albums of 2012 - 34. Jessica Ware Devotion

34. JESSIE WARE – DEVOTION

What a great voice.  Jessie Ware completely lets loose over distant production. Her voice is kept down in the mix quite a lot and backed up as background vocals, for lack of a better word. This album really blends Italo-disco style mixing with soul to create a startling piece of work.Think I heard it on the radio first time through. It felt like a great feeling. What a clunky sentence to write. Nonetheless, I get a hark to the past with Aaliyah; “No To Love” reminds me of the late R & B babe and then “Night Light” comes on and her vocals are all up in the mix, it’s great.Man, I’m listening now, and it feels vital. My friend just commented how she thinks Jessica looks like Michael Jackson. It was a shrewd thing. Or maybe not. It takes me bad. A well produced soul record or disco album or anything with heart will always grab me. I recently bought some DJ equipment and music like this would be something I’d like to feature, not a huge pop fan but  I do love a good hook, like Captain Hook.

BEST PLAYED: Anytime, it’s just ace!

Records of 2010 - 32. The Walkmen - Lisbon

Records of 2010 - 32. The Walkmen - Lisbon

This is fucking ace. That's all I've got to say. Tim, I can't put it any better than this:

"The specific brand of desperation that the band conjures is miles away from, say, the throbbing, dread-laced depression of fellow dapper New Yorkers the National. The Walkmen are more theatrical and unwound than that-- they're the guys out in the middle of the street, screaming up at the sky, begging to know why everything always falls apart." --Tom Breihan, Pitchforkmedia, September 2010--

Okay, I'll say some words. The Walkmen sound comfortable here. There's something lovably rosy about Lisbon. Is it the mediterranean idea of living there? Is it his gruff voice? Nah mate. I just gone and promised you, it's the music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbZUpLbDgLo