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.