So...anything good in 2012 yet?

[Jim Clark]

Sleigh Bells: Reign of Terror

One of the first of my more anticipated discs for 2012 and I'm not disappointed. Slightly dialed down from the debut. Somehow not quite as catchy yet more melodic. I think they did a great job of sticking with their instantly identifiable sound while still changing things up noticeably. I'll be playing this one frequently.

I'll bet that one is on the shelf at BB. I'll check it out today.

I tried to get through the Leonard Cohen based on your rec. but I just don't get this at all. Honestly, I can't sit through more than one track before I have to switch to something else.

I have benefited from this thread quite a bit. Really like the Mark Lannegan Band record. Reminds me a bit of Grinderman, just not as raw. The Shearwater rec was pretty solid too. Not a great album overall but there are enough good songs to make it a worthwhile listen for me.

[bobsticks]

I was looking at the Sleigh Bells yesterday, in fact...not sure why I went the other direction...

If anything I've been going backwards...the other week I found a copy of the Matador at 15 double disc...has some nice stuff by Malkmus and Interpol and Cat Power and Yo La Tengo...

[nobody]

I tried to get through the Leonard Cohen based on your rec. but I just don't get this at all. Honestly, I can't sit through more than one track before I have to switch to something else.

Yeah, I can't say I would imagine that Cohen would be something you'd like much, probably not your thing. I have to be in just the right mood for it myself, but when I am it really hits the spot. You're much more likely to get interested in that Sleigh Bells record I would think. You might also dig Porcelain Raft: Strange Weekend. I grabbed that Cloud Nothings after seeing you and others mention it and that is a fun one.

[Davey]

The Shearwater rec was pretty solid too. Not a great album overall but there are enough good songs to make it a worthwhile listen for me.

So much of what made Palo Santo and Rook two of the best records of the last decade seem to be missing on this latest one, at least on the first couple listens. But I remember how much time Palo Santo took to fully convey all of its complex beauty. And Rook as well, though it made a more immediate impact with the bigger recording budget and more polished sound. I first came to know and like Shearwater through Matador's re-recording and remastering of Palo Santo prior to the release of Rook, but I didn't find love until I got lost in the original issue. Yea, doesn't sound as slick or polished as the reissue, but it breathes with life. And I go back to that original Fargo 2006 release of Palo Santo the most these days (including right now which kind of prompted this post). Talk about the ghost of Jeff Buckley, maybe riding with Mark Hollis (btw, anyone else a huge fan of that beautiful 1998 one-and-only solo by Hollis?). Never liked the Matador remaster of Palo Santo near as much. The original just seems more honest, and a little more timeless. Helps that its much more dynamic than the remaster.

But back to Animal Joy, some good songs, but so far I lose interest about halfway through and can't yet remember the whole record. And the congested CD mastering is a big detraction too, they seem to spend so much time getting everything just right in the recording, and then compress it to death for the CD. This new one even sounds kind of distorted in places, best to go with the vinyl if an option. I know it's a new direction and all that, much more stripped down, but hopefully the lack of adventurousness I hear changes with more listens. Right now I think the earlier ones were much more interesting, starting with the amazing Palo Santo, and ending with the also amazing Rook.

That new Mark Lanegan rocks. Probably my favorite so far, but haven't heard many yet.

Just listened to the new Josh Ritter EP, it's some toss-offs that he couldn't use on the next album, all with darling in the lyrics. Kinda wish he would go back to writing more interesting (and substantial) music, like on Animal Years. Can't say I'm anxiously awaiting the next album.

Like that Cardinal return quite a bit, though not as revelatory as hoped.

But the rediscovery of how much I love that original Palo Santo, that's been my listen of the year so far.