CHIRP: The Chicago Independent Radio Project

Austin Harvey writes

CHIRP Radio Best of 2011 (Austin Bainard Harvey)

Throughout December CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2011. The next list is from Austin Bainard Harvey.

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

1. Cults – Cults (In the Name of)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   The girl-group splendor of 1960’s pop has seen its share of revival attempts, but what Cults managed with their much-anticipated debut album is more than tribute. These are pop songs not of any particular era, but simply a load of melodic hooks that shimmer enough to soundtrack a snowfall, but too exciting not to be summer jams. Ultimately, Cults may be a one-trick pony, but once stuck, this trick is impossible to remove from your head.
2. Razika – Program 91 (Smalltown Supersound)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Four 19-year-old Norwegian ladies who’ve known each other for over a decade record a full album on weekend breaks from school. Before you think the result will be akin to The Shaggs, you’ll hear a joyous, ska-influenced post-punk that plays up the band’s youth without sounding immature, snotty, or cloyingly saccharine. If 2011 was “The Year Of Boring”, this was the exception to prove the rule.
3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Fat Possum)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   It takes guts to make a debut album this indecipherable. Garage production without the garage rock, this Kiwi-American trio have put together a quick half-hour of spare, danceable tunes penned by Flying Nun vet Ruban Nielson. UMO have hooks galore, but are just as content to ride the main riff of a track through the fade-out.
4. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Tiker Tape Ltd.)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   For all intents and purposes, Radiohead made an album of dance music in 2011. The result is simply their best record since Kid A. Sonically dense and yet immediately listenable, and at times even fun, the Oxford quintet once again expand their palate with a new set of classics.
5. The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar (Atlantic/Canvasback)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   This Welsh trio survive mediocre production and an overly-compressed mix to put together one of the year’s more emotionally intense records. Hard rock with an ear for melody and a riff, the songwriting chops are there, while Ritzy Bryan’s double-wallop of arena-ready guitar crunch and soaring vocals make me believe they’re going to be around for the long haul.
6. Village – Local Moves (Self-Released)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   I have to admit that I’d much rather listen to classic rock than chillwave, or rehashed 80’s soft-rock; and local guys Village do more than their part to sate the need. Part alt-country, and part barroom stomp, it’s a record that never tries too hard and never misses the mark. If you need a fix of the basics, this is where to go.
7. The Psychic Paramount – II (No Quarter)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   An instrumental rock record that emerges from the fog, destroys everything in sight, takes no prisoners, and walks away victoriously. Pulsing, loud, unapologetic, and brash, parts of this album reminded me of Steve Reich’s “Pulses” fed through a heavier sort of Krautrock. It’s a beast of a record, and you’ll feel better for having survived it.
8. Wild Flag – Wild Flag (Merge)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   Sure, it’s 2/3rds of Sleater-Kinney, and has parts of Helium and The Minders, but never mind that. These ladies made perhaps the most fun record of the year by becoming greater than the sum of their parts, or their history. They also made a six-and-a-half-minute jam on being a racehorse into perhaps the year’s best straight-up rock song.
9. Veronica Falls – Veronica Falls (Slumberland)
   BUY: Insound / iTunes
   British indie from the mid-80’s is probably due for a revival of its own. With a cadre of influences that don’t include The Smiths in the first breath, this London quartet crafts cutesy indie pop with lots of dark undertones, but enough melody and sass to keep you from forgetting that Belle & Sebastian didn’t make an album this year.
10. Anna Calvi – Anna Calvi (Domino)
    BUY: Insound / iTunes
    Ms. Calvi’s songs range from quiet, desperate, and cavernous, to urgent, plaintive, and encouraging. Her songwriting chops are exceeded by her guitar wizardry and killer pipes. Melodramatic without going over-the-top, the London wunderkind’s continually impresses with repeated listens.

Honorable Mentions

• 11. Cave — Neverendless (Drag City)
  Chicago’s motorik masters have released their best yet. Don’t sleep on ‘em before they blow up.
  
  12. Office Of Future Plans — Office Of Future Plans (Dischord) J. Robbins of Jawbox fame snags a cellist in his new band. The result is grown-up DC emo with hooks galore.
  
  13. Austra — Feel It Break (Paper Bag)
  If The Knife were a little less creepy a little more dancey, they’d be dead ringers for this Toronto trio. Dark, cold, and wonderful.
  
  14. Wilco — The Whole Love (dBpm)
  Wilco’s best album in a decade sees the band taking risks for the first time in nearly as long. They sound more comfortable now than they ever have.
  
  15. Girl In A Coma — Exits & All The Rest (Blackheart)
  The San Antonio trio’s third album draws from punk, grunge, and guitar pop to give us the album of 90’s revivalism we’d all hoped for.
  
  16. PJ Harvey — Let England Shake (Vagrant)
  Polly Jean (no relation) explores her native country’s journey through wars and finds a new voice for herself, plus a shiny new Mercury Prize.
  
  17. Fucked Up — David Comes To Life (Matador)
  The hardcore sextet from Toronto create a four-act rock opera with tons of characters and even more bite. A monumentally tough, albeit rewarding listen.
  
  18. Kate Bush — 50 Words For Snow (ANTI-)
  Bush’s 2nd album of the year is a wintry-themed record with guest spots from Elton John and her own son. Piano-driven prog-adult contemporary that even indie kids can get behind.
  
  19. The Caretaker — An Empty Bliss Beyond This World (History Always Favours The Winners)
  James Leyland Kirby explores amnesia by remixing old 78’s and keeping the surface noise. Haunting, beautiful, and heartbreaking.
  
  20. Destroyer — Kaputt (Merge)
  Here because no other album captured the year’s indie trends (soft rock, saxophone, overly clean guitars and production), and still made them sound decent.