Tampa Calling

There are plenty of albums I listened to incessantly (or not so incessantly but still enjoyed) this past year that didn’t make my top ten, but are still worthy enough of mention. I’ve also included a few I missed all together when they came out and am just now really digging on — there’s just too much music out there, people. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

Erykah Badu, New Amerykah, Part One (4th World War) [Universal Motown]
I only heard Badu’s fourth studio effort for the first time a couple days ago, and kicked my self profusely for not listening sooner. Love it, gives me an automatic head bob, and the only reason I ever avoided it was because I’d heard it was too political. It’s political, all right, but in a blacksploitation film sort of way, all hot funk meets justified rage.

Black Moth Super Rainbow, Drippers EP [The 70's Gymnastics Recording Company]
The five-member experimental ensemble released another album of colorful, synthified, psychedelic fizz – the sort of music you’d expect from the soundtrack to a 1970’s space odyssey. The album includes songs produced over the past year that won’t be on the next album, and each limited edition release comes with one of five scratch n’ sniff scents: fruit punch, campfire, firecracker, tomato and dirt.

Phish, At the Roxy CD Box Set [Jemp]
It’s just not fair to pit a three-night show performed by a band more than 15 years ago against new music, even if said shows do include one of the best versions of “Tweezer” ever known to Phish kind. A truly great box set that anyone who considers themselves a Phan should own.

Panther, 14kt. God [Kill Rock Stars]
Spastic fun rock music with big beats and a Mick Jagger swagger. This album is just a great time.

Beach House, Devotion [Car Park]
The second dream pop album by Baltimore duo Beach House is simple and elegant, each song leisurely, achingly lovely and marked by the soft, sweetly ethereal vocals of singer Victoria Legran.

The Ruby Suns, Sea Lion [Sub Pop]
The New Zealand trio – led by 24-year-old Californian ex-pat Ryan McPhun – brings a disc that combines psyche pop with an unmistakable world flavor. Good stuff.

Starfucker, Starfucker [Badman Recording]
The indie pop/electro threesome made a great, danceable record. Catchy hooks, New Wave influences, and well-produced overall.

Fujiya & Miyagi, Lightbulbs [Deaf, Dumb and Blind]
Not much of a departure from the UK trio’s last ’80’s-dance-music-meets-Kraut-rock album but more a continuation of it, which is why I liked it but couldn’t love it.

Hot Chip, Made in the Dark [Astralwerks]
This album starts strong with a few catchy, heavy dance music tracks, but there are simply too many slowed-down moments.

Raz Ohara & the Odd Orchestra, Raz Ohara & the Odd Orchestra [Get Physical Music/Debrulation]
Langerous electro-lounge music with bossa-nova rhythms from Berlin-based Ohara.

Langhorne Slim, Langhorne Slim [Kemado]
The neo-soul folk singer has a definite Bob Dylan feel to his songwriting approach and style, though he’s got more twanginess to his delivery.

Girl Talk, Feed the Animals [Illegal Art]
Mash-ups like you’ve never heard before, with no less than a dozen samples used at a time, and sometimes well over 20.

I Am Robot and Proud, Uphill City [Darla]
The sort of pop music you’d expect from a robot. In this case, from Toronto native Shaw-han Liem. Fun, whimsical, bright and light.

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