Whether it’s a band’s debut (thank you bandcamp!), leftovers from a previous album, or a taste of what’s to come, the EP serves a number of different purposes. A handful of our favorite artists released short albums in 2011, hit the jump to check out our favorites.
Micah:
1. Alabama Shakes: S/T
Brittany Howard and The Alabama Shakes are bringing back the soul music of the 60′s and 70′s with a vengeance. They may be recycling some sounds of the past, but when your revival outfit includes a singer that sounds like Tina in her heyday and a band that will leave you dripping sweat on the dance floor, well, it doesn’t really matter.
MP3: Alabama Shakes: I Found You
My love for this young Athens, GA group is well known on this blog. Futurebirds’ reverb soaked twang and psychedelic fare is alive and well on their latest EP Via Flamina, which includes covers of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” and Stevie Nicks’ “Wild Heart.”
3. Surfer Blood: Tarot Classics
Surfer Blood followed up their smash hit Astrocoast with this short set of songs. Sticking to their power-pop formula, the band displays their knack for catchy hooks on tracks like “I’m Not Ready” and “Miranda,” giving fans a taste of whats to come on their yet to be announced major label debut.
Tim:
1. Bad Lamps: Soultronic
Seemingly coming from nowhere, indeed even my own discovery of this band came from a random encounter. Catchy tunes from a promising band.
MP3: Bad Lamps: Never Know The Difference
2. The Novel Ideas: Summer Demos
Packaged for Summer, it is hard to live in the wind and cold and kick back to these jams. These guys have a few projects going, but this set of demos where a great glimpse of what is and what could be.
3. Painted Palms: Canopy
Because this is hazy pop done right, by a group of youngsters who seem to have full control of their instruments. Crafting buoyant pop was never more in, but this Bay Duo put together a fun, listenable album. We await for more.
MP3: Painted Palms: Falling Asleep
Jeremy:
1. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah: Well Done
Action Bronson had a huge year. Two releases, with heavyweight producers Tommy Mas and Statik Selektah, on Dr. Lecter and Well Done respectively, have done big things for the Queens MC. Action Bronson’s manic flow, considerable vocabulary and wordplay on the latter give him this earnest, undeniable swagger. Paired with Statik Selektah’s lush horns and strings over his mean break beats and striking samples makes Well Done one of the most cohesive hip hop releases of 2011.
MP3: Action Bronson & Statik Selektah: Cliff Notes
2. Curren$y & The Alchemist: Covert Coup
At this point in the year, some may have forgotten about Curren$y and Alchemist’s collaboration that dropped back in March. We stand by this EP as one of the year’s best and under appreciated. Alchemist’s rich and dense production provides a dark and soulful contrast to Curren$y’s windy, loquacious lyricism and adept delivery.
MP3: Curren$y & The Alchemist: BBS
