“Experience arises like a note of music. The minute you hear a note, it’s already passing away.” – David R. Hawkins
One of my favorite things to do, is flip through albums in record shops, in all the places I go. Whenever I travel, I explore and discover the magic of a city or town through their entrepreneurial gems hidden in plain sight. For example, the moveable feast is an endeavor that’s always priority; sunrise to sunset, and then moonlight. Great conversations, romantic walks through neighborhood streets. I like to uncover the local cafés or bakeries with the best coffee and treats (gf to be specific), the food scene at bars and restaurants, and then theirs always record shops. I’ve been hangin’ in record shops since I was a little kid. I’ve always known my way around the record bins. Is it a passion? Call it what you will, but I’d consider myself to be a record obsessed vibe curator. Music deep cuts, a dj at heart. I’m always keeping musicality alive within my universe. When I’m not hanging in a local’s record shop searching for albums new and old, ..I’m curating playlists on Spotify for every situation (Mr. Omen’s Spotify). All genres on deck in my world.
So once again, here we are… I’m honored to have the More Fuzz platform to share albums that tickled my fancy in 2021. Without further ado, my list of year. Let’s have some fun!
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Top 11 Albums of 2021
11: The Kings Of Frog Island – VII
My good friends from the UK released their 7th installment into a wonderful catalog of record recordings. According to Gavin and Mark, recording VII was a blessing in disguise. Life slowed down, which allowed them to venture inward, go into the studio and create magic. In my opinion this album reminds me of their earlier recordings; gritty retro-rock, highlighted with psychedelic, stoner infused melodic songwriting that TKOFI are known for. Well done mates!
10: Tommy Guerrero – Sunshine Radio
Yes, the legendary Bones Brigade, Powell Peralta skater Tommy Guerrero. Back in the day, I remember hanging out with my friends, and watching the skate video Future Primitive (1985) on VHS. To watch Tommy Guerrero skate-surf the streets of San Francisco was a sight to see during those days. And then the Bones Brigade team followed up with The Search for Animal Chin (1987). Those videos are classic! Not to mention, those guys were pioneers. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, Tommy Guerrero has been creating killer music for over twenty years; It’s everything you would imagine it to be and more. His skate and surf vibe naturally transcends into musical expression. So, If you haven’t been paying attention to Mr. Guerrero, and want to get the audio start-up-kit, I recommend listening to From the Soil to the Soul (2006); the song Salve could be on everyone’s playlist. His latest album Sunshine Radio is another wonderful recording by this living legend.
9: Stöner – Stoners Rule
Another band project featuring Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri. They’re founding fathers of the desert-stoner rock movement. A power trio named Stöner. These guys continue to keep the lights on. Stoners Rule, no question about it!
8: Blackwater Holylight – Silence/Motion
Silence/Motion, by Blackwater Holylight is a step up from their 2019 release: Veils of Winter. It’s a little bit more polished, and refined than anything I’ve heard from them prior. Melodic, shadowy, emotionally witchy, and maybe a reflection of 2021. This is a well recorded and produced time capsule. Silence/Motion is a soundscape into gray images everywhere. The cover of the album, may sum up its musical reflection: beauty on fire alone in the steeps, frozen in a black and white photograph.
7: Møtrik – MØØN: The Cosmic Electrics of MØTRIK
Portland based krautrock band Møtrik surprised the hell out of me late in 2021 with their third full length MØØN: The Cosmic Electrics of MØTRIK. I love this album. It embodies a style and sound that I adore, ranging from funk and jazz to psych and prog. Think Can’s funkier songs, and maybe even a nod to some Devo, especially from the album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!.
6: Eldovar – A Story of Darkness & Light. Music by Elder & Kadavar
So the story goes… Living in Berlin, a harsh never-ending winter, no gigs on the horizon. Berlin’s very own Kadavar, join forces with American expats Elder. They decided to venture into Robotor Studios, shield themselves from the outside world, turn on the amps, and record. What they birthed and what was recorded became a reflection into laws of polarity: A Story of Darkness & Light.
At first listen, I was impressed by this recording. I didn’t know what to expect, however I figured it become some type of triumphant accomplishment between the two bands. Without saying too much, I’d like to point a little something out. I realize this is not fair to do, however I’m going there with: if I’m going to compare it to anything that I’ve heard before, it reminds me of the composed sounds within Pink Floyd, Animals.
5: Rostro Del Sol – S/T
This is an amazing debut record by Mexico City’s very own Rostro Del Sol. It’s one of those records where I think to myself, ‘it could have easily been released in the late ’60s.’ Shredding guitar leads, groovy bass and progressive drums, funky keys, King Crimson style horns (sax). Combined in a collage of fusion jazz, psychedelic rock blues, progressive climactic movements, and tons of changes throughout each jam. No vocals. Let’s be honest, they don’t need them. It stands alone. In fact vocals would get in a way. This is an excellent album !
4: St. Vincent – Daddy’s Home
Now for my curve ball… The only time I have listened to St. Vincent was when Beck assembled the Beck’s Record Club project (look them up if you’ve never watched them). I was really into those recordings while they were being released twelve+ years ago. (I always secretly wished Beck pressed them on vinyl. Maybe some day.) Anyway, I remember the first time I watched the videos of them covering INXS, Kick. The songs that feature St. Vincent impressed the hell out of me. Fast forward to the beginning of the year, 2021, I watched a five-minute (or so) video of Annie Clark in an interview. During the interview, she’s holding vinyl records of albums in which she claims inspired the recording of Daddy’s Home. Some of the albums she was pulling out of the record bin, happen to be some of my favorites of all time. Which are – Yes – Fragile, Steely Dan – Pretzel Logic, War – The World Is A Ghetto, Sly and The Family Stone’s Dance to the Music. When I watched that interview, I immediately pre-ordered a vinyl copy of Daddy’s Girl. This album has all of that influence mentioned above, and more. It’s groovy, fuzzy, psychedelic, with a ton of soul. At times, I can even hear a bit of Betty Davis in her voice.
3: King Buffalo – Acheron
What will inevitably be known as ‘the cave record,’ as it was recorded in Howe Caverns, NY. Acheron is the second King Buffalo LP of 2021 (The Burden of Restlessness is the other album). The Rochester, New York trio, King Buffalo delivers Acheron out of darkness and into the sunlight, as they expand their heavy psych sound into something cavernous and fluid. The cave in which they recorded, provides a spaciousness that’s quantifiably bold within the unknown lurking in each track. Also the sound of an underground stream can be heard throughout the album. King Buffalo were able to compose an otherworldly and ethereal tone. The subterranean melodies and riffs are wonderful. Gentle reverb and gradual waves of fuzz, manifest Acheron from a “River of Woe” and into a recorded timeless album of the ages.
2: The Age of Truth – Resolute
From my hometown, my Bros from the city of brotherly love, The Age of Truth capitalize with a vengeance on their second full-length album Resolute. I remember having conversations early on, before the recording sessions of their debut album Threshold with founding members Mike D. and Bill Miller. I knew in my heart this was their time to shine. Their musical voice was meant to be heard, and the world shall listen. Threshold was a life long journey for my brothers of TAOT. Resolute represents truth that they’re living out their dreams. It’s bigger, bolder, badder, and more progressive than their debut. Pure Philadelphian gritty-rock and roll blues. I look forward to hearing what’s up their sleeves next.
1: Samsara Blues Experiment – End Of Forever
Is this the end of Samsara Blues Experiment? Unfortunately, I believe so. I’ve had the wonderful honor to continually chat with my friend Chris Peters, and It sounds like the members of SBE have decided to move in different directions. I guess we can all continue to keep hope alive. Everything is possible. But for now, we are left with a wonderful 10 to 12 year catalog of recordings. End Of Forever is a beautiful and haunting finale. It’s not their greatest, however I’m thankful it exists. Silky Sonics, sleek rhythms, sophisticated drums, sensual riffs. End of Forever is my number one album of 2021. (End Of Forever review)
I present to you the Honorable Mention list.
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
Honorable Mentions
(Bonus alert for Honorable Mention): Stephen Malkmus, Von Spar – Can’s Ege Bamyasi
Let’s call this a bonus album slot. Please forgive me for placing this on the list because it’s technically not a 2021 release, …but it is in some fashion. I’d like to mention, I’m not the biggest fan of live recordings unless it’s a Grateful Dead bootleg or live album release, but I’ll make an exception here. Stephen Malkmus, Von Spar’s live rendition of Can’s Ege Bamyasi came onto my radar last January. It’s not necessarily a 2021 release (like I mentioned above). Here’s the scoop: In 2012, Stephen Malkmus and the Cologne-based band Von Spar performed Can’s album Ege Bamyasi (1972) in its entirety at Week-End Fest to celebrate the record’s 40th anniversary. Matador Records (US) and Domino Records (UK) later released the recording in a limited vinyl pressing of 3,500 copies for Record Store Day. And now – eight years later – the recording has finally hit the internet in 2021. So for that little tidbit, I’d like to include it in my 2021 Honorable Mention bonus review, because we’re able to finally stream it on the internet.
Ege Bamyasi is not only one of the most important and greatest Krautrock albums of all time, but it’s also the first Can record that sent me down the rabbit hole into the trippy world of Can. This is a really cool live recording. If it wasn’t for the 2021 internet release, I would have never discovered it. 🙂
More from the Honorable Mention list:
Bones Owens – Bones Owens
Mythic Sunship – Wildfire
Kanaan – Earthbound
Mt. Mountain – Centre
Kungens Män – Den nya skivan
Devandra Banhart – Refuge
Jonas Munk – Altered Light
Alex Maas – Levitation Sessions
“Enlightenment is not something that occurs in the future, after 50 years of sitting cross-legged and saying “OM.” It is right here, in this instant. The reason you’re not experiencing this state of total peace and timelessness is because it is being resisted. It is being resisted because you are trying to control the moment. If you let go of trying to control your experience of the moment, and if you constantly surrender it like a tone of music, then you live on the crest of this exact always-ness. Experience arises like a note of music. The minute you hear a note, it’s already passing away. The instant you’ve heard it, it’s already dissolving. So every single moment is dissolving as it arises. Let go of anticipating the next moment, trying to control it, trying to hang on to the moment that has just passed. Let go clinging to what has just occurred. Let go trying to control what you think is about to occur. Then you live in an infinite space of non-time and non-event. There is an infinite peace beyond description. And you are home.” ― David R. Hawkins
Don't forget to check out the Top Albums of the other More Fuzz team members !
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