Sound Verite Favorite Records 2012

Sound Verite's Favorite Records of 2012.

1. Grizzly Bear –Shields
Grizzly Bear return with balls. The first singles “Sleeping Ute and “Yet Again” has more bang than one would expect from quite champions and still just as majestic.
"Yet Again"-video

2. The Weeknd -Trilogy
With the success of their drugged-out mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday & Echoes of Silence, Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye and the production craft of Minnesota native Doc Mckinney (Santigold/Muja Messiah/Drake) and Illlangelo take R&B on a stylistic detour.
"Rolling Stone-video

3. Beach House -Bloom
Beautiful melodies and classic dark & pretty guitars.
"Wild"-video

4. Kendrick Lamar –Good Kid, Madd City
Compton kid channels early Nas, brings Los Angeles back with a vengence along with his Black Hippy crew of Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul & Jay Rock and assist from Dr. Dre.
"Swimming Pools (Drank)"-video

5. Cat Power –Sun Chan Marshal big comeback was incredibly enjoyable, complete with big positive songs that make you think shes actually happy.
"Ruin"-mp3

6. Dean Blunt & Inga Copeland –Black Is Beautiful
If Massive Attack were bout it currenetly they'd be somewhere near Blunt and Copeland. Giving slowed down seduction a new meaning ”torched-in”?
"Baby"-mp3

7. Santigold –Master Of My Make Believe
“Disparate Youth”, “God From The Machine” and “The Riot's Gone” are worth the price of admission alone. Although not as fresh or surprising as her debut.
"Disparate Youth"-video

8. Flying Lotus -Until The Quiet Comes
The great-nephew of Alice Coltrane gets assist from artist like Thom Yorke, Erykah Badu and Thundercat to round out another opus of jazz inspired electronics soaked in modern beats and soul excursions buried in the mix.
"Tiny Tortures"-video

9. Nas –Life Is Good
While Life Is Good clearly doesn't have the hunger or direct vision of Nas' debut Illmatic, it may be Nas most complete record since 2002's God's Son. With standout tracks like “No Introduction”, “Daughters”, “The Don”, ”Loco-Motive”, “Back When” and ”Nasty” he prevails in capturing the spirit of that kid from Illmatic. Sound Verite and others review Life Is Good at Reviler.
"The Don"-video

10. Raveonetts -Observator
Gorgeous arrangements and lush guitars awash in careful measures.

10. Frank Ocean -Channel Orange
Frank Ocean has made a quite a powerful statement, colored in so many shades of pop music's kaleidoscope. Whether as keeper of the flame of a Wonder or Prince or as playful with the experimental cadences of Kayne West and Fiona Apple. It seems he was inspired to deliver a great record full of bold confessions, joy, personal tragedy, dark views of city life and beautiful conceptual narratives. Ocean's falsetto is rich, nuanced and full of drama. Channel Orange reviewed by Sound Verite and others at Reviler.
"Pyramids"-video

Mike The Martyr -"The Shield"-mp3

Minneapolis producer/MC Mike The Martyr goes in over a Joey Bada$$ track, "Daily Routine".

Frank Ocean -"Wise Man"-mp3

Breakout artist Frank Ocean ran 2012 like a dope dealer in the early 90's. Finishing the year with his contribution "Wise Man", originally recorded for the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained. Although the track didn't make the soundtrack it's an elegant harrowing ballad that ironically seems perfect, no worries he says "Django was ill without it." Sound Verite reviewed Frank Ocean's debut Channel Orange at Reviler.

Sound Verite Local Favorites 2012

Sound Verite Favorite Local Records 2012

I Self Devine – The Sounds Of Low Class Amerikkka
Chaka Mkali, otherwise known as I Self Devine, is a steady, consistent MC with a strong desire to educate and inform his audience through his lyrics. He is often described as “conscious” MC; while that's true, I Self Devine is more of a realist, painting narratives that even in showcases the failures and how to work within and outside the system in today's society.

Polica – Give You The Ghost
Minneapolis goes down tempo, bringing the beats to indie rock.

Meta - Meta May
With a sprawling song a day during the month of May, MC Meta marked his space as an ace lyricist.

Brother Ali -Mourning in America And Dreaming In Color
Hip-Hop's everyman who's insights into family, religion, life, world views and treatment of indigenious people show his respected command and attention to detail.

Crimes -Good Hope
Beautiful melodies soaked mysterious in a Midwestern sincerity.

Mally – The Last Great
Rookie goes in becomes official.

Night Moves -Colored Emotions
Bringing the good old twangy psychedelic tunes like “Country Queen” and the sweeping beauty of their hit “Headlights” to the indie kids.

Mike The Matryr – Lake Street Store: Over The Counter
Stacked with heavy guest Slug, I Self Devine, A.G. (DITC), Triple Seis & Muja Messiah.

P.O.S. - We Don't Even Live Here
Musical innovator, good dude with creativity pouring through his veins and massive supporter of local artist, thank god he calls Minneapolis home.

Solid Gold – Eat Your Own
Hometown heroes make like Pet Shop Boys.

Mankwe -Science and Spirits
Atmosphere vocalist/artist make like India Irie.

Villa Rosa - Exotic Paraphenalia EP
Maria Isa and Muja Messiah'e summertime ep included the weed blazer “Rocketship” and their brilliant take on Eminem's “Renegade”

BdotCroc – Hear Forever
With an impressive mixtape, sharpening her skills as she gets assist from Brother Ali and Rocky Diamonds and is full of new school swagger check her track “Pressure”.

BNLX -BNLX
Polished Anglo-file goes new school techies.

A$AP Rocky -“Long Live A$AP” -mp3

A$AP Rocky gets all crunk with guest like gulp, Skrillex on “Wild For The Night”. From A$AP Rocky's debut Long.Live.A$AP, out January 15th. Updated new track LONG LIVE A$AP.

Mally -"I Am (Prod. by Medium Zach)"-mp3

Minneapolis gifted lyricist Mally released his "proper" debut The Last Great and murked everything in it's sight. He ends a fantastic year with a new track "I Am" produced by Medium Zach. IPR The Institute of Production & Recording in Downtown Minneapolis work together every quarter with the students to work with Rhymesayers artists and other indie artists to learn techniques, recording/studio processes and also witness songs getting created live in the class! “I AM” is a track that was done in our Spring 2012 Quarter.

Yo La Tango -"Ohm"-video

Indie rock grandparents return with "Ohm" from their Jan.15th release Fade.