Best Albums of 2011 - Anything Merge Records Put Out this Year

So I started working on my various lists and realized that a lot of my favorite albums in 2011 seemed to come from Merge Records, that powerhouse label down in North Carolina. They remain one of my favorite labels because they consistently put out good music, take care of their artists and after almost 23 years doing it still has a ton of energy and drive.

There's something here for everyone. Bitter love gone wrong lyrics? Try Telekinesis 12 Desperate Straight Lines. Shoegaze-y beautiful rock? Wye Oak's Civilian. Winking 70s style smooth rock? Destroyer's Kaputt. Sonic Youth noise rock (with this year's best profanity laced single)? Times New Viking's Dancer Equired. The list goes on and on and on.

Here's a short list of some of my faves that I couldn't stop listening to.

Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Wild Flag - s/t
Apex Manor - The Year of Magical Drinking
Destroyer - Kaputt
Times New Viking - Dancer Equired
Wye Oak - Civilian
Amor de Dias - Street of the Love of Days
The Rosebuds - Loud Planes Fly Low

Mmmmmm... Cue

Ivan and Kelly ponder the menu at Allen and Sons

So, as some of you know, I run a somewhat profitable barbecue catering business when I'm not ranting about politics, blathering about music, or making sure your tax dollars are spent as inefficiently as possibly.

Sometime ago, the food website Chow did an interview with four local artists, taking them to various BBQ joints around the country.

Now seeing as how The Rosebuds hail from North Carolina, what is arguably the best place in the world for barbecue (pork anyways), they interviewed them at Allen and Sons.

Check it out. I think you might want to lick the screen when you're finished reading.

Get Up Get Out Video

So I totally stole this video from The Rosebuds blog, but it's a pretty awesome video.

It's a one shot of them singing 'Get Up Get Out' on a front porch at a pig pickin'. Already one of my favorite songs, it's also sadly the closest I've come to seeing them live. Things I need to remedy.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy.


The Rosebuds - Get Up Get Out (live) from tk on Vimeo.

Remixed

Normally I shy away from remixes.

"What's that? You want to sell me a bunch of songs I already have? I'll pass."

And earlier this year, I was almost quick to dismiss the "Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep" remix of The Rosebuds "Night of the Furies."

I'm glad I didn't. From the Merge website:

Night of the Furies contained songs of despair and loss that roused friends of the band to present them with personal reconstructions of these dark tales. The resulting assortment of dance tunes and lullabies delighted Ivan and Kelly, and inspired them to release Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep (Night of the Furies Remixed) as a free download available only here at Merge.

There are songs that I like better than others, but the reinterpretation of what I thought was already a great album is really amazing.

Because I harbor some guilty love for big energetic dance/house music, I love the El Venado "Cemetery Lawns" remix, and both "I Better Run" versions (though I like the first one more). But it's the "Get Up Get Out" remix by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon that stands out the most. It slows down the urgency of the original and wraps it with these acoustic guitars and Star Trek-space sounds.

The best part is? It's totally free.

Check it out. I think you'll like it.

Get "Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep - Night of the Furies Remixed" from Merge Records.

Shifted Sound Plays The Rosebuds

Have I told you about the best damn podcast on the planet?

Oh I haven't? Then allow me to retort.

Shifted Sound is the best damn podcast on the planet. A true labor of love by Shelby M., he puts together a brand new spanking show every week. And the music is always top notch. I'm not sure how he does it.

So, why am I talking about the best damn podcast on the planet?

Because this week Shelby is playing two songs by our featured band, The Rosebuds, from their new album, Life Like (that might be the most ungodly string of clauses ever in that sentence).

Check out Shelby and Shifted Sound. You can subscribe to it in iTunes, or you can get it from his site.

New Featured Artist - The Rosebuds

It's been the end of two weeks, so we must bid adieu to No Kids. Please check out their music and see them live if you can. All of their mp3s will be coming down today.

Up next however is the amazing Asheville, NC band The Rosebuds.

If you have not heard this incredible band you are missing out. Zak C. turned me on to them last year and I've been hooked ever since. The husband and wife duo of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp just released their latest album, Life Like, last month. (I reviewed it here).

I simply have not been able to stop playing it. It's a really good album.

I just got an email back from Ivan, so we're going to be setting up an interview soon. Email me with any questions you might have. I'm also trying to line up a few other kind of surprises, so we'll see how that works too.