That's My Dad. |
Whenever I believe something is fantastic by any means, I instinctively subtitle it as "That's My Dad", since dads are a given synonym for fantastic. Albeit not every father is great, on this website we'll live in our fantasies where everyone's dad goes fishing with you, takes you to strip clubs, concerts and manages to impress your friends with his 96' Impala. That's My Dad: A collection of all things considered, neglected and popularized. |
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Radiohead’s The King of Limbs -
There were more bands set out to make atmospheric or abstract music this year than ever before, but no one can make music as visceral and captivating as Radiohead. Their 2011 release “The King of Limbs” is no different, one of their most stripped-down, multi-layered and down-right haunting albums to date. It may be Radiohead’s most bare release, but where it lacks in quantity, “The King of Limbs” makes up for it with some of the most eeriest and slickest tracks of the year. Each of the eight songs on this record can surely qualify for anyone’s favorite, from the nightmarish “Bloom” to the dark and mysterious “Lotus Flower.” Maybe that’s the beauty of this record, maybe that’s why “The King of Limbs” has grown so popular so quickly. Listening to it can be like forcing yourself to explore a forest known for monsters; there’s a level of mystique here that can effect anyone differently. Let this album take you on, get to meet the monsters you never knew lived inside you. (8/10)
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I blame Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen for Coldplay’s haters.
Save your spite for someone else; Coldplay is our generation’s U2. Where U2 evolved from albums like War, a powerful work of art representing the world’s society from the dawn of the 80’s, Coldplay begun from their emotionally triumphant album Parachutes and their rock masterpiece A Rush of Blood to the Head. On their 5th album, Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay has allowed zero room for scrutiny and have produced a dauntingly colorful and tight record, delivered with the same meticulous musicianship that makes a Coldplay release what it is.
To me, Chris Martin must have been a historian and a storyteller for kids in a past lifetime. After Parachutes, each release from Coldplay takes on this really specific mood from the future. With X&Y, there was this idea of a self-reflective, morose near future for all of us. With Viva la Vida, we see classical styles clash with futuristic ones and how, as musicians, Coldplay idolized lost generations from the 1800’s and appreciated them in a post-modern setting. In Mylo Xyloto, we’re drowned into a surrealist Alice in Wonderland-esque fantasy future to hide ourselves away from our problems. It’s almost as if Coldplay addresses American society’s sub-conscious desires and aims to fulfill them. They know when to make music for people to deal with their own fears with the world and when to give something to personally ponder over and relate to. In this sense, Coldplay is very much a pop artist. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Mylo Xyloto is one of 2011’s finest albums. I sincerely will not be personally attached to it, but I expect Coldplay fans to be. It’s a gorgeously produced album with more ambition than anything out of the pop or rock industry in quite a while.
This album was my mom. (9/10)
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NotesThat’s My Dad Recommends:
Mister Heavenly’s Out of Love - A fantastic experimental post-rock debut album from this year’s indie rock underdog artist. Mister Heavenly is the collaborative efforts of members from Man Man, The Unicorns and Modest Mouse; and Out of Love sure as hell shows it. Beaming with dense craftsmanship and dramatically conscious stylization, this is a weird, great and accessible album for all indie rockers. P.S. Michael Cera is known to be their bassist during his free time.
PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake - Loaded with idiosyncrasies and bizarre intelligence, PJ Harvey has produced her eerie magnum opus and one of the most interesting war albums since U2’s War; only more oft-kilter and devious than imaginable.
My Morning Jacket’s Circuital - My Morning Jacket have always kept their reputation of ambitious, worldly jam rock with every release. Circuital is no different; albeit Z and Evil Urges were slicker and smarter albums, Circuital certainly feels more unorganized and odd, in the best way possible.
Hercules and Love Affair’s Blue Songs - An abstract, nearly humorous and stealthily clever dance album built for the pleasure of those intellectual non-dancers. If you’re familiar with Hercules and Love Affair and their critically-acclaimed reputation, here’s some more wood to keep the fire going. If not, try this minimalist work from this European-sounding disco outfit out for size. It’s a quality album for those interested in starting a hipster dance party.
