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Unknown Pleasures- Joy Division
From Here We Go Sublime-The Field
Domestica-Cursive
2000 B.C.- Canibus
Things Fall Apart-The Roots
Silent Shout-The Knife
Room On Fire-The Strokes
Saturdays=Youth-M83
Operation DoomsDay-MF DOOM
I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One-Yo La Tengo
Zaike
Hartford, CT
1. en-tact / the shamen
2. dubnobasswithmyheadman / underworld
3. subliminal sandwich / meat beat manifesto
4. chill out / klf
5. fear of a black planet / public enemy
6. the low end theory / a tribe called quest
7. hat full of hollow / the smiths
8. red house painters / red house painters (i'm cheating here, i know. if pressed, i'd say 'rollercoaster')
9. rio / duran duran
10. illinois / sufjan stevens
todd greco
portland, or, usa
Marcy Playground – Leaving Wonderland In A Fit Of Rage
Tears For Fears – Elemental
Aimee Mann – Bachelor No. 2
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust
The Grateful Dead – For The Faithful
The Police – Zenyatta Mondatta
Saint Motel – ForPlay
Tom Petty – Anthology
Dymaxion Vehicle – Design
Taylor "TVA" Van Arsdale
Santa Monica, CA
On my shelf of vinyl records, the playful ditties of Charles Manson sit comfortably alongside the exotica of Martin Denny and the schmaltzy waltzes of Lawrence Welk. The esoteric jazz of Alice Coltrane commingles with the Gnostic revelations of Current 93. The Moog sounds of Debussy and maudlin reflections of Tom Clay peacefully exist with the full on feedback provided by Flying Saucer Attack and the warped surrealism of Nurse With Wound. While I bought some of these LPs and 45s new, I acquired the bulk of my collection in second hand thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, or saved them from the trash. But even if I had enough records to make a mountain, and had not one by Bob Braun I would be as nothing; Bob Braun brings the love. Thanks to thrifts stores I have many of his albums.
Thanks again to all for the participation in the annual Brainwashed Readers Poll. Everyone helped nominate and everyone voted. Here are the results, with some comments from the staff. All the Best for 2011!
Robert Haigh's 30 year long musical career has spawned an impressive and uncommonly diverse catalog of sounds. He has released records under his own name, as Truth Club, Sema, Fote, and as Omni Trio, collaborated with Nurse with Wound, and recorded multiple drum 'n' bass club anthems, some of which were inspired by Philip Glass. His work has been released by labels such as United Dairies, L.A.Y.L.A.H., Crouton, and Dom, and his music has even appeared in video games like Grand Theft Auto 3 and Midnight Club 3. He is currently completing a trilogy of solo piano records for Siren, of which Anonymous Lights is the most recent. Robert recently took the time to talk to Brainwashed about his past work, improvisation, collaborations with Nurse with Wound and Hafler Trio, the role of silence in music, and much more.
Since 2003, Liverpool's Mugstar have been putting out singles and EPs like there is no tomorrow. Having released their second album, …Sun, Broken… on Important Records last year, the band subsequently started work on its follow-up Lime which Important are again happy to present. Jason Stoll talked to John Kealy of Brainwashed about Lime, film music and Hawkwind.
Brian McBride has been recording music as one half of Stars of the Lid since 1995, but 2010 has been an especially active and varied year for him.  Last month, he released The Effective Disconnect, his long-awaited second solo album and first foray into composing a film soundtrack.  He also recently co-founded a record label (Failed Better) and made his debut as a member of Bell Gardens on the Hangups Need Company EP, a significant stylistic departure from his past work.  Brainwashed caught up with Brian to gather some insight on each release along with his other current activities.
A few years ago, when I lived in Boston, a WZBC DJ nearly made my head explode with his inspired decision to play a full 45-minute side of Natural Snow Buildings' crushing drone epic Slayer of the King of Hell in the middle of the day.  The band sounded like absolutely nothing that I had ever heard before and I immediately resolved to find out absolutely everything I could about them and track down all of their albums.  Both endeavors wound up being much more difficult than I had anticipated.
In the wake of three new releases this month (LP, 7", and book), Ossian Brown & Stephen Thrower of Cyclobe took time to chat with Daniel McKernan of Brainwashed about influences, techniques and upcoming projects.  Special thanks to Micki Pellerano.
Little Annie and Baby Dee begin a long stretch of European shows this week both with and without Marc Almond. The two have been collaborating on a record, which will hopefully be available in 2011. We talked with both briefly about their recent music and their time together.
2010 marks the 30th year of existence for The Legendary Pink Dots. Their latest album, Seconds Late for the Brighton Line is out now and they begin their extensive North American tour this week on Friday, October 15th in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brainwashed talked very briefly with Edward Ka-Spel, taking a snapshot of the current, about the latest album, the forthcoming shows, and the ever changing state of the Dots.
Aachen, Germany-based Christoph Heemann has made a name for himself as a musician, composer, remix artist, and engineer through groups like HNAS, Mimir, Mirror, In Camera, and collaborations with Charlemagne Palestine, Jim O'Rourke, Merzbow, Organum, Nurse With Wound, Current 93, and others. His artwork has graced covers for Edward Ka-Spel, The Tear Garden, Aeolian String Ensemble, Ragnar Grippe, and Ultra, and through his Streamline label he has issued music by John Duncan, Little Annie, Keiji Haino, Intersystems, Limpe Fuchs, Xhol Caravan, and more. Heemann is making a rare trip through the USA with 8 live shows scheduled beginning in Boston on Friday, October 8th. This brief interview is only a snapshot of what he's currently up to.
For the 12th year Brainwashed Readers have voiced their opinion on the best and worst music of the year. While some of the results shouldn't come as a surprise, there are, as always, plenty of anomalies. Brainwashed Readers have once again, and probably moreso than any other previous year, distanced themselves from the mainstream. Thanks to all who took part. As always, the Brainwashed Staff have added their comments.
get it done, get cleaned up then hit the fucking road. drive til morning, and try to stay calm
Mathew Sweet
Steven Sampaio / Tallahassee, Florida
J-Dub
