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Hypocrates' 2013 Countdown! Albums 20-16 On Deck
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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☆☆☆ 22: The Naked and Famous - In Rolling Waves ☆☆☆
Hailing from New Zealand, The Naked and Famous made a splash in 2010/2011 with the release of their single "Young Blood," an infectiously catchy little piece of synthpop, and their debut album [I]Passive Me, Aggressive You[I] introduced the world to their unique blend of electronic and indie rock music. Building on that sound, the band released their second album In Rolling Waves in the fall of this year, and improved in nearly every conceivable way from their debut. Where Passive Me, Aggressive You was fluffier and saccharine, In Rolling Waves sees the band moving into more sentimental territory without losing any of the energy of their debut, they've simply redirected it.
Synths rumble, whir, and soar underneath guitars and drums while Alisa Xayalith's and Thom Powers' vocals dance on top, weaving in and out of the sparkling production. Where most pop songs are pure catharsis, beckoning the listener to dance until they fall, this album exhibits a more controlled energy. Songs build up, gradually, as more and more layers come into play, but when the music hits its climax, it's worth it, and coming down isn't the usual abrupt resolution typical of most pop songs, but rather, it's a slow burn that lingers with you. The main criticism I have of this album is that there are points where the songs seem to just meld together. This is a perfect album to just put on and chill out to, do something you love to relax, do nothing at all and just listen, just let the music carry you away.
Songs To Check Out: "Hearts Like Ours," "Rolling Waves," "I Kill Giants," "The Mess"
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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☆☆☆ 21: MIA - Matangi ☆☆☆
The best description I've ever heard of MIA's music is that it's like a collage. Disparate musical styles and genres are apart and pasted back together, constrained only by MIA's own considerable ability and artistic drive. Her Dr. Frankenstein approach to creating music, along with her outspoken views on geopolitical issues and human rights, have earned her a reputation as one of this generation's most controversial artists. Living up to her reputation, MIA returned this year with a new LP that combines everything from industrial, techno, and even classical Indian music styles that comes at the listener with no mercy.
MIA rarely is the kind of artist one can just casually listen to, her music demands one's attention, and she refuses to settle for any less than your full and undivided attention. Matangi's unique blend of styles and multiple layers require one to engage with the music, which can be exhausting, but the high points of the album on songs like Come Walk With Me, Bad Girls, Y.A.L.A, and Bring The Noize help to re-engage listeners who may have become numb from the constantly pummeling beats.
Songs To Check Out: "Come Walk With Me," "Exodus," "Matangi," "Bad Girls," "Bring The Noize," "Karmageddon"
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
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Matangi
Its the ultimate grower for me, at first I was mixed when I listened to it, but gradually I saw the light!
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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Big TV, what a great album!
I'm going to check out that Hurts' album, love Theo's voice so much!
Random Access Memories should have been part of this list
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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Quote:
Originally posted by lovesong
Matangi
Its the ultimate grower for me, at first I was mixed when I listened to it, but gradually I saw the light!
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It took me a couple listens to really get into Matangi, but once "it clicked," so to speak, I was hooked!
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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Quote:
Originally posted by AshleeSimpsonFan
Big TV, what a great album!
I'm going to check out that Hurts' album, love Theo's voice so much!
Random Access Memories should have been part of this list
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RAM is really good, my only problem is that it takes so long to get to the good parts that I get bored and skip around on it.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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That's it for today! I'll be posting albums 20-16 tomorrow!
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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Quote:
Originally posted by Hypocrates
RAM is really good, my only problem is that it takes so long to get to the good parts that I get bored and skip around on it.
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Well, you're right, those long instrumental-songs are a little bit I love the ones with vocals
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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Good morning! On deck today we have the next five albums in my countdown! I'm sorry if my reviews have been too wordy, I'll try to be more brief! Enjoy!
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Banned
Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 2,539
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Britney Jesus better be top 3 (#1) Halcyon Days too!!
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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☆☆☆ 20: Icona Pop- This Is... ☆☆☆
Pop music has always been the punching bag of the music world; critics and "authentic" musical genres alike have always been quick to dismiss pop's place as a genre worth regarding, and, more often than not, any kind of love for pop from those types of people comes from a place of ironic appreciation. Even those who make pop music are quick to dismiss the notion that they just make pop music and try to explain what makes them not just a typical pop musician. Icona Pop is not that type of band. The duo has never dressed up any explanation of their music with irony or pseudo-intellectualism, it is obvious that they both love to create the music that they do, which is reflected in the quality of the music. Icona Pop's brand of dance-pop is a breath of fresh air in an environment dominated by "LOL-drunk-in-da-club" dance music. It cannot be denied that their music is infectious, high energy, and catchy. It's the perfect soundtrack to a night out and is guaranteed to make you move.
Songs To Check Out: "In The Stars," "All Night," "Just Another Night," "We Got The World"
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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Quote:
Originally posted by RADAR
Britney Jesus better be top 3 (#1) Halcyon Days too!!
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Halcyon Days will be on my countdown of EP's, don't worry!
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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☆☆☆ 19: Little Boots - Nocturnes ☆☆☆
When Little Boots-the stage name of Victoria Hekseth-dropped her debut LP Hands in 2009, it was largely forgotten in the heat of Gaga-mania. At the time, it was simply another female-helmed electro-dance album, and with the likes of Gaga and Ke$ha dominating, there wasn't room for Little Boots' quieter, less ostentatious personality. After breaking from her label, touring the globe DJ-ing, and forming her own label, and maturing as an artist, she released Nocturnes in summer 2013, and while less immediately catchy than her debut, it stands as a testament to an artist fully in control of her career with a passion for the music she creates. Nocturnes is entirely a nu-disco album, but there is a spooky quality pervading the album. Hekseth's vocals are airy and haunting and the instrumentals feel dark. This is less an album to be blasted in a night club and more a record to listen to after you get home from the club at 2 AM, alone, and sad. The only criticism I have of this record is that some of the songs are a bit repetitive, but that largely doesn't detract from the quality of the record as a whole.
Songs To Check Out: "Motorway," "Broken Record," "Crescendo," "Shake," "All For You"
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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This Is...Icona Pop I first heard their music in 2011 but fell in love with them this year
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 461
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☆☆☆ 18: Bastille - Bad Blood ☆☆☆
After spending the first few months of 2013 bubbling under, Dan Smith and the other members of British band Bastille finally broke through in the spring with their incredible single "Pompeii" from their debut LP Bad Blood. The album is a mix of Dan Smith's polished lyricism and a rock sensibility with pop production. This is an incredible album and a definite must buy.
Songs To Check Out: "Pompeii," "Laura Palmer," "Bad Blood," "Icarus," "Flaws," "Overjoyed," "Things We Lost In The Fire"
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Member Since: 8/1/2008
Posts: 52,761
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I really loved Bastille's album, one of my favorite new artists this year.
Gotta love the variety in your taste!
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 15,668
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Bastille's debut was cute
MIA is always good
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 11/16/2004
Posts: 28,450
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Bad Blood is so good
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
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I like the Bastille and Little Boots albums! I can't get into Icona Pop though, their voices are too grating.
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Member Since: 12/25/2008
Posts: 14,110
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Icona Pop and Bastille, for suere of the best of this year
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