See also: Artrocker.com’s own Top 12 albums of the year so far list
Whether it’s from phenomenal debut albums or continued greatness from reliable favorites, one thing is for certain, 2009 has already been a very exciting year for music. This is my annual mid-year recap of what I believe to be the best albums of 2009 so far. As I’ve done from this site’s inception, I’m including 12 and a half entries, exactly half the amount I’ll be counting down in my annual year-end list. The twelve albums and one EP (that’s the half) are listed in chronological order and include my favorite albums released in the first six months of ‘09.
Who: Obits
Title: I Blame You
Release Date: March 24th
Label: Sub Pop
Thoughts: Before you start listening to the latest member of the Sub Pop stable of artists you might wanna hear what their member, Rick Froberg, has to say about the band. “We’re not into innovation as a band,” Forberg says on the band’s Sub Pop site, “I think innovation is overrated and an overestimated quality." Fair enough, so why then can I not get enough of Obits debut record I Blame You? Well because the band fucking rocks harder then all those folks that look to progress and wind up fucking it all up. Instead this band focuses on making some quality rock, and what would expect from a band whose pedigree includes stints with Pitchfork, Hot Snakes, and Drive Like Jehu. No, instead of worrying about what’s cool at the moment they focused on laying down hot riff after hot riff and filling it with some invigorating rhythms with some pertinent lyrics. The result is a record that will play over and over on your stereo as you fall head over heels for these dudes.
Listen: Obits - "Pine On"
On April 13 in the UK and April 14 in the US, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will release their third album, It’s Blitz!. With strictly no guitars, Nick Zinner’s trademark clunky and erratic axe is replaced by slushy synths and what sounds like syncopated drum machine beats. Where has the sound of the classically lauded Goliath of all power trios gone? Brian Chase’s effortless human beats and Nick’s towering, scratchy guitar have given way to mechanics. Overlaid with Karen O’s usual sultry and stuttery wail, it sounds like classic YYY’s dolled up for the new year, where synths reign and club nights ca$h in. The album art is also lacking in their usual creative hand-drawn mastery. While I’m not impressed by the new track Zero (free download below, or buy it on iTunes on February 24), there’s hope yet. Collaboraters on the album include Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe of TV On The Radio, Lily Allen’s all-star producer Greg Kurtsin and saxophone player Stuart Bogie from the wonderful afrobeat band Antibalas. And of course Dave Sitek produced it (with Nick Launay, who has produced Arcade Fire). Though Spin magazine seems to state that Kyp Malone is disappointingly only playing tambourine on one track. The ten-track album is said to be inspired by Giorgio Morodor, Joy Division and Donna Summer.
Wow! Only two months into 2009 and we have already had over a dozen of highly anticipated albums. Yeah Yeah Yeahs can now be added to that list. And while you're at it, add them to the list of bad ass covers. The Strokes might have heralded in the new age of garage rock in the early 2000s, but no one has completely owned the genre like YYY. They're commitment to edgy, but approachable songs and amazing live performances including Karen O's larger than life persona, have made them one of the best acts to come out of this decade.
Their third full length release, titled It's Blitz! (mind the exclamation point), is due out on April 14. Produced by TV on the Radio's David Sitek and Nick Launay, the band began recording the album in an abandoned barn in Massachusetts during a snowstorm. (So the story goes) We've always known that Karen O is a big fan of Missing Person's Dale Bozzio, but the 80's influences seem more apparent on this album than any other. It's Blitz! pushes into pop territory with songs like the danceable Heads Will Roll as well as other synth heavy tracks. Even at their poppier moments, Karen O's charm is full on with grunts, snarls, screams and moans. And there is still enough rock in this album to keep the long-time fans happy, especially this one. "Yes, Yes, Yes! Give us more!"
If you’ve followed this site for a while, you might know I have a severe weakness for female-fronted indie pop bands, so it’s no surprise that I was immediately taken by Welsh noise-pop trio, The Joy Formidable. They fit their name perfectly, their music is punchy, melodic, and uproariously joyful. The band’s blend of dream-pop and alt-fuzz and Ritzy Bryan’s gleeful, belted-out vocals, have garnered them comparisons to Asobi Seksu and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
“Cradle” is an in-your-face pop explosion. The layered hooks grab you immediately and don’t let up for the entire song. The track is pure enthusiastic, noisy pop with a stomping drum beat and anthemic vocals. It’s been stuck in my head for days, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way. “Austere” is a bit more shoegazy with some great vocal interplay going on (the backing vocals feel like they’ve been snapped out of the disco era). Again it’s the infectious melody that really makes the song stick. The band is giving away for free a mini-LP, A Balloon Called Moaning, that includes these two tracks (which you can also download below) and six more. You can get it on the band’s website. Awesome!
We clued you into the tangled punk energy of Brooklyn’s Freshkills last fall, and now dudes are coming correct with a remix of their tune "Revelation" from none other than Nick Zinner; guitarist, of course, for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and constant purveyor of sonic awesomeness (see also:Head Wound City).
C.U.T.S
Indonesian quartet C.U.T.S, which appears to be short for caustics.ultraist.totally.slice (nope me neither!) is the ‘other’ band of ykha, singer with Devil’s favourite Indonesian’s The Bohay’s.
Photos from a recent FOE gig - a friend of our friends Hold Your Horse Is - she’s gonna be big!!! Read the gig review after the jump.
Shots of North Carolina’s folk-rocking Avett Brothers’ stop in Glasgow - 22.08.11
Read the review of the gig here.
Take a look at the acts and art on offer at this year’s Latitude Festival in Suffolk. Included are the likes of Fight Like Apes, Lykke Li, Sea of Bees and Seasick Steve. Photos from our own...
Good time with Bad Guys. Photos from the May 29th gig at the Old Blue Last. Read the review by the Bad Guy himself, Stuart London after the jump.
Artrocker.com exclusive: for fans of White Lies and Crocodiles we’ve got some fresh pictures from their UK show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire earlier this month, courtesy of Alessandro...
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