1. Enemy/Lover - Dreamers Of The Ghetto [Temporary Residence Limited]

Already listed as one of my top albums of the year (#3), it’s clear that I was highly impressed by Enemy/Lover. Dreamers Of The Ghetto took this scene and the nation by storm with its debut album, not only showcasing the musical talents of the Jones family (plus drummer Marty Sprowles), but a unique and buzz-worthy blend of rock and electronic music. Compared to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, U2, Arcade Fire and more, Enemy/Lover leaves nothing behind but the desperate desire for more.

Recommended Tracks: ”Always”, “Night Hawks”, “Regulator”, “Dark Falcons”

2. New World Orphan - Millbranch String Theory [Roots Capacitor Records]

This local album surprised me the most last year. I have never really branched out into string bands or bluegrass music, but this collection of songs was unable to be ignored. To call Millbranch String Theory a bluegrass band is nearly taboo. The instrumental trio does indeed utilize the typical bluegrass string instruments: banjo, upright bass/cello, mandolin, and guitars), however, the talented musicians take the genre limitations and throw them to the wind. New World Orphan infuses the styles of bluegrass, jazz, latin, and even funk to spell out a sound that has no boundaries. It’s a masterpiece of an album that will leave you standing in awe and pressing the ‘repeat’ button.

Recommended Tracks: ”Ethos, Pathos, Logos”, “Ol’ Bill Monet”, “…Flux…”

3. Without Hesitation - Good Luck [No Idea Records]

Another album that made it onto my year-end list (#4), Good Luck’s Without Hesitation is a triumph among local records this year. After such a strong debut with 2007′s Into Lake Griffy, fans on a local and national scale were craving more of the catchy, hard-rocking, pop-punk blend that this trio brought to many stages and basements. The four-year wait was well-received with the release of Without Hesitation. The eleven tracks of this sophomore release are anything but a slump, showcasing a more focused band with a more developed and mature sound.

Album Review

Recommended Tracks: ”Contact”, “A Song to Comfort the Sick”, “Significant Day”

4. Sleeping Bag - Sleeping Bag [Joyful Noise Recordings]

Everything you need to know about my thoughts on this album and band can be found here.

Recommended Tracks: ”Rental”, “Slime”, “Beside”, “Acer”

5. Foot of Love - Fat Shadow [Houseplant Records]

Foot of Love came splashing into the local scene in the early Spring and was a breath of fresh air after a long, cold winter. Supergroup Fat Shadow consists of many local talents and familiar voices whom when put together become an unstoppable musical force. With a sound that is as much punk as 90s alternative, Foot of Love  features ten tracks of solid, hard-hitting rock, draped in the angelic vocals of Daun Fields.

Recommended Tracks: ”Waves”, “Feelers”,”New Armor”, “Water’s Edge”

6. Holiday Band - Memory Map [Joyful Noise Recordings]

Listening to Holiday Band is like putting a puzzle together. Taking a lot of pieces together to make a brilliant big picture is what happened when the supergroup of Memory Map formed and released its first album. A band full of recording engineers/musicians, this town wasn’t ready for the force which this band packed. The dynamic, heavy, mess of sound that this band creates (with three guitars, a drum set, and NO BASS) will make a fan out the most unsuspecting passerby. The album reads like one continuous song full of twists, turns, solid drumwork and spiraling guitars. If the music doesn’t send your head spinning, the poly-chromatic color scheme of the band definitely will.

Recommended Tracks: “Serpent Wings”, “Stowaway”, “Big City”

7. You’re A Liar - You’re A Liar [Self-Released]

This was one of the first albums to tip me off that 2011 was going to be an impressive year for local music. A band that had been struggling to find its hold in the local scene, You’re A Liar made a fierce comeback in late 2010-early 2011 with a new band member and a more full sound. You’re A Liar, released in January, was the band’s first album with a second guitarist (Gabriel Garber formerly of Impure Jazz), who seemed to fit perfectly into the experimental/hardcore style of the band. The sound was heavy and full of flavor, but also carefully crafted with a sense of musical flexibility that most instrumental bands lack. Where many instrumental bands fail to create an album that is consistently challenging and exciting over the course of a whole record, You’re A Liar prevails with music that is complex, dynamic, and refreshing to the ear.

Album Review

Recommended Tracks: ”Charlie Bugs”, “Chew-E”, “Spring Break”

8. Visits - Tammar [Suicide Squeeze Records]

An album years in the making, local band Tammar finally graced the world with its debut album Visits this year. The world was rocked with the band’s captivating sound, a unique blend of psych rock with bold guitar lines, articulate percussion, trance-setting keyboards, and soothing vocals. (Does ANYONE out there know what Dave Walter is singing?) It’s an album that you will put on repeat and find yourself grooving to for hours. And you will probably make up your own nonsensical lyrics.

Recommended Tracks: ”Yung Jun”, “The Last Line”, “Heavy Tonight”

9. Sweetie EP – The Hollows [Self-Released]

The aptly named Sweetie EP brought The Hollows back to our ears.The band’s first release since 2006′s Darlings of Naught and the untimely death of band member Evan Farrell, Sweetie brought back the band’s soft and pleasing neo-country/folk stylings  led by the warm vocals and beautiful songwriting of Kate Long. With such a strong return, we can only hope that the departure of drummer Pete Schreiner won’t stop this band from continuing to create its magic.

Recommended Tracks: “Terrifying Things”, “Trains”, “The Hum”

10. Labor of Love - Community Currency [Self-Released]

It’s truth that Bloomington is full of musicians, but what’s even better, is that it is full of musical families. When it comes to the Romy brothers (Matt and Nick), the combination of both their skills as musicians and vocalists is simply amazing. Their chemistry has come together in a number of musical projects over the years, but Community Currency, mostly the songwriting of Matt Romy, brought the brothers and their talented musical friends together for a collection of songs about life’s simple lessons. Mixing their multiple-genre influences, Labor of Love features every style from country to jazz to even punk. Also, the fierce fiddling of Susan Anderson is not to be taken lightly.

Recommended Tracks: ”One Of The Greatest Things”, “Life On Earth”, “All That Stuff”

*There are so many albums out there that didn’t make it into the “Top Ten”, I am just honored to live in this town among so many creative people! You all make people feel inspired everyday through your creativity, your presence, and your art so please keep making it and keep sharing it!

Click image for Daytrotter Session

It’s been years since I last saw Pattern Is Movement perform, but I have not forgotten how much fun and how interesting this band is to hear and see. Check them out on Daytrotter performing three tracks, “Jenny Ono”, “Light Of The World” and “Make It Right”.

*Then if you haven’t already, consider that $2/month Daytrotter membership and get unlimited access to all your favorite Daytrotter sessions! There are two previous Pattern Is Movement sessions that you won’t want to miss!

Please take some time out of your day to learn about the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). If you use the internet to learn and share information, thoughts, media, etc. with others, this act directly affects you and the websites that you use to do so.

Do I support piracy? No. This is exactly why the music or video content you see on my blog is linked to or embedded from its original source and credited where possible. However, I also don’t believe that everyone should be punished for the mistakes of others. Our free and open internet has bridged cultural, societal, and physical gaps, allowed open and creative collaboration, and facilitated the sharing of information in ways that have re-defined our world. To cut that away with censorship would not only ruin the intended purpose of the internet, but also steals away the freedoms which this country has boasted upon for centuries. How’s THAT for piracy?

Read what these sources have to say:

Fight For the Future
WordPress.com (Offering censored blog posts, Jan. 18 in protest)
Google (Front Image is BLACKED OUT, Jan. 18 in protest)
Wikipedia (Homepage is BLACKED OUT, Jan. 18 in protest)
Craigslist

I write a blog using the FREE applications that WordPress provides
I use images, videos, and other media (giving credit where possible) to provide detail for the content of my blog
I use social networking websites to share thoughts, news, media, and information with friends
I utilize search engines, websites, blogs, etc. to find information, media, etc.

These acts affect me

These acts affect you

Please take some time to learn about it, and I hope you will contact your local legislator, and then ask a friend to do the same.

Dreamers of the Ghetto recently released a new video for “Connection“, the next single from their debut album Enemy/Lover (Temporary Residence Ltd.). I knew from talking with the band that this song is very special for them, especially between husband and wife Luke and Lauren Jones, and this video highlights that relationship in a beautiful way. Amid shadows and silhouettes, this video is overflowing with shots of Luke singing to and dancing with Lauren, shots Lauren singing and admirably gazing back at Luke in the chorus, and this enticing atmosphere of light among darkness, which is a great metaphor for what love can be in one’s life.

Photo by Greg Shappell Photography

Even more captivating is the sense of love among the brothers as the chorus features both Luke and Jonathan singing “When you’re gone I know you’re with me”, often among the band as a foursome, with only those two singing. It’s a powerful image and message, and although this video is not what I could have expected, it captures that message just right, both visually and lyrically. This band always has a way of portraying their message in a unique and artistic way, and this video is a perfect canvas for their spirit. The video was directed by local videographer/director and musician Eric Ayotte.

More on Dreamers of the Ghetto:
Website
Facebook
bandcamp
Temporary Residence Ltd.
Stream Enemy/Lover on Spotify

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band took over the Bluebird Nightclub on December 31, 2011 and blasted off so many good vibes for the arrival of 2012. I’ve been fortunate enough to see this band in the past, and every setting has brought on a different, high-energy experience. For those who are Big Damn Band novices, when you attend your next show, expect to become a yelling, dancing fool, because there is no way to enjoy this band standing still. After my first rockin’ NYE Big Damn Band experience, I’ve decided to use my observations to put together a few rules of the road for anyone planning to see the band’s NEXT New Year’s Eve experience.

1. Expect No Introductions

As the Bluebird crowd anxiously awaited the tell-tale signs that The Reverend Peyton and his crew would soon grace the stage (flickering house lights, diminishing house music, anonymous bar employee announcing the band), instead, Peyton and Co. simply jumped on stage and started playing. No warming up the crowd, no introducing the purpose of the night, they just took the stage and took control. It was great, and set things off with a bang.

2. Prepare to Get Wet

For everyone who wants to be in the front row, don’t come dressed in your best. One playing of “Two Bottles Of Wine” ensures that someone will get on stage with some wine, shake it up, and spray it all over you…twice. Such was the case as Seattle accordion player and special guest Jason Webley took the stage to sing, yell, and douse the crowd with alcohol.

3. There’s never an inappropriate time for a solo break

I didn’t see it coming since the first two songs were so fast, I expected a little more time before Breezy Peyton jumped for front to solo with her washboard behind her head. In fact, I don’t think anything could have prepared me to expect that. But it happened, and it was great. Only three songs into the set and everyone ripped into solo mode, Breezy, the Rev and Cuz and it was electrifying.

4. Get Your Drinks Early

This band will literally play you right up to the last seconds of the New Year, so make sure you get your NYE libations ready at least 10 minutes before. This way you can have enough time to work through the thick crowd to get the bar, wait through the line to order your drink(s) (or avoid the line), and have enough time to get back to the stage and your friends to countdown the new year.

5. Participate

Dance, shout, sing, high-five strangers, even if all you can do is tap your toes and nod your head. Don’t be too cool for school, you will be the only one standing still in a room FULL of people having a great time.

6. BRING FRIENDS!

No one wants to be standing alone as the clock counts down, plus this band is so crowd-engaging there is nothing better than jumping, shouting, and singing along with a friend by your side. It makes for a great memory, and hopefully the start of a new tradition. If you are a Big Damn Band veteran, treat someone who isn’t with their first Big Damn Band experience.

7. Fire is a Prop

As the show was coming to its end (post encore), I noticed Breezy marinating the edge of her washboard with beer, and then there was fire. It was AMAZING, and everyone was drunk enough to run toward her, rather than away.

8. Have Fun

It’s as simple as that.

The DEVO cover of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (The Rolling Stones) is one such amazing cover. I’d hope that you have heard it at some point in your life, but in a discussion with a co-worker the other day, it became apparent that, some people haven’t. The cover was released as a single in 1977 along with the song “Sloppy (I Say My Baby Gettin’)” and features vocal and musical styles so different from the original that a second listen is required just to make sure it’s actually the same song. Mothersbaugh(s) and Co. really did their homework when stripping apart the song and re-packaging it DEVO-style, featuring atypical timing and beat-emphasis, a funky bass/guitar groove, and that stop-motion, robotic. spazzy-style the band has mastered. It’s really a completely different song that honors an already great song. Also, you don’t have to lose points by saying it’s better than the original, both are excellent.

Original: