December 2011
21 posts
2011 Gig Survey
2011 Show survey
Top 5 shows of the year?
Chokebore @ La Machine du Moulin Rouge, Paris
Suede performing “Suede” and “Dogman Star” @ Brixton Academy
The Flaming Lips Performing “The Soft Bulletin” @ Alexandria Palace
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead @ Leeds Cockpit
U2 @ Glastonbury
Total number of shows? 77 gigs + 5 Festivals
First show of...
carrie-brownsteinsfringe asked: Merry Christmas!
James Ether's Gigs of the Year, July to December
Let’s get onto my second half of the year with my favourite gigs:
July:
The Flaming Lips Performing “The Soft Bulletin” / Dinosaur Jr. performing “Bug” / Deerhoof performing “Milk Man” @ Alexandria Palace, London This was an incredible night. Three awesome bands performing their most well regarded albums and a crowd who loved every second. Deerhoof and...
James Ether's Gigs of the Year, January to June
So I’ve had a thought about this, but I decided it’d be useless trying to rank the gigs I’ve been to this year, seeing as I can barely remember what I did last night let alone 12 months ago. So instead, I’m going to go by month and then pick out a selection of memorable gigs, with a small blurb and maybe a picture. Let’s start with the first 6 months:
January:
The...
WatchHere’s the best of 2011 mix that I promised. Enjoy!
James Ether's Album of the Year
Well here we are. A week of gradual blogs has led to this exciting moment. But before you quake in your boots at the almighty choice I’ve made, a quick reminded of my top 20:
20. Zola Jesus- Conatus 19. I Break Horses- Hearts 18. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart- Belong 17. Elbow- Build A Rocket Boys! 16. Wild Beasts- Smother 15. M83- Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming 14. PJ Harvey- Let...
James Ether's Album's of the Year #5-2
Nearly at number 1, but first the final few steps before the summit:
5. We Were Promised Jetpacks- In The Pit Of The Stomach
A phenomenally good album. Whilst still an indie rock album at its heart, there’s a increase in post-rock influences resulting in a few more lengthy, experimental tracks like Act On Impulse and Pear Tree. There’s a bigger more epic sound, but it still sounds...
James Ether's Albums of the Year #10-6
Moving swiftly onto the third part:
10. The Airborne Toxic Event- All At Once
All At Once is a massive improvement on TATE’s debut album. It’s has more ideas, features darker, more contemplative lyrics, and is more mature in every way. It’s an indie rock album with more heart and soul than some bands can fit into their entire careers. If the acoustic closer of The Graveyard...
James Ether's Albums of the Year #15-11
Let’s finally get part 2 down.
15. M83- Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
This is possibly the most epic album ever. From the soaring opening of Intro, Anthony Gonzalez never lets up with huge sounds, from pop songs to the gentle ambient tracks. It’s quite dense being a 22-track double album but it’s never boring and is pure fun.
14. PJ Harvey- Let England Shake
This really...
James Ether's Albums of the Year #20-16
Here we go. The most important and revered (by me) end of year list. Let’s have 5 for now, 5 tomorrow, another 5 Wednesday and then spread the top 5 shall we? Ok then:
20. Zola Jesus- Conatus
Gothic pop has never sounded better than from Zola Jesus. Conatus has a host of incredible songs, which are dark, catchy and powered by Zola’s incredible voice. From the atmospheric Vessel to...
James Ether's EP's of the Year #5-1
As promised, here’s my rundown of my favourite EP’s released this year
5. Bright Eyes- Live Recordings
They didn’t get onto my albums list, but this 6 track EP of live tracks is absolutely brilliant. It has 3 of the strongest tracks from The People’s Key which sound much more expansive live, whilst 3 fan favourites from previous albums are performed with gusto. It shows...
James Ether's Best of Year Prelude
Like many music lovers in the world, I’ve compiled a list of albums which I think have been my favourites of the year. I found my music mojo again in 2011 after it seemed to decide to elope for fair portions of 2010, and doing this blog has been a major reason for that I feel. I’ve listened to 79 albums and 14 EP’s and the vast majority have been incredibly good, with only a few...
2011 Albums: Milagres- Glowing Mouth
I can find very little information about Milagres online, but I think this is their second album, and it’s not too shabby at all. It’s a strange brand of indie that’s soft with a very organic and rustic sound, with guitars and pianos swirling around each other, never quite making a wall of sound. the first half of the album is pretty much superb, with great vocals and...
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2011 Albums: Twin Sister- In Heaven
I’ve been meaning to listen to Twin Sister’s debut proper for sometime, and I nearly did about a month ago (and would’ve if I hadn’t fallen asleep. The perils of trying to listen to music at 1am). Anyway, In Heaven is a pretty gorgeous indie pop album. There’s a an odd mix of catchy, almost Cure-esque, guitar lines mix with a more hazey sound with trippy drumming....
Ask me my 'top 5' anything →
byronmckoy:
Johnny Foreigner - Sometimes, in the...
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2011 Albums: Japanese Voyeurs- Yolk
I’d usually put the album cover here but it slightly unsettles me so I’d rather I didn’t.
I first heard of Japanese Voyeurs when they surprisingly supported Johnny Foreigner in 2009. Surprising because they’re a metal band supporting a DIY indie band. Anyway, Their debut album Yolk was released in the summer and it’s pretty good actually. It doesn’t massively...
Anonymous asked: janet, laura, sean, juan
