(The critera, to remind you, is any music I have heard for the first time in 2011. So the album may not have been released in 2011 but that’s when I heard it, then it is in. I am not sure it is as random as previous efforts and perhaps not as ramshackle as previous mixtapes, but it is there for you.)

For the best listening experience, try listening blind, or perhaps use the track listing for Laconic Hegemony 5 20:11

Laconic Hegemony, vol 6 is available for download from Soundcloud or for listening to live here using the embed below.
Vol.6 is a collection of my favourite songs from 2011,

(The critera, to remind you, is any music I have heard for the first time in 2011. So the album may not have been released in 2011 but thats when I heard it, then it is in. I am not sure it is as random as previous efforts and perhaps not as ramshackle as previous mixtapes, but it is there for you.

For the best listening experience, try listening blind and a tracklisting will go up tomorrow or wednesday at some point.

(as a point of interest ‘REMembering’ Laconic Hegemony, vol.5 was never released publicly. but is available if you want it?)

3

life Fantastic – Man Man – http://manmanbandband.com/
‘Catchy songs with an off kilter edge musically’

2

Ask Me This – Alcoholic Faith Mission – http://alcoholicfaithmission.com/
‘gorgous music, with a fragility and power to it’

1

Circuital – My Morning Jacket – http://www.mymorningjacket.com/
‘great album, rock music as it should be’

nice

And as I go through this space of reflection I listen to the sounds which informed my year.

As such here is The long list of the best albums I have heard this year.
Not too much detail just a picture, title of album, name of artist and perhaps a brief link

NB- please note the rules – my choice is final, all music albums I heard for the first time in 2011 was eligible for consideration. Short list announced on Monday, winners next week sometime

The long list
(picture, album title, artist, linkage)

All Things Will Unwind – My Brightest Diamond – a
Ask Me This – Alcoholic Faith Mission -
Built A Rocket Boys! – Elbow -
Circuital – My Morning Jacket -
Codes and Keys – Death Cab For Cutie -
A Creature I Don’t Know – Laura Marling -
The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch -
I Am An Attic – Nick Diamonds -
The King Is Dead – The Decemberists -
King Of Limbs – Radiohead -
Life Fantastic – Man Man -
The Long Surrender – Over The Rhine -
Outside – O’Death -
Smother – Wild Beasts -
Zonoscope – Cut Copy -

Please remember this is highly based on opinion, and in this context, I am right.

Laconic Hegemony vol. 4 is available for you to download.
Laconic Hegemony is a mixtape which i irregularly make up and give away to my friends. Volume 4 is a selection of songs which i think will be prefect for those summer drives, all mixed up in a neat selection.
It lasts for about an 40mins and features lots of people who you have never heard of, and some you have, inc. Parliament, Aretha Franklin, The DØ, Dënver, Dogs Die in Hot Cars etc.

consider it a nearly summer present…
LaconicHegemony4Summer by Laconic Hegemony
(click on the downward pointing arrow, on the right of the grey box, for the download link.)

::[[click here]]:: for a pdf tracklisting

Laconic Hegemony vol. 3 is available for you to download.
Laconic Hegemony is a mixtape which i irregularly make up and give away to my friends. Volume 3 is record of 16 songs which i think remind me of of 2010. I doubt it will win the 16 best songs of 2010, but 16 good ones, in a neat selection.
It lasts for about an hour and features lots of people who you have never heard of, and some you have, inc. The National, Richard Swift, Foals, Shearwater, Anais Mitchell etc.

consider it a new year present…

::[[click here to get it]]::

::[[click here]]:: for a pdf tracklisting

P.S.i made it using a virtualDJ thing on the computer so if the mix is a bit off. Sorry.

1, 2, 3, 4
I got a sheet for my bed,
And a pillow for my head
I got a pencil full of lead,
And some water for my throat
I’ve got buttons for my coat; and sails on my boat
So much more than I needed before
I got money in the meter and a two bar heater
Now it’s getting hotter;
Oh it’s only getting sweeter
I got legs on my chairs and a head full of hair
Pot and a pan
And some shoes on my feet;
I got a shelf full of books and most of my teeth
A few pairs of socks and a door with a lock
I got food in my belly and a license for my telly
And nothing’s going to bring me down

I got a nice guitar and tyres on my car
I got most of the means; and scripts for the scenes
I’m out and about, so I’m in with a shout
I got a fair bit of chat but better than that
Food in my belly and a license for my telly
And nothing’s going to bring me down
Nothing’s going to bring me down

But best of all (best of all)
I’ve got my baby
She’s mighty fine and says she’s all mine
And nothing’s going to bring me down
Best of all
I’ve got my baby
She’s mighty fine and says she’s all mine
And nothing’s going to bring me down
Not today,,, no, no

Doesn’t make sense, does it.

Anaïs Mitchell ‘Hadestown’ is definately in my top ten albums of 2010. I have just seen on the Celtic Conections website that they are putting on the album during the festival. with Anaïs Mitchell herself, Ani DiFranco and my friend Iain Morrison.

now that should be a concert worth seeing.
well done celtic connections.

tickets are here

PS
Seth Lakeman and Tom Jones are also great bookings!

Christmas doesn’t start until I have listened to ‘The Darkest Night of the Year’ twice.
It is an album of quality songs and a complete Christmas feeling without needing to be tinsel and sleigh bells.

gorgeous album for a dark night.

Over the Rhine-The Darkest Night of the Year-08-Mary’s Waltz

interesting wee article in the financial times about the Pop Music by Peter Aspden. (inspired by the video above.)

watch the video and have a read of the article. I think it asks some interesting questions.