FEATURE: Vainzine's Fave Five Albums of 2011

To those who said that 2011 was full of shit music, I say look harder and more importantly, listen harder. Use the internet, get peoples opinions and do some work. There was a hell of a lot of music churned out again this year and the bullshit filter had to be turned up to the max but there was also a lot of great, truly great music out there that you didn't really have to try that hard to find. I had great difficulty in narrowing down to five choices, but here they are. I've dropped in a few of those who didn't make the cut at the end.

Justice - Audio, Video, Disco
What to say about this album? It split fans and critics alike. The back-draft on this was huge. I loved it, it's a masterpiece and massive step forward for a band that will hopefully be around for a long time to come.



Alex Turner - Submarine (Original Songs)
Original songs from the film Submarine, directed by Richard Ayoade. A super film that I loved and it's the song that make it what it is.



Puro Instinct - Headbangers In Ecstasy
Great band, great attitude, great music. This album is a work of art, well programmed and produced demands to be listened to from beginning to end every time. 'Stilyagi' just about my fave track.

Tycho - Dive
Dreamy beats, the cover artwork explains it all, sunset, sea, warm climes and good times. J'aime.



New Look - New Look
'Nap on the bow' is one of the tracks of the year and the album is another future classic that demands attention throughout. Can't wait for the next one.



Some honourable mentions go out to:

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Blood Orange - Coastal Grooves
Mr Oizo - Stade 2
Hollie Cook - Hollie Cook
2562 - Fever
Ancient Astronuats - Into Space And Time
Chali 2NA - Fish Market Part 2
Lucy - Wordplay For Working Bees
Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
The Kills - Blood Pressures

Check out the previous Fave Five Albums Of 2011:
1. Simon from Sonic Emporium
2. Becki B from OhDearyMe.com
3. Isaac Ashe from Sound Advice
4. Jerome from Desire Records
5. Simon from People Get Real
6. Piper from Puro Instinct
7. Stephen from WeAreHunted.com

8. Zanita
9. Nico De Ceglia from BBC Radio 1
10. Jamie Moffett Film Director
11. Hayden Black from Goodnight Burbank
12. Michelle from Audible Treats
13. Lana Mir
14. Eriin Dhesi from Vainzine

15. Terence Teh from Dazed & Confused / Earnest Endeavours
16. Louise from A Band Called Quinn
17. Tasha from Demain Magazine
18. Maxime from Kitsuné

ALBUM REVIEW: Tycho 'Dive' out 14 November on Ghostly International

If you like Future Loop Foundation, or you're partial to a sort of chill-wave then Dive is no hard sell. It's simply a sublime set of instrumental tracks that made me yearn to be sitting on a beach watching the sunset - not more so than 'Hours' with a nice cool drink and some well presented, tasty amuse-bouche.

Indeed in a way this album is an amuse-bouche of sorts. It sets the tone and is clearly designed to be listened to before you go out, or at a social gathering of some description where music may not be the main focus of the event but part of a balanced harmony that includes good times, conversation, relaxation and the more than occasional head-nod.

It's not hard to hear why Tycho aka Scott Hansen says that nostalgia is a common thread in his work as I detected a whiff of it whilst listening to 'Daydream', but don't be mislead. This is not retro. It's a thoroughly modern work of art and a perfect accompaniment as the sun sets on another year in paradise.

4/5

CTZN V41N

LISTEN: Tycho - Hours [Dive LP - Nov. 2011] by Tycho