QuickCrit's Top 40 from 2012: 11 - 20

11. First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

Loved this album, and played it just about every day at work. I would like to think this is what my sister and I would sound like if we were an indie pop due. And Swedish. Oh, and able to actually sing. - LVD

Lovely ladies making some sweet pop music! The soundtrack of my life for the first three months of the year. - ve1cro

Tift Merrit didn’t make my top 10 this year, so I had to find another group to hit my folksy/country music spot. Lovely voices and harmonies accompanied by the trusty ‘ol slide guitar. - Brasilliant

I really like what these ladies do. - Ancient Indian Wizard 

12. Tame Impala - Lonerism

Everything here works. Great vocals (perhaps eerily) similar to John Lennon. Pop hooks straight out of the 60's. Fantastic drumming and fuzzed out guitars. This is psychedelic pop music that plays as homage to the past, while still moving things forward. - Ben 

Buried underneath a thick blanket of sonic swirl, lies a treasure trove chalk full of unforgettable melodies. - Max D 

These dudes rock. - Joey P 

Given my love of Aussies and melodious psychedelic rock, I purposely waited to make my list until I heard this one.  Turns out, that was a good move.  I absolutely love this album and will likely be taking it with me for additional listens well into the new year. - Mona 

13. The Mynabirds - Generals

This is my top pick this year. There can only be one reason that it’s not yours, you haven’t yet heard it. Not for the weak -- hard headed broads need only apply. - Brasilliant 

Awesome voice and bad-ass. - ve1cro 

An album that is not only political but also deeply feminist but eschewing the tripe that comes from both of those adjectives. Reality, this album reminds us, is socially constructed. - JC Hackett

Generals still has the touches of 60’s pop I loved on her debut, just with more pounding beats and attitude. - awmercy 

14. Passion Pit - Gossamer

Its catchy and sad. Passion Pit lyrics is like Taylor Swift for suicidal indie rockers with drinking problems, also less famous boyfriends. - Julia

Peel back 'Gossamer's' initial layer of electro pop sunshine and you will find some pretty dark subject matter in the lyrics. Some topical, most personal lyrical growth is evident- so are his demons. This is what top 40 sounds like in an alternate universe. - Lucas

They did a good job of branching out a bit while also sticking to their original formula in places.  Makes for a maybe a more disjointed album but I sure kept going back to it. - Ancient Indian Wizard

Manners was like, whoa!, this is new and interesting. Gossamer, not to the same extent, but still really good. "Take A Walk" is killer... and I like killer songs, so its all good in my book. - NightraiN

Another solid album by one of my favorite bands. - Graham 

Great live, fun running music. - Ashley 

15. Father John Misty - Fear Fun

Really well realized album, with catchy melodies, great song concepts, and colorful lyrics. - Tex

Everything about the lyrics on this album is tongue-in-cheek, but everything about the music is all business. Fear fun is damn fun, ironic, and humorous, but also has about 4 singles that will stand the test of time. - NightraiN

With every spin I love Fear Fun even more. A perfect mix of laid-back irreverence, cynicism, and humor. - awmercy

J. Tillman solo project that's better than Fleet Foxes. - Lucas 

16. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

I played the hell outta this album all spring, mostly to/ from work. I still pick up up & It moves me. - Chris

OMG. Her voice. Amazing. - Ann

Worst irony of my year -- I misread the calendar and bought a plane ticket that forced me to miss the Shakes' show (which I had tickets for already) to go visit my folks… in Alabama. Sad. - JT 

17. Grimes - Visions

Pop music by a space pixie.  This surprised me with it's staying power, I thought I'd burn out quickly.  Nope, still enjoying it, almost a year and countless listens later. - Tex

It has all the makings of dream pop that somehow ended up on the wrong side of the tracks.  And then, someone went and put a hex on it.  Call it witch house, call it experimental electronica, call it just really weird shit. - Mona

The first 3 songs on this album are so amazing that I never make it to the rest. That's gotta count for something! - thebrownshaun

Truthfullly, this album was #1 for a long, long time. Unfortunately, I think in the end it does get beat out. But, Oblivion is definifely my favorite song of the year. - MikeIsTall

Genre bending and blending... a meticulously crafted GarageBand album that doesn't skirt emotionality in all its talk aobut physicality. - JC Hackett

A great debut that requires more spins. - Lucas

18. Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of 

      the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than 
      Ropes Will Ever Do

Sometimes I just need to listen to someone smarter and more messed up than me. Also, anyone who cancels a tour because her dog is sick deserves some recognition in my book. - CloningMishap

Most interesting mainstream "pop" artist. - thebrownshaun

This was a surprise for me!  Great comeback from Fiona! - Tex

I must admit, I was never a Fiona fan but this album was so engaging, I worked my way back through her discography. - MikeIsTall 

19. Titus Andronicus - Local Business

Politics aside, an even better album than "The Monitor". A musical defibrillator. - Nesto

Patrick talked to me at their show! Well if you count on stage to audience banter as talking.  Either way, swoon. - Julia

Pared down and less epic but still ambitious, Jersey's own (from the tiny northern burb of Glen Rock, no less) still rock it hard articulating the dualism of the suburbs--nihilism about the future and assurance that everything will be alright. - Dr. Shithead 

20. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

I've been listening to this so much I should probably be pregnant. - Julia

Incredible production and lyricism. The lyrics seem a little silly and playful at first but then deeper meaning and focus becomes very clear. This dude is incredibly clever, it's no wonder he's been ghostwriting for star performers for years. - Joey P

I don't fully get it, but I cannot ignore it. - JC Hackett 

Foster The People - Torches (2011)

Few can deny that Foster The People's "Pumped Up Kicks" is a killer single, building upon the chill psychedelic dance pop MGMT perfected on their first album, but subsequently left behind. Actually, all three songs off the EP are terrific. "Houdini" and "Helena Beats" recapture the joy of Passion Pit's indie dance party with big electronic beats and shimmering keyboards. Given the indie pedigree of the EP, it's no surprise that the rest of the songs off their debut full length, Torches, don't generate the same level of buzz. However, given a couple of spins, it becomes clear that there isn't a bad track in the bunch. "Color on the Walls (Don't Stop)" recalls the Dandy Warhols at their most tight and catchy. The lilting ballad "Waste" snaps along briskly, while "Warrant" brings everyone back out on the floor for one more sweaty spazz attack. Overall, it's a fun, breezy album, packed with plenty of hooks and hip shaking beats, no doubt perfect for summer nights.


Houdini (Live In Solana Beach) from Foster The People on Vimeo.

Foster The People @ Mississippi Studios

Friday night's show at Mississippi Studios was just one of a sting of sold out concerts down the West Coast for Foster The People. An amazing feat, considering all they've released is one three song EP and a cool video. Granted they sound like MGMT and Passion Pit got together to hang out and party in LA. Judging by the cheers, singing along, and enthusiastic dancing, most people were here for "Pumped Up Kicks"and for good reason, it reels you in with a silky smooth chorus of laid-back cynicism, capturing the best of chill wave and then seals the deal with a little "Young Folks" whistling. "Houdini" and "Helena Beats" bring the dance party with big electronic beats and shimmering keyboards. And judging from the rest of the set, they still have a couple potential hits in the bag. I'm excited to hear their full album, Torches, when it comes out on May 24th.


Foster The People - Helena Beat (Live In Brisbane, Australia) from Foster The People on Vimeo.

QuickCrit Music Survey Results - Top 40 Albums (1-10)

1. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
“Another one on the top of various lists. I kept hearing it piecemeal and I kept liking what I was hearing. Too bad about their being French.” - WarMachine

“A month and a half plus of starting out my workday with this album spells out album of the year to me.” - ancient indian wizard

“Always had a soft spot for these guys. Really polished pop songwriting. So tuneful!” - Jeremy B.

“One of the best live shows i saw all year as well.” - Max D.

“The kind of music that can instantly change your mood... for the better.” - NightraiN

“This album just makes me happy every time I listen to it.” - ve1cro

“A band that's even better live, Phoenix makes danceable indie that leaves you feeling happy and relaxed. If you're looking for reasons to hate this band, good luck.” - Mona

“Thought they might be ridding on the coat tails of the MGMT scene and was skeptical at all the hype but this band won me over.” - Layne

“OMG, who knew the French made awesome music?!?! Seriously.” - The Crane Wife

2. Passion Pit - Manners
“Holy dancefest. I introduced this to a coworker who hated it at first and then blasted it on the regular. You kinda want to not like it but you totally love it. If it was a Facebook relationship it would be complicated.” - ancient indian wizard

“Manners has been the #1 release of '09 for months now. Nothing can top danceable indie like this that is creative, inventive, flawless and addictive as hell. In the movie of my life, "Moth's Wings" would hopefully play in the trailer.” - Mona

“It's almost come to the point where I have to be embarrassed by this, but when I'm honest with myself, I listened to this album more than any other this year.” - WarMachine

“For all the ‘Chunk of Change’ lovers who turned into haters: WAKE THE F*** UP!” - Lucas C.

“This is just an all around great album.” - The Crane Wife


3. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
“It's a hit!” - HotCatato

“A beautiful album by an aptly named band.” - Jeremiah H.

“Took me a while to actually get into this album but it's really unlike anything I’ve ever listened to (and liked). One of those albums that reveals itself more and more with each listen.” - Max D.

“Probably the most accessible Animal Collective album to date, but then again that's not really saying all that much.” - Mona

“5 years ago I hated Animal Collective. This fact illustrates the beauty & joy of music.” - Lucas C.

“What can I add? This will probably end up being tops on the survey, and rightfully so. I'm just glad they finally dumbed down their music enough so that I could get into it.” - WarMachine


4. Metric - Fantasies
“Put this on and watch me dance the pop spaztastic.” - awmercy

“Their songs pass the campfire test. I appreciate that.” - Jeremy B.

“When I first heard this, I asked myself, why would I listen to Metric when I could just pop in the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs? The answer, of course, is because the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs are awesome and this album has earned the comparison.” - WarMachine

“With lyrics like "higher than high, lower than deep" and "hard to be soft , tough to be tender" the female front woman proves she’s one hell of a song writer too. - Layne




5. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
“You can find me stuck in LA traffic singing this song at the top of my lungs.” - HotCatato

“An amazing melodic, at times discordant, audio soundscape. The three ladies singing backup show some mindblowingly innovative acapella chops. Stick with it....it grows on you.” - Tex

“Phew — took me some time to get the hang of this one. Can't say as though I love it, but it's a force, nonetheless, to be reckoned with.” - Jeremiah H.

“While I don't love this entire album as much as some, Stillness is the Move, Cannibal Resource and No Intention are amazing songs.” – WarMachine


6. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
“Playing this album will get you laid. 60% of the time, it works every time.” - Rain

“She calls them ‘Killer Whales’ but I call them ‘Panda Whales.’” - ancient indian wizard

“Perhaps this is my sentimental best album of the year (certainly, the most heavily played, for me). Neko is a beautiful force to be recokened with.” - Jeremiah H.

"I love the way she says 'killer whales'.” - HotCatato

"’People Gotta A Lot Of Nerve’ is a perfect song. One of America’s great unsung heroes does it again. “ - Lucas C.



7. The Builders & The Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well
“Urgent and macabre celebrations of our oncoming destruction.” - awmercy

“Kind of creepy, but kind of good.” - Jeremy

“They took a good thing and made it better. Dark, rollicking and unique. Tell your friends.” – NightraiN









8. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
“I really feel they hit their stride with this album. French Navy is bonkers good! I want to get all kissy face like they do in the video for the song. You should too!” - ancient indian wizard

“Love this band, can they ever do any wrong? This album proves they can still inspire ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when they sing ‘ooh’ and ‘aah.’” - Mona

“This album is great. It was in the CD player in my car for a long time until I almost burnt out on it and had to take a break. Now Fiest's first album is in the CD player. Although both are good, I like My Maudlin Career better.” - The Crane Wife

“Just popped this in recently and I still love it. Holds together so well as an album.” - WarMachine

“Great updated girl group sound.” - Brasilliant


9. Lucero - 1372 Overton Park
“It's the perfect mix of Memphis horns, country grit, and rock n' roll.” - awmercy

“An album with that rare combination of.. well... everything. Oh the horns!” - NightraiN

“Solid outing from one of my favorites -- the horns grew on me.” – Jeremy








10. Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
“Can't really explain why this album pulls at my heart strings, it just does.” - ve1cro

“It's amazing how great the Strokes solo efforts have been.” - Lucas C.

Worst Week To Leave Portland?

Apparently, I am traveling to DC for a week at the worst possible time when there isn't an actual festival going on. The Crystal Ballroom's December to Remember series of concerts includes Passion Pit, Metric, Vampire Weekend, Black Joe Lewis and Spoon! On top of that, Edward Shape is sharing a bill with Fool's Gold and the Local Natives at the Doug Fir. And the Thermals are at Berbati's Pan. On top of that – yes, I am going to pile on more – the Dandy Warhols and Upsidedown are at the Wonder Ballroom. And that really only highlights the headliners. Dolorean, Chuck Prophet, the Slants, Joe Purdy, and Nurses are also playing around town. All in 7 days.

Sometimes the music gods can be cruel.

War Machine's 2009 Summer 5

I just got 95% of the way through this post only to accidentally lose it, so I'm going to begrudgingly try it again. It's going to be shorter this time, though.

Apologies for not embedding the video. Keep up the good work, those that do, it makes it so much easier to decide for myself when I can just click a button and listen. I'd do it too, but I don't know how. Links will have to suffice. [Update: videos added]

"Sleepyhead" - Passion Pit

Passion Pit is on every one's list this summer, so no new ground here. But this song is a standard deviation better than every other song on the album, and there are some other great ones. Video rocks too.

Here's a thought. Most of us have heard the story where Michael Angelakos, who was not in any band at the time, made a Valentines Day CD of six songs for his college girlfriend. (Not a shitty mixtape, mind you, his songs.) The songs got passed around campus, picked up locally, they turned it into an EP and formed a band and turned the EP into an album and here we are. Sleepyhead, as I understand it, was on that first CD. Here's my question, did that song on the CD sound like the song as I hear it on "Manners?" Because if it did...holy shit! Can you imagine being that girl? Or even, being the dorm room roommate of that girl? I suspect, on that particular Valentines Day, there wasn't a whole lot of sleepy, but a hell of a lot of...well you get it.

I'm just saying she owed him. Big time.



"Nothing to Worry About" - Peter, Bjorn and John

This song is a little long in the tooth but I just discovered it. It makes me want to dance until my ass falls off...or until two minutes and 58 seconds are over. Whichever comes first.

I've got to get me to Sweden at some point. There's too much coming out of there right now that I love...except for the IKEA tool. I hate the IKEA tool.



"Arlington. The Rap."

You don't really have to have lived in Arlington, VA to understand this. It makes it funnier, but it's not required. Could have just as easily been Annaheim or Schaumburg. Except for the Green Line joke.

I can't believe I lived there for 5 years. Sigh.



"Gifted" - N.A.S.A. (Featuring Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li)

Look at that lineup. Do I have to even explain why the song is awesome? The best part is, it is awesome, as opposed to, say, "The Best of Both Worlds."Decidedly not awesome.



"My Girls" - Animal Collective

This is as catchy an Animal Collective song as I am aware of. And I love catchy. The album is pretty great too. Very accessible, which means I can like it. Close runner-up is the Camera Obscura song French Navy, another great song off an album I'm loving.

Ancient Indian Wizard's Sweet Sweet Summerjams

Decemberists - Hazards Of Love 4 (The Drowned)
I love this album and have been meaning to do a review of it forevs. The story is pretty standard Decemberist's insanity and I love every second of it. My favorite song? The one about drowning yourself alongside your true love of course. This song makes me teary but so did the Pixar opening short about storks and clouds that played before UP.



Phoenix - Lasso
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is nearly a flawless album to me. "Love Like A Sunset" is kinda long but fuck it I like that song sometimes too. "Lasso" however is 2 minutes and 47 seconds of straight up radness to me. They're french and a french guy won today's stage of the Tour De France. I bet you he was listening to this song the whole time.



Jeremy Enigk - April Storm
I loved his last album and am pretty happy with his current one. For me "April Storm" is totally the crowning jewel on this record.

Enigk described this song to Billboard magazine as being "on a Ryan Adams/"Love Is Hell"-type of kick."

Oh what?!? Jer Bear you know how to make a dude super happy!



Passion Pit - Little Secrets
After hearing so much about these dudes I finally listened to them. I love "Sleepyhead" and "Little Secrets" a super duper lot. the rest of the album is good but nothing else catches me as much as these two tracks. "Little Secrets" wins here due to it's sing song backing vocals and disjointed clusterfuck back beat. Loving it!



Kylie Minogue - Wow
I have a history of loving me some Kylie. I think this song is originally from 2007 but it is now my summer jammy jam. I knew I was done for once she says "your so hot / get me into the shade"... I also like the liberal use of the flanger effect as a nice respite from the autotuner. 2007 is the new 2009!

Deastro @ Holocene

After loving his melodic synth-based album, Moondagger, I was looking forward to ecstatic dance floor, imagining something along the lines of Passion Pit's stop at the Wonder Ballroom. Sadly, the concert was sparsely attended and I think that reigned in the dancing to just a handful of fans. That didn't stop Randolph Chabot from delivering a spirited and kinetic performance, hopping and convulsing across the stage and occasionally covering himself in a children's sheets. The full band (guitar, bass, drums, and computer) emphasized the rockier side of their songs; although the synths and blips were featured on the album, now I heard the drums first. I hope songs like "Toxic Crusaders" and "Parallelogram"catch on because I'd love to see him in front of a packed dancefloor.

Awmercy's Summer Short List

Amazing Baby - Rewild (2009). I love catchy psych and this is by far my favorite this year, perfectly balancing the thumps and haze.






Passion Pit & Harlem Shakes @ Wonder Ballroom. I've been to a lot of great concerts this year, but this was a home run line up. I walked in hot on the Harlem Shakes, but was won over by Passion Pit as they wound the crowd up into a sweaty dancing frenzy.




Biking to Shows. Even when I am starting to fade a bit as the evening wears on and the bourbons wear off, zipping down Burnside gets me ready for just about just any show, and pretty much all my favorite venues are just a few pedals away.




Metric - "Waves". No matter how many times I've listened to "Waves", it never fails to make feel like dancing.






Portland Bands. I've never lived in city before that is home to this many great bands: The Builders And The Butchers, Blind Pilot, M. Ward, Loch Lomond, Blitzen Trapper, Hockey, Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags, and The Thermals, to name just a few highlights. And the best part is that there are so many more I haven't even heard yet!

Deastro - Moondagger (2009)

Somehow I overlooked Deastro's Keeper's last year. It wasn't until I listened to Moondagger that I realized I'd been missing out on some seriously good times. But then again, Moondagger may be way more fun. All you fans dancing the indie fantastic to Passion Pit will find plenty more songs to add to this weekend's dance mix. Like Passion Pit, Deastro write shimmering synth-based pop nuggets brimming full of upbeat choruses and catchy beats. The songs are dense with layers of ideas. "Vermillion Plaza" should get the appendages flailing, with a chorus that reminds me a bit of the British dance rock band The Music. The blissed-out "Toxic Crusaders" with its tinkling xylophone, "Parallelogram" with its sing song vocals, and the propulsive and spacy title track round out my favorites on the album.

Passion Pit & Harlem Shakes @ Wonder Ballroom

If you want to go home smelling like strawberry body lotion, sweat, and flavored vodka (even though you were drinking beer), go to a Passion Pit concert. Or at least that was my experience. The Portland ladies were out in full force on Sunday night, ready to dance. And the guys were getting down too. A dude next to me lost his glasses he was working so hard. Fan favorites like "Sleepyhead" and "Little Secrets" caused near mosh pit like dancing. You'd have to be pretty uptight not to be swept up by Passion Pit's fun and brash dance music with its big beats and equally giant hooks.

It always feels like winning the lottery when two bands I'm currently loving tour together, so I really can't complain, but in the opening slot, the Harlem Shake's lively set felt way too short. Still, it was great to hear the songs like "Strictly Game" and "Sunlight" live with just a touch of the glossy sheen rubbed off. And even though they are on tour promoting their new album, Technicolor Health, they fit "Carpetbaggers" into the set off their fabulous EP.

Harlem Shakes Interview

In case you haven't been paying attention, people around here have been loving the new Harlem Shakes album, Technicolor Health. Lead singer, Lexy Benaim, took a minute to answer a couple quick questions via email before their upcoming show with Passion Pit at the Wonder Ballroom on Sunday, May 24th.

QuickCrit: How is the tour going?

Lexy Benaim: Tour is going great so far. Chicago in particular was amazing; we played to a packed house on a Monday at midnight.

QC: Which song is the most fun to perform live? Which song gets the biggest cheers?

LB: Hmmm...for me the most fun is probably "Radio Orlando", because I get to play keyboard at the end. Our closer "Old Flames" usually does, but is that because it's at the end of the show? Probably.

QC: Can we expect to hear anything off the Burning Birthdays? Say "Red Right Hands"?

LB: You probably won't hear RRH on this tour. More likely "Carpetbaggers" or potentially even "Sickos".

QC: Why did it take so long to finally release an album?

LB: We had what you might call "bidness ishoez;" problems with labels and managers now all expunged. So we worked, did assorted jobs, toured a bit, and when we had the chance, poured out some new jams.

QC: What inspires your songwriting? "Strictly Game" seems to have a tempered optimism that comes from hitting bottom.

LB: I'd say that's an accurate reading. People seem to think when I sing "This will be a better year" that I'm absolutely sure of that. I think of it as a sort of willful optimism from a pessimistic mind. Also, people just mishear lyrics. Like when I say "if life gives you lemons/ then thus god bade--" I don't actually say the old lemonade line! I subvert it, dammit.

QC: What's your process for writing?

LB: I usually bring in an initial form and then we all add the layers. It depends. With the best songs everything comes at once. But that's rare.

QC: It looks like you'll be touring with Passion Pit into July. What's next after that?

LB: Hard to say, but at this point, probably a whole lot of Europe.

Passion Pit - Manners (2009)

Mmm, tastes like summertime. Pop perfection. This is the kind of album I will kill in less than two weeks. Its so catchy and I don't have alot of self control... in many different venues... hence I haven't been able to bring myself to listen to much else since I got Manners. I liked the Passion Pit EP, but this album is much much better. All the hooks are catchy. All of them. The first song, "Make Light", feels like a high pitched vocalist singing a New Order song. I don't see a problem with that. The next song, "Little Secrets", has a real nice male/female vocal component. Bonus, the "higher and higher" chorus pumps you up a little. Feels good, I'm always looking for new ways to get pumped since I've become immune to caffeine. Next up, "Moth's Wings". My favorite on the album (for now). Its epic, and I have a soft spot for epic. I could keep going like this about every song, suffice to say this album is a must for summer. It's perfect for driving around in perfect sunny 75 degree weather. Oh, is it still raining and cold in other places? Hmm, well I live in LA.

Faves: Little Secrets, Moth's Wings, The Reeling, Eyes as Candles