Hey all!
Throughout the year I've written about a slew of local acts,
and now I'm telling you which ones were my absolute
favorites. Take a look.
Dan's Year-End List
10)
Various Artists - Casual Victim Pile II - A worthy
follow-up to one of my favorite albums of 2010. As with its
predecessor, there are a few misses, but so many more great
discoveries. One such highlight is the incredible track by
OBN III, Do My Thing. I’m still trying to figure out
how I missed their set at the Fun Fun Fun Fest. I heard they
tore up the stage.
:OBN
III - Do My Thing:
09)
Okkervil
River - I Am Very Far - This record didn’t receive
the same critical acclaim as the band's past few efforts,
but I still adore it. Throughout the year I got to see them
perform three times, and there wasn't a single show where
they didn't deliver. I think that's largely to do with
Okkervil’s amazing guitarist, Lauren Gurgiolo. I don’t think
I’ve seen someone play with such technical skill and
precision. Just incredible.
:Okkervil
River - Your Past Life As A Blast:
08)
White Denim - D - Not my favorite
release by them, but still an album I thoroughly enjoyed.
While I could have done without the flute solos and some of
the free jazz influence, the addition of Austin Jenkins as a
second guitarist added a whole new element to the band. The
interplay of the members is more apparent on this record
than past releases. Plus, Drug is one of their finest
tracks and a sure-fire addition to their greatest hits album
to be released in 2020.
:White
Denim - Drug:
07)
The Strange Boys - Live Music - The
latest album from Austin’s favorite garage rockers, and the
band's first for Rough Trade, has them trotting out a more
mature sound. They’ve abandoned some of their lo-fi ways and
replaced them with a restrained approach that spans numerous
genres. This album’s a grower, but it definitely rewards
with repeat listens.
:The
Strange Boys - You And Me:
06)
T Bird And The Breaks - Never Get Out Of
This Funk Alive - Undeniable, righteous funk jams from a
skinny little white dude and a killer backing band. The
album kicks off with the ass shaker I Gets My Boogie On,
and then doesn’t let up until the last song ends. While most
guys my age listen to only Dad Rock (Wilco, Malkmus, etc), I
like my music a little dirty and a little funky. The
Claps Hands Song is a perfect example of what I’m
talking about.
:T
Bird And The Breaks - The Clap Hands Song:
05)
Explosions In The Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
- If you think all Explosions In The Sky songs are the same
- soundtrack music which build to a big crescendo - then you
need to listen to this album. The band not only expands
their sound, but they truly show how varied and amazing
post-rock can be. Few bands possess more talent than
Explosions In The Sky, and their skills and incredible
cohesion are on full display throughout this latest record.
:Explosions
In The Sky - Postcard From 1952:
04)
Not In
The Face - Bikini - Nothing fancy, just a charming
blend of garage rock, blues and punk by a talented Austin
duo. I especially like Yuppie Monday because it kind
of sounds like an alt-rock hit straight out the late '80s.
Meanwhile, the hard hitting Brass Tacks sounds like a
mix of The White Stripes and The Black Keys (the best parts
of each). They may have a ridiculous name, but Not In The
Face are perhaps Austin’s finest up and coming band.
:Not
In The Face - Yuppy Monday:
03)
Ringo
Deathstarr - Sparkler - Growing up I was a pretty
good kid. I went to Catholic school, respected authority,
and for the most part I obeyed my parents. However, I was
sometimes driven by rock and roll to do bad things. Namely,
shoplift cassettes from the local drug store. The best
albums I ever stole were by Love and Rockets and The Jesus
And Mary Chain. Back then I loved that gauzy, fuzzed out,
guitar heavy sound, and I still do today. No one has
perfected that sound like Ringo Deathstarr, and more and
more people are taking notice. The band is currently on a
world tour opening for the Smashing Pumpkins, and no doubt
they are winning over new fans at each stop.
:Ringo
Deathstarr - In Love:
02)
Pure X -
Pleasure - I can see how this is a love it or hate it
record, but I’m firmly in the "love it" camp. Especially
when I put on my headphones and truly immerse myself in this
album. There’s just something about the tones and noises
they coax out of the guitars. It’s beautiful and dark with a
sense of mystery. The disc is never pointed, rather it
evokes a series of different moods and not unlike the Ringo
Deathstarr record, it owes a lot to shoegaze pioneers My
Bloody Valentine.
:Pure
X - Dream Over:
01)
Leatherbag - Yellow Television/Leatherbag -
Patience - I know, it’s cheating to lump both the album
and the EP together. However, Leatherbag gets extra credit
in my book for churning out not one, but two of my favorites
releases this year. Leatherbag was my runaway winner for
best album last year. but it was a much tougher decision in
2011. Any of my top 5 picks could have taken home the top
spot, but in the end I went with the records I listened to
the most. And if I had to bet, I’d say these are the two
releases I’ll still be listening to a decade from now. So
congratulations to Leatherbag for taking home the top spot
again. Let’s see if they can three-peat in 2012.
:Leatherbag
- Imitation Generation:
:Leatherbag
- Teenage Creeps:
Albums
That Just Missed My Top Ten: Muscle Pop by The
Flesh Lights, Scandalous by Black Joe Lewis,
Portraits by Wheeler Brothers, Two Matchsticks by
The Wooden Birds, and finally, the self-titled album by The
Calm Blue Sea.
My Favorite Album by a Non-Austin Band: The
self-titled release by Mind Spiders. If you haven’t listened
to it yet, just go buy the record and thank me later.
- Dan Corbin -
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