You are currently browsing the daily archive for December 15th, 2006.
1. JOANNA NEWSOM YS (DRAG CITY): Listening to it still feels like opening the doors to a giant advent calendar, only to look around and find yourself in Santa’s grotto itself. I may never tire of this unique and wonderful piece of art. review listen buy
2. TIM HECKER HARMONY IN ULTRAVIOLET (KRANKY): To me, the most satisfying electronic album since Fennesz’s Endless Summer; this was a consistently dizzying Munch-like whirl of noise and colour. review listen buy
3. THE NECKS CHEMIST (RER): A monumental slab of irresistible propulsion which delivers a tantric masterclass in building unbearable tension; if they ever found that release it would be sooooooooo messy. A career best. review listen buy
4. THOMAS STRONEN POHLITZ (RUNE GRAMMOFON) : The pick of another vintage year for Rune Grammofon, and for Stronen (see his Humcrush release also), Pohlitz was a blur of percussive invention. Give the drummer some. listen buy
5. SVARTE GREINER KNIVE (TYPE): Just when we were thinking about sweeping up the post-party detritus Erik Skodvin snuck out this terrifying and unclassifiable opus. “Like someone assembling a bomb at the opera” I said. High praise, obviously. review listen buy
6. COLLEEN ET LES BOITES A MUSIQUE (LEAF) : An underhyped EP which contained some overwhelmingly powerful yet delicate music box symphonies, blown into shape like glass. She can do no wrong. review listen buy
7. SCOTT WALKER THE DRIFT (4AD) : Now 11 years since his previous release Tilt, and I still haven’t come to terms with that, never mind The Drift. Just thinking about it makes me want to hide under my duvet, eat pillow feathers and weep. listen buy
8. GREG HAINES SLUMBER TIDES (MIASMAH) : This was released so late in the year; I’ve a suspicion that if I had time to give it a few more listens it could have found itself even higher. “Debut of the year” someone said in the comments. I concur. review listen buy
9. GEIR JENSSEN CHO OYU (TOUCH/ASH) : Unexpected beauty and natural rhythms emerge from amidst the icy winds of this audio diary of a mad assault on one of the world’s highest peaks. The lengths some people will go to for our amusement… review listen buy
10. SVALASTOG WOODWORK (RUNE GRAMMOFON) : A beguiling instrumental oddity, the sounds of the zither lent this release an addictive charm; repeated plays suggested a master craftsman was behind Woodwork. review listen buy
11. ALI FARKE TOURE SAVANE (WORLD CIRCUIT) listen buy
12. JUANA MOLINA SON (DOMINO) review listen buy
13. TAYLOR DEUPREE NORTHERN (12K) review listen buy
14. CHRIS CORSANO THE YOUNG CRICKETER (CDR) review listen buy
15. ADRIAN KLUMPES BE STILL (LEAF) review listen buy
16. GRAILS BLACK TAR PROPHECIES 1, 2 & 3 (IMPORTANT) review listen buy
17. WILLIAM BASINSKI VARIATIONS FOR PIANO AND TAPE (2062) review buy
18. MATMOS THE ROSE HAS TEETH…(MATADOR) listen buy
19. JAN JELINEK TIERBEOBACHTUNGEN (~SCAPE) review listen buy
20. CARLA BOZULICH EVANGELISTA (CONSTELLATION) review listen buy
COMMENDED TO THE HOUSE : Johann Johannson IBM 1401, Paul Flaherty and Chris Corsano The Beloved Music, Broadcast The Future Crayon, The Gray Field Recordings Hypnagogia, Humcrush Hornswoggle, Ryan Teague Coins and Crosses, Glenn Kotche Mobile, Benoit Pioulard Precis, Mogwai Zidane, Triosk The Headlight Serenade, Christine Carter Electrice, Xela The Dead Sea, Chicago Underground Duo In Praise Of Shadows, Ricardo Villalobos Fizheuer Zieheuer, In The Country Losing Stones Collecting Bones, Alva Noto For, Boxhead Ensemble Nocturnes, Liars Drums Not Dead, Grizzly Bear Yellow House, Six Organs Of Admittance The Sun Awakens, Christopher Willits Surf Boundaries, Tom Waits Orphans, Burial Burial, Cat Power The Greatest, OOIOO Taiga, Max Richter Songs from Before, Volcano! Beautiful Seizure, Acid Mothers Temple Starless and Bible Black Sabbath, Huntsville For The Middle Class, Nina Nastasia On Leaving…
Recent Comments