Newest Industry Presents - Flatbasset Radio: Episode #29

(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)

I'm riding on a camel that has big eyes...

Hello again, free music fans! Welcome to Flatbasset Radio: Episode #29!
 
For those of you who are unaware of the Flatbasset Radio format, here's what you're looking at: TCDroogsma is our resident MP3 junkie. As you've probably noticed in his Songs Of The Week column, he's not always the most positive music fan. In an effort to prove that he is, in fact, a fan of music, we give him an hour each week to play the songs he's digging and talk a little bit about them. Once he's recorded his podcast we put it right here on the website for free to stream and/or download!

In this week's episode Droogsy's flyin' solo due to the polar vortex, wondering why British bands are better at shoegaze, playing something from one of his most anticipated albums of 2014, struggling (yet again) with basic pronunciation, speculating about an unpredictable MC's motivation, trying to warm us up with music, wondering just what the big deal is with the Grammy Awards, giving us all a warning about proper footwear, getting excited about reunited 90's groups, recalling the days of compact discs, and shining the spotlight on "one of the most skipped songs" in history!

You can download the podcast for free by clicking the episode's title or stream the episode by clicking on the Mixcloud player below.

Flatbasset Radio - Episode #29

Flatbassest Radio: Episode #29 by Tcdroogsma on Mixcloud

01. Toy - Endlessly
02. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - Militant
03. Cars & Trains - An Abandoned City Street
04. Portastatic - Echos Myron
05. Strange Names - Ricochet 
06. The King Khan & BBQ Show - Invisible Girl
07. Kendrick Lamar - The Art Of Peer Pressure
08. Protomartyr - Scum, Rise!
09. Ratking & Eric Copeland - Gauchos
10. Warm Thrills - Girl Of My Dreams
11. Cibo Matto - Sugar Water
12. The Person & The People - Blue Haze
13. The Verve - Sonnet

There you have it, music fans!  Enjoy!

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him 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.

For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog. 

Album Of The Week: January 27th-February 2nd, 2014

My Album Of The Week for the week off January 27th-February 2nd, 2014:

Marijuana Deathsquads - Oh My Sexy Lord

If you've been following this blog or the podcast you already know that I've become a huge fan of Marijuana Deathsquads.

When they first rose from the ashes of Building Better Bombs I didn't quite get it.  They built a reputation on their noisy, improvised live shows, which is all well and good, but that lead to two things:

1)  I'm old and I don't really go to shows very often (let alone late night, improvisational, percussion-heavy shows).

2)  Initially they weren't quite able to translate the sound & fury of those shows to an album.

Well, since that false start of a debut album (2011's Crazy Master), they've put out an excellent hip-hop-based mixtape (the excellent Tamper Disable Destroy) and finally harnessing their live show by simply recording a few and then touching them up in post-production (the brilliant Music Rocks I & II).  Both of those records were previous AOTW's and they only got better.  With Oh My Sexy Lord, MDS is trying their hand again at maximizing the studio.  I'm sure it'll take at least a week for me to digest this one, but these guys have been building towards a straight "classic" album for a few years.  Maybe this is it.

If you'd like to have your day ruined, check out the video for "Ewok Sadness," the opening track from Oh My Sexy Lord.  That is just about the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen. It just destroys me. Poor lil' dude.

Songs Of The Week #76: TCDroogsma & MinneSarah

(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)

Ryan Hemsworth, Syd Arthur, Milosh, The Low Frequency Of Stereo, & Web Of Sunsets...

Well hello again, MP3 junkies!  Welcome to Songs Of The Week #76!
 
For those of you who are new to the SOTW column, here's the story:  TCDroogsma and MinneSarah are both fans of The Current's Song Of The Day podcast.  They're also both opinionated and have access to computers.  Seeing an opportunity to let them indulge in their MP3 habit and put them to work writing reviews we created the Songs Of The Week column.  Over a year later later and here we are.

As always, we strongly suggest that you follow this link and subscribe to the podcast yourself.  It's free and it's fun for the whole family!

To that end, once you've given each song a spin or two, feel free to cast a vote for your favorite song of the week in the poll to the right side of the page.  The artist who accrues the most votes wins the validation that comes from winning an anonymous internet poll, arguably the loftiest height to which a modern musician can aspire.

As per tradition TCDroogsma and MinneSarah have not read each other's reviews prior to posting

So... Droogsy, Sarah... thoughts?

01. Ryan Hemsworth - Against A Wall (from the album Guilt Trip)

 
TCDroogsma:

     Partially out of timing and partially out of quality songs, I've really been enjoying Ryan Hemsworth's work lately.  I've been lucky that Hemsworth's rise in popularity has occurred just as I've really come to appreciate music made by producers rather than bands or singers.


     "Against A Wall" picks up nicely where his Still Awake EP left off. As I've mentioned many times before, I struggle to listen to strictly instrumental tracks without being somewhat informed by whatever the title of that track is.  I suppose it's possible that "Against A Wall" could have suffered the same fate ( though the song itself has a sort of "the streetlights look extra bright" sort of energy too it) but the addition of vocals turned out to be an awfully savvy move.  The mostly consist of, "I love you more than ever..." but Hemsworth chops them into a swirling hook that's easy to get lost in.  Instrumentals are typically more "mood" than anything else, but here the line "mood" and "pop" is straddled brilliantly, leaving behind more than just an impression.

MinneSarah:

     My first thought during this chill but upbeat love song was that it would have made a great soundtrack to Vancouver or Montreal.  Turns out, Ryan Hemsworth is a Canadian DJ (from the Maritimes) with a knack for mixing together catchy elements to ensure you'll remember his tunes.  Vocals by Lofty 305 are reminiscent of the warm hug of a Frank Ocean album, and at least as a woman, the positive lyrics about loving this girl and being there for her are comforting.  The beats are steady but delve into the periphery.  Left to my druthers, I'd listen to this song on repeat while walking through my city, though it's not as modern nor clean as any of the Canadian cities Hemsworth is DJing at any given night.

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3/5
                              MinneSarah: 4/5

02. Syd Arthur - Ode To Summer (from the album On And On)

TCDroogsma:

     The first verse of "Ode To Summer" could lead anywhere.  It could turn into a prog-rock opus, it could turn extra fuzzy, the guitars could drop off entirely and we could enter into "indie power ballad" land.  Really, the possibilities are endless for the first 40 seconds.

     Fortunately, the folks in Syd Arthur take the song in a loungey, nostalgia-tinged direction.  Rather than getting loud, singer Liam Magill laments a lost summer fling over the most subdued world of guitars this side of "Girl Afraid."  Even though we here in Minnesota have reached the point of winter where summer flings are a distant, distant memory, the warmth that tinges Magill's delivery is palpable.  She may not come back after when winter ends, but even if she does, it won't live up to the memory.

MinneSarah:

     Perhaps it's because we are about as far away from summer as we are ever going to get, but this song doesn't necessarily scream "summer" to me.  The lyrics reference winter enough to remind me that the wind is howling outside my window and I'm bound to have some shoveling waiting for me once the sun rises after lunch.

     It is, however, upbeat and has the elements of a great summer jam.  The vocals sound eerily like Sondre Lerche singing for the Black Keys, but I guess that is what happens when modern Brits get into the Southern rock game.  The chorus sounds laid back, and this element above all others makes me long for long summer days the likes of which these Brits have never experienced.


Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 3.5/5

03. Milosh - Hear In You (from the album Jetlag)

TCDroogsma:

     There's only about four things going on in "Hear In You," and yet it feels like a hundred.  Percussion is nearly non-existent, synthesizers about, and Milosh's warm, clear voice is sometimes accompanied by... um... a second Milosh voice.

     And yet, "Hear In You" is an incredibly well-realized song.  Milosh hails from Toronto, the city that gave us the blurred, dizzy, debauched soul of The Weeknd.  Milosh represents the other side of that coin.  Jetlag was an album created by Milosh & his wife, which gives lines like, "I'll untangle these dreams and dance toward you instead..." a certain warmth.   "Hear In You" is Milosh's letter to his muse.  When addressing someone so important, perhaps it's best to leave the bells & whistles behind.

MinneSarah:

     Two Canadian DJs in one week?  Maybe the polar vortex is actually Canada's plot to invade the U.S. - by next week we'll be reviewing "Oh Canada" as we reposition our toques.

     Some of the beats sound like they'd back up a good video game, but you can feel Milosh's classical influences throughout the song (so maybe this could back the new Tetris).  I detected harp strings, which may be a first instance in regards to any of the electronic songs I've reviewed. The vocals are smooth and lyrics aren't memorable, so the vocals are there to temper that electronic layer.  After a few listens, I'm surprised at how much I liked this song, given its downbeat melancholy feel.  I guess my will has been broken down by the cold and I'm ready for the Canadian invasion.


Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3/5
                              MinneSarah: 3.5/5

04.  The Low Frequency In Stereo - Colette (Subie Subie) (from the album Pop Obskura)

 
TCDroogsma:

     As a 32 year old white guy in the Midwest, I can't tell you the amount of sleep I've lost over the years wondering to myself, "I wonder what it would sound like if Stereolab covered 'Spiders (Kidsmoke)?'"

     Fortunately, there was a group of Norwegians over on their side of the Atlantic wondering just the same thing.  Voila! "Colette (Subie Subie)!"  I don't have any idea what this goddamn song is about, but I can't believe that's the point.  The Low Frequency In Stereo's rhythm section finds a groove and hold it steady for nearly 4:00.  Over that time we're treated to guitar stabs, keyboard squiggles, girl-group lyrics, surf guitar, & even a couple of choruses.  And yet that beat marches steadily on...

MinneSarah:

     The title says it all - this song is a sixties pop song at heart.  Where this song differs is the high pitched guitars and electronic beat.  The Low Frequency in Stereo is Norwegian, and they are playing this sixties surf pop better than most.  I'm not sure if we need to have a Europe vs. America breakdown of this genre, but if we did the Europeans would have a lot of sixties movies to pull from as inspiration.

     I find songs like this to be situational, perhaps not something for a daily rotation but fun to listen to when the mood strikes.  And that mood doesn't come around all that often, but when it does this song would hit the spot.

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 3.5/5

05. Web Of Sunsets - Foreign Bodies (from the album Room Of Monsters)

TCDroogsma:

     When we last checked in with Web Of Sunsets back in April I reviewed their song "Fool's Melodies," describing its "easy guitar strumming" & "airy vocals" as akin to song being sung around a bonfire at the height of summer.

     "Foreign Bodies" may have kept the easy guitar strum, but rather than drifting off into the nigh air, they oppress.  "Foreign Bodies" is a sad, claustrophobic song.  It lives well past the moment of loss and take us to a place where the memory has been distorted and nearly entirely forgotten.  Sara Bischoff's voice seems to echo that sentiment, abandoning any sense of longing or anger, but just hoping to hold everything together with a quiet, pretty resignation

MinneSarah:

     If you've read this column before, you'll know that I can't help it, I have a knee-jerk reaction to acoustic guitars.  This song took several listening attempts before I got through it.  But once I did a few times, I was glad I gave "Foreign Body" a chance.

     The vocals sound very reminiscent of what I've heard of Tegan and Sara, but I can assure you, that hasn't been much. This song sounds clean and simple, there are no drums, just acoustics and vocals.  There is a cowboy campfire element of the story telling with the slightest bit of twang set against the acoustic guitar.

     While this song has elements that I just can't make myself enjoy, when taken as a whole, I can appreciate it for what the band is trying to convey.  This song is a clean sounding, bittersweet narrative, and it's impressive how emotive it sounds without the use of a lot of instruments.

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 3/5

Well there you have it, MP3 junkies!  Another week's worth of songs downloaded, reviewed, & filed away!

As always, please keep in mind that neither Newest Industry nor our contributors are in any way affiliated with the artists above, The Current, or MPR.  We're just music fans with laptops and a bit too much time on our hands.

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry hosting our free weekly podcast Flatbasset Radio

For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter (@MinneSarah).  She can also be found right here on Newest Industry filing reports out of St. Paul for our Big Day Out column 




For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Album Of The Week: January 20-26, 2014

My Album Of The Week for the week of January 20th-26th, 2014:

Human Kindness - You Are So Loud That I Want To Die

I stumbled on to Human Kindness in the most modern of ways: Twitter.

Scrolling through my timeline yesterday I saw a tweet from local dream-pop band Gloss.  It read:

"If you aren't listening to @HumanKindnessMN right now on @radiokOTR you're a fool"

Well, having spent 31 years of life battling against the perception that I'm a fool I decided I'd better check out Human Kindness.  Turned out, Gloss don't lie.

I headed over to the Human Kindness Bandcamp page and downloaded You Are So Loud That I Want To Die.  Upon first listening to it this morning I was thrilled at the prospect of spending he rest of the week with the album. They work up a post-punk racket that recalls early Titus Andronicus or Constantines.  If you're going to be spending the week inside due to Polar Vortex 2: Da Return, I suggest you give this one a spin.

Songs Of The Week #75: TCDroogsma & MinneSarah

(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)

Static Jacks, TOY, Cumulus, Connan Mockasin, & Strange Names...

Well hello again, MP3 junkies!  Welcome to Songs Of The Week #75!
 
For those of you who are new to the SOTW column, here's the story:  TCDroogsma and MinneSarah are both fans of The Current's Song Of The Day podcast.  They're also both opinionated and have access to computers.  Seeing an opportunity to let them indulge in their MP3 habit and put them to work writing reviews we created the Songs Of The Week column.  Over a year later later and here we are.

As always, we strongly suggest that you follow this link and subscribe to the podcast yourself.  It's free and it's fun for the whole family!

To that end, once you've given each song a spin or two, feel free to cast a vote for your favorite song of the week in the poll to the right side of the page.  The artist who accrues the most votes wins the validation that comes from winning an anonymous internet poll, arguably the loftiest height to which a modern musician can aspire.

As per tradition TCDroogsma and MinneSarah have not read each other's reviews prior to posting

So... Droogsy, Sarah... thoughts?

01. Static Jacks - Wallflowers (from the album In Blue)

 
TCDroogsma:

     When I first popped on this Static Jacks track last weekend it took me two full listens to figure out whether or not I already knew the song.  Turns out, no, I didn't know this song, but growing up in the 90's means I know this song.

     Everything about "Wallflowers" seems like it was crafted to hit straight in the "nostalgia" part of my brain.  The rumbling (yet smooth) bass line, the semi-obtuse "relationship" lyrics, that perfect earworm guitar line in the chorus... I've heard it all a hundred times before and it sounded great each time.  Frankly, if I was Static Jack I'd go full 90's and film the video in a high school gym in which the "reject" kid finally gets the girl (and, as long as we're spitballing ideas here, I'd make Freddy Prinze Jr. & Julia Stiles the principal & teacher respectively.  If you're not going to go full 90's than why even bother?)

MinneSarah:

     There was a guitar sound of 1996 that changed my entire perspective - a sound that seemed like the obvious soundtrack to my personal life and the American cultural future in general.  As a teenager you think those formative years will go on forever - I had no reason to think that this style would ever leave.  However, if you recall, this upbeat guitar rock just sort of fell off the map or morphed into unrecognizable, not-as- straight-forward pop rock.  It's beyond impressive to me there is a slice of the younger generation that understands and reveres this sound without ever having lived through it - but I'm thankful for them.

     "Wallflowers" is a fantastic example of a straightforward pop rock song with beautiful whiny guitars, dragging bass, and vocals that are feeling without changing the meaning of the song. The nostalgia for me is a driving factor in liking this song, though I'd argue that it holds up under any decade on its own merits. 

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 4.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 4/5

02. TOY - Endlessly (from the album Join The Dots)

TCDroogsma:

      TOYS was up against some high expectations when they turned up in my iTunes this week.  Just two days prior to downloading "Endlessly" I was treating to the giddy Twitter rantings of the one & only Eddie Argos proclaiming his excitement for the new TOYS album.  Now, as any art gallery security guard knows, Eddie Argos is prone to over-enthusiasm.  Still, it was a ringing endorsement.

Fortunately, "Endlessly" lives up the hype.  It's the sort of quintessential five-shades-of-black shoegaze that it seems only the British can pull off, but like all great shoegaze tracks, its heart beats pure pop (My Bloody Valentine excepted).  After spending a week with this one I still don't really have any idea what it's about lyrically (some sort of passive-agressive relationship issues?), but it really doesn't matter.  While the chorus is the stuff young careers are built of, the highlight of the song spans from 2:07 to 3:30, when TOYS breaks the whole thing down just to rebuild it into a groove that probably sounds incredible in a club.  When you can pull off a trick like that it doesn't matter what else you have to say. 

MinneSarah:

     As stated in my last review, I'm in awe of bands that can recreate the sound of a time they didn't experience firsthand, creating a song that could stand up in the original wave of that genre, yet sound amazing here in 2014.  TOY recreates the British shoe-gaze sound perfectly, but strictly as a "best of."  If shoe-gaze were always as interesting as "Endless," it never would have slipped off the musical radar.

     This singer's breathy vocals echo through the electronic melee of psychedelic guitars, creating a song with an appealing balance of "order meets chaos." The mood is upbeat and ethereal. Couple this song with a recent viewing of a documentary about Creation Records, and I'd venture to say it's a pristine example of a younger generation paying homage to the music that has influenced their sound.

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 4.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 4.5/5

03. Cumulus - Hey Love (from the album I Never Meant It To Be Like This)

TCDroogsma:

     Three fuzzed up electric guitar songs in a row!?!  From The Current?!?  Quick, somebody get ahold of Andrea Swensson & her collection terrible Caroline Smith records stat!

     Give those circumstances, I'm not going to complain, but "Hey Love" is pretty easily the least rewarding of these three guitar-centric songs.  It's yet another in a series of bland, "quirky," faux-innocent pop-rockers that seem to be all the rage these days.  It's possible (read: likely) that I'm just getting cynical with age, but these songs about just wanting to dance or hold hands or share a cream fucking soda with somebody just don't do it for me.  At this point (read: 18 months ago) this whole surf-rock revival played every card in its hand.  Pleasant yet incredibly slight, "Hey Love" isn't converting any nonbelievers.

MinneSarah:

     The latest batch of West Coast garage surf rock perseveres, and Seattle's Cumulus manages to continue the upward trajectory of this genre.  There are plenty of "oooohhhs" and handclaps to go 'round, in case you were running low.  The vocals are upbeat and also quite polished, and set the tempo by using pauses and inflection for emphasis.  While I'm not entirely sold on this genre, this song is an excellent specimen.  I had an album from local band Dressy Bessy while I was in college and loved the whimsical vocal delivery, which is reminiscent of the strengths of "Hey Love." 

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 2.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 3.5/5

04. Connan Mockasin - I'm The Man, That Will Find You (from the album Caramel)

TCDroogsma:

     Aaahhhh... nothing sets The Current back on track quite like unnecessarily quirky, confusingly punctuated, New Zealand white boy soul!

     I rode a wave fr opinions on "I'm The Man, That Will Find You" this week.  Initially I found myself thrilled by that comma.  Without the comma, I would have been staring down yet another heartbroken ex-lover song.  Pass.

     That comma, however, presented the prospect of a vengeance-based kiss off.  Not only would this girl miss him, but one day she would come to the realization that he was, in fact, "the man."  That would cut deep.

     Unfortunately, the comma doesn't appear to play any role in the actual song, which is a shame.  After being mildly annoyed by "I'm The Man, That Will Find You" for a couple of days, I did a complete 180.  Connan Mockasin may not know how to spell "Conan" or "Moccasin," but he can sure craft an enthralling pop song.  Mockasin sprawls his falsetto croon all over some hazy instrumentation, coming off like one of Kanye's vintage "chipmunk soul" beats, but being played in real time.  It's a woozy concoction and Mockasin deserves credit: rarely do these SOTD tracks become more intriguing as the week goes on, but he's spun a web of sound that refuses to come undone.
 
MinneSarah:

     There are times when you could never predict how certain influences would go on to create new and interesting music.  Connan Mockasin is a shining example of the weirdness and beauty of genres colliding.  "I'm the Man, That Will Find You" is smooth, mellow, creepy, sexy, and soulful.  Yeah, I said creepy and yeah, I'm giving it four stars.

     This young lad from New Zealand has melded the best of soulful heavy music with an electronic vocal technique and sultry lyrics. There is a 70's experimental element to the song (in 2014 would that still be considered an experiment?) Beyond the novel interest in this song - it's catchy enough to enjoy walking down the street.  That being said, it's also avant garde enough to transport you to another country, planet, dimension without the usual pretense of manufacturing a song for aural transport. 

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 4/5

05. Strange Names - Ricochet (from the album Common Attraction)

TCDroogsma:

     I couldn't be more excited about the trajectory of Strange Names.  They began life as a semi-interesting (and, conversely, semi-uninteresting) indie rock band in a city full of mildly interesting indie rock bands.  Last year, however, brought us the excellent "Potential Wife."  That song found Strange Names recalibrating their aim from the head to the hips (though it took an excellent Information Society remix to really push the song there).

     The funky, hook-filled workout that is "Ricochet," then, finds the hitting their new target with deadly accuracy.  Lyrically, they've taken a page out of the Bernard Sumner "Hey, it sounds fucking good when I sing it" book of songwriting (to great effect, I might add.  They bounce syllables around like lotto balls).  That afterthought approach to lyrics serves "Ricochet" well, as any attempt at narrative would only distract from the groove.  Take Nile Rodgers' "chka-chka" guitar, Franz Ferdinand's rhythm section, and Passion Pit's keyboards and "Ricochet" becomes the best Killers song in years (note: that's a compliment.  I'm a huge Killers fan) (follow up note: not sarcasm, I really love The Killers).  If the rest of Common Attraction lives up to its lead single then Strange Names should have their run of the Twin Cities in 2014.
 
MinneSarah:

     The eighties were a fantastic decade.  While my stake is driven down smack dab in the middle of the 90's, there are times when I'm watching 21 Jump Street that I'd like to think I have the constitution necessary to wear shoulder pads and use an entire can of AquaNet a day.

     "Ricochet" sounds like it came off a lost soundtrack of the 80's, but sounds even better than anything mainstream from that period.  Now the 80's gave us a lot of good music in various distinct genres, but Strange Names really nailed the mainstream Miami Vice version.  Then they made that genre increasingly listenable by selecting the very best elements and putting their own spin on them to create something that you'd seek out in any decade because it's so darn good.  "Ricochet" possesses an underlying nostalgia - not all the techniques are new, but they come together to make a song that Johnny Depp (and the whole cast of 21 Jump Street) would find hard to switch the dial.

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 4/5
                              MinneSarah: 4/5

Well there you have it, MP3 junkies!  Another week's worth of songs downloaded, reviewed, & filed away!

As always, please keep in mind that neither Newest Industry nor our contributors are in any way affiliated with the artists above, The Current, or MPR.  We're just music fans with laptops and a bit too much time on our hands.

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry hosting our free weekly podcast Flatbasset Radio

For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter (@MinneSarah).  She can also be found right here on Newest Industry filing reports out of St. Paul for our Big Day Out column 




For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Newest Industry Presents: Flatbasset Radio - Episode #28 (Best Of The Current 2013!)

(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)

In the end there never is an end...

Hello again, free music fans! Welcome to Flatbasset Radio: Episode #28!
 
For those of you who are unaware of the Flatbasset Radio format, here's what you're looking at: TCDroogsma is our resident MP3 junkie. As you've probably noticed in his Songs Of The Week column, he's not always the most positive music fan. In an effort to prove that he is, in fact, a fan of music, we give him an hour each week to play the songs he's digging and talk a little bit about them. Once he's recorded his podcast we put it right here on the website for free to stream and/or download!
 
This week is a special episode for those of you who are fans of countdowns and not fans of TCDroogsma babbling to himself.  To celebrate the end of the year (and thus another year of Songs Of The Week posts), Droogsy packed up the radio show and headed over to St. Paul to sit down with MinneSarah.  After spending the past year reviewing all of the Song Of The Day tracks they decided to take an hour to countdown their 10 favorites.  Here we've put together their discussion as well as the 10 best songs of The Current Songs Of The Day: 2013 Edition!


Along the way they drink brandy, discuss 60's garage rock revival, concede that there is no greater goal than trying to get money, consider ways to improve The Beatles, make a bold prediction as to what will be the big indie trend of 2014, discuss Depeche Mode's influence, discuss Har Mar Superstar's newfound maturity, reminisce about a club-filling dance band soundtracking loneliness, give King Krule some tips on his live set, discuss the value of old pop-punk records, and discuss a live performance of their number one song of 2013!


You can download the podcast for free by clicking the episode's title or stream the episode by clicking on the Mixcloud player below.

Flatbasset Radio - Episode #28

Flatbasset Radio: Episode #28 (Best Of The Current 2013!) by Tcdroogsma on Mixcloud

 
10. Bad Cop - My Dying Days
09. Painted Palms - Spinning Signs
08. The Growlers - One Million Lovers
07. Holy Ghost! - Okay
06. Polvo - Total Immersion
05. Har Mar Superstar - Lady, You Shot Me
04. Cut Copy - We Are Explorers
03. Veronica Falls - Teenage
02. King Krule - Border Line
01. Sebadoh - I Will

There you have it, music fans!  Another year of SOTD ranked & filed away!  Please be sure to stop back to Newest Industry each & every week for TCDroogsma & MinneSarah's song reviews.

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him 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.



 

For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter (@MinneSarah).  She can also be found right here on Newest Industry filing reports out of St. Paul for our Big Day Out column 




For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Album Of The Week: January 13-19, 2014

My Album Of The Week for the week of January 13th-19th, 2014:

The Rakes - Pass The Lies

I know what you're thinking: "Ay, Droogsy, aren't your AOTW albums always from Minnesota artists?"  First off, thank you for paying attention.  I do appreciate it.

Second, this isn't the same Rakes.  The more prominent version of The Rakes is a buzzy indie band out of England that I'm almost certain I would love because I have a real weakness for buzzy indie bands out of England.

These Rakes, however, are from Minnesota.  Pass The Lies came out back in 2002 (which, brace yourself, was makes this album 12 years old!) and, while "buzzy" and "indie," I'm fairly certain it's not at all similar to those Rakes.

(Quick Internet Sidenote:  This Minnesota version of The Rakes has no internet presences whatsoever.  The only record of their existence is a one paragraph review of this album and an interview with The City Pages.  If anybody knows more about these guys please let me know.  It would be nice to have a more complete picture.)

Pass The Lies, at its heart, is a throwback 90's albums.  It's a dog-eared album that could easily be passed off as a Replacements/Soul Asylum rip off.  While it's tough for me to argue that criticism, it should be noted that I love The Replacements and Soul Asylum.  As a 90's kid, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for ragged, loud guitar rock.

I don't actually recall when I picked this album up, but the "Eclipse Records $5.99 Used" sticker leads me to believe that I picked it up used at Eclipse Records (probably for about six bucks).  I must have grabbed it while Eclipse was still up on Grand because I don't think I've been to the relocated version(s).  I'm sure I was just flipping through the "Local" section to see what there was to see and picked it up on a whim.  Going over my Last.fm statistics it appears that I have not given the record a full play since my pre-Last.fm days (going back to December '07).

Oddly, I'm willing to bet the album sounds better now than I thought it did back then.  I'm sure it's part nostalgia (since I grew up on guitar rock), but part of it is the fact that I spend so much time listening to hip-hop, Song Of The Day songs, well-produced indie rock, etc...  that sometimes I forget just how fucking awesome the power of loud, shambolic guitars can be.  It's really one of life's underrated pleasures.  Should be a fun, snowy week.

Newest Industry Presents: Flatbasset Radio - Episode #27

(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)

I use a walkie talkie just to get a beverage...

Hello again, free music fans! Welcome to Flatbasset Radio: Episode #27!
 
For those of you who are unaware of the Flatbasset Radio format, here's what you're looking at: TCDroogsma is our resident MP3 junkie. As you've probably noticed in his Songs Of The Week column, he's not always the most positive music fan. In an effort to prove that he is, in fact, a fan of music, we give him an hour each week to play the songs he's digging and talk a little bit about them. Once he's recorded his podcast we put it right here on the website for free to stream and/or download!

In this week's episode TCDroogsma indulges in some warm weather jams, explains why spending winter in rural Wisconsin is a bad idea, recalls the most passive-aggressive concert audience he's ever seen,  ties his Cover Of The Week & its singer together in pathos, thinks Drake deserves more credit for his work outside of music, discusses the best way to stay warm during a polar vortex, wonders just what happened to hearty Minnesotans, indulges in a Scottish set,  lays some blame at Stuart Murdoch's feet,  fails to live up to his obligations as a "31 year old, skinny, bearded white guy," impolores one of indie rock's cult favorites to reform, pays tribute to a musician who passed too young, & loses a sponsor!

You can download the podcast for free by clicking the episode's title or stream the episode by clicking on the Mixcloud player below.

Flatbasset Radio - Episode #27

Flatbasset Radio: Episode #27 by Tcdroogsma on Mixcloud

01. Bon Iver - Flume
02. Stereolab - People Do It All The Time
03. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cold Light
04. Drake - Trophies
05. Morrissey - Moon River
06. Belle & Sebastian - The Fox In The Snow
07. Gasp - A Girl Called Glasgow
08. Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Walking
09. Vampire Weekend (w/Danny Brown, Heems, & Despot) - Step (Remix)
10. Rancid - Brad Logan
11. Knifefight - Feel Me
12. Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month (Josh Homme Remix)
13. School Of Seven Bells - Windstorm

There you have it, music fans!  Enjoy!

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him 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.

For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog. 

Songs Of The Week #74: TCDroogsma & MinneSarah

(THIS POST ORIGINALLY APPEARS ON THE TWIN CITIES BLOG NEWEST INDUSTRY)

Sebastien Grainger, Lord Echo, Milagres, & Buffalo Moon...

Well hello again, MP3 junkies!  Welcome to Songs Of The Week #74!
 
For those of you who are new to the SOTW column, here's the story:  TCDroogsma and MinneSarah are both fans of The Current's Song Of The Day podcast.  They're also both opinionated and have access to computers.  Seeing an opportunity to let them indulge in their MP3 habit and put them to work writing reviews we created the Songs Of The Week column.  Over a year later later and here we are.

As always, we strongly suggest that you follow this link and subscribe to the podcast yourself.  It's free and it's fun for the whole family!

To that end, once you've given each song a spin or two, feel free to cast a vote for your favorite song of the week in the poll to the right side of the page.  The artist who accrues the most votes wins the validation that comes from winning an anonymous internet poll, arguably the loftiest height to which a modern musician can aspire.

As per tradition TCDroogsma and MinneSarah have not read each other's reviews prior to posting

So... Droogsy, Sarah... thoughts?

01. Sebastien Grainger - Waking Up Dead (from the album Yours To Discover)

 
TCDroogsma:

     There's a lot to like about "Waking Up Dead."  Grainger sands off some of DFA 1979's rough edges (specifically the drum sound because, of course he played down the drum sound) and crafts a pop song that plays to his strengths.  He doesn't push his vocal range too far, writing hooks that he can deliver with a bit of belly fire.

     Where "Waking Up Dead" loses me a bit is in its lyrics.  In his DFA days Grainger was, as he put it, a machine.  That Sebastien Grainger would take God knows what and do God knows what with God knows who.  This Sebastien Grainger is apologizing for saying the wrong thing while he was "wasted" and having nightmares about his girlfriend leaving him (which, for the record, he doesn't think she should.  No, no, no, no, no, no, no...).  If Grainger sticks to this trajectory I fully expect him to be headlining the Basilica Block Party in 2018.

MinneSarah:

     My heart was a flutter when I saw that Sebastien Grainger was the Monday track last week.  DFA 1979 is one of my favorite bands of all time, due in part to Grainger's sexy, confident, and forceful vocals.  When DFA 1979 broke up and Grainger signed to Saddle Creek Records in 2008, I knew it wasn't going to have the same grinding guitar and edgy keyboards of his former band.  In fact, Grainger's first solo effort was awkward in comparison, using his unique voice to croon emo tunes.  I've avoided his solo music until this song showed up in my inbox.

     "Waking Up Dead" is bass driven and includes Grainger's vocals in full glory - even featuring some of the exasperated shrieks that made me swoon while listening to DFA 1979.  The lyrics are about drunken couple fighting, which is always relatable.  The only part that left me scratching my head was the guitar arpeggio, though if I played guitar, I'd probably add that in as well.  Though it's not DFA 1979, it's got some of the epic grittiness of Grainger's roots.  I for one am satiated.
 

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 4.5/5

02. Lord Echo - Digital Haircut (from the album Curiosities)

TCDroogsma:

     I'm a little bit biased toward "Digital Haircut" because it hits my iPod every morning as I'm strolling to work and, let me tell ya, few songs were made for strolling quite like this one.

     Lord Echo certainly isn't breaking any new ground with "Digital Haircut."  In fact, if you had me listen to this song and then told me it was a lost Dust Brother's beat from the Paul's Boutique era, I'd believe you without a second thought.  On the other hand, this song sounds like a lost Dust Brother's beat from the Paul's Boutique era!

MinneSarah:

     If robots had funky afrobeat clubs in the 70's (or on another planet), "Digital Haircut" would be their anthem.  This song is an instrumental, though there is a high pitched sound that fills in for the vocal interest.  If you didn't know the language, you wouldn't be any wiser.  While I love to dance around and anything electronic certainly fits the bill, I don't know that there are many situations that I would want to flip on this song.  Clocking in at under 4 minutes, it doesn't outwear its welcome, but doesn't seem to have a purpose larger than delivering joyful beeps and taps.  

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 3/5
                              MinneSarah: 2.5/5

03. Milagres - The Letterbomb (from the album Violent Light)

TCDroogsma:

     Milagres is a four-piece out of Brooklyn who, at least as far as "The Letterbomb" is concerned, seem to have spent too much time with their David Bowie album collection.

     Now, as I've made perfectly clear over the years, I think spending any time with a David Bowie album collection is spending too much time with a David Bowie record collection.  Milagres don't quite hit their mark with "The Letterbomb."  If anything they sound like they were aiming for "Bowie meets The National" but landed on "Spacehog."  I mean, their were times this week when I couldn't help but chuckle at the amount of drama they were trying to force into this song.  After spending a week with this one I know a lot about what kind of music the guys of Milagres like, but no idea what kind of music they could write if they stepped into their own shoes.

MinneSarah:

     Where did Milagres come from, and why has nobody told me about them?  Throughout the week, this song grew on me immensely.  I have such a strong desire to see them live, I'm considering booking my vacation to SXSW.

     "The Letterbomb" features some of the commercial 80's Bowie gravitas, coupled with larger than life keyboards. I love the mix between light-hearted glam rock "ooohs" and lyrics delivered as deadpan assertions.  The mood of the song shifts between stadium rock to intimate as your living room.  The singer's voice confidently lifts the song through these wide transitions, never sounding out of place.  I've never yearned to see a band live based on a single song, but I'll be putting in the effort with Milagres.


Final Score - TCDroogsma: 2/5
                              MinneSarah: 4.5/5

04. Buffalo Moon - Machista (from the album Machista)

TCDroogsma:

     Remember everything I wrote last week about how difficult it is to review songs that are sung in a different language.  Well, all of that applies here as well.

     Part of the struggle of reviewing a song in which you can't understand the lyrics is that I'm forced to give extra consideration to the canvas of music built up behind the vocals.  In the case of Typsy Panthre last week, that worked out just fine, as the song consisted of lushly crafted indie pop.  "Machista," conversely, is built around Ecuadorian-influenced garage rock.  Basically, they take all the energy and rawness out of American garage rock and replace it with a layer of acoustic guitars and momentum-thwarting bongos.

     Don't get me wrong.  There's a lot to like about "Machista."  It's certainly delivered with passion to spare (with everybody in the band jumping into some group vocals) and, at times, not having any idea what's being said allows you to choose your own adventure with the lyrics.  Still, after spending the week with "Machista," I'm left with no real desire to return to it.

MinneSarah:

     Who knew the Minneapolis scene was so cosmopolitan?  After the Typsy Panthre track last week, I shouldn't be surprised.

     "Machista" is a foot tappingly catchy song, with unwavering female vocals and prominent guitars.  The vocal accents and driving guitars make this song fun and hard to get out of your head.  I'm not entirely up to date on my Spanish, but "machista" stands for male chauvinist.  Buffalo Moon, with its sixties-inspired guitar pop, is fighting sexism while buoying the mood of the frozen tundra.

Final Score - TCDroogsma: 2.5/5
                              MinneSarah: 4/5

Well there you have it, MP3 junkies!  Another week's worth of songs downloaded, reviewed, & filed away!

As always, please keep in mind that neither Newest Industry nor our contributors are in any way affiliated with the artists above, The Current, or MPR.  We're just music fans with laptops and a bit too much time on our hands.   

For more TCDroogsma be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@TCDroogsma).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry hosting our free weekly podcast Flatbasset Radio

For more MinneSarah be sure to give her a follow on Twitter (@MinneSarah).  She can also be found right here on Newest Industry filing reports out of St. Paul for our Big Day Out column 




For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

Most Played Albums: 2013

Well hey, everybody.  I thought I'd round up the 50 most played albums of 2013 for a little post here.  These are the albums that got the most play at Planet New Basset over the course of this terrible year.  To make things mildly interesting, I thought I'd jot down a quick thought about each one.  For the sake of maintaining your interest, each album is only allowed 140 characters worth of thoughts because, frankly, that's how we all process the world now.

Let's do it.

 

01. Edison - No Sun No Food (168 plays)

Laid back instrumentals out of the Bay Area. No Sun No Food soundtracked nearly all of my MPLS strolling this year.
 

02. Kanye West - Yeezus (143 plays)

People were down on Yeezus, but I loved it. Definitely Kanye's "angry" record, a necessary addition to his catalog.

03. The Suburbs - Chemistry Set: The Songs Of The Suburbs 1977-1987 (141 plays)

Figured it was about time I invested some time in these Twin Cities legends. Picked it up a couple of days before injuring my foot, so it'll occupy that time forever.

04. Veronica Falls - Waiting For Something To Happen (139 plays)

Perfect female-fronted British power-pop. Clever & full of hooks. Soundtracked my summer

05. P.O.S. - We Don't Even Live Here (134 plays)

Late to the party with WDELH, but this one definitely got its due in 2013. Not as good as Never Better, but nothing is.

06. Mixed Blood Majority - Mixed Blood Majority (132 plays)

MBM cooked up an album that gave Crescent Moon's voice a new backdrop & clearly influenced Joe Horton's new No Bird Sing album. Best work Lazerbeak did this year.

07. Dark Time Sunshine - Cornucopia (126 plays)

Phenomenal indie rap from group I've been meaning to spend more time with for years. Cornucopia is their first LP, but sounds fully realized.

08. Bruce Springsteen - Darkness On The Edge Of Town (124 plays)

Finally started to "get" The Boss in 2013.  DOTEOT is probably my favorite album that I spent time with in 2013. Front to back classics that all seem to fit together beautifully.

09. Atoms For Peace - AMOK (120 plays)

I wanted to like this album more, but it came up a little short.  Still, new Thom Yorke material is always great. "Ingenue" & "Stuck Together Pieces" are instant classics.

10. Low - The Invisible Way (119 plays)

The Duluth icons went super acoustic on this one, but it worked. Drums & Guns is still my favorite Low, but this one has a warmth that is new to the group.

11. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels (117 plays)

Killer Mike & El-P!  Each provided one of my favorite albums of 2012.  They combined to dominate 2013.  Still angry with myself for missing their show at The Varsity.

12. Paul Westerberg - Stereo (113 plays)

An oldie that I decided to spend a week with. Most of Westy's solo work runs together, so spending a week with Stereo it revealed the subtleties.

13. Johnny Marr - The Messenger (113 plays)

Marr's solo debut is exactly what you'd expect. Smart, well-crafted pop, great guitar work, and Marr's voice is strong & true.

14. Crimes - Good Hope (112 plays)

An AOTW from a Twin Cities band I've been meaning to explore. Lo-fi, coutrified indie rock. Definitely a great vibe throughout the album.

15. Big Cats! - For My Mother (107 plays)

Instrumental album from Big Cats! was definitely a big part of my 2013 soundtrack. A warm, easy going affair.

16. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - II (105 plays)

A curious album that doesn't always do it for me.  Still, it contains "So Good At Being In Trouble," arguably THE single of 2013.

17. Micranots - Return Of The Travellahs (104 plays)

2013 was the 10 year anniversary of I Self Devine & DJ Kool Akiem's classic. Bought it years ago but finally gave it its due this year.
 

18. Graham Coxon - The Sky Is Too High (99 plays)

The solo debut from the Blur guitarist/songwriter. A pretty, lo-fi album that wears its charm on its sleeve.

19. Lifter Puller - Fiestas + Fiascos (98 plays)

Spent a week with F+F as an AOTW despite already having played it to death. Wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything. Probably the greatest album ever.

20. The Tribe & Big Cats! - Let's Be Professional (98 plays)

Downloaded on a whim while I was laid up. Lots of R.I.P's when these guys parted ways, but I didn't think it was anything special.

21. BNLX - BNLX (98 plays)

S/T album from Ed Ackerson & his wife. Punky, melodic, and packed with hooks. Definitely taking Ackerson's post-Polara legacy in a positive direction.

22. The Cribs - In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull (94 plays)

Played this one a ton in 2012 and again in 2013.  Until The Cribs put out something new it'll see regular rotation in 2014 too.

23. The Strokes - Comedown Machine (94 plays)

The Strokes final album?  Possibly, but if that's the case they went out on a strong note.

24. Little Man - Big Rock (86 plays)

Been listening to Little Man for years via SOTD. Finally picked up his debut. A little undercooked, but great glam hooks.

25. Dessa - Parts Of Speech (86 plays)

The follow up to A Badly Broken Code. More singer/songwriter stuff, fewer hip-hop signposts made this album a pretty dull affair.
 

26. Homeless & The Van Gobots - Twenty-Dirt (85 plays)

Homeless eschews typical hip-hop production for The Van Gobots shiny, proggy racket. Not a great album, but certainly an interesting one.

27. Midnight Evils - Straight 'Til Morning (84 plays)

An AOTW when I needed some loud guitars. Broken up for years and they probably still have more swagger than 90% of MPLS's guitar bands.

28. Mel Gibson & The Pants - w/Guitar (84 plays)

Another one I've had for years but never really explored. Lots of guests rappers, but the beats & instruments steal the show.

29. Allan Kingdom - Talk To Strangers (83 plays)

Some left field hip-hop. With Kingdom's unique beats and down to Earth raps, Talk To Strangers definitely occupies its own place in the hip-hop community.

30. The Central Division - Neighbor Of The Beast (82 plays)

Power-emo-pop. Lives in the same world as Brand New, but less artsy and more Midwestern. Discoverd these guys this year and loved everything I heard.

31. Clair De Lune - Marionettes (81 plays)

Bought this one on a whim at Extreme Noise. I really wanted to like it, but it's just not memorable. Technically the same genre as The Central Division, but nowhere near as memorable.

32. 12 Rods - Split Personalities (81 plays)

Broken up Twin Cities cult favorites.  FIgured it was time I got to know 'em. Spent a week with this one while laid up in Red Wing. Very 90's-sounding album.

33. Marijuana Deathsquads - Music Rocks I & II (81 plays)

I still can't believe this was free. Nine epic songs that were recorded live and edited the next day. MDS finally put out an album that does them justice.

34. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Now I Got Worry  (80 plays)

Picked it up when I had plans to see them at the T-Rock. Never made it to the show, but glad I finally got around to the album.

35. Action Bronson & Party Supplies - Blue Chips 2 (78 plays)

After years of not quite getting it, Bronson finally won me over with Blue Chips 2. Party Supplies canvas is the perfect match for his rhymes.

36. P.O.S. - WDELH/MDS/RMX (77 plays)

P.O.S. & MDS were both ahead of this album on the list. The Deathsquad's remix album makes me wonder just which WDELH is the one P.O.S. enivisioned during recording.
 

37. Tree - Sunday School II: When Church Lets Out (75 plays)

MC Tree out of Chicago's most fully realized work. His "soul-trap" sound puts Midwestern sensibilities over Southern soul. Great listen.

38. Ras Dude - #0000 (75 plays)

Instrumental jams that owe equally to weed & Donuts. This one soundtracked my slow motion strolls while recovering from my broken heel. Great soundtrack.

39. Wild Ghosts - No Coast (73 plays)

Some garage rock racket from 2010 that made an appearance as an AOTW this year. Not a ton going on here, but sometimes music just needs to be loud.

40. The Verve - Forth (72 plays)

Picked up during a trip to The Fetus. This was a reunion album that picked up right where they left off. Sweeping, epic, & quintessentially British.

41. My Bloody Valentine - m b v (68 plays)

Hooks are the way to my heart, so MBV has always been a hard sell for me. It took me all year to finally "get" the vibe of m b v. Now I dig it.

42. The Vaccines - Live In Brighton (68 plays)

As I said, hooks are the way to my heart. Live In Brighton is a de facto "Best Of," covering all the bases from their two albums. Can't wait for LP3.

43. These Arms Are Snakes - Easter (67 plays)

Another Extreme Noise find. Being in that store makes me want to listen to post-punk and Easter delivers in spades.

44. Joey Bada$$ - Summer Knights (64 plays)

Summer Knights left a lot of people writing off the Joey Bada$$ experience, but I loved it. Mixtapes are usually overstuffed, but this hour of boom-bap is perfect for a summer night.

45. Dem Atlas - Charle Brwn (64 plays)

Tracked this down after hearing SIFU Hotman. Ended up getting lots of spins while I was laid up. EP was strong enough to get him signed with Rymesayers late in 2013.

46. Kill The Vultures - The Careless Flame (63 plays)

Another one that I've had for a while but hadn't genuinely invested in.  An AOTW from last winter, this album fits the season. Cold & sparse as Crescent Moon's passion burns.

47. Vandaam - Vandaam (60 plays)

Hipster elctro-pop from the Twin Cities. Vandaam frequently peeks their head above the unwashed, keyboard playing masses that Minneapolis calls a music scene.

48. MaLLy - Strange Rhythm (60 plays)

Follow up to his breakthrough The Last Great... MaLLy spends much of the album on top, goading his doubters while enjoying his moment atop the hip-hop hill.

49. Capital Steez - AmeriKKKan Korruption (58 plays)

R.I.P Capital Steez.  The more I listened to Joey Bada$$ the more I wanted to dig into the Pro Era sound. Steez laid the blueprint with AmeriKKKan Korruption.

50.Steddy P & DJ Mahf - Breakfast With Doctor Gonzo (58 plays) 

Hunter Thompson-inspired hip-hop out of Kansas City. Steddy P stears clear of gimmicks and stick to focused, "indie for life" raps.

There you have it, folks.  The 50 Most Played Albums Of 2013.  It may have been a garbage year in real life, but it produced some great music.

As always, feel free to check out my Last.fm page to keep track of what's getting spins over at Planet New Basset.