band. How could that ever work? This is my favourite track from the album. I ended up digging out the Knee Plays album after this came out.
Bob came back with this his 35th studio album. Now in his seventies this is as dark as it gets. Utterly poetic, obviously deeply researched and referencing the history of humankind. I have played this endlessly, trying to pick through the themes. The opening track is the lightest lyrically but he undermines it with this cruel video about a stalker getting beaten up in the name of love or lust. The only one that You Tube has and probably soon to disappear.
Another poet who really just gets better & better. Banga is a brilliant record that covers so much ground across many years. This song written for Johnny Depp who also plays on the album.
So there you go. A quick trawl through the thousands of hours of music I have been playing over the last year. I hope you found something you like and maybe something new.
It was a tough call, Young > Bieber, Bieber > Young, I’ve been agonising all day!
This week I’ve still mostly been listening to Josh, J Mascis & Lift To Experience, but I did find 40 mins to watch the recent film that accompanies last years fine Neil Young album ‘Le Noise’. I’ll always buy new stuff by Neil but this album really goes some. I was surprised to find the video on YT and I’m sure it will only open in YT situ so sorry about the lack of embedding, but really, give it a try. It’s a great film and perfectly reflects the album. The ‘le noises’ coming out of this are classic Neil & Blackey.
I have no idea if the Bieber boy has sold as many records as Neil (I’m sure his recent album ‘My Worlds’ has sold more than ‘Le Noise’) through his career, and Justin’s male grooming regime seems more developed than Neil’s, but we probably need to sit back and see who’s career has the greatest longevity to really judge.
I’m not going to diss the Bieber. My older monkey seems to like him at the same time as knowing all the words to ‘Palaces of Montezuma’ by Grinderman so what the hey.
Heres an associated treat. I have lost the seeder comment but effectively this is Neil live in Washington DC in 2010 a little before ‘Le Noise’ was released. It includes tracks from the new album as well as some stone cold classics like ‘Down By The River’ & ‘Cortez The Killer’. All played solo, with Blackey and a serious fuzz box.
Posting some Neil is also a good reason to bring this recent bit of scribbling to the top of the pile! Working on more original stuff soon seeing as how the sun is out. I might even post some reggae!
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