My Top 20 'Major' Releases of 2013 ... 10 - 1

Here are my fave 10 'major' releases of 2013 ...

Please note: Major artists = the ones with significant following or label backing.

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10. "Oblivion Hymns" by Hammock

Simply sublime post-rock ambience from a band at the top of their game. I *want* this album on vinyl.

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9. "No Better Time Than Now" by Shigeto

Rhythmic future-jazz from the Ghostly International stable ... an upbeat uplifting joy from start to finish.

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8. "Innocents" by Moby

I love Moby and welcome any music from him ... I particularly like it when he collaborates, as he has done here, with excellent vocalists.

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7. "I Am Mountain" by Gungor

Liturgical post-rock that simply astounds me at every turn. I wish more faith-based music was *this* good.

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6. "Wild Light" by 65daysofstatic

One of the most innovative albums I heard in 2013 ... a pleasure from start to finish from a band taking post-rock in new and interesting directions.

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5. "Amok" by Atoms For Peace

Thom Yorke. Flea. Nigel Godrich. Need I say more? Oh OK ... Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco too.

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Joint 3rd. "Tomorrow's Harvest" by Boards of Canada

An electronic delight from start to finish ... AND the first CD I ever bought in Rough Trade East. It delivers something new with each listen.

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Joint 3rd. "Kveikur" by Sigur Rós

Demonstrates Kjartan Sveinsson's departure did not affect the band's ability to deliver truly exceptional soundscapes. This was the second CD I ever bought in Rough Trade East.

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2. "Immunity" by Jon Hopkins

My favourite major electronic release of 2013 ... an album that moves my head and my heart ... truly superb production. His soundtrack for "How I Live Now" was a pleasure too.

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1. "The Invisible Way" by Low

My favourite 'major' release of 2013 ... I got my copy of this slow-core masterpiece in Jumbo Records when in Leeds. It is an exceptionally beautiful work that sounds both fresh and familiar with each listen.

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Worthy of Note



"Shulamith" by Poliça

Exceptional alternative synth-pop from the darlings of Radio 6 Music. "Chain Your Name" is possibly *the* song of 2013 for me ... but as I downloaded this album in 2014, it's not really fair to include in my list of faves from 2014.

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What 'majors' did you rate?

Tx

Loving... One Direction's Story Of My Life *shredded* by SamRick

My wife shared this video with me last night ... I laughed so much I was sick. Whilst I have pertussis (whooping cough) and this is my current reality, this video is so funny it *may* make you sick too.

Enjoy. Tx

My Top 20 'Major' Releases of 2013 ... 20 - 11

A wee while back I listed my Top 30 'independent' releases of 2013 ... the list did not contain major artists - the ones with significant following or label backing - and so I thought I'd list my fave 20 major releases.

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20. "Child Bride" by Hannah Cohen

Delightfully folky and relaxed singer-songwriter acoustic sounds from the Bella Union label.

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19. "Woman" by Rhye

Sensual future-soul ... a modern-day Sade for lovers everywhere.

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18. "If You Leave" by Daughter

Inspired indie rock from the new face of 4AD.

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17. "The Next Day" by David Bowie

As return to form and a return to our consciousness for one of the most fascinating and enduring artists of now ... with an approach to release and album cover that sparked debate.

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16. "For Now I Am Winter" by Ólafur Arnalds

Engaging neoclassical soundscapes with an electronic twist from the Erased Tapes stable.

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15. "Oblivion OST" by M83 aka Anthony Gonzalez.

An enjoyable soundtrack to a rather fab film ... even with Tom Cruise in the starring role.

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14. "Absence" by Gargle & Bosques de mi Mente

Utterly engaging neo-classical soundscapes from the Fluttery label.

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13. "Pick a Piper" by Pick a Piper

Swirling psychedelic indietronica from Caribou's live-set drummer.

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12. "Les Revenants OST" by Mogwai

A truly eerie soundtrack to a truly eerie TV show ... utterly brilliant.

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11. "Lanterns" by Son Lux

Wonderfully progressive electronica for cold mornings and damp days.

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More tomorrow ...

Tx

My picks from Empire's 50 best posters of 2013

Empire have listed their 50 favourite posters from 2013 and I thought I'd pick my 3 faves.

First up we have the poster for Robert Redford's "All is Lost". The poster is wonderfully vibrant and emotive ... and justifiably deserves Empire's top spot.



We then have the wonderfully freaky poster for "Escape From Tomorrow" ... a thriller set in a Disney Amusement Park without Disney's permission.



Last up is my fave but then I am slightly biased ... "The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug" ... which is such a visual treat.

Well worth a look :: http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-best-movie-posters-of-2013

Tx

New *Physical* Music no3

I received Lalo Schifrin's awesome jazz soundtrack to "Bullitt" on vinyl yesterday ... the final remnants of my Christmas money.



It is a real delight ... late 60's jazz from the soundtrack master Lalo Schifrin ... with some very memorable moments, like the opening theme tune:



The album differs from the actual music used in the film ... according to wikipedia:

The tracks released on the album are alternate versions of those heard in the film and were re-recorded at the film producers' insistence for a more "pop" oriented soundtrack.

Regardless, I love this soundtrack ... it has movement and variety ... its the kind of album with tracks that you can relax to at home or play out to a knowledgable audience.



For more ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt_(soundtrack)

Tx



PS ... if you want to know more about Lalo Schifrin, can I recommend this show on RBMA Radio. It's a heartfelt and informative piece on the composer that features a number of his classic soundtracks including "Bullitt".

Loving ... Red Bull Music Academy's Radio

While I've been off work with whooping cough, I discovered the Red Bull Music Academy Radio ... and have to say I'm hooked.

The content that is available to listen to ... for free via their website or app ... is simply remarkable. Interviews with key musicians (in English and French) ... live recordings ... DJ Mixes ... it is a cornucopia of content for a music fan like myself.



I was particularly taken with this Truth & Soul label special ... that is both a delight to listen to and very informative.

This is the kind of content I have come to expect from the BBC ... and whilst this is not from the BBC, it has that kind of aesthetic ... warm, caring and knowledgable.



The mixes are particularly strong ... I was rather partial to this one from Kirk Degiorgio that focusses on cinematic 70s soundtracks.

I know its an advert for an energy drink but this is the kind of advertising that I can get behind ... advertising that supports whilst keeping low-key and non-intrusive.

Recommended.

Tx

http://www.rbmaradio.com

My Tolkien Obsession no1

I thought I'd write a regular Tolkien-themed post that collects all the related links I find. I will try to attribute credit where I can.



My 40th birthday is 8 months away ... but still, if I were to receive a cake like this ... I would be smiling like Leonard Nimoy in the top pic ... may even do my hair like his for the occasion.

I don't know who you are DARRYN but I know your 24th will have rocked with a cake like that!

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Next up is a gift I received from my dear wife: "The Hobbit" as told on Jackanory ... read by Bernard Cribbins, Maurice Denham, Jan Francis and David Wood.



I love audiobooks and podcasts ... I listen to more than just music ... and it really does take me back. Bernard Cribbins, in particular, is brilliant as Bilbo! This is a joy from start to finish ... and highly recommended.

Oh and I particularly like the illustrations of Bilbo and Smaug's tail by Jemima Caitlin:



My thanks to Kevin Lyons for the original tip.

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Next up we have some tremendous Tolkien-themed Facebook cover images from Artist and Writer Otis Framton >> LINK <<



Framton's artwork is utterly beautiful and I love seeing (L to R) Bofur, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo & Dwalin on my Facebook profile ... along with a pic of my dear wife and I ( and yes, I am on the church's platform and Olly isn't ).

There are 17 images to choose from ... for free ... over on his site.

Thanks to Ben Steed for the tip.

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My thanks to John LaSalla and Brad Ross-MacLeod for both giving me a tip to this wonderful sculpture >> LINK <<

As DeviantArtist FarTooManyIdeas says:

Made this before the movie came out, though after watching the trailer many many times. That one clip, where we first got a good glimpse of him, is what inspired this "pose". The sculpture was going to happen anyways (since I love the story, the book itself for it, and I love making sculptures), but the trailer gave me this specific idea. By the way, that movie was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. The actors, animators, and concept artists really gave us something to behold.

Wonderful ... I can only dream of having something like that in my house.

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Thanks to Brad Ross-MacLeod for the heads-up to The Silmarillion Project ... where the intention of artist Dresden Codak is to  illustrate every chapter of J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion. I particularly applaud their motivation:

It’s a side project I do in my free time to create a painted illustration to accompany every chapter in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Silmarillion, as well as provide supplementary illustrations to round out the characters and world in general. My motivation is to create a Middle-Earth visually unique from the style of the Peter Jackson films. I like the movies, but I miss the days when there was more diversity and interpretation to Tolkien illustrations.

I know what they mean ... I guess that's why I collect the books - seeing the different artwork helps to create a broader view of Middle-Earth and her inhabitants.
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Lastly, the creators of a 'Lord of the Rings Read-Along Blog' has started the quest to read LotRs between now and June.

Its a fascinating resource and there are some wonderful insights to be had ... and its never too late to join, as they say:

If you just arrived, feel free to join in now! Like wizards, Tolkien fans are never late.

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That's me for now ... except for one last thing: a collection of gifs with each cameo Peter Jackson has made in The Lord of the Rings and the two Hobbit films.



Enjoy.

Tx

Wow! Official video for "Porcelain" by Snowbird

"Oh my goodness ... this is gorgeous!"

The 'this' in question is "Porcelain" by Snowbird ... the band formed by Cocteau Twins' instrumentalist Simon Raymonde with Massive Attack and Chemical Brothers' collaborator Stephanie Dosen.

According to Wikipedia ... Snowbird was born from love, musical empathy, a baby grand piano discovered on Gumtree and an expired visa, the duo have crafted an album of exquisite melody and mood that radiates the uncanny mystery of the object it’s named after: moon; released January 2014 on Raymonde's London based label Bella Union.

The video was created by Matt Yarrington and Sarah Winters from abandonbuilding.com and features dancing from Risa Palmer. It is simply stunning in its own right.

You can preorder the album over at Bella Union.

Tx

My thanks to

Loving ... "Human Minds, Robot Hearts" by leaving richmond

Human Minds, Robot Hearts EP by leaving richmond is a wonderfully upbeat EP that musically centres around instrumental rock. It is a driving, roller coaster thrill ride of an EP that leaves me with a smile on my face each and every time I listen to it.

The music presented on Human Minds, Robot Hearts is hard to describe without actually experiencing ... I guess all music is, to a greater or lesser extent ... but this is harder than most. It isn't predominately ambient nor is it post-rock ... certainly not as I would loosely define them ... but it has definitely been influenced by both. It is something wonderfully unique ... an infectious wall-of-sound that lifts my spirits and brings me joy.

The way the tracks are layered provides both a rich wall-of-sound for the listener and an effective foundation from which Jordan Pier can play his guitar from ... and play he does. I would love to see him play his music in a live setting ... there is so much room for face-melting guitar-shredding here ... I could just imagine how nuts the crowd would get when the opening bars of We Are Stars begins.

If you like guitar-orientated music and need a wee lift, then I heartily recommend Human Minds, Robot Hearts EP by leaving richmond.

Have a wee listen below or look out for their material on an upcoming CircumNavigator podcast:

Seven Questions with ... Jordan Pier of leaving richmond

Jordan Pier creates wonderfully atmospheric instrumental rock music as leaving richmond ... a project where he gets to go where his heart leads him, musically - from full-on rock to a more relaxed, ambient style - all deeply layered and engaging for the listener.

We've been pals on Twitter for a while and Jordan recently connected with me to tell me about his latest EP - Human Minds, Robot Hearts - one I completely missed in December, when it was released. We chatted and I asked him if he'd like to be featured in my wee blog interview ... I'm delighted to say he said 'Yes!'

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1) Who are you and what do you do?
I am Jordan Pier, the composer and guitarist for the instrumental, electronic rock music project, leaving richmond.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
We very recently released our third EP: Human Minds, Robot Hearts. We followed that up with two singles called An Arrangement of Infinite Silent Collisions and One Final Wound To Make You Whole Again. The latter being a fan tribute to a dramatic series I am very fond of. At the moment, we are in the process of promoting these recent releases and sharing them with as many listeners as possible.


3) Who inspires you?

“Artist”
I find the electronic artist Bonobo to be a considerable inspiration. With every album he releases he shows his adeptness at blending organic instruments with beautifully crafted electronic elements. Live, he is something to behold. Simply amazing music.

“Place” 
Los Angeles, my current city, is a hugely inspiring place to me. There is artwork everywhere you look in every form imaginable. From the beautiful street art on the urban canvas, to the live music pouring from venues all over the city, one does not need to travel far to find beauty. The amount of talent and creativity bursting from this city resonates constantly.

“Thing” 
I know it may sound cliché but life itself is probably the greatest inspiration I can name. The individual experiences, from the seemingly mundane to the overtly fantastic craft an ever-evolving tapestry from which to pull motivation.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
First and foremost I am passionate about music, as an art form. I appreciate all forms of artistic expression but music is tied to my heart in a way that nothing else is. I try to create music that I myself would want to hear and I look at leaving richmond as my opportunity to share something unique and very personal with the world. The opportunity to move and inspire those around me is a hugely driving force in what I do.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
Creating instrumental tracks gives me a unique opportunity to inspire others to craft their own mental imagery with my music as the soundtrack. In the end, I want people to know they can get completely lost in a song and that it can be a totally personal experience unique to their interpretation of what they are hearing.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
Community plays a huge role in what I do. Word of mouth sharing has been the most effective way of attracting new listeners to the music of leaving richmond. I find that to be generally true of music (or any art) that exists south of the mainstream.


7) What is next for what you do?
We’ve had the good fortune of having our music accepted into a number of publishing and licensing libraries. The marriage of our music with film and TV is not only a very organic situation but also an extremely exciting one. In addition to building and curating those opportunities, we will be beginning production on our 4th EP very soon. 2014 will also see the live incarnation of leaving richmond.

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Thanks Jordan! leaving richmond's third EP: Human Minds, Robot Hearts is available on Bandcamp: