For quite some time, I've wanted to get some friends and my sister posting on here, because they're big fans of that little 'ole thing called music too. These are peeps that can offer many things to you that I can't, like love for genres/bands/singers I'm unlikely to be interested enough to write about. They can also offer a much more interesting insight and analysis of genres I do love, because they got to really experience what it was like to grow up when that genre was the music of the moment. Take grunge for example. I love to listen to my sister's stories about what it was like when Pearl Jam or Nirvana first came out. The lovely lady I'm about to (re)introduce also has many a fascinating story about all the amazing bands she's seen over the years and all of the different music she's heard. She can also provide a very different take to mine on the music of today! You may remember Jo as the hilarious commentator from the text reviews she sent in from Splendour In The Grass this year. I asked if she would pretty please write something up about her favourite albums of 2011 and what Jo gave us is an interesting, witty and, most importantly, fun read. Enjoy!
11 Albums Jo Listened To More Than 11 Times in 2011
My favourite albums of 2011? What a terrible question. This year has been such a good year for music. How could I pick just a couple as my favourites? I couldn’t, so I let the Gods of music decide. I listed the albums I’d listened to more than 11 times, then put those names in a hat (yes, literally, it was a cute little 60’s style red hat, just in case you wanted to picture it). These are the 11 names that came out. Here are some albums I listened to more than 11 times in 2011 (in no particular order).
Making Mirrors
by Gotye
I should make it clear from the beginning. I didn’t really want to put this album in my list. I don’t think it was one of the best albums of 2011. I don’t even think it was the best album released in August. (Off the top of my head, I don’t know what else was released in August, but there could have been something incredible I missed, right?) Like Gotye’s previous albums, the bits that were great on this one were fantastic (think ‘I Feel Better’), but the rest, schmeh. Take it or leave it. So why include ‘Making Mirrors’ in my list for 2011? It’s when I hear it again. THAT song. I thought I would tire of it, I thought it would become one of those songs I loved to death, literally, like it would get to a point where I would hurt the person nearest if I heard that damn song one more time. That didn’t happen and it’s lasted this long, so probably won’t happen. “You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness”; get outta my head Wally! ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ has been played, like, a bazillion times and will be played a bazillion more and I’m predicting it will be number one in the JJJ hottest 100 and rightly so. It’s an amazing song. Gotye managed to duet with such a strong voice in Kimbra, at exactly the right time in both their careers. Savvy marketing? Luck? I don’t care. Solely the fact that ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ appears on this album is the reason I put it in my list. I could listen to that song 10 times in a row and that alone would make a great album. That song came from this album and for that reason it couldn’t be ignored.
Vows
by Kimbra
From the minute I heard ‘Settle Down’ I knew I liked this girl. Once I saw the clip, there was no turning back. Beautiful weird girl, beautiful strong voice. Then I saw Cameo Lover. Such great imagery, so much dancing! Oh that pink dress with the yellow pompoms; so, so cute. Her big mouth and her messy hair and beautiful vintage dresses and giant lungs, she’s a girl after my own heart. Then the Gotye track. She only got a couple of lines, but the song is nothing without those lines and Gotye knows it. The first few times I listened to ‘Vows’, I put ‘Two Way Street’ on repeat. Then it changed to ‘Old Flame’. Then ‘Plain Gold Ring’. I couldn’t stop listening to it. Such smooth vocals and heartbreaking lyrics, delicious. Then it changed to ‘Call Me’, I just wanted to hear that song all the time. I’ve gone back to ‘Old Flame’ at the moment. I just can’t get enough. It’ll change again, of course, but that’s the sign of a good album isn’t it? I was lucky enough to see Kimbra twice this year and her live vocal is so spine-tingling strong it made listening to 'Vows' even more enjoyable. I bought this album the day it was released and I LOVED it from first listen. I even purchased this one from the shop, just for the cover and artwork, so I could hold it in my hands. I wanted to put the CD on and play it until I knew all of the words. I did that and I do know them and I’m still not sick of it. Kimbra, I’m so glad you exist! More please!
