gybe

2012 Album Roundup

2012 LPs

Many of my 2012 LPs

I give up.

I’ve been thinking about the inevitable year-end top whatever list of albums for more than a month now. Countless records have found their way across the turntable or into my phone for listening on the train and some have risen to the top and others aren’t even a blip. But so many of them are just too good to rank, dismiss, or inadvertently diminish by stacking it above (or below) some other great album. The real message that bears conveying is that I’ve listened to a lot of great music this year and, while some of it was new in 2012, some of it dates well back to the past.

In keeping with the spirit of things I’ll limit this post to great things that came out in 2012 but stay tuned for more on those other things that have been occupying my ears in an upcoming post. Continue reading →

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

20110321-122716.jpg

Last night, Washington, DC’s 9:30 Club was treated to one of the handful of shows on GYBE’s sold out US tour. A packed and attentive crowd enjoyed two hours of soaring guitars, blistering violin, and driving percussion. The eight-piece groups masterful use of dynamics took full advantage of the remarkably quiet audience. At times, some band members stepped off the stage, leaving the others to craft quieter sounds and returning for the powerful crescendos. As before,  the band was backed by their stunning visuals which lend social and political context to the music. While the themes and intent are portrayed in an abstract fashion, the tone and tilt of the message is loud and clear.

This being my first GYBE show I was, understandably, blown away. Other, more inveterate fans, commented that time has had an impact but the group still delivered what the fans came to hear. I will certainly be watching for more dates and hoping that we don’t have to wait another eight years…

 

Setlist:

Godspeed You Black Emperor
2011-03-20
9:30 Club
Washington, D.C.

Hope Drone
Moya
Albanian
Gathering Storm
9-15-00 Outro
Chart #3
World Police And Friendly Fire
Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls
The Sad Mafioso

 

Godspeed You! Black Emperor Reunites

Pardon my giddiness as I blast this info to all media but I’m very psyched to hear, (via Pitchfork) that the media-eschewing, politically charged, Canadian, post-rock collective will be touring in the Winter.

They will first curate and headline All Tomorrow’s Party’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” in Minehead, UK. Then, according to the announcement on their website, they will play a “handful” of UK and EU dates followed by exactly nine US dates.

Here’s a little taste of what they do:

[youtube width=”480″ height=”385″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsf2LoLk3SA[/youtube]