30

AFX, Chosen Lords [Rephlex]

I’ve always considered Richard D. James to be as close to a true artist as possible, and by true artist, I mean someone that does not create from inspiration or outside influence. A true artist’s inspiration comes from inside one’s self, not from some other artist or some other influence. Richard has always fashioned himself as such as well and stated as such in interviews. Sure, he was obviously influenced by Eno during the Selected Ambient Works days, and John Cage during the creation of  Drukqs, but his final works in those arenas are so far removed from those original artists, it almost always seemed like a new vision. This is a man that refused to use the amen break for jungle-based music (and if anything was an absolute staple in Jungle, it was sampled breaks like the Amen), and instead created his own drum beats in creation of the genre we now know as drill’n’bass. Knowing this, it’s was surprising to hear he had abandoned all computer equipment for analog synths in creation of his new project Analord. It’s as if he’s saying his mind inspired enough music; now he wants to let go and have the machines inspire him. And that’s what this collection, ten of his favorite tracks from the 11 Analord 12”’s released last year, sounds like. It’s Richard in relaxed form having fun with old equipment, and moreso than Squarepusher’s recent album Hello Everything, it works on all levels, from concept to completion.
 
Download: PwSteal.Ldpinch.D

29

Booka Shade, Movements [Get Physical!]

It’s always been hard for me to find dance albums I like. It’s also seemed like unless you’re following what the latest 12”’s are, you can’t get real dance music, and it’s something that’s always upset me as I knew good stuff was out there, but seeing as how I don’t have current access to a turntable, I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on it. This year, for me, that frustration seemed to fade, and one of the reasons was this album from Booka Shade. Thank God. Finally, a good dance album. This albums represents the type of electro/techno output you’d hope to hear when you’re dragged to clubs, the type of record that builds on the tradition of dance greats and actually does make you want to, well, dance, even if as far as you get is tapping your foot.

Download: Night Falls

28

Yppah, You Are Beautiful At All Times [Ninja Tune]

I racked my brain for a genre or a even a few adjectives to describe this record, and nothing seems to fit. This is the type of album that spawns microgenres like fusionpostjazzelectrocore or something equaling befuddling. This is the album Loka’s Fire Shepherds (also released on Ninja Tune this year) should have been, fitting all the genre-bending hyperbole in the press release for that record. This is a balsy debut that works because of kitchen sink debauchery, its refusal to fit within a traditional mold or hold back any influence or sound (and there are too many of both to even start referencing here). All I can say is that this is one of the most original albums I’ve heard all year without being a single bit inaccessible. It’s the type of album that, if it was released by Tortoise, might be called the best record they’ve ever done. There’s that type of talent behind it. Stop reading what I’m saying; just find a copy and go for the ride.

Download: Ending With You

27

Dub Tractor, Hideout [City Centre Offices]

Dub Tractor, despite its name, isn’t really much about dub anymore. This album, to put it simply, is guitar soaked, downtempo music. This album almost sounds like a collection of lullabies, with the gentle vocals and guitar backed by sparse electronics. It’s akin to the result of drugging Mum with barbiturates before a 4:30 AM live show. I despise the word “chillout” to describe music, but this is an album that really shakes up what has become a certain style of music to define that name.

Download: I’m Like You

26

Panda & Angel [Jade Tree]

Debut EP from Seattle based indie rockers. Tons of influences and sounds come through on this gorgeous EP. The record chronicles the tragic story of Ohio drug addict couple Panda and Angel, where the band name comes from. Referencing just about any indie band you’ve ever loved and throwing their sound in somewhere on this EP, there’s a lot here to like, from the angst-ridden guitar in “Dangerous” to the somber vocals and narrative of “Ohio December 24th”. This is a versatile band with a lot to offer fans of many different indie stylings. For fans of just about anything in the indie rock world, this is band to pay attention to now and in the future.

Download: Dangerous

25

Seeland, Crimson [Duophonic]

Hearing that a band is made up of ex-members of Plone and Broadcast pretty much automatically makes me say “Yes, please!”, and it’s great to his that this EP doesn’t disappoint fans of either (or both) bands. This band retains the playfulness of Plone’s all too brief career (which was always oh so charming), and adds vocals and instruments worthy of comparison to Broadcast. Stand out “Turn Again” recalls some of Broadcast’s more minimal moments as subtle “are they electronic or are they instruments” layers cohabit the haunting vocals. If you were at all infatuated with For Beginner Piano or even The Noise Made By People, this is an EP you need to hear.

Download: Turn Again

24

Mouse On Mars, Varcharz [Ipecac]

Never ones to repeat the same sound, German duo and experimental electronic music innovators Mouse on Mars follow up 2004’s daringly poppy Radical Connector with perhaps their harshest and most inaccessible work to date. Inaccesible probably isn’t the correct work to use, as the MOM always have a playfulness that manages to reel people in rather than push them away as with other experimental music. It’s always amazing in that respect that while they change their sound each record, you can always still tell when something is a Mouse On Mars track. There’s that fine line in music with not wanting to sound the same as your previous work but still wanting to capture what made you a great band in the first place, and it’s something Mouse On Mars have done time and time again, whether they’re referencing jazz, pop, or noise.

Download: Duul

23

Cortney Tidwell [Ever]

Where did Cortney Tidwell come from? One of the most auspicious debuts of 2006, this Tennesseean singer-songwriter blends the atmosphere of alt-country with the raw emotion and voice of a Bjork or Emiliana Torrini, along with occasionally impeccably produced electronic noodlings. The result is one of the most captivating sounds this year, and what country radio would play in a perfect world.

Download: Drink Up

22

Encre, Encre a Kora [Intr_version]

Not much is talked about modern classical music. Some people may argue there’s no way classical music can be modern, as it is one of the oldest forms of music to still remain relevant today. Yann Tambour AKA Encre to me is defining modern classical music. Encre is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist from France who, in addition to playing these instruments, samples them for unique effect. The result on this beautiful EP is a caffeinated version of Murcof, where the strings are dizzying, the effects mystifying, and the overall result magnificient and more powerful than anything I’ve heard from Murcof or any other traditional classical music out there at the moment. Encre teaching one of the oldest styles of music new tricks.

Download: Dogma, Africana, and Math Folk One

21

Talkdemonic, Beat Romantic [Arena Rock]

Second album from Portland based, indielectronic, post-rock duo. The list of instruments played on this album is astounding. You’ll hear everything from banjo to accordion to guitar to Rhodes. There’s probably some cowbell in there somewhere too. The way this duo manages to display all of their instrumental talent while balancing it with a penchant for electronics is quite astounding, and despite the instrumental and song schizophrenia (most songs are in the one to two minute range), this album sounds like such a cohesive unit, and is double really really good. Quite the accomplishment.

Download: White Gymnasium