MUSICNEWS

Local 2011 CD releases worth revisiting in 2012

HANDOUT Vanity Theft CD.

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HANDOUT Hawthorne Heights CD

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HANDOUT The Story Changes EP

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By Don Thrasher, Contributing Writer Updated 1:19 PM Tuesday, January 3, 2012

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the locally produced music that moved us during the past 12 months. While no release really set the world on fire, there was still so much good stuff this year it was hard to narrow it down to just 10. So here’s a rundown of some of the locally-produced releases that deserve your continued attention in 2012.

Vanity Theft released one of the strongest albums of the year with local ties, delivering intelligent indie rock injected with strong dance floor overtones. Bonneville followed up the 2010 full-length “Drawing Maps” with the new album, “Amy’s House,” an eclectic but thoroughly engaging collection of catchy indie-rock songs.

Local indie powerhouse Motel Beds unleashed two excellent albums in 2011. The group opened the year with the release of “Sunfried Dreams,” an almost-perfect song-cycle, and capped it with the release this month of “Tango Boys,” which is as good, and possibly even better, than its predecessor.

Acoustic releases were well represented, whether it was the endearing debut of Windsor Knotts or the latest blast of Celtic goodness from Dulahan. Kris N chronicled his divorce and the subsequent fallout on his latest full-length, “Heart Scarf,” which is full of compelling acoustic numbers such as “Note to Self” and “L-O-V-E-U.” Teen sensations Wheels from Yellow Springs stuck to an unplugged template on the surprisingly solid “Fields of Fire,” which offers plenty of promise for a debut album.

Robert Pollard continued to be one of the most prolific artist’s on the planet. He found time to play shows with the reformed Guided By Voices and record the band’s first new album since 2004. Pollard managed two solo albums under his own name, “Space City Kicks” and “Lord of the Birdcage,” and three side projects: “The New Theory of Everything” from Mars Classroom, Lifeguards’ “Waving at the Astronauts” and “Let It Beard” from Boston Spaceships.

Mixtapes continue to be a popular format for local rappers. JR the Star’s “Schedule 1ne” mixed songs about social change with some more frivolous fare without ever sacrificing the funk factor. Cali Kid Dubz rapped over modern hip-hop beats and danceable indie rock numbers, while Ogre Fury dropped, “The West Side of The Moon,” which is overflowing with samples from Pink Floyd’s classic “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Not every act released long-form projects. Some of the stronger releases were EPs from acts such as Hawthorne Heights, The Takeback Kings, Hyrrokkin, Abertooth Lincoln, Team Void, The Story Changes, Footbinder and Life After Liftoff.

CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.

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