2012 felt like a transitional year for Buffalo's music scene, and for the most part I liked what I saw in the tea leaves: the homegrown scene continued to flourish and diversify, WBNY's ongoing evolution as a radio station, the emergence of the Outer Harbor as a venue with possibilities, Thursday at the Harbor's bold line-up choices that eschewed pap, and during the spring and summer, a killer slate of well attended shows, featuring national and international acts. There was a point in late summer when I even started to wonder if there's a paradigm shift potentially in the offing for Buffalo's music fans towards something new, interesting, and simpatico with what this here blog is about. In other words, a good year, with the only real downer was news that we're losing the Mohawk Place next month as it leaves a big as of now unfilled hole in Buffalo's live music scene, a troubling prospect, indeed, heading into 2013. Still, I'm going to focus on the positives of 2012, and what better way to do that then a 2012 Best list:
Favorite Albums of 2012
1. Beach House - Bloom. Following
2010’s sublime dream pop masterpiece, Teen
Dream was going to be difficult, but Bloom
takes Beach House to even greater heights with it’s majestic sound and elegant
songwriting while retaining the intimacy that marked Beach House's first three albums. On Bloom, Victoria
Legrand’s hauntingly beautiful voice is even more assured and powerful, and
Alex Scally’s exceedingly tasteful guitar work is beyond impeccable on this
wonderful collection.
2. Twin Shadow - Confess. If George Lewis Jr.'s debut, Forget, sounds like it was recorded in a Brooklyn bedroom, this excellent follow up sounds like it was recorded at Prince's Paisley Park: another important statement from this developing artist.
3. Tame Impala - Lonerism. The majestic straight up 60's psychedelia ala, The Beatles' Revolver of this Australian import, was refreshing and irresistible.
4. Father John Misty - Fear Fun. A refreshing slab of literate 70's AM radio rock, the kind they just don't make anymore.
5. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange. An inspired and up to the minute slice of new r&b that's honest, visceral, and soaring. I wasn't too sure about Frank Ocean at first, but Channel Orange is a monumental debut of potentially Marvin Gaye like proportions.
5. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange. An inspired and up to the minute slice of new r&b that's honest, visceral, and soaring. I wasn't too sure about Frank Ocean at first, but Channel Orange is a monumental debut of potentially Marvin Gaye like proportions.
Best 2011 Album of 2012
Caveman, Coco Beware. This album came out in late 2011, but I only picked it up after Caveman's exception show at the Ninth Ward in March when I'd become a believer in their tuneful Grizzly Bear meets Beach Boys sound. With so many indie bands opting for obtuseness, Caveman's melodic and rhythmic directness was most pleasing.
Caveman, Coco Beware. This album came out in late 2011, but I only picked it up after Caveman's exception show at the Ninth Ward in March when I'd become a believer in their tuneful Grizzly Bear meets Beach Boys sound. With so many indie bands opting for obtuseness, Caveman's melodic and rhythmic directness was most pleasing.
Favorite Songs of the Year
Of Monsters and Men- "Dirty Paws." This indie rock sea shanty from Iceland's version of Arcade Fire (before Arcade Fire went electronic) is a joyful noise that makes me feel all warm, fuzzy, and ready to brave a stormy ocean or crazy Buffalo weather.
Tennis- "Origins." In many regards the perfect Tennis song: fuzzed out guitars, a meaty rhythm section, biting interpersonal lyrics, a wall of sound, and sweet, breathless vocals from Alaina Moore.
Yeasayer - “Henrietta.” While Fragrant World ended up being a bit underwhelming, this lead single initially gave me hope, with it's slinky r&b and soaring electronica.
Sun Airway - "Over My Head." For their sophomore album, Philadelphia art school refugees, Sun Airway, fused shoe-gaze balladry, indie electronica, and a string section together to heartbreakingly beautiful effect, and "Over My Head" is its achingly sweet denouement.
Childish Gambino- "Heartbeat." When I first heard "Heartbeat" I didn't know it was Childish Gambino and therefore Donald Glover, star of Community and son of Danny "I'm too old for this ____" Glover. I liked the lyrical flow and fire and live band sound, and after I found out it there was all of that behind it I liked it even more, and it became my song of the summer. I should also note that the Childish Gambino show at the Town Ballroom was for real, and most enjoyable. [Update: Apparently Donald Glover is in no way related to Danny Glover. At least, that's the word on the street and Wikipedia... but that's just ridiculous from a narrative standpoint.]
Opening Acts of the Year:
1. Father John Misty, Youth Lagoon, Town Ballroom, July 10. Almost immediately we knew we were in for something special as Josh Tillman pranced, preened, and summoned the fire, turning his opening set into a foot stomping, kick ass revival. That Father John Misty's show next month in Rochester falls on the same night as the last show at the Mohawk is a cruel, cruel double whammy.
2. I Break Horses, M83, Town Ballroom May 7
3. Sun Airways, M83, Hammerstein Ballroom, October 2. M83 mastermind Anthony Gonzalez is a dab hand at picking opening acts because both bands set the table and set the scene for the headliner perfectly. I Break Horses in particular is welcome in Buffalo anytime.
4. Aircraft, Caveman, Ninth Ward, March 24. Aircraft's psychedelic pop sounded absolutely perfect in that brick basement.
5. Daedalus, Yeasayer, Town Ballroom, August 1. You may have noticed that I don't generally go nuts for the EDM DJ scene. Daedalus is the exception; his set was mesmerizing, almost acrobatic, and emotionally resonant and satisfying.
2013 Buffalo Wishlist:
1. Beach House. Of course I want to see them again. Plus, Beach House's 2010 Town Ballroom show deserves a local follow up.
2. Twin Shadow. Twin Shadow, at the Town Ballroom. Nuff said.
3. Toro Y Moi. Long overdue.
4. Tame Impala. Dreaming is good...
5. The Black Keys. Being a bonfide Rust Belt city, Buffalo is Black Keys country, and frankly they stiffed us this year.
1. Father John Misty, Youth Lagoon, Town Ballroom, July 10. Almost immediately we knew we were in for something special as Josh Tillman pranced, preened, and summoned the fire, turning his opening set into a foot stomping, kick ass revival. That Father John Misty's show next month in Rochester falls on the same night as the last show at the Mohawk is a cruel, cruel double whammy.
2. I Break Horses, M83, Town Ballroom May 7
3. Sun Airways, M83, Hammerstein Ballroom, October 2. M83 mastermind Anthony Gonzalez is a dab hand at picking opening acts because both bands set the table and set the scene for the headliner perfectly. I Break Horses in particular is welcome in Buffalo anytime.
4. Aircraft, Caveman, Ninth Ward, March 24. Aircraft's psychedelic pop sounded absolutely perfect in that brick basement.
5. Daedalus, Yeasayer, Town Ballroom, August 1. You may have noticed that I don't generally go nuts for the EDM DJ scene. Daedalus is the exception; his set was mesmerizing, almost acrobatic, and emotionally resonant and satisfying.
Favorite Shows of the Year:
1. M83, Town Ballroom, May 7. I'm not ashamed to say that this show is my show of the year, even if they were playing along to a backing track. I am unabashed in saying that it lived up to my expectations after months of anticipation, and that seeing an international act like M83 at the height of their power playing Buffalo felt somehow unreal yet absolutely right. For the record, I wanted to be a wanker and call M83 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC in October my show of the year, but the largely soulless New York crowd SUCKED (except for cousin Rebecca and the dancing/ rocking out fans in the upper corner of the balcony who knew what to do). The Buffalo show however was delirium and joy, and it felt like the Town Ballroom could've powered the city. Who knows? Maybe it did.
2. St Vincent, Town Ballroom May 5. When I think of this show I picture Annie Clark standing up there with her guitar under that spotlight, the deserved focus of our rapt attention and adoration. She owned us with her shiny art funk, sweet guitar playing, pure charisma, and killer songs; and we got to witness something. Postponed from December, it was worth the wait.
3. Roger Waters, The Wall, First Niagara Center, June 21. Mind blowing. Roger turned The Wall into a joyful, humanist experience without compromising it's bite and visceral impact. Also, the FNC felt super chill that night. Nobody got hassled or hassled anybody and everything just seemed Zen cool.
4. Beach House, Kool Haus Toronto, October 13. I couldn't wait for Beach House to come to Buffalo so I went to them, and it was well worth it. Beach House cast a mighty spell for an hour and a half of haunting jams from Teen Dream and Bloom.
5. Caveman, Ninth Ward, March 24. My hair stood on end, standing in that wonderful basement club watching Caveman. The best $10 I spent all year.
1. M83, Town Ballroom, May 7. I'm not ashamed to say that this show is my show of the year, even if they were playing along to a backing track. I am unabashed in saying that it lived up to my expectations after months of anticipation, and that seeing an international act like M83 at the height of their power playing Buffalo felt somehow unreal yet absolutely right. For the record, I wanted to be a wanker and call M83 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC in October my show of the year, but the largely soulless New York crowd SUCKED (except for cousin Rebecca and the dancing/ rocking out fans in the upper corner of the balcony who knew what to do). The Buffalo show however was delirium and joy, and it felt like the Town Ballroom could've powered the city. Who knows? Maybe it did.
2. St Vincent, Town Ballroom May 5. When I think of this show I picture Annie Clark standing up there with her guitar under that spotlight, the deserved focus of our rapt attention and adoration. She owned us with her shiny art funk, sweet guitar playing, pure charisma, and killer songs; and we got to witness something. Postponed from December, it was worth the wait.
3. Roger Waters, The Wall, First Niagara Center, June 21. Mind blowing. Roger turned The Wall into a joyful, humanist experience without compromising it's bite and visceral impact. Also, the FNC felt super chill that night. Nobody got hassled or hassled anybody and everything just seemed Zen cool.
4. Beach House, Kool Haus Toronto, October 13. I couldn't wait for Beach House to come to Buffalo so I went to them, and it was well worth it. Beach House cast a mighty spell for an hour and a half of haunting jams from Teen Dream and Bloom.
5. Caveman, Ninth Ward, March 24. My hair stood on end, standing in that wonderful basement club watching Caveman. The best $10 I spent all year.
Honourable Mention: Yeasayer, Town Ballroom August 1; David Byrne and St Vincent, Williamsburg Park September 29
2013 Buffalo Wishlist:
1. Beach House. Of course I want to see them again. Plus, Beach House's 2010 Town Ballroom show deserves a local follow up.
2. Twin Shadow. Twin Shadow, at the Town Ballroom. Nuff said.
3. Toro Y Moi. Long overdue.
4. Tame Impala. Dreaming is good...
5. The Black Keys. Being a bonfide Rust Belt city, Buffalo is Black Keys country, and frankly they stiffed us this year.
Nice post Cliff, but Donald Glover isn't related to Danny even a little bit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-YO-MlN7sE&feature=youtu.be&t=2m8s
Kyle really really really wants you to get this right, Cliff