Black & White

Two Hundred Ninety-Three

Artist - The Dodos
Album - No Color
Released - 2011
Label - French Kiss Records
Genre - Indie Folk/Alternative

Tracks:
Black Night
Going Under
Good
Sleep
Don't Try and Hide It
When Will You Go
Hunting Season
Companions
Don't Stop

Enjoy!

This is not a Sport

Two Hundred Thirty-Five

Artist - Tennis
Album - Cape Dory
Released - 2011
Label - Fat Possum
Genre - Indie

Tracks:
Take Me Somewhere
Long Boat Pass
Cape Dory
Marathon
Bimini Bay
South Carolina
Pigeon
Seafarer
Baltimore
Waterbirds

Enjoy!

Farewell

Two Hundred Eight

Artist - Explosions In The Sky
Album - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
Released - 2011
Label - Temporary Residence
Genre - Post Rock

Tracks:
Last Known Surroundings
Human Qualities
Trembling Hands
Be Comfortable, Creature
Post Rock from 1952
Let Me Back In

The introduction of Explosions In The Sky's sixth album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care comes to you with a winding type sound that plays well into the rest of the tracks with what is considered to be very comforting.  What I love most about Explosions in the Sky (EITS) is that their post rock sound is very warming and inviting.  You could introduce this album, as well as their other albums, to someone whose never heard of them and they could instantly be drawn in by the magnitude of what EITS has to offer.  It would almost be like love at first listen, especially when you hear the guitar sound against the drums and bass.  It is like a magical feeling and I'm happy that a record, let alone a band, gives me the feeling I feel like EITS does.  A great band that has so much to offer, one could say that this kind of post rock is best listened to loud.

Enjoy!

ICE CREAM

I love ice cream and my one hundred twenty-third pick.

Artist - Battles
Album - Glass Drop
Released - 2011
Label - Warp Records
Genre - Experimental Rock

Tracks:
A
Africastle
Ice Cream (featuring Matias Aguayo)
Futura
B
Inchworm
Wall Street
My Machines (featuring Gary Numan)
C
Dominican Fade
Sweetie & Shag
Toddler
Rolls Bayce
D
White Electric
Sundome (featuring Yamantaka Eye)

This album has to be one of my favorites of 2011, rolling into 2012.  I've had the pleasure of seeing them live at the end of 2011 and I'm sure glad I did.  Such an amazing band live, it amazes me that the more I discover great music, the more they end up being experimental/post rock.  More instrumentals, less lyrics.  More noise, loud guitar and ear bleeding drum playing.  Bring out the keyboards and the bass as well, because they all tie into being something awesome.  I think one of the best things about this band is that their drummer's cymbal placement.  My goodness does he play a mean, high cymbal.  Nevertheless, a great band and listen to Ice Cream.  My favorite song on this record.

Enjoy!

Since it's that time...

I believe the title of my ninety-seventh album does justice to today's festivities!!

Artist - Siinai
Album - Olympic Games
Released - 2011
Label - Splendour
Genre - Post-Rock


Tracks:
A
Anthem 1+2
Anthem 3
Marathon
Olympic Fire
B
Mt. Olympos
Finish Line
Munich 1972
Victory

Since today is the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, what better way to display today's pick than with this album by Finnish band Siinai.  Olympic Games is Siinai's debut album and it's a very interesting, ambient sounding album to say the least.  I was told to listen to this record with an open mind and I definitely am.  After giving it a good, thorough listen, I have to say that I do enjoy their sound.  It's like a moment of relaxation and a rhythm that puts you at ease.  A good listen indeed, you will not be disappointed with this record.

Enjoy!

After-Glow

So many choices, but I picked this.  This album sums up the last few months of my life and when I listen to it, I just feel happy.  For my thirty-eighth pick:

Artist - M83
Album - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Released - 2011
Label - Naive
Genre - Electronic, dream pop


Tracks:
Side A
Into
Midnight City
Reunion
Where The Boats Go
Wait
Side B
Raconte-Moi Une Historie
Train To Pluton
Claudia Lewis
This Bright Flash
When Will You Come Home?
Soon, My Friend
Mirror
Side C
My Tears Are Becoming A Sea
New Map
OK Pal
Another Wave From You
Splendor
Side D
Year One, One UFO
Fountains
Steve McQueen
Echoes Of Mine
Klaus I Love You
Outro

Such an extensive album for such a great band.  M83 was introduced to me when my friend Bryan went to Europe and burned me all their records and sent it with a note.  I still have the note, which was very inspiring to me and when I put the CD in my computer, I fell in love.  I know music, but most of the time I don't know artists or songs, so I have a wide range and when I heard M83, I was happy.

This is M83's sixth studio album and it's not bad for a French band that illustrates new wave, electronic sounds.  The intro alone should get your attention which rolls into Midnight City, which to me is the ultimate sax song.  The saxophone bit at the end is a surprise, but it flows into the song so well.  Every single part of this album is unique and very interesting to say the least.  Definitely worth a good listen to enjoy every single sound!

Enjoy!!

I'm just that much CLOSER

My twenty-ninth pick:

Artist - Mogwai
Album - Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will
Released - 2011
Label - Rock Action Records/Sub Pop
Genre - Post-Rock


Tracks:
White Noise
Mexican Grand Prix
Rano Pano
Death Rays
San Pedro
Letters to the Metro
George Square Thatcher Death Party
How to Be a Werewolf
Too Raging to Cheers
You're Lionel Richie
Slight Domestic
Hasenheide

When it comes to Mogwai, there is no telling which direction you think they will head with their next album.  Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will is their seventh studio record.  Hailing from Scotland, this group is a post-rock band that has been around since 1995.  No summary, just listen!  It's that good.

Enjoy!

Untold Stories

Number twenty-three is a fairly recent discovery, seeing as they formed in 2007 and I just started listening to them since 2009 (upon the recommendation of a friend).

Artist - Girls
Album - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Released - 2011
Label - True Panther Sounds
Genre - Indie Rock


Tracks
Honey Bunny
Alex
Die
Saying I Love You
My Ma
Vomit
Just A Song
Magic
Forgiveness
Love Like A River
Jamie Marie

With such unusual song titles, this album would have to be one of the tops of 2011.  I had the pleasure of seeing them at Fun Fun Fun Fest in November 2011 and they were great.  The had a trio of soulful ladies singing in the background and the stage was decorated with sunflowers.  I was very happy I got to see them perform live, since discovering them in 2009.  Father, Son and Holy Ghost is Girls' second album and to be quite honest, it's very unique sounding.  For instance, Honey Bunny My Ma and Love Like a River have an old school sound, as if is were a product of the 60's/70's whereas Die sounds like late 80's rock-n-roll.  Vomit is my favorite song on this record with Die definitely being my second.  This is just one of those records that you feel has a few different genres mixed in one.

Enjoy!