Steven Ashford’s 2011 | The List

by Steven Ashford

The year 2011 sprung me into a musical erogenous zone that stimulated my eardrums and sizzled my retinas. Some artists, bands and songs I sought out, while others fell into my lap. But they've all permanently embedded a trigger to distinct memories from the last year.

These are the cuts, visions and musical memories will stick with me from 2011. Hopefully, something in this compilation will do the same for you in 2012..

Albums of the Year (national)

1. I'm in the Forest EP by Lakutis

I wish I could have said that Das Racist would have earned a spot in this category because I was listening to them a lot in 2011. But this year's release, Relax, fell quite short. However, Lakutis — who is a not so much a replica of Das as he is a skinny, long-haired blonde dude that lurks around the group — came out with a great EP. It has pretty crafty beats and the same sluggish new-age stoner flow as Das Racist, but it was an uplifting piece of work. He also has a rendition of "Teach Me How To Dougie" called "Wifey" (feat. Das Racist) which is a ton of fun.

2. Cherish the Light Years by Cold Cave

These darkwave dudes from Philly really caught my attention in the second half of 2011. It's a bit dark, a bit new wave, it's 100 percent submerged in experimental synth-pop. Also, the track "Underworld USA" may have been may all-time favorite of the year.

3. Life Sux by Wavves

This is another short but sweet EP. Wavves are one of the only bands that I can think of right now that are getting better with age, or a band that released anything this year that was better than the year's previous. They have a complete grasp on the sunshiney, surf garage sound that makes them stand out, and frontman Nathan Williams' "fuck off" attitude has been doing him pretty well lately. Especially after all that shit that he got a couple years ago when he had that acid-and-pharmaceutical-induced public nervous breakdown in Spain. And in the end, he just "wants to meet Dave Grohl."

Album of the Year (local)

1. Sponge by Digital Leather

In Omaha, it has been the year of the Leather. They're my personal, local favorites this year with their Sponge EP. It's gritty and lo-fi and I think Shawn Foree is stepping into the right direction with this new stripped-down approach. My favorite song on this EP is "Deliver," which is a MOTO cover they are "not allowed" to play anymore. But when they did play it, it was badass. It is just such a treat to have these guys as local musicians that you can see more than once every other year, if you're lucky.

Music VIdeos of the Year

1. "Kaputt" by Destroyer

Destroyer took the comical route by getting a look-a-like of the kid who played Wanye Zolinski's son in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. It sort of reminds me of an '80s John Hughes sexual fantasy gone global and under the influence of psychedelic's (who's to say those creators at Disney weren't under the influence of something when deciding to have those kids befriend a colossal ant, right?).

2. "Video Games (Club Clique remix)" by Lana Del Rey

I'm not sure if this video goes along with the original song, because I only listened to that version once (subsequently never saw that video, either) and I didn't much care for it. This version is much more fitting to my liking anyway, and the video is one of the sexiest of the year. Lana Del Rey is definitely a sultry seductress and I would totally be on board cruising L.A. with her, even if that did mean me attempting to ride a skateboard down a very steep street. The whole Hollywood nostalgia is pretty cool, too. It makes it seem as if her music career has been long-running and spanned decades. Her crooning, old-school style of vocals helps her cause, as well. However, when I first saw this video back in October, she had only played her first show just days prior. Whatever, she's a hit.

3. "Real Is A Feeling" by Pictureplane

If electro music had any guts in the year 2011, you might as well call Pictureplane the modern day James Dean. As an artist who plays by his own rules, Pictureplane sought to make a video that was as much astounding as it was absurd. It's kind of like those "hipster" parties where everyone is spraying green slime out their mouths, the dudes are painting their faces and playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, the chicks are dressed up like dominatrixes and whipping pinatas, and the large couple in the back are dripping hot wax all over their bodies. Not following? Me neither, but the video is a riot and one of my favorites of 2011.

4. "King Night" by Salem

It could be said that 2011 marked the third or fourth revival of Noir. Oddly enough, it seemed to revolve around the idea of an elusive, mysterious automobile or driver (hence Drive). Nonetheless, new adaptations of Film Noir are one of the key components to my favorite music video of the year by Salem. It takes the traditional aspects of a gritty, unforgiving city and throws it all away only to be replaced by an uncomfortable middle-America accompanied by a hellbound, testosterone-fueled semi-truck on a path of destruction. Or at least that's what I'm getting out of the video. It's brilliant. Watch now, please.

Best Concerts of 2011:

1. Wavves and Best Coast at Waiting Room Lounge on Feb. 12, 2011

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The best concerts that I have ever witnessed in Omaha have been at the Waiting Room. This year was no different with Wavves and Best Coast teaming up to perform one of the best combo shows I can remember. Lots of youthful energy, lot of smiles, lots of marijuana references.

 

2. Hunx and His Punx w/ Shannon and the Clams at Slowdown on May 18, 2011

Both Hunx and His Punx and Shannon and the Clams play extremely erotic rock music that tends to swing a certain way. With all of the intense gyrations and inappropriate groping that goes on during these shows, it is truly one of a kind and a bit of a jaw-dropper, but hey, that's rock 'n' roll, right?

3. Animal Collective at Pitchfork Music Festival on July 15

This was basically the sole reason that I went to Pitchfork last year. Animal Collective's performance was definitely worth standing in a Chicago little league field for a couple days during the hottest stretch of the summer. The stage looked as if you were under a psychedelic sea, and the sounds basically made you feel the same. I was pleased with every bit of fresh, unfamiliar material played that night.  Watch footage below.

 

Steven Ashford is a Hear Nebraska editorial intern. He was in New Orleans for the Black Lips on NYE, but since the majority of the show technically took place in 2012, he'll wait for a supplemental post. Ask him to see his raunchy-ass (literally) video from that night at stevena@hearnebraska.org.