Favorite Albums of 2009
Absolute favorite album of 2009:
1. Stendeck - Sonnambula (Tympanik Audio)
http://www.discogs.com/Stendeck-Sonnambula/release/1642235
http://www.stendeck.com
Stendeck makes incredible music, using piano and classical elements combined with a hint of noise and lush atmospheres. Sometimes light, sometimes dark, teetering back and forth between icy and warm. Great music to get lost in.
Previous albums (Faces, and Can You Hear My Call?) equally as good. Go buy. You're welcome.
http://tympanikaudio.com/order/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My go-to album of the year:
2. Synapscape - Again (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Synapscape-Again/release/1580649
Have visitors from Toronto? Throw in Synapscape. Going on a roadtrip? Make sure to grab Synapscape. Feel like annoying a roommate? Blast Synapscape. Was utterly crushed when they canceled at Kinetik, hurray for 2010 and getting a second chance to see them.
http://vimeo.com/4008582
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When life gets hard, and you just want to cry:
3. SE - Epiphora (Tympanik Audio)
http://www.discogs.com/SE-Epiphora/release/1743862
http://tympanikaudio.com/releases/ta022/
Epiphora means an overflow of tears, so naturally this album quickly became my favorite nighttime gloomy music. It may be my own interpretation of the songs, but I find this album incredibly sad. Cheers to depression, and having a soundtrack to go with it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This one wins for packaging alone:
4. Imminent - Cask Strength (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Imminent-Cask-Strength/release/1964353
If you haven’t gotten your paws on a limited edition copy of this, act now. Comes in a wooden box with w/ laser engraving and a detailed inlay.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classy moods that require a glass of wine and an elegant, minimal soundtrack:
5. Geneviève Pasquier - Le Cabaret Moi (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Geneviève-Pasquier-Le-Cabaret-Moi/release/1966707
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For complex moods that require good dark electro:
6. Mc1r - uNuSuAL aRT (ISM-Records, limited to 100 handsigned copies)
http://www.discogs.com/MC1R-uNuSuAL-aRT/release/1707990
http://www.myspace.com/melanocortin1receptor
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occasionally, I can find happiness:
7. Lingouf - Ange Et Gruikk (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Lingouf-Ange-Et-Gruikk/release/1791668
Whimsical, playful, and dare I say….. happy album? What Sarah? Are you ill? This album was a pleasant surprise to me. A must have for any lover of Ant-Zen, but definitely in a league of its own. It may make you want to join a circus. It certainly makes me want to smile.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For days when getting up sounds impossible, and staying in bed with headphones makes more sense: (aka, I drank too much the night before)
8. Mika Goedrijk - Pellicules (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Mika-Goedrijk-Pellicules/release/1556186
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danger music:
9. Marching Dynamics - The Workers Party Of Haiti (Hymen)
http://www.discogs.com/Marching-Dynamics-The-Workers-Party-Of-Haiti/release/1556240
Marching Dynamics was my danger music of 2009. Whether it was going on dumpster diving adventures or driving through the streets of Detroit-it was always a favorite to throw on when I was doing something that just felt... wrong.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time to chill the fuck out or make some art:
10. Pandora's Black Book - Black Brothel (Tympanik Audio)
http://www.discogs.com/Pandoras-Black-Book-Black-Brothel/release/1780623
This cd was given to me by Paul from Tympanik in May at Kinetik. After spending a large majority of my money on merch, I mentioned that the only band on the Tympanik roster I hadn’t had a chance to check out was Lucidstatic. And so I was given a copy of Gravedigger and Black Brothel. I have to say, the Tympanik family knows how to take care of me. I have yet to find a release I don’t like. I’m thankful for all for all of the hard work, time, passion, and creativity of everyone involved with the label. I’m hopeful 2010 will bring more great releases.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honorable Mentions:
Access to Arasaka - Oppidan (Tympanik Audio/Spectraliquid)
Heimstatt Yipotash - Urban Night Motifs (Hands)
Tonikom - The Sniper’s Veil (Hymen)
Totakeke - The Things That Disappear When I Close My Eyes (Tympanik Audio)
Millipede - All My Best Intentions (Hymen)
Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself (BPitch Control)
S.K.E.T. - Depleted Uranium Weapons (Hands)
Keef Baker - Pen Fifteen (Hymen)
Autoclav1.1 - Where Once Were Exit Wounds (Tympanik Audio)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously, I didn’t have the money to check out everything. These are just the albums that resonated the most with me over the year, and I own physical copies of. (Also, according to last.fm, I listened to the most.) So what am I missing that I should add to my ever growing wantlist? In the coming year I want to expand beyond my comfort zone, and find music in new places. I’m also planning on looking to the past for inspiration. I plan on purchasing/seeking out more old school industrial to make my collection more complete. I’m also sort of interested in getting more into more bands like November Növelet and Martial Canterel, so suggestions are welcome. I’m looking forward to 2010, 2009 was a hard year emotionally and I really want to put it behind me. Cheers to (hopefully) making new friends, making new art, finding new love, and discovering new music. You know, all the things that make me happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, just for fun, my favorite track of the year: (and it's a tie!)
Displacer - Elbows Bent At Right Angles (Feat. Broken Fabiola) (Was a toss up between that and the instrumental version)
and
Millipede - Coming Storm
1. Stendeck - Sonnambula (Tympanik Audio)
http://www.discogs.com/Stendeck-Sonnambula/release/1642235
http://www.stendeck.com
Stendeck makes incredible music, using piano and classical elements combined with a hint of noise and lush atmospheres. Sometimes light, sometimes dark, teetering back and forth between icy and warm. Great music to get lost in.
Previous albums (Faces, and Can You Hear My Call?) equally as good. Go buy. You're welcome.
http://tympanikaudio.com/order/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My go-to album of the year:
2. Synapscape - Again (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Synapscape-Again/release/1580649
Have visitors from Toronto? Throw in Synapscape. Going on a roadtrip? Make sure to grab Synapscape. Feel like annoying a roommate? Blast Synapscape. Was utterly crushed when they canceled at Kinetik, hurray for 2010 and getting a second chance to see them.
http://vimeo.com/4008582
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When life gets hard, and you just want to cry:
3. SE - Epiphora (Tympanik Audio)
http://www.discogs.com/SE-Epiphora/release/1743862
http://tympanikaudio.com/releases/ta022/
Epiphora means an overflow of tears, so naturally this album quickly became my favorite nighttime gloomy music. It may be my own interpretation of the songs, but I find this album incredibly sad. Cheers to depression, and having a soundtrack to go with it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This one wins for packaging alone:
4. Imminent - Cask Strength (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Imminent-Cask-Strength/release/1964353
If you haven’t gotten your paws on a limited edition copy of this, act now. Comes in a wooden box with w/ laser engraving and a detailed inlay.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classy moods that require a glass of wine and an elegant, minimal soundtrack:
5. Geneviève Pasquier - Le Cabaret Moi (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Geneviève-Pasquier-Le-Cabaret-Moi/release/1966707
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For complex moods that require good dark electro:
6. Mc1r - uNuSuAL aRT (ISM-Records, limited to 100 handsigned copies)
http://www.discogs.com/MC1R-uNuSuAL-aRT/release/1707990
http://www.myspace.com/melanocortin1receptor
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Occasionally, I can find happiness:
7. Lingouf - Ange Et Gruikk (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Lingouf-Ange-Et-Gruikk/release/1791668
Whimsical, playful, and dare I say….. happy album? What Sarah? Are you ill? This album was a pleasant surprise to me. A must have for any lover of Ant-Zen, but definitely in a league of its own. It may make you want to join a circus. It certainly makes me want to smile.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For days when getting up sounds impossible, and staying in bed with headphones makes more sense: (aka, I drank too much the night before)
8. Mika Goedrijk - Pellicules (Ant-Zen)
http://www.discogs.com/Mika-Goedrijk-Pellicules/release/1556186
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danger music:
9. Marching Dynamics - The Workers Party Of Haiti (Hymen)
http://www.discogs.com/Marching-Dynamics-The-Workers-Party-Of-Haiti/release/1556240
Marching Dynamics was my danger music of 2009. Whether it was going on dumpster diving adventures or driving through the streets of Detroit-it was always a favorite to throw on when I was doing something that just felt... wrong.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time to chill the fuck out or make some art:
10. Pandora's Black Book - Black Brothel (Tympanik Audio)
http://www.discogs.com/Pandoras-Black-Book-Black-Brothel/release/1780623
This cd was given to me by Paul from Tympanik in May at Kinetik. After spending a large majority of my money on merch, I mentioned that the only band on the Tympanik roster I hadn’t had a chance to check out was Lucidstatic. And so I was given a copy of Gravedigger and Black Brothel. I have to say, the Tympanik family knows how to take care of me. I have yet to find a release I don’t like. I’m thankful for all for all of the hard work, time, passion, and creativity of everyone involved with the label. I’m hopeful 2010 will bring more great releases.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honorable Mentions:
Access to Arasaka - Oppidan (Tympanik Audio/Spectraliquid)
Heimstatt Yipotash - Urban Night Motifs (Hands)
Tonikom - The Sniper’s Veil (Hymen)
Totakeke - The Things That Disappear When I Close My Eyes (Tympanik Audio)
Millipede - All My Best Intentions (Hymen)
Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself (BPitch Control)
S.K.E.T. - Depleted Uranium Weapons (Hands)
Keef Baker - Pen Fifteen (Hymen)
Autoclav1.1 - Where Once Were Exit Wounds (Tympanik Audio)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously, I didn’t have the money to check out everything. These are just the albums that resonated the most with me over the year, and I own physical copies of. (Also, according to last.fm, I listened to the most.) So what am I missing that I should add to my ever growing wantlist? In the coming year I want to expand beyond my comfort zone, and find music in new places. I’m also planning on looking to the past for inspiration. I plan on purchasing/seeking out more old school industrial to make my collection more complete. I’m also sort of interested in getting more into more bands like November Növelet and Martial Canterel, so suggestions are welcome. I’m looking forward to 2010, 2009 was a hard year emotionally and I really want to put it behind me. Cheers to (hopefully) making new friends, making new art, finding new love, and discovering new music. You know, all the things that make me happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, just for fun, my favorite track of the year: (and it's a tie!)
Displacer - Elbows Bent At Right Angles (Feat. Broken Fabiola) (Was a toss up between that and the instrumental version)
and
Millipede - Coming Storm