Albums of 2011 : Numbers 25 - 21

Alright? Let's go!

25 - Okkervil River : I Am Very Far
Will Sheff's band couldn't quite match the majesty of their last two records, but I Am Very Far still contained some wonderful tunes, rousing moments ('The Valley'), beautiful interludes ('We Need a Myth') and some of the most personal songwriting Sheff's committed to record . If you want your indie rock well-read and wearing a crumpled suit, Okkervil River are still the premier band, and the go-to guys.

24 - EMA : Past Life Martyred Saints
Erika M Anderson produced one of the most intense and visceral experiences of 2011 with this album, laying bare her personal demons on top of abrasive Sonic Youth style guitar abuse, and sparse folk interludes. Thankfully, Anderson seems to have avoided the problems that led to the implosion of previous band, Gowns, and found a fitting outlet for her immense talent.

23 - My Morning Jacket : Circuital
After the distinctly dodgy Evil Urges, Jim James and co returned to something approaching their best form with this record. It's the usual mix of country beauty, Disney soundtracks and heads-down rocking, but done with a passion that's been missing for a few years. Live, they're still something special, and a must-see. With Circuital, MMJ edge a little closer to capturing that spirit on record.

22 - I Break Horses : Hearts
Scandinavia is where it's at this year, with many fine records coming from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This album, a Swedish entry, contained some of the finest shoegazing married to solid pop tunes that I've heard in a while, with Maria Linden's honeyed voice soaring over the MBV-esque guitars and programmed beats. It was released on 4AD, the perfect home for the band's icy cool.

21 - TV On the Radio : Nine Types of Light
Recovering from the death of Gerard Smith, TVOTR surprised everyone with the low-key release of what turned out to be testament to the power of the band. Switching from soaring balladry to confrontational rants, the key to the joy of the record was, as usual, the wonderful vocals of Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone, married to the genius production of David Andrew Sitek.

To hear a selection of tracks from these albums, there's a handy Spotify playlist via the link below:

http://open.spotify.com/user/andrewahannah/playlist/1JSSXOvJVU8yIbiGw6fNGA

EMA - Past Life Martyred Saints

Erika M Anderson, EMA, was once part of none-too-cheerful, anxiety-heavy noisemongers Gowns with partner Ezra Buchla, before the emotional baggage of that band got too much to bear, and she retreated into the shadows to craft the songs found here on debut solo Past Life Martyred Saints. I'm not going to lie here - it's an incredibly uncomfortable and emotionally challenging listen....but it's also a beautiful set of songs.

With songs such as 'Butterfly Knife' and 'Marked' clearly touching on physical abuse - self inflicted or otherwise - this record was never likely to be singalong fun, and Anderson certainly doesn't mind wearing her heart on her sleeve. She intones lyrics like a young Kim Gordon, or Cat Power maybe, and the musical backdrop is high on intensity. It's waves of guitar noise, organ drone and industrial clangs, which recalls some of the dronier moments of Sonic Youth's oeuvre, or the work of Earth's Dylan Carlson, or even the open stringed scratchiness of early Palace Music. There is a folky element to the record, with epic 'The Grey Ship' founded on Viking legend (the single also features a stunning 16minute rendition of a Robert Johnson song).

Anderson's stream of consciousness attack on her adopted home state, 'California' is an astonishing piece of work, funny and touching, and the emotional resonance can be heard in her gasps for breath between some of the lines of the song. If ever someone truly meant the lyrics in a song, EMA lives and breathes every single moment of Past Life Martyred Saints.

There's many other highlights to be found; 'Milkman' is fun noise-rock, and closer 'Red Star' is anxiety personified in song, but the record as a whole is an awesome achievement. To produce art out of personal pain isn't something that's easy or to be encouraged, but if it works as catharsis, then who's to argue with that.

EMA - The Grey Ship by earfood99

New (and old) Music: EMA, Austra, Bush Tetras

Today, let's celebrate some fine music made by women. First up, Erika M Anderson aka EMA:




And how about some Austra? Okay then....



And finally, some post-punk courtesy of Bush Tetras: