Soundtrack to Week 52

Hyvää Joulua - beats, breaks & big smiles vol. 3.5

Do you need a last minute soundtrack to the holidays? Look no further. I decided to dust off last year's Christmas compilation and give it another turn. Give it a listen if you want something a bit out of the ordinary songs to celebrate the fat, jolly dude with. Just go here to download.

Soundtrack to Week 51

Honourable Mentions

This year was truly a great one for albums, so it was a bit tricky to decide which ones should end up on the top ten. Here are 4 albums that just as easily could have ended up on it if you ask me. Aesop Rock, Prosperous, Kodacrome and Home all released amazing records this year, so I feel that they deserve some attention too.

#1 The Tallest Man on Earth - There's No Leaving Now

I could easily go on and on about why There's No Leaving Now is the best album of this year, and why The Tallest Man on Earth is my favourite artist these last few years. But I won't. I will just post the title track and leave it with that. If you don't get it after listening to it, then you will never get it.

#2 babelfishh & oskar ohlson - We'd Rather Not

I've said it earlier during this countdown, and I'll say it again. 2012 has definitely been babelfishh's year. Nothing that man has touched has been other than amazing, and nothing more so than his latest collaboration with the lovely oskar ohlson. Indie pop and underground hip hop blending in the most extraordinary way. Not one single note or lyric is misplaced here, and it all boils down to pure musical joy!.

As for oskar's own favourite of the year:

It's not easy to decide on one musical highlight for 2012, there are so many to choose from... But after thinking about it for a while I think I have a winner. While 2012 had quite a few new releases I really love, my choice is actually a reissue: the Neutral Milk Hotel vinyl box.
Packed in a beautiful cardboard box, you get all the NMH releases on vinyl: both albums on 12'' vinyl in gate-fold covers, the Everything Is EP with some bonus tracks on 10'', plus a 10'' titled 1992-1995 with seven unreleased Jeff Mangum studio demos(!!) and one live song. Three 7''s, of which one is a picture disc, also with some previously unreleased songs, and two beautifull posters.
The packaging is just amazing! And with the box beeing self-released (and seemingly only self-distributed) there's no need for any barcodes either.
And the music... Neutral Milk Hotel are defenitly one of my all time favourites! There's very few, if any, records that get as intense as In the Aeroplane Over the Sea! ...and rarely have I been so excited about "new" archival demo recordings as I am with those on here. Boy, do they deliver!
I remember when the box arrived in the mail (or rather after I picked it up from the customs...grrr) I took the rest of the day off and just listened to each record in its entirety. Such genius! ...and so heartbreaking!
yap, that's it.
cheers!

oskar

#3 David Ramos - Sento La Tua Mancanza

If there is one guy who genuinely wore his heart on his sleeve this year, it has to be David Ramos. He released the most beautiful celebration of his grand mother that no matter what I would try to put into words only would cheapen it all. What I can say is that Sento La Tua Mancanza constists of 14 of the most heartfelt and amazing songs that came out this year, and listening to it brings daily joy.

I asked David to give as a glimpse into what he felt about the music 2012, and this is what he said: 

• Truthfully, I listen to a lot of music that I dont really know when it came out. Constant rotation includes Little Wings and Bad Brains back catalougues. But for this year a lot of exciting music has come out. Where to start.....Factor. Factor is so talented and I've been lucky enough to hear what he and Ceschi have been working on. The 2 of them together is an instant classic in my mind. I've also been listening to my friend, Max Heath's project(child actor-victory) a lot, and I really love it. It is not normally the type of content and genre (meaning love songs) that I usually go crazy for, but damn I listen to the shit out of that CD. I did a short run with cars & trains and G-pep, and both of their albums are, in my opinion, their best work to date. I was lucky enough to play drums for Greg, so that new album really stuck to me. There is so much more, but I'll try to be brief. I notice that so far i've only listed Fake Four shit....however, one of my favorite EPs of the year is from Erin Rae and the meanwhiles, Crazy Talk. She is from Nashville (along with Beards and Spoken Nerd) and she is an incedible talent. Please take a look at some of her live videos on the web. There is a lot more.... I of course listen to DTS all the time, and think they are one of the best hip-hop groups today. Zavala is simply a genius. He knows what he is doing, and he just gets better and better. However, my last mention will not be Fake Four.... Ramshackle Glory is my most listened to band of the year. I was luck enough to play a show with them and make a video for them, and their show, lyrics, and music inspired me. They inspired me to be less cynical, while still not being completely cheesy political music. I don't want to say too much about this music, and the experience of their show, because I don't think I could fairly depict it without making it sound corny. Anyways, if you havent listened to them, please give them a good 5 listens. I almost forgot, the new P.O.S is out of this world.  god, and everything oskar ohlson has done this year has been outstanding. That sounds like a forced after thought, but it should have been the first thing I mentioned. And how can I forget about the new music from Tommy V. and rickoLus....I listen to a lot of rickolous and a lot of Electric President.....not sure about when they came out...In fact, I don't really know what day it is today.

  
  

#4 El-P - Cancer 4 Cure

El Producto. Few artists out there are as consistent, yet experimental and daring, as him. Ever since the days of Company Flow he's gone from strength to strength and never disappointed in any way. He's really found his own unique musical G-Spot which time and again produces musical orgasm after musical orgasm. Cancer 4 Cure is no different, and listening to it makes me smile a bit shamefully each time. 

#5 WHY? - Mumps, etc.

I could try to explain what makes WHY? so special and unique, but I would be lost for words. Yoni Wolf put words to everything so much easier and that's why he's probably my favourite songwriter out there. Anything he puts down on the pad is pure gold if you ask me, and combined with the amazingly mature, but still cheeky sound of the group, they are always top 10 in my heart. Mumps, etc. is not their best album to date, but even their worst moments kick the living daylights out of most acts trying to make music.

I asked Yoni what he felt had been special during the year, and he answered:

I've been listening a lot to the new Kendrick Lamar album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. Also like Frank Ocean's Channel Orange a lot.

Little Eskimo Jesus - Could You Please Be Quiet, Please?

A new record featuring Ira Lee...

Rating music: 6/10
Rating lyrics/vocals: -/10

#6 babelfishh - Howl Bender

What a joy this tape brought me when I first heard it. Noise, grit, beats and babelfishh. What more do you really need? This year has definitely been his year, and it seems like there's no end to what he's capable of. Cassettes might not be everyone's favourite media, but I wouldn't want Howl Bender any other way. The marriage between babelfishh and I had An Accident Records must be a match made in heaven.  667.

Soundtrack to Week 50

#7 A Band of Buriers - Filth

Last year A Band of Buriers completely blew me away. No artist, and no album, really came close to their debut album. The mix of James P. Honey's poetry and timbre voice, and Jamie Romain's beautiful melodies gave me chills of pleasure. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that the follow up, Filth, was on it's way. At first I was slightly disappointed when it arrived, but quite quickly it started to grow on me. I think it was the fact that this time I knew what to expect that took away some of the thrill. But the music is still as good, and ABOB is one of my absolute favourite groups out there. Any other year this album would probably have landed further up on the list, but this year the guys have to settle for seventh place.

I asked Jamie what his personal musical highlight of the year was, and this is what he had to say:

It has been such a great year for A Band Of Buriers that it is hard to pick one single highlight. Certainly, touring with Micah P. Hinson would be up there, as would composing and performing for the theatre in Marseille, traveling through Austria with the Left Fields gang, the new vinyl edition of the album… So many of the adventures we have embarked on and friends we have made in the past 12 months could make the cut. But the absolute highlight has to be the introduction of the girls to the band. Annie, Anna, Laura and Georgia not only make us a much better looking band, but have also helped us to push our sound and our performances. They say that behind every great man stands a great woman. We are fortunate to have two each. 2013 is in real trouble.

#8 Bigg Jus - Machines That Make Civilization Fun

I must admit that I had kind of forgot about Bigg Jus a bit. Not because he's not a great artist, but because it was a long time since I'd heard anything new from him. I think it was back in 2005 that he dropped the album Poor People's Day together with DJ Gman, but after that, nothing. 

When I heard rumours about a new album from him, I got a bit excited but didn't really think anything would happen to be honest. But boy was I wrong! Machines That Make Civilization Fun dropped like a bomb earlier this year and for a couple of months, this was an album I listened to daily. In many ways, this will always be a part of my soundtrack when I think back to my time in Melbourne. 

It's dark, majestic, futuristic and nothing short of excellent. The old members from Company Flow never seem to be able to put a foot wrong. There are rumours of a new Nephlim Modulation Systems album dropping in 2013, but who knows. I don't care if it takes another 7-8 years for him to release a new album. I'm sure that it will be extra special whenever it comes.

#9 otem rellik - Blood Bone Piano

It wasn't that long ago that I reviewed this album, so I will keep it short here. When otem rellik dropped Elephant Graveyard back in 2010, it reached #7 on my top ten list of that year. And now when he returns with the follow up, I'm very glad to welcome him back to the list too.

Blood Bone Piano is Buck 65 without too much country, and even though I love Buck 65 to death, it's nice to see that someone is still here catering some of his old style. I'm not saying that otem rellik is a copy, very far from it. But when it comes to his sound, the only one that comes near is that sweet old Canadian. A solid album that is both personal and daring in it's uniqueness. A must have this year.

Jellyfish Brigade - The Art of Being Pulled Apart

Jellyfish Brigade was one of last year's nice discoveries music wise, and I was really happy to hear that the duo was about to release something new. The Art of Being Pulled Apart is a 3 track EP that keeps building on where Gills and a Helmet left of. I only wish that we could have got a full length album, because this just keeps me wanting more. But that's the beauty of teasers like this. Don't keep sleeping on these guys!

Rating: 7/10

#10 prison soup - prison soup

The top 10 this year was very tricky to pick out. 2012 has been an amazing year when it comes to albums, and a lot of good records that easily would have made on to the list any other year, unfortunately didn't make it this time around. So let's just start of with the list then.

EVAK and babelfishh is truly a match made in heaven. Both emcees are amongst my favourite ones and hearing a whole album with them is more or less a dream come true. There's nothing that even comes close to being radio friendly here. Noise, drones and field recordings combined with distorted drums and guitars forms an amazing backdrop to these two fire spitters.

It's 9 tracks of fuel pumped riveting alt-rap at it's absolute best, and it once again shows why decorative stamp still is the label to watch out for.

PRISON SOUP - SCATHING SENTIMENTS.mov from Flynn Donovan on Vimeo.

Label of the Year - decorative stamp

Yes, it's that time of year again and yes, decorative stamp picks up the title of Label of the Year second year in a row. As always there have been some great releases by other labels such as Milled Pavement, Mism Records, I had An Accident Records, knertz, Fake Four Inc, Luana's messed up records etc. But decorative stamp has just dropped bomb after bomb this year from artists such as Home, A Band of Buriers and A Grey Wilson. I have to salute them for never putting a foot wrong. It will be really exciting to see what they will come up with in 2013.

WHY? - The Water You Walk

Special treat time! The B-side to the upcoming 7″ single Waterlines is The Water You Walk, a Christmas song. Not a very Christmassy song if you ask me, but hey, it's a new WHY? song! 

Wild Xmas with Bomarr volume 7

A tradition almost as old as Christmas itself is Bomarr's Xmas compilations. This year it's time for number 7, and it's obscure stuff as always. Start off Christmas together with Bomarr by going here. 

Soundtrack to Week 49

Future Diamonds - I'm Fresh (Pharmaceutical's Anthem)

From Future Diamonds (Kid Presentable!!! and Unconventional Science) comes I'm Fresh (Pharmaceutical's Anthem). Album dropping in February 2013.

Ceschi - Same Old Love Song feat. 2Mex & Awol One

Same Old Love Song is a quite old track, but finally the video for it has surfaced and it's a pleasure to post it here.

Interview #23 - Perseph One

Drawing Musical Patterns

Giving you the girl who creates fine art through music as well as on canvas. An artist that's not afraid to go against the grain when it comes to her creative output. At this time last year I'd never heard of Perseph One, but this year she really caught my attention. She's one of the more interesting artists out there at the moment, so I tracked her down to give her the standard beats, breaks & big smiles treatment.

As usual I will start off with the classic question: Who are you? Please give us some glimpses of your upbringing and your persona.

I am Perseph One, I am an artist. raised in Illinois and Missouri by my hardworking parents alongside two younger brothers. Dad taught martial arts and werked at a factory. Mom taught aerobics and werked at a cosmetic counter. Interacial marriage. Our lives were fun yet intense.

What made you start making music? Influences and why have they made an imprint on you?

I grew up with my grandmother bumpin 2 12 w a sub and tweeters in her green Magnum, thanks to my cousin, church music all day down the block. My cousin was always on his keyboard and recording on 4 track analog. He taught me how to use my first 4 track. I began recording songs for the group I started then, still known as Ces Cru. We started a rap family with strong ties that are still relevant in my approach. I fell in love with the possibilities of my werds, attitude, and patterns to sound.  Before I had the 4 track I would record thru one side of a headphone onto a cassette and bounce back and for between dual cassettes to overdub. Ahh that’s really why I wanted a 4track so bad. The sound was so washed out, but still a good technique to have learned.

Would you mind telling us a bit about your creative process?

Well, it varies. I usually just start with a humming pattern in my head. Then add werds or the opposite like if I have werds I need to get out so I mold it to the music I’m putting it to. I write as a basis of what I want to convey it is not always exact. A lot of my channeling includes repetition. Once I’ve finished a verse I wear it on my few as long as I feel necessary then move on. Drink tea or coffee sets my mood. Btw it’s the year of the long verse!

What do you want to accomplish with your music?

(insert count Dracula laugh) To send subliminal messages that make you feel the urge to come to my shows and buy my music and merchandise. NOT JOKING. I really want to present people with a proper representation of those on similar wavelengths as I. Also to open the door of information to ancient underwater basket weaving techniques. I will let u know what for in the new album!

Since you are the engineer of both beats and vocals I can’t help but wonder if there is any artistic area where you feel more at home?

I would say vocals over someone else’s badass beat is perty homie to me. I tend to do that most because the energy with another producer drives me hard. I look at my productions with vocals as I would a painting.

The first time I heard you was on the track Wounded Workhorse on prison soup’s tape. How did you guys hook up?

I was in a rap duo with Evak years ago and was neighbors with Babelfishh years ago. We have remained friends through it all. a rare breed of rap in Houston.

What kind of responses have you got to your album Nikola’s Spirit?

To my surprise since it was completely a spontaneous 2 week sketch project the response was more than I thought it would be. While some did not know if they liked it at first relistened and found more. It’s one to listen to with headphones on in a super reflective mode. Each song a visited thought to indulge in. Some people just loved it instantly because of its uniqueness.

What are you up to when you’re not making music?

I am painting a series of large pieces at the moment. Hang with my pups, family, and friends. Just about everyday involved making music even if its jotting a few lines or starting a beat skeleton.I am a sucker for cartoons.

What are some of your dreams and hopes for the future?

That I can continue making music and reach more and more people with it.

Are there any upcoming projects that we can look forward to?

A new album next year as well as side project releases.

Shout outs, final words, last thoughts…? Yeah, you get the idea.

Thank u for your support and interest. The blog is on point. Last thought, haha if u love it then put a ring on it. Shout outs, Houston, Babelfishh, Evak, Papervehicle, Ces Cru, Nikhoo, Sleepy5Orchestra, Thavius Beck, Blackbird, Blackie,Limb, Josiah Gabriel, David, Jamie, Mumsie n poppieseed.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/PersephOne-Guns/188444617874075
http://persephoneguns.bandcamp.com/

Soundtrack to Week 48