FLoorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 of 2012 So Far: #1 - #10

Today we feature the top 10 albums on the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 of 2012 So Far, as determined by our readers by virtue of your page views. There are great albums here, including the second work by The Swerve, the only artist to get two albums into the top 20. So without further adeau here are #10 through #1 of the FZB Top 20 of 2012 So Far:

#10 - Evenings: Lately LP

#9 - Anakin: Random Accessed Memories

#8 - Dog Bless You: Ghosts and Friends

#7 - Lake Radio: Dream House
#6 - Walk: Icebreaker
#5 - Love and Radiation: Love and Radiation
#4 - Mirrors: This Year, Next Year, Sometime...?
#3 - The Swerve: Taken Apart
#2 - Young Jesus: Home
And the number 1 album of 2012 so far is (trumpet flourishes, drum rolls and all manner of assorted falderal)...
#1 - The KVB: Always Then

FLoorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 of 2012 So Far: #11 - #20

Welcome to the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 of 2012 So Far. It is you, our faithful readers, that determined who made it into the Top 20 So Far by virtue of your page views. There has been much great music so far this year and the artists making it into the Top 20 are all very desereving. Today we feature the bottom half of the countdown and tomorrow will be the top half. There is one artist that has records in both halves of the countdown, but you'll have to wait for tomorrow to figure out who that is. So here we go with the #20 through #11 albums so far for 2012 on FZB...

#20 - Happy Particles: Under Sleeping Waves
#19 - Wiltz/Facing: Split EP
#18 - Silver Swans: Forever
#17 - Glass Kites: Glass Kites
#16 - The Sea Life: The Sea Life EP
#15 - The Uglies: My Denouement
#14 - Ritualz: Outworld Music I
#13 - The Swerve: Wonder
#12 - Gordon Withers: The Joy Formidable On Cello
#11 - White Birds: When Women Played Drums

Night: Offerings

Offerings is the debut full length from Pennsylvania ambient metal band Night. Very little that can be considered metal passes my ears, as it tends to sound like clones of the 3M's (Metallica, Iron Maiden and Motely Crue). However, every once in a while something unique and original comes along, such as Offerings. With influences from industrial, noise and ambient, Night serve up an instrumental caldron of dark metal imagery that summons the visions hiding in your closet when you sleep at night. There is an authenticity to this album that would please even Norwegian metal afficianados. Stream and download Offerings for free at the link below.

Black Nail Cabaret: Emerald City

Coming out of Budapest is the debut album Emerald City, from female synthpop duo Black Nail Cabaret, aka Emke and Soffy. Dark, danceable and catchy, the twelve tracks on Emerald City blend a myriad of influences into one of the best synthpop debuts around. The music sounds familiar, yet has a highly original bent to it. Strong from start to finish, few albums, yet alone a debut, pack so much qaulity into tracks. The vocals are wonderous, the production elegent and the performance masterful. Stream and buy Emerald City at the link below.

 

 

Survey: Should Artists Release Albums/EP's or Just Individual Tracks

In today's world of streaming and downloading, are albums and EP's still relevant or should artists just release individual tracks. Take the survey below and we'll report back on what you think.

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Craig M. Clarke: Here I Go Again

 

On August 6th Raw Onion Records (run by FZB favorite and Crystal Shipsss mastermind Jacob Faurholt) will release the new album Here I Go Again by American songwriter Craig M Clarke. The eight tracks are a powerful blend of electronic and acoustic elements that yield a stark and edgy NINesque landscape. Here I Go Again is a compelling record that pulls the listener into the dark vision that Clarke reveals. This album is a must listen! Stream Here I Go Again at the link below and watch for its availability on August 6th from Raw Onion.

 

 

The Great American Novel: Kissing

Kissing is the new album from New York garage band The Great American Novel. The eleven tracks range from classic retro sounds to Jimmy Eats Worldesque radio ready pop songs. This is a record that is polished musically, but has the rawness and edge to still be true to a garage band vibe. Kissing has strong songwriting and is full of hooks and potential singles. It is also flawlessly played and produced. Stream and download Kissing at the link below.

Prevrat: Manic Diversions Video (NSFW)

Here is this Friday's video from my Intelligent Discontent album. The video for the track Manic Diversions, is a dark story about a scary neighbor who has been cut in half right down the middle of his body and is very NSFW. The video is adapted from the short Fim Harvey. Directed by Peter McDonald, produced by Pricilla Collins and Rachel Roberts. The Intelligent Discontent album is available for free download at prevrat.bandcamp.com and as a bonus includes the videos for the tracks videos for the tracks With Our Eyes Closed, All Will See, Find Your Way Home and Awaits The Win.

The Uglies: My Denouement

Chicago garage band, The Uglies, have released their debut full length, My Denouement. There is nothing ugly about this record. The music has a nice retro feel, while serving up top rate dream pop. The ten tracks are propelled by the fine vocals of Kat Louise, with the instrumentals perfectly wrapping the vocals in a lo-fi'ish reverby package. This is simply great garage band music. Stream My Denouement at the link below.

Westkust: Touch

Swedish post-punk band Westkust are back with a new single, Touch. This track sees the band in a more polished production, but with no loss of energy or edge. Touch has it all, great vocals, instrumental power and a compelling beat. This is a defining work for the band and hopefully, an advance look of what can be expected from a full length. Stream and download touch for free at the link below.

James & Evander: Bummer Pop

Oakland, CA synthpop duo James & Evander have released their latest album, Bummer Pop. The ten tracks are light and airy, glistening with a summer sheen. Atmospheric guitar lines combine with pop drenched synths to make an album that is thoroughly enjoyable. This is synthpop that keeps in touch more with the original vibe of chillwave ala Washed Out, while blending in influences akin to acts like Real Estate and Beach House. Stream and buy Bummer Pop at the link below.

 

 

Blue Sky Black Death: Third Party Instrumentals

Third Party Instrumentals is the latest album from San Francisco producers Blue Sky Black Death. This album weaves a shoegazey path from darkish  electro to dreampop  instrumentals. The beats are prominent, the vibe diverse and the whole album works together like a finely crafted piece of porcelain. The synths glisten, while clean guitars accent. This is a masterful work of synthpop that all can enjoy. Stream and buy Third Party Instrumentals at the link below.

ZXZ: Pure Flesh

Pure Flesh is the latest album fro Kiev electronic artist/producer ZXZ, aka Stan Przhegodsky. Blending elements of witch house, EBM and darkwave, the eighteen tracks explode with a dark dance beat. Powerful synth lines amd driving bass make prominent beats that draw one deep into the music. ZXZ is both original and innovative. This is one to turn up as load as a 747 and take off with. Stream and download Pure Fresh for free at the link below.

 

Prevrat: Night Falls Video

Here is the video for the track Night Falls, this Friday's video from my Intelligent Discontent album. The video is adapted from the short film Beneath. Produced and directed by Katayoon Zinatbakhsh and Raff Fluri. You can download the complete Intelligent Discontent album at http://prevrat.bandcamp.com.  Included with each album download are the official videos for the tracks With Our Eyes Closed, All Will See, Find Your Way Home and Awaits The Win.

 

Love and Radiation: Love and Radiation

 

 

Chicago based female duo Love and Radiation, aka Lakshmi Ramgopal, Adele Nicholas have released their self-titled debut EP. Blending the best elements of post-punk, synthpop and indie, Love and Radiation have created something very rare...an original sound. Their mix of fuzzy guitars, minimalist synth lines and percussion perfectly frame their vocals which seem to channel many diverse influences from Exene Cervenka to Dirty Projectors. The four tracks are quirky and compelling. Stream and download Love and Radiation for free at the link below.

Silver Firs: Silver Firs

Swiss dreampop band Silver Firs have released their debut album and it is one of the best of the year so far. The music and vocals are compelling in a darkly inviting way. Everything about this album is strong, from the production to the musicianship, to the arrangements to the writing. Debuts don't get any better than this. This is a must have. Stream and buy Silver Firs at the link below.

Plankton Waves: Cloud Caravan Video

Luxembourg electropop duo and FZB favorites Planton Waves, aka Natalie Pickar and Michel Flammant, are back with an ultra-interesting track and video Cloud Caravan. Michel gives the backstory on it..."there won't be an english version of the song. the lyrics are an adaptation of the poem "die himmelsschlange" ("the sky snake") by the quite unknown german expressionist jakob van hoddis. he lived at the beginning of the 20th century and died in the second world war. the poem was written about 1912. " The track is dark and haunting and the video is packed with neo-expressionist imagery. One of the most creative things we've heard (and seen) in a while.

Mrs. Magician: Strange Heaven

After several singles, San Diego indie rock band and FZB favorites Mrs. Magician have dropped their debut full length on Swami Records. The 13 tracks have all the pop goodness that one could want. With dynamic songs, abundant hooks, lots of reverb and enough energy to power the summer, Strange Heaven is a great album. I saw Mrs. Magician live, opening for Cults, a couple months ago and they are great band live as well. This is a band that will gain a much wider audience with Strange Heaven, so get in on the ground floor. You can stream three tracks at the Bnadcamp link below and follow the embeded links on that page to buy the album.

Tours: Low Life Video

FZB favorite Tours has released a cool video for the new chill synthpop track Low Life, featuring vocals by Steffaloo. Check out the video below.

Travel Check: Go Back Home

Paris based garage band Travel Check have released a new song with an accompanying video in advance of a 7" to be released in September. Go Back Home is a catchy track that zipps right along. Which is very apropos given the video treatment. The track is hard edged, yet pop influenced at the same time. Great addition to the garage genre. Check out the video and  download Go Back Home for free at the links below.

Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 of 2012 So Far: Coming June 28 & 29

It's that time of year again, for all good bloggers to come with their top of the year so far lists. The FZB Top 20 of 2012 So Far will be determined by you the reader and will be based on pageviews for the albums and EP's reviewed here. There's still time to make you mark and click on your favorite artist to get them up in the tally. Watch for #20 - #11 on Thursday, June 28th and then #10 - #1 on Friday, June 29th.

Prevrat: Find Your Way Home Video

This week's video from my Intelligent Discontent album is for the track, Find Your Way Home. The video is adapted from the short film "Join The Resistance Fall In Love" and is directed by Franklin Lopez and produced by Don Clark. Intelligent Discontent is available for free download at http://prevrat.bandcamp.com.

Slothrust: Feels Your Pain

Slothrust, a grunge band from Brooklyn, NY, storms in with their debut full length, Feels Your Pain. Hard, unpolished, and in your face are all apt descriptions of this album. The songs are reminiscent of early Nirvana, with the vibe enhanced by the lo-fi production wrapper. Female front person Leah Wellbaum provides the edge with her heavy guitar lines and her stark vocals. Slothrust pay their dues to punk and hardcore, while keeping a decidedly blues influenced grunge core to their music. Stream and buy Feels Your Pain at the link below.

Son Ame Feliz: Business of Forgetting Video

Here's a nice video for the track Business of Forgetting from Son Ame Feliz, the new album from Jeremy Panda reviewed below.

Son Ame Feliz: Son Ame Feliz

 

Son Ame Feliz is the new moniker and self-titled album from Toronto indie rocker Jeremy Panda. Panda has a pure bred indie pedigree, having spent 5 years as the guitar player for Owen Pallet and then playing keyboards for the likes of The Dunes, The Paint Movement, Dora Alexander, Future History and Cody Elliot. All that experience shows through on the eleven perfectly crafted tracks. Panda's vocals are scratchy and intimate, the musicianship is sterling and the production flawless, while giving everything a slightly dark lo-fi edge. This is as good as it gets. Stream and buy Son Ame Feliz at the link below.

 

Speedy Ortiz: Sports EP

The Sports EP is the latest release from Northampton, MA post-punk band Speedy Ortiz. The band brings a highly original sound to five tracks on the Sports EP. The music and vocals are unique and quirky with a familiar feel, but at the same time nothing jumps out as sounding like anyone else. Propelled by the vocals of Sadie Dupuis, the band blends soft textures with heavy driving passages to make an EP that is long on quality and just gets better with every listen. Speedy Ortiz is a band to be reconned with and one that should be in your collection. Stream and buy the Sports EP at the link below.

 

 

White Lung: Sorry

Sweeping out of Vancouver, B.C like a tornado across the Midwest, Sorry, the sophomore album from White Lung, takes no prisoners. With all the intensity of classic punk Circle Jerks or Black Flag, but with the song complexity and musicianship of post-punk, Sorry delivers ten tracks that impress at every level. This is an angry, driving album that grabs hold and never lets go. White Lung are that rare band that can innovate in the punk genre while staying true to the punk ethos. Stream and buy Sorry at the link below.

Kidwise: La Sagesse

 

Toulouse, France brings us the debut EP from electronic artist Kidwise. The six tracks on La Sagesse are atmospheric and chill with lush synth pads and some unique synth textures. The beats are laid back but prominent and the production is crisp and clean. Instrumental synthpop is hard to do well and with Kidwise being the tender age of only 17, the La Sagesse EP is a sure sign of an artist who has much to say and the talent to deliver. We hope that Kidwise gains the confidence to do vocals, as this will increase the potential for this music by an order of magnitude. Stream and download La Sagesse at the link below:

Prevrat: Follow Through Video

Here is this week's video from the Intelligent Discontent album for the track Follow Through. The video is adapted from the short film True. Produced and directed by Nikele Lim. Download Intelligent Discontent for free at http://prevrat.bandcamp.com.

Urbantramper: Internet Freedom Is Love

Internet Freedom Is Love is the interestingly titled new album from Wellington, New Zealand indie pop band Urbantramper. The 10 tracks blend retro synth sounds with soulful stylings and folk aesthetics to cut a unique figure of synthpop. Imagine The Postal Service meets Human League meets The National. Yes, what we are saying is you really need to here this one. The production is crisp, the beats are cool and the vibe is pure electro. Stream and buy Internet Freedom Is Love at the link below.