Each and every one of the following albums has been carefully selected to represent the year in music, and each one contributes a strong presence going forward. The music is vastly different from one artist to the next, but all worthy of consideration, and discussion of merit. As part of a larger community, The Chimes strives to represent diversity in many areas, and we are proudly committed to voicing the opinions of our student body. We believe that the time for serious discussion regarding our beliefs and morality is now, and that we can come alongside one another to uplift, encourage, and even explain a differing viewpoint, if necessary.
Six Organs of Admittance – Shelter From the Ash Ben Chasny always impresses with his limitless guitar abilities and Shelter from the Ash is no exception. Darker, and more in tune with the intellectual climate of late, Chasny’s intelligent obsession with noise and reverb is well documented here, as are his solemn and gorgeous acoustic performances.
Panda Bear – Person Pitch This surprising album is an absolute coup for Animal Collective’s Panda Bear. The eclectic sounds and scaled vocals are expertly mixed, creating strange and incredibly beautiful movements. Events like Lennox’s marriage and the birth of his daughter make their joyous mark on this album, which transports the listener beyond noise to hear the defining work of an artist who utlizes sound as his medium.
Magic Lantern – At the Mountains of Madness One of the most interesting new voices on the drone/experimental scene, Magic Lantern has really taken off in their first year. All five band members are Biola graduates and definitely on the watch list. With a soaring, incredibly strange, but intensely beautiful sound, the influences that saturate their daily lives creep in to fully outfit this cassette-only release.
Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? Of Montreal suffered criticism for allowing Outback Steakhouse to utilize one of their songs. To prove that they’re nobody’s fool, they then released one of their most musically complex albums to date. Definitely difficult to listen to at times, the album pops with some of their finest work, dealing with issues of divorce, self-awareness, personal responsibility and, of course, having the time of your life.
Magik Markers – Last of the Retsin/You Can’t F a Clock / Here Lies the Last of the Redstone* Magik Markers is not for everyone. Get your brass knuckles ready, because this is noise like you’ve never heard it, and Magik Markers make good on any and all promises. Elisa Ambrogio leads her crew through rip-roaring distorted noise and grind, offering non-stop action from cover to cover.
Bill Callahan – Woke on a Whaleheart Bill Callahan finally comes out of his shell and drops the decade-long Smog moniker. Though perhaps not as musically important as his earlier works, Woke on a Whaleheart can rally with the best of them, offering a unique lo-fi sound in today’s oversaturated market. Callahan has come into his own as an iconic American artist.
Feist – The Reminder As much as I’ve over-heard this album, I can’t help smiling like a fool whenever it comes on. Leslie Feist is lovely and has managed to create an album that everyone can love, from adults to children. It really is the definition of easy listening, but with a lot of class, and gentle fun.
Sondre Lerche – Phantom Punch Sondre Lerche is a little bit of a guilty pleasure with his softly lilting voice, and quirky songs. The energy of this album is infectious. Different from his other, more acoustic works, it is far punchier and eclectic, but still undeniably Sondre..
Radiohead – In Rainbows Everyone loves it; it’s great; it’s one of their best overall works in recent years. “House of Cards” and “All I Need” are classic Radiohead — wavery and authentic. Oddly kind of forgettable, the album fails to take any real risks. After all these years of being barraged by originality and adept aural construction, perhaps something simpler would have sufficed.
The New Pornographers – Challengers After hearing the quote that “Rock music is the new pornography,” A.C. Newman named his new group The New Pornographers. Though the solo efforts of this world-renowned supergroup are far more impressive, this latest collective album is quite good and imbued with the hope of new love. The New Pornographers can always be counted on for variations on a theme, and Challengers is a punchy, delicious, frothy riot from start to finish.
