The Best of 2011 Part 1.2

“People who say they like all kinds of music actually like no kinds of music” - Chuck Klosterman

Well, 2011 has come and gone. Frankly, the Prig was underwhelmed. The Prig respects his PFOS brethren, but obvious to most, he doesn't share their enthusiasm for what has transpired musically over the last 12 months. Here is a rundown of the small amount of music that came out in 2011 that didn't massively suck, for the rock snob in all of you.

Ryan Adams

The guy has been through a lot. The Prig likes his rockstars to act like rockstars. When he was writing songs at the back of Niagara - ok, dece (cuz it was easy to make out with girls there) but not too NYC hip. Oh wait, then he starts doing some kick ass covers or weird shit? Cool. And then getting real dark with his lyrics? Nice. Then he is doing speedballs with Courtney Love and attacking hecklers who call him Bryan Adams?! Whoa, the Prig takes serious notice. Cleaning himself up and marrying Mandy Moore? Shit, the Prig wants to BE you. Combine that with serious cred when it comes to the music he enjoys and soulful songs like the below? Nice job in 2011 and in life, bro!



Girls

Un-googleable names piss the Prig off...but given the sweet indie pop sounds, from a band that actually plays instruments, Girls get a pass. And Christopher Owens actually seems to have the makings of a rock star. He is interesting. Best of the newish artists out there, bar none.



The Raveonettes

No one talks about them. Seriously, no one. But damnit - they have a formula and it works (and has worked for like 10 years). Rock music baby, sexy fucking rock music.



Watch the Throne

They initially received a lukewarm reception on the PFOS listserve, which obviously made the Prig all the more willing to put his full effort behind the two best rappers alive. I mean, come on, the shit is hot. The video says it all



The Vaccines

Instruments! Lyrics! Swagger! I know - it doesn't make much sense in 2011. Oh well. The Prig remembers.



Uhhhhh.....that's all I got.

Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Iron & Wine all put out stuff that didn't totally suck, but didn't overwhelm anyone. I don't particularly like where Iron & Wine are going. Fleet Foxes might get boring soon. Bon Iver showed himself to be a bit of a herb, but the guy parties with Kanye and talks shit about other people selling out for a Grammy. The Prig already wrote about Wu Lyf and Frank Ocean, so please feel free to review those posts again as well.

Bring on 2012 and the eventual death of Skrillex. A snob can dream, can't he?

PFOS Best of 2011 - Part 1

It's that time of year.  Here at PFOS, we (mostly) liked all the new music everyone else did -- Bon Iver, MMJ, Girls, etc.  We've also mentioned some of it before -- M83, Frank Ocean, Weeknd, etc.  Here's a tribute to some of the other songs and bands we enjoyed in 2011.

1,2,3 - Riding Coach

Hollering:  "I love the idea that people take themselves serious enough have a sit down conversation and discuss writing a 'working class anthem.'  Frey - please get started on the drunken slob anthem when you get a second.  I'll pen a crysterbation ballad..."

Youth Lagoon - Cannons

Kowieski:  "Maybe its that pre-seasonal affection disorder now that October's here, but this Youth Lagoon shits really been making me feel feelings."

Future Islands - Balance 

Devo:  "Sounds a bit too much like the vampire in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but if you acquire a taste for it it's great stuff."

Action Bronson - Brunch

Tatarsky:  "Morbid.  Dude seems like a good chef too."



Princeton - To the Alps

Via Stereogum:  "Princeton's 'To The Alps' sounds like a song called 'To The Alps' by a band called Princeton:  It’s smooth, classy pop you’d imagine listening to while thawing out in front of a ski lodge fireplace."



Shabazz Palaces - Swerve ... (etc)

Kowieski:  "Don't let the long-winded song titles turn you off, its worth an illegal download."



Reptar - Stuck in my ID

macarella:  "New space chasm electro dance pop band out of Athens, GA.  They call themselves Reptar."

Blitzen Trapper - Astronaut

Tatarsky:  "Addictive old time rock and roll.  God damn stellar."



Real Estate - Green Aisles

Kowieski:  "This new Real Estate joint is really putting a wrinkle in my satch.  Surfy rock for blowing doobs (or dudes - this is a judgment-free zone)."



The Antlers - 

Dinger:  "A good year for neo-new wave. This other Antlers tune has been on HEAVY lately..."



Wye Oak - 

Devo:  "I'm going to see the National at Beacon next week, and Wye Oak is opening.  Out of guilt for seeing their name everywhere, but never spending any time to find out what their music is like (several bloggers and I actually skipped them opening for Portugal the Man at a Lolla aftershow), I decided to download their album, Civilian, last week.  I was a bit surprised to see them at the top of the AV Club's best of 2011 today but I'm not surprised people like them.  They're great.  And supposed to be better live."


Tiger Love - Pussy Cocaine

Hollering:  "Heading to a Euro Trash Dance party tonight and my stoner/yeti friend neglected to put a playlist together. He's approached me with the task. I've got the potential to be a DJ hero and score some worn out hippie box. Any suggestions?  Tiger love will be every other song of course."

Bonus show review - FreyDon:  "Well, Kramer, Tyson, Tat and I caught Tiger Love last night. They played two songs that sounded exactly like Pussy Cocaine and then they played Pussy Cocaine. And then the show was over. Literally a 12 minute concert.  They really Odd Futured us good. Well done."

Grandpa Understands

What's your excuse?