20 Great Albums of 2011

20. Clelia II - Dntel - Basic Sounds

http://basicsounds.ca/2011/06/30/bsc_011/

19. Giorno Assoluto - Massimo Ruberti (with Gloria Grazzini) - Elpa

http://elpamusic.blogspot.com/2011/05/elpa66-massimo-ruberti-giorno-assoluto.html

18. Titles - AEED - Fuse Lab

http://fslab.net/jumble/jumb002-aeed-titles/

17. Incoming Cataclysm - NNID - Crazy Language

http://www.crazy-language.de/

16. Evils - Plusplus - La bel netlabel

http://labelnetlabel.com/

15. This EP - Autemu - Crazy Language

http://www.crazy-language.de/

14. Tide Songs - D33J - Bandcamp

http://d33j.bandcamp.com/album/tide-songs

13. Submersus EP - Purple Eve - Melodica

http://melodica-netlabel.com/index.htm

12. Klangbild - Aloo - Astor Bell

http://astorbell.com/?release=klangbild

11. Into A Cloud - r.roo - Abstrakt Reflections

http://www.abstraktreflections.net/releases/r-roo-into-a-cloud/

10. Physis - Paradrags - Hz Records

http://www.hz-records.com/releases/hz-005/

9. Ruins Tape - Nocow - Gimme5

http://gimme5.bandcamp.com/album/ruins-tape

8. Distance & Lights EP - Essay - Cut

http://cutmusic.org/releases/cut002.php

7. A Product of a Dying Breed - Tony Mahoney - Dusted Wax Kingdom

http://dustedwax.org/dwk089.html

6. How to EP (Pts 1-3) - Modul - Fuse Lab

http://fslab.net/passage/pass018a-modul-how-to-ep1/

http://fslab.net/passage/pass018b-modul-how-to-ep2/

http://fslab.net/passage/pass018c-modul-how-to-ep3/

5. Fragile - a damned age - Camomille

http://www.camomillemusic.com/cml007.html

4. Hearts EP - Fenderchet - Astor Bell

http://astorbell.com/?release=heartsep

3. Begin To Move - Calla Soiled - Altema Records

http://www.altemarecords.jp/callasoiled/sp.html

2. Montreal I/II - Zachary Gray - Camomille

http://www.camomillemusic.com/cml008.html

1. apoLLo1ne3hree - iL - Error Broadcast

http://error-broadcast.com/index.php/ebctp003

iL: apoLLo1ne3hree

This is one of my favorite albums of the year so far, and I really can't get enough of it. It's so fresh and unique. I'll admit that it's hard to get into the beats because a lot of it is sampled and structured in a way where you're not sure if you should nod your head or just smile from the fact that something like this exists.

Error Broadcast is a netlabel that releases a bunch of beat and hip-hop oriented albums so be sure to check them out.

And check out iL's release here: http://error-broadcast.com/index.php/ebctp003

Various Artists: Apegenine Vol. 1

From what I can gather, Apegenine recordings is a record label that once had a netlabel under the name Camomille. This compilation stems from that netlabel, but as the site claims, it is "no more". However, their artists (some even on the compilation) are still in the game so if you like them, be sure to continue supporting them.

A nice electronica compilation with some wonderful tracks: Blisaed's "I'm Down", Vizion's 'Whispers" and Khonnor's "Cantelopps" stand out as my favorite tracks, with David Kristian's "Coneybeare" serving as the upbeat track. It's worth a listen.

http://www.camomillemusic.com/

Andrey Kiritchenko: 00.00

Upon first listen, many of the songs contain that "click" sound that often appears in the clicks n cuts style of electronic music. But on a second or even a third listen, the clicks blend in with the rest of the music. So while one could argue that some of the songs go on too long, or the sounds are repetitive, give it more than one listen before you judge, and perhaps then you will find that there is more variety than you think.

http://www.discogs.com/Andrey-Kiritchenko-0000-A-Suite-Of-The-Midnight/release/42975

Triceracorn

So after my last post, I was browsing around looking for new music and I came across a new project by IG88 and Beige. As you may know, IG88 has contributed tracks to the IDMf compilation albums and has an album, Mutual Mastication, available for free download. 

I really don't know anything about Beige, except that from this record his flows are smooth, strong, and effective. I'm curious to see what else he's done. 

So give it a listen and see what you think.  

If you prefer to listen to the album in web page form, then you can go here: http://ig88.bandcamp.com/album/triceracorn

Various Artists: Concord

Another great compilation by the idmf netlabel. This time the series takes an ambient approach, focusing on synth sounds and pads and downtempo beats. A good album to listen to when needing to relax or take a break. Or, some might see this as the perfect album to listen to while trying to knock things off their to-do lists. 

http://label.idmforums.com/idmf002-concord.html

Various Artists: Mind Tree

Another great compilation album from the idmf netlabel. This time, the songs are more IDM oriented but still cohesive and accessible. This album is intended to show off the artists who have contributed to the forums or have taken some part in it and serves as a reflection of these artists' skills as musicians. 

While some songs do contain a groove and melody, the emphasis is on emotion, and the compilation evicts a range from happiness to sadness and melancholy but all the while keeping the attention of the listener. 

Definitely worth a listen. 

http://label.idmforums.com/idmf003-mind-tree.html