Artist to watch in 2012: Frank Ocean

I know I've blogged about him earlier this year, but I keep listening to his fantastic mixtape Nostalgia.ULTRA.  He's set to release his debut album through Def Jam Record in the spring.  If the mixtape is any indication, the guy will be a star very soon.  He reminds me a lot of John Legend armed with an equally amazing voice.  He's a little rougher around the edges than Legend and doesn't have the same prowess on the keys.  Ocean has collaborated with many established artists including an appearance on two of the best tracks off Jay-z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne.  Watch out.  (and I know I said Lana Del Rey would be a star - I take that back)

"Thinking About You"

"Swim Good".... excuse the poor English

"We All Try"

"Dust"

"Made in America" - Watch the Throne

Legends: James Brown

This man needs no introduction.  The Godfather of Soul was instrumental in music history, influencing many genres and musicians alike.  Without this guy, there would be no Michael Jackson, Prince, or any other R&B, funk, disco, or rap artist.  Sam Cooke and Otis Redding might have been better singers, but they didn't have the complete package that James had.  A year ago at my friend's 30th birthday party, we played Mr. Brown's Greatest Hits straight through, and I can't remember a better time dancing to the soul great.  His music is truly timeless.

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (Original)"

"Mother Popcorn"

"Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine)"

"It's Man's World"

"I Got You (I Feel Good)"

Album Review: First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

This is the second album of the Swedish sisters, Klara and Johanna Soderberg, who became an internet sensation in 2008 after covering Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song". In 2010, the duo recorded their debut album which was well-received but fell flat to some listeners given its one-dimensional and incomplete songwriting. However, this release shatters all doubts about the Soderbergs and is a big step in the right direction. Much like the Fleet Foxes, the hallmark of their folky sound is rich, well-developed harmonies akin to the past folk greats. The girls have also matured lyrically, and producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis) has layered this effort with more varied instrumentation and tighter song structures. Bright Eyes frontman and label-mate, Conor Oberst, appears on the closing track in fine form to end a fantastic album and early favorite of 2012.

"Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Fleet Foxes cover)"

"The Lion's Roar"

"Emmylou"

"King of the World (feat. Conor Oberst)"

Radiohead tracks that you've never heard...

Radiohead is one of my favorite bands.  They are as close to the Beatles of our generation, and they've released many landmark albums over their career.  While obviously not as popular as their older counterparts, Radiohead has pushed boundaries with every album much like their friends from across the pond.  These are tracks that didn't make the cut, but they're all noteworthy and a must-listen for any Radiohead fan.


"Lull"

"Lift"

"Last Flowers"

"A Reminder"

"Gagging Order"

"True Love Waits"

"Polyethylene Parts 1 and 2"

"Banana Co."

"Talk Show Host"

"Fog (again)"

My Favorite Songs of 2011 (in no particular order)

Here are my favorite songs of 2011.  A lot of people thought that 2011 was a down music year and I agree to some extent, but there are always gems out there.  These aren't in any particular order, but the tracks by m83 are #1 and #2.  Hurry Up We're Dreaming was a really special album.


"Lotus Flower" - Radiohead

"Midnight City" - m83

"Steve McQueen" - m83

"Baby's Arms" - Kurt Vile

"Postcard from 1952" - Explosions in the Sky

"It's Real" - Real Estate

"Cannons" - Youth Lagoon

"Over My Dead Body" - Drake

"Gold on the Ceiling" - The Black Keys

"Novacane" - Frank Ocean

"Cruel" - St. Vincent

"Vomit" - Girls

"Baby Missiles" - War on Drugs

"Holocene" - Bon Iver

"Beth/Rest" - Bon Iver

"Circuital" - My Morning Jacket

"Grown Ocean" - Fleet Foxes

"Need You Now" - Cut Copy

"Surfer's Hymn" - Panda Bear

"Whirring" - The Joy Formidable

"The Morning" - The Weeknd

Covers:


Bon Iver - "I Can't Make You Love Me (Bonnie Raitt)"

James Blake - "A Case of You (Joni Mitchell)"

James Blake - "Limit to Your Love (Feist)"

Frank Ocean - "Strawberry Swing (Coldplay)"

The Weeknd - "Dirty Diana" (Michael Jackson)"

Set your DVRs: Arcade Fire on Austin City Limits 1/14

ACL preview

After a huge 2010, the band is finally back on Austin City Limits this Saturday 1/14.  It looks like they'll play a bunch of songs off The Suburbs, the amazing, Grammy award-winning album of 2010.  This band has rapidly ascended to stardom after being an indie favorite for years.  I've seen them live three times, where they truly excel.  So set those DVRs...

Anticipated Releases in 2012

Here's a list of the albums I'm looking forward to/hoping for in 2012.  With 2011 a pretty good year of music, 2012 looks to be another solid year of music.  Can the xx and Sleigh Bells follow up their debuts with something as good or better?  Will the Shins find their form again?  Will Animal Collective, Phoenix, Sigur Ros, and Vampire Weekend continue releasing great albums?  And Modest Mouse and Outkast, where are you? We've been patient enough...


Confirmed Releases
Sleigh Bells  - Reign of Terror  (2/14/12)
Lana Del Rey - Born to Die (1/31/12)
The Shins - Port of Morrow (March 2012)
Air - Le Voyage Dans La Lune (2/7/12)
Andrew Bird - Break it Yourself (3/6/12)
Dr. Dog - Be The Void (2/7/12)


TBAs 
Sigur Ros
Phoenix
Cat Power
Frank Ocean
The xx
Animal Collective
Grizzly Bear
The Walkmen
Yeasayer
Vampire Weekend
Local Natives


Crossing Fingers
Modest Mouse
Outkast
Kanye West

Lana Del Rey

Look out for Lana Del Rey in early 2012.  Her debut album Born to Die will be released at the end of January, and if the singles she released in 2011 are any indicator, it'll be one of the first great records of the year.  Del Rey, born Elizabeth Grant, is from Lake Placid, NY and the daughter of a millionaire investor.  She has a Cat Power-ish voice and the look to be a big star going forward.

"Video Games"

"Blue Jeans"

Born to Die - out 1/31/2012, Interscope Records

Album Review: Real Estate - Days

The great thing about year-end lists is finding albums that you didn't get around to listening to.  Here's Days, a fantastic second album by the band based in Brooklyn, NY.  This city is the new hot bed of indie talent which includes The National, MGMT, Yeasayer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Sufjan Stevens, TV on the Radio, LCD Soundsystem, Interpol, et al.  Real Estate creates simplistic, soothing indie pop in a Shins-like way.  It's definitely a laid back, chill record for nights hanging around the house or on a lazy drive.

"It's Real"

"Out of Tune"

"Easy"

LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit

Here's the track that inspired the title of this blog.  LCD Soundsystem is the brainchild of James Murphy, a long time DJ, musician, producer, and co-owner of DFA records.  The band released 3 fantastic albums beginning in 2005 before officially calling it quits in 2011.  "You Wanted a Hit" is part of the critically acclaimed third album, This is Happening.  It's a song about being authentic and not letting popularity/others sway you in decisions and creativity.


Boom.