SiJones88
2011 Review
It’s that time again. 2011 was a great year musically. For me, it’s been all about Wave bands in the US with some great releases from #UKSWELL acts. Below are my highlights. I think my favourites have been strongly dictated by not only the recordings but also the live shows I’ve seen this year too, so rather than separate them, I’ve kinda rolled it all into one.
Albums
Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack Long After
I’ve already said everything I need to say about this record, IT’S GREAT, See Here. CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THEM IN MARCH!
Touché Amoré - PTSBBAM
This blows me away every time I listen. Jeremy Bolm is kind of a hero of mine! I’m immensely jealous of the life he leads (listen to Home Away From Here and you’ll get what I mean!) I just think he’s so honest and open. He just seems to lay his soul bare and doesn’t hide behind any fashions or trends. I think this record highlights those qualities I admire in both him and Touché Amoré as a band. It’s heavy as hell, to the point of sounding desperate (in a really good way) without having to rely on growl and chug clichés. Their set at Hevy blew me away, and their show with La Dispute at The Underworld was one of the best shows I’ve EVER been to!
letlive. - Fake History
Yes, i know it’s a re-release signaling the band’s move from Tragic Hero Records to Epitaph, but it’s GREAT! I think on the surface, it’s another case of put a great frontman with highly skilled musicians and you’re on to a winner but the pure passion displayed by the band, both on the recording and live makes it a cut above. They’ve drawn on everything from Glassjaw and Deftones to James Brown!! Jason has a way of captivating pretty much everyone who will listen. The guitars on this record are ridiculous (without being kinda show-off and wanky), and once you’ve seen Jean Nascimento (Guitar) stagedive, and continue to play acrobatic guitar licks from above the crowd you’ll get what I mean! To a Promoter/Venue Owner, Jason is a complete fucking liability!! I’ve seen letlive. 5 times this year and every time he managed to climb on something or find somewhere to jump from that you wouldn’t expect. The floor show at the second Fighting Cocks date was a highlight! REALLY excited for the next record!
La Dispute - Wildlife
I love La Dispute. Their last record Somewhere… is one of my all time favourite records! Wildlife is very different from Somewhere…; It’s slower in pace and less aggressive. I like the concept of a diary, broken down into different themes with additional short tracks that narrate the subject matter. It holds the record together, and without it I think the album would sound a little disjointed. It’s really good but I think it will take a little time to grow.
Defeater - Empty Days & Sleepless Nights
Dark! Really Dark! Stumbled across this by accident having never checked out Defeater before. Was initially a little confused by the abrupt ending and 4 acoustic tracks on my first listen, I actually thought Spotify might have ripped it wrong and it had cut into another record on my first listen, but it made a lot more sense after a few plays. I’ve since seen them live twice this year and they blew me away!
Bastions - Hospital Corners
Fantastic Record, Great dudes! Loved helping out by putting on The Tangled Tour in London. Check out Frank Carter’s guest on The Lengths (When Wants Become Needs, It’s haunting! Looking forward to the ltd 12” arriving soon!
Spycatcher - Honesty
For want of a better word, this record is really honest. Straight up life stories and opinions on situations etc. It’s not trying to conform to any scene; instead creates a really fresh sound. My highlight is definitely Don’t Like People. For me, It’s a nice chilled out break from listening to predominantly Hardcore bands, without straying too far.
The JCQ - That Was Then, This Is Now
Punky, Sleazy and with a guest vocal by Pete from Down I Go, what’s not to like!? I’ve only just got a copy of this so it’s still pretty fresh. Great vinyl press by Tangled Talk Records too!
Former Theives - The Language That We Speak
Great heavy, mathy record. It’s not one I instantly loved and it’s still growing on me. Some parts sound a lot like Defeater, well worth checking out!
Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Good, but a little disappointing! I expected something a bit more hard hitting. PBC seem to have chilled out quite a bit on this record. I think the lineup changes might have impacted slightly here. Still, it’s got some great tracks like Screams in Caves & Killin’ It with massive sing-along potential.
Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here
Keeping Ipswich on the map, and actually really good. Holds it’s own with Basement’s contemporaries; the likes of Title Fight and Such gold.
7”, Splits & EPs
Goodtime Boys - Are We Now, Or Have We Ever Been
Down I Go - Gods About Time!
Rosa Valle - Holy Bermuda
run,WALK!/sirs - Split
Pariso/Kerouac - Split 5” disc with credit card sized CD and pop-up/origami packaging. Unbelievably heavy and frantic!
Pariso - I’d Rather Die Than Go To Heaven RIDICULOUS floppy disc release! Two incomprehensibly short tracks! So good!
La Dispute/Koji - Never Come Undone
Make Do And Mend - Part and Parcel Check out their cover of Home Away From Here!
