'O Celestial Golfball That Rules The Night... writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (David Staples)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from David Staples.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

1. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Springsteen, Dylan, Petty are the common comparisons.. but with a hypnotic bend. Roadtrip music that makes you drive faster.. be safe, use cruise control instead. (Fav song.. Come to the City)
2. Wye Oak – Civilian (Merge)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Dynamic…Loud when it needs to be, Hushy when it feels right to be hushy… and Jenn Wasner’s smoky voice! It’s all so haunting and mesmerizing. (Fav song.. Holy Holy)
3. I Break Horses – Hearts (Bella Union)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Vocal effects and pedal tapping… hypnotic shoegaze rotates around from time to time even now… (Fav song.. Hearts)
4. Panda Bear – Tomboy (Paw Tracks)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Like a psychedelic Brian Wilson. Best enjoyed alone with headphones and ice cream. (Fav song.. Alsatian Darn)
5. Low – C’Mon (Sub Pop)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Their 9th album and I’m still enthralled. Minimalist royalty in the music world. Also one of the least depressing of their body of work. (Fav song.. Witches)
6. Lumerians – Transmallinia (Knitting Factory)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Garage psyche from the Bay Area that sounds like it could have come from the 60’s. Heavy and droney with African percussion, this album would go great with oil-wheel projector visual effects.. and a mean case of the munchies.. (Fav song.. Melting Space)
7. Tennis – Cape Dory (Fat Possum)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Released way back in January, it shoulda been the soundtrack to summer. Created by a husband/wife team from Colorado about the romance of boats, sailing, beaches, sand… Gorgeous album indeed! (Fav Song.. Baltimore)
8. National Skyline – Primitive Parade (Hype Music)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Synth rich, ethereal, warm, emotional guitar driven electronica created by Jeff Dimpsey (ex Hum). It’s a fine follow-up to 2009’s Bliss & Death (I’m not counting the film soundtrack material in between). My single favorite song of the year is Dream Like Me, and it’s on this album. (of course, favorite songs change places with each other like popcorn in a popper, but as of this writing….)
9. Cross Record – Magnetic Current (Another New Calligraphy)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   A lo-fi collection of delicate, beautiful and haunting songs. This album stopped me in my tracks. Pull the covers up and stay inside today. Hope ya like clarinets. (Fav song.. Black Cat)
10. White Hills – H-p1 (Thrill Jockey)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    Loud, loud, loud psychedelic free-form space-rock that drones you into hypnosis, but in a scary way. It’s as unnerving as it is addictive as it is intense. I would walk about with this on my iPod and occasionally find myself looking over my shoulder, worried about what’s behind me. I suppose I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a twelve foot praying mantis looming over me, holding a boom box over its head like John Cusack. Ok, surprised isn’t the right word. (Fav song.. Paradise)

Honorable Mentions

• Yuck – Yuck (Fat Possum)
  
  Implodes – Black Earth (Kranky)
  
  Wooden Shjips – West (Thrill Jockey)
  
  Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo (Matador)
   

Austin B. Harvey presents: The Liquid Diet writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Austin Bainard Harvey)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from Austin Bainard Harvey.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

1. Cults – Cults (In the Name of)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   The girl-group splendor of 1960’s pop has seen its share of revival attempts, but what Cults managed with their much-anticipated debut album is more than tribute. These are pop songs not of any particular era, but simply a load of melodic hooks that shimmer enough to soundtrack a snowfall, but too exciting not to be summer jams. Ultimately, Cults may be a one-trick pony, but once stuck, this trick is impossible to remove from your head.
2. Razika – Program 91 (Smalltown Supersound)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Four 19-year-old Norwegian ladies who’ve known each other for over a decade record a full album on weekend breaks from school. Before you think the result will be akin to The Shaggs, you’ll hear a joyous, ska-influenced post-punk that plays up the band’s youth without sounding immature, snotty, or cloyingly saccharine. If 2011 was “The Year Of Boring”, this was the exception to prove the rule.
3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Fat Possum)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   It takes guts to make a debut album this indecipherable. Garage production without the garage rock, this Kiwi-American trio have put together a quick half-hour of spare, danceable tunes penned by Flying Nun vet Ruban Nielson. UMO have hooks galore, but are just as content to ride the main riff of a track through the fade-out.
4. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Tiker Tape Ltd.)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   For all intents and purposes, Radiohead made an album of dance music in 2011. The result is simply their best record since Kid A. Sonically dense and yet immediately listenable, and at times even fun, the Oxford quintet once again expand their palate with a new set of classics.
5. The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar (Atlantic/Canvasback)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This Welsh trio survive mediocre production and an overly-compressed mix to put together one of the year’s more emotionally intense records. Hard rock with an ear for melody and a riff, the songwriting chops are there, while Ritzy Bryan’s double-wallop of arena-ready guitar crunch and soaring vocals make me believe they’re going to be around for the long haul.
6. Village – Local Moves (Self-Released)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   I have to admit that I’d much rather listen to classic rock than chillwave, or rehashed 80’s soft-rock; and local guys Village do more than their part to sate the need. Part alt-country, and part barroom stomp, it’s a record that never tries too hard and never misses the mark. If you need a fix of the basics, this is where to go.
7. The Psychic Paramount – II (No Quarter)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   An instrumental rock record that emerges from the fog, destroys everything in sight, takes no prisoners, and walks away victoriously. Pulsing, loud, unapologetic, and brash, parts of this album reminded me of Steve Reich’s “Pulses” fed through a heavier sort of Krautrock. It’s a beast of a record, and you’ll feel better for having survived it.
8. Wild Flag – Wild Flag (Merge)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Sure, it’s 2/3rds of Sleater-Kinney, and has parts of Helium and The Minders, but never mind that. These ladies made perhaps the most fun record of the year by becoming greater than the sum of their parts, or their history. They also made a six-and-a-half-minute jam on being a racehorse into perhaps the year’s best straight-up rock song.
9. Veronica Falls – Veronica Falls (Slumberland)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   British indie from the mid-80’s is probably due for a revival of its own. With a cadre of influences that don’t include The Smiths in the first breath, this London quartet crafts cutesy indie pop with lots of dark undertones, but enough melody and sass to keep you from forgetting that Belle & Sebastian didn’t make an album this year.
10. Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi (Domino)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    Ms. Calvi’s songs range from quiet, desperate, and cavernous, to urgent, plaintive, and encouraging. Her songwriting chops are exceeded by her guitar wizardry and killer pipes. Melodramatic without going over-the-top, the London wunderkind’s continually impresses with repeated listens.

Honorable Mentions

• 11. Cave — Neverendless (Drag City)
  Chicago’s motorik masters have released their best yet. Don’t sleep on ‘em before they blow up.
  
  12. Office Of Future Plans — Office Of Future Plans (Dischord) J. Robbins of Jawbox fame snags a cellist in his new band. The result is grown-up DC emo with hooks galore.
  
  13. Austra — Feel It Break (Paper Bag)
  If The Knife were a little less creepy a little more dancey, they’d be dead ringers for this Toronto trio. Dark, cold, and wonderful.
  
  14. Wilco — The Whole Love (dBpm)
  Wilco’s best album in a decade sees the band taking risks for the first time in nearly as long. They sound more comfortable now than they ever have.
  
  15. Girl In A Coma — Exits & All The Rest (Blackheart)
  The San Antonio trio’s third album draws from punk, grunge, and guitar pop to give us the album of 90’s revivalism we’d all hoped for.
  
  16. PJ Harvey — Let England Shake (Vagrant)
  Polly Jean (no relation) explores her native country’s journey through wars and finds a new voice for herself, plus a shiny new Mercury Prize.
  
  17. Fucked Up — David Comes To Life (Matador)
  The hardcore sextet from Toronto create a four-act rock opera with tons of characters and even more bite. A monumentally tough, albeit rewarding listen.
  
  18. Kate Bush — 50 Words For Snow (ANTI-)
  Bush’s 2nd album of the year is a wintry-themed record with guest spots from Elton John and her own son. Piano-driven prog-adult contemporary that even indie kids can get behind.
  
  19. The Caretaker — An Empty Bliss Beyond This World (History Always Favours The Winners)
  James Leyland Kirby explores amnesia by remixing old 78’s and keeping the surface noise. Haunting, beautiful, and heartbreaking.
  
  20. Destroyer — Kaputt (Merge)
  Here because no other album captured the year’s indie trends (soft rock, saxophone, overly clean guitars and production), and still made them sound decent.

Mike Pakowski writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Mike Pakowski)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from Promotions Director Mike Pakowski.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

1. Detroyer – Kaputt (Merge)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Dan Bejar is one of the coolest people on the planet and this album is just effortlessly smooth and brilliant from beginning to end. Every time I listened to it I found something new that kept me coming back for more throughout the year.
2. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Vagrant)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Thank you Polly Jean for this amazingly sombre and beautiful gem. An incredible heartfelt album filled with powerful songs/stories.
3. Colin Stetson – New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges (Constellation)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   The most unique and exciting album I heard this year hands down. This is music I’ve never experienced before and the fact that it comes from one musician, playing one instrument, recorded in one take is absolutely mind-blowing.
4. Julianna Barwick – The Magic Place (Asthmatic Kitty)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   A beautiful, dreamy, hypnotic album. Julianna Barwick’s voice is enchanting, soothing and magical.
5. Dirty Beaches – Badlands (Zoo)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   I’m a sucker for nostalgia albums and there was no shortage of them this year. However with Badlands, Alex Zhang Hungtai did something really special with this low-fi take on 1950’s rock n’ roll.
6. Shabazz Palaces – Black Up (Sub Pop)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   A hip-hop album that sounds like it came from outer space instead of from Seattle.
7. tUnE-yArDs – W H O K I L L (4AD)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Such an enjoyable album from start to finish. There are so many musical genres uniquely blended together on whokill; and Merrill Garbus sings and plays her heart out on every track.
8. Tom Waits – Bad As Me (ANTI-)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   To be honest, I don’t have much of a history with the music of Mr. Waits. But after spending some time with the lovely and honest Bad as Me, I can’t wait to grab some whiskey and find out what I’ve been missing.
9. John Maus – We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves (Ribbon Music/Upset The Rhythm)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Thought-provoking minimalist synth-pop.
10. NewVillager – NewVillager (IamSound)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    This was my feel good album of 2011. Just a fun, enjoyable mix of soul and indie-pop.

Honorable Mentions

• Sandro Perri – Impossible Spaces (Constellation)
  Cults – Cults (In The Name Of)
  Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer (Merge)
  Girls Names – Dead To Me (Slumberland/Tough Love)
  Black Lips – Arabia Mountain (Vice)

Sara writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Sara Miller)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from DJ Sara Miller.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

1. JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – Want More (Bloodshot)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Chicago’s favorite soul crooner is back in full force with the fabulous Uptown Sound for their first release on Bloodshot. The only thing better than this album is seeing these guys live.
2. Various Artists – Thai? Dai!: The Heavier Side of the Luk Thung Underground – Finders Keepers
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Finders Keepers is at it again with an awesome collection of tracks I would have never known existed if it weren’t for them. A grab-bag of funky, pyschy, rocky tracks from Southeast Asia; what’s not to like? Also of note this year from Finder’s Keepers, Bollywood Bloodbath. Musical bits and pieces from Bollywood Horror flicks – fantastic. Next time you see ‘em, buy those fellas at Finder’s Keepers a drink.
3. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Bulletproof Brass EP (ChoiceCuts)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Need to get pumped up about something? Then listen to “Touch the Sky.” This Chicago band of brothers (literally) will have you up and out of your seat in no time. If that song doesn’t get you moving, then let’s face it, you were never going to run that marathon anyway.
4. Darren Johnston’s Gone to Chicago – The Big Lift (Porto Franco)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Some of the finest players in Chicago improv jazz appear on this album led by San Francisco trumpeter Darren Johnston. Want a taste of what’s going on with jazz in Chicago these days? Then give this album a spin and take a ride with “Glass Ceiling, Paper Floor.”
5. A Lull – Confetti (Mush)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This is one of those albums I bought just for one song, “Weapons of War.” After hearing that single, I knew I had to find out what else this Chicago band had to offer, and they didn’t let me down. I’m not sure why, but this album has become my defacto morning commute album. It’s somehow upbeat and calming at the same time. Kind of a perfect combination for a Chicago morning, just add coffee.
6. Booker T. Jones – The Road from Memphis – ANTI-
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   The brillant Booker T. is backed by the Roots on this album, and Questlove produces. That alone makes this a top ten. Add to that guest apperances by Matt Berninger, Sharon Jones, and Lou Reed. Must I say more?
7. Jamie Woon – Mirrorwriting (Candent)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   I admit it, I have a crush on this man, and his music. I know James Blake is the young rising dubstep star of the year, and for good reason (he’s made my honorable mentions list); but there’s something about the R&B stylings of Woon than just slay me. I could listen to “Night Air” on repeat for days.
8. YACHT – Shangri-La (DFA)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Cramming for a final? Trapped at the office for another 15 hour day trying to meet a deadline? Try this album by YACHT. There’s enough dance pop energy here to get you through the longest of long terrible weeks. Liquified, it’s like drinking twelve 5-hour energies at once, just, not as bad for you.
9. Slow Club – Paradise (Moshi Moshi)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This Sheffield duo knows how to create some mighty fine pop music if you ask me. The songs “Two Cousins” and “If We’re Still Alive” took up some serious real estate on my stereo this past fall after the September release. Also of note, the gorgeous black and white video for “Two Cousins.”
10. The Roots – Undun (Def Jam)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    I just listened to this album for the first time when it came out in early December, and I’ve been listening to it nonstop ever since. Undun has already gotten a ton of acclaim, and it’s sure to be a huge win for the Roots. Apparently, it’s the 13th time that’s the charm.

Honorable Mentions

• James Blake
  Bill Callahan
  Colin Stetson
  El Rego
  tUnE-yArDs

algabor writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Al Gabor)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list (in no particular order) is from Al Gabor.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

• PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Vagrant)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Grim, haunting songs sweetly sung. Next time, PJ, more guitar please.
• Brief Candles – Fractured Days (Guilt Ridden Pop)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Shoegazers from Milwaukee = bowling shoe gazers. Stellar from start to finish.
• Yuck – Yuck (Fat Possum)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  These kids do the 90s better than most 90s bands.
• Wilco – The Whole Love (dBpm/ANTI)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Best since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
• tUnE-yArDs – W H O K I L L (4AD)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Wha? Ukelele-driven African beats? One of the year’s best surprises.
• Little Gold – Weird Freedom (CDBY)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Former Woods guitarist gets his pubrock/psychedelic/alt country freak on.
• Cults – Cults (In the Name of)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Bouncy but creepy take on sixties girl group sound and themes.
• Eleanor Friedberger – Last Summer (Merge)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Stream of consciousness tour of Manhattan and other islands.
• Tom Waits – Bad As Me (ANTI-)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Waits and Nick Cave give aging rockers hope.
• The Decemberists – The King Is Dead (Capitol)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Decemberists get rootsy, release one of their strongest efforts to date.
• Archers of Loaf – Icky Mettle (Merge)
  BUY: Insound / iTunes
  Favorite reissue. 18 years later and still crunchy.