Joseph Erik's Indie Lists

Top Ten

1) Marcus Rubio - Rooms

Rooms takes the superficial borders of academic music, pop music, drone, noise or whatever else you can come up with and destroys them all while simultaneously piecing them all together to create a beautiful album. There is not much that can be said for this album beyond humble adoration.

2)  Death Grips - Government Plates

The second free and self-released album from Death Grips returns from the stressful wrath of their first self-released album No Web Deep Love to the meticulous and tuneful voice of their debut, Money Store. Moving to an instrumental sound, Death Grips has proved that they can create a huge range of wonderful sounds while still retaining their unique and unsettling message.

3) Perfect Pussy - I have lost all desire for feeling

Newbies, Perfect Pussy, could not have gotten off to a better start. Their debut album marries of noise and pop and punk beyond what most would be able to try. The gentle push and pull of rhythm, the distorted vocals, and the straight noise sections come together to create an fantastic sound.

4) Joanna Gruesome - Weird Sister

The name is not the only thing to love about Joanna Gruesome. Sitting nicely on a balance between lo-fi and pop-punk, Weird Sister reveals a diverse sound that Joanna Gruesome can access. From the screaming vocals and jarring chords to the clean acoustic guitar and chorus harmonies, Weird Sister is questionably fun album that deserves some attention. 

5) The Baptist Generals - Jackleg Devotional to the Heart

The Baptist Generals’ sophomore release shows a more studio produced sound from their debut ten years ago. Starting with heavy and rhythm filled songs, The Baptist Generals are still able to employ the more quiet folk sounds that they create so well. Jackleg Devotional to the Heart retains the sound of their debut album while tastefully making use of the studio.

6) Earl Sweatshirt - Doris

The much anticipated return of OFWGKTA member, Earl Sweatshirt, also brings about the return and evolution of the unique sounds Earl was able to create at such a young age. Earl is not afraid to include the events of his life into his music and does so without the lyrical masturbation that is found is so many other artists. Doris is a wonderfully glitchy and smooth album that I couldn’t have expected.

7) Gringo Star - Floating Out to See

Gringo Star have shown with their album, Floating out to See, that they are much more than a psychedelic rock group. Their variation of rhythm and harmony between each song stills holds continuity in sound. To be able to place a genre label on Gringo Star would be difficult, so I say we should just allow this album to be its own great sound.

8) Melt Banana - Fetch

Due to the product of their previous albums, I didn’t expect much from this release. I was shocked to discover that Melt Banana was able to create to such a fantastic album. It’s hard to find a moment to breathe in this album, but with the non-stop energy of the album, I don’t think you’ll want to take one anyways.   

9) Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time

Sky Ferreira has created one of the most unique pop albums to come out in while. Night Time, My Time incorporates adolescent pop lyrics into noise riddled 80’s synth pop mash that is unique and wonderful. If you find that you cannot get over the top 40’s hate mentality, Sky Ferriera may be your messiah.

10) The Flaming Lips - The Terror

The Flaming Lips have had a long history of albums and sound shifts that make them seem like different bands from the view of certain albums. But few can match the difference The Terror has brought about. The pedantic noise incorporated in The Terror is a wonderful experience that has shown The Flaming Lips’ ability to write more than cliché riddled pop songs. 

Almost There

Albums whose sound I want to see grow:

1) Courtney Barnett - The Double EP: a sea of split peas

2) Of Montreal - Lousy with Sylvianbriar

3) Ginkgo - Manopause

4) Dr. Dog - The B-Room

5) Ducktails -  Wish Hotel

6) Elf Power - Sunlight on the Moon

7) Cuushe - Butterfly Case

8) Buke & Gase - General Dome

9) Laurel Halo - Chance of Rain

10) Body/Head - Coming Apart

Shouldn't Come Back

Albums whose existence disappointed me:

1) Pixies - EP1

2) Dismemberment Plan - Uncanney Valley

3) Earth, Wind & Fire - Now, Then & Forever

4) Paul McCartney - New

5) Franz Ferdinand - Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions