The LSJ Local Music Beat’s ‘Best of 2011 in Music,’ Picked by You - Part 2
It’s time for part two of our series featuring the “Best of 2011in Music,” in which Lansing musicians, hip-hop artists, promoters and others offer up their favorite local albums of 2011! Miss part one of the series? Read it, here. What are your favorite local albums of 2011? Let us know in the conversation, below!
Who: Steve Findley
Role: Musician in the Basement Boys
Favorite local album: Joshua Davis, "Magnolia Belles"
Why? Josh Davis connects with so many local musicians to produce a warm, folk sound. We are fortunate to have Josh in the area.
Who: Joel Heckaman
Role: Local music and events at the Record Lounge
Favorite local album of 2011: Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers, “On Being”
Why? Joe sort of unintentionally writes indie folk music, as he’s really just a great songwriter.He’s got deep stories to tell with all sorts of transient parts, and he’s surrounded himself with talent (i.e., “The Rainbow Seekers”) that can not only keep up, but also complement the intensity and emotion of those stories. After hearing the full group for the first time at Middle of the Mitten last January, I was just one of many people who were anxious all year for a follow-up to the Quilted Attic recording. And yet, On Being still exceeded my expectations.
Who: Lynn Hershberger Hefferan
Role: Musician in the Fabulous Heftones
Favorite local album: It's actually from 2010. (We’ll let that slide!) Lindsay Lou, "A Different Tune"
Why? This young songwriter has an amazing, strong voice. However, she writes songs with variety... thoughtful, powerful, a bit of fun, a little reminiscent. In addition, she has brought together a fine collection of young musicians to back her.
I'm a vocalist first. The singing, the harmonies, the melody lines are engaging and please me. Those who approach music from an instrumentalist's ear will also appreciate this album. Those who look for storytelling and fine lyrics will be satisfied. Her backup band, the Flatbellies, are a bunch of hot musicians who mostly play bluegrass. When Lindsay Lou is present, though, they use their musical chops to support Lindsay's songwriting. I'm a fan. Yes, it's from 2010, but it's still on the top of the CD pile here at casa de Heftone.
Who: William E. Ketchum III
Role: Manager, BLAT! Pack, MichiganHipHop.com, SpeechIsMyHammer.com. Contributor: HipHopDX,
VIBE, NPR Music, XXL, more.
Favorite local album: JYoung the General, "Black History Year Installment Two" and the Specktators, "Familiar with Floss"
Why? “Black History Year: Installment Two” has the provocativeness and insight that fans expect from conscious hip-hop, but it has the edge, sincerity, and overall engagement that much of it lacks. It features JYoung listening as much as he's speaking, which is great because way too much "conscious" hip-hop comes across as so preachy that it goes over the heads of listeners.
The Specktators have been building themselves as one of the best acts in East Lansing, by innovating their live performances and interacting with their fans in a fun, genuine way that all artists can take a cue from. With “Familiar with Floss,” their energetic personalities and performances are fulfilled with their music in a more authentic way than ever. Moe-T's production has evolved exponentially into an electronic sound that will fit perfectly in any club or car, and Packi's rhymes and song concepts fit those beats like a glove. They're as good as the city has to offer, and hopefully, this album shows the world what we've seen all along.
Who: Tommy McCord
Role: Singer/ guitarist in the Plurals and recording guy / producer with GTG Records.
Favorite local album of 2011: Narc Out the Reds, "Pawnmower/ Leak in the Disease"
Why? My favorite local release this year was probably the "Pawnmower/ Leak in the Disease" 7-inch by Narc Out the Reds. NOTR is one of my favorite Lansing bands and they really captured their live energy with this release, on a vinyl disc no less. Plus, the artwork (by Peter Richards) is stellar and it looks great just sitting on the shelf.
I feel I also should give a shout out to the ongoing "3-Way Split Singles" by It Takes A Village to Make Records, which has been releasing interesting single songs by a wide array of (mostly Lansing based) bands since June.
On a personal note, GTG Records released two albums by Lansing bands that I play on this year: The Plurals' "Futurospective" and Drinking Mercury's "Orcades," both of which I am very happy with and are my favorite things I've been on.
Who: Kate Peterson
Role: Half of the folk-rock duo Nervous but Excited
Favorite local album: Chris Bathgate, "Salt Year"
Why? I love this record for the same reasons as above, and even more so because it was made right here. Chris also creates such intricate and colorful pictures in his songwriting… the songs can be interpreted in many ways – it’s kind of mysterious. The arrangements leave for something new to hear with each listen... it was released in February, but I’m still putting it on.
