Ryan Adam's 'Ashes & Fire' among 2011's musical highlights

From the melodic pop of Real Estate to the undeniably retro fuzz of Yuck, the distorted dreamy noise of I Break Horses and the lo- fi meandering of Youth Lagoon, 2011 has been an excellent year for music. Ryan Adams, in a distinct return to form, made a bare confessional acoustic album – his best in years. WILD FLAG made girl rock cool again. Both The Kills & Hanni El Khatib showed that you can surely make a lot of noise (and be uber-sexy) with just two people on stage. Cass McCombs released two albums, and in particular one single that was both haunting and staggeringly brilliant. And the Beach Boys issued a record almost 25 years after its intended release date…  For sure, a stack of blog and media end-of-year ratings have had more than a few head scratchers on them, and there have been some much touted records on people’s lists that are just plain bad, but it seems despite all that, whatever your taste, there was music to be excited about in 2011. And to our ears, here are 10 of the best. No need for any lengthy explanations. Just fire up that Spotify player and listen:

Real Estate – Days (Domino)
WILD FLAG – s/t (Merge)
Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire (PaxAm/Capitol)
Caitlin Rose – Own Side Now (Theory 8)
The Kills – Blood Pressure (Domino)
Yuck – Yuck (Fat Possum)
I Break Horses – Hearts (Cooperative Music)
Bright Eyes – The People’s Key (Saddle Creek)
Hanni El Khatib – Will the Guns Come Out (Innovative Leisure)
Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation (Fat Possum)
Beach Boys – Smile (2xLP vinyl set) (Capitol)

And pipped at the post, but still highly notable and worth a moment or two of your time were full-lengths by Middle Brother, Cass McCombs and War on Drugs. Reissue of the year (can you call it that since it was never originally out?) was the Beach Boys Smile album (on vinyl of course!!). And when you are talking single of the year – Cass McCombs “County Line” qualifies for top honors, followed close behind by Real Estate “It’s Real” and Pageants “Edible Rust”. A tip of the hat also goes to FIDLAR for their DIYDUI EP on White Iris, and “Georgia” by Yuck (which strictly speaking came out in the dying days of 2010 but who’s counting with a song this catchy)

Indie label of the year honors… it looks from the ratings above, that would go to Domino, with Merge running a close second.

Live? Ryan Adams played a couple of low-key album release shows, including one in the small mausoleum room at Hollywood Forever Cemetery that was just sublime. And watching the ongoing march to success of Fitz and the Tantrums as they spent the year conquering ever greater rooms across the country was a source of joy. The Kills? They brought the rock every time.

And while there was much worthy of a thumbs-up this year, the list of things to look forward to in 2012 is already appearing expansive. There’s that new Mark Lanegan release, maybe another record from Local Natives (?), the US screenings of the film Lawrence of Belgravia, LP2 from Best Coast, a highly anticipated new release from Sharon van Etten, a possible return by Mazzy Star and albums from Band of Skulls (who somewhere along the line signed to Vagrant), Sleigh Bells, Imperial Teen, Damien Jurado, and more from Spiritualized… Phew! Roll on January 1!

- Cool Hand Luke

UK's Yuck, among bright spots of 2011 so far

Surprise!! After been closeted away down the rabbit hole, toiling away turning the wheels of industry, figures it was time to pop up again into the world and find out just what we have missed. And what better day to choose, than April 1st? So just what has been going on these past few months?

* Domino blasted out of the annual SXSW fiesta on a definite high with everyone raving about their new signing, Austra. The band’s debut album Feel it Break drops May 17. The label also has a schedule of highly rated new releases from Cass McCombs, Anna Calvi and of course the long awaited re-issue of the Queens of the Stone Age classic debut album. Oh yeah, there’s also a new album, Blood Pressure, from our favorite rock duo, The Kills about to drop any day. Bets on ‘best of 2011 list’ anyone?
* A band www.arcadefire.com on an indie won a Grammy for best album or something. More exciting was that their label, Merge Records, released the stunning new album, Civilian from Baltimore’s Wye Oak.
* A new UK combo with inauspicous beginnings (formed from the ashes of Cajun Dance Party) and a terrible name – Yuck – put on some shows and released an album that was far from terrible or inauspicious. Combining a dose of classic 90’s Sonic Youth & Dinosaur Jr the UK group stands as a definite bright spark in early 2011.
* After 20 years in business, our favorite Bay Area operation, Slumberland Records, suddenly became a ‘label to watch’ with new records from Pains of Being Pure at Heart and new noise group, Weekend.
* Sub Pop signed a new band. Or two. Or ten it seems. But seriously though, can they have any more? Still Corners, Memory House, Niki & the Dove… the list of newbies goes on. How many is too many? When you factor in their sub-label Hardly Art, the Seattle indie seems to have an active roster the size of a major label.
* Sharon Van Etten toured. And made even more fans. Swooooooooon.
* Radiohead suddenly dropped a new record on the world to much fanfare. An album which even their fans weren’t sure they really liked.
* The 2 piece is still in vogue despite the demise of the White Stripes in the guise of Hanni El Khatib.
* It became clearly evident that just because the bloggers love you and the press file is big and thick, it doesn’t mean you sell a massive number of records in 2011. Looking at you Dum Dum Girls. And Deerhoof.
* Bright Eyes released an excellent new album, ‘The People’s Key’, which may have been the most lavishly packaged release to hit the top echelons of the charts.
* Sebadoh toured to support the release of a t-shirt because the US label organizing the reissue of their classic Bakesale, release didn’t come close to getting the album out on time.
* The Radio Dept finally toured North America and released a double CD of singles and oddities. Peter Bjorn and John released a new record. Yay Sweden!
* Portishead sent a welcome message that they are happy to buck the system. And you know they will still have fans. And will still sell records.
* Sasquatch Festival once again looked like more fun than spending 3 days in the desert…
* Wilco became an indie band. Rah!
* The neo-soul movement became even stronger, with the continuing charge of Fitz and the Tantrums, as they took over SXSW, and seemingly now, the world. Then there is that old dude (62!) Charles Bradley showing a) its never too late to start your recording career (ageism be damned!) and b) THIS is how you make a great soul record. He may not be Otis Redding but he is a fine substitute!

My, this has been fun. But wait – there’s more we’re sure! Maybe we’ll just have to be back next week too fill in some holes that have undoubtedly been missed…

- Cool Hand Luke

Sharon Van Etten, Epic, indeed

The torrent of those year-end lists is still coming thick and fast from all corners of the media, with some of the latest being Amazon’s best of, Rhapsody’s picks, Drowned In Sound and Stereogum’s top 50. Scanning through many of the lists, the big question doesn’t seem to be, “How many places will pick Kanye West as album of the year?” but more likely “How many places won’t?” Well, I can tell you, as much as Indie Dispatches appreciates the record, and definitely got our money’s worth buying the digital album for 99 cents on Amazon.com, it’s (not so) sad to say the opus didnt make our short list. Instead here are ten picks we enjoyed an awful lot during 2010 – some you may have listened to and others you may well have not…

Sharon Van Etten – Epic (Ba Da Bing) – One of those ‘word-of-mouth’ records that has benefitted from the new frontier of the internet and the marvels of social media. Friends espousing their love of this Brooklyn artist on Facebook, an album purchase, and instant love. Further posting on Facebook about the glorious nature of this album – its engaging songwriting and classic feel – and the word spreads. Pure magic.

Gold Panda – Lucky Shiner (Ghostly International) – Ah, the joys of laptop electronica. This record seemingly came out of nowhere and set itself apart from its contemporaries (such as Four Tet, Baths, etc) with its progressive sounds, catchy melodies and infectious beats.

Avi Buffalo – Avi Buffalo (Sub Pop) – A bunch of teenagers from LBC form a band, make a record, sign to one of the coolest labels around and capture the attention of music fans across the world, all led by a diminutive (and naive) guitar meastro after whom the combo is named. The lyrics express (at times in a raw fashion) the angst of being a teen, but the songs are for the ages.

Sally Seltmann – Heart That’s Pounding (Arts & Crafts) – I recently rediscovered this album, marvelling at its brilliance all over again, and ended up listening to it 10 times in a row. As great as some of the much praised artists in this ‘girl singer over electro beats’ genre (read Annie, Saint Etienne), I have a feeling the sales were terrible (probably the ‘best, worst selling record of 2010′), which is criminal, despite Seltmann being the spouse of a member of Avalanches and the writer of Feist’s monster hit.

Villagers – Becoming a Jackal (Domino) – See SVE… but from Dublin, Ireland. People who ‘got’ this record fell in love and were enthralled by its majesty. Some of the best lyrics around, and coming from a country that is known for its A-grade balladeers. And whether it was just leader Conor O’Brien on stage solo, or with his band, the live shows were jaw dropping.

Dylan LeBlanc – Pauper’s Field (Rough Trade) –  Alas, I think this release was lost amongst the blogger frenzy for label mates Warpaint and Morning Benders, which was a crying shame. LeBlanc is steeped in the whole country-soul canon with personal ties to the Muscle Shoals/Fame recordings family of musicians, which set him apart on this album from the rest of his singer-songwriter contemporaries.

Superchunk – Majesty Shredding (Merge) – A bunch of old(er) folk make their first album in nine years, and at the same time, show all the youthful pretenders half their age how it is done. Great energy, super songs and reminding the world why Superchunk was one of the best bands in the 90’s (and still are). Come back of the year and a record that more than holds its own with anything in 2010.

Best Coast – Crazy Like You (Mexican Summer) – 2010 was a bleak year to be an American, with high unemployment, economic troubles, housing traumas, political turmoil… what better time would there be to throw all the cares away with an album of summery beach pop. Pure escapism, and quintessentially Californian.

Phantogram – Eyelid Movies (Barsuk) – An album that might have been more at home on Warp or Modular, rather than the house that Death Cab for Cutie built, but it’s 2010, so who’s discriminating. See Gold Panda… with vocals.

Holly Miranda – The Magician’s Private Library (XL) –  Who knew that the mantle of Jeff Buckley would be taken up by the former singer of a relatively average NY indie rock band, with help from a member of TVOTR? The album got made and sat in limbo for an age, before XL Recordings stepped in (thank goodness)… Anchored by Miranda’s entrancing vocals, seemingly swooping down from heaven.

And worthy of notable mention for providing great listening pleasure at various times during 2010, in no particular order… Fences Fences , Fitz & The Tantrums Picking Up the Pieces, Glasser Ring, The Head and the Heart The Head and the Heart, Surf City Kudos, Owen Pallett Heartland, Magic Kids Memphis , Local Natives Gorilla Manor, Surfer Blood Astro Coast.

- Cool Hand Luke

Alex Winston @ Bowery Electric (NYC) Thurs. 11/18

Mon. Nov. 15th – SURFWITCH @ Silverlake Lounge  (view) (listen)

Tues. Nov. 16th – The Dead Trees @ Viper Room  (view) (listen)

Wed. Nov. 17th – Fitz & the Tantrums+AWOLNATION @ El Rey  (view) (listen)

Thurs. Nov. 18th – Alex Winston @ The Bowery Electric (NYC) (view) (listen)

Fri. Nov. 19th – April Smith & the Great Picture Show @ Bootleg (view) (listen)

Sat. Nov. 20th – Das Racist @ Mondrian (Skybar)  (view) (listen)

Fitz & the Tantrums join Dangerbird Records Roster

Following up on last week’s A&R report, congrats to Fitz and the Tantrums who have inked a deal with L.A.-based Dangerbird Records. The band heads out on tour with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings in May and has an eastside residency at Spaceland in June… Sweethead, the new project from Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, will be playing Monday nights in May at Spaceland. Their new self-titled album comes out May 11th via The End Records… Expect to see plenty of label and publishing folks out tonight for Burn Down the Mission at Hotel Cafe. We hear the band has been busy fielding more calls to showcase for labels on both coasts… Stay tuned.

Sick of Sarah @ The Roxy, Friday 4/23

As quickly as it came, the annual rock n’ roll oasis in the desert known as Coachella is over. So while you tend to that lingering sunburn and exercise the last of those acid-demons, let’s play catch-up on some new signings and stories we’ve been following… Los Angeles indie-label Dangerbird Records, who has been on a recent signing-spree stocking their coffers with a wide spectrum of artists, has put paper to Fitz & the Tantrums and we hear negotiations are in motion. FATT opened for The Specials last week at Club Nokia and will be joining Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings on tour in May… We hear Epic Records is finalizing a deal with Denver’s Joel Jorgenson. The singer is managed by Michael Goldberg and Isaac Hayes for 108 Management (we’ve also confirmed that 108 does not stand for their combined IQs)… Momentum continues to build for Las Vegas-act Imagine Dragons, who played to a sold-out room last Wednesday for the BMI/KROQ-presented show at The Viper Room. Having only played a handful of L.A. dates, it was impressive to see industry take a literal back seat to a sweaty crowd of fans singing along to the band’s late-night set. With a growing regional fan base and an impressive live show, labels seem to be closing in – we hear an East Coast major is looking to shut it down early, while publishers and booking agents have joined the scrimmage too… Radio continues to build for L.A. locals Dead Country with adds at Santa Barbara’s KJEE and KROX in Austin, as well as spikes at Live 105, KNRK in Portland and Denver’s modern rock KTCL; spins are also continuing in their hometown on KROQ. Could there be outside forces at work here? The band just finished a tour with The Bronx and will be supporting Far on a series of upcoming dates. Their self-titled EP is out now… And if you slept on the radio action on South Carolina’s Villanova, it looks like the band is now off the market. We hear an East Coast major is finalizing paperwork to close the act who are getting serious spins on influential modern rock station WARQ… Look for Steve Greenberg’s S-Curve Records to release new albums from Seinking Ships and The Belles on June 8th. Eric Matthews, formerly on Sub Pop, collaborated with Ohio musician Christopher Seink to record the new full-length Museum Quality Capture, while Lawrence, KS combo The Belles will release their sophomore album Times Flies When You’re Losing Your Mind… It certainly does… Finally, catch Minneapolis’ Sick of Sarah tomorrow night in L.A. for the early show at The Roxy. The band, who has been compared to Sleater-Kinney and The Breeders, is building a big following in the mid-west and is one of two artists featured during the month of April in Journeys stores nation-wide…

IN THE MIX: Jay Lewis, Purevolume, Ben Roethlisberger

Jaguar Love @ RM64 Dirty Dog Party 3/19

Like ours, your inbox has probably been piling up with post-SXSW coverage emails. To help with the clutter, here’s a look at a few post-festival reviews and interviews from some of this year’s standout artists… Live4ever catches up with the UK’s Band of Skulls on their blitz through Austin and Townshend-like amp wreckage… Buzzbands has video of locals Shadow Shadow Shade from the IFC Crossroads House… Spinner reviews Dawes‘ “career-making” performances in Austin… Gordon Voidwell and Fitz & the Tantrums were a gear-nerds dream, Keyboard Magazine has all the synthillating details… Fader gets intimate with David Vandervelde and Vevo interviews Glasgow’s Twin Atlantic… And if you missed it, you can read our wrap-up post here…

Portland, Oregon's Baby Monster @ Cinespace Tuesday, March 30th

Mon. Mar 29th – Square on Square @ Silverlake Lounge (view)

Tues. Mar 30th – Baby Monster @ Cinespace (view)

Wed. Mar 31st – Brothers at Sea @ Boardners (view)

Thurs. Apr 1st – Radio Moscow @ Spaceland (view)

Fri. Apr 2nd – Fitz & the Tantrums @ Los Angeles Natural History Museum (view)

Mark Williams @ Bitter End (NYC) Friday, March 26th

For industry folks in the Big Apple, be sure to check out singer/songwriter Mark Williams perform at the Bitter End tomorrow (Friday, March 26) at 9pm. The 18-year old multi-instrumentalist is a stand-out virtuoso guitar player. He’s been playing professionally since he was 9 and played with B.B. King in Nashville when he was 11. New EP Starlit Stages is starting to get the attention of several East Coast label folks. Management is Ben Lazar (e-mail: blazar70@gmail.com)…

Standout acts from SXSW continue to heat up on the heels of the famed festival. Last night saw a sold-out crowd for Cymbals Eat Guitars at The Echo. Many were also there to catch openers Bear in Heaven and new Frenchkiss/Mom&Pop signees Freelance Whales… We hear several East Coast label folks have flights booked to catch Imagine Dragons in Utah on April 9th & 10th.  The band also plays the Viper Room in L.A. on April 14th… Fitz & the Tantrums lived up to high expectations in Austin last week and as predicted it didn’t taken long for label offers to start coming in. Expect to see label and publisher reps out among the fossils for the band’s First Fridays performance next week (Friday, April 2) at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. Stay tuned…