Sucker for peer pressure
I probably listened to .000000004% of all new music that came out last year, so if you'll excuse my casual observer status, here are ten hot records from 2005, ranked for the hell of it.
10. Martyrdod In Extremis - I've only listened to this a couple times even though I've had it for months, but I love Martyrdod's sound so much that I decided to include them here. Brutal Swedish hardcore punk seduced by black metal. Way more interesting than their first record. Nobody else sounds like this.
9. Stormcrow Enslaved in Darkness - Not groundbreaking, but awesome throwback metal crust from the Bay Area that could blow up like Hellshock if they get their act together.
8. Growing Live - Guitar-based drone duo who do the quiet thing and the loud thing equally well. Note to self: see this band live and get around to picking up their studio recordings.
7. Alias and Ehren Lillian - His brother Ehren adds some saxophone, but this is an Alias record. Not as monumental as Muted, but still on the dark side of things and guaranteed to result in excessive head-nodding if not actual booty-shaking.
6. Tiger Lou The Loyal - I dare anyone to listen to this once and then not want to listen to it again and again. Keep in mind, kids, Rasmus is a drummer by trade who decided to pick up a guitar and start writing rock songs. Dave Grohl's got nothing on him except a pile of money and a severe misreading of the HIV situation.
5. Jesu s/t - I know I should be flogged for having never really listened to Godflesh; I'll leave the comparing and contrasting to someone who has. Justin Broadrick's back in business, and the new stuff's great. Eight long tracks with dark/heavy underbellies capped with shimmering melody. The Jesu Heartache ep would probably be on this list too if I'd heard it.
4. Lau Nau Kuutarha - Laura Naukkarinen is one of the brightest stars in the weirdo-Finn-folk constellation. Don't be intimidated by that label though; Kuutarha is eccentrically orchestrated, but it's beautiful.
3. Venetian Snares Rossz Csillag Allat Szuletett - Generally known as the most brutal drill-n-bass dude in the business, Aaron Funk decided to build a record around melody rather than snare sputter. Strings take a front row seat here (Funk learned how to play violin to make Rossz... ) with tasteful (but still busy) programmed percussion underneath. It grooves like crazy, even with practically every bar written in 7.
2. The Decemberists Picaresque - I think I first heard this band about halfway through last year, fell head-over-heels for them, and, after regaining my composure and straightening my tie, still find them brilliant months later. Top-notch songwriting, top-notch lyrics, smart and catchy as hell.
1. Mountains s/t - My favorite record of the year. Four tracks of extended electroacoustic warmth. The musical equivalent of sitting in front of a fire, maybe? Laptops, yes, but the heavy use of "proper" instruments puts this record over the top. Seeing them live was icing on the cake. If you've heard this record, and you like it, check out the band Tape, who have a similar compositional approach and are surely an influence on Mountains (and who might also be on this list if I'd heard their '05 output).
10. Martyrdod In Extremis - I've only listened to this a couple times even though I've had it for months, but I love Martyrdod's sound so much that I decided to include them here. Brutal Swedish hardcore punk seduced by black metal. Way more interesting than their first record. Nobody else sounds like this.
9. Stormcrow Enslaved in Darkness - Not groundbreaking, but awesome throwback metal crust from the Bay Area that could blow up like Hellshock if they get their act together.
8. Growing Live - Guitar-based drone duo who do the quiet thing and the loud thing equally well. Note to self: see this band live and get around to picking up their studio recordings.
7. Alias and Ehren Lillian - His brother Ehren adds some saxophone, but this is an Alias record. Not as monumental as Muted, but still on the dark side of things and guaranteed to result in excessive head-nodding if not actual booty-shaking.
6. Tiger Lou The Loyal - I dare anyone to listen to this once and then not want to listen to it again and again. Keep in mind, kids, Rasmus is a drummer by trade who decided to pick up a guitar and start writing rock songs. Dave Grohl's got nothing on him except a pile of money and a severe misreading of the HIV situation.
5. Jesu s/t - I know I should be flogged for having never really listened to Godflesh; I'll leave the comparing and contrasting to someone who has. Justin Broadrick's back in business, and the new stuff's great. Eight long tracks with dark/heavy underbellies capped with shimmering melody. The Jesu Heartache ep would probably be on this list too if I'd heard it.
4. Lau Nau Kuutarha - Laura Naukkarinen is one of the brightest stars in the weirdo-Finn-folk constellation. Don't be intimidated by that label though; Kuutarha is eccentrically orchestrated, but it's beautiful.
3. Venetian Snares Rossz Csillag Allat Szuletett - Generally known as the most brutal drill-n-bass dude in the business, Aaron Funk decided to build a record around melody rather than snare sputter. Strings take a front row seat here (Funk learned how to play violin to make Rossz... ) with tasteful (but still busy) programmed percussion underneath. It grooves like crazy, even with practically every bar written in 7.
2. The Decemberists Picaresque - I think I first heard this band about halfway through last year, fell head-over-heels for them, and, after regaining my composure and straightening my tie, still find them brilliant months later. Top-notch songwriting, top-notch lyrics, smart and catchy as hell.
1. Mountains s/t - My favorite record of the year. Four tracks of extended electroacoustic warmth. The musical equivalent of sitting in front of a fire, maybe? Laptops, yes, but the heavy use of "proper" instruments puts this record over the top. Seeing them live was icing on the cake. If you've heard this record, and you like it, check out the band Tape, who have a similar compositional approach and are surely an influence on Mountains (and who might also be on this list if I'd heard their '05 output).
2 Comments:
alright why wasn't i informed that an Alias record came out this year? i'd like a copy and an apology. same with Mountains.
what exactly does dave grohl think about the HIVitty-divitty?
I think I meant to burn the Alias for you and never got around to it. Most of what he performed at Iota was from the new record. Come to think of it...I believe I did mention the record to you. Anyway, done and (Mountains) done.
Foo Fighters are outspoken members of the HIV-doesn't-exist-the-drug-companies-created-it-to-get-rich community.
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