1: “Shipwreck” by Modeselektor feat. Thom Yorke
I’ve quietly sat here and watched the German electronic band gaining popularity and produce some great music. It’s taken me til now to truly admire what these guys have been doing all these years. Of course, collaborating with Radiohead übermensch Thom Yorke is enough to grab my attention. Very cerebral, percussive sounds from the new single “Shipwreck” worthy enough for my top spot.
2: “Green Valley” by Puscifer
Oh Maynard James Keenan, how I have deeply missed you. The frontman from the epic prog rock band Tool, Keenan’s solo project, Puscifer, is a little more of an electronic (sometimes silly) version of his original vestiges. I think both Tool fans and Puscifer fans will be able to really appreciate the new album “Conditions of my Parole,” as he’s using more guitar sound reminiscent of his former glory.
3: “Aural Psynapse” by deadmau5
The sneaky bastard that is Joel Zimmerman aka deadmau5 released this single this past weekend with merry a peep. It’s even worse, because this song is really jamming. It has this chill, retro simplicity that you rarely see anymore. I’m hoping the new album is going to be a lot like this.
4: “Hearts On Fire” by Cut Copy
UH! FUNK! GET IT! UH! This song put Cut Copy on the map, excellent alternative/funk jam that took me too long to appreciate to its fullest and should be punishable by death by firing squad.
5: “An Infinite Regression” by Animals As Leaders
It’s been a good week in musical discovery for me, as this might just be my favorite top 5 thus far. Starting it off is a song I got off iTunes for free called “An Infinite Regression,” which can only be described as Explosions In the Sky with the hardness of a Between the Buried and Me and the precision of Meshuggah. If you even know who those bands are, you should like this song.
1: “Here and Heaven” by Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edward Meyer, Chris Thile and Aoife O’Donovan
Another superband, this time composed of some of the best strings players in the world. Their album, The Goat Rodeo Sessions, takes an Americana feel, incorporating bluegrass and fusion genres. Simply a beautiful lesson in what good music is.
2: “Lament” by Mount Moriah
Just stumbled on this track, but its something great. Relatively unknown band Mount Moriah hails from North Carolina, and they have a great sound. Sort of an indie/alternative feel with that hint of a southern twist. And I love the voice of the girl singing too.
3: “Brackett, WI” by Bon Iver
A lesser known Bon Iver track, but this might be one of his best works. It’s a simple piece of a guitar duet with Justin Vernon’s trademarked falsetto. A definitive hipster jam.
4: “Birthday Boys” by Oysterhead
Superband Oysterhead composed of Les Claypool (Primus), Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Stewart Copeland (The Police) produced this album in 2001. The sound is exactly what you would think it would sound like if you smashed Primus and Phish together: heavy bass/whamola licks, bizarre lyrics and the rapid yet chill acoustic guitars.
5: “Weather of a Killing Kind” by The Tallest Man On Earth
I’m in an acoustic mood today, so my top 5 is all about that sweet guitar. Starting it off is the Dylan-esque TMOE, who is actually a native of Sweden. This kind of guitar skill gives off the wonderment of a full band, compacted into one gifted individual.
