HAUNTS 'A Lack of Empathy' (2017)

Quite a good find on the first day of 2018, but I have no idea how to categorize this band. They have a violin and though its a 3 song release, its got long compositions. Dark, beautiful and sometime classical excursions in an indie rock backdrop. Played this around 3 x so far.

WIRE 'Nocturnal Koreans' (2016)

Smooth and beautiful new album from Wire. I like all their eras. This 2016 album sounds closer to the '154'/ 'Change Becomes Us' Brian Eno sound. Playing this one in rotation for a while. 'Internal Exile' is my current favorite from this album. I may actually consider seeing them again if I know the setlist in advance.

METALLICA 'Hard Wired to Self Destruct' (2016)

Ok. This is prolly the best album of 2016. 

LOU REED 'Berlin" (1973)

Someone told me that Bob Ezrin produced this album and so I listened to it today beginning to end. I can hear the classic "Ezrin-esque" production, orchestration, far from dry vocals. 'The Kids' is depressing as hell, as well as being the most memorable song for the lyrics alone, Some real deep shit here.

HEAVY HEARTS 'Bliss' (2016)

Late contender for one the best findings this year. Ontario heavy rock band that brings to mind CAVE IN (during the more melodic period) . There's melancholy melody and up front tuned down production. Added to my new rotation.

THE DEPRECIATION GUILD 'Spirit Youth' (2010)

Most likely because I was looking up related artists for The Bilinda Butchers, I came across The Depreciation Guild. Brooklyn dream pop band that made smooth, lush tunes. Apparently they broke up in 2011. Nothing terrifically original, but its a good album. 

PHOTEK DJ Kicks' (Mixed album) (2012)

Checked this album out today. I've liked Photek (aka Rupert Parkes') music since circa 2000. A friend described it to me as 'techno' but this collection I would classify as ambient and electronica which is fine by me. Some of the backdrops came straight from Nine Inch Nails' kitchen.  A little crossing into dub territory with break beats. I'll pick 'Modern Man' by DLX as my first round favorite. Nice keyboard work. Smooth and floaty. A few tracks had a DnB groove which didn't knock my socks off especially since I'm a house music head. I thought there would be more of Photek's original music here, but only a few tracks are actually given credit to him.