The top 10 albums of 2011 according to me

Okay, this year has decided to go by at massive speed. Didn't we just celebrate the new year together? Well, it's time to share the albums that have really resounded with me in 2011. Each album is fantastic as a complete package (most, if not all tracks)--can't lead my friend astray now, could I?

Some of you probably agree and appreciate my view/taste pertaining to music. To those, I think you'll be very happy with these gems.


10. Gus Gus - Arabian Horse

This album came out of nowhere--on Michael Mayer's lovely Berlin-based Kompakt label too. Imagine dark hypnotic rhythms, meticulously structured ambiance and themes surrounded by very soulful vocals. Mixing dark music and vibrant vocals. It almost sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does--damn well in fact.  Each repeat listen results in this one deserving a spot in the top 10 for this year.  

9. Hammock - Chasing After Shadows...

I want you to play the below song. Raise the volume. Let it seep in. The full album title is actually Chasing After Shadows...Living With The Ghosts. What an appropriate title. In 2011, I ranked roughly 59 listens to this beautiful release (thanks iTunes). Whether I'm working, reading, or prepping to lay on my face--this album will always stay in my collection. Haunting melodies and tones that deftly trigger memories. Highly recommended by me. 

8. Apparat - The Devil's Walk

I will warn you, this album is not a light-hearted romp. It's a big labor of love from Sascha Ring (Apparat) and shows a big jump in maturity for his already beautiful and thoughtful sound. Take a listen/look at the below song (directed by none other than Saman Keshavarz) and believe. The whole release resonates with this rich tone. It's a timeless one. 

7. Tycho - Dive

Scott Hansen grew up in little Sacramento, but eventually ended up in San Francisco and that ultimately, at least in my opinion, really led to his sound growing leaps and bounds. A youthful and extremely uplifting sound with strong use of strings. There's something that resonates with Tycho's sound. Every track on this album is gorgeous and full of vibrant energy. Check it out.

6. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming 

Anthony Gonzales puts out his most flamboyant and boisterous album--a double-CD in fact. Not a single track on this 20+ track release disappoints. At points you will hear the instrumental qualities from his Digital Shades release and at other times, you will hear a brand new voice and sound--something that needed to happen. The man moved from France to America and I think that alone has made a big change to the sound. No brainer--get this if you haven't. 

5. Sound of Arrows - Sound of Arrows 

The part of you that loves Pet Shop Boys, Abba, and Erasure has been craving this album. One of those albums that has me singing along in the most flamboyant fashion and not giving a damn about it. The whole thing is Scandinavian magic. Partake of this please.   

4. New Look - New Look  

Aside from the fact that they put on a great live show (and that I'm mildly smitten with the singer), this album really caught me off guard. A really fun album. Catchy, simple, melodic--feels good. That's all I have to say about that. Listen!

3. Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica  

This young man is the new Boards of Canada for me in a lot of ways. Uses sounds that are initially strange and don't seem to play well with each other and then after a few listens--it becomes flawless. Like it was all planned to come together, but only after your brain is ready to consume it and make it work.

Check out this awesome presentation of the album--a sense of nerd humor helps:

2. Kuedo - Severant 

If you have ever heard of Vangelis--this will make sense. Even if you haven't, know that Vangelis composed the Blade Runner soundtrack and the sound he made during that period exemplifies some of the best electronic music ever made. This album by Kuedo is a modern-day homage to that sound. The whole release is brilliant and is a must-own for any self respecting electronic music fan. 

1. Balam Acab - Wander/Wonder 

This is it--my number one of the year. Some of you might be scratching your heads here, but trust me. No other album this year has grown on me the way this has. So quiet, so layered, so full of life. For some kid to come along and just blow my mind like this--it's rare.

I ask that you raise the volume and let this one play to the end. 

As a bonus--the amazing remix Balam Acab did for Lana Del Rey.

Thanks for making this such a lovely year my friends. Let's make 2012 an equally fantastic year.

Love,

Me

Particular about time...

You know you're becoming an old man when you find yourself enamored with wall clocks.

Well, it was about time for me to have a couple in my home. I decided to partake in two pieces from those wild and crazy Dutch clock makers, Karlsson.

Let me know what you think. 

Ruben Ireland. Round Two!

Ruben's work is definite resounding success with me. Did I mention he's an awesome guy?

One day, I'll be in his shores and will use that time to discuss our mutual taste in music as well.

For now, enjoy the next piece I'm nabbing.

Something is always left behind

I have been reprimanded by friends and loved ones for choosing two locations (ad nauseum) for my personal escapes. These locations happen to be Tokyo and New York. 

Against their better judgment, I escaped to the latter once more, and I must admit, I always feel like a part of me is whole when I'm out there. It could be an escapist mentality--where in reality, if I had settled in, it would be no different than where I currently reside. 

However, I think this might be different. I saw many good friends and I enjoyed some surprise encounters as well. Perhaps it was the fact that I experienced my first birthday outside of California in over 20 years. Or perhaps I'm simply getting older and my priorities are shifting more and more. 

A fine and introspective time for this Persian. I appreciate all my friends and loved ones (new, old, and removed) for contributing to who I am and for allowing me to contribute to their existence. Deep!

Also, for the record--I do plan to escape to a new part of the world. Never say I didn't try something new. 

Pellegrino gave me a family portrait

For the last two years I've been seeing more and more awesome stuff on SF's own Spoke Art from the talented Rich Pellegrino. I meant to partake, but life got in the way. 


I eventually resolved that folly when I saw this new gem on its limited run. I had to pick it up. I hope you enjoy--looks even better on my wall. 

Here is a taste of his other work.

Ireland does good

I stumbled upon Ruben Ireland's (you get one guess as to where he's from) awesome work recently and was completely charmed. So charmed in fact that I am dedicating a section of my living room to his work. Let's not even go into the headache of getting big packages shipped from Europe--totally worth it. 


Two very limited edition pillows for one of the couches and a lovely framed piece for the center.

Take a look: 

See me reminisce about objects, sounds, and locations

One of the most intriguing things about the human mind is its ability to associate locations, sounds, and objects with events and people. Not just a rough association—rather, a clear and almost methodical ability to remember specific details when recalling a memory.

I tried to do some research on this and after looking through dozens of asinine mind maps, I began to stop trying to place logic or order to how the brain functions in this respect.  

So instead of conducting a fruitless hunt, I decided to simply venerate this neat ability and share my impressions of it.

Personally, my mind often tends to lose focus on what I did just last week, but somehow, when a particular song plays, I can immediately recall a detailed memory of the past. How is it that the brain is able to discern that this particular song was played years ago and how can it clearly recall all of the associated details (i.e. the people, surrounding, mood, atmosphere, etc.)? Yet this same mind  cannot recall a recent conversation or what happened the week prior?

I can visit a location I have not been to in years, but the moment I see it again, the past comes flooding in again in full detail--my mind begins to reminisce about the specific time I last arrived in the location and I can recall what I did, wore, said, and felt. Some of these memories could be from over 15 years ago, but they suddenly seem like a recent memory.

Sitting at a table, I can look at an object—something as simple as a book and I can immediately remember the first time I received it, the memories I had sharing that book with someone, the discussion that may have surrounded me whilst the book was being held. This is such an odd thing.

The ability to recollect the past in this way and reminisce is probably one of the greatest gifts we have.  Also, the way that physical objects trigger memories reminds me that I can never go digital in terms of everything I own. I need those tangible objects and locations as much as I need to hear sounds and see images to trigger the memories that make me believe in how powerful our minds really are.

With that said, remembering the past is a double-edged sword in many ways. It’s a challenge since we can't control when our minds are recollecting all of this information. Based on your current situation and when you perceive these thoughts, you may be filled with delight or experience unwanted anxiety.


So yes, I don’t always like to reminisce, but I have come to embrace these moments of clarity. It’s something that I won’t take for granted.