Look what I do for my city...
Well hello again, everybody. Welcome to Flatbasset Radio: Episode #54!
This is it, everybody. After counting down the best of The Current's Song Of The Day in Episode #52 & the best of Radio K's Song Of The Day in episode #53 it's time to call 2014 a wrap by looking back at some of the best local music of the year.
While I find it hard to believe that anybody is still sleeping on the sounds coming out of the Twin Cities, I suppose it could happen. So, in case you weren't paying attention, 2014 was yet another outstanding year for local music. Honestly, I had to trim songs to keep this episode at an hour despite the fact that, off the top of my head, I can think of at least five local albums I didn't even get a chance to listen to last year. We're in a golden age here, people. Don't take it for granted.
Speaking of not taking things for granted, in order to fit as much music on this one as I could I decided to step away from the microphone this time. That's right, Episode #54 is one solid hour of commentary-free jams! Enjoy it, everybody, because my shitty voice and even shittier microphone will be back before you know it, mispronouncing band names and popping "p's" to our heart's content.
For now, though, a celebration bitches!
As always, this episode is available to stream or download for free. Click on the album title below to download the show. Just click on the Mixcloud player below to stream.
Flatbasset Radio: Episode #54 (Best Of 2014 - Minnesota Music)
Now, just because I didn't record any commentary doesn't mean I don't have things to say about these songs. Let's break this one down:
01. Some Pulp - Undone '93 (The Tubetop Song) (from Some Pulp)
That's right, Episode #54 picks up right where Episode #53 left off. I played Some Pulp's "Oh Oh (Who's Cryin' Now)" as last week's Flatbasset Flatclassic of the week. That song is the second song on Some Pulp. "Undone '93" is the first. Like I mentioned in my AOTW post, the first three songs of the album are pretty much my favorite 8 minutes of music of 2014.
02. Manny Phesto - Cedar Ave (from Southside Looking In)
2014 was a breakout year for Manny Phesto. On the strength of his Southside Looking In album he finally seems to be breaking through to a wider audience than just the hip-hop heads of the Twin Cities. The entire album melds Mike The Martyr's soulful beats with Manny Phesto's mostly-positive raps. The album seems meant to remind people that, "Hey, things aren't great, but they could always be worse and we can always make them better."
03. The Persian Leaps - Permission (from Drive Drive Delay)
Speaking of artists who had breakout 2014's, here's The Persian Leaps. Lord knows I've said plenty about these St. Paul power-poppers over the last couple of years, but they're so good that they earn every word. Drive Drive Delay was self-released on lead singer Drew Forsberg's Land Ski Records label (more on them down below) and found the band writing more rewarding songs while skimming a layer of gloss from their debut EP Praise Elephants. Those two things combined to make Drive Drive Delay one of the most re-playable EP's of 2014. And yes, re-playable is a word.
04. Franz Diego - Neo-Archaic (from Equinox)
Twin Cities' veteran Franz Diego had himself a fine 2014. In addition to the Equinox EP he also released (as a "Name Your Price" download) an LP titled Float. Throw in his continued reputation as a man-on-the-scene in MPLS and the continued success of his Turnt Up! dance night at Honey and it seems like Diego is really making the most of his niche in Minneapolis. "Neo-Archaic" is the lead song from the entirely Xanja-produced Equinox and it provides a nice snapshot of what Franz Diego's all about.
05. Hollow Boys - Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love? (from Into The Night)
With "Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love?" (this week's Cover Of The Week) Hollow Boys have set a precedent on Flatbasset Radio. They are now the first artist to be played on THREE consecutive shows! Congats, Hollow Boys. I mentioned in one of my previous posts that 2014 found Hollow Boys stepping their game up and becoming one of the best bands in the Twin Cities. Into The Night, a four song EP consisting of covers of Twin Peaks songs played a part in that. This cover of The Ronettes classic is another example of just how good they've become at injecting their own vibe into other people's songs.
06. Sims - This Is The Place (w/Astronautalis) (from Field Notes)
While it's been several years since Sims has released a proper full-length album (2011's classic Bad Time Zoo), Sims has only seen his profile grow. He took a real star turn on Doomtree's No Kings LP and, though I haven't heard it yet, I'm sure he only solidifies his position on the new All Hands. Field Notes is not a stop-gap release in the traditional sense. Yes, it's only an EP, but it finds Sims shedding what was left of his emotional baggage and turning his camera outward, commenting on both the rap scene and society at large. "This Is The Place" was the collaboration that spawned two sold out shows at The Mainroom featuring Sims & Astronautalis as co-headliners.
07. Frankie Teardrop - 100% (from Raiders)
The next three songs are played right in the heart of this podcast for a reason. Jordan Bleau & Alexander Uhrich are the co-founders of No Problem Records and, perhaps more than anybody else on this show, they had a hell of a year.
Their year opened up in earnest with the release of Frankie Teardrop's outstanding Raiders EP. After making his mark with Tough Guy EP, Jordan & company took things to a whole new level with Raiders. The songs here are more polished, more concise, catchier, and more personal than ever before while still maintaining an edge-of-your-seat attitude that has made Frankie Teardrop one of the leaders of the next generation of great Twin Cities rock bands.
08. Dee Dee Mayo - Waking Up On The Beach/Jungle Party (from Dee Dee Mayo Sweats It Out)
No Problem Records continued their winning ways with Dee Dee Mayo Sweats It Out. Dee Dee Mayo (aka Howler bassist Ian Nygaard) crafts a truly bizarre, mostly instrumental album that caused me to liken its sound to a beach party on the moon. "Waking Up On The Beach/Jungle Party" is the undeniable centerpiece of the record, a six minute spaced out guitar jam that eases into the frame and hypnotizes for six minutes.
09. Suzie - Coffin In Houston (from Born Single)
Continuing to prove that No Problem Records is going to be home to more than just punk rock, here we have Suzie's Born Single. Much like Dee Dee Mayo was the spaced-out side-project of a successful local musician, Suzie follows the same formula (the brain child of Night Moves' Mark Ritsema) except instead of a jungle on the moon Born Single sounds like it would soundtrack a sweaty dance club on the dark side of the moon. It's no surprise that, after a couple local headlining shows, Suzie seems set to conquer the Twin Cities. And a big chunk of that is due to the fact that the boys at No Problem Records have created a label that allows artists to embrace their stranger side without concerns of popularity or profitability. I couldn't be more excited to see where all three of these artists go from here.
10. Medium Zach - More Than Superman (w/Slug) (from Valued Input)
If you've been paying attention for the last decade I shouldn't have to sing you the praises of Medium Zach. you should be two-steps ahead of that. If you haven't been paying attention, figure it out. Whether he's existing as half of Big Quarters (with his brother Brandon Allday), remixing tracks, or, in this case, gathering some of his friends and producing an EP, Zach's work should never be ignored. His beats are meticulous, patient and purposeful, a perfect reflection of a man who is one of the kindest, smartest artists in the Twin Cities.
11. Howler - Here's The Itch That Creeps Through My Skull (from World Of Joy)
It seems like World Of Joy didn't receive the same type of adoration as Howler's debut America Give Up, and that's a shame. While it's somewhat understandable considering that most of the album seems like a more raw, more angry version of that album, moments like "Here's The Itch That Creeps Through My Skull" stand as evidence that once Howler sheds their skin the future is wide open. I don't know if he's like the comparison or not, but in a city that's always looking for the next Paul Westerberg (or, up until this year's reunion, the first Paul Westerberg) Jordan Gatesmith has the best chance of anybody in recent memory. All the way down to the cover art World Of Joy was Howler's Hootenanny. We all know where The Mats went next. Hopefully Howler's ready to take that next step.
12. MaLLy - City Of Fear (w/Rapper Hooks) (from The Colors Of Black)
The Colors Of Black was a surprising turn for MaLLy. Following the success of The Last Great..., TCOB found the man using his new found popularity as a pulpit rather than a podium. MaLLy spends most of this album angry at the world around him which, given the racially-tinged events of 2014, is completely warranted. TCOB stands as a fascinating look at a man who works hard to scale the mountain only to find that being on top only gives him a better view of ugliness below.
13. Human Kindness - Giant People (from You Are So Loud That I Want To Die)
I've written hundreds of words about Human Kindness on this blog and I promise this is the last time I'll write about them until they release some new music (which should be soon. I see those scrobbles, guys. I know it's out there.)
"Giant People" is the closing track on YASLTIWTD and, where the album spent time rising and falling, "Giant People" finally gives the big payoff. Just listen to the last 90 seconds of this one! Lord only knows what these guys have planned for the next record, but they ended their first one on a high note.
14. Allan Kingdom - Observe (from Future Memoirs)
By the end of the year Future Memoirs had become overshadowed by Allan Kingdom's work as a member of TheStand4rd, and that's kind of a shame. While the 12 year age difference between Kingdom and myself means that I sometimes can't keep up with what he's on about, tracks like "Observe" hit any demographic. Kingdom's flow is certainly an acquired taste, but, as you can hear on this one, he's got a firm grasp on just what he's trying to accomplish.
15. The Person & The People - Run (from What A Drag)
Remember earlier when I said we were going to talk about Land Ski Records again? Well, here we are.
Much like their labelmates The Persian Leaps, The Person & The People represent everything that's great about Twin Cities power-pop right now. If, like me, you're the kind of guy who sits around waiting for new Sloan and Superdrag albums, do yourself a favor and get on board with The Person & The People.
(Quick aside: I had a very, very minor role in helping Land Ski Records and The Person & The People come together (as mentioned here). Thanks, guys. Good to know this blog hasn't proven to be completely useless over the years).
There you have it, Minnesota music fans! Enjoy!
For more of my rantings you can give me a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma). Previous episodes of Flatbasset Radio are archived on his Mixcloud page. Stop by Flatbasset Radio's Facebook Page & give it a "Like" if you have the time.
