Killer Songs

10 great albums from 2011

2012-01-31T20:33:00.001+01:00

Getting this out there a little late, I know. But I’ve been really busy trying to be a dad and also trying to be an engineer. I wish I had listened to more albums of 2011. I’ve been trying to catch up now in January, so if I were to wait with doing this list its likely it would change. But but, that’s neither here nor there. On with the list! (Oh, and I haven’t bothered rating them. They’re all great.)

Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean

You shouldn’t be surprised since it’s my favorite artist and this latest album was awesome. I would've included the live album unless I counted it a little unfair since some of the songs are the same.

Veronica Maggio - Satan i Gatan

I feel like I should say I’m embarrassed to put this commercially successful pop-princess among my top 10. But I am not. I think it’s a stellar album with a nice mix of happy and sad, both feeling equally real and relatable. Lovely voice. Nice production by Christian Waltz.

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

I will say it’s not as shockingly amazing as the debut, but its fantastic.

Bright Eyes - The People's Key

It’s all in the first guitar riff. Love the Bright Eyes.

Jonathan Coulton - Artificial Heart

The wonderfully hilarious and nerdy JoCo is doing it for real this time. I [artificial heart] this one!

Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials

Massive, grand, stunning.

Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune

A new discovery for me, singer/songwriter Dan Mangan is a welcome addition to my stable of guitar playing males.

Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix

BBC change it up and although it sounds very different from Flaws, its another really satisfying release.

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Swedish sensation. Saw her live as well in 2011 and love-love-loved it.

Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Well, honestly I havent listened to this as much as I would have wanted but I’m pretty sure it is one of my 10 favorites.

---

If you want the whole list as a Spotify playlist it’s HERE

So, had I been a more active listener in 2011 I think PJ Harvey and Tori Amos would have been included….

Now it’s time for daddy to clean-sleep-getup-gotowork

//Peace

More Bokeh Shaping…

2012-01-16T20:49:00.001+01:00

Did a little bit more: You can see that the cutout was larger than the 1.8 aperture this time so the whole star doesn’t fit… Meanwhile, this is what I’m listening to mostly:
"It's not a real heart"

Bokeh shaping is fun!

2012-01-12T21:59:00.000+01:00

Tried this thing I’ve recently come in contact with; shaping the out-of-focus light dots that show up when taking photographs. Simple enough as a first test, I just cut round pieces of black paper that fit onto the plastic lens shader on my nikkor 35mm 1.8. At the center I cut shapes, just by hand for this first test. See the results below. Some lessons learned are: the shape of the cutout is really what you get so If you want a “pretty” heart, better have a nice stencil and a sharp cutter. Mine look like shite.

Street light

Christmas lights

A Sorta Margerita

2012-01-07T11:45:00.002+01:00

First attempt at drink photograpy. Simple setup with drink set on a makeshift table with a sheet background to avoid the corner. Lighting with a softbox from above. Lessons learned:

- The Depth of Focus is a little shallow with 1.8 aperture.

- Lighting is tricky. Had to block the internal flash even though it was set only to trigger the external one.

- The sheet in the background was a little crumpled which really becomes a distraction if it is lit. Instead I had to keep it completely black.

Ideas for the future:

- Coloured backgrounds

- How can I achieve back-lighting?

Comments or suggestions are of course welcome.

---
And this is just dessert from yesterday when we had a belayed NYE celebration since the 31st got messed up by fever and rivers of snot.

Morga Hage Fall Day

2011-11-01T11:14:00.001+01:00

Fall days

2011-10-21T17:26:00.001+02:00

Aye, Scotland!

2011-10-16T21:14:00.000+02:00

Time for another little list of tips. Since I have a soft spot for Scots and their music, here are a top five of awesomeness:

- The Blue Nile with the album Hats was imprinted on me as a kid and I wont bother analizing why I find it great. When I listen to it now it so obviously comes from a different time. That sound is such an early nineties thing, but the songs are, to me at least, timeless.
- The Twilight Sad I've pushed for before so I will just say that they have an album coming out early 2012 which I am really looking forward to.
- King Creosote is someone I'd describe as creative and uneven. The album Bombshell is an exceptionally sweet treat for the ears though without much experimentation going on. Just solid songs and fun, honest lyrics.
- Frightened Rabbit, with the album Midnight Organ Fight, are beyond amazing. Just listen to it. Lyrics are sharp and grimy at times, beautiful at other times. Great singer. Fantastic music.
- Finally, Mogwai. Staying on top of their game and making instrumental music that never gets dull or repetitve. Stellar.

Here are the links:
http://open.spotify.com/track/5QdCF787uW936z4VVwxoqP
http://open.spotify.com/track/18Z7Ehcka2EmyD1ugCimvQ
http://open.spotify.com/track/73DeoMexuW8pe79TbhSyAP
http://open.spotify.com/track/6CLeKKBEbzeCLZuT8qj3F0
http://open.spotify.com/track/3aJwMPwAwlFZLn2gpn3oPV

I lost teeth and gained wisdom

2011-10-14T20:10:00.001+02:00

"I lost teeth and gained wisdom"

Bretón – The Well

(another shot from my IKEA death star experiment)

You can't walk away from me

2011-10-12T22:47:00.002+02:00

I've unlocked the door
but you can't walk away from me
---
Stars - The Big Fight

Thunder, waiting for a sound

2011-10-12T22:28:00.000+02:00

Are you there? Are you there?
In the wilderness
Look and you will find him
---
Gypsy and the Cat - The Piper's Song

2011-09-29T21:10:00.002+02:00

God knows if Christ came back he would find us in a poker game
---
Iron and Wine - Innocent bones

Day 60

2011-09-29T21:05:00.003+02:00

#365days, #day60

Day 59

2011-09-29T21:04:00.002+02:00

#365days, #day59

Day58

2011-09-29T21:03:00.001+02:00

#365days, #day58

Day 57

2011-09-29T21:02:00.000+02:00

#365days, #day57

Like a cloud of starlings

2011-09-28T20:53:00.000+02:00

The violence explodes inside me
when I meet your eyes
Then I'm spinning and I'm diving
Like a cloud of starlings
---
Elbow -Starlings

When all the songs are through

2011-09-27T22:33:00.001+02:00

Can I rely on you
When all the songs are through
To be for me the Everthere
---
Elbow - The Everthere

Day 56

2011-09-27T19:40:00.003+02:00

#365days, #day56

Day 55

2011-09-27T19:40:00.000+02:00

#365days, #day55

Day 54

2011-09-27T19:39:00.002+02:00

#365days, #day54

Day 53

2011-09-27T19:38:00.001+02:00

#365days, #day53

Day 52

2011-09-27T19:37:00.002+02:00

#365days, #day52

Day51

2011-09-27T19:36:00.002+02:00

#365days, #day51

Day 50

2011-09-27T19:35:00.002+02:00

#365, day50

2011-09-26T22:22:00.001+02:00

Since Tiny Vipers seem to be back available on Spotify, here a little tribute post with some great song (if you like the 8-minute dark and ominous minimalist guitar stuff...)

you tried to make the best out of life
they never tried to help you out
well are you ever gonna make them pay?

Tiny Vipers - CM

and now into the woods, and hounds who cannot see
they been howling after you
and now you're keeping pace but the longer they must chase
the more they starve for you

Tiny Vipers _ Life on earth

You're a ghost this town could build around you
cause they're moving forward and you're still underground
but if we could talk and we could laugh just for one last time
and turn the clock back around
those buildings that were built after you gone away
would all come crashing down

Tiny Vipers _ Development

and all across the mountain
they went searching for my ghost
but I was hiding

Tiny Vipers _ Tiger Mountain


-

Tiny Vipers _ The Downward

Day49

2011-09-25T22:47:00.003+02:00

365days, day49

2011-09-18T23:59:00.004+02:00

#365days, #day48

2011-09-18T23:59:00.001+02:00

#365days, #day47

2011-09-18T23:58:00.003+02:00

#365days, #day46

2011-09-18T23:58:00.000+02:00

#365days, day45

2011-09-18T23:57:00.003+02:00

#365days, #day44

2011-09-18T23:56:00.006+02:00

#365days, #day42

2011-09-18T23:55:00.005+02:00

#365days, #day41

2011-09-18T23:55:00.001+02:00

#365days, #day40

2011-09-18T23:54:00.004+02:00

#365days, #day39

2011-09-18T23:53:00.003+02:00

#365days, day38

2011-09-18T23:52:00.006+02:00

#365days, #day37

2011-09-18T23:52:00.001+02:00

#365days, #day35

2011-09-18T23:49:00.003+02:00

#365days, #day34

2011-09-18T23:48:00.003+02:00

#365days, #day33

2011-09-18T23:47:00.002+02:00

#365days, #day32

2011-09-18T23:46:00.004+02:00

2011-09-18T23:46:00.001+02:00

2011-09-18T23:45:00.005+02:00

2011-09-18T23:45:00.002+02:00

2011-09-18T23:44:00.004+02:00

2011-09-18T23:44:00.001+02:00

2011-09-18T23:43:00.006+02:00

2011-09-18T23:43:00.003+02:00

2011-09-18T23:42:00.003+02:00

2011-09-18T23:42:00.000+02:00

2011-09-18T23:41:00.003+02:00

2011-09-18T23:40:00.000+02:00

_I'm sorry for the years I was a shipwreck

2011-09-02T23:20:00.003+02:00

I can't remember dates and times
and I'm sorry for the years I was a shipwreck

A new discovery for me, indie pop with a twist of dance; Everything Everything. Sounds spectacular.

Day 25

2011-08-25T23:35:00.001+02:00

The woods.
#365days, #day25

The Woods

If a #tree falls in the #woods and hits a #rock... Do you care?

"The older kids"

2011-08-25T23:22:00.003+02:00

@dailyshoot #ds644 Make a photo of something that reminds you of that sense of childhood wonder.

Dailyshoot

#ds647 @Dailyshoot Make a photograph featuring parallel lines today.

Red Monkey White Ninja

I am red monkey white ninja. No one comes through that door.

Day 24

#grandpa #grandson #365days #day24

The neighbour

2011-08-25T23:16:00.001+02:00

Empty

#365 days

2011-08-24T23:27:00.002+02:00

On the 1st of August I started a "1 photo a day" project. The ambition is just to select a photo each day to represent that day in some way. As it seems it will be mostly phone-camera shots and they will be found by the tag "365days". ~~This was the first shot of the series.~~ I've revised the selection and exchanged the photo.
#365days, #day1, Make it rain

2011-08-24T23:12:00.002+02:00

#365days, #day12

#365days, #day14

Love the underdog

2011-08-23T22:28:00.001+02:00

Here my next top 5 (not in order). Let's call it Top 5 artists that deserve a larger audience (well, I think.. I am of course writing from my Swedish perspective and maybe elsewheres they get what they deserve)

Ani Fuckin Difranco: The definition of indie who's lyrical genious is baffling. She's got a ton of amazing stuff in the back catalogue. Here's just one.
http://open.spotify.com/track/4CRwUrxl1d2OY0ESytmD3W

A Fine Frenzy. Redhead with sensational voice and great songs. Her two albums are among my most played and even though it's real easy on the ears I've never heard a note played on the radio etc.. I think she might be releasing something new in a while.
http://open.spotify.com/track/67FFfz4XGUhgU4cBNGmliy

Jeff Harms. A lo-fi multitalent with great voice and a soft, sweet sound. Fun, smart lyrics.
http://open.spotify.com/track/4rNGsMRNYmvpRTc9b8tYlG

The Twilight Sad. I'm gonna make a top list of scotish artists soon and I will push for tTS again. I think they're amazing, but then I have a thing for the accent. A bit rough and noisy, but give it a few listens and I think you'll come round. I recommend you start with downloading their free acoustic ep by signing up for a mailing list at http://thetwilightsadblog.blogspot.com/.
Or listen to this; http://open.spotify.com/track/5s8T7OGQeKYanhmG4ma4gv

Call him Rasmus Kellerman or Tiger Lou. In my opinion the coolest singer/songwriter out of sweden. Great arrangements and studio work. A totally overlooked genious. And if you have a chance to catch him live, like Nike; Just Do It. Here he is in a great video (w crappy quality) http://youtu.be/4Nps8w2HkMU

AntiPop Consortium. I know it's a top FIVE, and I suspect you all are into guitar-based music but when it comes to deserving a bigger audience I can vouch for ATP. Spearhead hip hop, which takes time to love but it is Oh So WORTH IT. When they came to play Stockholm there were some 50 guys and gals in the audience which I could hardly believe. Best kept secret. Oh, and they're on Spotify both as Antipop Consortium and Anti-pop Consortium (sigh..) Here's a taste: http://open.spotify.com/track/3rIJdvgxWOzhGOxhlq4mRW

2011-08-17T22:25:00.002+02:00

Moon rising ,#365days,#day13

2011-08-17T22:02:00.002+02:00

On the road

#365days, day17

Ready

#365days, day16

Field of dreams. House of cards.

#365days, day15

2011-08-11T23:13:00.002+02:00

Sunset at Little Bay

#365days, #day10

The wealth and beauty I posess

#365days, #day11

2011-08-09T22:08:00.002+02:00

#365days #day9 #shopping

#365days #day8 Cheese, port & cracker

#365days #day7 Somewhere. In there.

2011-08-09T21:04:00.003+02:00

Vilostund i det gröna

Another kind of road

2011-08-06T23:18:00.002+02:00

#365days #day6

The Road

#365days #day5

Connection

#ds628 Create a photograph that illustrations connection.

The cup of coffee

2011-08-04T20:56:00.002+02:00

#365days #day4

Boots

#365days #day3

The monkey Bear

2011-08-03T12:24:00.001+02:00

#ds625 @dailyshoot: Yellow is an attention-getting color. Make a photograph that is dominated by yellow today.

The edge of reason

2011-08-02T20:27:00.005+02:00

#365days, #day2

Trial run - ignore

2011-08-02T17:50:00.001+02:00

Test test. Pixelpipe post distribution. Ignore. This post will self destruct.

_Roscoe

2011-07-25T15:38:00.003+02:00

The village used to be all one really needs
Now it's filled with hundreds and hundreds of chemicals

GoodTube

2011-07-25T14:54:00.003+02:00

Probably my last update for a while, it's time for a vacation! This time it's a YouTube theme with a few awesome artists. Julia and Jay I found before either of them had released their albums and I must say it was with varying success they transferred from their own bedrooms to the studio. Nevermind, just want to highlight the greatness of the medium for artists to reach out with their music. Julia Nunes recently had unprecedented success in selling her new album BEFORE IT WAS RECORDED using the KICKSTARTER concept. More on that here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/254268679/julia-nunes-would-be-nothing-without-me
and here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdCiIKie21s

I also want to bring your attention to a few cool channels that record beautiful videos of good artists and put them up for free, namely the Watch.Listen.Tell, Station Sessions and Zeit Online: Rekorder.

Enjoy. And enjoy summer. I'll be back in a month or so.
/PO

Julia Nunes:
http://youtu.be/Mbiql_-H4KU
Jay Brannan (fast forward to 2:40 to skip a long talking session)
http://youtu.be/eVuhdIK2E7o
Lucy Rose (Station Sessions)
http://youtu.be/Eo6aSFYgtjY
Lykke Li (Zeit Online)
http://youtu.be/5_7GpjWTxDg
Dry the River (WatchListenTell)
http://youtu.be/J4EoNZQ0reI

_Tree by the river

2011-07-14T21:46:00.002+02:00

I recall the sun in our faces
Stuck and leaning on graces
And being strangers to change
-
Dark canyon road, I was coy in the half-moon
Happy just to be with you
And you were happy for me

I know the kind of Beast I've become

2011-07-07T21:06:00.002+02:00

but who am i trying to fool by acting this way

i need alot of wine

i know what kind of beast i've become

The precious rare mineral that is Nina Kinert..

_You're the shit and I'm knee-deep in it

2011-06-03T21:36:00.001+02:00

i'm working hard on walking out
shoes keep sticking to the ground
my clothes won't let me close the door
these trousers seem to love your floor

_Something to build upon

2011-06-02T23:02:00.002+02:00

’ll never take you for granted
I’m gonna make you feel special he said
Two strong arms that will hold you
A soft touch to waken you each day

_Blue Spotted Tail

2011-05-30T20:54:00.001+02:00

Why is life made only for to end?
Why do I do all this waiting then?
Why this frightened part of me that's fated to pretend?
Why is life made only for to end?

_Rabbit Will Run

2011-05-27T22:17:00.002+02:00

We've all lived in grace at the end of the day
And we've armed all the children we thought we betrayed
And I still have a prayer, but too few occasions to pray

(The fantastic Iron & Wine @ Debaser, Sthlm, Sweden 2011-02-02)
More here

Rain falls but no life is given

2011-05-26T21:45:00.002+02:00

Darkness creates these illusions,
but pale days can teach you to see.
Rain falls, but no life is given,
weeks pass, no progress is made.

Be the ocean where I unravel

2011-05-23T10:38:00.001+02:00

Be the ocean, where I unravel,
be my only, be the water where I'm wading.

I never knew this could happen to me

2011-05-16T21:57:00.003+02:00

It's all because you lied

2011-05-14T21:55:00.002+02:00

The low way I feel inside

we could make our castles here and sweep them all away

2010-09-13T19:51:00.003+02:00

i know that i am just a grain of sand
meeting water at the land
we could make our castles here
and sweep them all away

Great lake swimmers - I am still discovering this act, although it is by no means new. Flowing and simple acoustic mixed with electric and steel guitar. Reminds me of Red house painters. I have several other songs that I want to share, but you'll just have to wait until I find the right photo to go with them..

Sorrow's a girl inside my cake

2010-09-07T22:21:00.002+02:00

I live in a city Sorrow built
It's in my honey, it's in my milk

Whatever that thing is which a group needs to stand out, The National definitely have IT. Seems to be, at a glance it all sounds the same and appears almost boring. But having listened to them a few times around, they have become haunting, showing up inside my head at unexpected times. Go get wise!

A way to start the day

2010-09-01T21:16:00.003+02:00

I imagine what my body would sound like
Slamming against those rocks

Björk won the 2010 Polar Prize award alongside Ennio Morricone. Yeay. And Robyn made a lovely cover of Hyperballad for the award ceremony, check it out here.

Disclaimer

2010-08-24T22:29:00.004+02:00

I am currently, and will be for a while ahead, working on finishing my phd thesis. At the same time I have a beautiful baby boy to look after and, well, time is not unlimited. Posting may be few and far apart until I finish, but if you're looking for picture uploads you can find more frequent contributions at FLICKR

here

I miss you so much I've become light

2010-08-23T21:23:00.003+02:00

It's okay
I'm all right
We'll meet again someday,
Somehow
Time, time's but a touch
I miss you so much
I've become light

Declan de Barra sings with an awesome voice, reminds at least me of Jeff Buckley in the combination of range and power with fragility and sensuality. Really nice singer and songwriter.

And now this is ending

2010-08-19T19:28:00.003+02:00

You created me
And the things I see
And now I surrender
To the space between

You know Thom Yorke? That fantastic fellow fronting the band called Radiohead? This isn't him. This is his brother.

We make it up as we go along

2010-08-17T20:06:00.003+02:00

How did it go so fast
you'll say as we are looking back
and then we'll understand
we held gold dust in our hands

Tori Amos - I've been listening to her for years and years. She was actually one of the few artists I collected releases from, back when there was a point to that. I must have 30 or so CD with here albums, bootlegs and singles. Here lyrics are not very dependable, in my opinion. Some albums - and more precisely some songs - are stellar, galactic, great great great. But not all. Some are weird, some songs too experimental, etc. But that's ok, so long as she still makes the type of nuggets that Gold Dust is..

You can't always know what they will uncover on the news

2010-08-16T20:17:00.003+02:00

Beautiful secrets you guard them in your secret garden
You water and nurture them until they're bigger than life itself

Don't even know how I stumbled on Sarah Blasko, might have been a review in the morning paper, or it might just have been a random encounter on Spotify. Some of her songs have this nice dark tone to them and this is one of them.

The crumbs are gone and the way, the way is lost

2010-08-15T22:16:00.000+02:00

Hear the sigh of the trees
Those who enter here never leave

A Fine Frenzy is top notch female songwriter and vocalist. Still only two albums available but I am biting my nails waiting for more.

Look what you have done

2010-08-12T21:43:00.002+02:00

You're on your own
You said you fail to care

I love The Twilight Sad because I love the Scottish accent and I have a tendency to favour depressing musical flavours. I have no idea what the lyrics are about, but they don't paint a very happy picture.

I'm gonna take the sins of my father down to the pond

2010-08-11T21:22:00.003+02:00

Night is falling like a bloody axe
Lies and rumours and the wind at my back
Hand on the wheel
Gravel on the road
Will the pawn shop sell me back what I sold?

Ok, if you're going to click, settle in, because it's ten minute listen, this epic tale of Tom's. The part that fascinates me is that it is a riveting listen all the way through. Simply put, the man is straight up genius. It was difficult to select a favourite line out of the song, especially since I keep discovering new twists in several verses. I might actually have to repost this song at a later stage..

Life of a selfless man

2010-08-10T20:54:00.003+02:00

Out of all the flaws I've stumbled on,
It's the hardest one to focus on

Insanely pretty song by the preppy Bombay Bicycle Club. Can't say I'm all there as far as deciphering the lyrics is concerned but what the hey - when it's this well performed I don't need to get it.

Is there some idea to replace my life

2010-08-09T22:35:00.004+02:00

Morning comes in Paradise
Morning comes in light

Sufjan Stevens is another regular on my playslists who hasn't made it onto the blog. "For the widows in Paradise, for the fatherless in Ypsilanti" is a phenomenal song that I first heard on a mixtape a friend made so I didn't know the names of any song. And as you can guess, it's not an easy name to divine.. I find it staggeringly beautiful so it was a treat to rediscover it on Spotify. Enjoy.

Into blood and into bone

2010-08-08T12:39:00.003+02:00

I will let the sound of these woods that I have known
Sink into blood and to bone

Meadowlarks

2010-08-07T20:27:00.003+02:00

I hold a cornucopia and a golden crown
For you to wear upon your fleecy down

It appears I haven't tagged any posts with Fleet Foxes which is a considerable oversight. Go listen to the song and you'll agree. They're a great little outfit of guys with a talent for vocal arrangements and a very retro sound. The lyrics hover around in little fragmented stories of country life and images of nature.

As you have noticed I have started to write comments on the posts lately. Don't know why, it just felt right to start qualifying my recommendations. Peace Out

Lay your weary head to rest

2010-08-06T22:27:00.003+02:00

SLEEP TIGHT
LAY YOUR WEARY HEAD TO REST
TONIGHT
THE WOLF’S BEHIND THE GLASS

After a tip from my sister in-law Blaudzun of Holland has become a regular in the headphones. Here's one reason why.

it's that ancient love that you won't outgrow

2010-08-05T21:34:00.004+02:00

it's that ancient love
that you won't outgrow

I discovered Bombay Bicycle club through WatchListenTell a few weeks ago. They did an acoustic version of this song and it blew me away in its simplicity and the guys were all so Ronald Weasley.. Since then, their album has been on repeat in my headphones. I will post a few of their other gems soon.

Time will see us realign

2010-08-04T22:53:00.004+02:00

To the edge
till we all get off
I will take you away with me

Once and for all

'Deftones - Diamond Eyes' is a rediscovery for me. I used to listen frantically to their debut album, more years ago than I care to remember. It fills me with joy to see they still produce such marvellous metal.

This hopefully marks the beginning of regular updates on this blog with photos and Killer songs. Subscribe by clicking here and get regular updates.. (Not familiar with RSS-feeds? Check out Google Reader. It can help you keep up with all blogs, microblogs etc that you may want to follow..)