"Multitrack recording (also known as multitracking or just tracking for short) is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole."

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Smashley's Best Music of 2011

First of all, apologies for any confusion about what happened to this blog. In short: I moved myself across the country in April and subsequently, fell off the face of the Earth. Plans are being made to re-launch Multitracking: A Mix Exchange as it once was in 2012, with more mixers and more follow-through. Stay tuned!


But since I had no where else to host this, here's my Best of 2011 (for music, of course, since I have no other social skills.) Nicely compacted into internet-friendly, short-attention-span format, complete with 140-characters-or-less explanations and a whole lotta links. 


You can also listen to all of the artists/songs here, if you're into that sort of thing:

Here's to another year of still liking music, 

With love, 
Smashley


  Top 10 Albums of 2011 
(Top to bottom awesome. In particular order, of course.) 

10) The Belle Brigade - The Belle Brigade
In 140 characters or less: Brother/sister duo with impeccable vocal synergy and infectious folk-infused pop sensibilities. Also: a video with SO MANY PUPPIES.

9) Ryan Adams - Ashes and Fire
In 140 characters or less: The revitalization of an old love for Mr. Adams, featuring in the most honest Ryan incarnation that he's had in many years. 

8) Typhoon - A New Kind of House
In 140 characters or less: Didn't quite get them the last record, but this EP feels like a much more concentrated effort to polish some of the chamber-pop chaos.

7) The Decemberists - The King is Dead
In 140 characters or less: This band finally stops keeping their fans at arm's length with less rock opera and more strategic songwriting. A perfect album. 

6) Augustana - Augustana
In 140 characters or less: Highly under appreciated and misrepresented band who clearly spent a lot of time with Counting Crows before putting this album to tape

5) The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
In 140 characters or less: A happy, unique surprise in a sort of crowded folk revival. As tight a musical outfit as I've heard in a very long time.  

4) Source Victoria - Slow Luck
In 140 characters or less: It's been a long time since I've looked forward to an album as much as this one. A brooding, pulls-you-head-first-into-it, atmospheric triumph

3) Bon Iver - Bon Iver
In 140 characters or less: There is absolutely no room for skeptics or cynicism here: from a one-man-show to a nine-man-army, this project is 100% the real deal. 

2) Desert Noises - Mountain Sea
In 140 characters or less: One of the best kept secrets in music, by far. I have a lot of hope for this little band from Utah with a totally massive harmonized sound.

1) Blind Pilot - We Are the Tide
In 140 characters or less: Whatever didn't spark for me the last album quickly ignited into a flame. Beautifully produced, exceptionally written folk-pop masterpiece.




 Top 40 Songs of 2011 
(Some from albums I may have fully enjoyed, some are the only songs I liked . Which is which is left a mystery. In sort of particular order, mostly near the top.)

40) Allen Stone - "Unaware"
From: Allen Stone

39) Fun. ft. Janelle Monae - "We Are Young"
From: Some Nights (2012)

38) The Fray - "Heartbeat"
From: Scars and Stories (2012)

37) Ladylike - "On to Me"
From: Vol. 1

36) Kreayshawn - "Gucci Gucci"
From: Gucci Gucci

35) M83 - "Midnight City"
From: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

34) Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - "Nothing But Our Love"
From: It's a Corporate World

33) Oh Land - "Rainbow"
From: Oh Land

32) Bayside - "Already Gone" 
From: Killing Time

31) Blink 182 - "Up All Night"
From: Neighborhoods

30) A Lull - "Some Love"
From: Confetti

29) SPEAK - "You Know As Well As I"
From: I Believe in Everything

28) Portugal. The Man - "Got it All (This Can't Be Living Now)"
From: In the Mountain In the Clouds

27) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "If I Had a Gun"
From: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

26) What Laura Says - "Girl Not Gonna Leave"
From: TALK

25) Foster the People - "Houdini"
From: Torches

24) Childish Gambino - "Fire Fly"
From: Camp

23) Gym Class Heroes - "Stereo Hearts"
From: The Papercut Chronicles

22) ARMS - "Fleeced"
From: Summer Skills

21) Accidental Seabirds - "Untitled"
From: The Snow and the Full Moon

20) J. Cole - "Work Out"
From: Cole World -The Sideline Story

19) Death Cab for Cutie - "You Are a Tourist"
From: Codes and Keys

18) Paramore - "Monster"
From: Monster

17) The Whisperlights - "Ditch the Watch"
From: Surfaces

15) Boy & Bear - "The Feeding Line"
From: Moonfire

14) The Script - "If You Ever Come Back"
From: Science & Faith

13) Kopecky Family Band - "Little Baby Sister"
From: Of Epic Proportions

12) Adele - "Set Fire to the Rain"
From: 21

11) Austin Gibbs - "Held Her a Little Too Tight"
From: Charlie

10) Fleet Foxes - "Montezuma"
From: Helplessness Blues

9) Kinch - "Once, I Was a Mainsail"
From: The Incandenza

8) Vanaprasta - "Self Indulgent Feeling"
From: Healthy Geometry

7) Cage the Elephant - "Shake Me Down"
From: Thank You Happy Birthday

6) The Summer Set - "When We Were Young"
From: Everything's Fine

5) Incubus - "Switchblade"
From: If Not Now When?

4) Walk the Moon - "Anna Sun"
From: I Want! I Want!

3) Matt Nathanson - "Faster"
From: Modern Love

2) Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"
From: Simple Math

1) Grouplove - "Colours"
From: Never Trust a Happy Song




  Final 5 Fun Facts of 2011 
(Because I can.) 

5) Best Music Video:  
Manchester Orchestra - "Simple Math"

4) Best Non-2011 Discovery: 
Good Old War -  Only Way to Be Alone



3) Favorite Show of 2011:
Incubus - Performing Make Yourself front to back
@ Incubus HQ



2) Favorite Album Cover of 2011: 


1) Most Anticipated (rumored) in 2012:

  • Nada Surf
  • Fanfarlo
  • Mumford and Sons
  • Good Old War
  • Miniature Tigers
  • Fun.
  • Ben Kweller
  • The Fray 

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