by: J.D. Swerzenski
Continuing the list of my top local records of the year, (part 1 here if you're not caught up) with the guys (and gal) who really knocked it out this year. Again, listen in to hear all these artists and more featured tonight on the Slant from 10-Midnight on le KRTU 91.7FM, and through the Playback anytime here.
Now, where were we.
Get the sneaking suspicion that you've seen Bad Breaks frontman Chuck Kerr somewhere before? Probably because you totally have, as he's been parked behind the drum kit for probably 80% of every San Antonio band over the past few years. But Bad Breaks is his thing, a record that sees Kerr step away from the kit to display his considerable songwriting, singing and other instrumental talents. He's got a healthy love (alright, obsession) for Spoon, Randy Newman, and late 70s yacht rock (who doesn't?), but Bad Breaks exceeds the sum of its influences on the strength of it's smartly crafted set of songs, highlighted by the stomping "Get It Right" and the total Hall & Oates send-up "The Way Things Are" (sexy sax!) Plus, the album just got put out for free, so what have you got to loose?
A remarkable fact about Nicolette Good is that she just started doing this singer/songwriter thing about 2 years ago. It didn't take her long to establish a rep as one of SA's most engaging voices, and with that in mind, Monarch feels like an official arrival. Backed with a a full band, and featuring some nice production finish, it's a fantastic sounding record. But Monarch is really all about Nicolette's songwriting, and from the charming "Pretty Clementine," the instantly hummable "Son of My Sister," the soaring "Marathon, " and especially the heartbreaking "Hurricane Caroline," there's simply nobody else writing at her level.
It took roughly two years and the subsequent threat of a move away from SA for Marcus to get his act together, but when he did, hooooly shit.After releasing the also very good odds n' ends collection None of the Birds, Rubio decamped to the studio to rush this bad boy out, nonchalantly emerging with best record to come out of SA this year. For anyone who has seen him along side his revolving Gospel Choir of Pillows cast, you'll likely know these songs, and know them as some of his strongest live cuts. But Hello Dallas isn't just a worthy capturing of these tracks, it's Rubio's wholly successful attempt at marrying his pop/rock sensibility with the more experimental and ambient works to which he's become increasingly fascinated. From the kraut-rock workout "Turn Right," the schizophrenic "Goddamn Respiratory,"to the gorgeous title track, it's an effortless, brilliantly executed triumph. So what are you waiting for?
Continuing the list of my top local records of the year, (part 1 here if you're not caught up) with the guys (and gal) who really knocked it out this year. Again, listen in to hear all these artists and more featured tonight on the Slant from 10-Midnight on le KRTU 91.7FM, and through the Playback anytime here.
Now, where were we.
5. Last Nighters - Animal Room
Bunch of dudes live in the same host, listen to the same records, and jam out a lot. Add those ingredients, a healthy appreciation for a pop hook, and you've got Animal Room, the debut from upstarts the Last Nighters. Recorded, mixed, and released by the band, it's the kind of record that sounds gone over a hundred times, streamlined for maximum punch (see the soaring "Your Mind Is An Airplane" for proof). You don't get debuts much stronger than this.4. Bad Breaks - Bad Breaks
Get the sneaking suspicion that you've seen Bad Breaks frontman Chuck Kerr somewhere before? Probably because you totally have, as he's been parked behind the drum kit for probably 80% of every San Antonio band over the past few years. But Bad Breaks is his thing, a record that sees Kerr step away from the kit to display his considerable songwriting, singing and other instrumental talents. He's got a healthy love (alright, obsession) for Spoon, Randy Newman, and late 70s yacht rock (who doesn't?), but Bad Breaks exceeds the sum of its influences on the strength of it's smartly crafted set of songs, highlighted by the stomping "Get It Right" and the total Hall & Oates send-up "The Way Things Are" (sexy sax!) Plus, the album just got put out for free, so what have you got to loose?
3. Nicolette Good - Monarch
A remarkable fact about Nicolette Good is that she just started doing this singer/songwriter thing about 2 years ago. It didn't take her long to establish a rep as one of SA's most engaging voices, and with that in mind, Monarch feels like an official arrival. Backed with a a full band, and featuring some nice production finish, it's a fantastic sounding record. But Monarch is really all about Nicolette's songwriting, and from the charming "Pretty Clementine," the instantly hummable "Son of My Sister," the soaring "Marathon, " and especially the heartbreaking "Hurricane Caroline," there's simply nobody else writing at her level.
2. Third Root - Stand For Something
No other act on this list offers a mission statement with their record, let alone one as lofty as "focus(ing) on the unity and healing of black and brown communities by fusing a cross-cultural soundtrack with progressive
and lyrical Rhythm and.Poetry." None of this is empty liner notes language. The Third Root duo--Easy Lee Peters of the MoJoe and Mexican Step Grandfather--aim high and aim true: tackling heady topics from cultural identity, personal empowerment, and civic pride (see the SA's shoutout "Down in SA") with the lyrical ease of two vets. But Stand for Something is no lecture, and it's largely the soulful production touch of DJ Chicken George that keeps the record banging even with the message is heavy. Add in a slew of guests including Greg G, Henry + the Invisibles and accordion fiend Alvaro of Pinata Protest, and Stand for Something easily emerges as the hip-hop release this year.
1. Marcus Rubio - Hello Dallas
It took roughly two years and the subsequent threat of a move away from SA for Marcus to get his act together, but when he did, hooooly shit.After releasing the also very good odds n' ends collection None of the Birds, Rubio decamped to the studio to rush this bad boy out, nonchalantly emerging with best record to come out of SA this year. For anyone who has seen him along side his revolving Gospel Choir of Pillows cast, you'll likely know these songs, and know them as some of his strongest live cuts. But Hello Dallas isn't just a worthy capturing of these tracks, it's Rubio's wholly successful attempt at marrying his pop/rock sensibility with the more experimental and ambient works to which he's become increasingly fascinated. From the kraut-rock workout "Turn Right," the schizophrenic "Goddamn Respiratory,"to the gorgeous title track, it's an effortless, brilliantly executed triumph. So what are you waiting for?
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