2014 Albums of the Year: Honourable Mentions

 

So it begins. You know the drill by now. These albums are all fantastic in their own right. For whatever reason, they fell just short of making the final cut. No shame in that, though. These albums will no doubt continue to be on rotation in the coming years. My honourable mention list for the year 2014, as follows:

Artist: Hamilton Leithauser

Album: Black Hours

Label: Ribbon Music

Favourite Tracks: The Silent Orchestra, Alexandra, Bless Your Heart.

Artist: EMA

Album: The Future's Void

Label: Matador Records

Favourite Tracks: 3Jane, Neuromancer, Dead Celebrity.

 

 

Artist: Have A Nice Life

Album: The Unnatural World

Label: Enemies List Home Recordings

Favourite Tracks: Guggenheim Wax Museum, Cropsey, Unholy Life 

Artist: Shellac

Album: Dude Incredible

Label: Touch & Go

Favourite Tracks: Dude Incredible, Compliant, You Came In Me, All the Surveyors.

Artist: David Kilgour & The Heavy Eights

Album: End Times Undone

Label: Merge

Favourite Tracks: Like Rain, Christopher Columbus, Some Things You Don't Get Back.

Artist: Ty Segall

Album: Manipulator

Label: Drag City

Favourite Tracks: Manipulator, The Faker, The Hand, The Crawler.

Artist: Peter Matthew Bauer

Album: Liberation!

Label: Mexican Summer

Favourite Tracks: I Was Born in an Ashram, Philadelphia Raga, Scientology Airplane Conversations.

Artist: Whirr

Album: Sway

Label: Graveface

Favourite Tracks: Press, Sway, Feel.

Artist: Kevin Drew

Album: Darlings

Label: Arts & Crafts 

Favourite Tracks: Good Sex, It's Cool, Bullshit Ballad.

Artist: The Twilight Sad

Album: Nobody Wants to be Here and Nobody Wants to Know

Label: Fat Cat Records

Favourite Tracks: It Never Was the Same, Drown So I Can Watch, Sometimes I Wished I Could Fall Asleep.

Artist: Woods Of Desolation

Album: As the Stars

Label: Northern Silence

Favourite Tracks: Like Falling Leaves, The Autumn Light, Ad Infinitum.

Artist: Inventions

Album: Inventions

Label: Temporary Residence

Favourite Tracks: Flood Poems, Entity, Recipient.

Artist: Kalle Mattson

Album: Someday, the Moon Will Be Gold

Label: Parliament of Trees

Favourite Tracks: The Living and the Dead, The Moon is Gold, In the Morning Light.

Artist: Morrissey

Album: World Peace is None of Your Business

Label: Harvest Records

Favourite Tracks: World Peace is None of Your Business, Staircase at the University, Smiler with Knife.

Artist: Bob Mould

Album: Beauty & Rain

Label: Merge

Favourite Tracks: Little Glass Pill, I Don't Know You Anymore, The War.

Artist: We Are Catchers

Album: We Are Catchers

Label: Domino

Favourite Tracks: Waters Edge, A Thousand Steps, When We Are.

Artist: Grouper

Album: Ruins

Label: Merge

Favourite Tracks: Clearing, Lighthouse, Holding.

Artist: Hookworms

Album: The Hum

Label: Domino

Favourite Tracks: On Leaving, Off Screen, Retreat.

Artist: Ex-Cult

Album: Midnight Passenger

Label: Goner

Favourite Tracks: Ties You Up, Midnight Passenger, Lights Out Club.

Artist: Liam Betson

Album: The Cover of Hunter

Label: Double Double Whammy

Favourite Tracks: I Can't Tell If You're Looking at Me, Cop Car, Rapture in Heat.









By Simon K.

R.I.P. Phillip Hughes

It's been a tough week for sport and in particular, Cricket lovers around the world. Particularly those of us here in Australia.

To explain something you don't quite understand is impossible. The situation which took place out in the middle of the S.C.G. last week; sadly, it's a part of sport. Players suffer injury. The events which have transpired since then? Utterly incomprehensible. I'm sure I speak for many when I say it truly saddens me to think we won't see Phillip Hughes wield the willow again.

His funeral yesterday was a true testament to the little man. Over 5,000 people in attendance in his hometown of Macksville N.S.W. It was harrowing. It was sad. One of saddest moments in Australian history.

I've always been a person who's failed to adopt the notions of civic or national pride. Until last Thursday when Phillip tragically left us, to see everyone bind together as one. To see Michael Clarke as resolute and define the term leadership. Well, it took over 31 years, but I felt like I belonged somewhere. In many ways, I wish I didn't feel like this, as Phil would still be with us....

63 not out. Gone but never forgotten.

Phillip Joel Hughes. R.I.P., my mate.

Simon.

Choking on Nostalgia - Former Albums of the Year

It's that time of year again. Sometimes I feel that this basically justifies my existence. The whole year spent deliberating who breaks into my favourite 30 albums of the year. Don't forget the 20 honourable mentions, either! Very sad, yet very true, folks!

I've been digging through the archives over the past couple of months and have managed to procure my lists spanning back to my inaugural "Album of the Year" way back in 2002. I thought I'd share.

 

Obviously the variables into such lists these days are significantly different, given the landscape in which music is sourced and consumed (i.e. Internet and various listening devices other than a stereo and Discman). So much more is available these days.

I remember back before 2006 (before I had Broadband Internet), I was lucky if I procured one new album a week. The circumstances mainly depended on two things; money and availability, depending on the local record store's stock. How times have changed!

In any case, have a browse. Quite an interesting experience inhaling your own nostalgia. As follows:

 

2013
 

1. Pissed Jeans - Honeys
2. Jon Hopkins - Immunity
3. Bill Ryder-Jones - A Bad Win Blows In My Heart
4. Polvo - Siberia
5. Deafheaven - Sunbather
6. Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks
7. The Flaming Lips - The Terror
8. The Men - New Moon
9. Jesu - Every Day I Get Closer to the Light from Which I Came
10. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away

2012

1. Liars – WIXIW

2. …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Lost Songs

3. Lee Ranaldo - Between The Times and The Tides

4. Dirty Three - Toward the Low Sun

5. Actress - R.I.P

6. Echo Lake -Wild Peace

7. Damien Jurado –Maraqopa

8. Baroness - Yellow and Green

9. Pop. 1280 - The Horror  
10. Portico Quartet - Portico Quarter

2011

1. The War On Drugs - Slave Ambient
2. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
3. The Horrors - Skying
4. Parts & Labor - Constant Future
5. Josh T. Pearson - Last of the Country Gentlemen
6. Radiohead - The King of Limbs
7. Julianna Barwick - The Magic Place
8. Low - C'mon
9. The Twilight Singers - Dynamite Steps
10. Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

2010

1. Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - True Love Cast Out All Evil
2. The Besnard Lakes - ...Are the Roaring Night
3. Philip Selway - Familal
4. Killing Joke - Absolute Dissent
5. Zola Jesus - Stridulum II
6. Neil Young - Le Noise
7. Retribution Gospel Choir - 2
8. Envy - Recitation
9. No Age - Everything in Between
10. Three Mile Pilot - The Inevitable Past Is The Future Forgotten

2009

1. Crippled Black Phoenix – The Resurrectionists/Night Raiders
2. Polvo – In Prism
3. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion
4. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
5. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport
6. The Twilight Sad – Forget the Night Ahead
7. Why? - Eskimo Snow
8. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead – The Century of Self
9. Pelican – What we all Come to Need
10. Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love

2008

1. The Constantines – Kensington Heights
2. TV On The Radio – Dear Science
3. The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia
4. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
5. British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
6. Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
7. Dead Meadow - Old Growth
8. Boris – Smile
9. Deerhunter – Microcastle/Werid Era Content
10. Mogwai – The Hawk Is Howling

2007

1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
2. Jesu - Conqueror
3. Burial - Untrue
4. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
5. Deerhunter - Cryptograms
6. Les Savy Fav - Let’s Stay Friends
7. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are Dark Horses
8. The Forms - The Forms
9. Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If
10. Grinderman - Grinderman

2006

1. Liars - Drum's Not Dead
2. TV On the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
3. Mogwai - Mr. Beast
4. Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
5. Morrissey - Ringleader of the Tormentors

6. Burial - Burial
7. Isis - In the Absence of Truth
8.  Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops
9. The Black Heart Procession - The Spell
10. ...And You Will Know Us by the Trailer Of Dead - So Divided 

2005 

1. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
2. ...And You Will Know Us by the Trailer Of Dead  - Worlds Apart

3. British Sea Power - Open Season
4.  Broken Social Scene - Broker Social Scene
5. Ryan Adams - Cold Roses

6. Sigur Ros - Takk...
7. Low - The Great Destroyer 
8. Mercury Rev - The Secret Migration
9. Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
10. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl

2004

1. Interpol - Antics
2. The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
3. The Icarus Line - Penance Soiree
4. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
5. Secret Machines - Now Here is Nowhere
6. Blood Brothers - Crimes
7. Manic Street Preachers - Lifeblood
8. Mclusky - The Difference Between....
9. Ikara Colt - Modern Apprentice
10. The Faint - Wet at Birth

2003

1. Muse - Absolution
2. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
3. The Bronx - The Bronx
4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever to Tell
5. AFI - Sing the Sorrow
6. Cave In - Antenna
7. Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
8. Deftones - Deftones
9. The Strokes - Room on Fire
10. Elbow - Cast of Thousands

2002
 

1. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Source Tags & Codes
2. Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights

3. The Music - The Music
4. Queens Of The Stoneage - Song For The Deaf
5. Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
6. Sparta - Wiretap Scars
7. Seafood - When Do We Start Fighting
8. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - BRMC
9. Beck - Sea Change
10. The Streets - Original Pirate Material

 

2014 honourable mentions to drop within the next two weeks, followed by my top 30.

 

Stay safe.

 

Simon K.

Borrowed Time - Now on Australian eBook Publisher

Morning, folks,

Just a quick missive and shout out to Australian eBook Publisher. These are the guys that sorted out Borrowed Time and got it up to the required standard for release.

They've linked Borrowed Time on their website, alongside other titles which they've released.

Check 'em out here.

Stay tuned. I'm currently working on my annual Top 30 albums for the year, as well as the 20 honourable mentions. They will be up on the site in December.

Take care and talk soon.

Simon.

Updates - Now on Goodreads and Twitter

Dear all and sundry,

Those of you who've purchased Borrowed Time. I say thank you. Keep spreading the word. The more merrier, as they say!

Just a quick update. My Goodreads page is now up and running. Don't leave me hanging as a Billy-no-mates. If you have Goodreads, add me as a friend. I don't bite. My page is here.

Also, I am the latest lamb to be herded towards the enclosure otherwise known as Twitter. Follow me here.

I shall post more this weekend.

Regards,
Simon.

P.S. Apply factor 30 if you dare to venture outside.

Borrowed Time - Available Now!

Good evening folks,

Borrowed Time is now available for purchase!

Get yourself a copy from the below vendors. Have a shop around as the prices vary.

Amazon

Google

Apple

 
Kobo

 

Barnes & Noble Nook

 

 

Just a quick note for those of you wondering who Gary Young is. Gary is a Brisbane based cartoonist who designed Borrowed Time's cover. Great, isn't it? Check out more Gary's work out here.

 

Stay tuned for more. My lovely wife has dragged me kicking and screaming into the 21st century, so low and behold, I should have a Twitter account by the week's end.

 

Stay frosty, people.

 

Simon.

The Blind Leading the Blind: Some Insight on Borrowed Time

Furthermore to Wednesday night's post, below is some information relating to the forthcoming release on my first E-Book, Borrowed Time. I’m not one to delve into torrents of self-indulgence so I’ll keep this as brief as possible.

Background:

The idea of this book took shape back in March of 2011 while I was reading Joseph Heller’s Closing Time. Despite the work's title bearing a resemblance, it is in no way, shape, or form connected and this aspect is merely coincidence; not even a tip of the hat to the great man.

Words were penned shortly thereafter in which the first draft was done in 12 weeks. After that, continuous work on edits, re-writes and all the rest of it took place; fun times. I took a breather for most of 2012 shortly before reconvening.

Some of the places throughout this work – pubs’ namesakes for instance – naturally exist. As their names suggest, some of you - namely my Antipodean associates - will relate.

The characters, not so, despite those who claim to see themselves throughout the work of fiction (we've all been guilty of it, haven't we?). Paraphrasing what the great author, Christopher Moore, once said. ‘If you think it’s bullshit, chances are it probably is.’

The typical 'pub' in this country is now few and far between. The vast majority of Australian inhabitants of legal drinking age have set foot inside a 'Tattersall's', 'Australian' or 'Oxford' Hotel. These establishments once solidified the social fabric of this country. Now, most have been acquired and watered down by big chain enterprises, crushing the moral fibre by compartmentalising these establishments into yuppified drinking grottos, despite most still bearing the same name. 'Atmosphere', indeed.

Pitch:

To sort the wheat out from the chaff, here’s a pitch, or a deterrent - depending on which side of the fence you occupy.

- Most will throw this in the ‘anti-literature' basket. Cool! I don’t hold any desire to associate with those in the literary world. Hearing stories has always fascinated me. Over the last couple of years I’ve found that telling them is also quite alluring. Maybe that’s a euphemism for being a bullshit artist?

- If you like reading about the antics of degenerates, loose cannons and those of the ilk where 'salt of the earth' springs to mind, then this may be your cup of tea.

- If you don’t like satire about the ‘rough and tumble’ of our society, then this probably won’t be your saucer of rat poison. The terms “raw” and “gritty” may apply to those enthusiasts so hell-bent to pigeonhole.

I’d hope that this will be ensconced somewhere in the sphere of escapism. It’s certainly not a read for the wintry months. This is more of a summer time holiday read. From the Gold Coast to Benidorm, or one would hope. Work commuters in the luxurious realms of public transport might even find this as a breezy pastime. Particularly those who don’t like Metro, MX, or the like.

Think of this as stodge. We all need some horrible food from time to time to balance our dietary requirements. Don’t get me wrong, there’s good stodge and bad stodge (pizza; good stodge. kebabs; bad stodge). Just like a record collection needs something easier on the ear and less thought provoking. Hopefully this can be the good stodge one requires every so often to fill that void. Pretentious, this is not.

A Note on Self-Publishing:

There are many commentators who have delivered the pros and cons. Possibly none better than J.A. Konrath, whose built any army of self-publishers and continues to provide compelling counter-arguments to the naysayers.

All I will say is this. Musicians make music independently. Filmmakers make films independently. Why is it that those in their ivory towers render their superiority complexes by looking down with their collective high brow at aspiring storytellers who choose to release their work independently?

Let the reader decide if it’s garbage. Is it any different to a music enthusiast deciding if a piece of music isn't up to snuff? Is it any different to a film devotee deciding if a film doesn't cut the mustard? No, it’s not, so what’s the problem? Why should anybody’s creativity be subject to a rubber stamp by a collective of ‘professionals’ in an ivory tower who essentially play the game to line their own pockets?

I'd say shit doesn't sell, but, in fact, it can and does. However, I'm not the type of guy who falls in the brown stuff only to come out smelling of roses. If this fails I'll fall on my sword accordingly.

Simon.