Radical Face - The Family Tree: The Roots

In my post about Sasquatch 2013, I mentioned that I was quite taken aback by this band known as Radical Face that I stumbled upon, (and almost purposefully skipped due to (mis)judging the band by its name and bio-picture).

I have since followed up and listened to this band A LOT. The Family Tree: The Roots has become my top album of the last 3 months (at 250 plays!).

The Roots is a storytelling masterpiece. It is a haunting account of the hardship of (someone's) ancestors, (who I picture homesteading in frontier-culture Appalachia). From wikipedia: [This album is about] "the first two generations of the Northcotes' family tree and is narratively based in the 1800s". Although the tales are fictional, they manage to paint such a vivid picture that you feel as if narrator has personally lived through all of these events.

As far as concept albums go, it is pretty consistent throughout, even though the song topics range from purely depressing to just plain creepy. Musically, it is good as well, with songs the build from eerie intros to beautiful piano portions.

It is the first installment of an ongoing concept-trilogy which I have become very excited to see through. After The Family Tree: The Roots, will be The Branches (Oct. 2013), followed by The Relatives. Also throughout the project, they will release volumes of EPs under the heading The Bastards. Radical Face provides better descriptions of the project and the albums here. I think there is amazing potential in this concept and if he can maintain the same quality/consistency, I will be very impressed with this project.

If you are looking for an uplifting album, you are in the wrong place. This is one of those beautifully-hauntingly-depressing (and sometimes creepy) albums, which I cannot take out of heavy-rotation because I am entranced by the stories. Here are some of themes woven into the narrative (as interpreted by me, at an estimated 15 full-listen-throughs of the album):

• His mother dying during his birth.
• Being abused by his alcoholic distant father.
• Watching his twin brother die of some illness.
• The hanging suicide of his father.
• Being haunted by the ghosts of his grandparents.

...among other happy occurrences.

Read the full album lyrics of The Family Tree: The Roots here.

The Roots is up there with The Antlers - Hospice as one of the most depressing modern albums (which is another amazing concept album, albeit a fucking dark and depressing one).

Enjoy, but seriously beware, because these are some real downers.

Recommended Albums of 2011

It is (past) time for end-of-the-year lists. 

Now that I have been perusing other people's Best of 2011 lists, it is clear that I have been seriously "out of the loop" of good, current music. I feel that I am still discovering fantastic music from 2011, so I am not proposing this as a "Best of 2011" list. 

It is pretty much what I have listened to the most this year. I do however feel that there are many very good albums here that I would love to share, so you should listen to them right now!

If you click the Artist or Album text, it will take you to the corresponding Last.fm page with all kind of additional information. Clicking the album art will automatically play the album in Spotify! In parenthesis are the top 3 tags from Last.fm so you can get a general genre. 

My Recommended Albums of 2011

M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming

(electronic, shoegaze, post-rock)

A masterpiece! For my full review of this album see my previous post.

Fleet Foxes - HelplessnessBlues

(folk, indie, folk rock)

A fantastic album. Just like ALL previous Fleet Foxes albums; perfect harmonies that are done far to well, for an almost completely beautiful album.

The Rosebuds - LoudPlanes Fly Low

(indie, indie rock, indie pop)

Another great album by The Rosebuds. 

This one has some fantastic violin work to add to an already great sound. 

Other Lives - TamerAnimals

(indie folk, indie, alternative)

They have a kind of folksy sound combined with backing beautiful grand orchestral expansiveness.And they got their song writing figured out as well.

Side Note: This band is blowing up! I saw this band open for The Rosebuds, knowing nothing about them, but immediately loved them. They then went on to open for (and ride the coattails of) Bon Iver as he exploded into mainstream famousness. This year they will be opening for Radiohead! From The Rosebuds to Radiohead...in less than a year... folks that is either insane... or this band has a fantastic sound going for them. Check 'em out and decide for yourself.

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy

(female vocalists, singer-songwriter, indie)

I have a crush on Annie Clark, who makes up St. Vincent. She is adorable, and she has great vocal chords. But she also writes great, witty, music. If you dig this, check out her previous 2 albums.

Radiohead - TheKing of Limbs

(alternative, alternative rock, rock)

So yes, I feel this album is less than most Radiohead albums, so in that regard it was a tiny bit disappointing. HOWEVER, Radiohead is greater than most bands, so this album is still great.

TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

(indie, indie rock, experimental)

Another great album showcasing TV on the Radio's unique sound. Maybe a little more somber than previous albums, but great nonetheless. Check out "Killer Crane".

 Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care,Take Care

(math rock, experimental, post-rock)

Another fantastic album from Explosions. How can a band so consistently make epic albums?

 Guards - Guards

(lo-fi, indie, indie pop)

I saw this band open for Deer Tick, and they blew me away. They have a really cool sound featuring an omnichord! I think we will be hearing more about this band in the near future.

Panda Bear - Tomboy

(experimental, psychedelic, freak folk)

Just as the 3 tags above hint at, you will probably think it is "weird", but what do you expect from a member of Animal Collective? It may take a few listens, but if you give it a chance you may find that there is something interesting here.

The Antlers - Burst Apart

(indie, indie rock, slowcore)

The Antlers are the masters of beautifully depressing music and this is just another installment of a perfectly depressing album. This falls into the 'not for everyone category.' but I love it.