Laurie Gallardo’s Top 10 Picks for 2011
Austin Music Minute
1. Not In the Face – Bikini
Never ceases to amaze me when all it takes is two great musicians to make such a big sound. High-octane, high-energy rock and pop from this dynamic duo. Excellent. Well done, lads.
2. The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
Blame KUT’s Matt Reilly for turning me on to these heavy-duty dudes. UK rock ‘n’ roll that will shred the ears and blow up the brain. Turn it up.
3. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Was not expecting to like this so much. Happy to say I do. An extraordinary poetic piece of work. Beautiful and haunting.
4. Scott H. Biram – Bad Ingredients
What I like to call “demon truck-drivin’ music.” Psychotic rampage of rock, punk, country-western “hell-billy” goodness. Gettin’ down and dirty, buddy. And I love it.
5. White Denim – D
More like A-plus, thank you very much. Jam packed with classic rock influences. A lot to take in, and it’s all good.
6. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo
The Philadelphia songwriter’s fourth full-length. Dark, dreamy and melodic.
7. Trail of Dead – Tao of the Dead
Whoa. Texas Music Matters’ David Brown got hooked on this epic gem. Solid, huge and quite dramatic.
8. Leatherbag – Yellow Television
Dang. Randy Reynolds does it again. He knows how to charge the air with electrifying rock.
9. Robert Ellis – Photograph
An incredible songwriter beyond his years. Real country for me, buddy.
10. Golden Bear – Alive
I’ve always said Golden Bear makes me happy, and they still do. Leaning more toward prog than pop this time. Superb.
