Reviler Best of 2011: Local Albums

Snow is falling, people are spending money on crap they don’t need and you are starting to dread all of the time you will be spending with your in laws in the next couple weeks. Cheer up. It is also that wonderful time of year where music sites like yours truly pontificate even more than usual, although in a more orderly and concise manner than we normally do (numbered lists!). For the next week we will be presenting you with a plethora of lists covering our favorite (and least favorite) things from calender year 2011. Today we look at our favorite albums from our always amazing local scene. Tomorrow we will take a look at our favorite songs from 2011.

Jon Jon Scott (Sound Verite/Black Corners)

• Greg Grease – The Giving Tree

The city’s quiet secret weapon, the multi-talented Greg Grease not only writes throwback rhythms over warm J Dilla-inspired beats, he makes the beats, plays drums, directs video and has a line of fine garments & accessories. Check out The Giving Tree’s highlights “Love It Or Leave It Alone”, “Dreams”, “Got Till its Gone” , “Flying Kites” and “Your Welcome”. (download)

• Villa Rosa – Blue Diamond Island

Muja Messiah and Maria Isa join forces, sample Nina Simone on “Blindfolded”, shout out Fela Kuti on “Watch Out”, they even had production of Doc McKinney (Drake/The Weeknd/Muja Messiah) on “Uma Thurman”. NPR’s All Things Considered called them “Something rare in hip-hop”.

• Manifest – Immigrant Chronicles: Coming To America

Ghana’s favorite son in Minneapolis spreads his wings with a thorough effort . With hits like “Fiyah”, “Suffer”, “Motion Picture”, “Asa” and “Heaven” Manifest should be getting even more love. The man recently went on tour with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz/Blur), Tony Allen ( Fela Kuti) and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, expect big things from chale.

• Buffalo Moon – Selva Surreal

Lead by Ecuadorian singer Karen Freire and her mates from South Dakota take a trippy indie ride into the bomba nightlife with gorgeous melodies via Stereolab and echoes of Astrud Giberto. Released on local powerhouse indie Moon Glyph.

• Sims – Bad Time Zoo

Doomtree’s Sims grabs heavy production from Lazerbeak, a mask and off to the races.

• Malamanya – Malamanya ep

This group seemed to come from nowhere with a unique take on Cuban son. With a fascinating lead vocalist Adriana Rimpel, and a grant from American composers, the future looks bright.

• The Cloax Ox -Prisen

Andrew Broder, Dosh and friends.

• Elite Gymnastics – Ruin

The city’s first official entry into “chill-wave”, Pitchfork notices.

• Illuminous 3 – Montessori

Spirited south siders’ revisit their elementary school, wag out over production by Mike Swoop.

• Pink Mink – Pink Mink

A nice look back at the Riot Grrrl movement. Chrissy Hunt and Arzu Gokcen make like their record collection and visit Babes In Toyland, Sleater-Kinney and early Hole, take notice.

• Marijuana Deathsquads-Crazy Master

Experimental jet set squad led by Gayngs wizard Ryan Olson, aided by P.O.S., 2 drummers and chaos.

 

Jon

1 Brute Heart – Lonely Hunter

2 Blind Shake  – Seriousness

3 Doomtree – No Kings

4 Condominium – Warm Home

5 Sims – Bad Time Zoo

6 Food Pyramid – III/Omni

7 Claps – Wreck

8 Gay Beast – To Smithereens

9 Buffalo Moon – Selva Surreal

10 M.anifest – Immigrant Chronicles

Runner Up: Marijuana Deathsquads’ Crazy Master. Also, Lighted’s “Queendom” would probably rank highly but I have only heard it live

Ali Elabbady (Background Noise Crew, Egypto Knuckles)