CHIRP: The Chicago Independent Radio Project

Andy Weber writes

CHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Andy Weber)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from DJ Andy Weber.

(Click here to get the complete list of CHIRP Radio members’ picks.)

1. Tammar – Visits (Suicide)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   So this band clearly hijacked my music library while I was sleeping. Digested said library over a long period of time. Then they made this album perfectly crafted to my taste. I would like to take this opportunity to thank this outfit from Bloomington, IN for doing such a thoughtful thing!
2. Ponytail – Do Whatever You Want All The Time (We Are Free)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   If you dislike the word “one” for any reason stay very far away from this recording. I happen to love the word “one.” Hence the ranking! This is an extremely fun album that can even be slightly haunting at times. Lots of energy abound.
3. Cave – Neverendless (Drag City)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Cave highest ranking Chicago band on my list which thus dubs them my favorite Chicago band of 2011 apparently. The best way for me to sum up this album is a collection of psych drones that will enter your soul and never leave. You will be feeling this album long after it is done playing!
4. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This is just a very intelligent sounding album with layers of sound and style.
5. Givers – In Light (Glassnote)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Every year I need a “happy fun” album and for 2011 Givers presented me with such an album. This debut full length for the Louisiana band is not just for fun it has some depth as well. But it is best played with the sun shining!
6. Disappears – Guider (kranky)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Another year means another Disappears album on my top 10. This band, that we are all very lucky to have locally, just keeps getting better. There is a new album due in March and it makes me wonder if they will make it 3 for 3 on my list in 2012.
7. Walter & Wendell – Adjusted Automatically (Movings)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This is more great music to come out of our fair city. Put together by former members of The M’s this is a collection of beautiful tracks. It features one of my favorite songs of the year, “Old Times”
8. Wilco – The Whole Love (dBpm/ANTI)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Wilco? Really? Wilco made my top 10? Well when I first listened to this album I was blown away just by the fact that Wilco was able to excite me again. Just when I had written them off they pull me back in. Well done!
9. Ducktails – Arcade Dynamics (Woodsist)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   OK for this slot it was going to be Ducktails, Woods, or Real Estate. Ducktails wins out! Although I like all three albums a lot this Ducktails album stuck out slightly more as a complete album. No slumps throughout and slightly more adventurous as the off shoot of Real Estate.
10. Mannequin Men – Mannequin Men (Addenda)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    This just snuck in at the end of the year. What a good album! This band really grew up with this release. I will not be surprised if a much bigger audience stands up and takes notice of this Chicago band.

Honorable Mentions

• Afro Soul-Tet – Panoramic & True – Quintron – Real Estate – Paleo – Woods – Yellow Ostrich – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
  
  “The One Song I Cannot Get Out Of My Head” for 2011: Quintron – Ring The Alarm