ONSLAUGHT “Power From Hell” (1985)

You know, even if I was a big Heavy Metal listener in the mid-late 80’s, it doesn’t mean I listened to them all.  We didn’t have Internet and I was living in a small village (300) near a small town (40000).  This week while listening to a classic Slayer record on Rdio I looked to the similar bands suggestions and clicked on Onslaught, which I only knew by name.  My very first reaction was, Wow! I really wish I knew this band in the 80’s! Totally my genre.  And further in the album I thought, this guy sings like someone I know very well.  Then it came to me.  Paul Mahoney sings like GBH singer Colin Abrahall!  In fact, Onslaught sounds like GBH but plays their instruments like a Thrash Metal band…or vice versa…you know what I mean?  Huge Punk influence, perfect blend of Thrash and Punk. Great record…btw!

BEASTMILK "Climax" (2013)

Another band that is taking their influence from the 80’s Post Punk, Alternative and Goth wave.  Yes it’s easy to compare to some 80’s bands and singers.  And you know what?  I love it!  I don’t care about copycats as long as it’s good.  And Beastmilk isn’t copycat anyway.  I prefer to say they’ve been influenced by the generation X movement.  So what about this album besides the fact that it’s one of the best of 2013 (hell yeah!)?  Let’s take the energy of Post Punk and the sound of Alternative (80%), drop a small dose of Goth in the way he sings and the melodic lines (20%) and you got a perfect mix.  One last thing, I can guarantee you it’s not a boring album, some great upbeat anthems in here.

What your favorite track from this album?

NO JOY "Wait To Pleasure" (2013)

There are never enough good Shoegaze band.  In 2012 it was the amazing debut album from UK Shoegazer 2:54.  This year it’s Montreal band No Joy….and thanks to my Internet friend Miguel on Google+ which suggested me this album as one of his best of the year, because this one would’ve slipped through my fingers.  Most of you knows what to expect, fuzzy guitars and ethereal-dreamy vocals.  The recipe hasn’t been change but let’s be honest, not anybody can execute a good recipe even with the all the ingredients on hand.  This album is solid.  11 tracks condensed in 36 minutes, no fillers!  Is "Wait For Pleasure"  in my Best 2013 Albums list? Absolutely!

Best 2013 Songs

1. Husbands - SAVAGES
2. Vacances de 87 - LE COULEUR
3. Talk To Her - YOUNG GALAXY
4. The Ghastly Rictus - TWIN PEAKS
5. Guard - DATA ROMANCE
6. How - THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
7. Big TV - WHITE LIES
8. Chicken Drippers - PALMA VIOLET
9. A Sacred State - HOLOGRAMS
10. Oh Pioneer - HELOISE & THE SAVOIR FAIRE
11. Reflektor - ARCADE FIRE
12. Barbara - PIERRE LAPOINTE
13. True Love - EIVOR
14. Mystic - WAAVES
15. Notre amour - VALÉRIE CARPENTIER
16. FU - MILEY CYRUS
17. Swish - MILLIONYOUNG
18. Say That - TORO Y MOI
19. Dancing Tropical - IS TROPICAL
20. Maw Maw Song - THE JOY FORMIDABLE
21. The Scent Of Love - WAX IDOLS
22. Ice Cube in an Ocean - THE ROPES
23. Magnetic north - K-X-P
24. Ommadawn (Mike Oldfield & York remix) - MIKE OLDFIELD
25. Run Cried The Crawling - AGNES OBEL
26. Exposure - GLASSER
27. Mopped - PINKUNOIZU
28. Happy Home - WILD BELLE
29. Passion of the Christ - TRICKY
30. If I Could Change Your Mind - HAIM
31. Whalesong - YAMANTAKA & SONIC TITAN
32. Pursuit - GESAFFELSTEIN
33. Shake - LITTLE BOOTS
34. Into Air - CLUB 8
35. Robothérapie - OOTHÈQUE
36. Far - DUSTY KID
37. Medicine - THROWING UP
38. New Year's Resolution - CAMERA OBSCURA
39. Hero Brother - SARAH NEUFELD
40. Mixte - THE HAXAN CLOAK
41. Horns Surrounding Me - JULIA HOLTER
42. Animal Games - EMILIANA TORRINI
43. Alaska - TEEN DAZE
44. Collider - JON HOPKINS
45. Another Love - ALICE SMITH
46. Burn - MAGNETA LANE
47. Au bord du lac - NADJA
48. Devotion - JESSIE WARE
49. The Long Road Home - INTER ARMA
50. Jewel - GOLD & YOUTH
51. Radio - DARK HORSES
52. The Deserters - RACHEL ZEFFIRA
53. Sound It Out - ROSIE JUNE
54. Brainfreeze - FUCK BUTTONS
55. Network - DREAM MC LEAN
56. Giorgio by Moroder - DAFT PUNK
57. Offertorium - UDUMBAL
58. So Blue - LOW
59. Forever - HAIM
60. Photon - PANTHA DU PRINCE & THE BELL LABORATORY
61. Metatron - DARKSIDE
62. Ice Age - HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS
63. More Than - AU REVOIR SIMONE
64. Transition State II - DUB TAYLOR
65. Heureux infidèles - SALLY FOLK
66. Planet 1&2 - VISTA CHINO
67. How Are You Doing? - DOG PARTY
68. Ombres - YEAR OF NO LIGHT
69. Hermilia - SHOUT OUT LOUDS
70. To Keep Me Warm - EMMA LOUISE
71. I Want You - LINDA ORTEGA
72. Don't Fuck With Joe - THE BLACKWATER FEVER
73. Biting Down - LORDE
74. Temporary Touch - SELEBRITIES
75. Hurricane - MS MR
76. Never - DRIFTING IN SILENCE
77. Seemless Boogie Woogie II - CLINIC
78. Saeclum In Favilla - UDUMBAL
79. Dreamhouse - DEAFHEAVEN
80. Thether - CHVRCHES
81. Hit The Waves - THE MARY ONETTES
82. Let The Groove Get In - JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
83. Slyd - !!!
84. Bad Dream - WILDLIFE
85. Burning Hand - ICEAGE
86. Lucky - LUSINE
87. Aquarius - PHÈDRE
88. One Bright Days - DROWNER
89. Truth - DADUB
90. Full of Fire - THE KNIFE
91. This is Gonna Hurt - RAINE MAIDA
92. Feels Like I'm Coming Down - HERVÉ
93. Zombie Ritual - SEPULTURA
94. Preservation - HOOKWORMS
95. VQ - DJ DAY
96. Fire - AUSTRA
97. Torus - SUB FOCUS
98. Hollow - ALICE IN CHAINS
99. A Dragonfly in the city - SUN GLITTERS
100. True (feat. James Bay) - MONTAG

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)

TITI ROBIN "Les rives" (2011)

"Les Rives" by Titi Robin is non less that an ambitious project of  37 songs that reflects India, Morocco and Turkey. About this album, Robin says he is honoring his ancestors, the Mediterranean culture and the Gypsy road. One of my favorite world album ever is "Gitans" by Thierry "Titi" Robin released in 1993. Since then, I follow his career although I haven't heard all of his albums. One of the finest moments is the hypnotic "Farq hai kya" almost 10 minutes on which you will hear guitar, santoor, bansuri, tablâ, tampura and chant. May I suggest to click the link below to see all the details, instruments, musicians and lyrics of "Les rives" triple album. 

http://les-rives.thierrytitirobin.com/

My favorite tracks in order:

• Farq hai kya
• Akdeniz roman
• Dabaa hua dard
• Hindi lovari
• Us dost ki taaslash mein
• Memed ve seyrane
• Farimaz - rumba türkmen

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

2:54 "2:54" (2012)

I am such a Shoegaze fan. When the first note of "Revolving" began, I just knew it would be my kind of music; Atmospheric guitar, Ethereal woman's voice, heavy bass, simple drums...no synthetizers here. This album brings me back to the best years of Shoegaze in the early nineties. Don't get me wrong, 2:54 doesn't sound old, I'm just happy to find a brand new Shoegaze album to drop in my ears. If you like Shoegaze, this album is simply a must in your collection.

 

My favorite tracks in order:

• Revolving
• Scarlet
• Sugar
• You're Early
• Ride
• A Salute

YELLO "You Gotta Say Yes To Another Excess" (1983)

"You gotta say yes to another excess" is my favorite album from this original swedish duo. They just know how to create cool tribal beats (Crash Dance, Great Mission), jazzy beats (Swing) and Synth-Pop coolness (I Love You). The innovation and the humour in their music makes them a unique pair. They influenced many artists like The Pet Shop Boys. "I Love You" with the modified voice of Boris Blank has been a hit in 80's alternative clubs and charts. My favorite is "Lost Again"; a Synth-Pop sensual jem. I absolutely love the hilarious "Great Mission" followed by "You Gotta Say Yes To Another Excess" with plenty of tribal beats and jungle sounds and of top of this, a very funny storyteller tells a jungle story, I can't help but smile when I hear the (lyrics) ...Father of excess that jumps out of the water of Amazons full of piranhas...; must hear. This is an album that is entirely excellent, no need to skip a song. If the Amazonian Forest would have an 80's Synth-Pop band, I wish it would sound like this!


Favorite tracks in order:

• Lost Again
• I Love You
• Smile On You
• Crash Dance

DZ Deathrays "Bloodstreams" (2012)

Dance-Punk, Noise-Rock, Thrash-Pop, name it! One thing I can tell you for sure, this music is far from being annoying. Bang your head with DZ Deathrays, a great Australian band that is just perfect to fit a good airplay in my car this summer. Great Garage Rock sound with an Electronica kick in the butt...and a Punk attitude.



My favorite tracks in order:

• Teenage Kickstarts
• Dollar chills
• LA Lightning
• Play Dead Until You're Dead
• Brain

REBECCA FERGUSON "Heaven" (2012)

It's undeniable, you will say "This sounds like Adele (or Duffy)" and maybe it will annoys you. Maybe you'll say "Oh, just another X Factor wannabe talent". But the real question here is; is it good? Is it good music? Does she have a good voice? The answer might be yes, so enjoy a talented woman who's got voice and a good Neo-Soul album.



My favorite tracks in order:

• Fighting Suspicions
• Glitter & Gold
• Shoulder To Shoulder
• Diamond To Stone
• Backtrack

SKY'HIGH "Forever Sky 'High" (2012)

I've always been attracted by female MCs voices. Add to this a beautiful Aussie accent and you almost got me...now it just needs to be good...and Sky'High is really good Hip Hop. Stylish with R&B touch here and there. Her flow has a raw personnality, sometimes more spoken in your face style (Don Dada), sometimes singing just a tiny softer (The Carnival). These beats and melodies are original, smokin' hot and very addictive the more you listen too. This will be in my Top 5 Hip Hop album of 2012 for sure!

 

My favorite tracks in order:

• Death Row
• Where Ya Head At
• The Carnival
• So High
• Don Dada
• Nuclear Love

SCISSOR SISTERS "Magic Hour" (2012)

Don't we need a good Dance-Pop album? This is what we need. They've done it again. Infectious chorus, infectious beats. Makes you wanna dance and sing. (I just wonder why they put "Baby Come Home" as their first song...not representavite and little boring to introduce this album.) Many great songs here: "Keep Your Shoes", "Inevitable", "Year Of Living Dangerously", "Let's Have A Kiki" (So gay, so Drag Queen; love it!), "Shady Love", "Self Control" (O.K., it sounds like Robin S). This album is way beyond my expectations. Pump up the volume!

My favorite tracks in order:

• Let's Have A Kiki
• Shady Love
• Year Of Living Dangerously
• Keep Your Shoes
• Inevitable

SAINT ETIENNE "Words And Music By Saint Etienne" (2012)

Saint-Étienne: I love them since their first album "Foxbase Alpha" in 1991. I'm also a big fan of their 1998 "Good Humor" album. I was very anxious and excited to hear this new one. When the first track started I was like "Oh! This is going to be good". Then when I heard the second track I told myself "Ohhhh, I'm not sure anymore". THEN, this third track: another wow! So you see, this is the kind of album. Outstanding songs and so-so songs. It's really good but not equally good all the way.

MELODY GARDOT "The Absence" (2012)

Her second album was different than her first and this third is different than her first two albums without loosing her identity. I have a huge respect for curious artists like Gardot that does not fear changes. Here she explores Samba, Bossa and Fado her own way. Don't expect her to sing or sound like Amalia Rodrigues or Astrud Gilberto. The instrumentation is beautiful as well as her unique voice.

SLOW MAGIC "Triangle" (2012)

Could they be influenced by Human League (Looks like "Travelogue" image cover, "Feel Flows" synthetiser)? Could be and it's a good thing. Is it just another hypnotic-electronic band? Maybe. I hear a lot of these sounds lately but, I'm enjoying this album a lot. That's what counts.

EMPTY SPACE ON A CHESSBOARD "Quarrel" (2012)

I like IDM when there is a melody in it (yes, it's possible), not just chaos. In "Quarrel", the beat is IDM ans the atmospheric guitar sounds like some Ethereal and/or Shoegaze. Will it make my top 10 of the year? No. Is it good? Yes, definitely.