BeCk PoOp 2012
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Tame Impala – Lonerism [Modular]
I get a contact high virtually everytime I put this on. Hoping that Todd Rundgren will produce their next record. Then again TI’s Kevin Parker and mixer Fridmann did a great job, so why fix what ain’t broke?
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Spiritualized – Sweet Heart, Sweet Light [Fat Possum]
Pierce returns with what I felt was his most inspired recording since 2001 Let It Come Down. Heartbreakingly gorgeous symphonies mixed with driving psych rock. My spirits are high.
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Dinosaur Jr – I Bet On Sky [Jagjaguwar]
Another super solid 10 song release from Mascis, Barlow and Murph. As good if not better than 2009’s “Farm”.
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Chris Ware – Building Stories [Pantheon Books]
I felt so strongly about this book and it’s behemoth size and intricacy that it had the audacity to bump out an audio release. I’m not a graphic novel fan by nature, but Ware’s work demands your attention. Maybe it was the subtle influence of all of those New Yorker magazines he did art for. I have yet to finish reading it but the beauty is the fact that it can easily be picked up wherever you left off.
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Bill Fay – Life Is People [Dead Oceans]
Had no idea about this guy until the reviews came through and the mention of him being a favorite of Jeff Tweedy. After listening to it over the past year, I can totally see why. Defeated yet uplifting, always a good combo in my book.
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Frank Ocean – Channel Orange [Def Jam]
Not something I’d normally gravitate towards, but the backstory was intriguing enough. The melodies, vocals, and lyrics just make for such an enjoyable ride. Modern day Marvin Gaye?
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Lee Fields & the Expressions – Faithful Man [Truth & Soul]
Didn’t buy into the Sharon Jones thing but this is a whole other bag man!
This guy has such a set of pipes and his band (of what are probably a much of well-intentioned white kids) blow the doors off. Will have the pleasure of seeing this live for the first time in February at Bowery Ballroom.
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Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again [Polydor/Interscope]
It’s been so long since I’ve bought an album just on look alone. There was just something about the vibe of it that compelled me to purchase, note unheard. Bill Withers, Van Morrison and dare I say it, even a smidge of Nick Drake can all be heard simmering and swelling underneath.
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Japandroids – Celebration Rock [Polyvinyl]
Like a blast of hot air coming through the vents on your beat-up, piece of shit chevy malibu in order to keep the car overheating in the summertime. Husker Du’s “Celebrated Summer” from New Day Rising lives on in “Celebration Rock”. Breathes a temporary blast of youthful exuberance through these 43 year old lungs.
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Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill [Reprise]
Ok, now back to feeling my age by listening to the rusty man who never sleeps. The guy sure knows how to flip the bird to the conventional idea of sequencing an album by starting up Psych Pill with a 27:37 minute ditty. God bless Neil and all who sail upon it.
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Sun Kil Moon – Among The Leaves [Caldo Verde]
Mark’s best since 2003 Ghosts of the Great Highway. A lot more despondent and depressed sounding; but inspired and even downright funny. That’s what spares it from the dust collecting on its spine.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Lambchop – Mr. M [Merge]
The dB’s – Falling Off The Sky [Bar/None]
Michael Chapman – Rainmaker [Light In The Attic]
El Ten Eleven – Transitions [Fake Record Label]
Melody’s Echo Chamber – self-titled [Fat Possum]
Delicate Steve – Positive Force [Luaka Bop]
The Explorers Club – Grand Hotel [Rock Ridge Music]
Jack White – Blunderbuss [Third Man/Columbia]
Ken Beck, Cranford, NJ