Radical Face - Ghost

Ghost is an album I somehow completely missed, even though I really enjoy Electric President and it being released on the amazing Morr Music. Been Cooper focuses more on the folkier elements but doesn't completely ditch his electronic-pop roots. The result is a very warm and addicting album that will remind you of a more personal Electric President. If you enjoy Electric President, Thee More Shallows, Seabear or pretty much anything on Morr, give this a spin.

Ghost

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Jeremy Messersmith - The Reluctant Graveyard

What do you get when you combine Beach Boys like harmonies, catchy folk narratives and a bit of chamber-pop? You get one of the most overlooked gems of 2010. From the toe tapping and infectious album opener "Lazy Bones", to the violin driven opus that is "John the Determinist". This is an album of individual stories that dance the line of multiple genres and constantly keeps you on your toes. If you are in the mood for something catchy, fun and not too serious, you have to give this a spin.

The Reluctant Graveyard

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The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

Welcome Joy is an album that barely missed out on my top 10 of 2009 list. Although they are on a fairly prolific label (Matador), I didn't hear much fanfare concerning them. From the remains of the sorely underrated Pretty Girls Make Graves, Derek Fudesco teamed up with Pete Quirk (Hint Hint) and Marty Lund (Cobra High) to create a visceral, warm and absolutely gorgeous debut album.

With hints of Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent and Akron/Family, they craft echoey and haunting songs that burrow into your brain stem and remain there for weeks.

The Cave Singers - Welcome Joy

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September Malevolence - After This Darkness, There's a Next

Releasing their first album in 2004, the Swedish band September Malevolence crafted a very good, albeit cookie-cutter post-rock album. Unfortunately for them, the beginning of 2004 was a period of time when post-rock went from the genre that annoying GY!BE/Mogwai following hipsters "listened to" to the genre that nauseatingly predictable mainstream hipsters started "listening to". During this flood of generic post-cock,(This was originally a typo but I will now refer to it this way throughout the remainder of this horrid little article.) their debut went almost completely unnoticed. The few who did notice gave it rave reviews and it remains one of the better post-cock albums released that year.

Sick and tired of bands regurgitating the same shit with a different album cover, they decided they wanted to do something a bit different with their follow-up release. Comparable to a less emo/annoying Jeniferever and a bit less abrasive Aereogramme(Sleep and Release era), they were able to create an album with post-cock undertones, mixed with fantastic vocals and even some decent lyrics thrown in.

The album starts off with the slow, gorgeous and extremely catchy "Who Watches the Watchmen", an Ode to the greatest graphic novel of our time, Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns". The third track,"A notion, I can't shake..." is a straight up acoustic folk song that may seem out of place based on my description, but in reality it fits perfectly with the remainder of the album as it segways seamlessly into the ferocious "...accidents happen so fast". The remainder of the album blurs all genre lines and by the end creates an album that is truly all their own.

As we wade waist deep in a pile of mediocre and unoriginal releases, it is such a relief to hear a band that isn't afraid to try something new and original, even if it means they alienate the few that initially loved them. If you've enjoyed anything we've shared on this site, give this album a shot. It's an understated classic that will hopefully be realized someday.

After This Darkness, There's a Next

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Ola Podrida

Before the film director David Gordon Green became a household name, he created two of the most beautiful films ever created; George Washington and All the Real Girls. These two films had very memorable scores that range from stunning original pieces, to artists such as Explosions in the Sky and Will Oldham. When I found out that David Wingo the composer for both of these films was recording under the name Ola Podrida, I was ecstatic to hear what it sounded like.

With hushed vocals and quiet guitars Wingo creates two of the more memorable folk driven americana albums I've heard in recent years. The layers of instruments and sounds create an atmosphere that transports you to a time of wide open plains and horizons free of city lights. This is a time where your life isn't ruled by minutes and seconds. These albums let you take a deep breath and realize you don't need to be constantly stimulated by your surroundings to be happy. Forget your ipods, cell phones, net books, bluetooth and just take a fucking day to relax and enjoy life.

These are albums that you cannot listen to when you need to be productive. You'll instantly feel the urge to quit your job and run outside to climb trees and take naps in open fields. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Ola Podrida

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Belly of the Lion

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Indigo Tree - Lullabies of Love and Death

One thing I hate about making year end lists is the fact that you will always stumble upon an incredible album much too late. Lullabies of Love and Death is another fine example of that fact, another album I randomly downloaded from sordomusic that turned out to be something really special. I am kicking myself for not discovering it sooner because I am fairly certain it would have ranked pretty high in my year end list.

From first listen I knew there was something different about this band. The music itself is very laid back avant-pop that is comparable to a tamer Panda Bear. With simple guitar chords driving the songs, they also mix in trumpets, hand claps and occasional drums in such a way that it sounds almost dreamlike. To be honest, this record is a dream in album form. One of those perfect dreams that you really don't wish to awaken from.

After listened to it at least a half a dozen times, I started doing some research on the band itself. What I found was very surprising. Even though their lyrics are in english and they sing it very well, the band is from Poland. I guess it can be blamed on lack of trying, but I've never listened to a band from Poland before. If asked a few weeks ago what modern Polish music would sound like, I would use adjectives such as dark, brooding and creepy. I now realize how ignorant such a thought is, but I guess I'd rather be ignorant than stupid.

Listen to this album and let it destroy the little box that you've already placed 2009 in.

Indigo Tree - Lullabies of Love and Death

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Sleeping States - In the Garden of the North

Sleeping States, aka Markland Starkie has been doing what he does for six years. His most recent album, In the Gardens of the North now includes other members who probably helped him name the album. I only mention that because it could not be named more accurately. When I listen to Gardens all I can think about is Markland prancing in a mountain of daisies until an abrupt storm sends him home. This is my first album I've heard of that's been called "Queercore" but I'm pretty sure that's how it's supposed to sound.

It's a mellow album that often confronts you with a discomforting instrumental bit to keep you engaged. Soft-spoken lyrics feel like an open reading of his diary with additional commentary turned on. His words are complimented by mellow baselines, simple drums, and a is glued together by a couple of flowing guitars. In the Gardens of the North is sure to please the attentive headphones listener as well as the guy leaving it on in the background while he pets his fat fucking cat.

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Evening Hymns - Spirit Guides

Jonas Bonnetta is one of the many sorely underrated artists coming out of Canada the past few years. Along side Ohbijou, Forest City Lovers, Timber Timbre, Wooden Sky and The Acorn, they all seem to be on the cusp of something huge.

Spirit Guides is a fantastic folk album with a perfect mixture of field recordings and acoustic instrumental that rivals some of the best this genre has offered from the past few years. Simply gorgeous from start to finish I've had this in my car's cd player for a week straight and it just keeps getting better. Definitely one of my favourite releases of the year, I just haven't figured out high on my list it goes yet.

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Brian Harnetty & Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Silent City

The past few years Will Oldham has released quite a few allbums, none of which were very memorable to me. Long gone were his vulnerable crackling voice and sorrowful lyrics in exchange for a much more polished and upbeat sound. I guess I miss the old Will and was hoping he'd release something that would remind me of his earlier works. Thankfully, with the help of Brian Harnetty, that Will we have grown to miss is back.

Harnetty crafts a wonderful soundscape of natural ambient sounds, field recordings and historic records to craft a haunting and wonderful world in which Oldham's fragile vocals mix perfectly with. I am slowly working my way through Brian's other recordings and loving every second of it.

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Timber Timbre

Timber Timbre is the brainchild of Toronto based Taylor Kirk. With a ghostly warble Taylor uses guitars, pianos, banjos, organs and horns to craft these three exceptional albums. His first release was Cedar Shakes which was recorded in a small farm house in Ontario. Reflecting the fields that surrounded him this album sounds sparse, lonely and incredible.
His second record Medicinals is much tighter and straight-forward but loses nothing that made his debut so spectacular. You can hear the influence of blues and jazz as they saturate these sad and wonderful songs.
His latest release was his first to be recorded in an actual studio which I thought might hurt the overall aesthetic of his sound but I am happy to say it does not. He focuses a bit more on the blues aspect and keeps each of his songs tight, catchy and memorable. You will be humming these songs all day thanks to the album's infectiousness.

Cedar Shakes (2006)
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Medicinals (2007)
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Timber Timbre (2009)
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Haruko - Wild Geese

Haruko is German singer/songwriter Susanne Stanglow. With ten simple yet gorgeous tracks she created one of the finest folk albums of 2009. I would compare her to the likes of Lotte Kestern, Alela Diane and Sharon Van Etten. This is a fantastic little album and has secured a spot as one of my favourites so far this year.

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Jay Munly - Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots

I just recently discovered the wonder that is Jay Munly. His catalog of music is exhaustive, spanning many different bands and collaborations. Creating a very classic sound of gothic/gospel/americana with a plethora of instruments and incredible lyrics. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys Devotchka, 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand. I am still slowly working through his releases and he just keeps impressing me.

Don't fuck with Munly.

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The Cloud Hymn - A Seed Buried in the Ground

In a usual sleepless night of mine I was searching through countless labels and seeing if any artists grab my attention. I happened upon ambledown which has a collection of very good Wisconsin artists. The Cloud Hymn really impressed me with the few tracks I heard so I went ahead and got the album. This album is just straight forward acoustic folk with a piano and two gorgeous voices. John Nielsen creates snow covered soundscapes that just completely surround you. Like a warm blanket this album is perfect for a cold day and a cup of coffee. Wow that sounded corny as hell but I don't care. Thanks John, you got me writing like an asshole now.

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Zach Zeller

I was browsing cdbaby for a couple of hours today when I came across this artist. I have never heard a thing about him so I bought his albums based on just a few samples. I am extremely glad I did, he creates simple yet very lush lo-fi folk songs that are reminiscent of Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver and a bit of Will Oldham. Fuzzy, warm and completely addicting the songs range from simple folk songs to layered electro-pop. I implore you to listen to these albums, fall in love and support this artist. He deserves any credit/fans/support he gets.

Zach Zeller - Swords (Click to download)





Zach Zeller - From Here To There (Click to Download)

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Scary Mansion - Every Joke Is Half the Truth

An incredible lo-fi record that seemed to go completely unnoticed last year. I'd say it's a good mix of Cat Power and earlier Phil Elvrum projects, a bit creepy but absolutely beautiful at the same time.

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Sin Fang Bous - Clangour

This is the latest solo release of Seabear frontman Sindri Mar Sigfusson. Although Seabear started as a solo project, it quickly evolved into the beloved folk-pop band we love today. Not straying too far from his roots Sindir retains his easily accessible style with much more substance. Now each songs swirls with activity and sounds but without feeling too claustrophobic. Each sound you hear seems perfectly in place and if removed would be catastrophic to the overall dynamic. I would best describe the sound as an extremely laid back Animal Collective. This is quite possibly my favourite release of 2008.

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