Albums
of the year
2012
So it’s come to this has it? A year of music so good that for the first time I came close to wishing albums would stop being made, as anything new coming out will surely distract and take away time from enjoying the fantastic albums that came out already. I feel bombarded with so much good music, yet time to listen slowly dissolving away (as evidenced by my balding head). Granted, it’s very true that I may not branch out as much as one could, and the most frustrating part is half of what I am into based on this post (and my runners-up post next week) may look like I do nothing but wait for Pitchfork’s daily reviews to guide me on my way musically. Rest assured, that is not the case, and just merely a coincidence. Most of the times I’ve done these posts I’ve just said “HERE! This is where’s it’s at – and listen to this other person tell you why!”. Last year, I took the time to write up my own reviews (who’d a thunk it?), but after looking at my blog stats I saw that it really didn’t reach many people. Your loss! So instead of making this feel like a chore left unnoticed this year by writing relatively long reviews that would fall on deaf ears, I would simplify. In the end, let the music speak for itself, eh? Well, for the most part. So, here you go, my favorite albums of the year. I guess technically they are what I consider to be “the best”, but by saying that it means these then have to be put in some sort of order, and quantified some way. But I really can’t do that. Depending on the mood of the day, each one of these albums is “the best” at one time or another, so really out of all the albums I’ve listened to over the past year, these are my go to albums – my favorites – my “desert island discs” of sorts. I’ve shared one track from each album as well, songs that I think not only represent what is great about the entire album, but what may spark an interest in you to checking out the whole thing, because to me they are all worth your time and quite rewarding indeed. Enjoy with aloha, and as always, turn it WAY the hell up, and for crying out loud use headphones. Laptop speakers = death.
7
Ice Choir
Afar
Ice Choir is the latest project from Kurt Feldman who previously could be found shredding his axe (well, sort of) in bands like The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and The Depreciation Guild. While TPOBPAH were mostly nostalgic for the 90’s, running the gamut from Pale Saints to Smashing Pumpkins over the time of their various releases, Ice Choir is unashamedly 80’s. And I don’t say 80’s lightly, as I have not heard an album by really any of these 80’s-minded artists (of which I am a big fan supporter of) that nailed the sound of that era so perfectly. Most of those artists take influence, and apply it somehow to their own songwriting skills, utilizing whatever their strengths are to the sound and vibe of the time. Here, Ice Choir have decided full on to make an album that sounded like it was recorded and released in 1984. Luckily Feldman’s skills are up to the task, as there is no doubt in my mind if this album was released back then it would have been a tremendous hit. Forget the Pointer Sisters, films like Beverly Hills Cop would have taken at least two of these tracks and made them Axel Foley’s soundtrack as he patrolled the City of Angels. It feels as if this album was recorded, placed in a time capsule, and it’s now been unearthed nearly 30 years later. The music may not be everyone’s cup of tea (those crazy few who don’t appreciate the brilliance of 80’s music that influences artists today more strongly than ever), but it’s an extremely adept album. The production is gorgeously polished, Feldman’s vocals and delivery are heavenly and understanding of the time, the beats (which I think 80’s music doesn’t get enough credit for) are fantastic, and the melodies are insanely irresistible. Afar is a lush, new-wave pop gem in the vein of Scritti Politti, The Lightning Seeds, Spandau Ballet, Johnny Hates Jazz and Tears For Fears, amongst many others, and Feldman’s seriousness for the style makes this a rewarding listen that I’ve been going back to over and over again. The track I’ve chosen to share, ‘A Vision of Hell, 1996’, should showcase that quite adeptly.