Zach Winters, solo singer-songwriter:
Brian Payne Pingree Park Sessions EP
Paynes new EP descends from the Colorado mountains with freshness and the scent of aspens. His folky textures and words brood and whisper the familiar longings of man. In Winter Has No Room and Yet I Remain, Payne carves out rivers, roots and seasons with ingenious melodies, while Im No Stranger to This Road paves a meditating, rhythmic mantra. A man rich in song.
Josh Garrels Love & War & The Sea In Between
Garrels not only continues his vein of beat-driven, folk-spangled gospel, but hes offering it for free. A hardworking craftsman, Garrels has penned 18 new tunes with songs like White Owl, The Resistance, Ulysses, Beyond the Blue, Million Miles, Bread & Wine, Revelator and Pilot Me, making this album thick like a forest. Metaphor, honesty and the wonder and truth of fairy tales Josh is prophet as much as a poet.
Matt Duckworth, drummer, Stardeath & White Dwarfs:
Cass McCombs Wits End
This
record was the soundtrack to my winter, then my summer, and now my
winter again. I keep waiting for something to come along and replace it,
but I could listen to it forever. Its a great record for traveling
even for standing in lines at airports.
Broncho "Can't Get Past the Lips"
The first time I listened to the record I was driving to SXSW, by myself, trying to stay awake. It has now become my go to record while driving and trying to stay awake on tour. What I love the most about Broncho is the energy, and they did a great job of capturing that energy on record. If there was ever a local band I was jealous of not being in, its Broncho.
DJ Chips, hip-hop producer:
L.T.Z. 360 Dunk
This
album damn near drove me crazy during the creation of everything I was
involved with, but I am really proud of the outcome. His storytelling
has gotten stronger, and you really feel his honesty when he speaks. You
may not have lived his life word-for-word, but you can relate to where
he came from. To me, that makes for a great album.
Evidence Cats and Dogs
I first heard this album after the video for You was released and all I could think was the Rhymesayers label cant do any wrong. I will always have a place in my heart for boom bap hip hop and strong lyricism that carries a point opposed to just rhyming words together. This album reminded me why I still love hip hop music period.
Peyton Suitor, Skating Polly:
Broncho Cant Get Past the Lips
Its
one of my all-time favorite records because it rules so much. It rocks
because its so loud and catchy. And, this has nothing to do with it
being one of my favorite records, but everyone in the band is really
nice and all of their shows that Ive been to make it into my favorite
concerts even the one I got kicked out of.
Pains of Being Pure at Heart Belong
I
know its an obvious choice, but its seriously awesome. I know that
this is also obvious, but its my favorite because its so angsty. Im a
teenager; I love music that makes me feel even worse when I already
feel like Im at the last n of depression (and the only n). But I
still like it that the music rocks even when Im in a good mood.
Cameron Neal, singer/guitarist, Horse Thief:
Colourmusic My ___ Is Pink
This
album is explosive, dark and bright all at the same time. A great way
to redecorate the bands sound. Excited to see where it goes next.
tUnE-yArDs "w h o k i l l"
A broad ranch of tribal vocals, looping drums and screeching horns. A beautiful landscape of creativity bouncing around the mind of Merrill Garbus. This one reigns superior over 2011 in my book.
Beetyman, solo rapper:
L.T.Z. 360 Dunk
L.T.Z. is one of my closest friends, and his music always inspires me. He has a way of telling a story in his music to the point where you feel like you were there yourself. Covers situations most all of us go through, while putting his own spin on it. Hence the 360.
Stalley Lincoln Way Nights
This album is the tell-tale rags-to-riches story; beats that will shake your whole car and lyrics that describe the struggle of pursuing hip-hop coming out of small town USA, which I can completely relate to. How many mainstream hip hop artists do you know from Massillon, Ohio? I rest my case.