The Top 12 of 2011: #10 - Gringo Star

In years past, I've tended to fret and stress and just about hyperventilate about the whole "so many records to catch up on, so little time" situation that is the creation of those end of year/best of lists. In order to alleviate some of the fretting (and the frown lines!), I've decided it was time to streamline the whole process and make it something beautifully simple. I chose a dozen records that I've really loved this past year, and ranked them. The rankings, friends, come courtesy of the ole iPod. It's practically scientific, y'all! What the iPod says goes. At least, this time anyway.

Why I Decree It To Be So: Gringo Star "steps a bit outside their penchant for rejigging those Kinks and Zombies sounds of the early 60s quite often on Count Yer Lucky Stars, a move that usually ends rather well on this here record. Much as when the Beatles discovered psychedelic drugs, the Gringos too have expanded and grown their sound, at times into cloudy, kaleidoscopic swirls built on the more traditional noises they've trended towards. Count Yer Lucky Stars is full of good time songs made by good time gents for good time guys and gals. And as a good time gal, I certainly appreciate the effort." (more here)

mp3: Shadow (Gringo Star from Count Yer Lucky Stars)