Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Albums of 2012

I'm a bit late on the delivery of my list of favorite albums this year, but the list itself was one of the easiest I've ever made. That's not to say that 2012 was so devoid of quality music that only a select few records made themselves worthy of inclusion. Rather, it felt as if there were loads of great records released over the past year, but only a few of them truly amazed and inspired me. So, roll up your sleeves, pour yourself a beverage of your choosing and join me as I attempt to explain to you why I liked these albums more than all those other albums. For variety's sake, they're in reserve alphabetical order this time around.

Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2012 (Pt. I)

Can you feel that chill in the air? It must be time for the annual flurry of year-end lists. Following the precedent I set forth with last year's volley of meticulously annotated inventories, I'll be presenting my 40 favorite tracks of 2012 in two parts, followed by a list of my favorite albums released over the past year. I'll also be including the obligatory Spotify playlists for those of you who would prefer to listen to music instead of reading about it.

Album Review: Errors "Have Some Faith In Magic"

If the veritable fanfare of grandiose guitars and synth which open "Tusk" make one thing very clear, it's that the Glasgow post-electro purveyors known as Errors have arrived. Or perhaps they've been here all along? The quartet's third and latest record, entitled Have Some Faith In Magic, is hardly their first foray into melding synth-pop inclinations with more progressive tendencies. Unheard here are the stylistic disparities which made their sophomore effort Come Down With Me an exciting, though often haphazard listen. Still stuck somewhere between the dance floor and the rock hall, Errors have crafted a strikingly singular sound that is equally at home in either venue.

Early single "Magna Encarta" grinds to life as varying electronic tones merge to form a moody, neon symphony, pierced by comparatively organic percussion and guitars. Distant vocals enter the piece as it descends into an 8-bit dungeon, with a stuttering chiptune lament punctuating the track's final crescendos. Elsewhere, the mechanized shoegaze of "Blank Media" wallows in woozy keyboards against a persistently shifting bass line. By the time the glittering intro to "Pleasure Palaces" kicks in, the record's dense, atmospheric course has been all but set. Fuzzed-out guitars wail as spectral voices rise amidst the sea of digital swells, all set against a relentless, pulsing beat.

While the album's first half is far from conventional, its latter portion seems even more intent on maintaining an off-kilter sentiment. From the faltering detuned chords of "The Knock" to the alternately eerie and anthemic strains of "Cloud Chamber," the Scottish ensemble continually showcase an ear for strange yet tuneful compositions. These ethos are beautifully summed up in "Earthscore," a track which unfolds itself gradually as bubbling synths rubbing up against deftly manipulated vocals and thunderous stabs of bass. There's a palpable sense of experimentation present, certified by some truly strange musical moments which find inspiration in retro video game soundtracks and prog-rock indulgence.

Have Some Faith In Magic is a record that feels unified by a group that has comfortably grown into a unique and innovative sound. Shepherded by post-rock forefathers Mogwai, the fellow Scots have managed to transcend preconceived genre classification and forge their own path. These electro sorcerers have delivered their finest effort to date—a record brimming over with hooks, intelligence and more than a little indescribable magic.

Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2011 (Part I)

Every year when I sit down to write these lists, I find myself enjoying the process of compiling my favorite tracks more and more. Originally I started making this list as a sort of consolation for my inability to include each and every record I enjoyed on my favorite albums list. Now, I almost feel as if it's the more important and rewarding list—the outlet for my inner DJ, intent on sequencing hour after hour of exemplary music. These are the songs that serenaded a year of intense upheaval, as I left my home state for the bustling city. Each of them are something more that the sum of their chords, melodies and lyrics. They are the 40 songs that accompanied cross-country drives, late night train rides and walks through the neighborhood. In the year 2011, these are the tracks that meant the most to me.

On the Radar: Errors "Come Down With Me"

This side of the pond has missed out on the entirety of the catalog from Mogwai-founded Rock Action Records, which has put out a steady stream of releases in the UK since its inception. American audiences will be introduced to the label's offerings later this month when current Mogwai tourmates Errors unleash their latest full length Come Down With Me on April 12.

While Errors dabble in the same sort of atmospheric post-rock as their label's founders, the group's self-dubbed 'post-electro' sound finds them layering many of their instrumentals with thick layers of synth and other assorted electronics. Tracks like "A Rumour in Africa" and "Supertribe" exhibit an almost dancehall-like feel that falls in line with the work of bands like Holy Fuck and Ratatat. Conversely, there are moments on the record that sound like cast-offs from Mogwai's latest release, namely the ambling "Sorry About The Mess." It's this diversity that makes Errors' inaugural US release so exciting—a group whose execution is as consistent as its chameleon-like tendencies. A small taste of what's to come from Rock Action? I sure hope so.

MP3: Errors - "Supertribe"
MP3: Errors - "Sorry About The Mess"

Buy: Errors - Come Down With Me