Top Ten Albums 2011 (Simon)

When I finally found the time to start writing again, I realized how close we were to the end of the year. The end of the year at MM (and at pretty much all other music blogs) means choosing our Top Ten lists, and while 2011 had some great records to offer, the theme for this post is going to be, "Challenging". If nothing else, many of the records on this list (I'll note the exceptions) were at first markedly imposing -they were tough to get through the first spin. They're innovative, creative, and in a lot of ways unique, but none of them have the same easy groove of some of last year's picks (see Ray LaMontagne, Tallest Man on Earth, and others). So, without further ado, my top ten albums of 2011.

Hear the New Bon Iver Album In Its Entirety, Right Now

On For Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon made a grand debut for Bon Iver, crafting one of the most intimate and profound records of the past few years. That record was deep and engaging due to Vernon's courage to bare his soul, opening himself to the world. He seemed to spare nothing when it came to conveying how he felt -- even if it was often shrouded in a bit of poetic mystique. One could easily get swept away in the album's pensive mood and honest sound.

Hear & Download New Bon Iver Track "Calgary"

The day has finally arrived. Bon Iver just released a track entitled "Calgary" from their highly-anticipated sophomore album. As previously reported, the self-titled effort features 10 tracks and is due out June 21st via Jagjaguwar. Before now, we'd only been teased with this short video that featured a clip of a new song. Rejoice! Hear and download "Calgary" below.

Bon Iver Announces New Album, Shares Cover Art & More

Bon Iver album art

It's been a few years since the release of Bon Iver's classic, critically-acclaimed debut For Emma, Forever Ago. Since then, Bon Iver became a full-fledged band*, released a follow-up EP, and Justin Vernon cut records with new bands Volcano Choir and Gayngs. To top it all off, Vernon played a prominent supporting role on Kanye West's masterpiece My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Understandably, people were getting a bit anxious to hear anything about new Bon Iver material.

Today, we have some great news. Bon Iver will release that highly-anticipated sophomore album on June 21 through Jagjaguwar. The self-titled album was recorded and mixed at April Based Studio, a former veterinary clinic in Fall Creek, WI. Vernon wrote all 10 songs himself and recorded them, as well, with assistance from his brother, Nate. Bon Iver members Sean Carey, Mike Noyce and Matt McCaughan contributed vocals, drums and production. The new album also features the arrangements and strings of Rob Moose (Antony and the Johnsons, The National), the pedal steel of Greg Leisz (Lucinda Williams, Bill Frisell) and a horn section including Colin Stetson (Tom Waits, Arcade Fire), Mike Lewis (Andrew Bird, Happy Apple), and C.J. Camerieri (Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens).

Hear a bit of the new album and scope the tracklisting after the hop.

Gayngs Announce Fall Tour + MP3s

Midwestern adventurous indie group Gayngs have announced their fall tour dates. The band consists of 23 musicians, giving The Polyphonic Spree a run for their money. But really, this is like an actual supergroup as it features P.O.S., Justin Vernon and Mike Noyce of Bon Iver, and three of the guys from Megafaun among many others. On the upcoming fall tour, ten of the twenty-plus contributors that appear on Gayngs debut, Relayted, will be there, including Justin Vernon and Mike Noyce, ringleader Ryan Olson (Building Better Bombs, Digitata), Zak Coulter and Adam Hurlburt of Solid Gold, Jake Luck of Leisure Birds, Ivan Rosebud of The Rosebuds, Brad Cook and Joe Westerlund of Megafaun, and Mike Lewis of Andrew Bird and Happy Apple. You get all that?

See the tour dates, watch a live performance, and catch a few MP3s after the hop.

VIDEO: The Shouting Matches Are Justin Vernon and Brian Moen, Two Blues Brothers

This video has been making its away across the web over the past few days. It's a live clip of The Shouting Matches, a blues rock duo consisting of Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, Volcano Choir) and Brian Moen (Peter Wolf Crier, Laarks). No one should be too surprised to hear Vernon in this musical context seeing as how he has a really soulful voice (I mean, did you hear that alternate version of "For Emma" on Bon Iver's MySpace Transmissions? Hot damn!). Turns out, The Shouting Matches have been around for a few years now. The video is from the group's reunion (so to speak) in Altoona, WI this past Memorial Day Weekend.

What you're about to see can be summed up with one word: AWESOME. Moen is a beast on the drums in that he hits with such intensity, all while looking like he's having the time of his life.

The Shouting Matches - "Death Letter" (Son House cover)



And as for that aforementioned alternate version of "For Emma"...

Bon Iver - "For Emma" from MySpace Transmissions

MySpace Transmissions | MySpace Video



(via Spin>Pitchfork>twentyfourbit)