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AudioFuzz Contributor’s Top 5 Albums Of 2012

  • January 1, 2013
  • 5 min read
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Chris Ryan’s Top 5 Albums

1. Tame Impala – Lonerism

Psychedelia gets an overhaul and the beauty of 60’s rock is amplified with magnificent glory through the work of Kevin Parker who consistently boasts that ‘solitude’ is best.

2. Animal Collective – Centipede Hz

Animal Collective’s 11th studio album is by far their most accessible and arguably their best release to date. The albums 11 tracks on this album are finely tuned with layers upon layers of ethereal and lucid sounds that entrench the album with a sea of sounds. “Wide Eyed” is one of the best songs with Deakin on vocals.

3. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Mature Themes

Ariel Pink might be known for some crazy antics, drugged-out rants and sometimes incoherent songs but with Mature Themes the pink-haired rocker goes a different route adding to the substance of his comedic rock with various different elements that encompass several genres of rock.

4. White Rabbits – Milk Famous

The White Rabbits released their most rhythmic and melodic album to date with instant classics like “Danny Come Inside”, “Everyone Can’t Be Confused”, “Heavy Metal” and “Temporary.”

5. Chairlift – Something

Chairlift brought about some of the most unique songs this year with songs like “Amanaemonesia” that left listener’s pondering the song’s meaning. The synths craft these song’s foundations perfection and heighten the mood of each song creating ambiguously addictive tunes.

Joey Santiago’s Top 5 Albums

1. Smashing PumpkinsOceania

This album is Billy Corgan at his best, amazingly mixed, has a good flow for a concept album.


2. Frank Oceanchannel ORANGE

Takes Hip-hop and R&B to a whole new level, tells a story through Ocean’s eyes, brilliantly produced

3. The XXCoexist

A follow-up from their debut, but brings more excitement, just like the first album.


4. SantigoldMaster of My Make-Believe

Has great beats, great melodies, no point in this album is it dull at all.

5. Muse – The 2nd Law

Differently from previous Muse albums, but for the better, a very mature album with electronics and Queen inspiration.

 

Halim Cilov’s Top 5 Albums

1 – Sigur Ros – Valtari

Iconoclastic Icelandic Post-rock band, Sigur Ros’s new album ‘Valtari’ is everything its fans have been waiting for; it’s ethereal, moody, and truly unforgettable. Mixing a baroque aesthetic with an almost atonal orchestration, this is an album that needs to be listened many many times to be fully digested; if you are not already listening to it, you are missing out on the most celebrated musical phenomenon of this year!

2 – Spiritualized – Sweet Heart Sweet Light

Spiritualized is an eccentric space-rock band from England that is famous for their soft melodies and youthfully-romantic lyrics. In “Sweet Heart Sweet Light,” they present an album both equally energetic and contemplative. With a highly eclectic selection of styles, this is the electronic lullaby that the hipster generation has been desperately waiting for! In addition, the album’s hit single “Hey Jane” is one of the most striking LGBT themed music videos ever made…

3 – Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet on Sky

As an American Alternative rock group from Amherst, Massachusetts, Dinosaur Jr. recorded many iconic and globally-acclaimed songs since they were formed in 1984. However, they have been largely under the radar of the popular media due to their simple, old-school, classic rock aesthetic (which is not ‘flashy’ enough for the glamor obsessed times that we live in). Though, there is something comforting and respectable about Dinosaur Jr. ‘s unassuming sound and old-school approach to rock music, sadly no one makes music this honest and authentic anymore!

4 – The XX – Coexist

The second album of the British Indie Pop band The XX shows that not only they have immensely matured since their breakthrough album “XX” (2009), but this psychedelic album also cements that they have a musical style and sound unlike anything you have ever heard before. “Coexist” brings a modern and effortless twist to the easy-listening genre that will keep you warm at cold insomniac nights!

5 – The Magnetic Fields – Love at the Bottom of the Sea

Songwriter and singer Stephin Merritt’s The Magnetic Fields is no doubt one of the most inventive and colorful American Indie pop groups out there. With their synthesized instrumentation, heart-felt and hilarious lyrics revolving around sociosexual topics such as gender identity, The Magnetic Fields is a modern music sensation like no other. Their latest album “Love at the Bottom of the Sea” might be a short album (just a little bit under 35 minutes), but it is the most funtastic trip you will have this year!

Reed McGowan Top 5 Albums

Bright Light Bright Light – Bring Me Hope

If the Pet Shop Boys procreated, they’d produce this guy. Poignant, melodic & compelling dance music.

Elizaveta – Beatrix Runs

This playful debut is a poetic pop operetta, and the impish pleasure Of Elizaveta shines with intimate & delicate insistence.

Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

Her evolutionary sophomore album is a moodier emotional plea… vulnerable yet assertive… bruised but hopeful & dynamic.

Japandroids – Celebration Rock

Consistently addictive rock with a raucous spirit of honest abandon.

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Trouble

Layers & layers of house & electronic mastery. Imaginative & intelligent & brimming with adept integrity.

5 others recommended: Purity Rings “Shrines” / Two Door Cinema Club

“Beacon” / Jack White “Blunderbuss” / X-press 2 “The House of Xpress 2”

/ The xx “Coexist”

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About Author

Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc. In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year. In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever. In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization. 2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

1 Comment

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