From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V16 #293 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Monday, January 2 2012 Volume 16 : Number 293 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Best of 2011 & Happy New Year from Copenhagen [Leonora Christina Skov Subject: Best of 2011 & Happy New Year from Copenhagen My 2011 in music has been influenced by my last New Year's resolution: To get back in shape. I ended up spending an hour in the gym every other day doing weight training, and since the music they played there was so god-awful I brought my own. I still do. Usually, when I compile my yearly best of lists, I don't feel that I listened enough to the albums to really get to know them. Not this year though, because time at the gym provided me the opportunity to listen deep and listen intensely. So here are my favourite albums of the year: 1. KEREN ANN - 101 Fabulous and sophisticated indie. I didn't think she (or anybody else) could beat her 2007-release, but she did. This is my favourite track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6KQXzAP3Ko And this is a close second http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaAQ5LHLaQk 2. JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN - THE DEEP FIELD This is brilliant and even better than her first two releases which I enjoyed as well. And this is a seriously great song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPqVig-ggMw&ob=av2e Actually, she has started to remind me of a cross between upbeat early Feist and Laurie Anderson around Bright Red. I think she is fabulous. 3. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE - CEREMONIALS I didn't *get* Lungs when it came out, and at first I found this much too shouty and samey. But the big sound grew on me. I have just returned from Saint Petersburg - am working on a novel - and I ended up listening to this while exercising in the local Planeta Fitness all November and December. Lately, I have been listening to Lungs as well. I like it much better now. 4. MARISSA NADLER - MARISSA NADLER Another singer/songwriter I didn't get, but this album grabbed me from the outset. Quirky Gothic songs, great songwriting, fantastic voice. I have revisited her earlier albums as well. I still like this best. Particularly this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkuhV62Gv90 5. BROOKE FRASER - FLAGS Someone raved about this Australian singer/songwriter on the internet somewhere, and her enthusiasm made me more patient listener that I usually am. The first few tracks are mildly annoying adult contemporary pop songs, the rest is pure brilliance. I listened to this when I lived in Berlin this Summer. This song is fantastic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuWLus6Ga_w This duet is great as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNiOQf-QlsE 6. EMA - PAST LIFE MARTYRED SAINTS I haven't listened to anyone this angry since PJ's Dry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BacPDrDeY8U 7. AMIINA - PUZZLE Icelandic band that mixes classical, ambient, and electronic styles. I liked their debut, Kurr, which was mostly instrumental. This is even better, especially when the ladies start to sing. This is a stunning track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ywZmpbiWs 8. MARKITA IRGLOVA - ANAR This track convinced me I had to check out this Czech songwriter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzpqs8XbdIM The whole album is great. 9. FEIST - - METALS I don't think this is on a par with her first two albums, but it's still very good. I miss her playful, upbeat side. This is much more samey and mellow, but her voice is still spectacular. 10. ANNA CALVI - ANNA CALVI New British voice. She's so full-on I'm not able to listen to the whole disc in one sitting. But a couple of songs at a time makes her a wonderful and fierce encounter. This is the definite highlight for me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKVy0EVu2ZI 10. HOLLY THROSBY - TEAM This has been growing on me. She's Australian, and her sound is rather understated. I like that. Also, there are lots of strings involved. 11. SARABETH TUCEK - GET WELL SOON This album has much the same effect on me as Holly Throsby's Team. Understated and ultimately brilliant. This album is considerably mellower than her debut. The title track is particularly lovely http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTFfoc4aeYg 12. IMANY - THE SHAPE OF A BROKEN HEART French/Comorian singer/songwriter and ex-fashion model. Sounds a lot like Tracy Chapman. The whole disc gets a bit samey, but individual tracks stand out. This is one of them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4tF9EnbcxU 13. WYE OAK - CIVILIAN I stumbled upon this band while searching the internet for music that resembled Mazzy Star and Beach House. Wye Oak is somewhat noisier folk-influenced indie rock with touches of dream pop, but they are clearly influenced by Mazzy. Jenn Wasner's voice is great. This is by far my favourite track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2guLl6Hmwo 14. LISA HANNIGAN - PASSENGER I feel that this album should have grabbed me more than it actually has. It's very pleasant, her voice is distinctive, but I'm still not blown away. This video is lovely, though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRdj8MRj9Js15. THE UNTHANKS - LAST Here's the Tender Coming must have been a tough act to follow. It was such a stunning album. I like this as well, but I don't love it. All tracks keep sounding too much alike except this song which really stands out for me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbve919Xsw4 HONORABLE MENTIONS: GUDRID HANSDOTTIR - BEYOND THE GREY Third album from the Faraose singer/songwriter. One review called it "heavily location-influenced chamber folk, with songs steeped in the Faroes natural landscape", and that's an apt description. I'm not sure I love it, but it's certainly different. Opening track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHNVjsquQoE CHARLOTTE MARTIN - DANCING ON NEEDLES This is better than anything Tori has done the last ten years. Her sound just doesn't strike me as particularly original. It never has. This song is great, though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sgGlJ9OBDM VANESSA CARLTON - TALL TALES FOR SPRING Considerably better than her earlier albums. She has definitely grown as a singer and songwriter, but nothing makes this album truly stand out for me. This is as close as it gets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zFt_60nnAI OVER THE RHINE - THE LONG SURRENDER I love this band. I'm not sure about this album. BEST SONG: CAMILLE - SHE WAS http://vimeo.com/30668586 I must have watched this video a hundred times the last couple of months. Have just ordered my copy of Ilo Veyou. Am pretty sure it's fantastic. BEST SONG II. BELATED DISCOVERY: RHODERIC LAND - KING KONG TONIGHT (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUd6XF_8fGI Sounds a lot like Leonard Cohen. Great lyrics, great video. BEST SONG III. BELATED DISCOVERY: THE PARADISE MOTEL - CALLING YOU (1997) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrME5vqO07c An independent band from Tasmania. Sounds like a mix between Mazzy Star and Julee Cruise. Calling You is from their 1997 debut. It's an amazing song. Their latest albums Australian Ghost Stories and I Still Hear Your Voice at Night are worth checking out as well. MOST INTRIGUING NEWCOMER: LANA DEL REY - VIDEO GAMES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1OV5B_JDw Reminds me a great deal of Fiona Apple. I look much forward to her debut album. MOST INTRIGUING NEWCOMER II: BIRDY - SHELTER 15-year-old Birdy released an impressive debut album of covers this year. This song, originally released by the XX, is my favourite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXwPUYU8rTI. This is great, too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNzCDt2eidg BEST BELATED DISCOVERY: DARK DARK DARK - WILD GO (2010) I found this album while in Berlin, and it blew me away. Dark Dark Dark is an American chamber folk band influenced by Eastern European folklore and burlesque. Somehow, they also remind me of The Dresden Dolls. This is my favourite track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zK2Wf4Cblc This is great as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvTZwhOHYVA BEST BELATED DISCOVERY II: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN & AQUA DI ANNIQUE - YOUR ROOM. Dutch band. I already knew Anneke van Giersbergen's version of The Blower's Daughter which surpasses the original, in my opinion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODDd0wjVQ2I But I didn't know she had a band as well. This song got me instantly hooked http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLJolIZ6Pg BEST MUSIC VIDEO: THE PIPETTES - BOO SHUFFLE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opSPgHQYiM0 British indie retro girl group. I loved Pull Shapes. I love this. BEST MUSIC VIDEO II: MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS - FEAR AND LOATHING http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9txg0XicoJ0 I probably liked her more before she actually released her debut album. I Am Not a Robot and Mowgli's Road were great songs. Her debut didn't excite me for long. But this is a great new track, and the video is stunning. BEST MUSIC VIDEO III: ANE BRUN - DO YOU REMEMBER http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lI30Qw69AQ I have never really paid attention to Ane Brun, but this song makes me want to explore It All Starts With One. What a video! BEST MUSIC VIDEO IV: THE BANDANA SPLITS - SOMETIMES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SakgUq3sMVs In the same vein as The Pipettes, The Puppini Sisters, Clare and the Reasons, Camera Obscura etc. Their debut album is mediocre, but I keep returning to this video. BEST DANISH BAND: DARKNESS FALLS - ALIVE IN US http://www.myspace.com/darknessfallsmusic Danish psychedelic duo. They create a dramatic atmospheric sound combining distorted twang guitars, synths and striking vocals. Reminiscent of Mazzy Star. Favourite song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H61wtPk1dys BEST DANISH SINGER/SONGWRITER: OH LAND - OH LAND. Hyped in Denmark right now. Often compared to Bat for Lashes though I'd prefer the latter any day. But Oh Land is still fairly great. This is my favourite song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzXUfg04gdw And this is the song that made her famous in Denmark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohB8e5TtCtA BEST NEWS: THE REFORMATION OF MAZZY STAR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7ayH09psxc BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: SEEKER LOVER KEEPER I was intrigued when I learned that the three great Australians Sarah Blasko, Holly Throsby, and Sally Seltmann had formed a musical super group. The result is, however, uninspired and poorly arranged. The only exception is this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qeLI_6t6ds&ob=av2e Infectious melody, strange lyrics. I NEED TO SPEND SOME MORE TIME WITH: GAZELLE TWIN - THE ENTIRE CITY. This track is seriously intriguing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOXJS6iS1fg AN PIERLI - WHITE HINTERLAND Dutch singer/songwriter. I have been a fan forever. This album seems a bit harder to get into, but this is a great place to start http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpf2-e8uHB4 JULIANNE BARWICK - THE MAGIC PLACE Sound like sleepytime lullabies with a twist. Doesn't really work at the gym. I'll need to actually lie down and listen properly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7lLfYBGRaA ALBUMS I HAVE WANTED TO BUY ALL YEAR RACHAEL YAMAGATA - CHESAPEAKE I adored Elephants, and I want this, too, but it's ridiculously expensive in Denmark. First single Even If I Don't is very sweet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ERmCz3Q3ew MARA CARLYLE - FLOREAT Can't find it anywhere. PRISCILLA AHN - WHEN WE GROW UP Can't find this, either. I loved her debut, especially this track http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKfDwChOoHI ALBUMS THAT DIDN'T EXCITE ME: TORI AMOS - NIGHT OF HUNTERS I simply can't listen to this. I think I might need to stop buying her albums. AMANDA PALMER - GOES DOWN UNDER I love Amanda, and I wish she'd get her act together. This disc is a mess. MARIA TAYLOR - OVERLOOK Dull. Only exception is the title track which is gorgeous http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PDRdrqy2x4 ST. VINCENT - STRANGE MERCY I just don't get this. LYKKE LI - - WOUNDED RHYMES I was excited by I Follow Rivers, but I quickly grew tired of it. The rest of her album didn't excite me. HANNAH PEEL - THE BROKEN WAVE Love her name. Found her album awfully dull. Happy New Year from Copenhagen. And thanks for all your lists. I have found so much new music to explore already. All best, Leonora ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 13:42:59 -0800 From: Neile Graham Subject: Re: Best of 2011 & Happy New Year from Copenhagen > BEST > SONG: CAMILLE - SHE WAS http://vimeo.com/30668586 I must have watched this > video a > hundred times the last couple of months. Have just ordered my copy of Ilo > Veyou. Am pretty sure it's fantastic. > Wow--my top 12 just became a top 13. I can't believe I forgot this album when I was making my list. I love Camille, and this album, while quiet different and more pop than her recent albums is terrific. If I only allow myself 12 albums, there are a couple on my list I would put this one ahead of. - --Neile ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V16 #293 ***************************