Well. There's an over-hyped thread, so it's only natural that the polar-opposite should exist.

I'll put The Phantom Band's Checkmate Savage and Emmy the Great's First Love up for discussion. Checkmate has 5 stunners out of 9, with the other 3 being really good as well, and "Burial Sounds" being the weakest track for me (but no means bad). Cokemachineglow covered this one, and so did the Fork, but I haven't heard any people talk about it.

Emmy's First Love is an excellent pop record. It's been labelled as anti-folk, but I'll leave the genre wars alone, it's just a damn cute record... kinda funny too. Drowned in Sound covered it, and I think it needs to be talked about some more.

I found one of the best records of last year in one of these threads (Have a Nice Life's Deathconciousness). What albums do you think got swept under the rug?

I agree with Checkmate Savage though I haven't been able to find a copy so I haven't heard it since I streamed it in January. It's a great debut; reminded me a little of the Beta Band.

It looks like the new Peter Bjorg and John might get swept under the rug because it's a little challenging and sounds nothing like Writer's Block. It is a GREAT album though.

quote:

Originally posted by Jamieg:

It looks like the new Peter Bjorg and John might get swept under the rug because it's a little challenging and sounds nothing like Writer's Block. It is a GREAT album though.

It takes a lot getting used to, but I agree it's a better album than it's getting credit for.

And people have been talking about Checkmate Savage here it's just IMO not that impressive of a record.

I'll nominate Junior Boys' latest and the Fires of Rome cd. Really good albums.

I, for one, really like the Phantom Band album. Incredible stuff.

I love the under-hyped threads. It gives us a chance to promote albums that no one else is talking about. It allows us to be positive about albums.

The over-hyped threads always turns into - "How can you guys listen to that steaming pile of crap!" which I have always found pretentious and insulting.

I agree with the Checkmate Savage album being underrated and your analysis of it. I especially like the variety in it. There were some favorable comments about this album early on, but then it started dropping off lists.

I will nominate two more:

Other Lives - Other Lives.
I have mentioned this a couple times, but I haven't seen anyone else. It is highly orchestral rock, heavy on the stings. At times it is very psychadelic like Dark Side of the Moon era Pink Floyd. At other times it reminds me of very moody Radiohead tunes like "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" or "Exit Music (for a Film)"

The Veils - Sun Gangs
I just picked this one up last week, but I've been listening to it constantly. I've been struggling for a good analogy. Maybe Frightened Rabbit without the Baroque vocals. Then again, maybe not. Maybe The National without the baritone vocals. Then again, maybe not. The opener "Sit Down by the Fire" is a very full sounding classic rock song with strong piano, driving acoustic rhythym guitar, pounding drums, and smooth vocal. "Killed by the Boom" is a punk guitar heavy stomp with Art Brut (but less annoying) type spoken rant vocals. "Larkspur" is an epic song that starts off like a piano driven funeral dirge but builds to a stirring crescendo of chiming guitars and smashing cymbals. The songs are varied, but all very good.

Venetian Snares Filth (Planet Mu)
On over a hundred ratings, it's sitting at a 2.37/5 at RYM. Brutal. It's one of the best acid records in years.

Spoonbill Zoomorphic (Omelette)
Mastered by Tipper, this weird glitch album is barely registering a blip outside of Australia.

The Killimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble Mutations EP (Ad Noiseam)
Bong-Ra's side-project looks like a headliner now.

The Balky Mule The Length Of The Rail (FatCat)
It's so sad that North American media won't cover artists that don't tour North America. I thought this was a global village.

Fires of Rome - You Kingdom You

This has to be one of the best rock CDs (if not THE best) of this year so far. I don't get why there isn't more being said about it.

Glad people like the Phantom Band record. 'Crocodile' is easily one of my faves of this year. 'The Howling's motorik is really addictive, 'Folk Song Oblivion' is just a great rock track, 'Left Hand Wave' has the coolest strut to it, and lastly 'Throwing Bones has a killer doo-wop part that kicks my ass every time. Also a great rock track.

My second fave album of the year right behind, OH SHIT, ANIMAL COLLECTIVE. lol

Top 5 so far:

1. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
2. The Phantom Band - Checkmate Savage
3. Lotus Plaza - The Floodlight Collective
4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - s/t
5. The Qemists - Join the Q

I must really recommend The Subs' Subculture. Fucking amazing electronic record.

quote:

Originally posted by golly_g_wiz:
Fires of Rome - You Kingdom You

This has to be one of the best rock CDs (if not THE best) of this year so far. I don't get why there isn't more being said about it.

Agreed. I love this album.

quote:

Originally posted by Filmore Mescalito Holmes:
Venetian Snares Filth (Planet Mu)
On over a hundred ratings, it's sitting at a 2.37/5 at RYM. Brutal. It's one of the best acid records in years.

The Killimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble Mutations EP (Ad Noiseam)
Bong-Ra's side-project looks like a headliner now.

I'm surprised with the VSnares (esp. since I've absolutely fallen in love with it) but Killmanjaro Jazz Ensemble seems to be overlooked even by Bong-Ra's fans..

I'm gonna check out some Venetian Snares. I've heard way too much about them to not give them a try.

Also, as much as I love The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's release... I cannot STAND that guy's forced and fake british accent. Does anyone have this mild problem?

quote:

Originally posted by RadiantSilvergun:
I'm gonna check out some Venetian Snares. I've heard way too much about him* to not give them a try.

Glasvegas has a 73 on Metacritic, but that record deserves a 90. The New York Times calls it "sodden and overwrought." Well, it is emotionally intense, and very sincere. I suppose irony is a requirement these days, eh?

quote:

I suppose irony is a requirement these days, eh?

Bro, irony is like, a prerequisite. It's also becoming (or is already) mass-produced.

All the hipsters get their irony from your local American Apperal. Honestly, just take a look inside that place. It disgusts me.

quote:

Other Lives - Other Lives.
I have mentioned this a couple times, but I haven't seen anyone else. It is highly orchestral rock, heavy on the stings. At times it is very psychadelic like Dark Side of the Moon era Pink Floyd. At other times it reminds me of very moody Radiohead tunes like "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" or "Exit Music (for a Film)"

I'm with you on this one Troy, great album that you turned me on to. Can't wait to see them opening for the Decemberists.

quote:

Other Lives - Other Lives.
I have mentioned this a couple times, but I haven't seen anyone else. It is highly orchestral rock, heavy on the stings. At times it is very psychadelic like Dark Side of the Moon era Pink Floyd. At other times it reminds me of very moody Radiohead tunes like "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" or "Exit Music (for a Film)"

quote:

...It is highly orchestral rock, heavy on the stings.

quote:

...heavy on the strings

SOLD.

quote:

Originally posted by RadiantSilvergun:

quote:

I suppose irony is a requirement these days, eh?

Bro, irony is like, a prerequisite. It's also becoming (or is already) mass-produced.

All the hipsters get their irony from your local American Apperal. Honestly, just take a look inside that place. It disgusts me.

I've never been in an American Apperal store. But I've seen the ads, of course.

Now, don't get me wrong - I can appreciate some irony. I like Clem Snide's End of Love. I listen to Kool Keith, and he's ironic with some of his parodies of mainstream rap, but more often than that he's just way out in left field. But, no, I don't worship irony, and irony isn't what sells an album for me.

Oh yeah, irony's awesome when it's used for a reason. Speaking of parodies, have you heard Richard Cheese? My friend tells me he's pretty awesome.

No, I can't say I've heard of Richard Cheese.

Dick Cheese is pretty old school, I remember listening to him in highschool 6 or so years ago. Does kind of like lounge music versions of songs that shouldnt have lounge music covers done...


Also, if you have seen the new Dawn of the Dead, you have heard Richard Cheese.