Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
2. Adele – 21
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
3. Cliff Martinez with various artists – Drive (Original Movie Soundtrack)
Drive the film was bad-ass. Ask all my friends, I was obsessed with it. The soundtrack is very much a reason for the films incredible machismo. The 80s derived pulses are all encompassing. Walking down the street with this soundtrack in your headphones makes you instantly feel indestructible (warning: this can be dangerous is Los Angeles).
4. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
5. Grouplove – Never Trust a Happy Song
When I first met Hannah Hooper of Grouplove she was describing to me how she envisioned Grouplove’s tshirts (which the company I was working for was creating). We talked about color and I complimented the artwork she brought into the screenprinting shop. Before she and Grouplove’s manager left our office they set down a copy of their EP, which included versions of “Naked Kids” and “Colours“. The EP was brash. I waited close to a year to hear ‘Never Trust a Happy Song‘ and wasn’t disappointed. The album features the energy bands like Arcade Fire seem to have lost (or perhaps matured out of).
6. Black Keys – El Camino
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
7. Destroyer – Kaputt
Kaputt was gorgeous. It is a modern headphone album reminiscent of Animal Collective’s ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion‘. Tracks like “Downtown” pair 80s saxophones with distinct harmonies. The music is entrancing and layered deep enough to find new surprises with each play.
8. Tyler, The Creator – Goblin
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
9. Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter IV
‘Tha Carter IV‘ for me is a classic hip-hop disc. Lil’ Wayne was by far 2011s boldest rap star. While Kanye and Jay-Z were busy declaring there dominance with world tours and a sub-par album, Lil’ Wayne was reminding us “How to Hate a Bitch”. The album is offensive, honest and on “How to Love” Weezy shocks us with a track that is so sensitive it is hard to believe it is coming from a Young Money Millionaire.
10. Drake – Take Care
Drake’s second full length album was nothing if not grandiose. A-list cameos and production alongside Drake’s smooth (and occasionally morose) rhymes made for 2011’s most accessible disc.
1 – Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Mogwai yet again releases an amazingly ambient yet centrally driving album filled with anticpatory progressions and songs that blend sonically disparate sections as if they were just one melodic chorus.
2 – Yeasayer – End Blood
Yeasayer’s ’End Blood‘ EP made the list thanks to its incredibly different acoustical musings from previous efforts. Described by the band as “two ideas that didn’t fit on (2010 album) Odd Blood” its a radical shift for the relatively newly established band, and hopefully the sound of things to come.
3 – Tech N9ne- All 6′s and 7′s
4 – Ashtar Command – American Sunshine
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
5 – Das Racist – Relax
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
6 – Sbtrkt – SBTRKT
7 – Yelawolf- Radioactive
8 – Atlas Sound – Parallax
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
9 – Sean Douglas – If We’re Dying
Sean Douglas fills a void in pop music with somewhat of a Billy Joel and Elton John have a threesome with The Fray sort of vibe. The emotions behind the songs are clear, the musical backing to his excellent and punchy voice is melodic and radio-ready, and the album as a whole works as a thoroughly orchestrated composition.
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
2. Adele – 21
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
3. The Decemberists – The King is Dead
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here
4. Rufus Wainwright – House of Rufus
A massive 19-disc box set of all the magic of Rufus—live performances, albums, singles and b-sides. Even though I could never afford this, it makes the list for best releases. And my Christmas wish list.
5. Bon Iver – Bon Iver
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here.
6. Paul Simon – So Beautiful or So What
I have always surrendered to anything written by Paul Simon, but this album has charm and wit in spades. He even managed to hold back on that penchant for African drumming.
7. Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here.
8. City & Colour – Little Hell
Although I’m the first to admit this album doesn’t top City & Colour’s previous efforts, it says a lot that it still crushes most other releases of the year.
9. Cake – Showroom of Compassion
Made the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 list here.
10. J Mascis – Several Shades of Why
I’m not usually brave enough to name a favourite album, but this year it was easy. Mascis brings the power of Dinosaur Jr, the simplicity of bare and honest lyrics, and then his godlike guitar virtuosity, to bear in this true 2011 masterpiece.
Following her impressive debut ‘19‘ expectations were mighty high for Adele‘s comeback. Few could have imagined that the similarly numerically titled ‘21‘, propelled by the incredible single ‘Rolling In The Deep‘, would bring the young singer/songwriter to such dizzying heights.
Still, it would be wrong to attribute the Londoner‘s success solely to this lead single as there are plenty of fantastic moments on display ad demonstrated by the countless Adele tributes that exist on Soundcloud and Youtube.
Cougar writer Emily said “This is the album I’m not ashamed to admit I borrowed from my mum. Although Adele i always in danger of being overplayed, I still am not quite sick of her; for me it is her song writing that stands her apart from all the other ladies with pipes“.
Our boy Cole added ” I love Adele. I love her because she is more engaging with her voice and a piano than Rihanna and Lady Gaga are with million dollar stage productions. Her voice is heartbreaking and ‘21‘ has some of the most sincere young love tracks ever recorded. “Someone Like You”, “Rolling in the Deep”, and “Turning Tables” are all good enough to single-handedly carry a hit record. Whatever heartache (or genius songwriting partners) led to these beautiful songs was well worth it. I will still be listening to this album in 20 years.
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time for us to look back at the past twelve months and decide what have been our favourite albums of the year. This time it hasn’t been an easy task because let’s face it, 2011 has definitely not been a great year for music, and personally, I will forever remember 2011 as the year my all-time favourite artist released an album I was ashamed of.
However, in defence of 2011, we could say that it was put in a particularly delicate position by 2010, which generated excellent albums such as LCD Soundsystem‘s ‘This is Happening‘, Arcade Fire‘s ‘The Suburbs‘ or Beach House‘s ‘Teen Dream‘ amongst many others… and ended majestically with Kanye West‘s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy‘ …
Overall, 2011 seems to be more a year of nostalgia and remembrance than a year of creation, with the release of The Beach Boys‘ Smile Sessions, the remastering of Pink Floyd‘s ‘Dark Side of the Moon‘, the 10 year anniversary of Nirvana‘s ‘Nevermind‘, the end of R.E.M or LCD Soundsystem… and finally the deaths of Miss Amy Winehouse, DJ Mehdi and pioneer Gil Scott-Heron , we seem to have embraced the past rather than the present ( this said there wasn’t much to embrace really)…
So yes.. I am disappointed by 2011, but I have to acknowledge that good albums were also released, whilst promising new artists broke through. Let’s hope in 2012 there will be a focus on quality over quantity.
Last month Cougar Microbes took over Tom Robinson‘s Now Playing @6Music program selecting some of our favorite tracks. By popular demand here is a full audio version of the show as well as the live tweets that accompanied it.
I have come across numerous talented musicians and singers since my temporary move to LA. Amongst these I have to list production team The Difference who I had the pleasure to jam with last weekend.
The duo of Adam Gurr (Atlanta, GA) and Carlton Douglas (San Antonio, TX) are preparing their attack on worldwide domination from their own sweet Danger City Studios right out of Hollywood.
Their ever growing catalogue shows they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty with a bunch of different genres for a variety of artists. Talented musicians in their own rights it is evident the duo complement each other’s influences and ideas.
I like to think by the next time I check in on these guys they will be needing some form of IVR system to stay on top of their numerous projects.
Picture this: In the build up to Halloween I went down to a plush Hollywood bar/club to meet up with some friends. As I was wiggling through a sea of burlesque girls, casual zombies and mystical unicorns I overheard a sweet sweet sound emanating from the stage.
For the duration of their show I was transfixed as this Girl/Boy, dressed in massive animal suits, went about their business offering their wonderful brand of dreamy pop.
After a little investigation I discovered the duo were Californian band Tashaki Miyaki . What I appreciate about their sound is that the lo-fi aesthetic does not compromise melodies allowing Rocky‘s guitar licks and Lucy‘s vocals to to shine in the mix over her laid back drumming.
Tune into Cougar Microbes this weekend where we will be featuring their video for the track ‘Somethin’ Is Better Than Nothin‘. Until then here is a gem of a cover of the Everly Brothers‘ classic ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream‘ plus a live song demonstrating the band’s vast potential. Definitely a pair I will be keeping my eyes on.
to feature an array of amazing releases and artists (past, present, old and new) with the goal of promoting them to anyone interested and anyone who stumbles across this site.
If you like any of the tracks, please go buy the albums and help finance the artists producing this great music.
If there are any issues with the tracks featured do not hesitate to contact: "team (AT) Cougar Microbes (DOT) com and we will happily oblige.
