Sorry for the lack of posts and updates. Expect new artwork by myself coming up as well as more album and artist reviews.
Happy New Year!
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Most Anticipated Albums for 2010
#1 Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Release date: Unknown)
This will be their first studio album release since 2005! Everyone is a fan of the Gorillaz and why not be anticipating this new album? Gorillaz always produce unique, quality music. If you have been out of the loop for the past 10 years and have somehow never heard of the Gorillaz…now is the time to tune in! Expect great work and keep your ears open for the release date!
#2 Bibio – Unknown (Release Date: Unknown)
Putting out one of the best albums of 2009, you can expect Bibio to release a new album in 2010. Warp is showcasing Bibio on their 2010 compilation of new music (Warp 2010 Compilation) It is not even certain that Bibio will release another album, but I can always hope right? Bibio is great, happy, easy-listening music and that is why is Unknown album is #2 on my list.
#3 Flying Lotus – DJ Kicks (Release Date: January 5, 2009)
Digging more into the underground hip-hop/electronic scene here, Flying Lotus is expected to release his DJ Kicks album. DJ Kicks is a series of DJ mix albums, mixed by several different artists. A ton of huge names in the scene have released DJ Kicks, including Burial, Thievery Corporation, Four Tet, and Booka Shade. (Dj Kicks – Wiki) Now it is time for Flying Lotus to step up to the table. Lotus’s sophmore albumLos Angeles was a huge succes and very popular. I expect DJ Kicks to showcase new talent and be a great album, and with the release set in early January, we won’t have to wait long for this soon-to-be masterpiece.
#4 Pivot – Unknown (Release Date: Unknown)
The third artist on my list that is on the Warp record, what does that say about that label? They are simply amazing. Pivot also released a big hit in 2009 with My Heart Like A Marching Band. Upon first listen I immediately became a fan of Pivot and if their debut album slipped under your radar, give it a listen and be prepared for this new album.
#5 Massive Attack – Heligoland (Release Date: February 9, 2009)
Last, but certainly not least is Massive Attack with their new album titled Heligoland. Massive attack released their first album back in 1991 and it’s been almost 7 years since their last album! I expect Massive Attack to release a strong, quality album and I expect them to re-emerge to the surface of the genre.
New Artist Find: Xavier Rudd
Xavier Rudd is a 31 (born 1978) year-old native Australian singer/songwriter. He grew up in Torquay, Victora and attended St. Joesph’s College. He is known for is multi-instrumentation during live performances. He plays festivals all over Australia, North America, and Canada.
I just recently came across Xavier Rudd while listening to Pandora.com on the Reggae channel I believe. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of his earlier because his first album release (To Let) was in 2002. His music is very interesting incorporating unique social themes throughout his songs. His playing style and vocals immediately caught my attention and I became an immediate fan. The way he plays is also very interesting to watch. Its awesome seeing him have 3 separate didgeridoo’s while keeping the beat with an egg-shaker WHILE playing guitar. Check out the YouTube videos below to see some of his performances.
Best Albums of 2009
Breaking down the top ten albums of 2009.
#1 Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Date Released: May 26, 2009
Genre: experimental, alt rock
An instant classic. If you are already a Grizzly Bear fan you will find this is their best album yet. Strong, complex harmonies mixed with amazing melodies that you can’t help from listening to over and over.
An instant classic. If you are already a Grizzly Bear fan you will find this is their best album yet. Strong, complex harmonies mixed with amazing melodies that you can’t help from listening to over and over.
Date Released: July 21, 2009
Genre: electronic, IDM
This album really excited the underground electronic scene. Some may feel that it’s been several years since any masterpieces have arisen from the electronic genre but this is a true masterpiece for any IDM lover.
#3 Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Date Released: January 20, 2009
Genre: experimental rock
This one is on the top of everyone’s list. Animal Collective really found the sound they have been looking for and released one of their greatest albums thus far.
Date Released: January 20, 2009
Genre: experimental rock
This one is on the top of everyone’s list. Animal Collective really found the sound they have been looking for and released one of their greatest albums thus far.
#4 Russian Circles – Geneva
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: post-metal, post rock
I was a big time fan of Circles’ album ‘Enter’ and unfortunately ‘Station’ didn’t do it for me. But this time around they have produced an excellent album and a big release for the post-metal genre.
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: post-metal, post rock
I was a big time fan of Circles’ album ‘Enter’ and unfortunately ‘Station’ didn’t do it for me. But this time around they have produced an excellent album and a big release for the post-metal genre.
#5 Portugal, The Man – Satanic Satanist
Date Released: July 21, 2009
Genre: indie rock
I felt like Portugal somewhat lacked on ‘Censored Colors’ but with this release you can feel the time and effort that was put into it. Really a great album all around, they have seemed to consolidate their sound and bring it on strong.
Date Released: July 21, 2009
Genre: indie rock
I felt like Portugal somewhat lacked on ‘Censored Colors’ but with this release you can feel the time and effort that was put into it. Really a great album all around, they have seemed to consolidate their sound and bring it on strong.
#6 The Mars Volta – Octahedron
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: experimental rock, post-hardcore
Once again, I feel like this album was a rebound to their lame ‘Bedlam in Goliath’. In this album they go back to the sound of their original albums more by slowing down their songs and making them more vocal/acoustic themed. Although the greatness ‘Frances the Mute’ will never be reproduced, TMV had a nice attempt.
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: experimental rock, post-hardcore
Once again, I feel like this album was a rebound to their lame ‘Bedlam in Goliath’. In this album they go back to the sound of their original albums more by slowing down their songs and making them more vocal/acoustic themed. Although the greatness ‘Frances the Mute’ will never be reproduced, TMV had a nice attempt.
#7 Califone – All of My Friends are Funeral Singers
Date Released: October 6, 2009
Genre: experiemtanl, indie rock
If you are already a Califone fan you will love this album. They bring back the same harmonies and complex melodies found in ‘Roots & Crowns’. Released in October, this album somewhat slipped under my radar.
Date Released: October 6, 2009
Genre: experiemtanl, indie rock
If you are already a Califone fan you will love this album. They bring back the same harmonies and complex melodies found in ‘Roots & Crowns’. Released in October, this album somewhat slipped under my radar.
#8 Atlas Sound – Logos
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: experimental, indie rock, alt-rock
Beautifully done album by Bradford James Cox following his debut album ‘Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel.’ This album pays very close attention to the texture and sound of the music. Atlas Sound is quite an experimental album much like the rest of Kranky Records.
Date Released: October 20, 2009
Genre: experimental, indie rock, alt-rock
Beautifully done album by Bradford James Cox following his debut album ‘Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel.’ This album pays very close attention to the texture and sound of the music. Atlas Sound is quite an experimental album much like the rest of Kranky Records.
#9 Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: electronic, experimental rock, post-rock
A warm album influenced by Boards of Canada and Caribou, and others as far back as Future Sound of London. This album covers several themes and emotions and all done extremely well. This album caught me by surprise and a must have for anyones collection.
Date Released: June 23, 2009
Genre: electronic, experimental rock, post-rock
A warm album influenced by Boards of Canada and Caribou, and others as far back as Future Sound of London. This album covers several themes and emotions and all done extremely well. This album caught me by surprise and a must have for anyones collection.
#10 Jega – Variance
Date Released: July 28, 2009
Genre: electronic, IDM
Another amazing release in the IDM genre. Jega’s re-worked and re-mastered album that leaked back in 2003. Dylan Nathan was quite frustrated with his album being leaked. In this album you can see he wanted to trump the leaked version. You can hear the time and effort that went into this 2-disc album.
Date Released: July 28, 2009
Genre: electronic, IDM
Another amazing release in the IDM genre. Jega’s re-worked and re-mastered album that leaked back in 2003. Dylan Nathan was quite frustrated with his album being leaked. In this album you can see he wanted to trump the leaked version. You can hear the time and effort that went into this 2-disc album.
Purchase the albums mentioned above here:
A Moment of Silence
“On the night of 8 December 1980, at around 10:50 pm, Mark David Chapman shot Lennon in the back four times in the entrance of the Dakota apartment building. Earlier that evening, Lennon had autographed a copy of Double Fantasy for Chapman who had been stalking Lennon since October.
Lennon was taken to the emergency room of nearby Roosevelt Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival at 11:07 pm. On the following day, Ono issued a statement, saying “There is no funeral for John.” Ono ended her statement with the words, “John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him. Love, Yoko and Sean.”
December 8 marks the day of John Lennon’s Assassination. Let’s remember his great work and his love for all.
Free Thought
“Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or any other dogma. The cognitive application of freethought is known as freethinking, and practitioners of freethought are known as freethinkers.”
Control your decisions. Reclaim your mind.
Art from the Lost Planet
I came across a very neat blog displaying artwork from two amazing artists that reside in Floyd. I suggest you go check out some of their work. The name of the blog is ‘Art from the Lost Planet’ and a link can be found on under the websites section as well as below and you can check our their website for more art.
Blog: http://artfromthelostplanet.blogspot.com/
Site: https://sites.google.com/site/baldwinandmindynorth/
