The 11 Best Songs By Sleigh Bells

I remember hearing Atari Teenage Riot in the 90s and thought to myself, in about twenty years, there will be a band that will harness this chaotic sonic clash and turn it into musical gold.  That was 17 years ago and though I'm off by about 3 years, Sleigh Bells for all intensive purposes is has become the next generation WiiU Tweenage Riot with just a better name. Though the previous name would better suit them.  Their guitars explode like they're spewing over-tuned digital vomit. They play as if the only volume setting on their amps is 11.  And if screaming in key would be a disservice to the music, then hell if they'll do it.  Sleigh Bells isn't music you want to listen to if you want to study or go to sleep.  But if you're amping up for a big game or a knight fight, then they should be number one on your speed dial.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Sleigh Bells:

1. Infinity Guitars (Treats)
2. Kids (Treats)
3. Comeback Kid (Reign of Terror)
4. Rill Rill (Treats)
5. Demons (Reign of Terror)
6. Tell 'Em (Treats)
7. Crush (Reign of Terror)
8. Run The Heart (Treats)
9. Riot Rhythm (Treats)
10. Road To Hell (Reign of Terror)
11. Holly (Tell 'Em)

Buy Sleigh Bells new album, Bitter Rivals...now!!

The 11 Best Albums of 2012 So Far

I've never figured out the way critics decide which aging rock stars to skewer and which ones to reward.  There were a lot of big releases last year from bands making comebacks.  There were many of them I was very impressed with...only to read the reviews later and find out I must be sorely mistaken.  I thought the new album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers was their best since Blood Sugar Sex Magic, but when I read the reviews they told me it might be "their worst effort"...and "a sign of the apocalypse of alternative music."  I was pleasantly surprised by the new Janes Addiction.  But the reviewers called it "musical retardation," "F-minus," and "dead baby dumpster drivel."  Meanwhile, I thought the new Bush and Beastie Boys were huge disappointments to only learn that they were some of the best comebacks of the year.  I know music is arbitrary...but sometimes it seems like a band's hip factor has more to say about whether their album will be well-received or not.

This year...I at least seem to be somewhat inline with the critics.  I doubt VH will stay atop the list for the whole year...but it's nice to a familiar face leading the pack out of the gates.

Here are the 11 Best Albums of 2012 so far:

1.       Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth 

2.       Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames - New Multitudes 

3.       The Big Pink - Future This (Lose Your Mind)

4.       Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes

5.       Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror

6.       Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory (Stay Useless)

7.       WZRD - WZRD

8.       Anais Mitchell - Young Man in America

9.       Grimes - Visions

10.   Chiddy Bang - Breakfast

11.   Burial - Kindred EP

The 11 Most Anticipate Albums of Winter 2012

The final year of existence is upon us...and here's what we have to look forward to.

They always did say Van Halen would reunite when hell froze over.  I guess they were right.

Here are the 11 Most Anticipate Albums of Winter 2012:

1. Van Halen - Secret Title (2/7)
2. The Shins - Port of Morrow (March)
3. Craig Finn - Clear Eyes, Full Hearts (1/24)
4. Paul McCartney - Kisses on the Bottom (1/31)
5. Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror (2/14)
6. The Big Pink - Future This (1/17)
7. Of Montreal - Paralytic Stalks (1/31)
8. Heartless Bastards - Arrow (2/14)
9. Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society (2/28)
10. Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory (1/24)
11. Miike Snow - Happy To You (March)