Brett’s Top 5 EP’s of 2011

5. Toro y Moi – Freaking Out

Chazwick Bundick rose above the chillwave this year with his full length release of ‘Underneath the Pine’ early this year.  Just when I thought that my chillwave was dying, Toro y Moi gave me an extra life with Freaking Out.  Bundick’s voice has gotten better with each of releases and song ‘All Alone’ competes as one of my favorites tracks by him.  I am excited to see what direction he takes us next.

4. Alabama Shakes – Alabama Shakes

The Shakes exploded on the scene, causing me to tread water as I drowned in their sea of soul.  The attention this band has received not only comes from this EP, but also their live shows.  I am thrilled and honored to allow the Alabama Shakes to knock me out with their fist full of funk tonight at Radio Radio.

3. Dirty Gold – ROAR

Who would of thought a group of high school kids from San Diego could build the EP that served as my summer anthem? The kids from Dirty Gold have left me thinking that anything is possible, regardless of age.  These indie prodigies have caused me to put on my shades and look deeply in to the bright careers the have ahead of them.  I am thrilled to see what they bring to be in the future.  My guess is that once the ‘California Sunrise’ sets on 2011, they will rise and provide a new project with a brighter polish.

2. Dum Dum Girls – He Gets Me High

Readers of Thought on Tracks understand that I have a weak heart for this San Pedro quartet of female distortion.  2011 was quite the year for the Dum Dum Girls as this served as the appetizer to their excellent full-length ‘Only in Dreams’.  While appetizers are petite and initial, ‘He Gets Me High’ fills my belly with a four song entrée.  The Smiths cover of “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” is my favorite cover song of this year and serves as a reminder that sometimes remakes can compete with originals.  I take my hat off to the Dum Dum Girls for having an absolutely spectacular year, especially for me.

1. Beach Fossils – What A Pleasure

Surprise, surprise a Brooklyn based band takes the crown in my world of EP’s in 2011.  This hardly feels like an EP sitting at sitting at eight tracks.  They build off their 2010 self-titled LP, and to me even sound better.  Beach Fossils coast during this EP using beautiful melodic guitars to allow listeners to ride their wave.  The song “Calyer” has received airplay on Sirius XMU and has been floating in my head ever since.  Beach Fossils team up with Wild Nothing on ‘Out In the Way’, which seals the deal for me.  I am expecting more from Beach Fossils in 2012. My nautical eye tells me these Beach Fossils will not wither, but gain value with time.

Written by Brett McGrath