Album: Halcyon Digest
Year: 2010
Label: 4AD
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I was never a huge fan of Deerhunter's first album proper, Cryptograms, but with the band's successive releases, its brilliance becomes more and more apparent. Deerhunter is one of the few bands that is genuinely dynamic enough to be continually refreshing and innovative. I was completely surprised when they released Micorocastle. It was such an accesible sophomore follow-up to Cryptograms. The band's releases have seen them reinvent and solidify their sound simultaneously--something most bands spend careers failing to do. Their newest, Halcyon Digest, may just be their best yet. And while it is at times slightly less accesible/mainstream than Microcastle, it succeeds in being a bit more avant-garde. It seems Bradford Cox and his Atlanta, Georgia crew know exactly what they're doing. If you've never listened to them before, I suggest starting with Microcastle, followed by Halcyon Digest, and ending with Cryptograms.
Album: Everything In Between
Year: 2010
Label: SubPop
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When No Age released Nouns, I didn't think much of them. I appreciated their ability to blend noise and melody, but the album wasn't one I found myself returning to for multiple listens. It was, in my mind, a strikingly polarized affair, vasillating between noise and melody with little nuance or blending. I loved songs like "Eraser" and "Things I Did When I Was Dead," but couldn't swallow some of the noisier tracks. Nevertheless, I recognized its niche brilliance, and was excited to hear their follow up. I wasn't disappointed. Everything In Between succeeds where Nouns failed. It finds No Age at the top of their game, blending melody and noise into pop perfection. There is also a bit more spacious atmosphere this time around ("Katerpillar," "Dusted). "Depletion" is a personal favorite, but there are many standouts here. Enjoy.
Album: New Conceptions
Year: 2003
Label: Blue Note
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My friend Bill clued me into Chucho Valdes, a Cuban jazz pianist virtuoso and national treasure (Thanks, Bill!). I picked up a couple of his albums and found New Conceptions to be particularly fun and upbeat. Between Chucho's virtuosic piano playing and his backing band's decidedly cuban flair, this is an album that's perfect to listen to with friends or while walking around a city late at night. I continue to be impressed by the amount of amazing Jazz in the world, as well as the dynamic nature of the piano. This is for fans of Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Billy Strayhorn, and any other great pianists. I'm hoping to see Chucho live at the Berkley Performance Center later this Fall. My roommate has the amazing opportunity to interview him for Boston Magazine, so if you think of any questions you want answered, let me know!
Album: Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label
Year: 2006
Label: Numero Group
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I posted not too long ago about The Numero Group, a record label reissuing "lost" singles from various genres and geographies in the form of numbered anthologies. I've posted a link to their website above. This offering, Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label, is an awesome collection of rare soul tracks that were once issued on Florida's Deep City Label during the early 60's. Not only do these tracks showcase some of the best underground soul I've heard, but they also hint at what was to come in the late 60's and 70's: disco and funk. When I listen to this I'm transported to the memories my parent's shared with me about hearing soul and funk for the first time as kids. It's most comforting and emotive on a cool night with the windows open, turned up just loud enough for it to float into your neighbor's house as they cook dinner. If you like this album, definitely check out more of the Numero Group's reissues and, in particular, Eccentric Beats & Breaks (which samples a track from The Deep City Label).
Album: Mali Blue
Year: 2005
Label: World Village USA
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I only recently read a review of Lobi Traore's posthumously released album, Rainy Season Blues. Apparently, Traore recorded the album at a studio in Bamako, Mali last August and died unexpectedly on June 1st of this year. I have read that his style is regarded as a mix between traditional Malian, Robert Johnson, and Jimmy Page (though the latter of the three seems a bit of a stretch when you listen to him). He has a very relaxed, meandering guitar style, and tracks vary in length from the two minute, "Warani," to the nearly nine minute "Anun Ka Ben." Traore is yet another in a very long list of under appreciated musicians who exists outside the Anglo dominated mainstream. Mali Blues is incredibly relaxing and worth listening to when you feel you can be genuinely engaged and present with the music. I have not yet been able to get a copy of Rainy Season Blues, but will let you know how it is once I get it. In the meantime, enjoy this offering with a glass of something strong and no one to bother you.
1 comment:
Halcyon Digest is album of the year.
I think. I haven't made my list yet.
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