That Was Fun: February 2012

Click on the turntable on the left to listen to a continuous stream of music featured on Pretty Much Amazing - updated every day. For more, you can check out the Best Songs of 2012.

February 2012 is gone and it spoiled us rotten. It was an incredible high and we seriously doubt another month will be as amazing-stuffed this year. It was fun. Here are our favorite albums, songs and top downloads for the month.

THE BEST ALBUMS

Grimes – Visions
From our review: The music Clair Boucher makes is all-inclusive and hyper-maximalist. In a zeitgeist where we’ve started valuing repetitive minimalism in electronic music, Grimes really sounds like the chaotic and ultimately irresistible future. The kind where everything is happening, all of the time. (Listen on Spotify)
MP3: “Oblivion”

Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
From our review: A six year abusive relationship does provide ample material. Molded with capable hands, her songs will always possess that precarious balance of tender vulnerability, sheer honesty and detailed snippets of subconscious that never fail to delight. (Listen on Spotify)
MP3: “Serpents”

Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror
From our review: Reign of Terror doesn’t have the same gripping immediacy as Treats, an album that invites obsession. But that pure fact may be Sleigh Bells’ most impressive accomplishment. Turning visceral music into something with a little more staying power is no easy feat, and Sleigh Bells has managed to do it without sacrificing much of their edge or excitement. (Listen on PMA)
Video: “Comeback Kid”

Poliça – Give You The Ghost
From our review: Give You The Ghost is a potent mix of double-drum heartbeats and agile melodies, and it strikes both emotional and visceral nerves. The album’s layered and heavily-affected opening vocals, signal a heavy-handed onslaught that never comes. Instead, the songs subtly moves from place to place, subject matter slowly revealing itself. It’s a fascinating and developed debut. (Listen on Spotify)
MP3: “Wandering Star”

Air – Le Voyage Dans La Lune
From our review: Le Voyage Dans La Lune is Air’s magnum opus, no doubt. Moon Safari has been overly praised.  Maybe Air has been too. But Georges Méliès, the muse of the moment (please see Hugo) has inspired an album so expert that it really doesn’t matter either way. Air’s second trip to the moon is as exhilarating as its source material. (Listen on Spotify)
Video: “Parade”

THE BEST SINGLES/SONGS
Kendrick Lamar – “Cartoon & Cereal” f/ Gunplay

Willis Earl Beal – “Take Me Away”

Usher – “Climax” p/ Diplo
Sleigh Bells – “Demons”
Grimes – “Skin”
Rhye – “Open”

THE TOP DOWNLOADS
Hodgy Beats – Untitled EP
The Knocks – “Midnight City (M83 Cover)
James Blake – Live Album
Kid Cudi – “Dose of Dopeness”
Young Jeezy – “I Do” f/ Jay-Z, André 3000 & Drake
Beach Fossils – “Shallow”

MARCH’S BEST BET
The Shins – Port of Morrow (out 3/20)
James Mercer’s Shins are returning on March 20th on his record label and his terms – and everything we’ve heard so far has been wonderful. For the first time in years, The Shins sound like the band we fell in love with.

We’re also betting on: Andrew Bird’s Break It Yourself (out 3/6), Nite Jewel’s One Second of Love (3/6), Daniel Rossen’s Silent Hour/Golden Mile EP (3/20), THEESatisfaction’s awE naturalE (3/27).

by Luis Tovar on March 5, 2012 ‡ 71 reactions