1. The Daredevil Christopher Wright-”In Defference To A broken Back”
It’s no wonder that a band with the name of The Daredevil Christopher Wright would be able to juggle so many different sounds, ideas and members and make it seem effortless. Like a stuntman, T.D.C.W. throws its body of work around into all sorts of precarious musical situations. Be it making room for a seven-piece string ensemble, using Christian and Pagan mythology to discuss the realities of cancer or harmonizing as well as any group of brothers not named Wilson. This album places the band firmly and safely on top of the pop world.
2. Seth Bernard and May Erlewine-”Welcome Back”
Bernard and Erlewine again team up with bass player Dominic Suchyta of Steppin’ In It to bring us an earthy album full of joy, hope, love and creativity. Pillars of Michigan’s Earthwork Music cooperative the duo turns record-making into a true community project enlisting help from as many of their friends as they can get their hands on. Ukulele, banjo, lapsteel, trumpet, if it can be found in Michigan, it was played on “Welcome Back.” Instead of sounding disjointed or pretentiously eclectic, each song on the album moves like a river flowing into an ever growing body of water and eventually into our hearts.
3. Great Lakes Swimmers- “Lost Channels”
“Lost Channels” was one of the hidden gems to find it’s way south From Canada this year. Each song, an earthy and folk heavy history of the Ontario and Great Lakes region. A history full of human emotion, remembrance of past times and hope for the future. The record is steeped in rural charm but manages to sound crisp and urban and the same time. Blending the ambiance of its Midwestern orgins with the aggressiveness of its punk fueled inspirations.
4. Mew- “No More Stories/Are Told Today/I’m Sorry/They Washed Away//No More Stories/The World is Grey/I’m Tired/Lets Wash Away”
This Danish acts 3rd State side release follows the groups previous pattern of blending luxurious harmonies with pure electronic oddness. “No more stories…” feels instantly more refined than previous releases, while not abandoning the exuberance or doe eyed innocence the band has become known for. However beyond this, Complexity is the key word, and we feel it right away. The opening track, “new terrain” is a backwards playing slice of sonic bliss, that forces the listener to attention right from the very first note. “No More Stories…”is elegant, and at times difficult, but exceedingly entertaining.
5. They Might Be Giants-”Here Comes Science”
The Two Johns from Brooklyn continue with their children’s music series. Their third installment is all about how fun science is! From running through the Periodic Table to teaching kids all about computer-assisted design, TMBG have a quirky and educational song about every aspect of science, natural and man-made. They even take a bouncy and silly stab at discrediting intelligent design. I grew up with this band and am a far greater adult because of it; now a brand new generation of children can experience what I did while also picking up more info on the world than they probably can in our public-school system.
Just Missing the cut:
Deer Tick-”Born on Flag Day”
Pet Shop Boys-”Yes”
La Fleur Fatal-”Silent Revolution”
Abstract Rude- “rejuvenation”
Magnolia Electric Co.-”Josephine”
Putnam Smith-”Goldrush”
Joel Gideon and the Shark-”Harum Scarum”
Daniel Johnston-”Is and Always Was”
Yo La Tengo-”Popular Songs”
Dino Jr.-”Farm”
Antlers-”Hospice”
Meat Puppets-”Sewn Together”
Legends-”Over and Over”
Phoenix-”Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix”
Uncategorized
