I always thought Unmap, the debut album from Volcano Choir - an experimental group featuring Wisconsin friends Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, The Shouting Matches) and post-rock outfit Collections of Colonies of Bees - didn't get enough attention. Maybe it wasn't quite the For Emma... follow up people were hoping for from Vernon, or maybe just the overall lack of Bon Iver in the by line, but people slept on it and, in my opinion missed out. I guess experimental rock, and this really wasn't all that experimental, just turns some people off.

Anyways, late last month, a stunning album trailer (a recent trend I am really enjoying) was released for Repave, VC's sophomore effort. This video was soundtracked by an, at the time, unknown song, which, as it turns out, is the album's first single. "Byegone" feels like Volcano Choir going for something bigger this time (just look at that wave in the video), but not before the song bubbles and hisses its way to the triumphant 2:38 mark. "Byegone" recalls the cathartic release of Bon Iver's "Perth," a song that a couple of the non-Veron Volcano Choir members were involved in, and is a hopeful sign of things to come from the forthcoming album. Repave will be released on September 3rd.

After surveying the list of nominees for 2012, the strangeness of the 55th annual GRAMMYs’ selections were instantly striking. Were the nominations inspired by critical consensus, Billboard popularity, or merely personal voter taste? And why did it seem, as in years past, that the judges were unaware of the actual year the music they selected was from? Why, again, were the options for Best New Artist comprised of artists who had already released records years before? Just what are the GRAMMYs out to celebrate and who are they hoping to appeal to?

Mystery #1: The Case of the Same Sound, Different Genre

El Camino by the Black Keys is a groovy joyride of an album. It’s more than licensed to drive on the GRAMMYs’ highways. The Album of the Year nominee was released, however, in December of 2011. Furthermore, the Black Keys previously were categorized by the GRAMMYs as an alternative act, winning Best Alternative Music Album for Brothers (bafflingly beating out Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs for the award although The Suburbs were handed Album of the Year). They are now in the running for Best Rock Album and were not considered for Best Alternative Music Album, though Tom Waits, rarely classified as “alternative,” was. Additionally, Jack White’s White Stripes-sounding solo release was labeled as a Rock Album, despite the White Stripes’ consistent placement in the Alternative Music category. Has the alternative genre been reconsidered by the Recording Academy for sociological reasons or do the changes reflect some other form of enigmatic politicking that subtly serves record sales?

Mystery #2: The Case of the Rapidly Aging Definition of “New”

Last year, Bon Iver was notably given the award for Best New Artist. In the year prior, Esperanza Spalding beat out Justin Bieber for the same commendation. In both cases though, Bon Iver and Spalding had popular careers and followings established long before being declared “new.” For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver was a massive hit in 2008. Bon Iver received his Best New Artist award for Bon Iver, Bon Iver in 2011. This year, fun. are up for Best New Artist, in spite of debuting an LP in 2009, while most of their fellow nominees are blatant 2011 acts. Is “new” now defined by when members of the Recording Academy have heard of a band? And if so, how had they not heard of these bands if they are touted as industry experts?

Mystery #3: The Case of the Hat-Picked Nominees

According to besteveralbums.com’s calculations, based on critical lists the most acclaimed albums of 2012 were Bloom by Beach House, Blunderbuss by Jack White, Channel Orange by Frank Ocean, good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar, and Shields by Grizzly Bear. The best-selling albums of 2012 released in 2012 were Red by Taylor Swift, Babel by Mumford & Sons, Tuskegee by Lionel Richie, Believe by Justin Bieber, and Blown Away by Carrie Underwood. Of the aforementioned albums, three were considered for Album of the Year (Blunderbuss, Channel Orange, and Babel). The other two selections, Some Nights and El Camino, were both highly successful chart-topping records. Acts like Beach House, Kendrick Lamar, and Grizzly Bear, however, were uniformly snubbed. None of this was unexpected.

More unexpected and quite confusing are the nominee selections for nearly every other category. Critical darlings like Kendrick Lamar and Killer Mike were omitted from Best Rap Album nominations. Mumford & Sons received a nomination for Best Americana Album despite being very very British and did not receive a nomination for Best Folk Album. Films like Midnight in Paris from early in 2011 were nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media alongside movies from midway through 2012. Music videos from albums nominated for GRAMMYs last year (such as Foster the People’s Torches) were given recognition. The Recording Academy appeared absolutely obsessed with “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson for no identifiably justified reasons, showering the track with three nominations. The difference between Song of the Year and Record of Year came across as puzzling as ever, apparently with the former focusing on quality lyrics. Which clearly explains why “Call Me Maybe” is nominated for Song of the Year but not Record of the Year, and “Thinkin Bout You” is nominated for Record of the Year but not Song of the Year.

But who can unpack and unfurl the logic of the GRAMMY nominations? Who can penetrate the haze of their incoherent mysteries? Can the Recording Academy even explain them? Can you?

I am totally one of those people who won't like an artist because I'm supposed to. It's not that I'm stubborn, it's just that I can't if I feel there's a push, and if it's one thing I am sensitive to, it's a push. Like Bon Iver. It seems like the indie rock/mainstream zeitgeist has entirely bent itself to adore Bon Iver. For more than a year it's been "Bon Iver this" and "Bon Iver that" with Justin Vernon popping up seemingly everywhere and Pitchfork doing a story about the Bon Iver every other day. My beloved Flaming Lips even got in on the act, making hay out of their collaboration with Vernon for their new album. Bon Iver was inescapable... until I listen to Bon Iver and find myself singularly disinterested. Bon Iver isn't especially objectionable, but there's something that's repelling me from giving them the time of day.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues: Helplessness Blues was released in early May of this year and settled its way into being my soundtrack for the summer. The album flows seamlessly from one song to the other, allowing you to push play and walk away for 50 minutes of great music. Robin Pecknold's airy vocals combined with the harmonies from the rest of the band make this whole album come alive.  It reminds me of some of the best Simon and Garfunkel songs that also fill my summer soundtrack. "Grown Ocean", "Helplessness Blues" and "The Shrine/An Argument" are some of my favorite tracks but this album is my favorite of the year mostly because I love every track from beginning to end. These guys created an amazing masterpiece of music that will transport you to a different time when the sun was shining. 


Honorable Mentions

Beyoncé  - 4: Well, Beyoncé truly had a wonderful 2011. She has been dominating the top of 2011 lists and in my opinion it is very well deserved. If you were to choose my Most Played playlist on my iTunes you would see that her tracks "1+1", "Love on Top" and "Countdown" were listened to a lot this year. She really created some amazing music this year. There were definitely some heavy influences in this album from an older time.  "1+1" has a guitar solo you'd find in a Prince song and "Love on Top" could easily be a Stevie Wonder or Jackson 5 cover. There are some major artists who helped make this album including Kanye West, Diplo, Andre 3000, and Derek from Sleigh Bells. I suggest you check out this album if you haven't yet, you will want to skip some tracks but there are a few gems here.




Favorite Song of 2011


"Holocene" by  Bon Iver (Bon Iver): Bon Iver has gotten a lot of love from the music blogs this year, especially ours. I was lucky enough to see Bon Iver in Toronto this year and with my photo pass was allowed in the very front of the stage during this song. It had been a long time since I heard something so beautiful performed live. The band's playing silenced the crowd and steadily built behind Justin Vernon's falsetto singing. This song became my favorite on the album after seeing it live but now I cannot stop listening to it. And my favorite shot from the concert was taken during it (seen below).




Honorable Mentions

"The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade" by The Joy Formidable (The Big Roar): The Joy Formidable technically re-released this song this year because it appears on their album this year and last years. Either way, its great. If you haven't heard it yet then I'd like you to....







Favorite Concert of 2011


Sharon Jones at Town Ballroom (2/7/2011): In a world where dubstep seems to be taking over the live music scene it was an overwhelming breath of fresh air to see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings kill it at the Town Ballroom. Every musician needs to see her to be reminded how to truly put on a live show. Endless hours of entertainment, crowd interaction, killer backing band and wild dancing made this a night I will never forget. I was lucky enough to see James Brown perform live before he died and this concert gave his show a run for its money. I didn't stop dancing from the second she hit the stage. See her in 2012, hopefully we will be lucky enough for her to return to Buffalo!


Honorable Mention


The buffaBLOG Holiday Party (12/16/2011): Ok, obviously this has to be on my list since I helped plan it but don't you think it was one of the best nights of live music in Buffalo this year? I really just wanted to take the opportunity to thank Roger Bryan & the Orphans, The Wakos, Bryan Johnson & Family, Wooden Waves, and DJ Mario Bee for putting on such a great show. Also, everyone who came out and supported us was just amazing so thanks to you too. Clear your calendars for March 31st.... we are turning 2 this year!!

Bon Iver - Bon Iver: Bon Iver's 2009 debut album For Emma, Forever Ago hit me like no album has in a long time, so to say I was just a bit nervous once Justin Vernon and Kayne West practically became BFFs would be quite the understatement.  And what about the Volcano Choir collaboration with Collection of Colonies of Bees effect?  What would For Emma's follow up sound like?  My first listen to the breathtaking "Calgary", which took me nearly three weeks to stop playing on repeat, put any and all fears to rest.  From the Petty esque jangle of "Towers" to the 80s cheese embracing soft rock of "Beth/Rest" to the stunning layered vocals of "Michicant", Justin Vernon's chamber pop/art folk masterpiece floored me.  8 months or so later, the album still sends me through the gamut of emotions as it did upon first listen.  No other album has made me go back for as many listens, the ultimate sign of longevity for me.   When Vernon sings "I was not magnificent" in "Holecene", you can't help but feel a slight sense of irony now.  Bon Iver proved that Vernon is a force.

Michicant by Bon Iver by coolhunting


Honorable Mentions

The Antlers - Burst Apart: The Brooklyn trio follow up their emotionally devastating Hospice with the breakup album of the year, which also happened to be pretty emotionally devastating as well. The hardest thing about listening to Burst Apart is hearing frontman Peter Silverstein trying to convince himself that he is ok.  From the self realizing chorus on "I Don't Want Love" to crushing album closer "Putting the Dog to Sleep", which heartbreakingly compares the end of relationship to putting down the family pet, you realize that maybe, he is not quite there yet.

The Antlers - I Don't Want Love by Transgressive Records


Beirut - The Rip Tide: Zach Condon and company make their most accessible album to date as their whimsical, Eastern European flavored folk allows you to escape to a near fairy tale like time. Like Bon Iver, Condon focuses on a sense of place, from one of NYC's burroughs("East Harlem") to his Southwest hometown("Sante Fe").  The latter's post-chorus horn section(I am a sucker for horns) is still one of my favorite moments of the year. 

Beirut - Santa Fe by Revolver USA


Favorite Song of 2011


"One Sunday Morning(Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)" by Wilco (The Whole Love): Wilco have done epics before, see the kraut rockin "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" or the eerie and paranoid "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" for confirmation, but on "One Sunday Morning", the band turns in a relaxed, flowing piece of music that manages to convince you that 12 minute running time still isn't long enough. Mediative, reflective, and gorgeous are only the beginning when describing The Whole Love's closing number. Without a chorus in sight, Jeff Tweedy, who sounds completely at piece with whatever demons haunted his past, delivers his most at ease vocals in years, while subtle layers (fluttering keys, breezy horns, and fading cymbals) create one of the most breathtaking songs of not only the year, but of Wilco's incredible career.


Honorable Mentions

"Steve McQueen" by M83 (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming): Nothing, not the building drums, Anthony Gonzalez's yelping vocals, nothing can prepare you for that chorus. The BIGGEST song of the year also packs the biggest punch of nostalgia as the absolutely soaring synths send you straight out of the atmosphere to a time you thought you lost and would never find again.





"Goodbye" by Apparat (The Devil's Walk): Between the spooky spaghetti western guitars that span the track to the ominous piano chords to the M83 esque spoken word female vocals, Apparat's Sascha Ring turns in one of the most haunting songs of the year.  Bonus points goes to the song for being featured in the season finale of Breaking Bad, right before drug king pin/fried chicken restaurant manager Gus Fring meets his (SPOILER ALERT) explosive end.


Goodbye by apparat


Favorite Concert of 2011


Iron & Wine at Town Ballroom (4/15/2011):  To be honest, by favorite show of the year took place just a few weeks ago at Toronto's Massey Hall by, you guessed it, Bon Iver, but like my fellow blogger James, I am keep this local.  Anyways, a few years ago, I saw Iron & Wine perform at Asbury and I nearly fell asleep.  Sam Beam's hushed folk was great when you had headphones on, but live, it just failed to capture my attention.  I found myself at the bar talking with friends more than focusing on the stage.  When Beam and crew came rolling into town this past spring to support his latest release Kiss Each Other Clean though, everything changed.  The solo singer/songwriter was nowhere to be found.  Instead, the dapper Beam who took the stage had become a full on band leader.  Surrounding him were electric guitars and organs, a horn section, backing singers, and multiple percussionists.  Whoever I saw back at Babeville was long gone.  Beam and crew weaved in and out of his catalog, playing expansive new cuts, and turning old classics into revised, barely recognizable stunners.   The new Iron & Wine had arrived.


Honorable Mentions

Roger Bryan & the Orphans CD Release Show at Mohawk Place (6/18/2011):  Bryan, seemingly one of the hardest working men in the Buffalo music scene over the years, and his Orphans absolutely killed it as they were joined by members of Two Cow Garage and fellow Harvestsum musicians while playing cuts from their latest and best album, the hard driving Americana sounds of 37.  Having been a fan of Bryan since his Old Sweetheart Days, I was thrilled when an impromptu(or was it??) Sweethearts reunion closed the evening.  

As much as we try to promote the local music scene here at buffaBLOG, we still find it frustrating to see bands playing to empty bars/clubs, but not on this night. Mohawk Place was busier than I have ever seen it for the Orphans show,  confirming, at least to me, that not only is great music being made and played in Buffalo, but that there is an audience waiting to listen.        

We have hit December and my year long obsession of Bon Iver is still going strong. I have tickets to see the band at Massey Hall in Toronto on Tuesday, and now they go and release the deluxe edition of their self titled sophomore release, my pick for album of the year. While I normally shy away from these re-releases as most of them are just a label's attempt to sell more records by adding a previously unreleased track or maybe a remix, this one has me interested. Similar to what Beach House did a couple years ago for their amazing Teen Dream album, Bon Iver has included a music video/short film to go along with each track on the album. The band has already released a couple since Bon Iver dropped: the nonsensical, yet beautiful video for the album's first single "Calgary" and the breathtaking video for "Holocene", which was shot on location in the very cinematic landscape of Iceland.

While all of the videos can be viewed at the band's Youtube page, my favorite of the new videos would have to be for the haunting "Michicant". Like most of the videos, the clip depicts nature, this time a rainy meadow. The video is simple, but the startling image of a person spinning some kind of glowing...something still sticks with me. You be the judge yourself on which video you like best of course. Enjoy.

So about that collaboration dub step artist James Blake, who according to my co-host Chris on buffaBLOG Radio, is actually not dub-step, did with current indie king Bon Iver.  Well, it turns out that the "Fall Creek Boys Choir" track the two dropped last week will be featured on the British DJ/singer/producer's upcoming release. The Youtube channel that hosted the recording of the song was particularly vague, but the message of "Enough Thunder - Ocotber 2011" apparently was the title and release date of his latest EP, titled (you guessed it) Enough Thunder.  Set for an October 10th release date, the six song EP will include four additional Blake originals, and a cover of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You".

Two things you may or may not known about me.  One is I have an unhealthy obsession with Bon Iver's new self titled album. Just listen to practically any episode of buffaBLOG Radio and I will most likely be in full swoon. The other thing is I went to Iceland this summer. How are those connected you may ask? Well, Bon Iver just released the new music video for song of the year contender (in my opinion at least) "Holocene", and the video was shot completely in Iceland, in particular, the region of Vik on the south-east side of the island.  My travel friend and I made our way through Vik in hopes to having some puffin, a delicacy of Iceland, but found out the cute little bird had been placed on the endangered species list and was not available for meals(what gives?!). While I just just got back from the trip a little over a month ago, I am already in full nostalgic mode watching the video, although our weather was not as pleasant during our time in Vik.  The stark landscapes, the eerie yet beautiful black sand beaches, and breathtaking waterfalls provide the perfect compliment to the gorgeous song.  Enjoy.

Last week, British DJ/producer James Blake's twitter feed stated "24th August 2011 - James Blake & Bon Iver 'Fall Creek Boys Choir' ".  Nothing else, nothing more was known except that Fall Creek is the town in Wisconsin where Justin Vernon of Bon Iver does his recordings.  Well, last night on BBC radio, the curious project made it's debut, previewing the track.  What resulted from the collaboration is pure autotuned soul.  Drum machines and samples weave in and out of Vernon's signature falsetto to baritone vocals. According to the Youtube page, the song will be available on iTunes on August 29th.  The only other message on the page states "Enough Thunder - October 2011", which upon further research is the name of a song Blake has been performing live recently.  Whether this collaboration yields further songs or even an album, remains to be seen, but you can be sure we will be paying attention this October.

It has to feel absolutely fantastic to be playing to sold out shows every single night like Bon Iver and opening band The Rosebuds have been doing. The attendance of the show at Sound Academy in Toronto Monday night was overwhelming.... and personally could have done with less people in the venue. That said, the over crowdedness is my only single complaint of the entire evening.  Musically, the show was exactly what seeing live music should be. 

The Rosebuds had me hooked years ago with their song "Silja Line" off their 2007 release Night of the Furies. They didn't perform this song on Monday but they did play a ton of new songs of their latest release that were equally has good. The highlight of the performance was the track "Woods" that is easily my new favorite song by them. I recently read an article about the friendship between Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and The Rosebuds and how he has helped produce several of their albums. The influence they have on each others music is obvious and I'm sure this won't be the last time they tour together.

Bon Iver was everything I expected and more. In the studio, Justin Vernon creates delicate, soft beautiful songs that when performed live with his 9 piece band that transform into these powerful ballads that hit you harder than you could imagine. The setlist was a perfect balance between songs off his newest album, Bon Iver and his first For Emma, Forever Ago. Vernon's backing band that used to only be 3 members has grown to an impressive 9 people, including strings, horns and two drum sets. You would think this many musicians would be too overwhelming for the softness of Vernon's singing but they accompanied him perfectly. During one of his most beautiful songs "Flume", they were able to bring it down so quietly, it silenced the entire room, enabling Vernon to bring it back in to the chorus truly giving you chills. Even the bands rhythmic stomping and clapping during "Skinny Love" was impressive. I was well aware of the high level of musicianship Justin Vernon possessed and it was really wonderful to see him perform with an accompanying band on the same level. 


I have been in love with the album For Emma, Forever Ago since it was released in 2008, so hearing songs like "Creature Fear", "Re: Stacks", "Wolves" and "Skinny Love" live was emotional satisfying to say the least.  As far as the newer songs "Wash" and "Calgary" have been my favorites off the album which he performed both excellently... but they paled in comparison to "Holocene" which was absolutely stunning live. It was truly a night of outstanding music. Justin Vernon writes songs that everyone, regardless of their taste, could love.... which is why that place was sold out beyond maximum. 


If you have the lucky opportunity to see Bon Iver or The Rosebuds live... take it.  You will not be sorry. In the meantime you can check out this youtube user's HD videos from a recent show in Atlanta and enjoy the photos from Toronto's show below.