Favorite Album of 2011


Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes: When considering the top album of the year, it's important to ask yourself a few necessary questions. Have I listened to it more than 100 times? Is every song awesome? Does it provoke an emotional response? I would buy it on vinyl? And finally, did it exceed your expectations and change your thoughts about music? Well, there were certainly more than a couple of albums that answered yes to all those, but only one album that really changed the way I thought about music. Lykke Li's beautifully dark Wounded Rhymes.


Wounded Rhymes excels where others failed because of it's unrelentingly theme. A strong of foundation of bleakness and despair built upon black and white album art, emotional music videos of nervous breakdowns, and most importantly, music that explores the sadder parts of life while still remaining danceable and uplifting. The type of the music that silences the world around you and echos through your soul.  Of all the all albums to come out in 2011, Wounded Rhymes is the most profound, coherent piece of work. Whether it's the doom-wop 50's number 'Unrequented Love' or the industrial & apocalyptic drone of "Silent My Song" everything about this album is impressive on levels few albums can reach.

Lykke Li - Love Out Of Lust by LykkeLi

Honorable Mentions


Feist - Metals: In the same why Lykke Li's album changed the way I thought about her, Metals showed me another side to Leslie Fiest I didn't know exsited. A brilliant piece of work that's also a bit on the darker side but with enough Broadway flash to consistanly excite you.


TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light: A sonic explosion of colors and shapes that folds and rotates into something you can't completely comprehend(like this description) in just one listen. It's futuristic art rock with hints of punk and R&B. Completely unique and inspiring in every way.


Favorite Song of 2011


"Montana" by Youth Lagoon(The Year of Hiberation): In my opinion, nothing's better than a lo-li bedroom project that reaches for the moon. This past fall, I got that with Youth Lagoon's uplifting piano rock ballad "Montana". Over the course of 4 minutes and 41 seconds, the echoy voice and pretty piano line continuously climb to higher levels slowing adding layers by layer of whistle-like synth, crashing tambourines, hand claps and a pounding kick drum that culminates into something so motivating exhilarating it makes me want to run out and change the world. Bonus points for a great music video.

Honorable Mentions


"Repatriated" by Handsome Furs(Sound Kapital): I'm a huge fan of any and all Wolf Parade side projects. So it comes as no surprise that when Dan Boeckner & his wife Alexei Perry returned with another minimal electronic indie rock album, titled Sound Kapital, I would automatically love it. "Repatriated" is probably my favorite song from said album.


"Intro" by M83(Hurry Up, We're Dreaming): If Anthony Gonzalez had Zola Jesus guest sing on every track of the epic Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, I think my speakers might melt. There is a lot to like M83's newest masterpiece, but the first song on the first disc, aptly titled "Intro" is by far my favorite.

Favorite Concert of 2011


Bright Eyes at Artpark (7/27/11): Conor Oberst is a polarizing musician. He's cocky, he wears skinny jeans, he writes songs about his 'feelings', etc. Most people who dislike his band Bright Eyes write them off as some sort of feminine indie folk group. But for those of us who know, Conor Oberst is a powerful front man, innovative song writer, and poetic genius the likes of which don't come around all that often. Well Bright Eyes was in full form that sunny evening this past summer, playing my favorite songs from uber political I'm Wide Awake It's Morning to the cocaine overdose electronic tunes of Digital Ash in the Digital Urn. As the night progressed and Conor loosened up, the songs tended to grow in length. By the time of the encore, each song had grown into a full on improvised jam complete with freak-out LED light rimmed glasses and psychedelic guitar solos. By far my favorite concert, and possibly summer night, this year.



Honorable Mention


NXNE: Although I only spent one night up in Toronto for the northern equivalent to South by Southwest, It was by far one of the best concert experiences of the summer. From the quick walk to see Cults on the main stage to discovering new bands and new bars all around our town, our neighbors to the north sure know how to throw a festival.

My favorite part about writing for buffaBLOG has to be discovering new local music that rivals anything you would hear on the radio.  Buffalo really does have a plethora of talent just waiting to be discovered and if this blog can help push just one of these bands forward, perhaps even help them make a career in music, then I think we've done something special.  But how do we decide who to put on this list when there are only 10 slots? Well, we need to take a number of things into consideration:  Did they put out any new music this year?  Is it available on vinyl or CD?  How do they market themselves online?  Do they have a bandcamp page or are they still using that myspace page (ugh) from 4 years ago? Have they found their 'sound' or do they seem like too much of everything? These are the types of things we take into considerations while narrowing our list from 50 bands to the top 10.  Make no mistake, this list is certainly subjective, but in our hearts we here at buffaBLOG believe that these bands below have truly done the best jobs in the Western New York area in 2011.

Honorable Mentions 
Aye Karou
White Bison
Early Attic
Wooden Waves

10. Andrew J. Reimers Country Punk Extravaganza - The Buffalo band with the most interesting name, ARCPX merge two distinctly different genres like a mad scientist.  Although the group doesn't have an extensive discography to showcase, their live show infectiously fun is & they truly represent some of the best music to come out of Buffalo.
The Andrew J. Reimers Country-Punk Extravaganza!-Beggar's Pay (Demo 2011) by buffablog2
 
9. Bill Times A Billion - There isn't a more charming garage-pop duo in the greater Western New York area than Bill Times A Billion. Just give me some guitar, some drums and the occasional trumpet in a song that's under 2 minutes and I'm sold. So what if they don't have a lot of songs. So what if their shows don't generally run longer than 30 miniutes. The important thing is that they craft some catchy tunes that stay in your head for days.
Bill Times a Billion - Clean Pick by buffablog2

 
8. The Bird Day - With a 7 song mini album & a couple of singles released early this year, there was pretty much no way we could keep last years top band off our list for 2011.  Sure they moved to the west coast last month, but when you think about it, they spent more than enough time opening up for major indie bands at Soundlab and Mohawk to make our list this year.
The Bird Day - Chain Gang by buffablog

 
7. Arctic Death - The last holdover from our 2010 list, Arctic Death had one roller coaster kind of a year. First there was the mix up with the vinyl pressings, causing an extremely late shipment of the debut LP. Then the drummer left for school putting the band on hiatus. But with an improved stage presence, a loyal fan base and ridiculously awesome debut, they still did more than enough to make our list of 2011.
Golden by ARCTIC DEATH

 
6. Black Umbrella - Psychedelic glam pop sounds like a good place to start. Black Umbrella have a sunny vibration that can get your foot tappin' and your finger snappin'. Aside from a natural talent to craft awesome indie songs, the band also puts in a ton of effort, producing a solid EP this summer and most recently, the stellar LP Tussie-Mussie.
Black Umbrella - Gospel Of The Grenadines by buffablog2

 
5. Applennium - What started as a side project from Dave Calos of Bearhunter (our 4th best band of 2010) and friends Stacey Stoll & Chris Groves has blossomed into a fantastic band in its own right. Applennium create music that's a touch lighter on the rock side but no less entertaining. They have a beautiful yet eerie sensibility that most bands couldn't create even if they wanted to. Think of the Modest Mouse side project, Ugly Cassanova and combine it with Califone.  Beautiful indie rock, plain and simple.

Applennium-Fizzle by buffablog2
 
4. Nelson-Type -  For most bands, debut shows are full of broken strings, timing miscues, and lots and lots of feed back. Not these guys. When Kevin Scoma and Trey Hollowood premiered their self proclaimed "dream-rock" band at Mohawk Place earlier this year, they were nearly flawless and left the audience in a sort of nostalgic awe. If you combined Beach House with Weezer, you might come close to radness that is Nelson-Type.


Our Summer by Nelson-Type
  
3. The Mordaunt Sisters - If you want to know the shortest way to get on this list, invent your own genre. No one else in Buffalo does horror folk like The Mordaunt Sisters. Their unique brand of witch house meets indie Americana is utterly fascinating. But there is more to the Mordaunt Sisters than creepy pedal steel over layers of acoustic strumming guitar. Songs can evolve before your eyes and what may have started as a slow cooking soul number will transform into the type of loud psychedelic rockage that would make the Besnard Lakes blush.
The Mordaunt Sisters - Hirschfield by buffablog2

 
 2. Bryan Johnson & Family - Bryan Johnson & Family earned they're way to the top of our list by doing something no other band in Buffalo will do. Playing sunny, deck-party rock, the likes of which haven't been heard in...well, ever. It's no secret that Buffalo is a town that likes its bluesy guitar, drums and bass focused rock n' roll. It sometimes feels like there are 15 different bands that play the same music in this town. That's why it feels so refreshing to hear something different like Bryan Johnson & Family. It's lighthearted, friendly, inviting and a band that isn't trying to impress you with the size of their guitar. Sure, their Vampire Weekend meets Real Estate vibes aren't for everyone, but for us here at buffaBLOG, these guys make us smile.

Bryan Johnson & Family - Deck Party by buffablog
 
 1. Roger Bryan & the Orphans - There is nothing that Roger Bryan and the Orphans didn't do right in 2011. They started off the year by building some internet buzz when they released a very professional teaser trailer for there forthcoming album 37. They followed that up by releasing their first single "In the Red" on Bandcamp and announcing that each single would be matched with b-sides and exclusive videos and artwork. Then they released 37 (on vinyl mind you) on June 21st with an album release party at Mohawk that was as packed as I've ever seen the dive bar. Finally, they continued to play shows through out the year with just enough frequency to make each show special without ever sounding overplayed. And lets not forgot how wonderful the album 37 actually is. Strong, adventurist, heartwarming, and beaming with pure roots Americana, it's an album that stayed in my record player for months. In a lot of ways, it sounds like bits and pieces of all my favorite indie folk artists rolled into one. As we described it in our album review earlier this year, the album has "the crunchiness of modern alt country forefathers Uncle Tupelo, the angst heavy college rock riffs of the Replacements, the subtle soul of Wilco, and of course, the heart on your sleeve earnestness of Adams." It's an album that I would proudly put in my top 10 of 2011. Hell, I might even put it in my top 5. And did you see them at our Holiday party? They killed it! So congratulations Roger Bryan & the Orphans. You are our favorite band of 2011.

Roger Bryan & the Orphans - Anchors by buffablog


 

In probably the saddest music new of the day, Brooklyn art rocker St. Vincent has canceled her appearance at the Town Ballroom on December 13th. According to a post on her Facebook account, the cancellation was due to some 'very last-minute conflicts' and she is 'sorry to miss all of you'. Adding insult to injury, nine people apparently 'liked' this status update. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Her song below has never sounded more appropriate.

St. Vincent - Cruel by Posh Magazine

Alternative hip-hop brothers Kentrell "Krispy" Lindsey and Alvin "Joe" Lindsey are some pretty talented dudes. The brothers can play a laundry list of instruments, sing, rap, produce and probably perform magic if you asked them to. Well these brothers, who call themselves The Knux, will be invading Mohawk Place on November 27th with their unique brand of electro-pop hip-hop. You can check out the group's newest single "Run" featuring Kid Cudi below. No word on when tickets go on sale, but we'll let you know.

The Knux - Run by Interscope Records

U2 has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I know, I know, indie rock blasphemy right? But hold on just a second. Remember when Jack White appeared in the film It Might Get Loud along side U2 guitarist, The Edge? And now Mr. White is appearing on Q Magazine's fantastic U2 tribute album Achtung Baby Covers celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original. For his part, Jack takes on the classic "Love Is Blindness" giving it a more delta blues vibes. So if Jack White likes U2, and you like Jack White, it stands to reason you might actually like some classic U2, right? Well take a listen for yourself, and maybe, just maybe, this cover will a believer out of you.

JWU2 by a6886783

Post-punk indie troubadours, White Rabbits, will be visiting the Nickle City this fall. The 6-piece Brooklyn band will be hitting the small stage of The Ninth Ward on November 29th and tickets go on sale tomorrow for $13 a piece. The band is probably most famous for its rumbling and pummeling hit song "Percussion Gun" (which you can listen to below) and has toured with the likes of The Walkmen, Interpol, Spoon, and Muse.

White Rabbits- Percussion Gun by latitude32

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the gunge pop brain child of New Zealand native Ruban Neilson turned Portland Oregonian, will be stopping by The Mohawk Place on October 25th.  Because of this, it only seems fitting that we should dedicate our Weekly Remix to the newly reworked version of "Ffuny Friends" by fellow Kiwis, The Naked and the Famous.  The fresh new remix increases the tempo a bit, adds some echoey reverb and sifts the focus of the song away from that gnarly guitar lead.  I might even like it more than the original.  Take a listen for yourself.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Ffunny Ffriends (The Naked And Famous Remix) by The Naked And Famous

On a dark and dingy Sunday night in Buffalo, stoner punks Wavves and Toronto hooligans Fucked Up brought a little sunshine to the Town Ballroom and put a positive stamp a more or less sour weekend. After all, there is nothing like some good old aggressive punk music to help alleviate those Buffalo Bills blues, wouldn't you say.

Things started off right when Nathan Williams and his marry band of pranksters took to the stage to the cheers of a small but enthusiastic crowd. The band, which has added a new guitarist since their last visit, sounded crisp, clean and well rehearsed despite Williams' admission to being under the weather. Familiar songs like "King of the Beach" and "Post Acid" seemed to draw the biggest response from the crowd, inciting a small (dare I say cute) mosh pit. At some point between songs, Nathan nonchalantly walked toward the back of the stage and evidently vomited. Upon returning to the mic, Williams explained that while the beer was helping, getting sick on tour could sometimes happen and he would try his best to press on.

The rest of the set contained new favorites like the name dropping "I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl" and party anthem teaser "Bug" intermixed with older tunes like "To the Dregs", the latter of which started with a new slow and foreboding intro, adding some refreshing flavor to an old classic. The set ended with the sing-a-long snapper "No Hope Kids" before Nathan and the rest of his crew rushed off stage for some well needed rest. You have to give those guys some serious credit. For being a group of weed smoking, beer drinking, pizza eating slackers, they sure were quite the professionals.

After a brief intermission, Toronto hardcore punk collective Fucked Up took to the stage poised to add even more energy to the already amped crowd. If you didn't already know, the most distinctive feature of Fucked Up would have to be lead singer Damian Abraham's in-your-face attitude. In this case, I mean that quite literally. Damian is the kind of front man who personifies the true heart and soul of Fucked Up. A heavy set fellow with a tendency to take off his shirt, jump into the crowd and scream song lyrics with his fans while high fiving everyone in sight. Needless to say it didn't take long for another mosh pit to start. Songs like "Queen of Hearts" had the die hard fans in the front head banging themselves silly while the the female backing vocals and clean guitar work had those in the back smiling from ear to ear.

A very weird moment occurred to during the song "I Hate Summer" in which the mosh pit became too violent and the band had to stop playing while security helped bring things down a notch. Damian then pleaded with the apparent instigator (who oddly enough replied that he was a Buddhist) to keep things chill, before restarting the song, abit, slight less intense.

From that point on things remained calm and collect, and everyone inside the Ballroom returned to having the time of their lives. Damian enjoyed some crowd surfing and joked about chicken wings and Mighty Taco between songs, always managing to keep things friendly and wonderfully intense at the same time.  Whether it was jumping around like a mad man or singing along to the chorus of "The Other Shoe", everyone who made the wise decision to attended will have a story to tell and memory to hold on to. Plus, it was a lot more fun then that Cincinnati game.

Louisville Kentucky indie rock drunkards State Champion will be making a brief appearance tonight at Soundlab. If Titus Andronicus moved to the south, formed a new band with Deer Tick and played Dolly Parton covers all night while drinking moonshine, they might sound something like State Champion.  The self titled garage country group will be hitting the stage with Skimask & Eat This McKinley and although it doesn't say how it much it cost on the facebook event page, its probably somewhere between 5 and 10 dollars. Music gets started around 8pm.

Local music compilations seem to be the hip thing to do these days. With Steak and Cake dropping two samplers in the past year, and more recently Vergetone Production's Best in Buffalo 2011 charity album, there are lots of ways to enjoy Buffalo's diverse music scene in one place. Enter, A Means to an End: Volume 4, the newest Buffalo compilation album from Sheetsoften.com. A Means to an End separates itself from the rest of the pack by focusing its content onto one particular music scene. Namely, the grungy slightly older indie rock scene from some of the areas favorite bands who usually frequent places like Mohawk Place or The Funeral Home. Highlights from the 26 song album include favorites from Failure's Union, Hunger Anthem, Roger Bryan & The Orphans, Unwelcome Guest, Nick Gordon, etc. But perhaps the most intriguing track on the album is a new tune from future punks London Vs. New York titled "Awake Now". You can take a listen to the track below or click here to download the entire compilation.

10 London vs New York - Awake Now by buffablog2

Punk concerts don't get better than this. Tonight's bill at the Town Ballroom is insanely stacked with local art-rock group Wooden Waves kicking things off followed by slacker trio Wavves & finally the overly ambitious Toronto hardcore punk collective Fucked Up. All three of these groups have been very busy this summer, each releasing superb EPs or full length LPs. Wooden Waves just released their long awaited EP on bandcamp not more than a month ago. The woodless, doubled v'd Wavves released their Life Sux EP earlier this summer, whose song "Bug" was picked as our music video of the week this past Friday. And finally Fucked Up, who released the critically acclaimed hardcore punk rock opera, David Comes to Life. The album has been praised for its atypical approach to punk music by providing a deep story line and accessible orchestration that even non-punk fans can appreciate. Tonight's show is 20 bucks and doors open around 7pm.

Fucked Up - Queen of Hearts by Pretty Much Amazing

How bout them Bills!? If you're like me, and pretty much the rest of Buffalo, you are in full blown Bills fever and might have forgotten about all the great concerts coming up in the month of October. Take for example tomorrow's Wavves/Fucked Up double header. This one will either be the icing on the cake if the Bills win or the perfect way to drown out your sorrow's if the Bills lose. Well, win or lose, October is going to be a great month for concerts. Here's a list of some of the shows we are most looking forward too.

* indicates staff picks

 1st - The Head and the Heart @ The Town Ballroom
 2nd - Wavves/Fucked Up @ The Town Ballroom*
 2nd - Keb' Mo' @ UB's Center for the Arts
 4th - Yo Gabba Gabba @ UB's Center for the Arts
 4th - Jackie Greene @ The Tralf
 4th - Matt Nathanson @ The Town Ballroom
 5th - OTT @ Mohawk Place
 5th - Adrian Belew @ The Tralf
 5th - Mac Miller @ The Rapids Theatre
 6th - Zeds Dead @ The Town Ballroom
 8th - One World Tribe @ Nietzsche's*
 8th - Johnny Nobody, Ghost Shirt @ Mohawk Place
 9th - Arboretum, Mordaunt Sisters @ Mohawk Place
10th - Skrillex @ The Town Ballroom*
11th - Bitch @ The Ninth Ward
12th - Dino Felipe @ The Vault
13th - Minus the Bear @ The Town Ballroom
13th - The Rosebuds @ The Tralf
14th - Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ The Town Ballroom
15th - Junior Boys @ The Tralf*
15th - Paul McCartney Tribute @ Kleinhans Music Hall
16th - Tedeschi Trucks Band @ UB's Center for the Arts
18th - Memoryhouse @ Soundlab*
20th - (at sea) @ Sugar City
21st - EOTO @ The Town Ballroom
22nd - aye karou @ Mohawk Place
22nd - Prom of the Dead @ Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center*
22nd - Maps & Atlases @ The Town Ballroom
24th - Wild Life @ Mohawk Place
25th - Unknown Mortal Orchestral @ Mohawk Place
27th - Lotus, Keys N Krates @ The Town Ballroom
28th - Brett Dennen @ The Town Ballroom
28-29th - Slyboots Halloween Weekend
29th - Halloween Party @ Hamlin House
29th - Blitzen Trapper @ Mohawk Place*

If you have yet to experience a Bryan Johnson & Family show then you need to stop by Sugar City tonight. While Buffalo moves deeper into autumn this group will help you hold on to those last wisps of summer with songs about deck parties and trips to the beach. Using reverberated vocals and vampire weekend/surfer blood-esque guitars, the band will have you dancing in no time and singing along to choruses of ooohs and ahhs. We like them so much we even made their self-titled EP our Album of the Week back in August. Also on the bill are Chimneys & Shawn McDonell (singer of West Ferry). Like most things at Sugar City, the party gets started around 6 and ends by 10pm. All it will cost is a 5 dollar donation. Don't screw this one up Buffalo. Be there!

Bryan Johnson & Family - Deck Party by buffablog

Acoustic folk duo The Milk Carton Kids will be making a stop at The Ninth Ward tonight. The group from Eagle Rock, California deliver a soft Americana sound that excels in simplicity.  Using sparse acoustic guitar picking over harmonizing vocals that seem to float in the air forever, the band plays to its strength (its modesty) and never over reaches.  The camp fire vocals will hold your attention while the comfortable guitar arrangements set a relaxing atmosphere. Like a modern day Simon & Garfunkel or Calexico without the drums, this the type of music that comes straight from the heartland. Opening the show will be Gaby Moreno and tickets are only 10 bucks. Doors open at 7pm.

The Milk Carton Kids - Michigan by jeffreysmithlouisville

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson is quite the modern day renaissance man. He tweets more any other Bills player, endorses krudmart & Deuce brand sport watches and on certain occasions, lays down a rhyme or two.  Just yesterday, after putting a whippin' on the Oakland Raiders, Stevie & hip-hop pal G5-Gi released their brand new Why So Serious Mixtape. Stevie, who goes by the moniker SJ13, raps "call me stone cold Steven" and that he's "inked up like sharpies" proving once again that he is easily the coolest Buffalo Bill ever.  The 13 track mixtape can be downloaded for free right here and you can listen to the first track below. Also, G5-Gi will be tearing up the tiny stage of Broadway Joes this Friday. Who knows, but maybe #13 will be making an appearance.

SJ13 (Stevie Johnson) & G5Gi - Inked Up (Prod. by Prafit Beats) by buffablog2

Seattle based riot grrrl punksters, Agatha, will be bringing their aggressive stylings to Buffalo's favorite DIY venue Sugar City this evening. Using combative girl & guy vocals, short hyper fast guitar rifts and furious heart pounding drums, the group produces a sound that's snappy but full of attitude. It's the perfect band for those looking to introduce themselves into the realm of harder rock. Filling out the bill are Buffalo's own Mayday!, Coworkers & Mallwalkers. The show is only 6 bucks & gets started around 6pm. Sugar City is located at 19 Wadsworth St. Buffalo, NY 14201

Agatha - Undefined by buffablog2

Burlington Vermont space punk duo, The Vacant Lots, will be returning to Soundlab this November. The group creatively combines synth drone, Bo Diddley-esqe guitar work, and minimal drumming to construct a sound that is brash yet accessible and uniquely original. This brand of trancy noise rock has gained them press on Pitchfork, rave reviews from SXSW, and opening slots for Dean & Britta (Galaxie 500) in Brooklyn. The group will be playing on November 2nd, and ticket prices are TBA.

The Vacant Lots - Cadillac by H+ Records

Dance folk rockers and Bon Iver BFFs, The Rosebuds will be stopping by The Tralf on Thursday October 13th.  The Raleigh, North Carolina duo will be touring in support of their latest LP, Loud Planes Fly Low, which was released on Merge back in June. Fans of The Books, Ganygs, Megafaun & the aforementioned Bon Iver will enjoy the groups unique form of indie dance-Americana. Take a listen below and see for yourself. Tickets are only 12 bucks and are available now. 


Woods - The Rosebuds by user5010933

Local experimental rap artist Jeremy Jermaine Jerome has released a new track for your listening pleasure. In an email with the cryptic message "neither a single nor an album cut or an exclusive,  simply out to exist" the bizarre anomaly that is JJJ sent us the new track titled "Intrigue". The new tune starts with a simple piano note ala Kanye's "Runaway" but slowly moves toward creepy-spazz out mode by adding layers of thundering distorted electro-drums.  Like everything else from JJJ, I guess you could say the song left us feeling puzzled yet intrigued. Take a listen

jeremy jermaine jerome - 02 intrigue by buffablog2