Were I to name a hero of mine, I'd be hard pushed to think of anyone I respect/admire more than Walter Schreifels. Having played in such influential bands as Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Youth of Today and Rival Schools, there's not many people who can lay claim to a 20+ year back catalogue of such consistent quality. This, his first solo album proper, is ten tracks of acoustic-indie-pop goodness. Looks pretty good on green vinyl too.
9: Coliseum - House With A Curse
It's like Kyuss having a three-way with the Dillinger Escape Plan and Fugazi. Listen to 'Crime and the City' and try to resist the urge to punch someone in the face.
It's DEP, so you already know what it sounds like. A bit like Faith No More, but even more schizophrenic.
Yes, I know. It's not a 'new' album in the traditional sense, having been recorded over 30 years ago, but it's all unreleased material, and it's The Boss.
Superchunk have been busy these past nine years since their previous album, what with running Merge records and unleashing the Arcade Fire onto the world. Somehow they've not forgotten how to make great pop-punk albums though. It sounds like classic Superchunk. You can't ask for much more.
World Music! Well, Norwegian hardcore, if that counts. More riffs in here than anywhere else this year.
Hypnotic, ethereal 'soundscapes' that play out like a film soundtrack. It builds from a quiet whisper to a sonic behemoth.
Didn't expect this to be in my top ten, despite being this high up. As much as I am loathe to say it, this album is REALLY good. It's a massive leap forward from their 'yappy' earlier stuff, and they've clearly been listening to the Lemonheads which can only be a good thing. One of the few albums I've been able to get away with playing in the shop, it's also very well recorded.
2: Hot Club De Paris - With Days Like This As Cheap As Chewing Gum, Why Would Anyone Want To Work?/The Rise And Inevitable Fall Of The High School Suicide Cluster Band
I've already cheated with the Boss, so one more won't hurt, surely? This not a complete album, but rather two six-track EP's released within three months of each other. I don't care though, I've listened to these two more than any other this year.
An incredible return to form, despite being birthed in tragedy. Deftones had a full album almost ready to go before their bass player, Chi Cheng, fell into a coma following a car accident. They regrouped with Sergio Vega, formerly of Quicksand, and 'Diamond Eyes' is the result. Alternatively punishing and tender, it's their finest work for ten years.
No comments:
Post a Comment