Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Unknown & Unheard Show 262! Best of 2011!


Black Lips – Modern Art – Arabia Mountain (2011)
Black Lips – Mad Dog – Arabia Mountain (2011)
-          6th album.
-          Best Band/Album of the U & U 2011!!!
-          One of the most fun bands to listen to and see live.
-          Sloppy garage rock.



Ezra Furman & The Harpoons - Don't Turn Your Back On Love - Mysterious Power (2011)
-          3rd album
-          One of the most talented and refreshing artists going.
-          Huge Pixies sound here more than ever before.
-          Played SXSW



Withered Hand - Hard On - Good News (2011)
-          Debut full length, but has two previously released EPs
-          Neil Young-heavy sound.
-          Played SXSW



Frightened Rabbit - Fuck This Place - A Frightened Rabbit EP (2011)
-          This was a tour-only EP.
-          This track features Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura.
-          This is one of their greatest tracks, in my opinion. Why hide it away on a tour-only release?
-          4 albums out.
-          Organ Fight is their best to date.
-          Scottish accent stands out, but there seems to be something more than that to his vocals and make them truly unique.



Bill Callahan - Riding For the Feeling- Apocalypse (2011)
-          3rd album
-          Folk singer/songwriter type
-          The voice gets me here more than anything
-          Former leader of Smog.



Turf War – Cheers To the Years – Years of Living Dangerously (2011)
-          Debut album
-          Produced by Ian St. Pe’ of the Black Lips.
-          Atlanta band.



Middle Brother – Middle Brother – Middle Brother (2011)
-          Debut from this folk super group.
-          Due out in March
-          Features members of Deer Tick, Delta Spirit and Dawes.



PAPA - I Am The Lion King - A Good Woman Is Hard To Find EP (2011)
-          Debut EP
-          Led by the drummer for the band Girls.
-          Upbeat, a touch beachy and sun-drenched pop and a perfect fit for the end of summer.
-          There is something triumphant in their tracks that really draws me in.



tUnE-yArDs - Gangsta - w h o k i l l (2011)
-          BEST BAND OF PITCHFORK MUSIC FEST 2011!
-          2nd album.
-          Debut full length, ‘BiRd-BrAiNs’ was a huge critical success.
-          Eclectic, spastic indie pop sound.
-          Merrill Garbus is the main brains behind this act.
-          This is the best song I’ve heard from her so far.



Tom Waits – Pay Me – Bad As Me (2011)
-          17th album and 1st since 2004. Album teaser video
-          One of the most prolific, innovative and talented songwriters ever.
-          First new music since 2006’s triple album release.
-          Also an actor.
-          Give me his first three albums and a desert island.



Emperor X – Compressor Repair – Western Teleport (2011)
-          5th album.
-          Former HS science teacher.
-          RIYL: Mountain Goats & Death Cab for Cutie



The Mountain Goats – Damn These Vampires – All Eternals Deck (2011)
-          Latest full length
-          Their last, The Life of the World to Come, was out in October 2009.
-          Led by John Darnielle and his unmistakable passionate  and powerful vocals.



J Mascis - Circle - Several Shades of Why (2011)
-          Latest solo album.
-          Dinosaur Jr. leader.
-          Eddie Vedder-esque vocals.
-          Played SXSW and was a major surprise.
-          This is from the DayTrotter Session he just recorded.



Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Nothing But Our Love - It's A Corporate World (2011)
-          Debut full length.
-          Their 2010 debut EP garnered them a lot of good reviews.
-          Playing the White Rabbit Cabaret Friday, June 17th



Twilight Singers – She Was Stolen – Dynamite Steps (2011)
-          3rd full length
-          Led by Greg Dulli.
-          Dulli has also collaborated with Mark Lanegan to release a couple albums as the Gutter Twins.
-          The build through out this song is worth the price of the album.
-          Whether it’s here or in the Gutter Twins, Dulli is capable of creating deep powerful moods and feelings.



We Are Augustines - Book of James - Rise Ye Sunken Ships (2011)
-          Debut full length.
-          Consists of two remaining members of the band Pela, Billy McCarthy & Eric Sanderson.
-          Pela disbanded after McCarthy’s brother committed suicide.



Yellow Ostrich - Hate Me Soon - The Mistress (2011)
-          Debut full length
-          Sounds a bit like the Beatles and the White Stripes and even at times Menomena.
-          Played SXSW



Young Circles - 2012 - Jungle Habits (2011)
-          Debut full length. Also 1 EP out.
-          Extremely interesting blend of styles. Freak folk, harder alt-rock, electronic and beat driven.
-          I think they are at their best on heavier, more aggressive tracks like this.



Handsome Furs – Repatriated – Sound Kapital (2011)
-          3rd album from Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner and his wife.
-          Out June 28th.
-          I was late to the party here, but glad I didn’t miss it!


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