Cougar Microbes

1. St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

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.

TRACKS:

St. Vincent – Cruel

Adele – Rolling In The Deep

Nightcall (feat. Lovefoxxx) by Kavinsky

Calgary by boniver

Grouplove – Tongue Tied (Gigamesh Remix)

The Black Keys – Lonely Boy

Destroyer – Song For America

Tyler The Creator – She (feat. Frank Ocean)

Lil Wayne Featuring Cory Gunz – 6 Foot 7

Drake – Headlines

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.

Without further ado check out the Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2011 as we unveil the albums we loved over the past year.

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Forward by Olivia

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How fitting that at a time when myself and other writers are contemplating our Best of 2011 lists (And let’s be honest, it’s slim pickings this year) Arcade Fire reveal a new video from excellent ‘The Suburbs‘ album.

As we have come to expect from the Canadian gang they have produced a fine interactive effort for ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)‘, one of the key moments from that album,  leaving the viewer in control of the pacing of the video.

TRACKS:

Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) [Tommie Sunshine Quaalude Edit]

As an extra treat to see out the week here is Mr Little Jeans as she lends some elegant electronic undertones to the title track from Arcade Fire‘s 2010 ‘The Suburbs‘ masterpiece.

Have a good weekend and stay safe.

TRACKS:

As a special bonus treat here is a video of Party Supplies, who famously gave us this remix of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros‘ ‘Home‘, performing a spot of live remixing. Impressive stuff indeed.

Additionally here is a sprinkle of Party Supplies on tracks from the our # 1 and # 2 albums of 2010.

TRACKS:

COYOL are yet another example of how in 2004 there was a turning point in the indie music with the release of Arcade Fire‘s ‘Funeral‘ album. That album skillfully combines traditional American folk music with the archetypical New York City indie rhythm section and the melodies of the big arena rock bands. Since then thousands of bands have tried to follow that blueprint to mixed results.

There are those who have taken the lead into some projects worth noting such as the excellent Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros who push the use of dual vocals in addition to adding a country and western twang and a greater use of wind instruments in the orchestration of their tracks.

COYOL in theory might be the natural evolution of this trend. The couples country ballad voices evoke those of Johnny Cash and June Carter and rhythm section arrangements more concise than the band above. The lyrics are personal and engaging such as the brilliant ‘Pharmacist‘; which deals with modern society’s troubles and the anxiety disorders suffered by singer John Isaac Watters. Together with Céleigh Champan they offer a passionate delivery that betrays both their old Southwest and new Los Angeles roots.

Having recorded their self-titled EP in late 2010 COYOL will unveil each of the EP’s six tracks individually, culminating in the full release on September 6, 2011. With unique art produced for each song this is a journey worth pursuing and hopefully they can continue finding their “voice” on their first full LP.

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Post written by Mario

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TRACKS:

Our monthly club night Hands Up Who Cares is back tomorrow night @ the Library. Come down and consume filthy indie rock, BIG hip-hop and mad mashups unashamedly from 9pm until 3am. Drink cheap, cheap, cheaply. Be jolly. Make love (if still able to perform).

Sets from Cougar Microbes DJ’s playing tracks by Arcade Fire, Kanye West, Yeasayer, Tokyo Police Club, Jay-Z, Crystal Castles, Les Savy Fav, Big Boi and many many more.

Entry is FREE!! After party a must!

HOW TO GET THERE:

Victoria Line or London Overground to Highbury and Islington station.

Northern Line to Angel and 10 minute walk up Upper Street.

TRACKS:

I came across this soulful star a few months back, but it’s only now, jogged by this month’s press thrust upon me, that i can finally sit, write and pay respect to Benjamin Francis Leftwich. If you’re a heavy rocker, metal head or Math- rock -matician turn away.

This is acoustic guitar, gentle melodies and buttery soft vocals at their best. His vocal touch ensues lightness and warmth and even melts a cover of Arcade Fire‘s brash and robust classic, ‘Rebellion‘. His own debut single ‘Atlas Hands‘ is an absolute dream and seems set to have a Jose Gonzalez ‘Heartbeats‘ moment in 2011.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich heads out on a UK tour this week so check his myspace for the dates. We will be catching his London date, see you there!

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Post by the Big Apple eating Ruby.

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TRACKS: