Tagged: best of 2011

44 days.

Straight-forward indie-rockers, Yuck, spent a good portion of last year making themselves largely known and appearing on many “Best of 2011″ lists.

By way of London, you would have never guessed with their lo-fi guitars and mimicking American sound. It took me a bit to actually sit down and listen to the band, perhaps it was their off-putting name but now that they’ve finally found a way into my iTunes I’m even more excited to get to Indio in April. These brits bleed some heavy 90′s influences and that alone has already won me over.

Get Away - Yuck

The Wall – Yuck

Operation – Yuck

Listen to a few tracks and be sure to dive deeper, there’s some interesting things going on below the surface. Enjoy.

Old as I get I will never forget it all.

“Bedouin Dress” is a rich acoustic track from folk staples Fleet Foxes. This song honestly warms my heart as the vocals get a little louder, the percussion a bit heavier, and more instruments added along to the mix.

If you don’t have their latest album, Helplessness Blues then I highly suggest you grab a copy because I’m sure the phrase, “one of the best albums of 2011″ has been well worn.

Bedouin Dress – Fleet Foxes

Right-click and enjoy.

Your faith decides the roads you’re going to find.

It’s hard to deny one of the leading artists in the chillwave genre the title of putting out one of the best records of the year.

Yeah, you may have gotten tired of slowed the down synths by the end of this summer but Ernest Greene, otherwise known as Washed Out, released his first full length album, Within and Without. The album is brilliantly composed and tugs at the heart strings leaving you with a deep sense of longing.

“Amor Fati” is still one of my most favorite songs of the year. Incredibly enjoyable for the ears, this track reminds me of the reasons why I loved the rest of his album. I could listen all year round, the music somehow adapts to my surroundings and allows me to just relax and focus on the sounds (and I won’t question anything that does that). Greene takes the genre (even electronic music for that matter) and adds a depth to it quite like anyone else has.

Snag a couple of the tracks below from Within and Without.

Amor Fati - Washed Out

Eyes Be Closed - Washed Out

Right-click and enjoy.

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Come on, it’s safe out here.

I heard of the synth-pop group called FM Belfast awhile back when I caught wind of their tracks “Underwear” and “Par Avion.” I always thought they were a bit odd but they produced some catchy songs.

But you know what? They really grew on me. These Icelander’s organic debut remind me much of Brazil’s CSS the way they carry themselves with the same experimental confidence. The group ranges in size with a few static members but that doesn’t hold back their highly-energetic nature. Although having extreme success with their debut, How To Make Friends, I feel as if their sound is lost on most people. Their 2011 response, Don’t Want To Sleep, is chock-full of heavy electro-pop that immediately gets your limbs moving.

A few select tracks for your enjoyment, right-click to download.

New Year - FM Belfast

Noise – FM Belfast

Par Avion – FM Belfast