pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news

This is sort of a precursor to my “official” Favorites of 2011 blogs. Up later this week, I’ll post my favorite vocal and favorite instrumental albums of 2011. Anyway, on with the music pimping…

Favorite EPs of 2011

• Savanna Coen – Strength
• Auragami – everything. Now.
• Works Progress Administration – 4×4
• Amanda Palmer/Ben Folds/etc – 8in8
• Celldweller – Wish Upon A Blackstar 4
  

Favorite Vinyl-only Release of 2011

• Secret Chiefs 3 (FORMS & Ishraqiyun) – Saptarshi / Radar 7″
• Chamberlain/Krauss/Phelps – Modular: Sonic Explorations 12″
• John Zorn’s The Dreamers – The Christmas Song/Santa’s Workshop 7″
  fave non-vinyl-only issue: My Brightest Diamond – All Things Will Unwind 12″ (is luscious)
  

Favorite DVDs of 2011

• Fantômas – The Director’s Cut Live
• Kevin Smith – Red State
• Morgan Spurlock – POM Presents the Greatest Movie Ever Sold
• Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
• Sigur Rós – Inní

Favorite Internet Only Releases of 2011

• Derek Webb – Democracy Vol 2 (monthly series from March to December)

Favorite Live Albums of 2011

• Sigur Rós – Inní
• Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy – United Front (live at Newport)
• Damien Jurado – Live at Landlocked
• Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood – In Case the World Changes Its Mind

Favorite Podcasts in 2011 (they’re free, yo! Search for them on iTunes)

• George Hrab – Geologic Podcast
• Keith Olbermann – Countdown on CurrentTV
• Rachel Maddow – The RM Show on MSNBC
• Bill Maher‘s New Rules
• Adam Carolla – The Adam Carolla Podcast, Ace on the House and CarCast
  
• Kevin Smith & Scott Mosier – SModcast
• Kevin Smith & Ralph Garman – Hollywood Babble On
• The Skeptics Guide to the Universe
• CNN’s Political Notebook
• Marc Maron – WTF Podcast
• Dan Savage – Savage Lovecast

Best Cover Art & Packaging in 2011 

• Steven Wilson – Grace For Drowning (special edition)
• Chamberlain/Krauss/Phelps – Modular: Sonic Explorations 12″
• Over the Rhine – The Long Surrender (special edition)
• My Brightest Diamond – All Things Will Unwind (colorful, lovely cover art)
• Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers (stunning die-cut leaf design)
• John Zorn’s The Dreamers – A Dreamer Christmas (vinyl, designed by Chippy)

Favorite Indie Releases in 2011 (DIY all the way)

• Jason Ludwig – Lost in Love and Tanglings (Cincinnati/Austin-based, former Noctaluca frontman)
• Savanna Coen – Strength EP (13yo Eugene singer with a voice beyond her years)

Best Re-issues in 2011

• Dream Theater – Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory (on vinyl)
• Ben Folds – Best Imitation of Myself (hits w/ some new BFF songs)
• Toad the Wet Sprocket – All I Want (hits, rerecorded)
• Various Artists/Sufjan Stevens – On Joyful Wings (tribute album to Seven Swans)

Worst Music News in 2011 (for me at least)

• Faith No More‘s reunion tour didn’t hit the U.S. proper, again… and the promised Mondo Cane U.S. Tour didn’t happen.
• Dream Theater not wanting to take a short break/hiatus, and thus kicking out Mike Portnoy, one of the best parts of that band…

Best Late-Getter in 2011 (something that came out before 2011)

• Florence + The Machine – Lungs (from 2009)

Best Musical Novelty / Ingenuity in 2011

• F*ck That! Erin McKeown’s Anti-Holiday Album
  
• Weird Al Yankovic – ALpocalypse

Best Soundtrack in 2011

• Kevin Moore – Shine (for Küçük Kıyamet)
  
• The Book of Mormon

So, yeah, this was the catch-all post… check back later this week for the more traditional year end wrap-up festivities…

My Other Favorites of 2011 Recaps:

• Fave Concerts & Photos of ‘11 are recapped *HERE*
• Fave Vocal Albums ‘11 are coming soon
• Fave Instrumental of ‘11 are coming soon
• Old Years:
  • 2010: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts,
  • Best of the 2000s Decade (1-10, 11-20, 21-25)
  • 2009: Instrumental, Vocal, EPs/etc, Concerts
  • 2008: Instrumental, Vocal, EPS/etc, Concerts
  • 2007: Vocal, Instrumental, Concerts
  • 2006 & 2005

~Dan – np: Ani DiFranco – Which Side Are You On?