Ben Hinz is lead-singer and guitarhttp://peervalidated.com/peer-picks-2011-ben-hinz-the-ronald-raygun/ist for Doom/Triphop outfit The Ronald Raygun. He is also the owner of Dwarfcraft Devices, an acclaimed effects pedal manufacturing business centered in Eau Claire,WI (seriously, tons of people use his stuff, check out the videos and testimonials to get an idea.) While his music might suggest he’d just as soon bludgeon you to death with a lead pipe as look at you, he was kind enough to to jot down a few ruminations on what he considered to be the best of 2011 . . .
THE NINE GREATEST ALBUMS FROM 2011 AS PROVEN BY SCIENCE SO DON’T ARGUE (all nine are of equal greatness, and so shall be listed in the order I recalled them)
1) Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light Part 1
The darkest heaviest and cleanest album of the year, for sure. Transports me to sci-fi wild west desert dreamscapes.
2) Grails – Deep Politics
A thick and intense instrumental affair, sounds a little like a soundtrack to a police drama set in the 70s. In the best possible way.
3) Koori Kuma – Ice Bear’s World
Concept album inspired by a picture of a feasting polar bear. Lush and foreboding drone/ambient. Perfect for all these cold nights….
4) The Heart Pills – To Paul, From Dad, 1951
I loved this album for a good 18 months before it even existed. Still love every note. Josh Ingersoll is my personal Bob Dylan. Lyrics, man.
5) [Group of the] Altos – Altos
Came out just as late in 2011 as it possibly could. A testament to the rock band as orchestra, and the power of incredible instrumental composition.
6) EMA – Past Life Martyred Saints
Just imagine if Kim Gordon could sing, ran the band like a taskmaster, and was in her 20′s again. EMA looks forward, and we applaud her.
7) Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
After a couple stinkers Mogwai returns with a leap forward that sounds exactly like I wanted the next Ronald Raygun album to sound. We’ll let Mogwai keep it :)
8) Northless – Clandestine Abuse
My kind of metal. Thick, slow to mid-tempo, and booming. No “weedly weedly” guitar wankery, and vocals that sound honest rather than cartoony.
9) Collections Of Colonies Of Bees – Giving
28 minutes of REALLY EXCITING guitars on guitars on guitars on loads more guitars. I like it so much I almost danced at the concert, but I am too cool for that shit.
