A month by month play of what and who I'm listening to and why you should be listening to it too!


January:

Sia - Some People Have Real Problems

I have always loved Sia's voice. It's soulful and powerful, at times fragile and raspy, but always commanding and I've always loved her music -- with Zero 7 and her own solo efforts -- but honestly, I haven't been particularly taken by a large body of work of hers until SPHRP. This album is flawless top to bottom. Lyrically, Sia is still enchanting and honest, primarily discussing the ins and outs and mostly pains of relationships; articulating hurt in a way that most singers never really learn to do.

The album is calm, definitely influenced by her previous effort, Colour the Small One, but refined and perfected, relying heavily on the new found tightness of Sia's studio/touring(?) band. As of now, this is my most played album of the new year so far.


Recommended Tracks: Lentil, Academia, Day Too Soon, Death by Chocolate, Buttons

Santogold - I Believe in Santogold / Creator/L.E.S. Artistes

Santi White is a dream come true and I don't know what I love more: her genre-bending, genre-less sound or her enthralling voice, at once sounding like early ND-era Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., and the YYYs Karen O. She's known to hang out with Diplo and M.I.A. but she definitely doing something a bit sharper and more distinctive in many cases than one would expect for someone dealing with that kind of an influence. Her EP is a terrific sampler of the sounds she dabbles with: new wave, a little bit of ska, some of that B-more sound (Spank Rock, et al), some very aggressive electronic beats.

Santogold's full length LP is probably one of the most anticipated albums this year.

Recommended Tracks: Creator, Shove It, You'll Find A Way, Say Aha

Adele - 19

I get frustrated with the 'next Amy Winehouse' comparisons. Adele has a rich, ringing tone often times reminding me of Jill Scott, more than Amy Winehouse but much like Amy, Adele is bringing British blue eyed soul back to the forefront of music...Not, that's it's ever left really but I think our collective musical palates really have missed it. What I like about Adele is that I can see her making a dent with some time and growth, but her debut album is a very strong debut.

Hometown Glory in and of it's self has been all over youtube for sometime now and is probably the strongest testament to Adele's talent. Mix that in with jazzy articulations, a well groomed band, and superb vocals and Adele's 19 is an enjoyable album to listen to anytime.

Big thanks to loneparadise for putting me in the know about Adele!

Recommended Tracks: Hometown Glory, Right as Rain, Cold shoulders, Chasing Pavement


Album of the Month, goes to... : Cat Power - Jukebox

Chan, Chan, Chan! The indie darling of all indie darlings really put her foot in this collection of beautiful covers. Many things can be said about Chan's voice (haunting, soulful, rich, melancholy, raw, etc) but Chan delivers like never before on Jukebox as he finally, in my humble opinion, properly addresses the bluesy tones of her voice. She doesn't croon. She doesn't whisper. She sings with every thing she's got! She just belts out each and every song with a fullness and longing and joy that hasn't really been clear (evident, but not clear) in her previous efforts.

Her backing band, the Dirty Delta Blues, are the perfect accent to her voice. Never overpowering or overshadowing her, but instead, challenging her to pull the best out of her vocals and these probably are the best Cat Power vocals I have heard to date. On top of that, most of these covers are almost unrecognizable as she transforms each and every song, claiming them all as her own creations and boy are they ever.

And an added plus, the entire album, from what I can hear, is recorded live in the studio. Just beautiful.

Recommended Tracks: Ramblin' (Wo)man, Metal Heart, Don't Speak, Blue, Aretha, Sing One for Me



February:

Hot Chip - Made In The Dark

So, Hot Chip, right? You either love 'em or hate 'em. I love them and I really like Made in the Dark. You just can't go wrong with electrobritpop, although, Hot Chip can be a bit much for some listeners. This album is all over the place and layered like a mother - some songs are straight up electropop, others sort of disco, a tinge of electroclash here and splash of neo-soul slow jams there and viola! A sonic party for your ears.

I can't say that I like MINTD better than The Warning because that album kills with no pause and no remorse, while MINTD on the other hand introduces these shifts that sort of act as interludes for each few sets of songs. Alexis' vocals are still remarkably geeky, high pitched, and that much more endearing and fun to sing along to. Like any Hot Chip album, this is a banger, in the context of a party or just jamming alone with your headphones, this is probably one of the most fun releases this year.

Recommended Tracks: Ready For The Floor, We're Looking For Alot Of Love, Wrestlers, Hold On, In The Privacy Of Our Love

Artist Spotlight: Tigarah

Tigarah's EP is pretty ridiculous. First of all, Tigarah is a Japanese MC who can rap, very well may I add, in Japanese and English. She's originally from Tokyo but lives in LA, as well. The interesting thing about Tigarah is the music she makes. It's grime, baile funk, hip hop a la M.I.A.. She doesn't sound like M.I.A. and her sound isn't nearly as sophisticated as M.I.A's but her EP is KILLER. I'm not quite sure who does her production but it's damn good production.

She's definitely making waves here on our shore as she's been featured in Blender and the Los Angeles Times. No word on when a LP will be released but if you like M.I.A., sick beats, and Japanese, give her a spin -- it's definitely worth it!

Recommended Tracks:The Game in Rio, Roppongi-Dori, Japanese Queen, Everything Is In Your Hand


City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love

I like this album for one reason, Dallas Green's voice, now that is not to say it isn't a good album. It's decent in both musical texture and lyricism, the problem for me, is that it is almost too simple. Dallas Green, lead singer of Alexisonfire, has a beautiful, beautiful voice: pointed, strong, and clear and it's nice to hear it removed from the context of post-hardcore/screamo but, it also doesn't do him justice because his voice can handle many instruments without wavering or getting lost in the midst of it all.

However, the album is soothing and contemplative, and the simple construction of his voice and his guitar often complement the quiet, thoughtful lyrics. I encourage those who aren't necessarily Alexisonfire fans to try this out because it's a nice listen and will probably (hopefully) encourage you to listen to Dallas and his boys tear it up.


Recommended Tracks: Confessions, What Makes A Man?, As Much As I Ever Could, The Death of Me

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One

I have been a long time fan of Eryakah's. I own every one of her albums and I've played the HELL out of each of them so I was beyond excited when a little birdy told me her new LP would be dropping soon. Released on her 30th birthday, Erykah has accomplished a feat on this album most artists don't accomplish at least ten albums into their oeuvre. This album is dense and perhaps the most accessible work she's made. The first single, Honey, isn't the best representation of the album as it's a much more radio/mtvU friendly single that will hopefully grab your attention so you pick up the album.

When you do you will find that this collection of songs affirms the humanity in us all, using the power of music to uplift, enlighten, and groove your pants off. It takes a couple of listens to get through the layers of vocals, message, and somewhat psychedelic chanting throughout (plus wicked samples, including a routine from Bill Hicks used in the documentary Zeitgiest) but it'll be an experience you wouldn't find in any other album. I'm betting, along with many others, this is a sure candidate for choice albums this year.


Recommended Tracks: That Hump - exceptional vocals from Erykah, Honey, Twinkle, My People, Solider

Album of the Month goes to...: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

This was...inevitable. Usually, I run as far as I possibly can from bands that are being paraded around by too many blogs, people who I know have crap music taste, and/or anything being played in American Eagle. I say this because all of the above sources made mention of Vampire Weekend before I could even formulate the thought to mention them to anyone. That is some powerful shit but these boys are good. Better than good, even.
And their s/t debut is SOLID and dare I say, sort of original. Now, I won't lie. I don't get half of the shit they're talking about but I'm not sure that's the point.

The obvious afropop/baroque influence is what the entire album and the band is all about, and they are all fantastic musicians, and Erza Koenig has a quirkiness to his voice I don't find annoying but complementary to the music the band plays. This album is everything I really like about music: I can sing to it, It makes mundane tasks really bearable and the tunes stick in my head for days at a time. Lots of bands have looked to other cultural music for influence but among the myriad of (lets face it, oft times bland) indie bands, these boys really hold their own.

With their level of musicianship, I'll definitely be eager to hear what they come up with next. And anyone who can throw a harpsichord in a song is alright by me.

Recommended Tracks: The whole album, or M79, Cape Cod Kwassa kwassa, One (Blake's Got a New Face), Oxford Comma

March:

Tristan Prettyman - Hello

A broken heart is usually the key to a great sophomore effort, and Tristan has been paying attention because her second album far exceeds that of her debut, in both songwriting and her mastery of various guitars. Tristan is a good guitarist and a good lyricist, but she is especially good at staying true to herself and that evident through out Hello. This album pushes the fluff aside for deeper sounds and thoughts, and I feel a lot of a Joni Mitchell-Fiona Apple-Ani DiFranco inspirational vibe. Tristan's voice shines not because she pushes it but because of it's new found honesty, vulnerabilities and rawness.

It exactly what I knew she was capable of doing from listening to Twentythree and I'm glad she realized it to. This album sounds like Fiona Apple's When the Pawn if Fiona had been on a massive 60's 70's alt country/folk binge.


Recommended Tracks: Madly, In Bloom, Interviews, Handshake, A Little Bit

Meiko - Meiko
A friend of mine were hanging out and she plays me a song called 'Hawaii' played on a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy, while I really loathe that show I have to give them credit because they tend to showcase some damn good artists (Brandi Carlile, anyone?). Well, I ended up really loving the song and the voice behind it. When I got my hands on Meiko's s/t LP, I wasn't disappointed. Vocally, she reminds me of Bic Runga and Vanessa Carlton and her music is what I consider good rainy day music; kind of melancholic but beautiful, comforting even. A piano driven independent debut with sweet vocals to match bittersweet, longing lyrics.


Recommended Tracks:Hawaii, Sleep, Piano Song, Walk By, Heard It All Before

Jaime Lidell - Jim

I pretty much think Jaime Lidell is a genius and he really is. I also think he's one of the better soul singers out of the UK music scene right now, so it only makes sense that this release is a straight soul album - no wild improvisation, just Jaime's voice laid bare over some deliciously funky tracks. Jaime has a beautifully rich and soulful voice often times hinting at Otis Redding, Sly Stone, and maybe some Donny Hathaway. While this album is not as sonically experimental as Multiply, the great instrumentation and Jamiroquai-esque jams more than make up for that, plus Jaime still sticks to his unique layering of his vocals. The album ranges from some Cameo type funk to smooth synthesized slow jams and even dabbles in some Motown live-in-the-studio cuts. Definitely a great direction for Jaime and another amazing album under this belt.


Recommended Tracks: Out of My System, A Little Bit of Feel Good, Where D'You Go, Figured Me Out