For The Record(s): Best Local Releases of 2011

By Alif Omar Mahfix  •  in Music
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KYOTO PROTOCOL
AN ALBUM
Kyoto Protocol’s album title is a misnomer, a 5-track record is hardly an album. But we forgive them, An Album is a career-portentous EP that will make you salivate for more. ‘Mosquito’ is feet-tapping fun but don’t let that distract you from the lyrics, Fuad is one helluva songwriter; “suckle on breast til you’re 18/ go to university and get your degree/ exit a product of the big machine.”

ROLLIN’ SIXERS
SELF-TITLED
After being in the local music scene for almost a decade, KL blues rock quintet Rollin’ Sixers finally released their self-titled debut album. The production quality is top notch considering the fact that it was recorded at guitarist (and indie filmmaker) Khai Bahar’s home. Artimus Piles really digs them, that must mean something.

ZEE AVI
GHOSTBIRD
The follow-up to Zee Avi’s debut sees subtle experimentations such as the hints of electronic sounds peppered here and there, giving the album a much needed break from the otherwise monochrome sounds of acoustic guitar and vocals. Ghostbird is Zee fulfilling her artistic potential, free of the Jack Johnson sleep-inducing influence.

LIYANA FIZI
BETWEEN THE LINES
Liyana Fizi’s Between the Lines isn’t her debut per se, it is however her first attempt to show her mettle as a solo act. While the album still sounds a lot like her former band Estrella, you can’t fault Liyana for it seeing as how Estrella was purely distinguishable by her voice. Her English songs fare better than her Malay tracks, but lead single ‘Jatuh’ is a great barometer to judge someone’s emotional quotient.

SILENT SCENERY
THESE STILL MOMENTS
Sounding like the antithesis of its predecessor When We Escape from the Moonlight, These Still Moments sees the semi-instrumental progrock band Silent Scenery adopting a more cheerful disposition.  While this could be an attempt to cater to a wider crowd, we are not complaining at all. The band claims their tunes are composed to be the soundtrack of our life. Guess what? We do prefer the OST to our Life to be more joyful and less morose.

FURNITURE
THEY MADE ME OUT OF DREAMS YOU’VE FORGOTTEN
Unlike their debut release, Twilight Chases The Sun, this album has more of an upbeat indie pop feel compared to the shoegaze vibe of its predecessor. With evidently matured lyrics and solidified music arrangements, the album is a delight from start to finish. ‘All Too Morose Parties’, despite being awfully punny, is an enjoyable upbeat song, although lyrically it’s really about the end of the world. Hello 2012!