I loves the music

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Overlooked Albums of 2012

The end of the year brings many top albums lists from various blogs, magazines and radio stations. While my favorite albums of 2012 list is probably most closely aligned to Bob Boilen’s, there were five albums that I loved this year that didn’t seem to make it on anyone’s top lists which I thought was a shame. So here goes:

1. Dark Dark Dark – Who Needs Who

I discovered Dark Dark Dark earlier this year by chance when one of their songs randomly came up for me while I was playing the Spotify Fredrik radio station. I was instantly mesmerized by the dark undertones and beautiful lyrics on their 2010 album ‘Wild Go,’ and was equally as pleased with their follow-up album ‘Who Needs Who.’

The band includes Nona Marie Invie and Marshall LaCount who broke up during the middle of their tour for ‘Wild Go’ so the new album title and the subsequent songs are very fitting for a band still together but a couple who is not. ‘Who Needs Who’ is a beautiful, sad and melodic album.

Here is their track Tell Me.

2. Lucius – Lucius EP

Lucius is a five-piece band fronted by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig who met at Berklee. They have an infectious sound that blends indie folk, country rock with a flare of the early 60s. They created buzz during CMJ for their self-titled debut EP. I discovered this band because they played at NPR’s tiny desk and their live show was incredible so immediately sought out their EP.

Here is the video for the very catchy Turn it Around.

3. Efterklang – Piramida

Piramida is the fourth album from the Danish band Efterklang.  The album was inspired by a nine-day session spent gathering field recordings in the abandoned Russian mining settlement – Piramida - on an island located somewhere between Norway and the North Pole. The end result is an album that is haunting, melancholic and overall interesting.  I discovered Efterklang because they were on NPR’s first listen earlier this year – they will be touring the US in the spring of 2013.

Here is a video for the song Apples.

4. Porcelain Raft – Strange Weekend

Porcelain Raft is the solo project of Italian Mauro Remiddi who now resides in New York. Strange Weekend is a nice mix of shoegaze, chill-wave and dream pop.  I saw them play earlier this year at the now-closed Red Palace in DC and the show was one of my favorites of the year.

Here is the video for Unless You Speak From Your Heart.

5. Tennis – Young & Old

Tennis is an indie pop band from Colorado made up of husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley.  Young & Old is their second album and was produced by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys. The album has a modern lo-fi sound blended with sweet 50’s pop. I had a friend recommend Tennis after they saw them open for the Walkmen.

Here is a video for the song Origins.

[ilovesthemusic]

A City in 5 Songs

We're doing a little something fun to kick things off here at I Loves the Music. Given that we're spread out around the country, we each decided to create a 5-song "portrait" of the city we live in. It's a big task to undertake, we know, but we hope you enjoy!

SEATTLE

Everyone knows Seattle is chalk full of fantastic musicians. Having grown up in the 90's, I can honestly say I've been influenced by more bands from this city than any other. Still, before I moved out here the only visual I had of Seattle was the sketched skyline on Frasier. Oddly enough my first apartment was just a 3-block hop from that actual vista. In the 3 years and change since, I've filled in that hollow outline and finally been able to put a face to the name.

1) Quasi - "It's Raining"

The common thread that ties this list together is rain. It rains here. A lot. Everything is wet for nine months of the year, without fail. There is a small consolation, though. It's universal. No one is safe from the perpetual dampness. You do, however, have a choice: get used to it or leave. There's no use whining. 

2) Damien Jurado - "Working Titles"

"Working Titles" is on Damien's latest album, Maraqopa, released earlier this year. He's a local and has written many songs about Seattle, but I chose "Working Titles" because it reminds me of everything I love about this place and all the reasons I moved here. While rain in Seattle is a staple, it's also stable, reliable, unfailing...something you could hinge a gamble on.

3) Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - "Seattle, Wash"

Speaking of moving here, my transition to Seattle was not an easy one. I was unemployed, knew nary a soul, and winter was in full swing. As so often happens, this song found its way to me at the exact moment it was most poignant. As tough as it can be, rain also cleanses.

4) Masters of the Hemisphere - "Raindrops"

After 10, 20, 30 days of straight wet, rainy gray, the inside of your house can feel like a prison. You sit at the window looking through the streaked glass, pining, dancing, singing - the music will tide you over until things are bright again. It always does.

5) Sparklehorse - "Rainmaker"

Lastly, in a city that rains this much you eventually need to accept it, gear up, and get wet. It also helps to have a rain dance. This is mine. 

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The wonderful folks over at Said the Gramophone have once again posted their top 100 songs of 2012. You can download all 100 or stream them song by song. Lots of great stuff and quite a variety. The links don't stay up for long so get your hustle on and pay them some love. Happy listening!

[ilovesthemusic]

Austin's own Will Sheff, lead singer of Okkervil River and one of my favorite musicians of all time is now blogging an assortment of old and new writings, drawings, and other fun stuff over at willsheff.com. He’s currently writing on his top ten musical experiences of the last year. Checks it out.