When I heard Danger Mouse was teaming up with composer Daniele Luppi, I was intrigued. When I heard Jack White and Nora Jones were involved I was very excited. When I heard it was a love letter to Ennio Morricone and the sound of the spaghetti westerns of the 60's and 70's I proverbially pooped my proverbial pants. Featuring musicians used in the film scores for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and other Morricone scored films gives it an incredibly authentic sound, but not dated at all. With instrumental interludes between songs sung by Jack White and Nora Jones, Rome feels like a soundtrack to some yet to be made or long lost sprawling masterpiece exported from Italy.
Top Tracks
The Rose With The Broken Neck
Two Against One
The Gambling Priest
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Old School sounds mixed with a deconstructionist outlook (specifically on an album you will find in my top 5) and re-thinking so much of what can be done has made 2011 such exciting year for me in electronic music. Ever elusive and African Tribal mask wearing Aaron Jerome, aka London DJ SBTRKT (pronounced as "subtract") has done all these things with his self titled record. He collaborates with some amazing artists on here (Roses Gabor, Jessie Ware, Sampha and Little Dragon) but my favorite songs just may be his instrumental tracks. This record is an adventure that will make you want to drive, dance, dream and go buy a synth or two.
Top Tracks:
Ready Set Loop
Go Bang
Something Goes Right
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How does a young woman of twenty one years sing with such a voice, and convince me the lyrics she sings are truth and from experience? This record is haunted by the un-dead spirit of Joni Mitchell, and though I just made Mrs. Mitchell into a zombie, I meant only respect, and in no way am I saying Laura rips anyone off. It stands shoulders above the new wave of folk white noise, and I would love to hear it on wax.
Top Tracks:
The Muse
Don't Ask Me Why
Night After Night
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Favoritism be damned, my hometown of Detroit, Michigan has always been know to produce some great music. Your first listen to It's a Corporate World may not sound like a Detroit import, but the more you hear it, the more you will hear pieces of the city coming through, and a new sound (for a new Detroit). By the way, yes you are hearing and seeing Daniel Zott from the band that won the competition to be the spokespersons for Free Credit Report.com, but don't let that have sway on your opinion in anyway. This is a very happy yet deep record, and I can't wait to hear what is next for these guys.
Top Tracks:
Nothing But Our Love
When I Open My Eyes
We Almost Lost Detroit
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It's been a few years since Tom has released a new studio album. 2004's Real Gone was followed up by Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards an anthology of rarities and b-sides, and by the amazing live album Glitter and Doom. Bad As Me is an album of contradictions beautiful and scary, noisy and quiet, but isn't that what Mr. Waits is? His piano echos as if being played from some distant gramophone in a distant basement, his voice croons to us like no other crooner can. He is constantly greater than great, and that is way more than we can hope for when it comes to artists almost 40 years in the business.
Top Tracks:
Kiss Me
Back in the Crowd
Raised Right Men
Spotify it Here
