Loading ...So maybe I was previously unaware, and it’s because I am working in a record shop constantly surrounded by new releases that I am continuously being surprised at how many really good albums are being released in 2011. Granted there are excellent releases almost every year, but this year has been big for me. Not only are bands I thought were excellent dropping amazing albums, but bands I found mediocre in the past are releasing albums I can’t get enough of. I know I’ve been absent from the internet for a while, and there’s a fairly legit reason for that, but I thought I would write this out –alone in my room on a rainy night- so that, when I had a chance to get online, I could just copy and paste a prewritten article. Easy yeah? Yeah. So here it is, May of 2011, and these are the releases I’ve been most excited about since January, in no particular order.
First up is Social Distortion’s Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. What a great album. I wish though that this had been released in May, or June, instead of early January. The theme and feel to the songs brings back memories of driving along that lonely beach-side highway in California with the top down, even if you’ve never –and I haven’t- been there. Social D is one of the best of what they do, mixing rhythm and blues, a bit of country, and a lot of rock and roll to their west coast punk sound. Stand out tracks like California Hustle and Flow, Bakersfield, the cover of Hank Williams’ Alone and Forsaken, and Can’t Take it With You are great to check out and get a feel for the album. Don’t stop there though. The rest of the record is not just filler. Though some of the songs might not be as good as these, they’re certainly not bad.
The Decemberists’ The King is Dead. What can I even say about this album? Honestly I am clueless as to whether or not I’ve heard any of The Decemberists other music. And frankly with how amazing this album is, I don’t really care if I have or not. The King is Dead is a down and dirty folk album. I mean dirty as in “I just came in from milking the cows and planting crops, and my flannel shirt needs washing.” June Hymn is the defining track for me. Don’t get me wrong, the entire album is incredible, but if I could five-star every song, I’d six-star June Hymn. Making use of acoustic guitars, harmonica, fiddle, and accordion, the artists have created a new folk anthem for an entire generation of market going country-at-heart folks. I can’t see how this album could get any better unless it was recorded on a farm. Which is was.
Sticking with the folk roots style music, up next is Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers’ Rare Bird
Alert. Everyone knows –or should know- that Steve Martin is a damn fine banjo player. That man can finger pick a mean five string. This album features many well-known artists alongside Martin, including Paul McCartney, and the ladies of The Dixie Chicks. The lyrics are simple, and slightly comical. The kind of comedy you might see in early Martin flicks. The problem is that Martin isn’t that great of a singer. But luckily that’s where the Steep Canyon Rangers come in. All he has to do is stand back and take care of the banjo, and they handle the harmonies. There are some decent instrumentals on the album, as well as some pretty funny live comedy tracks. Rare Bird Alert, and Atheists Don’t Have No Songs are my personal favourites.
A friend had told me about Cold War Kids a few years ago. Funny story and a few coincidences later, I’m working for that friend at the music store now. We listened to their 2011 album, Mine is Yours, while closing the store one night. Not only do the artists have a lot of talent, but they display that by changing each song enough that it could be considered its own genre. Cold Toes on the Cold Floor, Finally Begin, and the single Royal Blue are good tracks to check out to get into it. The whole record might take a couple of listens to get really into, but once you’re there it all seems worth it.
The Dropkick Murphys are one of the biggest names in celtic rock, and in punk rock in general. Their use of pipes, mandolins, and other traditional instruments accompanying their distorted choppy guitar style, and thick Boston accents makes them who they are. Going out in Style is just another high point in the Murphys’ career, laying out such tracks as the title track, Cruel, and the one traditional song, Irish Rover. The local vinyl store has a copy of Going out in Style on limited edition white vinyl, perfect for signatures, and the Murphys just so happen to be playing Halifax in August. I think you see where this is going.
Well folks, I think I’ll leave it at that for now. I’ll be posting more and more 2011 releases as they continue, and as I gain access to the web. There are some albums I have yet to pick-up/illegally download -the latter of which I plan on ceasing once I have a steady income- and some that I just haven’t gotten a chance to listen to all the way through and give a decent think over on.
Either way, later.
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