onsdag 28 december 2011

The Best of... 2011



It's time to summarize the past year. And what better way to do so than to list some great songs? Well, that's the way I roll so that's what I'm going to do. I hope you'll like it!
When it comes to some like The Weeknd for example I could have listed a whole album/mixtape but instead I've chosen the best song. I've also tried not to chose too many edits of old songs, with some exceptions of course. Well, let's get started with a few songs in no particular order. More songs tomorrow...



from the album Let England Shake (Island)

From one of this years strongest albums comes this emotional song from PJ Harvey. I have always had a hard time with PJ. I can't really put my finger on what it is, but this time she's nailed it. Let England Shake is in my opinion her best work so far and The Glorious Land is a masterpiece.



from the album Circuital (ATO)

It seems that for those who have been into My Morning Jacket for some time there are other favourites that they hold stronger than their latest album Circuital, but for me that haven't been into them before... I'm saved! There are many to choose from on this great album. I've chosen the simplest and most beautiful piece.



from the mixtape House Of Balloons (the-weeknd.com)

House Of Balloons is the mixtape/album that I've listened to most this year and I never get tired of it. I always find new depths and new favourite parts in songs that I hadn't taken notice of before. Of the three free to download mixtapes that The Weeknd released this year House Of Balloons is the definite masterpiece and this song is the definite theme for this new canadian rnb movement led by The Weeknd and Drake. This is a classic that I will return to over and over again. I hope The Weeknd's mixtapes will be available to buy on vinyl soon so there is something to save for the future. Digital media fades away so easily.



from the mixtape Echoes Of Silence (the-weeknd.com)

Just when we thought that we wouldn't hear more from Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd's real name) this year he surprised us all with a third mixtape in a year. There's not often that you get to see so much productivity in a person with so much talent these days, but The Weeknd is in a universe by himself. In Echoes Of Silence he delivers one of his strongest tracks Montreal where we also get to hear him sing in french. Now I'm waiting to hear the other great canadian to sing in french as well...



from the album Take Care (Young Money)

Mixed emotions, that's the best way to express how I felt towards Drake... Until now! From his previous album I loved Find Your Love, but I've been a little ashamed of admitting it. But this time I'm hooked for real. Marvins Room helped me to realise that Drake is one of our times greatest rnb singers and composers. His latest album Take Care makes me think about Marvin Gaye's album Here My Dear rather than any contemporary artist, and that is an achievement in itself. Drake and The Weeknd has saved rnb from ruin and made it interesting again after many years of being doomed to mainstream trash billboard lists. Having Dennis Graham (Jerry Lee Lewis' drummer) as father and Larry Graham (Graham Central Station/Sly & The Family Stone) and Hi Records guitarist Teenie Hodges as uncles he couldn't probably have better pre-conditions. The future in rnb comes from Canada.

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