by Jordan Minnick
With the year's end comes some R and R: relief that we survived another year and the ability to relive moments again and again. We can all be relieved that the year in music was undoubtedly bountiful as we listen to our favorites on repeat. Here's what I've had on replay — my soundtrack to that traditional kind of rest and relaxation.
Albums of the year (national)
1. El Camino by The Black Keys
This Black Keys album really snuck up on me. The Akron, Ohio rock twosome had just released Brothers last year to pretty high acclaim, so you know, one can assume that the band would take somewhat of a break. That could be especially true given that the two musicians hop-scotched across the country more than once while touring on the album. But apparently that didn't happen, because with December came El Camino, a great little bundle of rock songs. Great, because they harken back to old Black Keys — the stuff that really rocks.
2. Ideas of Distance by Young Man
Young Man is Colin Caulfield and friends, out of Chicago. Colin actually got his biggest break from YouTube, covering artists like The Velvet Underground and Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, along with original songs. He got the attention of Frenchkiss Records, and has thus far released two EPs with the label. His newest, Ideas of Distance, was released this fall. The EP yeilds lovely lyrics about a long-distance love, with instrumentation of atmospheric synths that fills the void between Caulfield's guitar.
3. Cults by Cults
This New York duo is like the Phil Spector girl pop of the future. Singer Madelin Follin's tweeny sounding alto voice radiates among synth, guitar and delicately meshed-in audio of cult leaders. It's whimsical when upbeat, yet mature with a slow number like "You Know What I Mean." It's just great pop music.
Albums of the year (local)
1. The People's Key by Bright Eyes
My tendency toward Bright Eyes has always been a little obsessive. What can I say? Conor and crew have never put out an album that I didn't like. And this time is no different. While some can't handle the old-guy babble, I welcome its irony. Talking samples, after all, have been featured in every great Bright Eyes album to date. It's like a story arc you follow as you listen to the album (front to back, of course). And just like every great Bright Eyes album before it, it's a new take on the sound you presumably already love.
2. Hanga-Fang by Noah's Ark Was A Spaceship
This band just rocks in my book. And they do it with an air of cool they don't even know they have, which is like, even cooler. If I haven't shown you this album, I probably don't consider you a great friend. And it comes in orange vinyl — fucking awesome.
3. Build With Erosion by The Berg Sans Nipple
The sounds on this album amaze me. It may not make sense to refer to music as sound-art, but this album is sound-art. It has shapes and colors you've never seen before, through sounds you've never heard before. Between the percussion and the electronic, musicians Shane Aspegren and Lori Sean Berg have created a pièce de résistance.
Best new song (national)
1. "Wildfire" feat. Little Dragon by SBTRKT
This SBTRKT (pronounced subtract) song has fostered many a remix. If that doesn't speak to its electro-quality, guest vocalist Yukimi Nagano of Sweden's Little Dragon can prove otherwise, with her sexy, sometimes explosive pipes.
2. "Origins" by Tennis
This husband-and-wife duo out of Denver won me over with their 2011 release, Cape Dory. While this song is not from that album, it's a hopeful preview of the sound to come with their sophomore LP, due out Valentine's Day 2012.
3. "Machu Picchu" by The Strokes
A Strokes song that doesn't get old is always a good Strokes song for me. And lead signer Julian Casablancas belts it the hell out toward the end. I love it when he does that.
Best new song (local)
1. "Babes" by Icky Blossoms
An anthem for "killer babes" everywhere, this song runs along the border of retro and futuristic. And that sultry voice of singer Sarah Bohling … something tells me Nico would so approve.
2. "Reprogram" by InDreama
This song technically came out last year via CoCo Art's Roam for the Holidaze compilation, but it came out most officially this year, on vinyl. The band's four-way singles-split with Touch People, Conduits and Icky Blossoms became a hot commodity earlier in 2011. Definitely a must-have local vinyl.
3. "Twist and Shout" by Capgun Coup / "Get Your Own" by Sam Martin and Greg Elsasser (tie)
In 2011, Capgun Coup previewed some of their best work yet. I say "preview" because the best is yet to come, with their third LP due out in 2012 on ORG Music. You can expect "Twist and Shout" on that release. In the meantime, Capgun musicians Sam Martin and Greg Elsasser have put out a song of their own, on Make Believe Studio's Bikou-En Orphanage Benefit Compilation for Japan relief aid.
Best album art
1. Find Love by The Benningtons
This album art includes two of my favorite things: simplicity and CMYK. When great album art can compliment a great album, you have a winning combination.
2. This Bogus Earth summer tour cassette-split by Yuppies and Solid Attitude
The unconventional art on this tape split is brought to you by Solid Attitude's (Iowa City) own Brendan Wells. It's uber art school dropout-cool, although he certainly has his degree.
3. Smother Nature by Masses
This Masses EP looks like a comic book from Chernobyl — if Chernobyl had unicorns and six-eyed monsters.
Best music video
1. "Claire Doesn't Care" by Capgun Coup
2. "Change the Shape" The Berg Sans Nipple
3. "The Trains, The Drinks and The Dawn" by Kill County (Love Drunk video)
Best new regional band
1. Icky Blossoms
I really can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for Icky Blossoms. They've easily become the hottest (and danciest) local band in 2011, so I could only hope that their fame would extend from the local scene in the year to come.
2. Dericho
When one of my favorite Lincoln bands, The Vingins, closed shop this year, I was kinda bummed. But I'm happy to see that lead singer Derek Ouston has continued his music under the solo moniker Dericho. Although he relocated to Chicago, once a Nebraskan, always a Nebraskan. His EP released this year continues in the swagger of his old band while inagurating a new era of more solid recordings. You can expect more from the Nebraska transplant in 2012.
3. Jesse Wohlman
Although 2011 certainly isn't the first year of singer/songwriter Jesse Wohlman's music, he put his best foot forward this year with his debut EP The Deluge.
* Photo by Daniel Muller
Jordan Minnick is a contributor for Hear Nebraska. At the top of her 'can't wait for in 2012' list is seeing Radiohead in Kansas City. Reach her at jordanminnick@hearnebraska.org.