Last week brought you our staff picks for favorite albums of the year. We also asked Silver Lake and local bands for their word on the year’s best releases: albums, EPs and songs. So here is what we heard from: the Californian, Geronimo Getty, Geoff Geis, George Glass, Death to Anders, Seasons, the Spires, Wendy Wang and WALK. (Photo of Manhattan Murder Mystery from DirtyHippieRadio.com)
John Graney - The Californian
Albums:
St. Vincent: Strange Mercy
For me this is the first time in my life where the perfect album came out at exactly the perfect time. It's impossible for me to explain how much I love this album. I feel like to talk about it and dissect it too much is to take away from its strongest point, which to me is that it's just fucking rad any way you slice it. "I make a living telling people what they want to hear, and I gotta tell ya - it's gonna be a champagne year".
Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble: Mr. Machine
I really do love getting my mind blown out the back of my head. This shit is too cool. It has long been my opinion that the best dance music comes from outside the dance music world. I love how these guys just put together a rag tag chamber orchestra and had them churn out awesome dark dance beats and disjointed counterpoint madness.
Timber Timbre: Creep On Creeping' On
No need to explain why this album is amazing. All the things that make a good album? They did all of those things. Did them all very very well. It's freaking haunting and beautiful.
The Black Keys: El Camino
I feel like every time I listen to The Black Keys my ass gets fatter. And I appreciate that. This record is super duper solid. Pop music is really in a bad way right now. If it is ever going to recover it needs good bands like this killing it real hard.
Aaron Kyle - Geronimo Getty
Songs:
Bill Callahan “Riding for The Feeling”
My favorite record of the year.
Kurt Vile “Puppet to the Man”
This song rules and so does this record. Reminds me of High School
Frankel “Burn To Shine”
One of my favorite L.A. songwriters. Dude's a pop genius.
My Morning Jacket “Circuital”
The beginning guitar line got my attention at first. This tune is epic. Has a late 60's Dylan feel, which I've been listening to a lot.
A.A. Bondy “Rte. 28/Believers”
This record is really moody. I love sad/moody music. I'm a big fan of this guy and really dig his new record.
The Parson Red Heads “I Was Only”
This is my favorite record by TPRH. More of a collaborative album. This song was written by their guitar player (Sam) and it feels like a lost Big Star song. There isn't bad song on this record.
Feist “Graveyard”
I wake up singing the song quite a bit. I really like her new record. It's dark but super catchy.
Wilco “Black Moon”
There are a lot different styles of Wilco on their new album. This is The Wilco I like. Reflective/Semi Introverted and pretty. Kind of reminds of the beginning of "At Least That's What You Said."
Apex Manor “Teenage Blood”
Ross is another great L.A. songwriter. I've been a big fan since The Brokedown days. He could write a polka record and make it sound cool.
J. Mascis “Is It Done”
I'm a big Dinosaur Jr. Fan and love Martin & Me (J's first acoustic record). This record is a great continuation of Martin & Me.
Geoff Geis
Musical Experiences (recorded)
Rihanna
From "S&M" to "We Found Love," she dominated my jambox this year. Highlight - "Who's that Chick" with David Guetta.
LA Lottery League.
12 new bands created out of strangers to produce eclectic and altogether inspirational results.
Jeremy Jay: Dream Diary
This moody album was great driving music this year.
Bodies of Water: Twist Again
I'm not sure why such an accomplished, lush album didn't get more attention than it did.
Emperor X: Western Teleport
What a cool, meticulous bedroom pop record. I reviewed this for LA Record but my review didn't get printed and the only explanation I can imagine for that is that my editor must have thought that I was over top with my enthusiasm.
Nick Ceglio - George Glass
Albums
Deerhoof: Vs. Evil
These guys always find a way to keep my ears tied in knots, which I love. If I can figure out where the music is going to go before it gets there, I get bored pretty quick.
Radiohead: King of Limbs
I know its sorta cool now to be bored of Radiohead, but I can never seem to get enough of these guys. They're the best. Period.
Manhattan Murder Mystery - I'm sure this album will be popping up on many locals' favorite lists, as it should. Matthew Teardrop is one of my favorite songwriters. And they're one of the few bands that can get me dancing and moshing up in the front.
Rob Danson - Death to Anders
Albums:
Manhattan Murder Mystery: Self-Titled
I have to admit…the first time I saw Manhattan Murder Mystery, I didn't like them. That was years ago. I am now addicted, inspired, infatuated, and absolutely thrilled to know them. For me, my favorite bands are an acquired taste. They're not some easily digestible, spoon fed staple that's been done over and over again. It takes time to sink in. You have to let the music, soul, lyrics, feeling and art settle…and once it does, you can't let it go. MMM's self-titled album is the utmost pinnacle of what I, and so many others here in this scene feel has been missing for so long. The lyrics speak of truth, grime, and human suffering. There's no holding back - only pure release. For me, this album is complete, raw human energy in its purest form.
Judson McKinney: Drink the Wine
As a newcomer in the Silver lake / Echo Park scene, Judson is a breath of fresh air. He brings forth elements of Bob Dylan mixed with Jeff Tweedy. His guitar riffs, chords, and lyrics and unbelievably catchy...and you end up singing and humming his songs over and over again.
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Releases:
I think just about all the music that I heard that came out this year that wasn't made by my friends was pretty awful. I like Death to Anders new EP a lot and the new Judson album and One Trick Pony album and Geoff Geis album and the Henry Clay People EP and the new Peg Leg Love and Wet N' Reckless albums.
Also, I just found out that the pro wrestler Kamala makes this awesome music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cjddORVpiU&list=FL4llaVrrzyQkC8btlbldz_w&index=4&feature=plpp_video
John Seasons - Seasons
Albums and EP’s:
Manhattan Murder Mystery self titled full-length vinyl, "Women House" EP
This in our opinion is the best band in LA right now. These two releases from 2011 are very true to their live shows…chaotic, beautiful, bliss.
Judson McKinney: Drink The Wine
Judson McKinney is the hardest working singer songwriter in LA, his album Drink The Wine is on another level above many of the other singer songwriter projects currently in LA as far as songs and the overall feel of the whole album. The album grabs you from the first song and does not let go till the chilling last song "Meet Me in the Morning"
One Trick Pony: Try Not Worry So Much
One Trick Pony is like a really good wine, you know its good but with time it only gets better. This release has some really amazing songs including our new favorite "Andrew Jackson" overall a really solid release.
The Lonely Wild: Dead End (EP)
Saw this band for the first time at their residency at The Central and I became obsessed with their music immediately! This release captures the band at their best, at times sounding like a mix of Arcade Fire with a little more folk and country influences.
Odd Modern- The Ungrateful Gatsby
This band has been making good records for a while now, but this we believe is the best to date, electronic, experimental, conceptual, and haunting. This EP runs continuously with no breaks in between songs creating 24-minute journey into this bands psychedelic wonderland.
Jason Bays - The Spires
Records/EPs:
Destroyer: Kaputt
I have listened to this record incessantly all year long and it just grows deeper and more awesome. In fact I have to take it out of the car to keep from ruining it for myself. Wonderful strange lyrics that seem to point in all directions at once - rad production that me and Jan Hammer can somehow agree on. Perfect music for driving buzzed with your friends around LA at 2 in the morning.
Bill Callahan: Apocalypse
The other best songwriter in America right now. Dylan wishes he could write songs as badass as BC can. Bill's songs are like fresh water in a world of soda pop, to steal a quote from Robert Wyatt.
Spectre Folk: The Blackest Medicine 2
Spaced out folk for spaced out folk. Sonic Youth meets Real Estate.
Rob Poynter & Angela Correa - Correatown
Local Albums:
Frankel: Sugar Twists Like Hurricanes
One of the best songwriters in LA, winding melodies with gorgeous arrangements... This album is his best yet.
Apex Manor: The Year of Magical Drinking
Ross Flourney's songwriting is so in the pocket, really great lines & turns of phrase. Dan Long's production really elevates the songs to a magical place.
Wendy Wang - The Sweet Hurt
Albums/EPs:
Touché - "Bad Dreams/ Everything He Wants (Single)"
This band is like if Goldfrapp, David Bowie, and Toro Y Moi threw a surprise dance party in your honor.
Priscilla Ahn - "When You Grow Up"
It's amazing to see the different dimensions and layers of a person unfold before you. And I heard she did most of these vocal tracks in one take. Tape, outboard compression, plate reverb, ah!
Real Estate: Days
I keep finding myself listening to this album. It's easy breezy. Chorus effects (doubling, pedals, 12-string, etc) have been seeping their way back into hipness. I'm excited about that.
St Vincent: Strange Mercy
I was terrified to listen to this album when it first came out. My body hurt. It is so sophisticated, gorgeous, and unique.
The Belle Brigade - S/T
I love how they play with everything they have. They are deliberate and intentional with their music, lyrics, production, and performances. They are true artists.
Songs:
Cass McCombs "County Line"
When we were in Japan, Charlie Wadhams suggested that I look up this tune. It's a folk slow jam. It covers traveling, feeling trapped in a vortex, and uncertain love, what more can musicians relate to?
High Highs "Open Season"
Their recordings are full and dreamy without the use of a million instruments. I'm jealous.
Tim Jordan (& Dan) - WALK
Albums:
I got into Typhoon in a big way this year. Their album Hunger and Thirst and their EP A New Kind of House became fast favorites of mine and seeing them play at The Satellite was the closest I've ever gotten to a religious experience (Dan)
I also really liked The Dodos' No Color and went to see them at the Autry museum, which is such a cool setting in which to see a band (Dan)
My girlfriend's kind of obsessed with Carrie Brownstein, so we went to see Wild Flag at The Troubadour, which was an awesome show. Their self-titled album kicks ass, too. Janet Weiss is one of my drumming idols, so I always jump at the chance to see her play. (Dan)
Getting two new singles from Electro Group (Dead Beats & Like You Do) was a glorious surprise. I'm sad that it sounds like they won't be doing any touring in the foreseeable future. I'd do just about anything to see them live. (Dan)
Atlas Sound's Parallax came right on time and is inspiring us quite a bit. We're loving the poppy, classic, ethereal, rocking vibe. (Tim)
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