Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
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Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

* The 111 Best Recordings of 2011 are based on the playlists of Wednesday MidDay Medley. In 2011 Wednesday MidDay Medley has featured hundreds of New & Local Releases, we’ve featured dozens of LIVE in-studio performances from area performers, and we’ve interviewed over 150 local and national artists. Over 40 recordings on our list are from the KC & Lawrence area. Tune in Wednesdays in December, on 90.1 FM, for our annual 4-week special event. We’ll play nearly 8-hours of representative tracks from our favorite recordings.

The 111 Best Recordings of 2011

1. Howard Iceberg & The Titanics – Welcome Aboard / Independent / June 26, 2011
[7-CD set, includes over 100 new songs, featuring The Titanics: Gary Paredes on lead guitar, Dan Mesh on rhythm guitar, Scott Easterday on bass, Pat Tomek on drums. With contributions from over 70 local artists, who’ve joined in on Howard’s “never-ending recording project” conducted in Pat Tomek’s home studio. Howard Iceberg, Pat Tomek, Scott Easterday, Elaine McMilian and Danny Alexander joined us LIVE on June 22, just days before the huge tribute to Howard Iceberg and his music at Crosstown Station on June 26.]

2. The Wilders – The Wilders / Free Dirt Records / June 21, 2011
[The 10th release from Ike Sheldon- Guitar, Lead Vocals, Betse Ellis- Fiddle, Vocals, Phil Wade- Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin, Vocals, Nate Gawron- Bass, Vocals. On December 6, Ike and the band announced that they would be taking a hiatus in 2012, after 12 years of almost constant touring. We absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this band and each of the members who are some of the most amazing musicians and as well as being really great human beings. Betse Ellis was with us on WMM on March 2 as our guest producer and host in a show that celebrated Cajun Music.]

3. Hidden Pictures – Synchronized Sleeping / Hidden Pictures / April 1, 2011
[Richard Gintowt and Michelle Sanders first met at the Record bar and performed together in OK Jones before starting Hidden Pictures. This is their debut full length.]

4. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey – Race Riot Suite / Kinnara – The Royal Family / Aug. 30, 2011
[from Tulsa, Oklahoma, their 20th album, Race Riot Suite, written by Chris Combs for the current quartet of Brian Haas on piano & keyboards, Josh Raymer on drums, Chris Combs on lap steel and Jeff Harshbarger on upright bass. For this recording the band is accompanied by a horn section consisting of Sex Mob’s Steven Bernstein, Jeff Coffin (of Dave Matthews and Bela Fleck fame), Mark Southerland (Snuff Jazz, Malachy Papers), Peter Apfelbaum, and former JFJO member Matt Leland. The album is dedicated to the victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, the largest race riot in United States history. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey joined us LIVE in the studio on March 30.]

5. Everyday/Everynight – Etc. / Golden Sound Records / May 3, 2011
[Nominated for a Pitch Music Award for “Best Emerging Act”. Evan Ashby on Guitar, Mat Shoare on Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals, Austin Lyon on Drums, and Jerad Colton Tomasino on Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals of Everyday/Everynight. The band includes three members who sing and write songs. Golden Sound Records is a new local recording company who also released the music of Oriole Post, The Fullbloods, and The Empty Spaces, as well as the solo works of Jerad Colton Tomasina and Mat Shoare.]

6. Atlantic Fadeout – Better Run of Bad Luck / Flyover Records / May 23, 2011
[Debut album of Atlantic Fadeout featuring: the great…Abigail Henderson on lead vocals and guitar; Chris Meck lead guitar, steel guitar, vocals; Dutch Humphrey on bass, vocals; and Amy Farrand on drums. The new band was created from the ashes of The Gaslights, combined with the super powers of Amy Farrand who plays bass in American Catastrophe (amoung several other bands) and Dutch Humphrey who sings lead in Cherokee Rock Rifle.]

7. Mr. Marco’s V-7 – Sparkin’ Your Mama / Independent / 2011
[Drummer Kent “Precious Metalz’ Burnham, bassist Johnny “License Bolt” Hamil, guitarist Marco “Hair Party” Pascolini and console/steel / Theremin / moog man Mike “Creeping Death” Stover. 3 of the 4 members were our guests, February 16, on Wednesday MidDay Medley.]

8. Sara Swenson & The Pearl Snaps – Never Left My Mind [EP] / Indep. / Nov. 19, 11
[The Pearl Snaps are: Ian Davidson, John Flynn, Brandon Graves, Sarah Magill and Roger Strong. Their new EP, “Never Left My Mind,” features five tracks recorded and produced in Kansas City by Mike Crawford and Beau Davidson. Sara Swenson & The Pearl Snaps EP Release was November 19 at The Brick.]

9. Greg Brown – Freak Flag / Yep Roc / May 10, 2011
[Accomplished songwriter, co-founder of the influential indie roots label Red House, and former musical director for Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion radio program. While recording what was to be his next album lighting hit the studio where he was working, and Greg Brown lost the recordings. Greg, used the experience to turn inward and write more songs that comprise his 24th album: Freak Flag, the title track is all that remains of the lost original album. Greg wrote ten new songs, recording them at Memphis, Tennessee’s legendary Ardent Studios. Produced by Bo Ramsey, the album also includes a cover of Brown’s wife Iris Dement’s ”Let the Mystery Be” and Brown’s daughter Pieta’s song ”Remember the Sun.” Greg Brown played LIVE on our November 9 WMM.]

10. The I’ms – Second MIXES / Independent / 2011
[from The I’ms Facebook Page – Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch. Collin Rausch & his cousin Kasey Rausch performed together at Barry Lee’s Beatles Tribute. Kyle Rausch also plays with The ACB’s.]

11. Cut Copy – Zonoscope / Modular / Feb. 8, 2011
[3rd studio album by electronic band Cut Copy, formed in 2001 in Melbourne, Australia. It was originally a solo-project of Dan Whitford, a DJ and graphic designer. The band now includes: Tim Hoey on guitar and sampler, Ben Browning on bass guitar and Mitchell Scott on drums. Zonoscope has also been nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 54th Grammy Awards.]

12. Cass McCombs – Wit’s End / Domino / April 26, 2011
[Born in Concord, California in 1977. Famed DJ John Peel called his music “unobtrusively brilliant.” Cass McCombs has received widespread critical acclaim. He has led a nomadic existence for most of his adult life, moving from one city to the next, living in cars, on couches and at campsites. McCombs spent time developing his music bouncing between NYC, San Francisco, the Pacific Northwest, England and Baltimore. McCombs has stated that his tombstone will read “Home At Last.”]

13. The Empty Spaces – Low Noise / Golden Sound Records / 2011
[Debut EP from a KC based band formed from a studio band that recorded Mat Shoare’s solo album: The Empty Spaces in 2010. The three piece began to collaborate more with song arrangements and came up with a kind of “retro-punk rock” that is fronted by an energetic, yelping vocal style. One writer described their sound as “charming fuzzed-out slacker rock.” The band has been touring to support the release. Mat Shoare is also a founding member of Everyday/Everynight and a founding partner in Golden Sound Records.]

14. John Vanderslice – White Wilderness / Dead Oceans / Jan 25, 2011
[9 new songs captured live over 3 days in a collaboration with the Magik*Magik Orchestra, a collective of classically trained musicians in the Bay Area led by artistic director Minna Choi who arranged and conducted White Wilderness with 19 members of the Magik*Magik playing strings and horns, vibraphone, pedal steel and piano, an assortment of reed instruments, and with the voice of Minna Choi singing backup at key moments throughout the album.]

15. tUnE- yArDs – W H O K I L L / 4AD Records / April 19, 2011
[2nd studio release by Merrill Garbus’ experimental solo-project tUnE-yArDs. When performing live, Garbus creates drum loops on the spot, and layers these w/ ukulele, voice, & electric bass played by Nate Brenner. tUnE-yArDs played The Jackpot Lounge in Lawrence on November 7.]

16. Deer Tick – Divine Providence / Partisan Records / October 24, 2011
[from Providence, Rhode Island led by guitarist and singer-songwriter John McCauley]

17. Wire – Red Barked Tree / Pink Flag / Jan. 10, 2011
[12th studio album from Wire, formed in London in 1976 by Colin Newman (vocals, guitar), Graham Lewis (bass, vocals), Bruce Gilbert (guitar), and Robert Gotobed (drums). They were originally associated with the punk rock scene. Wire’s debut album, Pink Flag from 1977, is one of my all-time favorite recordings.

18. Low – C’Mon / Sub Pop / April 12, 2011
[9th full-length album from the band formed in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1993. C’mon was recorded in an old church in Duluth, MN and mixed in an apartment in Hollywood, CA.]

19. Pieta Brown – Mercury / Red House / September 27, 2011
[Born in Iowa City, Iowa in 1973, she is the daughter of two preachers’ kids. Her early upbringing in Iowa was in a rural outpost with no furnace or running water. There, Brown was exposed to traditional and rural folk music through her father, singer songwriter Greg Brown. Brown spent her childhood living in 17 different residences between Iowa and Alabama. While living with her mother in Alabama, Brown began writing poetry and composing instrumental songs on piano. She has released four critically acclaimed albums and three EPs in the last decade. She has performed with artists such as Mark Knopfler, John Prine, Amos Lee and Calexico. Collaborator Bo Ramsey produced her 2002 debut record, Pieta Brown and co-produced her 2005 album In the Cool which was named one of the year’s best by Amazon. Pieta and Bo are now married.]

20. Victor & Penny – Antique Pop / V & P Productions / December 9, 2011
[Victor & Penny performed LIVE on our Sept. 7 WMM. This Chicago / KC based duo is Jeff Freling of the Chicago Blue Man Group; and Erin McGrane of the cabaret group Alacartoona. Antique Pop contains 8 vintage songs plus 2 original songs written by Jeff Freling and a song written by Barclay Martin.]

21. Austra – Feel It Break / Domino Records / May 17, 2011
[Co-founder and lead singer, and songwriter Katie Stelmanis, draws upon her classical and operatic upbringing and mixes it up with drummer Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf to create what Amazon calls, “a stark, danceable masterpiece suitable for both ritual incantations and clubs.”]

22. Tom Waits – Bad As Me / Anti Records / October 21, 2011
[17th studio album and Waits’ first album consisting completely of new material in seven years since Real Gone (2004). Waits’ label, ANTI-, recently agreed on a distribution deal with Warner Music Group allowing them to release the album internationally. This marks Waits’ first release through the Warner organization since Heartattack and Vine (1980). Upon its release, Bad As Me received widespread critical acclaim.]

23. David Kilgour and the Heavy Eights – Left By Soft / Merge / April 26, 2011
[8th album from former leader of legendary New Zealand band, the Clean.]

24. Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler – The Dream / In The Red Records / Nov. 8, 2011
[From San Francisco. It began as an outlet for John Dwyer to release his instrumental, experimental home recordings. Over the course of several albums a full band evolved. We first played The Oh Sees on Sept. 28.]

25. Dengue Fever – Cannibal Courtship / Concord Music / April 19, 2011
[Newest release from 6-piece band formed by brothers: Zac and Ethan Holtzman in 1981 after being inspired by a trip to Cambodia.]

26. The Low Anthem – Smart Flesh / Nonesuch / February 21, 2011
[The follow up to their critically acclaimed “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin” where the three original band members-Jocie Adams, Ben Knox Miller, and Jeff Prystowsky took over a Block Island cabin in the dead of winter. To record Smart Flesh, the group expanded to a quartet with the addition of drummer Mat Davidson and they found a former pasta factory in Central Falls, Rhode Island, a cavernous loft space that became crucial to the shape of the album. Says vocalist Miller, “We knew right away when we stepped into the factory that the space was really the main instrument for the whole record. The resonance was chilling. We were able to experiment with new recording techniques to capture the sound at different distances. Mics 100-200 feet away caught the sound barreling across the room.” Additional tracks were recorded in a garage that had previously been home to a reptile breeder, another unconventional studio space that the quartet dubbed “the gator pit.”]

27. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – It’s A Corporate World / Warner Brothers / June 3, 2011
[A project started by Detroit based Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott, recording in a basement without the benefit of expensive microphones or big-name producers.]

28. Wilco – The Whole Love / dBpm Records – Epitaph Records / Sept. 23, 2011
[8th album by Chicago based band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of Uncle Tupelo following Jay Farrar’s departure. Wilco’s lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004, the other current members are guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released 8 studio albums, a live double album, and three collaborations: two with Billy Bragg, and one with The Minus 5. Wilco played The Uptown on December 3, in a show that had been sold out for months.]

29. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes / LL Records / March 1, 2011
[The second studio album by Swedish recording artist Lykke Li who spent six months writing and recording the album in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, while visiting the desert, and eventually coming up with songs she calls “hypnotic, psychotic and more primal”. In an interview with Pitchfork Media on November 18, 2010, she said, “I’m from Sweden so I don’t enjoy winter at all; there’s nothing cute about it. I was totally romanticizing the idea of Los Angeles when the Doors, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young were hanging out there. I was trying to find David Lynch and Leonard Cohen with no luck. It was just more of a retreat. And Los Angeles is such a mysterious place because there’s so much evil in that city, but there’s also so much light. You can be totally alone on a hillside and I love that kind of secluded, deserted rawness.”]

30. Little Dragon – Ritual Union / Peace Frog / July 26, 2011
[From Gothenburg, Sweden. This is the 3rd release from the four-piece band that blends R&B, new wave, electronica and experimental pop with the lead vocals of Yukimi Nagano.]

31. Destroyer – Kaputt / Merge / Jan. 25, 2011
[9th album from the Canadian indie rock band fronted by singer-songwriter Dan Bejar (pronounced /ˈbeɪhɑr/) a singer-songwriter from Vancouver who formed Destroyer in 1995. Bejar is also a member of the supergroup: The New Pornographers. Last year we featured the Merge records reissue of 2001 release Streethawk: A Seduction on our list of the 100 Best recordings of 2010. ]

32. Radiohead – King of Limbs / Ticker Tape / Feb 18, 2011
[8th studio album by English rock band Radiohead, produced by Nigel Godrich. It was self-released on February 18, 2011 as a download in MP3 and WAV formats. The King of Limbs has been nominated for five categories in the 54th Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Album, Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, Best Short Form Music Video (for “Lotus Flower”), Best Rock Performance (for “Lotus Flower”) and Best Rock Song (also for “Lotus Flower”).]

33. Vivian Girls – Share The Joy / Polyvinyl Records / April 12, 2011
[Third album by lo-fi/punk band Vivian Girls, the female trio from Brooklyn.]

34. Mary Fortune – Mary Fortune / Independent / May 6 2011
[Mary Fortune are: Jori Sackin- guitar, vocals, Laura Frank- vocals, singing saw, accordion; Billy Belzer- percussion; Andrew Connor- bass guitar, vocals; Liz Connor- violin. Mary Fortune played Midwestern Musical Company, 1830 Locust, Friday May 6 in a CD release concert with: Ghosty. Jori Sackin was out guest on WMM on September 28 joining us to discuss his film project with Pat Vamos called “Space Thang” that premiered at The Strand Theatre on Troost.]

35. Civil Wars – Barton Hallow / Sensibility Records / July 19, 2011
[First full length from singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. The duo met during a Nashville, Tennesee songwriting session.]

36. Barnaby Bright – Gravity / Mishara / June 7 , 2011
[Brooklyn-based indie folk rock duo Barnaby Bright, have garnered high accolades for their lyrically captivating and impeccably balanced songwriting and sound. Finalists in the New York Song Circle Contest for two years in a row, Barnaby Bright was awarded the Grand Prize, winners in November 2010 for their song, “Don’t Look Down.”]

37. Spirit is the Spirit – Mother Mountain / Independent / February 26, 2011
[Folk-psychedelic-rock from Lawrence, Kansas. Austen Malone, Noah Compo, Wayne Zimmerman, Josh Landau, Brook Partain, Danny Bowersox. “a Lawrence band with a cosmic hippie vibe plus horns (trumpet, trombone), lots of percussion and supernal vocal harmonies”- Tim Finn]

38. Cherokee Rock Rifle – …and the plains are burning / Independent / Jan. 2011
[Debut EP from KC based band fronted by Dutch Humphrey. The 5-piece band also features: Douglas Nelson on lead guitar, Scott Reed on rhythm guitarr, Bert Northward on drum, and Evan John on bass. Cherokee Rock Rifle played the Crossroads Music Fest, on Sept 10 KC Uncovered II, and multiple shows through out the Mo/Kan region.]

39. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Fat Possum / June 21, 11
[Self-titled debut from Portland based band, initially conceived by New Zealand native, Ruban Neilson, who pieced a band together, with his producer, Jake, on bass, and a teenage drummer named Julien. Their facebook page describes them as, “bring(ing) break-beats together with 60’s/70’s Beatles sounding pop harmonies and a minimal Krautrock rhythm section.”]

40. The Sea and Cake – The Moonlight Butterfly / Thrill Jockey / May 10, 2011
[9th release from Chicago based band formed in the mid 1990s out of the ashes of local bands The Cocktails and Shrimp Boat. Archer Prewitt and Sam Precop have both also release several fine solo recordings.]

41. Times New Viking – Dancer Equired / Merge / April 26, 2011
[5th studio release from the lo-fi indie rock from Columbus, Ohio. With guitarist Jared Phillips, drummer and vocals from Adam Elliott, and Beth Murphy on keyboards and vocals. “Times New Viking,” is a play on the popular typeface Times New Roman.]

42. Joan As Police Woman – The Deep Field / 101 Distribution / Feb. 1, 2011
[Joan Wasser was a professional violinist, who after the death of her boyfriend Jeff Buckley, began to sing and write songs with some of Jeff’s band mates in a project called Black Beetle. Since assuming her current moniker in 2002 she assumed her new identity – a reference to the 70’s cop show, and has toured and collaborated with Rufus Wainwright and Antony and the Johnsons. She has received critical acclaim for her three studio albums REAL LIFE (2006), TO SURVIVE (2008) and a compilation of covers aptly titled COVER (2009).]

43. The Appleseed Cast – Middle States [EP] / GRAVEFACE RECORDS-RED / June 7, 2011
[Based in Lawrence, Kansas, with CHRIS CRISCI on guitar and vocals, TAYLOR HELENBECK on guitars, NATE WHITMAN on bass, NATHAN WILDER on drums. The Appleseed Cast played The Middle of The Map Festival on April 8, at The Riot Room, 4048 Broadway.]

44. King Creosote & John Hopkins – Diamond Mine / Domino / March 28, 2011
[Nominated for the Mercury Prize King Creosote is the stage name for Kenny Anderson, an independent singer-songwriter from Fife, Scotland, who has released over 40 albums. Anderson is also a member of Scottish-Canadian band, The Burns Unit.]

45. London Transit – Fake Figures [EP] / Independent / Jan 1, 2011
[Brian Schick – Vocals / Guitar / Keyboards, Rellemurd Jones – Keyboards / MPC / Vocals, Robert William Jarrett III – Drums / Percussion. Recorded from January 2010 to October 2010. All songs written and recorded by London Transit.]

46. Ha Ha Tonka – Death of A Decade / Bloodshot Records / April 5, 2011
[Originally formed in Springfield, Missouri their music is steeped in Ozark folk. They are currently signed to Bloodshot Records out of Chicago. Recently, Ha Ha Tonka was a guest on The Travel Channel’s flagship show, “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.” In March 2011, Ha Ha Tonka kicked off a year of touring with shows at the SXSW festival in Austin, TX. In April and May, the band toured the US with stops at Wakarusa in June. The band is named after Ha Ha Tonka state park in southern Missouri.]

47. Margo May – Space/Face / Independent / July 2011
[She grew up in Kansas City and worked as an actor at The Coterie Theatre. She studied Liberal Arts and English at UMKC and made her national network television debut on American Idol in 2010. Margo May, first appeared on our show on March 17, 2010 where she performed live, just a few days before she traveled to Austin, Texas for the SXSW Music Fest. Her debut recording “Summerof” was one of our favorite recordings of 2010 and has received critical acclaim. She was the winner of the 2010 Pitch Music Award for Best Emerging Act. 24-year-old singer-songwriter Margo May is now based in Portland, Oregon. Margo May played LIVE on our June 8 WMM.]

48. Cornershop – Cornershop & The Double-O Groove of / Ample Play / March 14, 2011
[The follow up to their 2009 album Judy Sucks a Lemon for Breakfast. The album had been six years in the making and is a collaboration album a previously unrecorded, New Delhi-born, Lancashire-raised housewife, Punjabi singer, Bubbley Kaur, who sings all the lead vocals. Uncut Magazine wrote, “[It] isn’t just great music, it fuses disparate cultures with such joyous irreverence that, for 40 inspirational minutes, entire notions of national borders and racial divides cease to exist”.]

49. Dirty Projectors & Bjork – Mount Wittenberg Orca / Domino Records / Oct. 24, 2011
[In 2009, Björk and Dirty Projectors, were asked to perform a charity concert of seven songs written just for the occasion. A year later they recorded the songs and released a digital-only format. Now over two years later the recording was released on CD and Vinyl by Domino Records. All proceeds from the digital sales at mountwittenbergorca.com go to the National Geographic Society for the project of creating international marine protected areas. Mount Wittenberg is located at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. The inspiration for the EP came when Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors saw a pod of whales off the coast while hiking at that spot.]

50. The Republic Tigers – No Land’s Man [EP] / Chop Shop – Atlantic / April 18, 2011
[Formed in Kansas City, Missouri by Kenn Jankowski, a pastor’s son, who moved all over the US, and ended up in the Springfield, Missouri suburb of Republic. In 1999, he moved to KC where he began playing guitar in The People, a band that later changed their name to The Golden Republic. When the Golden Republic split in early 2006, Jankowski reached out to his friend Adam McGill and a new band was born. Jankowski explained on the Chopshop website that “‘The Republic Tiger was my high-school mascot,” “… I don’t like band names very much and I don’t like thinking about them either, so I just took something that I knew was timeless to me, and big enough that we could color it with our music and create its meaning with our songs.” guitarist/pianist Ryan Pinkston, bassist Marc Pepperman, and drummer Justin Tricomi all brought their multi-instrumentalist talents to the band who were the first act to sign with Chop Shop Records (an imprint of Atlantic Records). The song The Infidel was also featured on the Grey’s Anatomy Vol. 4 Soundtrack.]

51. Ford & Lopatin – Channel Pressure / Software / June 7, 2011
[Full length debut from Daniel Lopatin and Joel Ford who began working together early in 2010 on music heavily influenced by 1980s-era production techniques, including the use of digital and analog synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers.]

52. Motorboater – Sport / The Record Machine / June 21, 2011
[Motorboater is Kansas City’s very own Dan Eaton who performs with one of his primary instruments: a Mac laptop. Mark Schoneveld in his music blog, yvynyl (‘why-vinyl’) describes Dan Eaton as making, “frenetic mellow music. It’s got that slow rumbling bass that you feel in your solar plexus on a big system, but is just chill enough for a late night makeout sesh. Throw in some 80s synth hooks and a warped glitch-art video and you’ll understand where he’s going with this.”]

53. Wild Flag – Wild Flag / Merge / Sept. 21, 2011
[Debut of the four-piece super group, of sorts, based in Portland, Oregon and Washington, D.C. that consists of Carrie Brownstein (formerly of Sleater-Kinney), Mary Timony (formerly of Helium), Rebecca Cole (formerly of The Minders) and Janet Weiss (formerly of Quasi and Sleater-Kinney). The band recently played the RecordBar on Oct. 5.]

54. Lazy – Lazy [EP] / The Record Machine / 2011
[Sarica Douglas, Brock Potucek, Matt Huff, and Zach Van Benthusen originally formed as Lazy K for late 2009 show in Lawrence, KS. The band eventually went on to write their own original material. In the summer of 2010 they recorded their self titled debut with the help of Mike Tuley of Ad Astra Arkestra. Local label The Record Machine signed on to release their debut ep just before the band took off on a summer tour down the west coast. Lazy is currently writing and working on material for the follow up release.The Pitch wrote: “The local art-rock band’s self-titled EP is sopped with Modern Loversbeats, Velvet Underground dissonance and lo-fi discord…” We first played Lazy back on March 23.]

55. Baby Teardrops – X Is For Love / Golden Sound Records / November 15, 2011
[KC native and former Doris Henson leader, Matthew Dunehoo’s new band, was formed in NYC with Megan Thomas and Gerry White. Golden Sound Records, of Kansas City, re-released “X is for Love” on November 15th, in digital, CD, and for the first time, vinyl formats. The release also included exclusive remixes of album tracks. Matt Dunehoo and a Kansas City version of Baby Teardrops performed in concert for a Vinyl release party on November 25 at The Brick, with Olivetti Letter opening the show.]

56. TV On The Radio – Nine Types of Light / DGC Records / April 12, 2011
[4th album from Brooklyn based band formed in 2011. It is also the final TV on the Radio album to feature bassist Gerard Smith, who died of lung cancer nine days after Nine Types of Light was released. ]

57. Gillian Welch – The Harrow & The Harvest / Acony Records / June 28, 2011
[Born October 2, 1967 in NYC, her biological mother was a freshman in college, and her father was a visiting musician. Alec Wilkinson of The New Yorker stated that “from an address they had been given, it appeared that her mother … may have grown up in the mountains of North Carolina”. Gilian was adopted by Ken and Mitzie Welch, comedy and music entertainers. When Welch was three, her adoptive parents moved to L.A. to write music for The Carol Burnett Show. As a youngster, Welch was introduced to the music of American folk singers Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and the Carter Family. She performed folk songs with her peers at the Westland Elementary School in Los Angeles. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in photography, Welch attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she majored in songwriting. Welch met her music partner David Rawlings at a successful audition for Berklee’s only country band. Upon finishing college in 1992, She recalled, “I looked at my record collection and saw that all the music I loved had been made in Nashville—Bill Monroe, Dylan, The Stanley Brothers, Neil Young,” so she moved there. Rawlings soon followed. “The Harrow & The Harvest” on Acony Records, is her first record in over 7 years. Gillian Welch played Liberty Hall in Lawrence on Sunday September 4.]

58. Glen Campbell – Ghost On The Canvas / Surf Dog Records / August 20, 2011
[Intended as his farewell to studio recording due to his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The album’s creation was made public in March 2010,but Campbell and his wife delayed informing the public about his illness until shortly before he embarked on the Glen Campbell Goodbye Tour. The duo decided to go public so fans of his would not be confused if the performer flubbed his lines or seemed erratic onstage.]

59. Elaine McMilian – The Messenger / Independent / July 22, 2011
[Elaine McMilian grew up in Independence, and graduated High School in 1973. She went to college as a vocal music major, but left after her first year to get married and start a family. In her mid thirties she went back to college a UMKC where she met Christian Hankel, who introduced her to a whole new generation of musicians in KC. She graduated in 1991 and answered an ad in The Pitch which led to her being involved in the band Swingin’ Six with Erin McGrane and Suzi Seigler. Elaine has performed in and around KC for almost 20 years as a solo artist and in the bands: Swingin’ 6, Easterday, Bonnys’ McGill, Toy Box, Sugar Plums and The Brannock Device. Elaine recently created EME LLC, a musician’s representation company to promote bands and solo artists. Elaine has appeared on WMM several times this year to talk about her work organizing the Howard Iceberg tribute show at Crosstown Station, and the reunion show of Easterday at The Recordbar on August 26. She also joined us prior to the release concert of “The Messenger,” on July 22 at The Record Bar, in a show that included Dollar Fox and one of the last performances of the great band, Expassionates.]

60. Jason Beers – Bangoism…Da / Independent / Late 2010
[Released in late 2010, this didn’t make it onto our playlists until 2011. Jason Beers has collaborated with many of KC’s best musicians. He writes, sings and plays bass with his band, The Brannock Device , made up of Jason, Elaine McMilian, Marco Pascolini, and Bernie Dugan. He is a father of two, who teaches children with special needs. The Brannock Device are currently working on their latesr recording expected in 2012. Banjoism…Da was recorded at Hideaway Studios.]

61. Folkicide – Devotional Hymns of the Church of the Darwinian Snuff Film / Indep. / 11
[After his band the Charge Droplets ended, Burnie Booth created his solo project: Folkicide, to “continue the exploration into the decaying frame of Western Civilization.” Burnie Booth grew up in Spring Hill, Kansas. In high school in the latter half of the 1980s, he was in a band called Big Toe, that played the Outhouse in Lawrence. He moved to Seattle in 1991 and played for four years with the Moogs, working days in pest control. He eventually married and moved back to Kansas City with his wife in 1999. Folkicide performed a CD Release concert at the RecordBar on September 9.]

62. Beirut – The Rip Tide / Pompeii Records / August 2, 1011
[Originally the solo musical project of Zach Condon, born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 13, 1986. He was brought up in Newport News, Virginia before moving back to New Mexico. Zach played trumpet in a jazz band as a teenager and cites jazz as a major influence. Condon attended Santa Fe High School, but dropped out at the age of 16. In Santa Fe he was exposed to Mariachi music. He also worked at a cinema showing where he was exposed to the international films of Fellini arias and Sicilian funeral brass as well Balkan music. He later enrolled in community college, but only attended for a short period before traveling to Europe at the age of 17 with his older brother, Ryan. Condon’s subsequent exploration of world music proved to be instrumental in the development of Beirut’s melodic sound. The Rip Tide was recorded in Upstate New York, Brooklyn and Condon’s hometowns of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.]

63. Seun Kuti – From Africa with Fury: Rise / Knitting Factory Records / June 21, 2011
[Nigerian musician, and the youngest son of legendary afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. After Fela’s death of AIDS in 1997 Seun, then only 14 years old, became the lead singer of Egypt 80. While in school Seun had to choose between a career in music and one in American Football for which he has an outstanding talent. About three-fourths of the current Egypt 80 line-up consists of musicians that not only played with Fela Kuti, but often were arrested and harassed alongside the founder of the Afrobeat movement. Live sets consist of both new material and originals from Seun’s father. During his lifetime Fela Kuti never performed songs he had recorded, so for many fans this is their first chance to hear many Kuti classics.]

64. Canon Blue – Rumspringa / Temporary Residence Limited / August 16, 2011
[Blue Canon is Daniel James, from Nashville. His 2007 debut, Colonies, was a collaboration w/ Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor. Rumspringa was made partly in Copenhagen with Danish orchestral pop ensemble Efterklang and partly in Iceland withmembers of Sigur Ros, “Canon Blue (Des Moines)” is the album’s first single.]

65. Pulseprogramming – Charade Is Gold / Audraglint / May 3, 2011
[born as an experimental, concept in Portland, Oregon in 1998. Pulseprogramming is currently centered around Marc Hellner and new member Chanel Pease, but also includes art directors: John Schacter and Hans Seeger, a filmmaker/video artist: Eric David Johnson, aka DJ Bunny Ears, and a poet: Joel Craig. Their 1999, self-titled debut album was predominantly a work of ambient music, and was released on Chicago’s Aesthetics Records. The group’s current work leans towards the early 1980s and is more song-oriented.]

66. Digitalism – I Love You, Dude / V2 Records / June 21, 2011
[2nd studio album by German electro pop duo who met at a record store in Hamburg in 2004, and became friends. Later, the store’s owner asked them to DJ a party, and they then began mixing and recording. They record their music in a World War II bunker they own in Hamburg. They perform live using a Macbook Pro laptop as the heart of the act.]

67. Piney Gir – Geronimo! / Damaged Goods / Aug. 23, 2011
[Piney Gir is Angela Penhaligon who was born in Kansas and is now based in London, England. We had the chance to interview her on WMM. She was encouraged by her parents to learn the piano from the age of four, she wrote her first song at the age of nine. Having earned a degree in music, she moved to England in 1998 to study at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She released her debut solo electronica album, Peakahokahoo, in 2004 on UK label Truck Records (and licensed to Greyday Records for release in North America). She toured extensively, including opening for Erasure on a month long European tour. Geronimo! was recorded in early 2011 in Los Angeles.]

68. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake / Island / Feb. 15 2011
[8th studio album. Produced by Flood. Written between late 2007 and 2008, and recorded over a five-week period. Musically, Harvey dislikes repeating herself. She has experimented with rock, pop, electronica, and folk. She is also known for changing her appearance from album to album by altering her mode of dress or hairstyle. Each look is then incorporated into the album’s artwork, music videos, and live performances. One of the more unexpected British TV highlights of 2010 came when a black-clad PJ Harvey performed the title track, Let England Shake, in front of then prime minister Gordon Brown. As Brown sat soberly, Harvey played an autoharp, relishing the line “England’s dancing days are done.”]

69. Wanda Jackson – The Party Ain’t Over Yet / Third Man Records / Jan. 21, 2011
[Wanda Lavonne Jackson was born October 20, 1937. She is an American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist. She is known to many as the First Lady of Rockabilly. She has been releasing albums since 1958. This year at age 74, she released her 33rd album, produced by Jack White.]

70. Exene Cervenka – The Excitement of Maybe / Bloodshot / March 8, 2011
[2nd solo release. Exene is a singer, artist and poet and cofounder of the legendary punk band X as well as The Knitters and The Original Sinners. Her spoken word performances with Lydia Lunch in the 80’s led to the publication of “Adulterers Anonymous” and another four volumes of poetry followed. Upon relocating to rural Missouri, Cervenka found inspiration in the simplicity of country living and began writing her first solo album in 19 years. The product, Somewhere Gone, recorded and produced in Springfield by Lou Whitney, was released in 2009. It was on of our favorite recordings of that year. In 2009 Exene Cervenka revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She continue writng new songs and recorded her second solo record, but on April 14 her tour was cancelled, due to a flare-up of her MS.]

71. Heather Thornton – Obvious / Saunders Street Records / April 28, 2011
[Heather Thornton moved with her family to KC from Arkansas. She has been singing and performing for over 10 years in KC. She plays keyboards and sings and plays on the first Saturday of every month at Jazz 1823 W 39th Street KCMO with Jeramy Johnston – guitar/bass, Brian Ruskin – guitar, Bree Plaster – drums. Heather’s background vocals can be heard on the Saunders Street Records releases of Jen Lawless and William Sauders. Heather has a new Christmas CD available at heatherthornton.com.]

72. Kirsten Paludan – All In / Independent / 2010
[Released late 2010. Kirsten Paludan’s worked for over a decade as a solo artist and with the band Olympic Size. As an actress she has appeared on FOX Television’s “Melrose Place.” In the Ang Lee film “Ride With The Devil,” the Spike Lee produced, Confederate States of America, directed by Kevin Wilmoth. Kirsten Paludan joined us LIVE on our January 26 WMM.]

73. Ruddy Swain – Ruddy Swain [EP] / Independent / November 13, 2011
[Ruddy Swain is David Regnier of Dead Voices and Lauren Krum of The Grisly Hand.]

74. Fruit Bats – Tripper / Sub Pop / Aug 2, 2011
[5th album since signing with Sub Pop Records in 2001. Formed in Chicago in 1997 by singer/songwriter Eric D. Johnson who has performed as a side man in the the band Califone and as the leader of I Rowboat.]

75. Sleepy Kitty – Infinity City / Euclid Records / July 12, 2011
[From Chicago and St. Louis. Paige Brubeck on vocals/guitar/keys, and Evan Sult on drums/vocals/tapes. More info at: sleepykittymusic.com]

76. Yellow Ostrich – The Mistress / Barsuk Records / August 16, 2011
[Barsuk records has re-released “The Mistress” originally put out on Vinyl by AFTERNOON RECORDS on February 15, 2011. It’s what they are calling “a bedroom project,” from Alex Schaaf, the individual behind the NYC based Yellow Ostrich, who now tours as a three piece band. Yellow Ostrich played the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln, NE, on Nov. 16 with Ra Ra Riot + Delicate Steve.]

77. The Coathangers – Larceny and Old Lace / Suicide Squeeze Records / June 7, 2011
[3rd album from the all female punk uartet from Atlanta, Georgia, includes: lead vocalist – Julia Kugel, drummer – Stephanie Luke, keyboardist – Candice Jones and bassist – Meredith Franco. ]

78. Sour Babies – Morning Star / Independent / Mar 30, 2011
[Brent Jamison, Chas Felkins, Mark Harvey, Mary Sanders, Ben Hume and Jason Martinez of The Sour Babies, played live on our July 20 WMM.]

79. The Finsters – The Finsters / Independent / 2011
[The Finsters, are an old time Americana band, dedicated to playing the music of Harold Finster. The band includes: Andrew Connor on guitar and vocals, Liz Connor on fiddle and mandolin, Allan Winkler on accordion and percussion, and Jami Blakeley on banjo and vocals.]

80. Wild Beasts – Smother / Domino Records / May 10, 2011
[3rd album and follow up to their Mercury Award nominated “Two Dancers.” One critic wrote the band possesses, “oscillating falsetto and baritone vocals, lyrical wit, and a penchant for seedier topics.”]

81. Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost! / DFA / April 4, 2011
[The brainchild of childhood friends Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser, the Brooklyn-based band Holy Ghost! recently transformed from a duo into a 4-piece band that has spent the summer touring with LCD Soundsystem and Chromeo The tour culminated with Hot Chip and Hercules and Love Affair at Central Park Summerstage on August 4th. Holy Ghost uses a lot of vintage synths.]

82. Molly Picture Club – four on the floor [EP] / Independent / late 2010
[KC Based featuring: Aniko Adany- vocals, synths, keys, omnichord, Matthew Hayden- drums, drum sequencing, & Michael Tipton- vocals, guitar, bass.]

83. Prefuse 73 – The Only She Chapters / Warp Records / April 25, 2011
[Guillermo Scott Herren was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. His father is Catalan and his mother is Irish and Cuban. At an early age his parents encouraged him to play piano and other instruments; his mother “forced” Herren to play a wide variety of instruments, even going so far as to teach him the Suzuki Method in order to “keep him out of trouble”. Growing up, Herren’s musical tastes branched out and he became interested in hip-hop, punk rock, and electronic music.]

84. Com Truise – Galactic Melt / Ghostly / July 2011
[Com Truise, is New Jersey based designer and musician named Seth Haley, who said he envisioned this record as a “sort of film score…from the mind,” chronicling the life and death of Com Truise, the world’s first robotic astronaut, from his creation and life on Earth to his subsequent mission to a newly discovered galaxy called “Wave 1.”]

85. Neon Indian – Era Extrana / Mom + Pop / September 13, 2011
[Recorded in Helsinki, Finland during the winter of 2010, Era Extraña translates: “Strange Era.” Neon Indian is an indie electronic band from Denton, Texas with music created by Mexican-born composer by Alan Palomo who was born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1988 and moved to San Antonio, Texas at the age of 5. He relocating to Denton, Texas for college. Neon Indian played The Record Bar on October 11 tour with Com Truise and Purity Ring.]

86. Mountain Man – Live At The Wiltern / Partisan Records / July 5, 2011
[Molly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig and Amelia Randall Meath met at Bennington College, in the small town of Bennington, Vermont. This fall the trio toured with Feist.]

87. Cadillac Fambe’ – Eli’s Porch / Independent / July 29, 2011
[KC based band dedicated to pushing the envelope and blending various styles to create a new class of blues. The band was featured at Murder Ballad Ball of 2011, a Benefit for the Midwest Music Foundation, Fri, Dec 9, at The Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, KCMO also appearing: American Catastrophe, Rural Grit All Stars, Tommy Donoho, Bob & Diana Suckiel, Sons of Great Dane, Cody Wyoming, Tony Ladesich, The Delighted, and others.]

88. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ / Sony / May 10, 2011
[Born Charles Ray Wiggins in Oakland, California on May 14, 1966, Saadiq has been representing “old school” R&B since his early days as a member of the group Tony! Toni! Toné! He’s produced songs for TLC, Joss Stone, D’Angelo, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend. For his 4th studio album he pushed beyond the “classic soul revival” with more rock-inspiring funk, Chess Records-blues, and the more expansive orchestral sound of post-Detroit Motown and 1970s Philadelphia sound.]

89. Stephin Merritt – Obscurities / Merge Records / August 30, 2011
[In 1999, The Magnetic Fields’ three-CD collection 69 Love Songs established Stephin Merritt as one of this generation’s most talented songwriters. The LA Times called Merritt, “one of indie-rock’s most acclaimed figures.” “The Sun and the Sea and the Sky,” could be considered the 70th love song. Stephin Merritt writes that “this song didn’t go on 69 Love Songs because it wasn’t actually about romantic love. Now it sounds like a Germanic hymn to nature, as directed by Leni Riefenstahl.” This previously unreleased track is part of Stephin Merritt’s latest release, Obscurities, in his return to Merge Records, a collection of Merritt’s hard-to-find recordings dating back to his time on Merge (1994 1999) and prior, as well as 5 previously unreleased tracks. Pitchfork reports The Magnetic Fields will be releasing a new album on Merge in early 2012.]

90. Tom Russell – Mesabi / Shout! Factory Records / September 5, 2011
[Identified with the Texas Country music tradition, his music also includes elements of folk, Tex-Mex, and cowboy music of the American West. Mesabi includes songs about Bob Dylan, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, Jimmy Driscoll and Sterling Hayden. Furious Love (For Liz)” was the last song written for Mesabi. Following the recent death of Elizabeth Taylor, Russell says, “I married a Swiss lady and we have a place in Switzerland in the Alps, and Liz Taylor had a chalet right down the street. Then I found out she lived for a short while in a penthouse in El Paso, with her first husband, Nicky Hilton. That overlooks Juarez, Mexico, and I thought, I’d write a waltz about Liz looking out on Juarez.” Tom Russell played Knuckleheads on October 6, 2011.]

91. Robert Ellis – Photographs / New West / July 5, 2011
[The New York Times writes that Robert Ellis is “Equally inspired by Jackson Browne and George Jones.” Based in Houston, Texas, the 22 year old singer songwriter was first brought our attention by our Artist Joey Grimm, KCAI graduate from 2010, (now doing graduate work in Delaware) who played him on WMM back on August 10. Joey had just seen him live in Texas.]

92. St. Vincent – Strange Mercy / 4AD / September 13 , 2011
[Manhattan based Annie Clark’s 11-song follow up to her critically acclaimed release “Actor” from 2009. Strange Mercy was eecorded in Dallas, TX. St. Vincent played Lawrence, KS on October 7.]

93. Jenny Carr – Maybe Definitely Really For Sure / Independent / Dec, 2010
[A Missouri native, Jenny Carr has fronted the KC band the Waiting List and played bass for indie-rock bands: Anvil Chorus and Lights & Siren. She lists her influences as: The Beatles, The Kinks, Joni Mitchell, Elliott Smith and The Cranberries.]

94. Yuck – Yuck / Fat Possum Records / Feb. 15, 2011
[Indie rock from London, England. Critics have compared their self-titled debut album to Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth.]

95. Brian Eno – Drums Between The Bells / Opal – Warp Records / July 5, 2011
[40 years in music as an glam rocker, Ambient pioneer, producer, multimedia artist, technological translator, world beat drum-beater, and self-described non-musician. In the early years of Roxy Music, he set up a sound table off stage and turn knobs to create textures and echos.]

96. They Might Be Giants – Join Us / Idlewild Recordings / July 19, 2011
[15th studio album and the first non-children’s album from the band since “The Else” in 2007. They Might Be Giants playde Beaumont Club October 14.]

97. Jason Vivone – My Roaring Twenties / Independent / 2011
[Jason Vivone is the former Kansas City Blues Society’s International Blues Challenge solo winner. His band the Billy Bats were crowned KINGS OF THE ROOTS at the showdown at the Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri. In an annual event held by the Missouri Lottery and the Roots and BBQ fest, the Billy Bats beat out three other bands with their soulful, energetic live show. In January, Jason Vivone’s new solo CD “MY ROARING TWENTIES” was released to acclaim and terrific on-line sales. In March the new line up of the Billy Bats opened for Fishbone and also performed at the SXSW Festival in Austin. Jason Vivone performed LIVE on our Nov. 2 WMM show.]

98. William Saunders – Tales of Weathered Plains / Saunders Street Records / 2011
[Born in L.A. and raised in KC and Raymore, Missouri, he spent eight years in the U.S. Army and served in the first gulf war. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia he first started singing and writing. After the military, he started his business career. In the early 90’s he formed a band called “The Decadent.”After 16 years in the corporate world he had written nearly seven hundred songs. In 2010, he left the corporate life to created Saunders Street Records and pursued a career in music and the development of other musical artists. William Saunders played LIVE on our March 23 WMM.]

99. Sterling Witt – Sounds of The Future [EP] / Bright Orange Records / 2011
[Born and raised in the rural countryside of Cass County he went to school in Harrisonville. At 15, he picked up the bass guitar, and taught myself how to play a right-handed instrument upside-down, left handed. Sterling Witt joined us LIVE on April 13 on WMM for the 90.1 FM Band Auction and again on August 31st.]

100. Jen Lawless – Runnin’ Hot / Saunders Street Records / April 8, 2011
[By day, the 5′ 3″ Kansas City Native, Jen Lawless, drives an ambulance for the Fire Department and is responding to emergencies and racing between hospitals. Her occupation is the inspiration for many of the original songs on her Saunders Street Records release. Jen appeared on our May 11th WMM.]

101. Poly Styrene – Generation Indigo / Future Noise Music / April 26, 2011
[On the verge of the release of her third solo release, singer Poly Styrene, former singer with the X-Ray Spex, died at the age of 53, after suffering from cancer. In February, in an interview published in The Sunday Times magazine, she revealed that she had been treated for breast cancer, and that it had spread to her spine and lungs. She died on April 25. She was one of the first female punk icons. She was very influential, with an unorthodox style. Poly Styrene formed her band the X-Ray Spex after watching the Sex Pistols perform on Hastings Pier on her 18th birthday. The band released just one album, “Germ Free Adolescents,” in 1978, before splitting up. The singer went on to record a solo album, Translucence, in 1980, before retreating from the music industry to join the Hare Krishnas. Singer Billy Bragg told a radio station that, “It’s always hard for women in rock music but it was particularly hard in the 70s,” he said. “I think she cut right through that. The work that she did and the things that she produced always stayed true to that original spirit of punk.”]

102. Marketa Irglova – Anar / Anti Records / October 7, 2011
[Solo debut from one-half of the Irish duo The Swell Season and co-star of the motion picture Once. Now at 23, she decided to branch out on her own after relocating to NYC and while The Swell Season were on hiatus.]

103. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead / Capitol / Jan. 14, 2011
[Recorded during the spring of 2010 in the Portland area. The album title has been speculated to pay homage to The Smiths The Queen Is Dead, due to front man, Colin Meloy’s long-touted influence from the band.Meloy has cited that a primary musical influence for much of The King Is Dead is R.E.M., and three songs, feature R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck including “Down By The Water.” The band played The Uptown Theatre Monday, February 7.]

104. Peter, Bjorn & John – Gimme Some / Star time / March 29, 2011
[Our “Best of…” lists always seem to include representatives from Sweden. Gothenburg is a music town that rivals Montreal, Brooklyn, Omaha, and Nashville. Lykke Li also appears on our list . Peter Morén from Dalarna in the North of Sweden and Björn Yttling from Västerbotten – even further to the North – had been playing music together for 8 years when they in 1999 met John – from Norrbotten – which is yet even further to the North! Peter, Bjorn & John are back in our playlists this year with their sixth album.]

105. Telekinesis – 12 Desperate Straight Lines / Merge / Feb. 15, 2011
[Telekinesis is Michael Benjamin Lerner, an indie rocker from Seattle. This is his 2nd album on Merge.]

106. The Middle East – I Want That You Are Always Happy / Spunk Records / April 2011
[debut studio album by Australian folk band The Middle East, released in Australia and New Zealand. Based in Townsville in Queensland, Australia. Formed in 2005, the group played locally and completed several East Coast tours of mainly Christian festivals throughout Australia. They played their last show on July 31, 2011.]

107. The Go Team – Rolling Blackouts / Memphis Industries / 2011
[3rd studio album from Brighton, England-based band that combine indie rock & garage rock w/ a mixture of blaxploitation & Bollywood soundtracks, double dutch chants, old school hip hop and distorted guitars. Their songs mix of live instruments and samples.]

108. Bootsy Collins – Tha Funk Capitol of The World / Mascot / April 26, 2011
[23rd studio album by funk musician Bootsy Collins, features an incredible line up of Bootsy’s friends including Chuck D, Snoop Dogg and Bootsy’s Parliament and P-Funk bandmates, George Clinton & Bernie Worrell.]

109. Veronica Falls – Veronica Falls / Slumberland Records / Sept. 20, 2011
[self-titled debut record from a UK band that daringly recruited a bass player that didn’t know how to play until joining the group. Their first live performance was opening for Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.]

110. Soley – We Sink / Morr Music / October 3, 2011
[From Iceland comes Soley, an introverted singer-songwriter who was recently featured in “Backyard” a documentary about the influential Iceland music scene.]

111. Raleigh Moncrief – Watered Down / Anticon Records / October 25, 2011
[Debut full length recording from Sacremento based, Raleigh Moncrief, who has collaborated with Dirty Projectors for their Bitte Orca recording that is also on our list of 111 Best Recordings of 2011.]

Note: Sources for notes: artist’s websites, wikipedia.org