The first time I heard this, I was totally underwhelmed. I think it was his voice, which is all lazy drawl and artful insouciance. But there was something else that wriggled into my brain, and the CD kept creeping back into my stereo despite my misgivings. Slowly, these quiet songs began to reveal their charms. In the end I had to admit that I had gotten it wrong. It is understated, sure, but it is also a delight, made with the kind of craft that only comes with practice (it’s Hayden‘s sixth album). My bad.
Most Improved Live Act:
TV on the Radio
The clattering, loose-limbed eccentricities that have come to define the TV on the Radio sound haven’t always worked so well live. In the past, some songs would soar, while others struggled under the weight of their own weirdness. However, with the release of the more polished Dear Science this year, the band seem to have finally realized their full potential live. At the Warfield in November they nailed every song to the ceiling with exhilarating panache, and without sacrificing any of their brilliant idiosyncrasies.
Biggest Live Let Down:
My Bloody Valentine
I should have seen this one coming. Battling the twin handicaps of a terrible venue and my own unreasonably high expectations, MBV were always going to disappoint in September. In the end, it wasn’t all bad, and some songs actually sounded pretty good. But it just wasn’t the same as seeing them when I was much younger and more impressionable. And too many songs were chewed into mush by the weird, cavernous SF Design Center. Did somebody forget to stop building that hall? It seemed to stretch on forever, as did the now predictably abusive finale of “You Made Me Realise” and its “apocalypse” section. Yeah, white noise, loud, whatever.
Best Song From Space (or South Africa):
DJ Mujava: “Township Funk”
Recorded by Pretoria’s DJ Mujava, and released via the leftfield Warp imprint, “Township Funk” is a strange, upbeat slice of futuristic afro electronica with an outrageously catchy drumbeat. Listening to it left me full of excitement, as it reminded me that not all dance music is boring, that “world” music isn’t just about yogurt-knitted sweaters and whole-grain acoustics, and that there’s lots more weird and wonderful stuff like this to be found in unexpected places online.
Best Song Title:
Mogwai: “I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead”
The best thing about writing albums full of instrumental post-rock noise is that you can name your songs pretty much anything you want. This year, Mogwai have made the most of this freedom. As well as the prize-winning gem above, they’ve also given us “The Sun Smells Too Loud,” “I Love You, I’m Going to Blow Up Your School,” “Thank You Space Expert,” and the bafflingly brilliant “Batcat,” all from their excellent new album The Hawk is Howling.
Special Excuse to Link to a Video Award:
“Prisencolinensinainciusol” by Adriano Celentano
OK, this was actually released in 1973, but it’s so good that I’m including it anyway. Enjoy, and here’s to a very happy New Year!
