LITA FORD "Living Like A Runaway" (2012)

First, I didn't had high expectation. Second, I was damn curious to hear her new album. She's a Rock chick. So here is my result; digging it! The cover art couldn't fit her better. Any fan has to love this album. I really think it's one of her best in her career. I mean, what can I say; this is good Hard Rock, good melodies and good guitar riffs. Here is an inspired Lita Ford.

My favorite tracks in order:

• Hate
• Living Like A Runaway
• Asylum
• Relentless
• A Song To Slit Your Wrist By

LORN "Ask The Dust" (2012)

Original stuff here. This is the kind of discovery that makes me happy because it's unique. Lorn got his own signature, identity, personality. The Gothic lover I used to be connects with this (even though it's not "Gothic"). This is not a happy album, darkness is the word. The ingredients of this Electronic opus is a dose of Gothic mood, a pinch of Downtempo, a tiny bit of Dubstep, a dash of Breakbeat and a scary low voice. "Diamond" seems like a possessed Downtempo electronic piece from hell. "Dead Dog" has that Breakbeat pattern that is so recognizable from early Ninja Tune artists...but darker. Loving it; a lot!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Diamond
• Weight Me Down
• Everything Is Violence
• Mercy
• Dead Dogs

EVEREST "Ownerless" (2012)

Not in love with this whole Indie Rock album. But...loving these three songs very much...especially "Into the Grey".

My favorite tracks in order:

• Into the Grey
• Never Dissapoint
• Hungry Ghost

DIIV "Oshin" (2012)

Not being a fan of the three biggest new releases of the week (Linkin Park, Maroon 5 and The Offspring), I found my joy and relief in Diiv. If you like Dream Pop and the 80's Alternative music sound; this is for you (and me!). Dreamy echoish voice (a little like The Jesus and Mary Chain , the subtle bass and atmospheric guitar but don't expect some atmospheric album, there are some rhythm and upbeat songs...with a dreamy mood. The influence The Cure might had on them is undeniable!!! Liking this album very much.

My favorite tracks in order:

• Human
• Past Lifes
• Wait

DURUTTI COLUMN "Short Stories For Pauline" (1983 / 2012)

Well, it took 29 years for this mythical album to get released. The first half is made of ambient art-rock instrumentals tracks, which I really like. Second half mostly vocal. That is great news for the fans!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Duet
• Destroy, She Said
• Mirror B
• Cocktail

ALEX NIGGEMANN "Paranoid Funk" (2012)

I completely fell in love with the second track "Curious". His sound is a good Sexy-Funky-Microhouse. I think the title of his album "Paranoid Funk" is perfect to describe the mood. Then I saw it's been released on Poker Flat; a house music label I've been trusting for years. I have to admit that I don't like all the tracks, not even most of them. But the ones I like, I need to keep in my Rdio collection. "Curious" is and will be one of my favorite House song of 2012.

My favorite tracks in order:
Curious
Easy Love
Back 2 Basics

SMASHING PUMPKINS "Oceania" (2012)

I've never been one of their fans, I respect what they do, their music is good, I know, but it just never been my cup of tea. So, that being said, I wasn't excited with this new release like fans were but I was curious to hear. I listened to the entire album once and some songs really catched my ear. At the end, I had to listen again a second time. And guess what? This might be my favorite from them and yes, there are some great tracks to be found. Great album!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Pale Horse
• Violet Rays
• Quazar
• Oceania

IAMAMIWHOAMI "Kin" (2012)

Seems like I've knowed her for years (O.K., months) because one of my employee was following each one of her steps on her mysterious (and amazing) YouTube music videos. I wish she would've released her album before...I'm afraid she missed a big wave. But hey, finally we can taste her music. Another addition in the big family of women-electro-pop. But again, when it's good you can't refuse. Synths are great (Good Worker), liking the original voice and the moody ambiance (Play) and I like that 80's influence. It's a keep in my Rdio collection.

My favorite tracks in order:

• Good Worker
• Drops
• Idle Talk
• Goods

JONATHAN BOULET "We Keep the Beat Found the Sound See the Need Startthe Heart (2012)

Who is that fabulous drummer? What a great drum introduction on "You're a Animal". I was already awed with the second song "This Song Is Called Ragged". I'm talking mostly about the incredible beats on this album but everything is just so good; the voice, the guitar, the recorder, the vibraphone and all the other instruments that can be found! Each and every song are a burst of liberty and joy. I can only imagine how good his live shows can be! Another great Australian release. This is an absolute feelgood album; not to be missed! Go get it! Go!


My favorite tracks in order:

• This Song Is Called Ragged
• Hallowed Hag
• You're a Animal
• Trounce
• FM AM CB TV

...etc, etc.

JOSIENNE CLARKE & BEN WALKER "The Seas Are Deep" (2012)

Where do I begin to as least convince you to listen to this album? Do you like Folk music? Do you like Irish music? This is all you need to know to press play. The purity of Josienne's voice, the subtle and beautiful instrumental arrangements by Ben Walker at the mandolin and guitar. Josienne playing the recorder on some of the songs. A special mention to the great addition of the cello played by Jo Silverston. No wonder why they won the 2012 Isambard Folk Award! A pure delight. After your first try; you might buy!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Lily Of The West
• Hares on the Mountain
• John Riley
• My Donal

FRIENDS "Manifest!" (2012)

Yeah! Yeah! I know. It makes you think of this and that, seems like déjà vu. We can't always reinvent the wheel and, this ain't copycat either. Now, who can resist to these infectuous songs? I can't.

My favorite tracks in order

• Sorry
• Ideas Of Ghosts
• I'm This Girl
• Va Fan Gör Du

VIOLENS "True" (2012)

Were you a Jangle Pop fan in the 80's listening to The Pale Fountains, Felt and Aztec Camera (and much more)? Or a Shoegaze fan (Not My Bloody Valentine way, more Kitchen Of Distinction kinda sound). If the answer is yes, then listen to this album. Keeping it in my Rdio collection.

My favorite tracks in order

• Der Microarc
• Lavender Forces
• Every Melting Degree
• Unfolding Black Wings

THE FEATURES "Wilderness" (2012)

It was about time I fall in love with a new release! The last 2 weeks were plenty of new releases without any love at first strike. Here it is; The Features gave me that feeling. Only two songs I didn't like, the rest are big keepers. Good Indie-Catchy-SometimesBluesy-Dirty-Garage-YouKnowWhatIMean!



My favorite tracks in order:

• Kids
• Golden Comb
• How It Starts

DIPLO "Express Yourself" EP (2012)

I am not impress by the whole EP but I do like two solid tracks; "Express Yourself" (Feat. Nicky Da B) and "Move Around" (Feat. Elephant Man & GTA). I really like the Hip Hop scene that explores and blend Electronic elements. At first I was attracted by the cover thinking it could be a new EP under the Arnarchopunk Crass label...then I saw it was Diplo...not exactly the sound I expected at first! : )

RYAT "Totem" (2012)

A collegue told me; "Listen to RYAT, it sounds like Bjork meets Dubstep". He was right about the Bjork part, at least for the singing and it kind of annoys me that she sometimes sings the exact same way, too copycat for me. For the Dubstep part...not quite sure I would call it Dubstep, maybe more IDM. Still, I don't think the album is bad but something is missing here to catch my ear.

SIMON SCOTT "Below Sea Level" (2012)

Creating ambient music may seems easy, just some floating music with minimal synth background. But creating good ambient music that almost puts you in Trance, makes you close your eyes and makes your forget about everything...that gift is not given to everybody.  Simon Scott has that gift and is a talented ambient creator. He makes me think of my favorite Gods of ambient; Harold Budd and Robin Guthrie with the addition of Minimal and Glitch elements. Simon Scott is a multi-instrumentist from Cambridge who spent two years capturing natural environnement sounds which you will hear all through the album; natural, loop or sequenced. These 7 "Sealevel" parts are a great voyage to an unknown world. Masterpiece.

WILD FANTASY "Jungle Drums" (1978)

O.K., I was looking into this week's new releases page on Rdio streaming website when I saw this album with two women holding an african djembé. It really looked like a 70's album, indeed, this is a remastered version of 1978 Disco Wild Fantasy "Jungle Drums" album. And boy, I'm so happy I ran into this! Happy, funky, Stings, Groovy Disco sung by womens. It's hard to find informations about this group that seems to have released only one album. When we speak about Rare Disco gems, that is the perfect example. Go discover if you don't know them!
...Only one tiny disapointment, with a title like Jungle Drums and a Djembé on the cover...I would've wish to hear some of these African percussions. 



My favorite tracks in order:

• Jungle Drums
• Africa
• Get It On

WHITE LUNG "Sorry" (2012)

This is the kind of Punk music I like. Energic, very raw, short songs and a rebellious spirit. This Vancouver quatuor is made of 3 woman (vocal, guitar and drums) and 1 man (bass). 2010 album "It's the Evil" has been named Punk album of the year by the Exclaim! magazine. "Sorry" is made of 10 tracks for a total of nearly 20 minutes; only killers, no fillers. I totally love this album, this will get a heavy rotation in my car and headphones!



My favorite tracks in order:

• I rot
• St. Dad
• Bunny
• Those Girls

SLEEPPERS "Keep Focus" (2012)

When listening to Sleeppers new album I made a quick research on internet to find some information on this band when I saw that they formed in 1989! How come I never heard of them? I work in a music store for more than 20 years. Oh well, it's never too late to discover! So now that I now most of their albums were released in the nineties, I do understand more their sound, which still sounds like a nineties Noise-Rock band. The album could please all fans of that genre and even Grunge and Screamo fans. It takes more than one time to appreciate the depth of their sixth album. Not an album that would end up in my top album of 2012 but if I feel like listening Noise Rock, I might press play on this album from my Rdio collection.. I do think that some of their guitar riffs and vocal melodies have a lack of originality (Blackout, Anchored) and that depends of the song because on the other hand, some of their songs do have some great riffs and melodies (Skin, Divide) . Like I said, the more you listen, the more you appreciate...we'll see at the end of the year how often I will listen to "Keep Focus"...I might surprise myself!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Skin
• Divide
• Keep Focus
• 23 (Enigma)

WU MAN "Music Of Central Asia Vol.10 - Borderlands"

This album called Borderlands is a blend I've never heard before; Pipa played by the master of it's instrument Wu Man with Muslim Uyghur musicians from Northern China. This album is an historic collaboration between two different cultures living in the same big country of China. I have a big respect for the Smithsonian Folkways record label. For years they recorded people's music, deep in their countries, all around the globe.




Favorite tracks in order:

• Shadiana (Celebration)
• Kurt Naxshisi (Song of the Kurds)
• Hanleylun