10. Ratatat-Classics
Flashy and cheesy electro-guitar rock is the name of the game here. Imagine if hip hop artists actually had something interesting going on behind their "gritty" word-play and you would have some inkling of what's going on here. This is hip-hop beats for the disenchanted "I-love-art-but-but-let's-talk-about-how-ironic-the-80's-were!" hipster in all of us.
9. Lucero-Rebels, Rouges and Sworn Brothers
An impressively solid collection of whiskeytown-esque tinged rock and roll. Great driving music and one of the best records of the year. So get your flannel shirt and take a shot and sit back in your wicker chair, this record is an audible perfect afternoon.
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8. SunnO)))/Boris-Altar
Fantastic collaboration between one half "PRETENTIOUSDO)))O)))METALLERS" SunnO))) and the ever interesting Japanese outfit BORIS. This record is full of gut wrenching tones and darkness, perfect for a nice headphone session. "Fried Eagle Mind" is one of the best/creepiest songs I've ever heard. Top Form for both.
7. Placebo-Meds
A great rebound from the "experimental" meanderings of the lackluster (minus the classic "Bitter End") "Sleeping with Ghosts". This record is solid start to finish, reminding listeners exactly why they are into this band in the first place.
6. Red Sparowes-"Every Red Heart...."
A darker and heavier outing this time around for the aviary of post rock. Solid record, that matches if not falls slightly short of last years "At the Soundless Dawn". Good Record by a great band.
5. AFI-Decemberunderground
one of my favorite bands of all time playing some of the best gothy-pop-electo-rock choruses ever. This band has never dissappointed and I don't such a feeling will ever occur for a band as diverse and progressive in the mainstream as AFI.
4. Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum-S/T
Space.Stars.Planets.Blue.Cosmonauts.Butterflies.Squiggles.Incredible Voice Work. 1 of 3 amazing side projects. Simply blissful indie (see all above) Pop.
3. ISIS-In the Absence of Truth
Incredible work for the ever-evolving Isis. The record brings a new sense of urgency, while still maintaining and even enhancing the droning atmospherics of last years incredible "Panopticon". Tracks like "Wrists of Kings" and "Garden of Light" are two of the best in the bands catalogue, and some of the most crushingly beautiful songs in recent memory.
2. Feathers-Feathers
I just got into this band about 5 months ago, but this record is constantly finding itself in my cd player. Moody and delicate, it has an unavoidable charm to it that simply can't be ignored. Think Forests, Birds, Fairies, Hippies, and camp fires.
1. Kayo Dot-Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue
This folks, is a no brainer. Intricate, suffocating, and intense in every way, Kayo Dot has come to carve out their own style and sound, leaving listeners exhausted from the aural chaos. Simply put, Toby Driver is a genius and "Dowsing..." is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Honorable Mentions:
Daughters-Hell Songs
Converge-No Heroes
Jesu-Silver
Khlyst-Chaos is My Name
The Mars Volta-Amputechure
As Tall as Lions-S/T
Kill Hannah-Until there is nothing left of us
This is Hell-Sundowning
Thom Yorke-The Eraser
Witch-Witch
Tool-10,000 Days
Toby Driver-"In the L..L..Library Loft"
Mouth of the Architect-The Ties That Blind
Thrice-Vheissu
Disappointments:
Mogwai-Mr. Beast
Brightblack Morning Light-S/T
Cult of Luna-Somewhere Along the Highway
Angels and Airwaves-You Don't Need to Whisper(on the fence with this guy)
Dissection-Reinkaos
Misery Signals-Mirrors(minor Dissappointment)
Unearthly Trance-The Trident
Individual Awards:
The Reinvention Record of the Year:
AFI-decemberunderground
The Most Hated Best Record of the Year:
Daughters-Hell Songs
The "We wear matching outfits, and have never listened to Isis in our lives "award:
Cult of Luna-Somewhere along the Highway
The Most Incredible Step Backwards award:
Mogwai-Mr. Beast
The Best Album Title of the Year:
Toby Driver-"In the L..L..Library Loft"
The Worst Album Title of the Year:
Bury Your Dead-Beauty and Breakdown
The Best Album Artwork of the Year:
Sunn/Boris-Altar
The Worst Album Artwork of the Year:
A handful of Victory Records releases picked at random.
Song of the Year:
Kayo Dot-____ On Limpid Form
P.S. Some of these came out late last year....but you know what, I dont care. Calendars are what YOU make of them....Proactivity in your own lives folks....Come on.
