From the Professor's Page: Halftime musings

Would you believe it, the first half of 2013 has already passed us by! At such a mid-way point I think it pays to reflect on all of the musical gifts we have been given thus far. We have had ripping new albums from veterans (Nick Cave, Black Sabbath, Tricky) and newcomers (Palms, Pillowfight) alike. It is at this juncture that Eclectik Electrik would like to highlight some of the best new songs we have had to gorge ourselves upon in no particular order. Click the title of any track to link through to the video/audio for your enjoyment. - Prof Ric.

Tricky – Parenthesis (from False Idols)

Tricky branded his latest album, False Idols, as a return to his roots. The track Parenthesis embodies that notion more than any others off his his record. The contrast between Tricky's own lackadaisical delivery and the aching falsetto from Peter Silberman of The Antlers would not be at all out of place on Maxinquaye. The funny part? It was their song first, Tricky just co-opted it for his album.

Tomahawk – South Paw (from Oddfellows)

Even though 'Stone Letter' was the early, radio-baiting release from Oddfellows 'South Paw' blows it out of the water at its own game. Infectious melodies, manic energy, and lyrics about some shit hanging off someone's lip. Tailor made to whip a crowd into a sweaty frenzy and throw their limbs around wildly. Gloriously daft and catchier than hyperherpes.

Rob Zombie – Ging Gang Gong De DoGong De Laga Raga (from Venemous Rat Regeneration Vendor)

You could never accuse Mister Zombie of being too deep or intellectual for most metal fans to understand. Rather than rehash more stories about sexy monsters and evil sexy monsters Rob has embraced the nonsense on 'Ging Gang Gong …'. Channeling the holy ghost of Butthole Surfers he even bails on his own song with an off-hand “Ah fuck it”.

Iron & Wine – Low Light Buddy ofMine (from Ghost On Ghost)

Sam Beam has been accused of being many things over the years – bleeding heart folkie, troubadour, anachronism – but late-night jazz groover has never been one of them. Well, 'Low Light Buddy of Mine' from Ghost On Ghost sure makes a good argument for yet another label. The track is dark and impossibly cool with a subtle funk coaxed out from the shadows.

Pillowfight – Lonely City (from Pillowfight)

Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura struck gold with singer Emily Wells and their Pillowfight collaboration is one of the most enjoyable records of the year so far. Among all the future-retro-soul you will find 'Lonely City', the blushing heart of the album. Wells delivers the right level of intensity with her breathy drawl and the buy into the sense of abandonment that she is singing about.

Jamie Lidell – Why_Ya_Why (from Jamie Lidell)

Make no mistake - this is a silly song. The big squelching beat, the seasick piano, the ramshackle horns, and Lidell doing his best Andre 3000 impersonation. Ok, so this song won't be to everybody's taste but I have always preferred Lidell when he pushes the envelope of good taste and allows himself to act a bit goofy.

Foals – Inhaler (from Holy Fires)

Full disclosure; when I heard this song on the radio one day, my first thought was “Since when did Deftones sound like this?”. Imagine my surprise when I found it was from critically acclaimed indie rockers Foals. Listening to the song it is clear that singer Yannis Philippakis has been studying his copy of White Pony very closely. This track positively soars and is one of the highlights of 2013 even though the single was technically released last year.

Mark Lanegan and Duke Garwood – ColdMolly (from Black Pudding)

I'm a Lanegan nut. No two ways around it, I'll give anything he does a go a probably enjoy it. He is one of my favourite musos and I would follow him to the ends of the Earth. What makes Black Pudding such an interesting listen is that it is a vanity project for Lanegan - he gets to work with one of his favourite musos, Duke Garwood. 'Cold Molly' harkens back to the skeletal funk workouts of 2004's Bubblegum.

Sound City Players – Centipede (from Sound City: Real to Reel)

Dave Grohl's Sound City documentary (and by extension the soundtrack) is a star-studded affair which makes it hard to pinpoint a highlight. Still it is always a treat to hear Homme work with Chris Goss of Masters of Reality, their two voices trade lines effortlessly. 'Centipede' starts out mysterious and acoustic until the heavy metal overtures explode all over the place.

Blood Ceremony – Witchwood (from The Eldritch Dark)

70s style throwback rock has become quite the fad as of late but few do it as well as Canada's Blood Ceremony. They offer up a thick brew consisting of Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, and Jefferson Airplane that smacks of authenticity and genuine homage to the genre's greats. Their secret weapon is the commanding presence of singer / flautist / organist Alia O'Brien who bewitches all over the opening track from The Eldritch Dark.

Black Sabbath – Loner (from 13)

For their monumental comeback album, the current incarnation of Black Sabbath have done everything to remind the people what has made them so important to the heavy metal genre. This unfortunately means many long, drawn out tracks that lack energy. 'Loner' is not one of them. It is driven by a Tony Iommi instant classic riff and bears more than a passing resemblance to 'NIB'. I can see this one being permanently added to their setlists in the future.

Melvins – Black Betty (from Everybody Loves Sausages)

When a band like Melvins decide to do a covers album what the hell can you expect? They have made a career out of their unpredictability and sense of humour so when they decide to bust out a relatively faithful rendition of blues standard 'Black Betty' its hard to know how to react. Luckily the song kicks ass so I guess we should just enjoy it for what it is.

Mad Season – Slip Away (from Above: Deluxe Edition)

Ok, so this one is a bit of a cheat. Mad Season broke up in 1999 after releasing their only album, Above. 2013 saw the release of the expanded edition which included, among other things, this delicious wee song. 'Slip Away' was written for the second record that never came to pass but sees the light of day anyway. Mark Lanegan (the only possible replacement in the group for Layne Staley) brings his infinite gravitas and Mike McCready does his best David Gilmour tribute.

Queens of the Stone Age – If I Had aTail (from …Like Clockwork)

Taking a look a the track list to …Like Clockwork I found it very unlikely that a song called 'If I Had a Tail' would become a fast favourite of mine. Luckily I was proven wrong. The slinky groove carries the extended food chain metaphor and drives it home making it one hell of a ride and one of this year's best. That's what I get for judging a book by its cover.

Portugal. The Man – Purple Yellow Redand Blue (from Evil Friends)

With the help of producer Danger Mouse, Alaska's Portugal. The Man are poised for big things. The entire Evil Friends album is screaming for wider attention and the song 'Purple Yellow Red and Blue' flat out demands attention. A cynic might call it the best MGMT song that MGMT never wrote but none of that changes the fact it is downright fun. “I just wanna be evil” is destined to be a crowd favourite singalong.

Jim James – State of the Art (from Regions of Light and Sound of God)

My Morning Jacket front man finally took his first proper foray into solo territory this year with Regions of Light and Sound of God. Inspired by the novel God's Man, this album sees James playing around with a few ideas that would never fly with The Jacket such as new wave and throwback soul. This track seems to lay out his manifesto for making music and sets the tone for the record.

Puscifer – Breathe (from Donkey Punch The Night EP)

Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer project just keeps going from strength to strength. This EP follows on from 2011's Conditions of My Parole and keeps us fans hungry for more music. Of the two original tracks on Donkey Punch The Night, 'Breathe' has the grander sound to it. This tracks seem to be tailor made for wigging out crowds at one of Puscifer's legendary and clandestine live shows. 

As fantastic as this year has been to us so far we would be foolish to not consider what is still to come. If the idea of new music from Nine Inch Nails, Franz Ferdinand, Cedric Bixler-Zavala (AKA Zavalaz), Janelle Monae, Deltron 3030, Gogol Bordello, MGMT, and Arctic Monkeys (just to name a few) doesn't get your pulse racing then you should check you are still alive.- Prof Ric.