James Yorkston I was a Cat from a Book (2012)
Domino Records www.jamesyorkston.co.uk
James Yorkston is another one of those artists I’ve always intended to listen to but not got round to, well I’m glad I did at last. Yorkston, for the uninitiated is a singer-songwriter hailing from Fife in Scotland, as well as his own songs he also sings & records traditional folk songs. I was a Cat from a Book comprises all his own compositions, for the most part beautiful lilting ballads and simple charming folky songs with pretty harmonies, which are a delight to listen to. Which make the two more upbeat, driving songs ‘Just as Scared’ and ‘I Can Take All This’ stand out all the more, the latter of which provides a stirring conclusion to a fine album.
Highlights: Catch, Border Song, Just as Scared, I Can Take All This
Liars WIXIW (2012)
For some reason I missed Liars 5th album Sisterworld, so I’ve missed a step in this constantly evolving band’s development. Perhaps that explains why I haven’t managed to connect with or find a way into this album yet, because if you had told me "Liars experiment more with electronica" I’d have thought YES! this sounds like it’s going to be right up my alley. For once it feels like Liars sounding like other music that already exists. It’s when they create that otherworldly sound that the album really comes alive as on ‘Flood To Flood’ which sounds simultaneously new AND like Liars, ‘Brats’ is a totally unexpected off-kilter dancefloor filler that puts everything else on this album in the shade.
Highlights: A Ring On Every Finger, WIXIW, Flood To Flood, Brats
Domino Records www.dandeacon.com
Dan Deacon’s America, as an idea doesn’t sound like it should work, an artist known for bonkers techno, creating a concept album. The first 5 tracks a reaction against the economic crisis, and polarisation of US politics, the 2nd half one long paen (split into 4 parts) to the landscapes of North America. But work it does, gloriously well, what you get is a far more joyful outcome than some of the more topographical electronica out there. Deacon takes you on an adrenaline fuelled tour of America with fizzes and crashes sitting perfectly on top of grandiose orchestral arrangements that create a feeling of wind in your hair whether you’re in a convertible flying down US-50, or not.
Highlights: True Thrush, Crash Jam, Is A Monster, Manifest
Animal Collective Centipede Hz (2012)
Domino Records www.myanimalhome.net
I’ve been a fan of Animal Collective’s awkward avant-garde noise-pop since 2007’s Strawberry Jam. Their throw everything at it and see what emerges approach can make for exciting listening as it balances on a tightrope with everything trying to make the songs fall off into unlistenable noise. Unfortunately all too often this album seems to fall off that tightrope, it’s so densely layered that it turns into a musical mush where nothing can come to the fore and drag the song forward. Infact my main problem with this record is that it all sounds too similar, too formulaic, just well, dull.
Highlights: Moonjock, Applesauce
Dinosaur Jr. I Bet On Sky (2012)
[PIAS] www.dinosaurjr.com
I’ve seen it mentioned somewhere else, but it’s true, there’s something very comforting about Dinosaur Jr. Not in a retro, nostalgic way, they haven’t changed - they don’t need too, in J Mascis hands a guitar solo is always necessary, never over wrought. Watch the Corners isn’t just one of the best rock songs of 2012, but would stand up as one of the best at the height of gr*nge, and Almost Fare just makes me happy. Hell this whole album makes me happy, Dinosaur Jr break all the rules - reformed bands aren’t supposed to be this good.
Highlights: Watch the Corners, Almost Fare, Rude, Pierce The Morning Rain
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