Pat: 2011 Music Retrospection

This was a very strong year in terms of music for me.

Musically, we were desolated by Amy Winehouse’s death or Adele’s illness but still good music was done and thankfully this was a very special year for me, mainly because we started this project Fuck Yeah Music Stories and consequently made me see Music with very different eyes – more objective, attentive and with way more pleasure than I had before.

This is my TOP of favorites of this year.

I’ve (re)discovered a lot this entire year and this was a very introspective and hard list to make.

Albums released this year:

• Owl City, All Things Bright and Beautiful: There’s something about this artist that I truly loved. Besides everything this album is beautiful and honest. We can get thousand of interpretations of each song. Musically it’s absolutely interesting and we discover a new thing at each play. Kamikaze, Dreams Don’t Turn To Dust or Galaxies are very different songs that compose this record.

• The Gift, Explode: This year was their consummation. They are an extremely talented band and Explode shares a way colorful interpretation of themselves. It’s a discovery, a funny ride through songs like RGB, The Singles or Primavera. I absolutely recommend this record to everyone who honestly loves music. There’s something magical about Explode and The Gift, maybe they just breathe music and that’s what we get.

• My Chemical Romance, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: This new record is intense but it sounds a lot like My Chemical Romance. Songs like Sing or Planetary (Go!) are young but also spread their talent and rock/punk way of seeing the world. Their themes are so interesting to discover, and when you do, you change all your thoughts about them! Let’s make a revolution and fight for our ideas.

• Foster The People, Torches: Foster The People are this young band with grown up ideas. This record is solid, strong and with meaning. Torches is absolutely one of the best records of 2011 for me with songs like Pumped Up Kicks or Call It What You Want made this music world way more interesting. They made me believe in contemporary music.

• Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto: Coldplay are Coldplay and this album is the ultimate confirmation of their talent. Paradise or Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall are part of this incredible and strong album. After hearing the album we can’t really find words to describe it. They exceeded themselves once again and I’m not shocked because they know their value and how good they are and this record shows exactly that.

• Luisa Sobral, The Cherry On My Cake: Luisa Sobral is an absolutely amazing artists and this is a brutal album. That jazzy-pop mixed style with a very characteristic voice, makes her one of the Portuguese revelations of 2011 and this album is the consummation of her talent, leaving the certain she also has much more talent and creativity to share.

•   Márcia, Dá: I really love Márcia and her album. Dá is a simple word which is translated as “Give” and she gives so much to music, her simple words followed by beautiful melodies and a stunning voice makes this a must-have album for everyone! Every record should follow a simple guide line – beautiful vocals, stunning instrumental and amazing lyrics. There’s nothing wrong about this album. It’s so personal but at the same time to freaking weird for being so simple. I always say “Simplicity Wins!” and it does!

• Beirut, The Rip Tide: Beirut are my secret passion of this year. Everything they do, they do with pleasure and this album influenced by European music and old-fashioned American Pop is an inspiration. Since the first time I got the album I can’t get tired of it! It’s a constant discovery, a constant travel. This must be a travel soundtrack, if it isn’t I will travel just do it myself. It’s really an inspiration, so calm, full of beauty and reminding me so much of ending days watching sunsets on beaches.

• You Can't Win Charlie Brown, Chromatic: They are part of the revelation bands/artists in the Portuguese scenario. They are incredible, with songs like Over The Sun/Under The Water makes them so curious and interesting to discover. You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown are one of those absolutely worth it bands because after listening their songs we have the feeling they still have so much to give! I suggest their songs to music lovers!

• James Blake, James Blake: James Blake is amazing! He is absolutely talented and his songs are the reflection of the good musician he is. His extraordinary taste in music makes him one of the best artists of 2011! As I said once, he is not easy to like but once you do, he turns to one of your favorite for sure.

• Kaiser Chiefs, The Future Is Medieval: Kaiser Chiefs are crazy and talented. Their innovation on this album was huge, influenced by their hiatus. They made a strong album, similar but also so different from their previous records. They are a reflection of these times and so is this record. They make Indie so proud!

•  The Vaccines, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?: The Vaccines were discovered by accident but thankfully I did. The band is so interesting, so fresh. A mix of a beautiful indie and funky pop, I’m absolutely curious to follow their work and discover their next albums.

•  Michael Bublé, Christmas: Michael Bublé is one of my favorite singers. Sounding a lot like Mr. Sinatra, he made a special album related with Christmas and covered known songs like White Christmas or Jingle Bells very beautifully with his unique taste. I usually don’t like Christmas songs, but these jazzy versions are absolutely amazing. I totally suggest them!

•  Adele, 21: She is Adele. I shouldn't have much more to say. The album is amazing, full of strong vocals and followed by very well played instruments. 21 is something really special, there’s no one who can’t name a song from Adele. She is a growing artist who sold out Royal Albert Hall and that must mean something. I’ll be waiting for her return and new albums!

• The Doups, Small Town Gossip: The Doups were suggested to me. Their album is something we can’t usually see in Portugal, they are a very nice sound, a cute style and they are a promising band. They have this surely uncommon style and somehow alternative way of doing music. The Doups are different and that’s not something bad, actually they do take advantage of that so gracefully. I’m proud they are Portuguese!

Songs released this year:

There are loads of songs that I honestly loved this year like Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger, My Chemical Romance - Planetary (Go!), Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans, James Blake - Limit To Your Love, Owl City - Kamikaze or even Márcia - Cabra-Cega or Luisa Sobral - Xico. Choosing an unique song is hard, specially when I found amazing Portuguese and international artists this year but I would chose as my favorite song Called Out In The Dark by Snow Patrol, there's some special aura around this song, sounds so positive, so "keep going" especially when he says "This is your life, this is your time"!

Gigs I went and loved:

Roger Waters (The Wall 25^th Anniversary Tour) – Lisboa: Pavilhão Atlântico
Festival Optimus Alive 2011 – Algés: Passeio Marítimo
The Gift – Cascais: Marina
Owl City (All Things Bright And Beautiful Tour) – Lisboa: Campo Pequeno

Musical Discovery:

I mentioned earlier this was a very rich year for me, musically speaking.

There’s a long list I could continue with but if I had to chose only one it would probably be Owl City. His work is amazing and his way of seeing the world is so simple, kind and beautiful.
His music reflects his believing in the purest feelings like true love or nature.

Albums That I’m waiting to be released:

Probably Keane and The Killers are the artists I’m most eager to listen to. They didn’t release anything this year and I’m absolutely curious to know their next work, to see how the sound of their next album is going to be. They make part of my favorite bands and not hearing from them – in terms of releasing music – for an entire year is somehow wired for me. I’m just curious! I’ve been following the news related with Keane’s new album and their sound is turning out so awesome and curious. I can’t wait!

I’m also waiting for Lana Del Rey’s predicted to be released next January and Willy Moon’s which is unknown. They are new talents that I’ve been following and I’m just anxious to discover more of their work.

Artists that began career in 2011 and I’m waiting to see more in 2012:

This is easy.  As I said above, Lana Del Rey and Willy Moon are two of the artists I’m waiting to know more about. They are new artists and I’m amazed by their talent and freshness. Their music is so different and new, so absolutely stunning and full of talent. I’m so curious to hear their albums and new works!


And what about you?
Don't forget to share your opinions with us - specially if they are missing! We want to know your own tops!

I remind you on my list are missing a lot of artists, I tried to resumed and focus on the principal ones and the one I really wanted people to know about.


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