No funny instruments this time around, but the Beatles-loving Japanese artist delivered a charming set, topped off with a fantastic ukulele-and-kazoo cover of “Video Killed The Radio Star.”
(Photo: Tim Ferguson (Flickr))
Saturday, January 30, 2010
MIDLAKE (London Tabernacle, 28/01/10)
Middling. Just like the album, their live show is skilfully executed and perfectly acceptable on a technical level, but for all its lushness it’s a mostly unengaging experience. Only Young Bride and Head Home make their presence felt, with the rest washing over the audience in a fug of pleasant blandness. Also, Tim Smith appears to have forgotten to enunciate, which was pretty unfortunate given the sound wasn't that great anyway.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Middling. Just like the album, their live show is skilfully executed and perfectly acceptable on a technical level, but for all its lushness it’s a mostly unengaging experience. Only Young Bride and Head Home make their presence felt, with the rest washing over the audience in a fug of pleasant blandness. Also, Tim Smith appears to have forgotten to enunciate, which was pretty unfortunate given the sound wasn't that great anyway.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
SHE KEEPS BEES (London Blackheart, 27/01/10)
Another triumph for The Allotment. Brooklyn duo She Keeps Bees converted me with an impressively charismatic performance that struck a halfway point between Cat Power and Wildbirds and Peacedrums, and the two supports acquitted our home-grown scene with aplomb.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Another triumph for The Allotment. Brooklyn duo She Keeps Bees converted me with an impressively charismatic performance that struck a halfway point between Cat Power and Wildbirds and Peacedrums, and the two supports acquitted our home-grown scene with aplomb.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
OWEN PALLETT (London Union Chapel, 25/01/10)
In Owen Pallett’s new album “Heartland” he depicts himself as the deity of the world of Spectrum. On the evidence tonight, one could argue he’s already halfway to Godhood in this world too. Over the last four and a half years I’ve been honoured to see Owen evolve as a performer, and tonight was his most accomplished set yet. His arrangements have more focus and maturity, the structures of his songs hold up better and his confidence and charm grower brighter by the year. Whilst the appearance of a few oldies (“This Lamb Sells Condos”) was welcome, he could have played only new material and still have received just as rapturous a reception. If I hear another live performance as good as “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt” this year, I’ll count myself a lucky, lucky man.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
In Owen Pallett’s new album “Heartland” he depicts himself as the deity of the world of Spectrum. On the evidence tonight, one could argue he’s already halfway to Godhood in this world too. Over the last four and a half years I’ve been honoured to see Owen evolve as a performer, and tonight was his most accomplished set yet. His arrangements have more focus and maturity, the structures of his songs hold up better and his confidence and charm grower brighter by the year. Whilst the appearance of a few oldies (“This Lamb Sells Condos”) was welcome, he could have played only new material and still have received just as rapturous a reception. If I hear another live performance as good as “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt” this year, I’ll count myself a lucky, lucky man.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
MEMORY TAPES (London Luminaire, 20/01/10)
More dance-orientated than the woozy dream-pop of his recorded works, the one man electronica genius provides a short but succinct set augmented by some well-judged drumming. Given a budget, a couple of extra band members and some visuals, I reckon he could be really fuckin’ big.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
More dance-orientated than the woozy dream-pop of his recorded works, the one man electronica genius provides a short but succinct set augmented by some well-judged drumming. Given a budget, a couple of extra band members and some visuals, I reckon he could be really fuckin’ big.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT (London Jazz Cafe, 12/01/10)
There's very few artists that can hold my attention with just an acoustic guitar, but Martha Wainwright's got the voice and vivaciousness to carry it off. Not even the stress of recent motherhood can blunt her sharp wit and charisma, and her sublime Edith Piaf covers, not to mention the surprise guest appearance of her father Loudon, made this one of the more memorable sets I've seen in recent times.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
There's very few artists that can hold my attention with just an acoustic guitar, but Martha Wainwright's got the voice and vivaciousness to carry it off. Not even the stress of recent motherhood can blunt her sharp wit and charisma, and her sublime Edith Piaf covers, not to mention the surprise guest appearance of her father Loudon, made this one of the more memorable sets I've seen in recent times.
(Photo: John Gleeson)
Saturday, January 02, 2010
THE BEST SONGS OF TWO THOUSAND AND NINE
(Photo: theisabelfish (Flickr))
Yeah, I couldn't be bothered to do the haikus again. Live with it.
50. The Thermals- Now We Can See
The Thermals' oeuvre may only consist of one song, but at least it's a damn good one. Catchy anthemic pop-punk at its best.
49. Nobunny- Nobunny Loves You
Rollicking lo-fi garage rock, distilling the spirit of the Ramones in ninety exuberant seconds.
48. Felix- Death To Everyone But Us
Lucinda Chua's monotone vocal delivery may sometimes come across like Regina Spektor without the charm, but the twinkling simplicity of the piano line, wrapped up in sumptuous string arrangements marks Felix as an up-and-coming British act to watch.
47. Warpaint- Billie Holiday
Riffing heavily on Mary Wells' “My Guy,” this downbeat little beauty sounds a bit like Cat Power before she went shit.
46. Canadian Wildlife- Winter's Moon
Jennifer Mecija's delicately girlish vocals lend a touch of warmth to this sad, simple melody that's best enjoyed on a frosty winter's night.
45. Tyondai Braxton- Opening Bell
Battles, minus John Stanier, plus a large dash of whimsy and a kazoo-wielding symphony orchestra.
44. Banjo and Freakout- Upside Down
This woozy, dreamy number sounds too rich and warm to have been crafted by one guy in his bedroom, but there you go.
43. DM Stith- Be My Baby (Demo)
Sounds like the ghost of Jeff Buckley haunting a ramshackle piano. Ethereal, bleak and beautiful.
42. Real Estate- Beachcomber
The perfect song to drive down the Pacific coast to. Jangly, slightly downbeat surf-pop par excellence.
41. Silver Pines- Timefather
Hazy, majestic shoegaze falling somewhere between Asobi Seksu and Beach House. Nicely understated for the most part, which givs the vocal crescendos and distorted guitar freakout even more impact when they arise.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
40. Andrew Bird- Masterswarm
Luscious strings and whistling solos are par for the course for an Andrew Bird song, but the playful flamenco vibe enhanced by impressive pizzicato makes this better than most.
39. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes- Home
An infectious, exuberant country-rock stomp with a twinkle in its eye and a girl in each arm.
38. The Freelance Whales- Generator 2nd Floor
Loney Dear meets Bishop Allen- the vocals may grate a little, but it's a charming slab of jangly indie-pop nonetheless.
37. Shout Out Out Out- Guilt Trips Sink Ships
Yes, I initially confused this band with the Shout Out Louds too. They don't sound much alike though- this is all scuzzy electro basslines and heavily vocodered vocals, with a heavy dose of cowbell.
36. NASA (with Tom Waits and Kool Keith)- Spacious Thought
Whoever thought it'd be a good idea to have Tom Waits on a hip-hop track deserves a knighthood. Rasping like a subterranean God of Wrath, it seems the grizzled vaudevillian may have belatedly found his true calling...
35. Mono- Ashes In The Snow
This song makes Explosions In The Sky sound as epic as a trip to Aldi.
34. Holly Miranda- Joints
I always assumed Holly Miranda would be a boring, acoustic type. She isn't. Eerie atmospherics punctuated with brash blasts of trumpets are the order of the day, and I thoroughly approve.
33. Crippled Black Phoenix- Burnt Reynolds
Pink Floyd meets GY!BE post-rock anthemics, complete with doom-laden choral section and fairground coda. This song cares not for subtlety nor restraint, and that's no bad thing- you need a bit of ridiculousness from time to time.
32. Alvin Band- Tijuana
Alvin Band may owe a clear debt of gratitude to Panda Bear and Brian Wilson, but Tijuana's easy-going, vocal-looping tropical vibe is difficult to resist.
31. Soap & Skin- Cry Wolf
Not as bleak as much of Lovetune for Vacuum, the melancholic, fragile music box melody is underpinned with mechanical clicking and whirring that compliments the Teutonic sharpness of Anna Plaschg's vocals.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
30. Efterklang- Modern Drift
Focusing the orchestral elegance and charm of old into a more accessible mould seems to have been a good move for the Danish eccentrics. Their previous output can be a little hard-going and pales in comparison to their live shows, but “Modern Drift” was love at first listen. MORE PLEASE.
29. Bell Orchestre- Bicycles/Icicles
The last three minutes of this song are so beautiful I almost want to cry. A delicate, dream-like beauty that slowly swells into a celestial cacophony of clattering percussion, twinkling glockenspiel and tremelo violin.
28. The Deer Tracks- Yes, This Is My Broken Shield
The kind of majestic, ethereal grandeur that apparently comes as second nature to our Scandinavian cousins. The volume shift at 4:43 nearly gave me a heart attack the first time I heard it.
27. Yeasayer- Ambling Amp
Like all bands in the world, Yeasayer have acquired a touch of the Animal Collective over the last year, but in this case it's worked in their favour- this slab of sunny psychedelic pop, injected with reggae bounce is a lot more fun than anything they've done before.
26. Twin Sister- I Want A House
Said The Gramophone described the latter half of this song thus: “I can't help but imagine Daft Punk passed out, unconscious....laying in bed, the sun touches the drapes, touches the floor, leaves fingerprints on your chest.” Couldn't have put it better.
25. The National- So Far Around The Bend
This song reminds me how much I miss Matt Berninger's grizzled baritone. Also includes non-obnoxious flute solo.
24. Lightning Bolt- Funny Farm
The best wake-up call imaginable. Starts off like hard rock version of “In The Hall Of The Mountain King,” ends like Marnie Stern at her fret-mangling best.
23. Handsome Furs- Radio Kaliningrad
Scuzzy, raw, but underpinned with an irresistible poppiness, Handsome Furs finally have a song that derives full value from Dan Boeckner's fantastically impassioned vocals.
22. Music Go Music- Warm In The Shadows
This song inexplicably reminds me of the theme tune from the Raccoons. If you feel M83 sound too early 80's, you may want to avoid this like the plague.
21. Fuck Buttons- Surf Solar
Get a decent soundsystem, crank “Surf Solar” up to full volume and let its expansive, fuzzy fug of electronic noise and glitchy beats encompass your entire being.
(Photo: David E. Greenwald (Flickr))
20. Harlem Shakes- Niagara Falls
The Harlem Shakes splitting up before they could tour the UK was one of the biggest disappointments of 2009. Epoch-defining they weren't, but for addictive, straightforward indie-pop there's been nothing that's matched them this year.
19. Mum- Sing Along
An ultra-twee bit of fluff delivered with such effervescent charm I can't help but love it. Think I'm From Barcelona before they went serious and boring.
18. Beach House- Walk In The Park
The best thing Beach House have ever done. Victoria Legrande's dreamy vocals have never sounded so swoony, and the chorus will lodge itself in your head like a pickaxe.
17. Camera Obscura- French Navy
Continuing Camera Obscura's tradition of having an absolutely blinding opening track on an otherwise average album, “French Navy” takes the band's Northern Soul obsession and runs with it, resulting in JOY OVERLOAD.
16. The Magic Kids- Hey Boy
Two minutes of bubblegum pop perfection. Simple as.
15. Javelin- Tell Me, What Will It Be?
The best instrumental the Go! Team never made, this song makes me feel like I should be strutting purposefully through 1970's San Francisco (a state of affairs that is, alas, unlikely to eventuate.)
14. Girl Talk Vs. Grizzly Bear- Knife
Beyond the novelty of hearing Grizzly Bear's delicate harmonies mashed together with Clipse's “Wamp Wamp,” this underlines my assertion that Ed Droste and co. would sound bloody amazing with The Knife-esque synths.
13. Summer Camp- I Only Have Eyes For You
Whilst the identity of alleged Scandinavians Summer Camp is cloaked in mystery, what's no secret that their deliciously lo-fi cover of the Flamingo's classic sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.
12. Sunset Rubdown- You Go On Ahead
“He would like to come home naked, without war-paint on his face; and appear before you virgin white if virgin's are still chaste...” WHAT THE FUCK, SPENCER KRUG?
11.St. Vincent- Marrow
Down-and-dirty saxophones and and a sledgehammer rhythm section give Annie Clark's siren vocals and shimmering synths an abrasive funk groove that works so much better than it has any right to.
10. Braids- Liver and Tan
Sounding like a chilled-out Ponytail, or a warmer, more organic Panda Bear, the young Canadian band take a sparse piano line and over the space of nine minutes build it up into a sublime clattering symphony of multi-tracked vocals and syncopated guitar.
9. Jonsi- Boy Lilikoi
This is what the last Sigur Ros album should have sounded like. Purists will doubtlessly whine having Jonsi sing in English is tantamount to genocide (because, you know, singing in a made-up baby language is so much more authentic), but the miserable fucks can fuck off back to fucktown 'cos this is wonderfully joyous stuff.
8. Pyramiddd/Starfucker- Boy Toy
Four-to-the-floor drums, luminescent whirling synths and a chorus that will get stuck in your head for weeks, Pyramiddd may very well be the most fun new band I've discovered this year.
7. Sleigh Bells- Crown On The Ground
Like Times New Viking covering MIA. So abrasive it'll make your ears bleed, so catchy you'll be too distracted to notice.
6. Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks
Wussy harmony-merchants do good with this gloriously sunny bundle of shimmering keyboards and soaring, multi-layered vocals.
5. Dirty Projectors- Stillness Is The Move
Obtuse experimental indie types go R&B with surprisingly brilliant results. Proof that moving towards the “mainstream” doesn't always result in diminishing returns.
4. Owen Pallett- Lewis Takes Off His Shirt
Enough said.
3. The Antlers- Sylvia
Lyrics that touch both on terminal illness and Sylvia Plath; a stunningly anguished vocal performance drenched in swirling layers of guitar fuzz and a stirring, impeccably delivered brass outro- quite simply, a masterpiece.
2. Wildbirds and Peacedrums- My Heart
W&P have long been a live favourite of mine, but with steel drums adding a splash of colour to their standard drums-and-vocals setup they've finally captured their brilliance on record too. Passionate, affecting and beautiful, it's an marvellous achievement from the Swedish couple.
1. Dan Deacon- Snookered
I've listened to Snookered in the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, along Las Ramblas in Barcelona, on the shores of Lake Michigan and on the steps of St. Paul. It may sometimes sound like a Gameboy having a seizure, but even after a gazillion plays the solemnly glacial glockenspiel intro swelling into a multi-layered symphony of throbbing synths, the propulsive drum beats and distorted children's choirs, and the odd sense of melancholy that pervades even at its most frantic moments continue to fill me with constant wonder.
(Photo: theisabelfish (Flickr))
Yeah, I couldn't be bothered to do the haikus again. Live with it.
50. The Thermals- Now We Can See
The Thermals' oeuvre may only consist of one song, but at least it's a damn good one. Catchy anthemic pop-punk at its best.
49. Nobunny- Nobunny Loves You
Rollicking lo-fi garage rock, distilling the spirit of the Ramones in ninety exuberant seconds.
48. Felix- Death To Everyone But Us
Lucinda Chua's monotone vocal delivery may sometimes come across like Regina Spektor without the charm, but the twinkling simplicity of the piano line, wrapped up in sumptuous string arrangements marks Felix as an up-and-coming British act to watch.
47. Warpaint- Billie Holiday
Riffing heavily on Mary Wells' “My Guy,” this downbeat little beauty sounds a bit like Cat Power before she went shit.
46. Canadian Wildlife- Winter's Moon
Jennifer Mecija's delicately girlish vocals lend a touch of warmth to this sad, simple melody that's best enjoyed on a frosty winter's night.
45. Tyondai Braxton- Opening Bell
Battles, minus John Stanier, plus a large dash of whimsy and a kazoo-wielding symphony orchestra.
44. Banjo and Freakout- Upside Down
This woozy, dreamy number sounds too rich and warm to have been crafted by one guy in his bedroom, but there you go.
43. DM Stith- Be My Baby (Demo)
Sounds like the ghost of Jeff Buckley haunting a ramshackle piano. Ethereal, bleak and beautiful.
42. Real Estate- Beachcomber
The perfect song to drive down the Pacific coast to. Jangly, slightly downbeat surf-pop par excellence.
41. Silver Pines- Timefather
Hazy, majestic shoegaze falling somewhere between Asobi Seksu and Beach House. Nicely understated for the most part, which givs the vocal crescendos and distorted guitar freakout even more impact when they arise.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
40. Andrew Bird- Masterswarm
Luscious strings and whistling solos are par for the course for an Andrew Bird song, but the playful flamenco vibe enhanced by impressive pizzicato makes this better than most.
39. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes- Home
An infectious, exuberant country-rock stomp with a twinkle in its eye and a girl in each arm.
38. The Freelance Whales- Generator 2nd Floor
Loney Dear meets Bishop Allen- the vocals may grate a little, but it's a charming slab of jangly indie-pop nonetheless.
37. Shout Out Out Out- Guilt Trips Sink Ships
Yes, I initially confused this band with the Shout Out Louds too. They don't sound much alike though- this is all scuzzy electro basslines and heavily vocodered vocals, with a heavy dose of cowbell.
36. NASA (with Tom Waits and Kool Keith)- Spacious Thought
Whoever thought it'd be a good idea to have Tom Waits on a hip-hop track deserves a knighthood. Rasping like a subterranean God of Wrath, it seems the grizzled vaudevillian may have belatedly found his true calling...
35. Mono- Ashes In The Snow
This song makes Explosions In The Sky sound as epic as a trip to Aldi.
34. Holly Miranda- Joints
I always assumed Holly Miranda would be a boring, acoustic type. She isn't. Eerie atmospherics punctuated with brash blasts of trumpets are the order of the day, and I thoroughly approve.
33. Crippled Black Phoenix- Burnt Reynolds
Pink Floyd meets GY!BE post-rock anthemics, complete with doom-laden choral section and fairground coda. This song cares not for subtlety nor restraint, and that's no bad thing- you need a bit of ridiculousness from time to time.
32. Alvin Band- Tijuana
Alvin Band may owe a clear debt of gratitude to Panda Bear and Brian Wilson, but Tijuana's easy-going, vocal-looping tropical vibe is difficult to resist.
31. Soap & Skin- Cry Wolf
Not as bleak as much of Lovetune for Vacuum, the melancholic, fragile music box melody is underpinned with mechanical clicking and whirring that compliments the Teutonic sharpness of Anna Plaschg's vocals.
(Photo: Anika Mottershaw)
30. Efterklang- Modern Drift
Focusing the orchestral elegance and charm of old into a more accessible mould seems to have been a good move for the Danish eccentrics. Their previous output can be a little hard-going and pales in comparison to their live shows, but “Modern Drift” was love at first listen. MORE PLEASE.
29. Bell Orchestre- Bicycles/Icicles
The last three minutes of this song are so beautiful I almost want to cry. A delicate, dream-like beauty that slowly swells into a celestial cacophony of clattering percussion, twinkling glockenspiel and tremelo violin.
28. The Deer Tracks- Yes, This Is My Broken Shield
The kind of majestic, ethereal grandeur that apparently comes as second nature to our Scandinavian cousins. The volume shift at 4:43 nearly gave me a heart attack the first time I heard it.
27. Yeasayer- Ambling Amp
Like all bands in the world, Yeasayer have acquired a touch of the Animal Collective over the last year, but in this case it's worked in their favour- this slab of sunny psychedelic pop, injected with reggae bounce is a lot more fun than anything they've done before.
26. Twin Sister- I Want A House
Said The Gramophone described the latter half of this song thus: “I can't help but imagine Daft Punk passed out, unconscious....laying in bed, the sun touches the drapes, touches the floor, leaves fingerprints on your chest.” Couldn't have put it better.
25. The National- So Far Around The Bend
This song reminds me how much I miss Matt Berninger's grizzled baritone. Also includes non-obnoxious flute solo.
24. Lightning Bolt- Funny Farm
The best wake-up call imaginable. Starts off like hard rock version of “In The Hall Of The Mountain King,” ends like Marnie Stern at her fret-mangling best.
23. Handsome Furs- Radio Kaliningrad
Scuzzy, raw, but underpinned with an irresistible poppiness, Handsome Furs finally have a song that derives full value from Dan Boeckner's fantastically impassioned vocals.
22. Music Go Music- Warm In The Shadows
This song inexplicably reminds me of the theme tune from the Raccoons. If you feel M83 sound too early 80's, you may want to avoid this like the plague.
21. Fuck Buttons- Surf Solar
Get a decent soundsystem, crank “Surf Solar” up to full volume and let its expansive, fuzzy fug of electronic noise and glitchy beats encompass your entire being.
(Photo: David E. Greenwald (Flickr))
20. Harlem Shakes- Niagara Falls
The Harlem Shakes splitting up before they could tour the UK was one of the biggest disappointments of 2009. Epoch-defining they weren't, but for addictive, straightforward indie-pop there's been nothing that's matched them this year.
19. Mum- Sing Along
An ultra-twee bit of fluff delivered with such effervescent charm I can't help but love it. Think I'm From Barcelona before they went serious and boring.
18. Beach House- Walk In The Park
The best thing Beach House have ever done. Victoria Legrande's dreamy vocals have never sounded so swoony, and the chorus will lodge itself in your head like a pickaxe.
17. Camera Obscura- French Navy
Continuing Camera Obscura's tradition of having an absolutely blinding opening track on an otherwise average album, “French Navy” takes the band's Northern Soul obsession and runs with it, resulting in JOY OVERLOAD.
16. The Magic Kids- Hey Boy
Two minutes of bubblegum pop perfection. Simple as.
15. Javelin- Tell Me, What Will It Be?
The best instrumental the Go! Team never made, this song makes me feel like I should be strutting purposefully through 1970's San Francisco (a state of affairs that is, alas, unlikely to eventuate.)
14. Girl Talk Vs. Grizzly Bear- Knife
Beyond the novelty of hearing Grizzly Bear's delicate harmonies mashed together with Clipse's “Wamp Wamp,” this underlines my assertion that Ed Droste and co. would sound bloody amazing with The Knife-esque synths.
13. Summer Camp- I Only Have Eyes For You
Whilst the identity of alleged Scandinavians Summer Camp is cloaked in mystery, what's no secret that their deliciously lo-fi cover of the Flamingo's classic sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.
12. Sunset Rubdown- You Go On Ahead
“He would like to come home naked, without war-paint on his face; and appear before you virgin white if virgin's are still chaste...” WHAT THE FUCK, SPENCER KRUG?
11.St. Vincent- Marrow
Down-and-dirty saxophones and and a sledgehammer rhythm section give Annie Clark's siren vocals and shimmering synths an abrasive funk groove that works so much better than it has any right to.
10. Braids- Liver and Tan
Sounding like a chilled-out Ponytail, or a warmer, more organic Panda Bear, the young Canadian band take a sparse piano line and over the space of nine minutes build it up into a sublime clattering symphony of multi-tracked vocals and syncopated guitar.
9. Jonsi- Boy Lilikoi
This is what the last Sigur Ros album should have sounded like. Purists will doubtlessly whine having Jonsi sing in English is tantamount to genocide (because, you know, singing in a made-up baby language is so much more authentic), but the miserable fucks can fuck off back to fucktown 'cos this is wonderfully joyous stuff.
8. Pyramiddd/Starfucker- Boy Toy
Four-to-the-floor drums, luminescent whirling synths and a chorus that will get stuck in your head for weeks, Pyramiddd may very well be the most fun new band I've discovered this year.
7. Sleigh Bells- Crown On The Ground
Like Times New Viking covering MIA. So abrasive it'll make your ears bleed, so catchy you'll be too distracted to notice.
6. Grizzly Bear- Two Weeks
Wussy harmony-merchants do good with this gloriously sunny bundle of shimmering keyboards and soaring, multi-layered vocals.
5. Dirty Projectors- Stillness Is The Move
Obtuse experimental indie types go R&B with surprisingly brilliant results. Proof that moving towards the “mainstream” doesn't always result in diminishing returns.
4. Owen Pallett- Lewis Takes Off His Shirt
Enough said.
3. The Antlers- Sylvia
Lyrics that touch both on terminal illness and Sylvia Plath; a stunningly anguished vocal performance drenched in swirling layers of guitar fuzz and a stirring, impeccably delivered brass outro- quite simply, a masterpiece.
2. Wildbirds and Peacedrums- My Heart
W&P have long been a live favourite of mine, but with steel drums adding a splash of colour to their standard drums-and-vocals setup they've finally captured their brilliance on record too. Passionate, affecting and beautiful, it's an marvellous achievement from the Swedish couple.
1. Dan Deacon- Snookered
I've listened to Snookered in the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, along Las Ramblas in Barcelona, on the shores of Lake Michigan and on the steps of St. Paul. It may sometimes sound like a Gameboy having a seizure, but even after a gazillion plays the solemnly glacial glockenspiel intro swelling into a multi-layered symphony of throbbing synths, the propulsive drum beats and distorted children's choirs, and the odd sense of melancholy that pervades even at its most frantic moments continue to fill me with constant wonder.
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