As we enter yet another year to get behind in listening to music, I thought I’d reconsider the coolest stuff I heard last year. Naturally, it’s just scratching the surface, but it’s really difficult to listen to just new music when there’s always stuff from the past you’re just finding for the first time. Damn musical influences.
Anyway, here goes.
- Dangerdoom. MF is at his best and most clever, and the same can probably be said for Danger Mouse. I’m not sure if it’s just the copy I got off iTMS, but the levels are a bit off so most of the bass rattles too much. Still, the album is 90% awesome. 90% more awesome than Demon Days too.
- You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having – Atmosphere. Best since Lucy Ford. Great Rza/Wu sound on several tracks with Slug on cruise control.
- The Best Reason to Buy the Sun – The Benevento Russo Duo. Why did I try to forget how to play piano? These guys were the highlight of the Ropeadope new music seminar.
- Live @ Stubb’s or Live at U. Maryland – Matisyahu. If you don’t listen to this too much, it’s really good. Different and chill.
- End of the World Party – Medeski, Martin & Wood. Maybe I’m just in the mood for this album, but I really dig the sound lately.
honorable mention In Between Dreams – Jack Johnson. I can’t believe I picked this but I’ve heard a lot of it and it’s really, really clean. The lyrics are occasionally great and the album makes my baby happy.
Im glad someone else appreciates Matisyahu. I picked up the live at Stubbs a little while back. When I tried to talk to other people about him they had no idea who I was even talking about.
Yeah, I have a real on-again/off-again relationship with reggae and I guess it’s on-again right now.