Gene's Pick
Gene, perhaps feeling nostalgic or perhaps concerned with the (formerly) impending doomsday, could not find a vested interest in new music this year past. In the entire year, Gene happened himself upon only one single new album. Even though the year did not find Gene as well listened as surely most others were, it may be stated without doubt that this album was the best of the year.
Please give a warm welcome (more like standing ovation) to the Modern Grass’ sophomore release, High on the Mountain. This record is an aural-erotic-asphyxiation, a cochlear Fleshlight™ so to speak.
The Atlantic quintet has packed together an acoustic experience so dense it bends time. The Grass’ harmonies could sink ships, their fret-work (and unfretted work) could debone an elephant, and their lyricism could body-slam Yokozuna aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid.
Certainly this is an album worth listening to on repeat, on full volume, on a Bose Soundwave, on a train, in a Buick Skylark, under water… you get the picture. Listen to it.
The Modern Grass – JD
Serge's Picks
While Gene was delving into the dusty backshelves of bluegrass barber shops from the Deep South, Serge found himself reliving the 1980's in an entirely different way than the first time. Gone were the days of soothers and Jolly Jumpers...Serge was experiencing a musical re-birth via the lyrical poetry of Morrissey and Charles Thompson. But alas, the Jimmys are not for the best albums NLG listened to during the year. They are for the best albums of the year.
Serge's list is topped by band that has been the instigator of many a no-look-gun pointed during a late-night dance party. Hot Chip's fifth album, In Our Heads, is not only their most fun, but their most polished. And any band that can put lyrics such as "A church is not for praying/It is for celebrating the life that bleeds through the pain" on a dance album and make you want to shoulder-shrug until your arms fall off, well, they are worthy of NLG's top honour.
1. Hot Chip - In Our Heads
2. Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
3. Half Moon Run - Dark Eyes
4. Breakbot - By Your Side
5. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die
6. Here We Go Magic - A Different Ship
7. Grimes - Visions
8. Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits
9. Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur
10. The Darcy's - Aja
Hot Chip - Ends of the Earth
