Average Rating: 3.68 Rating Variance: 0.53 Objectivity Score: 69% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicAndy Stott Faith in StrangersBeach House Teen DreamCaribou SwimFuture Islands In Evening AirJessie Ware What's Your Pleasure?M83 Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost GhostsTo this date (February 2012) Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts still remains Anthony Gonzalez's best work. He went on to develop pop-friendly songwriting and style, but never were his electronics more towering and emotional than on this seminal electro-shoegaze record. A work of art.My Bloody Valentine LovelessPJ Harvey Let England ShakeBest album of 2011. Conceptually interesting, well written songs, and performed perfectly.Portishead ThirdSt. Vincent ActorThe Knife Silent ShoutWeyes Blood Titanic Rising4.5 superbAlvvays Blue RevAngel Olsen All MirrorsBeach House Depression CherryChairlift SomethingAt first I wouldn't allow myself to like this album as much as I truly do. The '80s are so played out in indie music! Who doesn't use a synthesizer these days? Pop music - but I like ambient and deep house! All ego aside however, this is a fantastic record with pop songwriting at its concise, melodic best. It doesn't hurt that Caroline Polachek has a surprisingly powerful and versatile voice, and that the lyrics aren't embarrassing to sing aloud. Yes, I've been a pop apologist in the past, but that's not the case with Chairlift. I am loving Something loudly and proudly.Fever Ray Fever RayHow can a side project that so closely echoes the original artists' aesthetic be considered an unmitigated success? Well, if you're Karin Dreijer Andersson of The Knife fame, than you bring a singer/songwriterly focus to your persona and allow your signature electronics to both soothe and scare the listener. This record shouldn't work as well as it does, but by scaling back the sound palette of the pitch perfect Silent Shout she achieves a bare, honest and chilling intimacy with the listener that rivals the best of folk and traditional singer/songwriter releases.Flying Lotus CosmogrammaGang Gang Dance Eye ContactHarvey Sutherland BoyConsistently excellent funk record out of Australia that keeps the party rolling for 44 joyful, engrossing minutes.James Blake CMYKJunior Boys So This Is GoodbyeLocal Natives Gorilla ManorStunningly solid debut from a band that could have been passed over as talented imitators of yesteryear's sound. Thank god they received some media attention, these guys are the real deal, and their live performances prove that in spades.Lykke Li Wounded RhymesOne of the most consistent pop records to be released in recent years. The production is outstanding, and the more aggressive singing really suits the album's sound. I dare anyone to point out a bum track.Machinedrum Room(s)Matthew Dear Black CityThe album that started my ongoing fascination with Matthew Dear, "Black City" is a triumph of production, songwriting and atmosphere. "Slowdance" is very nearly my favorite track of 2010, but the entire album holds together quite strongly on the strength of its singular foreboding mood.Memory Tapes Seek MagicMenomena MinesNeon Indian Psychic ChasmsPepe Deluxe Queen of the WaveApparently this is the first criminally under-reported album of 2012. Queen of the Wave is a densely-layered, retro campy, kaleidoscopic pop/rock/electronic record. I don't think it's possible to attach just one genre to the music since it refuses to stay in one place for more than a couple minutes. I understand the lukewarm praise of the little press coverage I have seen - there is A LOT to wrap one's mind around in only 48 minutes - but that's what keeps me coming back. It's a giant, neon, 3-D puzzle of a recording to piece together one track at a time.Shabazz Palaces Black UpSharon Van Etten TrampSharon Van Etten continues to grow into one of this generation's most distinctive and beautifully melancholy songwriting voices. "Serpents" finds Sharon at an aggressive, swirling peak, and "All I Can" builds to a truly powerful climax. It's not often that I find something unique in yet another guitar-wielding singer-songwriter, but Van Etten has that special something that makes her heartache yours as well. Highly recommended.St. Vincent Strange MercySunset Rubdown DragonslayerPerhaps the best album to be associated with any member of the Wolf Parade family. Spencer Krug is a brilliantly elliptical lyricist, highly-talented musician and constantly surprising arranger. He brings the best of his talents to Dragonslayer, which sound to these ears like it was recorded entirely live (no overdubs, little post-production), and proves how dynamic and fantastical a musician he truly is. This is an indie rock record like few others - one can spend hours and hours discovering every little musical and lyrical detail - and it's a delight every single time.Teebs ArdourThe Field Looping State of MindThe Ruby Suns Sea LionTim Hecker Ravedeath, 1972Todd Terje Its The ArpsLiable to be one of 2012's most fun and danceable efforts. "Inspector Norse" is unstoppably infectious, and "Swing Star (Pts 1 & 2)" are wonderful compliments. I wish Terje would release an LP, but until that day comes we have this delicious morsel on which to snack.tUnE-yArDs w h o k i l lWild Beasts SmotherWomen Public StrainWye Oak CivilianYo La Tengo And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside...4.0 excellentA Sunny Day in Glasgow Autumn, AgainActive Child Curtis LaneAfrica Hitech 93 Million MilesSUPERB production. Very diverse record stylistically, but every track is imbued with a singular personality.Akron/Family S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNTAndy Stott Passed Me ByAndy Stott We Stay TogetherAutre Ne Veut BodyA definite improvement over his self-titled LP. "Sweetheart" and "Your Clothes" are both excellent tracks that point to great things to come from Autre Ne Veut.Axel Boman LUZAxel Boman Quest for FireBibio Ambivalence AvenueBlondes TouchedGrowing into masters of the long form ambient dance track, Ohio's Blondes provide the perfect accompaniment for those long nights spent zoning in front of a computer screen. Spacy but melodic, one listen to "You Mean So Much to Me" is guaranteed to prove this group's considerable merit.Braids Native Speakerceo White MagicChad VanGaalen Diaper IslandColin Stetson New History Warfare Vol 2: JudgesCoyote Clean Up Frozen SolidAnother fascinating outsider take on dance music from boutique label 100% Silk. This time things take a decidedly ambient turn with these aquatic grooves reminding me of The Orb to some degree. "Seventeen" makes a pretty strong case for the dance floor, while "At Home (Dub)" progresses from bizarre animal call sampling to a killer groove.rGood fun and constantly surprising, while also being one of 2012 electronic music's most relaxing releases. Highly recommended.Deerhunter MicrocastleDeerhunter Halcyon DigestDelorean SubizaDestroyer KaputtDestroyer LABYRINTHITISFlying Lotus Pattern+Grid WorldForest Swords Dagger PathsFuture Islands On the WaterGames That We Can PlaySuper immediate and enjoyable electronic dance music. It's not rocket science, and it doesn't attempt to be. Sometimes all you need is a kicking '80s jam like "Planet Party" to get yourself in the mood.Gonjasufi A Sufi and a KillerGotye Making MirrorsGrimes VisionsLess filler and more killer than her previous works, but Grimes could still stand to shed a couple tracks on the otherwise intriguing and multifaceted Visions. "Circumambient" is a great track, and hopefully future single, while the production choices remain interesting and surprising throughout the album. I have no doubt that this album will net Claire Boucher with the widespread attention she deserves.Hudson Mohawke Cry SugarItal Ital's Theme"Ital's Theme" is a great dance track and "Queens" and "One Hit" provide some primo ambiance. Can't ask for much more from one of the trendiest and most unique 12"s of 2011.Jockstrap I Love You Jennifer BJohn Talabot FinJulianna Barwick The Magic PlaceJunior Boys It's All True"Banana Ripple" is the peerless standout, but the entire album finds Junior Boys at their most dancefloor-friendly pop best. Not as singular in sound or mood as their first two LPs, but It's All True is a welcome addition to their classy synth pop canon.Lapalux When You're GoneLindstrom Six Cups of RebelIn which Hans-Peter Lindstrom ditches most of his trademark intergalactic drift and goes for the disco pop jugular. Not to say that the bearded Norwegian has landed back on Earth - oh no no, epic closer "Hina" continues to reach for the stars - but nearly every track on Six Cups of Rebel teems with hooks upon hooks.Lone Galaxy GardenMatthew Dear Asa BreedMoonface Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd HopedNilufer Yanya Painlessof Montreal Paralytic StalksOneohtrix Point Never ReplicaPS I Love You Meet Me At The Muster StationRobyn Body TalkSharon Van Etten We’ve Been Going About This All WrongSunset Rubdown Shut Up I Am DreamingThe Antlers Burst ApartTimber Timbre Creep On Creepin' OnTwin Shadow ForgetTwo Shell Icons EPWeyes Blood And in the Darkness, Hearts AglowWild Beasts Two DancersWildbirds and Peacedrums The SnakeExcellent drum and vocals duo from Sweden (that also happens to be a married couple) gets primal in all the right ways on this wonderfully surprising release. "My Heart," "Chain of Steel," and "There Is No Light" are all approachable enough to be college radio hits, but the real joy comes in hearing the sometimes jazzy, sometimes guttural, always powerful racket that these two summon up from the simplest of instrumentation.Yo La Tengo I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass3.5 greatActress SplazshAngel Olsen Big TimeAtlas Sound LogosBenoit Pioulard PrecisBibio Mind BokehSimilar to Ambivalence Avenue, except the genre-hopping feels more self-conscious here and a couple tracks bloat past their prime. Still, with the exception of the abysmal "Take Off Your Shirt" this is a highly enjoyable record that further proves Bibio's versatility.Burial Street HaloBurial KindredClark IradelphicA truly beautiful album with a real sense of flow and vivid instrumental textures. It's something very different from Chris Clark - and I believe that's why the critical reception has been so-so - but if one is willing to invest a couple listens, this record will unlock its considerable rewards.Crystal Castles Crystal Castles IICrystal Stilts In Love With OblivionCut Copy ZonoscopeDaphni CherryDirty Projectors Bitte OrcaFoals Total Life ForeverFort Romeau KingdomsHere We Go Magic PigeonsFar from a cohesive album, but "Pigeons" proves that Here We Go Magic have a multitude of directions into which they can expand as a full band. "Collector" is a massive single, "Surprise" brings the magic of psychedelic freakouts, and "Old World United" is retro power pop in the best of ways. I hope they tighten up future releases, and limit their occasionally aimless ambient experimentation, but the future seems bright for Here We Go Magic.Here We Go Magic The January EPA nice little stopgap release. "Tulip" and especially "Hands in the Sky" are great songs, but all six tracks hit their marks and provide good reason to stay patient till the release of the next Here We Go Magic full-length.Ital Hive MindWhile Ital seems more at ease as a singles project his first LP offers some choice gummy, hypnotic house moments. First track "Doesn't Matter (If You Love Him)" takes inspiration from the footwork movement with madcap slicing and dicing of very recognizable Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston samples. What's impressive is how completely foreign these samples sound in such a frenetic, alien context. rSecond track and my personal favorite, "Floridian Void," is more representative of the album as a whole, with it being 1 of the 3 tracks (out of only 5) that stretches over 10 minutes. Varying elements float in and out of the mix, making for very organic and spontaneous builds and releases. rIf mid-fi quasi ambient house sounds like an interesting concept to you I recommend giving Hive Mind a listen. It won't be one of the year's best releases, but it provides a unique and intriguing space to visit for 40+ minutes of your time.James Blake James BlakeJenny Hval Classic ObjectsJessy Lanza All the TimeJunior Boys Begone Dull CareKuedo SeverantLiars SisterworldLower Dens Twin-Hand Movement"Blue & Silver" and "Hospice Gates" make this promising debut worth the price of admission alone, though a few tracks are less generous in their long-term appeal. I'm a sucker for dream pop/shoegaze/space rock, so I'm already highly anticipating a stronger followup, but even if that record never materializes "Twin-Hand Movement" will continue to be a fitting soundtrack for those dusky autumn evenings.Machinedrum SXLND"SXLND," "Van Vogue" and "DDD" are all keepers. Considering this is a 5 track EP, and the first track's an intro, that's pretty remarkable. While lacking cohesion from track to track this is definitely a deserved victory lap for Travis Stewart after his landmark 2011.rCheers to one of the new kings of bass music.Moonface Dreamland EP: Marimba and Shit-DrumsMUNA MunaoOoOO oOoOOOwen Pallett HeartlandPeaking Lights 936Porcelain Raft Strange WeekendRadiohead The King of LimbsSeekae +DomeGood shit. Very similar to Mount Kimbie in sound but the songwriting is fuller and more linear. The album would benefit from additional energy in the second half, but a very pleasantly moody listen.Sharon Van Etten EpicShigeto LineageGood stuff but nothing mind-blowing. With the beats scene as crowded as it is, it takes more than a half hour of solid material to stand out. Mind you "A Child's Mind" and "Field Trip" are both pretty great.Shlohmo VacationSpecial Interest EndureSurfer Blood Astro CoastThe 2 Bears Be StrongConsistently silly and fun house music. Nothing more, nothing less.The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring NightThe Radio Dept. Clinging to a SchemeThe Twilight Sad No One Can Ever KnowTR/ST TRSTTrust makes synth pop with a decidedly love-it-or-hate-it kind of sound. I would describe their aesthetic as goth trance, and if that sounds horrifically awful to you - and no judgement here - take comfort that they can at least crank out a killer single or two. Yes, there's practically no diversity of instrumentation. Yes, I can barely understand a word he's saying. And yes, this album could easily be 15 minutes shorter. But in spite of all of this record's flaws I still enjoy it. It is absolutely unabashedly itself, and it provides enough of a germ of an idea for me to want to see more from this duo.Washed Out Life of LeisureWhite Hinterland Kairos"Icarus" is beautiful, as are most of these songs, but that doesn't make White Hinterland's sound distinctive. The production has a seductive lull to it, but attractive atmosphere isn't quite the same as satisfying songwriting, and "Kairos" always leaves me wanting something more substantial.Zammuto Idiom WindVery much like The Books with more traditional indie rock instrumentation. All 3 tracks are promising and point towards an artistic project with potentially much to say. I'm excited for an LP whenever that may emerge.Zola Jesus Valusia3.0 goodActive Child You Are All I SeeNot as distinctive as the "Curtis Lane EP." I'd say about half the tracks are quite good, with the rest being somewhat forgettable. Probably should have been another EP, as this band has yet to show a consistency of vision.Austra Feel It BreakBeach House DevotionBlonde Redhead Penny SparkleBon Iver Bon Iver, Bon IverMusically very adventurous, if not sometimes muddled, album. His second full-length finds Justin Vernon diversifying his instrumental palette and emotional range, but the songs are ultimately the thing, and this time they don't stick for nearly as long. "Holocene" and "Perth" are fantastic tracks, "Mishicant" and "Wash." come awfully close, but overall this album is surprisingly easy to ignore once the shock of the new wears off.Cate Le Bon CYRKDecent album. Not much separates it from the crowd of similar female singer/songwriter releases, but her voice is pleasant and the classic psychedelic rock touches are nice. There are worse ways to spend a half hour of your time.Cloud Nothings Attack on MemoryDamien Jurado MaraqopaFaltyDL You Stand UncertainFang Island Fang IslandGold Panda The WorkGrimes HalfaxaHigh Places High Places vs. MankindStarts with a couple great tracks and also ends with one of its best, but in between there's more filler than their self-titled album and less of a sense of purpose.High Places Original ColorsJulia Jacklin Pre PleasureKanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted FantasyLotus Plaza The Floodlight CollectiveLotus Plaza Spooky Action At A DistanceM83 Hurry Up, We're DreamingMatthew Dear HeadcageA bit short on material, but for a stop-gap release Matthew Dear gives us some interesting morsels to chew on before the release of his next LP this year. "Headcage" is a bit underwhelming as its melodic focus only highlights how strangely meek the track is, while "In the Middle" is a nice rebound featuring the vocal talents of Jonny Pierce of The Drums. I'm not a fan of his band, but he and Dear provide interesting foils for each other. The last two tracks are beatless nearly interstitial pieces, but "Around a Fountain" does conjure an intoxicating atmosphere.Mitski Laurel HellMount Kimbie Crooks & LoversNeon Indian Era ExtranaNo Age Everything In BetweenNo Joy Ghost BlondeEnjoyable little noise pop LP. They need more time to develop distinctive, full-bodied songs, but I've passed many a less pleasant 37 minutes time before.Oliver Sim Hideous Bastard4-5 great tracks (including the standout "Hideous"), unfortunately the rest of the album toes a decidedly mid-tempo, pleasant but unexciting pace for the duration.Santigold Master of My Make-BelieveSoichi Terada Asakusa LightThe Field Yesterday and TodayThe Morning Benders Big EchoThe Pains of Being Pure at Heart BelongThe Ruby Suns Fight SoftlyI consider The Ruby Suns previous album, "Sea Lion," something of an indie pop masterpiece, so "Fight Softly" had a lot to live up to when I first heard it. Though I welcome a change in sound, the songwriting here simply isn't as timeless or conducive to Ryan McPhun's talents as a guitar pop whiz. A couple tracks like "How Kids Fail" are great additions to their canon, otherwise this is a surprisingly standard indie affair.Theophilus London Lovers HolidayTodd Terje RagyshWolf Parade Expo 86Xiu Xiu AlwaysNothing new here from Xiu Xiu, but they've become one of those if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it bands who have cornered a very specific sound. If you liked their past work you'll enjoy this, if not, Always won't be changing your mind. "The Oldness" is a particularly good track though, which leads me to believe that more use of subtlety could become a way forward for this band.2.5 averageA Place to Bury Strangers Onwards To The WallAir Le Voyage Dans La LuneBear in Heaven I Love You, It's CoolA disappointment. "Beast Rest Forth Mouth" showed incredible promise, but with the exception of "Sinful Nature" none of these songs have stuck for long.Hercules and Love Affair In AmberA strangely anemic take on a Depeche Mode record. All the melodrama and industrial touches fall flat.Here We Go Magic A Different ShipIt pains me to give this album a mediocre rating, seeing as I've been a big fan ever since the self-titled first started getting some press, but in my mind there's no getting around the fact that this album is surprisingly dull. Yes, it is their best produced record so far, as is expected when Nigel Godrich is attached, but the songwriting here can't hold a candle to the warped intimacy of the debut or the every genre attack of Pigeons. r"Make Up Your Mind" is a great single, but after multiple listens through A Different Ship it's the only song that sticks and the only song that employs Here We Go Magic's trademark psychedelic sonics to great effect. Here's hoping the follow-up reverts back to the jammy weirdness that once made them so exciting.M.I.A. MayaMalachai Return to the Ugly SideSchool of Seven Bells Disconnect From DesireSorry Anywhere But HereSunflower Bean Headful Of SugarThe Walkmen Lisbon2.0 poorGonjasufi MU.ZZ.LETeengirl Fantasy 7 AMMy chief disappointment of 2010. I loved the TGIF and Hollywood Hils EPs, but the only memorable track on 7AM was the pre-release single, "Cheaters."Zomby DedicationZomby continues to be a critical darling despite his infuriating tendency to not fully flesh out any of his interesting ideas. And that's exactly what you get with "Dedication" - a cache of good ideas, almost none of which come to any sort of conclusion. The transitions are painfully under thought, the track lengths are almost uniformly brief, and the atmosphere this release conjures is more thoroughly felt in other bass music releases from this year (Kode9 & The Spaceape's "Black Sun" for one).1.5 very poorKelis Flesh ToneQuirky R&B diva goes full blown David Guetta dance route, and the results are understandably insufferable. These songs are over-produced, unimaginative and a piss poor showcase for Kelis's natural talents. "Acapella" is a decent single, not much else is worth saving from this disappointing release.Wavves Wavvves1.0 awfulExtra Life Made FleshI am an open-minded music listener. I have my own taste and bias, as everyone does, but there is only one record that I have not managed to listen all the way through since early 2009. That would be this record. The term unlistenable is a bunch of nonsense - I like experimental, ambient, drone, noise music - but it just might apply to this monstrosity.
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