Dreams of Ibiza

(Note that this is based on what I’ve listened to, and my opinion, which is no doubt bias. Don’t take this seriously ;D )

Top 5 Albums

1)

BT - These Hopeful Machines
    Fucking duh! How could I NOT put this in the top 5? This was THE electronic album of the year, and BT totally deserves it and not just because I am a huge fan. An album with absolutely no weak spots, this album is full and rich with style, emotion, and the sounds that have shaped and made BT who he is over the years. It combines the dance grooves of his earlier work with the serious technical depth of This Binary Universe and comes out way on top. This album is grammy nominated,  and for good reason. I’ve listened to this album WAY too many times already and it still has not gotten old in the least.

-The Emergency (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpXcuAwoMOs). Oh man, what can I say about this track, avoiding the word ‘amazing’… BT actually strikes me as the opposite of one of my other favorite artists “Porcupine Tree”. Where as their lyrics are almost consistently depressing, BT’s Is the opposite. This song simply speaks for itself.

-The Rose of Jericho (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sLRMAkc2aM) was the first single released, so maybe it’s effect has died down over time, but it does stand out in the album’s flow. For one, it’s one of the two songs on the two CD album that doesn’t have lyrics, but unlike the other, this is a dance track. It has depth, no doubt,  but honestly it’s straight up dancey… And consequently the only single worth watching the official video (sorry, BT, but your music videos suck.)

-Forget Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNUCsvwhYsQ) Was the first standout track I listened to. I remember the first time I listened to the album I told myself I would listened to it all the way through, repeating no tracks. I failed in that, because this song just made me HAVE to take a break (and not just because Kaia singing at the end made me totally bawl). The song is amazing in itself, but the lyrics? It spoke to me, no lie. With everything I’ve gone through, I heard the beginning of the chorus and just chuckled. It was me. Hopeful but Jaded…. but the main part of the chorus kicked in and I was speechless. “But just remember, Life is a beautiful mistake.”. I can honestly say proudly that this song still makes me tear up. Touche, Brian. 

-Le Nocturne De Lumiere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y-dcy4CeTM). I have the entire music video for this lined up in my head. No really, I do, and it’s amazing. Furfaggy and amazing. And when the video for this is made, I’m going to be pissed, which is why I’m not watching the official video. This song is deep. VERY deep. Every glitch and stutter and note of every layer speaks out in a way nothing I’ve ever heard before does. If there is such things as a perfect song to me, this is it. The first five minutes of the song is groovy, but after that it just starts becoming this truly amazing piece that nothing else can begin to touch. After the first five minutes or so, I can’t help but to turn it up, let the music course through every fiber of my being, and I always remember why music will always be such a spiritual experience for me. That’s what this song is to me: Spiritual. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this is my favorite song of all time, and picking favorites with music is something that’s pretty hard for me to do.

2)

Mux Mool - Skulltaste
   Damn right. This is a pick that shouldn’t be a surprise for those familiar with him, but Mux Mool is an artist not many people generally know. I’m pretty sure this is his debut album, and it kicks major ass. Unique is one word for it. The album spans across many different electronic genre and shatters a few on it’s way, between songs like:

-Get Better John (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IExfiDYHuQ4) Which makes me highly regret giving away my NES/SNES,

-Death 9000 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NALoXmPL7kU), which is one of those songs that just make you feel badass listening to

-Enceladus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeTfvkanyIU), which honestly sounds like something I want playing in the background while chilling with my friends with some booze and hookah.

  While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I almost GUARENTEE you will be hearing more of this artist’s name in the future. Mux Mool is not a name to pass up, and has proved he has got something original to put on the table.

3)

Netsky (Self Titled Album)

   Looking at the Label, It’s no surprise Netsky’s self-titled album is up here. I discovered Liquid Funk only somewhat recently considering, but the genre has since managed to kick my ass, make me emotional as hell, kick my creativity and imagination into overdrive, and made me recognize that I not only wanted, but needed to do something with music in my life. But this isn’t about Liquid Funk, this is about Netsky. Of all the people who have kicked utter ASS in the past year, Netsky is at the top. The kid behind the music is somewhere around the age of 20 and has done more in the past year than some can do in most of their career. Not only that, but he does it WELL. He brings out what makes Liquid DnB different from drum and bass; Soul, Funk, and Spirit. Aside from the kickass Album, his remixes over the years have been something else. Just going on Youtube and searching “Netsky Remix” Nets you so many results of songs just from this year.

-Escape (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raY0FX06ctQ), the song the album opens you up to know exactly what you’re in for. Hell it even says so in the song itself. “Follow me to a place where we’ve never been before”, “You have never ever had a time like this before”, ect. Well technically if you’re familiar with Liquid Funk you probably HAVE, but nevertheless.

-Iron Heart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4rt6Nxdm4Y) Is kick ass. That’s just the only word for it. The music Video (link) is something I highly recommend watching, as it’s something like out of the Twilight Zone or something.

-Storm Clouds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxQZ3hOkmQo) Is the song that originally got me. Just listen and you’ll see :)

4)


Gorillaz - Plastic Beach 
  This was actually a heard one to choose, only because I wanted so badly to include the honorable mentions. No doubt though that the Gorillaz deserve to be up there. A lot of people didn’t like this album, I did. The band has some major, undeniable style that I don’t even need to delve into. Nevertheless, Gorillaz are back, and kicking ass. I don’t think I need to get into the tracks, though, since this is an album everyone who has wanted to has listened to by now :P

5)

Underworld - Barking

I confess, I changed this choice last minute. I used to have Chemical Brothers - Further on there, but I honestly say I enjoyed this album a lot more. I’ll get into why in a bit.
Barking, though, definitely marks Underworld’s return to the scene of things, and at least they won’t just be “that one band that songs that lager song.”. Barking is interesting. It also spans a number of genre, but it does have a few lacking songs. Ok, Maybe it’s only Hamburg Hotel. I don’t get that song. It was the lineup of collaborators in this album that really turned me onto it. Dubfire, High Contrast, Mark Knight… Damn!

-Bird 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR98qq9iHmw). This song has the lyrical feel that Underworld is known for. Honestly, trying to find meaning in a song like this is like arguing a McDonald’s Cashier to serve you breakfast at 1PM. It’s just not going to happen. Ironically I didn’t like this song when I first listened to the album, but the more I listened, the more I loved it. The lyrics are a nonsensical addiction, especially the line “…And a moped started up, sounding like a chainsaw of tiny firecrackers, and he smelled the thyme again.”. Be careful where you sing this out loud, or people might think you’re insane. But that’s Underworld for ya.

-Scribble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHs8LxPepKU). Liquid Funk with Underworld and High Contrast is about as win as it gets in my book. It’s hard not to feel happy listening to this song. His voice ringing out among the amazing instrument layers: “It’s ok, you give me everything I need…”. Honestly, It’s just happy. Joyous. And that is amazing.

-Diamond Jigsaw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUhLWbcTf9Y). Underworld and Mark Knight? Hell yes. Like Scribble, It is hard not to listen to this song and not feel happy. “Does it help that you finally found yourself?” Why yes. Yes it does. Thank you :)

Honorable Mentions:
1)

Utah Jazz - Vintage

 It was hard NOT putting this on the list, because this definitely was one of my favorites. Actually my friend Draconum sent me this, I believe.Some High points of the album:
-Avoiding Puddles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx9UQUn7AhE)
-Comfort Zone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dNKGPrMcHs)
-Existence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxT8qpZjnsg)

More later, I think. :)