Favorite Album of 2011:
Honorable Mention:
Modeselektor - Monkeytown: "They are good Germans" is the best quote I've heard referring to this duo. Good Germans indeed, from the tasteful drum and bass of Happy Birthday to the more club ready tracks of Monkeytown, Modeselektor remains consistently inconsistent. Inconsistency may come off as a negative, but in modern electronic music it is as vital as ever. With DJ's constantly chasing the next buzzworthy sub-genre, seeking to do everything in their power to distill the music into predictable, unmemorable sludge, Monkeytown is essential listening.
Modeselektor - Green Light Go (with PVT) by Modeselektor
Favorite Song of 2011:
"Never" - by Orbital: I wrote about this track when it was released. Brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll reunite after a 6 year hiatus with a hell of a song. Nobody pulls off melancholy quite like Orbital, which makes their music recognizable no matter what decade it was produced in. Watching their "In the Studio" updates has been required viewing for me these past few months as they prepare their first new release since 2004's Blue Album. It's disarming to see that the guys behind some of the most unique and provocative electronic music of the last two decades are just two dorky, smiley Brits playing with synths. The Soundcloud link below is also a free download, courtesy of the brothers Hartnoll.
Never by ORBITAL
Honorable Mentions:
"Claudia Lewis" by M83 (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming): I want an all funk M83 album. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming can be accused of having it's share of filler, but this track fires on all cylinders. An R&B beat complete with big tom fills and a bassline plucked right from Paul Simon's Graceland, this track speaks to me on every level. I couldn't find a link to it so track it down yourself you lazy bastard.
"Corner of the Sky" by Cut Copy (Zonoscope): It seems that I'm in the minority who thinks Zonoscope is vastly superior to In Ghost Colors. I point to this track as evidence. Zonoscope is one of those albums where even if you dislike a song at first, it will likely win you over if you stick with it. "Corner of the Sky" isn't so much a song as a series of songs rolled into one, the result sums up Zonoscope's sound in one track. Both Cut Copy and M83 released albums this year featuring a more full band sound, as opposed to their predominantly electronic roots, and their live shows have benefited from it.
Cut Copy - Corner Of The Sky by modularpeople
Favorite Concert of 2011:
The WAKOS at Hanford Bay Beach (7/3/2011)
It's a little unfair to pick this show because it didn't take place at a traditional venue, in fact it took place in my back yard. Nevertheless, seeing The WAKOS perform in their original lineup after a lengthy hiatus in one of my favorite places in the world makes this pick a no brainer. I've been heavily involved in their upcoming follow up to 2007's East of Eden, the more electronic leaning Abbababba, and their set at the buffaBLOG Holiday Party will feature lots of it.
Honorable Mentions:
Purity Ring at Mohawk Place (8/23/2011): This was one of the most assured and visually fascinating shows I've seen this year, the kind where you think "why didn't I think of that?" I could try and describe it, but it's best if you just watch this video.
great job brian! i find it hard to believe you werent impressed with other shows. its ok to be biased
Didn't want to pad it out too much, those two stood out for me. I also didn't get out to as many shows this year as I normally do.
Other noteworthy sets:
Love Scenes @ The Bend 8/3
Twin Shadow @ Mohawk Place 5/1
Ott @ Mohawk Place 10/5
Memoryhouse @ Soundlab 10/18