So I already gave you one, two lists of 2011 records worth checking out. I also gave you lists from some of Atlanta’s finest musicians and music listeners – Alex, Matt, Richard and Erik. The bowl season is in full swing, the playoffs are almost set and it’s that last day of the year, so what do I have left for 2011? Just one more list.
These are the records that we discovered, or rediscovered, in 2011 that did not come out in 2011 but found their way onto our turntable more than once or thrice this year. (Yes, most of these came our way by way of the vinyl pressing process).
You might like. You might not. But we’d like to suggest that new and shiny isn’t the only place to find great new sounds. These are our old favorites of 2011.
Wings – Wings At The Speed Of Sound
. After the break-up, Paul McCartney’s efforts always stood in the shadow of the band that made him a legend. I’m not sure if that was fair. I really don’t know what’s wrong with a few silly little love songs.
The Cavedogs – Rock Takes a Holiday. One of the best finds of the year for me. This Capital Records promo, that I found in a $1 bin, uncovered this truly obscure and legitimately under-appreciated band. Record stores are such fun.
Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
. I don’t really know what sent me on my Genesis kick earlier this year, maybe fond memories of Sid Barrett or more recent thoughts of the next Drink Up Buttercup record, but I was in full-on Genesis mode in the first half of the year and this album led the way. If all you can think of is “Land of Confusion” when you hear somebody mention Genesis then do yourself a favor and pick up this record. Prog Rock at its best? Maybe.
Meet John Doe
. I first heard John Doe’s first solo effort this year. It’s regrettably “out of print” but not that hard to find. This is the moment when he started to chart his life outside of X but still retained much of that aesthetic. Well worth the time it might to take to find one for yourself.
Ten Years After – Ssssh
. Alvin Lee’s original band also snuck back into my life in 2011. This record doesn’t feature the famous “I’d Love to Change the World” (though that album got some spins too) but I found it in the $1 bins at Criminal Records and took it home only to recall how good the first wave of blues rock psychedelia sounds against my eardrums.
David Stephens – A Year And Some Change
. David is a friend and an incredibly talented artist outside of his musical endeavors but it wasn’t until this year that I got to hear the record he made in back in 2009. The instantly accessible and easily hummable setlist only suffers from sequencing (yes if I were ordering the songs, the dangerously cute 2nd song should have been swapped for the beautifully poignant 12th song). David plays the banjo and sings a song as if life were a porch, you were the summer night and he was its entertainer.
The Wedding Present – Mini (plus)
. The Wedding Present ranks among the most enduring bands in my portfolio of personal favorites and this record is their stand out effort – at least it was this past year. This 9 song “import” version of the original 6 track EP was in heavy rotation. Give it a spin.
The Godfathers – Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It was this “off-label” live record that reminded me of this band from my youth. Sure I tracked down a copy of Birth School Work Death
(at considerably less than the big stores want for it) to complete the loop, but this is a record that got me there. Another under appreciated effort.
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant – Gear Blues
. A pal brought over a nearly all black gatefold lp filled with deliciously multi-colored vinyl this Thanksgiving. These Japanese garage punks were found on the grooves in between. I found several more recordings shortly thereafter.
Eleven was a good year for old music. Hope it was a good year for you too. Here’s to older in 2012.
