Through multiple shifts in schedule, multiple diseases, a distressing amount of sobriety, and all sorts of wild shenanigans, it’s here. Listen as the FOWR staff bring themselves to intense physical discomfort to come up with a winner for the best album of 2011.
Filed under 2011 FOWRies, Podcast?
I don’t know if you guys noticed, but rap was fucking crazy this year. I mean, look at some of the things that weren’t in contention: YC the Cynic’s humble schooling of the modern rap game, the sweeping G-Side symphony (especially iSLAND), Action Bronson & Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire’s New York throwbacks, ASAP Rocky’s genre-bending answer to the $3million dollar question, 13 & God’s intercontinental existential trip, the proliferation of Curren$y, and the mutated west coast rap of Main Attrakionz. There was serious talk about just extending the category to 12, but then we realized that even that wouldn’t be enough. So now we’re here, and here’s what we have:
-Death Grips and their broadcast from a world blackened heart
-Danny Brown’s shooting star lighting the sky
-The Roots dropping political posturing for a devastating allegory
-Shabazz Palaces at the brink of enlightenment
-Big KRIT’s pure country heart laid bare
-Tyler The Creator’s young man mind, committed to tape Continue reading
Filed under 2011 FOWRies, John
“Exmilitary” by Death Grips is also in discussion for Best Album of 2011.
Filed under 2011 FOWRies
[note: Colton didn’t write a thing. I tried to get a replacement thing from someone else, but didn’t get that either. So here, have this article about music that deserves more attention. FOWRies resume on Monday.]
Filed under John
Ineffable
1. adj. Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable
When we were picking out music to fill the normal awards, a few questions came up: “is Bill Callahan really pop? What about 13 & God in Electronic? Can we get away with putting Colin Stetson in rock?” Things like this. It was in a moment of sleep deprivation (or clarity) that the idea of the Best Ineffable Album was born- we needed a term that wasn’t “experimental” but still could clearly indicate that this was music that existed just outside of pop norms. Things like Callahan, 13 & God, and Stetson. Things like the absurd everything-fused highs of tUnE-yArDs. Things like the grim worlds detailed by Giles Corey and Jenny Hval. And what was the best of the ineffable? Continue reading
Filed under 2011 FOWRies, John
I need a better way to express “one chance at a first impression.”
You only have one soft note to make a first impression?
You only get one cheap shot?
You only have one life to live?
Or one life to lose?
You’re lucky to get a good chance at a first impression?
Your first chance at a good impression will be there when you’re really ready?
Fuck. Continue reading
Filed under 2011 FOWRies, John
This is probably a good time to be articulate. Continue reading
Filed under 2011 FOWRies
Nominees on Friday.
Filed under 2011 FOWRies
Who cares.
Filed under John
Man, it’s a good thing you’re here. Listen, we need to talk. I’ve been looking at your friends at those websites, and those things they’re doing, and I’ve come to a conclusion: They’re trying to hurt you. I know, I know you thought they were your friends. Would friends say such heinous shit about one of the best records of the year? They would if they were trying to keep you from being happy. Continue reading
Filed under John
Fermata over Whole Rest 