My Favorite Albums of 2011

Review by: Sean Kayden

You won’t find any Billboard Top 40 songs here. This is a collection of my favorite albums of 2011. Quite a few records missed the cut, but as for the top five, there’s no denying them as my highest choices of the year. All of the records listed are deeply personal and deserve a look even if this isn’t your type of music preference. One thing is certain, each album is unequivocally beautiful, dense, engrossing, and passionate. You never know what you’ll discover if you don’t give them a chance.

10. Snowmine – “Laminate Pet Animal”
9. Minks – “By The Hedge”
8. The Drums – “Portamento”
7. Craft Spells – “Idle Labor”
6. Yuck – “Yuck”

5. The Antlers – “Burst Apart”
“Burst Apart” is an often subtle, perceptive, and emotive display of music. The record isn’t perfect, but The Antlers easily deliver some of the most personal, compelling, and heartbreaking songs of the year. Founder/vocalist behind The Antlers, Peter Silberman’s voice is as soothing as they come by these days. It’s the kind of tone that can mend a broken heart. He sings in a crooning manner that floats on top of the delicacy and intimacy of the often times majestic arrangements. It is very easy to get immersed into the incontestable beauty of the songs. There is a very special feeling you’ll experience while listening to “Burst Apart.” It will effortlessly tug on the strings of your heart and gently guide you back to previous moments in life. “Burst Apart” will lift those heavy eyelids, alleviate that tiresome mind, and facilitate a wounded heart. If you’re in need of all or any of the aforementioned, do yourself a solid and pick up this amazing record.

4. Bon Iver – “Bon Iver”
While the direction is faintly down a different path than his debut, Bon Iver’s music has never sounded so tranquil, transcendent and heartrending. Justin Vernon has taken some new liberties with his own artistry and yet nothing presented here feels false or misguided. Every song significantly matters and holds something vastly consequential. Instead of purely creating a beat-for-beat sequel to his debut, Vernon adds more instruments, higher production values and focuses his songwriting on an entirely different theme. All of this translates to a bigger and arguably more well-rounded soundscape. Bon Iver never overstays his welcome, yet at the same time, you wish he wouldn’t leave. That’s how this new album feels. At just shy of forty minutes, I don’t think there’s anything else you can be utterly inspired by in that period of time.

3. Destroyer – “Kaputt”
Glossy, new wave, retro, and even jazzy, “Kaputt” is pure 80s velvetiness. However, it’s not another replica of wannabe 80s inspired tunes from a contemporary band with a taste of nostalgia. The lyrics are sophisticated yet complicated and outspoken. The listener gets a real sense of comfort hearing Dan Bejar’s smooth vocals. However, you can still feel the pain, envision the tragedy, but contain a belief in the optimism throughout. This is a rare album where not only do the words tell a story, but the instruments speak as well. The arrangements of these songs are powerful, boisterous, and often magical. You get lost and found emotionally with every song. Destroyer helps me believe that music can once again be thought provoking, rapturous, and deeply personal.

2. Wild Beasts – “Smother”
“Smother” is dazzling, vividly trenched with imagery and transcendental intoxication. It’s tightly produced, atmospheric and a grand showcase of utter originality and creativity beyond the means of anything currently polluting the airwaves. Such brilliance and bravado are soaked within the confines of this record. The album will speak volumes to you in ways most compilations could only imagine to ever do. The heart and pulse of “Smother” beats methodically, gently, and cautiously. However, there is always a sense of impending doom on the horizon. A feeling of something imploding feels very close on the verge. To listen to the album in its entirety (the way it should be experienced) will place you on a voyage of awe and wonder. It unravels slowly, but what becomes fleshed out is something persuasively beautiful, terrifyingly imaginative, and artistically innovative. Arguably tied for album of the year with the #1 spot.

1. Future Islands – “On The Water”
Future Islands return with their third LP, “On The Water”, a carefully crafted and slow burning album that exudes love, lost, and life. Exploring these common themes may evidently be cliché in rock music, however make no mistake, Future Islands are everything, but ordinary. There is something mythical ingrained on this compilation. “On The Water” probes for the wonders of life’s mysteries by beginning with the past and looking into the future. There is so much beauty to be found if you let the album seep inside of you. It will carry you to another time and place, but remind you that the only way of moving forward is looking onward. Dreamy, passionate, and perceptive, these songs will pull you in and frankly, never let you go. A rare and majestic feeling that shouldn’t be missed by anyone that’s a fan of this music persuasion. While it will impact any listener in numerously different ways, one thing is for certain, you’ll be surprised of how deep it sinks into your mind, body, and most of all, soul. Future Islands also proves that mind, body, and soul are all super-connected.


Published by Mountain Views News on December 24th, 2011
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n52/p12.htm

“Oscar” Contenders & “Sundance” Movie Worth Skipping

Review by: Sean Kayden




In “Rampart,” Woody Harrelson portrays Dave “Date Rape” Brown, a dirty cop under investigation for his crimes during the LAPD’s Rampart scandal. While being hailed as a “masterful” performance by Harrelson, I really can’t say the same about the movie. The storytelling is distorted and the viewer is never truly immersed into what’s being presented to them on screen. “Rampart” feels like a series of scenes barely connected together with an ambiguous ending (if you can call that a true ending) that ultimately leads to an entirely unsatisfying viewing experience. You can’t really knock the dynamite performance by Harrelson, but despite the deep character study, the supporting players (which includes some famous names) feel non-genuine, one-dimensional, and flat. When all is said and done (which feels like little was both said or done), you’re left wondering what the point of the entire film was. Director Owen Moverman directed the fantastic 2009 film, “The Messenger”, but with “Rampart,” he’s definitely taken a step in the wrong direction. Profoundly disappointing and lacking a cohesive plot, “Rampart” is a slowly paced, uninspiring slog of a film.



“The Descendants” puts George Clooney on the radar for next year’s Academy Awards. However, it’ll be an obligatory nomination because it’s Clooney we’re talking about. His performance, while satisfactory, is by no means “Oscar” worthy. Clooney stars as Matt King, an indifferent husband and father of two girls, whose wife is involved in a potentially tragic boating accident. Unequipped to handle the responsibility of raising two girls (ages ten and seventeen), Clooney finds himself in limbo and somewhat lost. To add to the stress, he’s in the middle of negotiating a deal to sell his family's land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries. “The Descendants” isn’t a horrible film, but it’s noting spectacular either. At least not in the way it could have been especially coming from renowned “Sideways” writer and director, Alexander Payne. Easily the best parts of the movie involve Clooney and his ten-year-old daughter (Amara Miller). Additionally, the older sister (Shailene Woodley) often upstages Clooney. I was hoping “The Descendants” was going to be moving, inspirational, and tug at the strings of my heart. In the end, it barely reaches any of those heights. I’m only left with idea of what it could have truly accomplished. Looks like I’ll have to invest those eminent expectations in another film.



2011 Sundance flick, “I Melt With You,” stars Thomas Jane, Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven, and Christian McKay as four old college buddies getting together for a drug induced week getaway. The first 45 minutes is awash with heavy drug use, music video type cinematography and a loud, semi-aggressive soundtrack. After the barrage of drugs and partying with both younger men and women, the film takes a very, expected dark turn. It takes a lengthy time getting there and even a longer time coming to a resolution. “I Melt With You” will definitely split audiences as it remains largely convoluted, controversial, and rather depressing. I’m not entirely sure what kind of audience this movie was intended for, but I know I was left out in the cold. Four middle age men at crossroads, all of which bear a haunted past or present life isn’t all that enticing to moviegoers. None of the guys are in any way much likable with the slight exception of Christian McKay’s character. However, you really don’t know anything about these buddies. Their demons are scattered throughout the movie, but you find no sympathy or connection to these self-absorbed men. A letter at the end of the movie shows up that practically tries to sum up the last two hours, but it’s way too late for any last minute pleads. The filmmaker’s intentions remain clearly unknown (possibly to even themselves?) because this film means absolutely nothing. A bloated (122 minutes), toxic, miserable movie trying to be different, artsy and meaningful comes together poorly, misguided, and ornate.

Published on December 17th, 2011 by Mountain Views News
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n51/p12.htm

MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: A B & THE SEA

Review by: Sean Kayden

I was recently asked to check out an up and coming young band called “A B & The Sea.” Initially, I had my reservations, but once I heard these guys, I knew instantly they weren’t just any other band that materialized overnight. Instilled with a sprightly, beachy, and an inherently likable sound, I realized these Midwest kids had more to offer than simply replicating the sound of The Beach Boys. Koley O'Brien and Joe Spargur, Wisconsin natives, founded the band back in 2008. With their sights set on California (which their sound is perfect for), the two friends took the leap of faith and along the way acquired three new members. A B & The Sea was complete, making them a five-piece surf rock band. Shortly after, they released two singles. The first song, “Suzie,” an infectious and genial tune, is remarkably spectacular. Undoubtedly, the finest song in A B & The Sea’s expanding repertoire. Taking cues from 60s surf pop rock, A B & The Sea have an innocence about them that is fresh and endearing. While their resonance is meant for the summer season, the songs they’ve composed are light, breezy, and uncompromisingly fun. Not long after the release of their singles, the band started work on their first EP, “Boys and Girls”. The five-song complication was hip, cool, and showed much potential for a band merely in their early stages of life. More importantly, it got them the rightfully deserved attention of heavy indie rock players. With 2012 just around the corner and two EPs already under their belt, A B & The Sea seem prime and ready for not only a full length record, but total breakout stardom.

Comparisons can be made with other indie acts such as The Smiles, Miniature Tigers, Young The Giant and even a touch of Vampire Weekend. However, A B & The Sea remain true to themselves by creating original and wistful tunes that seem eloquently ideal for any mood the listener may be in. They’ve proven to establish a consistent sound, but their two EPs do present differences. Their first EP, “Boys and Girls,” definitely has a more cheery, jovial pop backdrop than their predecessor, “Run Run Run.” The latter EP seems to exhibit a more deeper and developed sound. With that being duly noted, the transition from one EP to the next is the demonstration of a young band displaying strong growth. Their latest endeavor, “In The Sunshine” (which may be a glimpse of how a forthcoming full length record will sound) is a dance infused pop rock song, that’s also very charming and delicate. If you’re a fan of 2011 rising rockstars, Foster The People, then “In The Sunshine” will feel right at home for you. Actually, they kind of give Foster The People a run for their money with this splendidly joyous tune. Nonetheless, this is easily a step in the right direction, which should grant A B & The Sea even more success than they’ve already endured.

The future will present many choices for A B & The Sea. To overcome the shadows of other acts with a similar sound, I think A B & The Sea will have their work cut out for them. However, that’s a good thing. This will hopefully be a welcoming challenge for a band that’s encountered some good fortunate already with their musical talents. Personally, I think A B & The Sea is on the cusp of being the breakout kings of 2012. Of course that’s if they can play their cards right. If the band can somehow release a full-length album by springtime and get on the bills for the plethora of summer music festivals, the results may be deadly. Deadly in the best kind of way that is.



Published on December 10th, 2011 by Mountain Views News
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n50/p11.htm