GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES!

Giraffes? Giraffes! As you can tell by the album artwork (below), this band is way out of the ordinary. First off, this math rock experiment is composed of two musicians. Joseph Andreoli on guitar and Ken Topham on the drums. And yet with only two members, the band is able to create a ridiculously unique sound that is equally full and easy to listen to. Shortly after forming the band, they released the album SUPERBASS!!!! which is nearly impossible to find on the internet. Next, they came out with their second, more popular, album More Skin With Milk-Mouth in December of 2007. So, the duo has been around for a while now but have gained a lot less popularity then what is deserved. This is where they perfected there sound using an array of time signatures that even skilled musicians may have a hard time following. They really have embraced the Math Rock genre and are, in my opinion, the new pioneers of it as a whole. Their sound really can only be described through listening because words fail to describe the intense cuts and crescendos that Ken has decided to pour into the music because of his collegiate studies in music. The band has also just released the album Pink Magick (2011) (No that wasn't a typo) and have gained even more popularity through it. Their new album once again breaks new ground on the math rock scene. If only they would get more credit for it! Remember, there really are only two people on their tracks and there is no studio magic because they do every song in one take. Now that takes skill.

-JD

DOWNLOAD PINK MAGICK

FreeSol

After 8 seasons and 96 episodes, Entourage remains one of HBO's most popular and successful series. Following the fictional career of breakout movie star Vincent Chase, this show highlights the lives of his best friends, and how they deal with stardom. Known not only for high-profiling cameos and an insightful look into the movie industry, Entourage has received much acclaim for its soundtracks that feature many indie or underground bands hoping to make their big break. Hence, it was during the credits of episode 5 of season 7 that I first heard FreeSol. After looking into the band, I discovered that this hip-hop/rock/soul band from Memphis, Tennessee was signed by none other than Justin Timberlake onto his Tennman Record Label. Their sound instantly intrigued me as FreeSol effortlessly infuses rock and rap. To add to my curiosity, I discovered that JT actually is featured on several of their songs! (His first musical appearance since a stunt with SNL's The Lonely Island) So check out these singles by FreeSol and look forward to their first album, No Rules, coming soon!

Don't Give It Away (2010)

Fascinated (feat Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)

The Top 4 Albums of 2011

4. Watch The Throne- Jay-Z and Kanye West

Probably the most hyped album of the year, rap superstars Jay-Z and Kanye West have again collaborated, this time for a surprisingly good album. Featuring plenty of funky, experimental and sometimes electronic beats, the hard club banging rap lines that Jay-Z and Kanye are known for, will be stuck in your head for hours.

With popular songs such as, "N***** in Paris," and "Otis" the duo prove that they are still capable of producing international hits, but in my opinion the less popular songs off the album are the real reasons for listening. "No Church in the Wild," or "What you need," are two excellent examples of extremely underrated tracks off

of the super release. The Album was created by popular producers RZA and Swizz Beatz, and featured vocal samples from numerous popular, up and coming acts such as: Bon Iver, La Roux, Frank Ocean and even features a beat sampled from dubstep artist Flux Pavilion. Overall a fantastic album from two rappers who together represent almost a decade of hip-hop/rap success and fame.

3. Junk of the Heart- The Kooks

Despite receiving Mixed Reviews online, Junk of the Heart, the kooks third studio effort is truly one of the best albums of the year. With the same harmonically pleasing, acoustic driven Brit-pop sound the band has again satisfied listeners with their soft rock ballads and "beatlesesque," sound. Upbeat drumming and fuzzy guitar lines layered over lead vocalist Luke Pritchard's catchy lyrics blend together to complete the album.

The title track starts the album with an infectious chorus that will have the listener singing along in minutes, and the record does not let up through the rest of the 36 minutes of listening time. Another solid release for the kooks.

2. Take Care- Drake

If Watch the Throne was the most hyped album of 2011, Take Care was right behind it. If only by a fraction. Canadian Rapper Drake's sophomore release surpassed expectations and quickly became the best selling hip-hop album of 2011. Drakes's uncanny flow and skillful rhyming is backed by many familiar faces: Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Stevie Wonder, Birdman, Rick Ross and Just Blaze to name a few.

The album covers so much ground that it is difficult to surmise in a review. The record opens with the soothing piano/synth tracks of "over my dead body," a proud, mellow track that is centered around Drake's career and his longevity in the music business. the album progresses with radio hits such as "Take Care," "Headlines," and "Marvin's Room." The later tracks prove that Drake is still lyrically capable of going in on harder, more aggressive beats. "Underground Kings," "We'll be Fine," and "HYFR," are great banger tracks. A solid number two spot for Drake as he continues to mature as an artist and explore new musical opportunities.

1. Bon Iver- Bon Iver

With the Number one album of 2011, Justin Vernon, a bearded songwriter from the backwoods of Wisconsin, has taken the mainstream alternative/folk music scene by a storm. Whether its his early acoustic driven wailing on his first release, "For Emma, forever ago," or his catchy hooks on rapper Kanye West's recent albums, it would be hard to call Vernon an, "indie" artist anymore, however entrancing his music may be.

Where Bon Iver used to impress with his minimalistic, acoustic musical lines and auto-tuned, harmonized vocals, he expands his sound with a more full band approach. Additions include more electric guitar, numerous keys, organs, synths and prevalent strings, horns and percussive sections that beautifully accent this record of epic proportions and scheme. Vernon paints soundscapes of beautiful, almost orchestral songs and sings his introspective and thought provoking lyrics over them in a way that is completely original and musically revolutionary. His sound is relaxing, creative and new. A fabulous album for all.

In addition to the top 4 albums, honorable mentions of 2011 include:

Rolling Papers- Wiz Khalifa

21- Adele

El Camino- The Black Keys

Lasers- Lupe Fiasco

Mylo Xyloto- Coldplay

Finally Famous- Big Sean

All 6's and 7's- Tech N9ne

Random Axe- Random Axe

Nostalgia, Ultra.- Frank Ocean

The Weeknd- House of Balloons

The King of Limbs- Radiohead

Angles- The Strokes

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming- M83

Remixes/Mashups Of The Week

While most of these songs aren't new by any means, these are some interesting remixes that you will probably never hear. A lot of production artists start their careers by creating intriguing remixes that no one has done before. Take Danger Mouse for example. Out of obscurity he mashed together Jay-Z's The Black Album with The Beatles' White Album and called it The Grey Album. This work of art opened up Danger Mouse into the musical world. Since then, he has been apart of Gnarls Barkley and Broken Bells, while producing The Gorillaz and The Black Keys. So enjoy these hot remixes as we will be searching to display the best tracks we find.

Put In Your Manners-Chiddy Bang (feat. Childish Gambino):

Midnight Life-M83 (Feat. Kanye West):

I'm on One-DJ Khaled (Wale Freestyle):

Don Diablo- 99 Fences (feat. Jay-Z and Phoenix):

Fences

Seattle has one of the best music scenes in the entire United States. The amount of talented and creative bands and artists that have emerged from the northwest corner of the country is amazing. Take for example such names as the Fleet Foxes, Death Cab for Cutie, Foo Fighters, Modest Mouse and much more. These bands are all international acts that grew to popularity because of superior songwriting ability, and Fences is no exception. The folk/alternative band led by vocalist Christopher Mansfield has been gaining popularity, especially recently due to a guest appearance in a music video for fellow Seattle musician Macklemore. Combining soft, folk-style musical textures with depressing yet meaningful lyrics, fences album has been well listened to in my itunes and I can only suggest the same to you.

Music Video for "Girls With Accents":

Download Fences Self-titled Album