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Top Albums and Songs of 2015 (Sam List)

Inspired by Todd and a really great year for music, I’m coming out of hibernation with my tops of 2015…

Top Albums

Jamie xx In Colour (Young Turks)
I figured this collection of dancefloor etudes wouldn’t hold up to repeat listens but here I am, on the last day of the year, still unable to shake the hooks from my head.

Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment Surf (self-released)
A remarkably eclectic and powerful album. The fact you don’t see any of the guest stars credited in song titles tells you everything you need to know about how this “experiment” fared.

Protomartyr The Agent Intellect (Hardly Art)
Riveting post-punk from Detroit; kinda like Interpol without the pretense.

Young Guv Ripe 4 Luv (Slumberland)
Ben Cook set out to satirize bands like Cheap Trick, Big Star, Marshall Crenshaw, etc. only to end up creating a completely epic power pop album of his own.

Jose Gonzalez Vestiges and Claws (Mute)
I respect Jose’s absolute commitment to the whispery folk formula that made him famous, especially when it produces a gorgeous album like this one.

Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)
Like Jose, Sufjan keeps doing his thing and it keeps getting better.

Thundercat The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam (Brainfeeder)
Yearning, confident, proggy, funky – like nothing else out there.

Colleen Captain of None (Thrill Jockey)
An art album that plays like a pop record.

Kamasi Washington The Epic (Brainfeeder)
I may be the only so-called music snob who thought Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly was just okay (or is that just me being extra snobby?) – but if the Kendrick Lamar phenomenon means former studio musicians like Kamasi see more sunshine, I’m all about it.

Beirut No No No (4AD)
Even a B+ record from Beirut will make my top 10.

Top Songs

Young Fathers “Shame” (Big Dada)
Nosaj Thing feat Chance the Rapper “Cold Stares” (Innovative Leisure/Timetable)
Baio “Sister of Pearl” (Glassnote)
The Arcs “Stay In My Corner” (Nonesuch)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” (Jajaguwar)
Lonelady “Groove It Out” (Warp)
Bicep “Just” (K7)
Swervedriver “Last Rites” (Cobraside)
Spectres “Where Flies Sleep” (Sonic Cathedral)
Beliefs “Tidal Wave” (Hand Drawn Dracula)
Low “What Part of Me” (Sub Pop)
Helen “Motorcycle” (kranky)
Four Tet “Morning Side” (Text)
William Alexander “Strangest Things” (Yellow K)
Open Mike Eagle feat MC Paul Barman & Milo “Trickeration” (Mello Music)

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Top 25 Albums of 2015 (ToddS List)

25. Leggy – Nice Try EP [self]

24. Library Voices – Lovish [nevado]

23. Faith No More – Sol Invictus [reclamation]

22. Say Hi – Bleeders Digest [barsuk]

21. Giggly Boys – Bastards of Young [self]

20. The Diamond Center – Crystals of the Brass Empire [funny / not funny]

19. Gun Outfit – Dream All Over [paradise of bachelors]

18. Woolen Men – Temporary Monument [woodsist]

17. Expert Alterations – You Can’t Always Be Liked [kanine]

15. Albino Father – II [self]

14. Mikal Cronin – MCIII [merge]

13. Kurt Vile – b’lieve i’m goin down… [matador]

12. King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizard – Paper Mâché Dream Balloon [ato]

11. L’Orange & Kool Keith – Time? Astonishing! [mello music]

10. Ultimate Painting – Green Lanes [trouble in mind]

9. Wand – Golem [in the red]

8. Young Guv – Ripe 4 Luv [slumberland]

7. Moon Duo – Shadow of the Sun [sacred bones]

6. Lazy Knuckles – Bucolic [gold robot]

5. Thee Oh Sees – Mutilator Defeted At Last [castle face]

4. Danny James Etc. – Pear [burger]

3. Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear [sub pop]

2. Destroyer – Poison Season [merge]

1. The Butterscotch Cathedral – S/T [trouble in mind]

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Peter Stringer-Hye

Nashville native, and member of The Paperhead, Peter Stringer-Hye recently released an incredible self-titled EP with Trouble In Mind Records. Check out EP closer “Throw Away The Day”, it’s a country tinged, psychedelic, toe-tapper and my favorite track from the EP. Head over to TiM’s site and snag yourself a copy before they are all gone.

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The Trash Templars

Bielefeld, Germany’s The Trash Templars bring the snotty, in your face garage rock on their new self-titled EP, available now from Kuriosa Records. Give opening track “Want To Be Like You” a spin, it’s a 2 minute stomper that I guarantee will get you bouncing off the walls. Enjoy.

The Trash Templars – Want To Be Like You from S/T EP (2015)

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Ripper

Ripper’s newest EP A.D. came to my attention via an email from their label Land Ski Records. Their description of Ripper’s sound is what really caught my attention, “…Dead Kennedys, Germs, Sonic Youth, and The Beach Boys”. There’s definitely some Protomartyr-esque post-punk mixed in there as well.

Standout track “On The Curb” (below) is heavy as hell and the chorus reminds me (somewhat) of pre slap-bass, 80’s era, Suicidal Tendencies. The entire EP makes me want to blow the dust off my skateboard and go thrash some curbs with it blaring in my ears.

A.D. is out now on cassette and digitally through Land Ski Records and Lawn Chair Records. Enjoy!

Ripper – On The Curb from A.D. (2015)

Ripper on FB

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Fuzz Ghost

Nashville’s Fuzz Ghost, bring the fuzzed-out, surf style, garage rock on their debut, self-titled EP. Check out the heavy, slow burning, Ty Segall-esque, “Sunshine” (below), for a taste of this EP’s goodness.

Fuzz Ghost’s EP is available now on cassette and digitally through Ongakubaka Records. I highly recommend it.

Fuzz Ghost – Sunshine from Fuzz Ghost EP (2015)

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Lasso

Lasso is the solo (mostly) project of Tucson multi-instrumentalist/beat maker Andy Catlin. He covers about every genre imaginable throughout his seven release discography, including psych, pop, electro, hip hop, pop and rock. His newest release, Into The Lasso, is a kind of groovy, psych-pop meets hip hop beats hybrid. Check out the Money Mark-like album opener “Pepper”, it’s a great example of what this guy can do.

Into The Lasso is available now from Lasso’s bandcamp page. While you are there be sure to check out his other releases, you will not be disappointed.

Lasso – Pepper from Into The Lasso (2015)

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November Mixtape

15 solid gold hits, including the new single from The Pains of Being Pure At Heart. Enjoy.

Descendents – I’m Not A Punk [sst]
PEARS – Snowflake [fat wreck chords]
Poster Children – 0 For 1 [reprise]
The Lodger – A Free Period [slumberland]
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Hell [painbow]
Young Hunting – Blue Dream [self]
Grandaddy – Summer… It’s Gone [v2]
Okkervil River – Piratess [jagjaguwar]
Sheraf – Zero [six tonnes de chair]
Panthatone – I Say [self]
Lasso – Listzenwotha [self]
Milo – Souvenire (feat. Hemlock Ernst) [ruby yacht]
Tiger Waves – In Retrograde (feat. Jana Horn) [self]
FUZZ – Sleestack [in the red]
Library Voices – Bored In Berlin [nevado]

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Club 8

Swedish duo Club 8 celebrate their 20th anniversary this month and they’re kicking things off with their ninth album, Pleasure, due out the 20th of this month. Club 8 began as a bedroom, twee-folk band with a knack for dropping in a few beats and knob-twists to taste. Based on the two songs I’ve heard from this new album, the band is putting a heavy emphasis on club. No longer the exception, dance beats are now the rule. For their 20 year celebration Club 8 is moving the party from their house to a nightclub—hitting the lights and getting down!

Public shout out to my man Todd for keeping the ‘hive alive! I dig his picks and I’m geeked to have him on board! If you’re keeping track at home, I haven’t posted here in over two years. Sad but true. Thanks for stopping by!

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The Mantles

San Francisco’s The Mantles are back with their newest pop masterpiece, All Odds End. Check out the throbbing bass lines and jangling guitars of “Hate To See You Go” (below) it’s a great example of the album’s psych-pop goodness.

All Odds End is out now and available via Slumberland Records. This album belongs in your collection. Enjoy.

The Mantles – Hate To See You Go from All Odds End (2015)

The Mantles FB