I was pre-occupied with writing a master’s thesis and producing an EP with Dashing this year, so I didn’t actively search for new music or read music blogs as I have done in years past. Instead, I came across these noteworthy records at listening parties with friends (thanks, Brad Junswick) or while listening to the excellent CBC Radio 2 show, The Signal:

2011 Releases:

65daysofstatic - "Silent Running" (Dustpunk - UK)

SILENT RUNNING by 65daysofstatic: The UK post-rock band’s score for the 1972 dystopian sci-fi film of the same name (watch the trailer).

Active Child - "You Are All I See" (Vagrant - Los Angeles, CA)

YOU ARE ALL I SEE by Active Child: AC makes the harp sound futuristic. Also, this guy has quite the vocal register.

Dreamers of the Ghetto - "Enemy/Lover" (Temporary Residence Limited - Bloomington, IN)

ENEMY / LOVER by Dreamers of the Ghetto: The band name and album cover art are ambiguous. Is it hip-hop? Electronic? The TRL affiliation suggests post-rock. In actuality, this is my only straightforward rock release in this list. Imagine Arcade Fire + The National + The Walkmen + Springsteen.

The Field - "Looping State of Mind" (The Field - Stockholm, Sweden)

LOOPING STATE OF MIND by The Field: ambient electronic music from Sweden.

Tim Hecker - "Ravedeath, 1972" (kranky - Montreal, PQ)

RAVEDEATH, 1972 by Tim Hecker: TH recorded piano, guitar, and organ noise at a church in Iceland, then manipulated the results with plenty of post-processing effects. I listened to this while rambling about the Carpathian foothills in Romania at sunrise one morning in September – it sounded appropriate.

Oneohtrix Point Never - "Replica" (Mexican Summer - Brooklyn, NY)

REPLICA by Oneohtrix Point Never: OPN’s previous record (“Returnal”) began with 5 minutes of what a cat wearing chain armour thrown into a running lawnmower might sound like, followed by 40 minutes of soothing synth pads and pulses. This one retains the latter and adds some discrete musical notes, with an added dash of humour: obscure vocal samples from old infomercials.

Sandro Perri - "Impossible Spaces" Constellation - Toronto, ON)

IMPOSSIBLE SPACES by Sandro Perri: A fun mix of ambience, folk, jazz, electroacoustic instrumentation.

Tartar Lamb II - "Polyimage of Known Exits" (Ice Level Music - Brooklyn, NY)

POLYIMAGE OF KNOWN EXITS by Tartar Lamb II: Help! I’m trapped in a gloomy jazz ether!

The Weeknd - "House of Balloons" (Self-Released - Toronto, ON)

HOUSE OF BALLOONS by The Weeknd: My bandmate Pete asked me if I like any R&B. I said no. He suggested I listen to this mixtape. Then I changed my mind: I like House of Balloons.

Wild Beasts - "Smother" (Domino - UK)

SMOTHER by Wild Beasts: Domino puts out releases by many of my favourite artists: Four Tet, Owen Pallett, Caribou, etc. All boast high production quality and electro-acoustic instrumentation. Smother is no exception. Also, their singer reminds me of Roy Orbison. (Note: This track is not on the album; it is a b-side to the “Albatross” single).

Reissues

Dntel - "Life Is Full of Possibilities" (Plug Research (2001), Sup Pop Reissue - Los Angeles, CA)

LIFE IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES (Reissue) by Dntel: When I bought a used copy of this CD last year, the clerk at Zulu records thought I was a Postal Service fanboy, longing for the follow-up to 2003′s electro-pop album “Give Up”. Actually, I prefer this ambient-electro Dntel album, and I still would even if it didn’t contain the pre-cursor-to-Postal-Service collaboration with Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard (“This is the Dream of Evan and Chan”).

Talk Talk - "Laughing Stock" (Polydor (1991), Badabing Reissue - UK)

LAUGHING STOCK (Reissue) by Talk Talk: A stunningly beautiful record that has stood the test of time. Ambient, jazzy, and boasting incredible instrumentation, vocals, and production value. Prior to it’s October reissue by Ba Da Bing records, I was told I’d be unable to find a copy on vinyl in North America for less than $200.

Electronic Albums:

• There is Love in You by FOUR TET (UK)
• Swim by CARIBOU (Canada)
• Lucky Shiner by GOLD PANDA (UK)

Rock Albums:

• High Violet by THE NATIONAL (US)
• The Golden Archipelago by SHEARWATER (US)

Acoustic/Folk Albums:

• Inland by LEIF VOLLEBEKK (Canada)
• Nice, Nice, Very Nice by DAN MANGAN (Vancouver, Canada)

Avante-Garde/Alternative Albums:

• Heartland by OWEN PALLETT (Canada)
• Mt. Chimaera by BRASSTRONAUT (Vancouver, Canada)
• Go by JONSI (Iceland)

Ambient-Electronic Albums:

• Endless Falls by LOSCIL (Vancouver, Canada)
• Black Noise by PANTHA DU PRINCE (Germany)

Pop Album:

• Body Talk by ROBYN (Sweden)

Favourite Concerts of 2010:

• BONOBO & BRASSTRONAUT – June 30th @ the Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC
• THE FLAMING LIPS - July 10th @ Cisco Bluesfest, Ottawa ON
• NEXT MUSIC FROM TOKYO Showcase – October 14th @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver BC
• FOUR TET – February 24th @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver BC
• THE NATIONAL & THE WALKMEN – September 9th @ Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, Vancouver BC

Click on the following links to hear tracks by these artists:

1. Bitte Orca by DIRTY PROJECTORS - DP has gotten a lot of hype for this album, and after a few listens I find it deserving of it all. A challenging, but incredibly rewarding album, featuring guitar and male/female vocal gymnastics flourishing throuhgout, it will sure put a smile on your face. Some of my favourite picks include “Stillness is the Move” and “No Intention“.
   
   Bitte Orca – Dirty Projectors
2. Townes by STEVE EARLE – on this album, Steve Earle covers songs by his late friend and mentor, Townes Van Zandt. While I am a newcomer to both Earle and Van Zandt, this album has definitely got my attention: excellent guitar-playing, enigmatic lyrics, and a mix of guitar ballads and folk jams. Some of my favourites include “Pancho and Lefty“, “Rake“, and “Lungs“.
   
   Townes – Steve Earle & The Duk…
3. Reservoir by FANFARLO - this album was brought to my attention via the Sigur Rós mailing list, in a message reading:
   

   Our great friends in London Fanfarlo are making their amazing debut album, ‘Reservoir’, available for $1 (USD) until Independence Day (July 4), along with 4 exclusive bonus tracks. It’s got Sigurrós and her cousin Disa on the front cover in a pic by Jónsi’s other sis Lilja (true), and we urge you all to go and get it straight away.

   They made the record in Connecticut with a guy called Peter Katis and, as the more vigilant of you may have noticed,  Jónsi liked it so much that he has started work on his own solo record with the same dude.

   This was enough motivation for me. It’s a catchy and consistent album, conjuring up comparisons to Okkervil River, Shearwater, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Cold War Kids, and of course Sigur Rós. Check out “The Walls are Coming Down” and “Harold T Wilkins“. Probably the best 1$ album I own.

4. Veckatimest by GRIZZLY BEAR – I wasn’t really into GB until hearing tracks “Two Weeks” and “While You Wait For The Others“, both from the new album. Upon hearing the album stream on Spinner, I became even more enthralled. The album has great dynamics, haunting vocal arrangements, and the two aforementioned songs which are some of the catchiest tracks I’ve heard this year.
5. Post-Nothing by JAPANDROIDS – while I wasn’t immediately taken in by the heavy garage rock of this two-piece from Vancouver, hearing the album in full had me convinced. The album has rekindled my love for high-energy guitar rock, and is the perfect accompaniment for beers on your roof during the summer months. Check out “Young Hearts Spark Fire“. Also, it was 10$ well spent at Rotate This.
   
   Post-Nothing – Japandroids
6. Youth Novels by LYKKE LI - One of my favourite albums from 2008, and still in regular rotation (many of the songs are still growing on me). Produced by Björn Yttling from Peter, Björn, and John, the album is full of genuinely fun (and not over-produced) pop songs – see “I’m Good, I’m Gone“, for instance.
   
   Youth Novels – Lykke Li
7. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart by THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART – simply put: a catchy shoegaze rock album (like Japandroids, perfect for summer afternoons). Check out “Young Adult Friction” and “Stay Alive“.
   
   The Pains Of Being Pure At Hea…
8. Immolate Yourself by TELEFON TEL AVIV – TTA’s last album, Map of What is Effortless, while imperfect, had a huge effect on me. Needless to say I was eagerly anticipating Immolate Yourself. Sadly, I was let down at first by the drastic change in style between the two albums after hearing the first single, “Helen of Troy”. However, all that changed upon hearing the album in its entirety. It flows really well, and satisfies my love for dark, brooding electronic music (or anything that could easily soundtrack for dystopian sci-fi films). Another cool point of interest about the album is the use of analog tape and analog synthesizers throughout (emanating in the aforementioned style change). Unfortunately, Charles Cooper, half of the the TTA duo, passed away shortly after the release of the album, placing any future TTA releases into uncertainty. I hope surviving member Joshua Eustis carries on exploring the artistic direction of Immolate Yourself. Check out “The Birds“, the lead track from the album.
   
   Immolate Yourself – Telefon Te…
9. Alopecia by WHY? – the track “Fatalist Palmistry” has been one of my favourite tracks of the past year. The album, while significantly more downcast than this track, has excellent rhymes and startling imagery. Defintely not for everyone.
   
   Alopecia – Why?

1. “Walls” by APPARAT (electronic/alternative, Germany); although released in 2007, I only got around to discovering this one while sharing some music with a coworker. I immediately loved the album, its sleek production, great acoustic/electronic arrangements, and great vocals.
   
   Walls – Apparat
2. “Variations of Static” and “Eulogy for Evolution” by ÓLAFUR ARNALDS (classical, Iceland); This young man opened for Sigur Rós when I saw them perform in Berlin. Minimal piano + string quartet, but very captivating. Check out “3055” from Eulogy for Evolution.
   
   Variations Of Static – Ólafur …
3. “Untrue” by BURIAL (dubstep, UK); this one was really hyped up in 2007, and after hearing a few tracks I was intrigued at how haunting it sounded. Definitely outside of my usual listening, but nevertheless an awesomely spooky adventure. It could be the soundtrack to a film adaptation any of William Gibson’s sprawl novels.
   
   Untrue – Burial
4. “For Emma, Forever Ago” by BON IVER (folk/acoustic, US); apparently this album was the result of spending months alone in an isolated cabin. It motivates me to move indefinitely to my cottage with a guitar and a multi-track recorder.
   
   For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iv…
5. “Asa Breed” by MATTHEW DEAR (techno/electronic, US); The track ‘Deserter’ has been one of my favourite tracks of the past year. While I hesitated to include the album on this list, it has grown on me. It is for the most part quite different from ‘Deserter’; it’s actually quite upbeat and bouncy (see “Pom Pom”!).
   
   Asa Breed – Matthew Dear
6. “Youth Novels” by LYKKE LI (alternative/pop, Sweden); possibly the album with the catchiest melodies on this list. Also, I admit I have a weakness for Scandinavian songstresses.
   
   Youth Novels – Lykke Li
7. “Saturdays = Youth” by M83 (shoegaze/electronic/80′s teen movie revival, France); I turned on M83′s earlier record, Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts, the other day and compared this to their new album. The new record is definitely much more accessible. It’s also apparently a tribute to John Hughes films of the 1980s, citing references to Molly Ringwald et. al. (I may be too young for this?)
   
   Saturdays = Youth – M83
8. “Animals” by MINILOGUE (minimal techno/ambient, Sweden); I picked this one up in Stockholm on a whim (I loved the music video for “Hitchhiker’s Choice“). It turns out that the first disc of the album is amazing to drive to – it has quite a groove to it. The second disc is quite minimal, eerie, but still worth a solid listen.
   
   Animals – Minilogue
9. “Boxer” by THE NATIONAL (rock, US); I missed this one entirely in 2007, and I’m quite ashamed – this is one of my favourite rock albums in years. I would say it’s in the same direction as Interpol, however I’d prefer it to them any day.
   
   Boxer – The National
10. “Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust” by SIGUR RÓS (alternative, Iceland); these guys need no introduction. I saw them this summer in Berlin, and was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in years. The new album is a great blend of their ambient post-rock style, but a more immediate acoustic feel, and a few upbeat tracks as well. It’s nice to see them progressing!
    
    Med sud I eyrum vid spilum end…
11. “At War With Walls and Mazes” by SON LUX (alternative/electronic, US); I first heard Son Lux amidst the many artists showcased at SXSW this past spring, and he stood out as one of the very few electronic acts I liked. Brooding, dark, and slow, and with fantastic instrumental arrangements.
    
    At War With Walls and Mazes – …
12. “Elephant Shell” by TOKYO POLICE CLUB (alternative/rock, Canada); my friend Allan from the Ottawa band The Love Machine recommended this one to me earlier this summer. I gave it a spin after my brother picked it up, and although it is very brief, it’s got phenomenal pop hooks. Check out “Tessellate” in particular.
    
    Elephant Shell – Tokyo Police …