Best of June 2012

To be clear, the best album of this month was undoubtedly Fiona Apple’s latest opus, The Idler Wheel… But for the sake of maintaing interest in the rest of this article, the best album of June will go to a different artist. For those that frequent music blogs, publications and other music-related sites, there has already been plenty of adulation thrown at Idler Wheel, and this is an attempt to not be quite as redundant in that regard. If one is seeking a review on the singer-songwriter’s decidedly great record, venture over here to read the ResonantPassage review on the album. The purposeful exclusion of Apple from the discussion of the best music of June allowed other artists and songs (that may have been overlooked during the star-heavy month of releases) to obtain their due recognition.

BEST SONGS

1. The Antlers – “Drift Drive”

2. Yeasayer – “Henrietta”

3. Thee Oh Sees – “Lupine Dominus”

4. Frank Ocean – “Pyramids”

5. Purity Ring – “Fineshrine”

6. DIIV – “Oshin (Subsume)”

7. Big Boi featuring UGK and Big K.R.I.T. – “Gossip”

8. Smashing Pumpkins – “Pale Horse”

9. The Avett Brothers – “Live and Die”

10. Childish Gambino – “One Up”

BEST LYRICS

“When there’s no one here in the tryouts
Who will live through your first day’s trial
Of confusion when your faint and crooked smile
Had to leave

When you’re painted like a warrior
Though you know it’s a raining war
When the first who spoke, but wasn’t really sure
Was your heart

Your fear of the leading light
If they are with you and your heart won’t fail
To see through a fearless eye
And know that danger finally goes away
still you’re trying
but there’s no leaving now

And with your quiet damn devotion
to be lost like your child again
claim forever is a close and honest friend
To your ways

Will there be time to harvest rivers
That for so long refused to grow
All the little things you need to build a home
For your love

Your fear of the leading light
If they are with you and your heart won’t fail
To see through a fearless eye
And know that danger finally goes away
Still you’re trying
But there’s no leaving now”

 - The Tallest Man on Earth, “There’s No Leaving Now”

BEST ALBUM

Liars - WIXIW

There are few bands today capable of actually changing their sound from one album to the next. Sure, a plethora of groups and artists have attempted this feat, and an acknowledgment of their bravery should be given for delving into such a risky venture. Yet a band achieves a truly successful shift when the album itself is highly enjoyable, displays a deft execution of the stylistic transition and still maintains those core virtues that define the group. All qualifications are met on the most recent record from Liars, WIXIW. With this latest the New Yorkers make a relatively severe sonic shift into electronica, yet the results are far from jarring for the listener and fan. In fact, the record flows effortlessly through its eleven tracks, maintaining a single, intriguing mood that builds an immediate atmosphere and remains there. WIXIW may possess a superficial calm on its electronic, sheen surface, but foreboding and desperation seep through the pervasive synthesizers and the commanding croon of frontman Angus Andrew. Nowhere is this more apparent than on “Flood to Flood” and “Who Is the Hunter,” which together feel like the apex and fully realized potential of the Liars’ latest musical direction. Give WIXIW a few focused listens, and the payoff will be more than rewarding.