Favorite Album of 2011
Dum Dum Girls - He Gets Me High EP: This was an easy one. More than anything else this year, the He Gets Me High EP never left my car stereo (yes, in addition to vinyl, I ALSO still buy cds). The Dum Dum Girls play the kind of music I want to hear. Melancholic indie rock with pop sensibilities and just the right shade of cool. All four tracks on the EP are stunners from the glass sheen brilliance of the title track to their epic cover of the Smiths "There is a Light that Never Goes Out". The Dum Dum Girls ventured further from the tracks with this release as they headed towards a more hi-fi approach, compared to their previous album, I Will Be. Very few bands can make that leap, keep their credibility intact and still deliver the goods. Almost ten monthes after its release I'm still listening to it on the weekly.
Honorable Mention
Handsome Jack - Supermoon: I was reluctant to include a local on here. I didn't want people to think I was playing favoritism, and another writer on here already listed a local as their honorable mention (shout out Steve! That Found record is really, REALLY good too!). Fuck it. Handsome Jack's new album, Supermoon, is great and if you've heard it you wouldn't disagree with me. "Turn to Dust" is worth the price of admission alone. When I listen to that track, I'm transported and that's the sign of really good music. It's reflective, on point, and along with the rest of the album, so perfectly produced. In fact, it's one of the most natural records I've heard this year. HJ's sound has certainly matured over the last few years, but I think it's a welcome change and I hope the guys keep putting out quality records like this.
Favorite Song of 2011
"Country Line" by Cass Mccombs: Confession time. 2011 was a pretty rough year for me. A lot of personal changes, re-examining of views, and reflection. Anyone who has ever went through a breakup or lost a loved one finds that song that speaks directly to them and the lyrics take on an almost human form. "County Line" was there for me when I needed it the most. From the soft, subtle keyboards to the almost whispered vocals, "County Line" has a sense of longing and urgency that's impossible to fake. Cass Mccombs gets my vote for songwriter of our generation with this one.
Honorable Mention
"Life in Paper" by Fucked Up: David Comes to Life is arguably one of the best releases of the year. This track in particular hit me like a ton of bricks. I love how the song swells and swells and then explodes with an almost patriotic fervor. The lyrics are poignant and honest. Every time I hear the opening line "Who can I trust, all I see is an empty sky, who can I trust, what goods a God who can't hear my cries?", I can't help but be moved.
Favorite Concert of 2011
Jessica Lea Mayfield, Johnny Corndawg at Mohawk Place (8/11/11): I had zero expectations for this show. I'd never heard Johnny Corndawg and listened to Jessica only casually. I was incredibly blown away by both acts. Johnny Corndawg had a raw, old school country vibe that pulled me right in. He was eccentric and charming and wrote damn catchy songs. Likewise, my eyes never veered far from the Jessica or her band. The sound was pitch perfect. Fresh vinyl at its best. After the show, I bought both groups entire discography.
Jessica Lea Mayfield: Kiss Me Again by -gaga
Honorable Mention
TSOL at Mohawk Place (6/08/11): TSOL are legends for anybody who follows punk rock, and they're one of my favorite bands. I had seen them twice almost ten years prior and they killed back then. But they were older now, in their forties, and we all know that retro acts tend to blow chunks live. All I can say is that the spark is still there. They played all the old stuff (as expected) as high velocity as a group of teenage kids (not expected). If you weren't there, you'll never know.
Tsol - beneath the shadows - 06 - glass streets by darcy wonder
