12.1.2011

Hot Dang, the 2011 Awards Issue is upon us! This is our time to reflect back upon the folks we enountered throughout the past year and acknowledge some of the truly outstandning moments. Take some time to get all the way to the bottom and discover (or remember) some of the best Arizona has to offer. If we still don't know about your stellar band, project, business, or self, don't hesitate to drop us a line... we're getting ready for next year!! Warmly, the YabYummers

Tucson's Solar Culture offers art from entrance to exit, top to bottom, from the stage to the walls to the bathroom. Best of all, Solar Culture gallery is devoid of pretension. They accept art without a jury and sell without commission thereby keeping the focus on art and community.

This staff has visited many towns and seen many shows only to stumble back to a rented room for the night. Of all these experiences, Hotel Congress provided the best crash pad to date. Whether catching a show at Club Congress, the hotel's on-site venue, or checking out other rocking Tucson locales like Plush the supposedly-haunted hotel offers charm, a sense of history, and rest. If you're not a late night show-goer it might be best to request a room away from the club side...just a suggestion.

With four human members, the Runaway Five know what it means to rock. Their fifth member is their Nintendo Gameboy. Its effective use makes "chiptunes" even more badass. Although the band recently relocated to Chicago, we all know "Twoson" had 'em first.

This award is not about go-go boots and libidinal urges brought on by live shows although it easily could be. Instead, The Love Me Nots have been deemed this year's Hottest Band because they released their most rocking album yet, The Demon and the Devotee, and followed its release with some whirlwind touring both at home and abroad. The Love Me Nots are blazing.

With an outrageous live show containing more vices then you can shake a co-ed at, Broloaf has already built it's reputation on having a good time. With the release of Champions On Parade, the band's first full length, Broloaf now takes partying to a whole new level.

With only 8 tracks, Sun Ghost's Love, Hurt & Paradox just barely makes it into the full-length album category. But what songs! Leading the way in the pop revival going on in town, you're sure to be humming and singing right along after only a few listens.

It's a toss up. On the one hand, if you haven't checked out North Dakota yet you shouldn't be too hard on yourself because they haven't been together very long and only started playing around town in the recent months. On the other hand, North Dakota is so awesome you're already missing out big time. This trio of performers is not just about college-girl antics, this is an authentic post-punk good time.

Most of us have heard of the sophomore slump. A first album comes out that is so amazing it can't be followed by anything but disappointment. Cards with Cheats released this past June crushes the myth surrounding these second children. Amazing.

I always acknowledged that the ability to play a house party well is a skill. At a bar or club, the crowd at least has an idea of where their attention should be. At a house party that focus is up for grabs. There is usually alcohol. People of assorted genders drinking alcohol. Young, noisy, rowdy, increasingly-intoxicated people of assorted genders drinking alcohol. Playboy Manbaby's rambunctious musical stylings captivate crowds and transfer restless, unfocused energy into a powerhouse performance of nerdy hip-hop (accordion and all).

Hippie music has two essential qualities both of which Jake Payne embodies on his release Moonshine. First of all, the music must be portable meaning it can be performed during a rest on a nature walk. Secondly, it must make you feel lighthearted and in touch with the world around you. Jake's music does just that. The songs on Moonshine fill the listener with warmth and calm and, perhaps, a desire to frolic in the green outdoors.

Offering sound-healing monochords and soundwave massage beds, Sacred Rites in Flagstaff elevates sound to new levels. As music-lovers this is something we can philosophically get behind, sound heals.

Chookie is an album made for the optimism of summer sunsets, just a few hours from that night's party. Imagine the pop punk of the late-90s without the edges sanded off. Fun, bouncy and earnest, it's music to enhance our brightest summer days and offer hope in our darkest winters.

From its very beginning, Oak Street Basementsucks you into the world of Small Leaks Sink Ships and refuses to let go. Lucky (or unlucky) for you it's only five tracks long. Take twenty-nine minutes out of your day to immerse yourself in a great EP.

Derrick and Amy Ross of Bisbee are the musical duo known as Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl. Together they create music of unquestionable beauty and charm with only her voice and piano and his guitar. Each song is infused with a deepseated sense of place.

Keeping tabs on Marianne Dissard can be a daunting task. She's in Arizona, then Europe, then Japan... who knows where she'll turn up next? The French chanteuse calls Tucson home but she belongs to the world. We're always excited to learn when she's breezing through town because it means new songs and new adventures for her desert-based fans.

Brandon Decker was a local music revelation for me in 2011. While he's been recording tunes for years, the Sedona-based balladeer didn't hit my radar until six months ago. Recording as decker., he writes the kind of bluesy acoustic tunes that bear the comforting feeling of songs you've known forever. This songwriter has said that “Every song is a prayer,” and his songs hold the beauty of some divinity in every note. broken belts, broken bones, his newest EP, is out now on Mescal Porch Records.

Ft Lowell Records originally came to our attention with their super slick 7" vinyl releases in a variety of colors that will make any collector drool. When Ft Lowell decided to break from their 7"-only tradition this past year with Luz de Vida, a benefit album created to support the victims of the Tucson tragedy, our opinion was set in stone.

Ticky Tacky... where are you? In only a few scattered shows you drew us to you and then allowed the longing to build for months before offering another live event. We need regular doses of your music, not just teasing tastes. Please schedule appropriately to meet our requests..

No one has more heart than Bryant Vazquez and that's why he is our Spirit Award winner this year. There are many narcissistic performers out there that feign humility. There are even more that make music for some reason other than making music. Bryant's authenticity shines through in every performance. His unassuming nature and sincere commitment to music for the sake of music translates to heartfelt performances of inspired songs. Keep an eye on this one.

It may take talent and a whole lotta luck to make it in the music industry, but if hard work has anything to do with it party pop-ers Peachcake are most likely to get to the top. Combining consistent shows (including the recent opening slots for Peter Murphy/She Wants Revenge and Future Islands), constant updates (via social network sites and emailing), and cool giveaways (an ipod touch, exclusive downloads) Peachcake is well on their way to achieving global domination through dance music.

Nobody's going to tell me that IHOP dinners or mythological trucks aren't badass. To do so would be to face my (not insignifigant) ire. Dagg Nabbit Stubbs understand how respect is measured. This year they released a stellar EP of riff-heavy southern rock that manages to touch on these topics, as well as three-tittied ladies from Mars and Bull from Night Court. Not finding The Eagle's Greatest Hits awesome is beyond my abilities of comprehension.

Factories' self-titled EP is dance music for the night before the end of the world. It invites the wild abandon of any danceable synth-pop album, but a darkness runs through these tunes that both encourages wilder dancing and creates the feeling that something very bad is about to happen... as soon as the song ends. The band has an LP coming soon, according to their website. Their first EP is available for download so check it out.

The Ice House Tavern might be easily overlooked with its tucked away location behind an ice rink in Phoenix, but once discovered it is not easily forgotten. It somehow achieves a radical harmony of hockey bar and music joint. The bands that play the Ice House Tavern (not to be confused with the other Icehouse in Phoenix) are a rare mix of established acts, newbies looking for a break, and rare talents. Kenda, our favorite bouncer Valleywide, guards the door so watch yourself and have a good time.

They might have started thirty years ago but the Meat Puppets haven't lost their musical prowess over the years. We've all seen too many bands falter over decades of album productions. Not this band. This year's Lollipop proves the Puppets still have more than enough rock in them to make a killer album.

Well it's been a heck of a year ladies and gentlemen! We look forward to next year where will be giving you even more coverage on the music and art of Arizona. So make sure to have yourself some safe and happy holidays and we'll see you in 2012!