Blue Sky Noise

This will be informal, less detailed, and less structured than my previous entries. I did not get to listen to as much music as I did last year for various reasons. Cutting to the chase, in no particular order is music I enjoyed this year*:

*this is based on albums, not individual songs

サカナクション(sakanaction) - kikUUiki
Genres: Alternative rock, Electronica, Pop, New Wave, Dance, Rock

For having the single that got stuck in my head for the longest this year. This album has some great catchy songs splicing together some funky electronica effects with rock.

Sample:
アルクアラウンド (Walking around) -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6wzjpCvec

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Valencia - Dancing With A Ghost
Genres: Alternative rock, punk

A more refined effort from the band compared to their still great debut a few years ago. This album won me over on the first listen. There are no duds, every track is just great.

Sample:
Dancing With A Ghost - (featuring Patrick Swayze)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FZdGmPsS4g

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The Felix Culpa - Sever Your Roots
Genres: Progressive indie, post-hardcore

This band self-released their new album at thefelixculpa.bigcartel.com It is probably the most ambitious album I've heard so far this year. It's hard to sample a single song from the album because it's really one of those ones where you need to listen to the whole thing all the way through. It's complex yet accessible and if you are into music with depth, I can't recommend this enough.

Sample:
Our Holy Ghosts -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjDT4...eature=related

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The Narrative - The Narrative
Genres: Indie Pop/Rock

Another self-released album, this album washes over you in soft male/female vocals. It's light, it's rock, and it's just catchy enough to make it listenable any time of the year.

Sample:
Fade -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9jpCWkNT3k

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OK Go - Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky
Genres: Electronic funk, Alternative rock, power pop

This band produces the MOST entertaining music videos every damn time they release a song. I highly recommend you watch the sample for this one. This album takes the band much deeper down the rabbit hole in terms of rock electro hyrbid jams. This album flows great as a whole and some great funk electro moments in some of the songs. I love this band and album, let it win you over.

Sample:
White Knuckles - (if you like dogs, it's a must watch)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs

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Portugal. The Man - American Ghetto
Genres: Experimental rock, Psychedelic pop, Progressive rock

They release a phenomenal record every year. Check my previous entries to see more of my praise for this band, they're just plain awesome in everything they do.

Sample:
1000 Years -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd24ACL62HQ

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Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise
Genres: Progressive rock, experimental rock

Their second album never grabbed but this one sure did. Featuring the most bad ass song("Get Out") I've heard this year as their first single and also having one of my favorite softer songs of the year("I Felt Free"). This record is solid.

Sample:
Get Out -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvAQEx_Itfw&ob=av2n

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Stars - The Five Ghosts
Genres: Indie pop, Indie rock

Another album with soft voices that can just wash over you. I want this band to play at my fake wedding. This band has been around however and they continually have great moments varying from dance beat hymns to piano centered call to arms.

Sample:
We Don't Want Your Body -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgocyn8Jw-E

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Tim Kasher - The Game of Monogamy
Genres: Indie rock, Indie folk

Away from the shenanigans of his main band Cursive, Tim has gone straight to the gold. Heartbreak and other shitty parts of life are dressed up in the progressive woe and majesty of orchestral arrangements and Tim Kasher's rock.

Sample:
Cold Love -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=143i6AvVQ6s

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In the interest of time, the rest of the albums that stick out in my mind are the following:
The Audition - Great Danger, You Me at Six - Hold Me Down, Chiodos - Illuminaudio, Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns, Ludo - Prepare the Preparations, Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life, The Spill Canvas - Formalities, Spoon - Transference

Thanks if you actually read this.



American Ghetto


The Game of Monogamy