WMSE Picks of 2013
POSTED:: December 20, 2013
FILED UNDER:: Top Airplay
Maybe there are too many best-of lists by years’ end, but it must be said, that as far as Milwaukee music aficionados go, no group of people knows music, front-to-back, across all genres, than the DJs of WMSE. You see it on our weekly top airplay charts and hear it for yourself on your radios and through your headphones and computer speakers. WMSE DJs are volunteers because they love music, and it shows: each program is designed, per DJ, to introduce the listener to both old favorites and newly-becoming classics.
Already got a favorite WMSE DJ? Take a peek at what they liked this past year, then check out the rest. You might find your own tastes aligning with DJs whose shows you might not be familiar with. Here’s the best of the best from us, to you. Thanks for another great year of Frontier Radio.
Tom Crawford, WMSE Station Manager
Mondays, 3pm – 6pm / The Rock Ride
Subrosa, More Constant Than Gods
Solyst, Lead
Hello Death, Hello Death
Toy, Join the Dots
Lapalux, Nostalchic
Billy Cicerelli, WMSE Recording Engineer
Tuesdays, 6pm – 7pm / Local/Live (+various shows)
David Bowie, The Next Day
Justin Shoman, WMSE Development Director
Peals, Walking Field
Tim Hecker, Virgins
William Tyler, Impossible Truth
Fuzz, Fuzz
Bill Callahan, Dream River
Matt Schoeffler, WMSE Underwriting Director
WMSE DJ sub / various shows
Deafheaven, Sunbather
Palms, Palms
Ghostface Killah/Adrian Younge, Twelve Reasons to Die
Volcano Choir, Repave
The Wonder Years, The Greatest Generation
Chris Demay, WMSE Volunteer Coordinator
Dr. Dog, B-Room
The Men, New Moon
Altos, Earth film score at Milwaukee Film Festival
Robbie Fulks, Gone Away Backwards
Steve Gunn, Time Off
Neko Case, The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Ghostface Killah/Adrian Younge, Twelve Reasons to Die
The Black Angels, Indigo Meadow
Bob Dylan, Another Self Portrait (1969 – 1971): The Bootleg Series Vol. 10
Erin Wolf, WMSE Music Director
Tuesdays 12:30pm – 3pm + 6pm – 7pm / The Rockleidoscope Show + Local/Live
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Push The Sky Away
William Tyler, Impossible Truth
Janelle Monae, The Electric Lady
Old Earth, Small Hours
Bill Callahan, Dream River
Ryan Schleicher, WMSE Promotions Director
Thursdays 12:30pm – 3pm / The Richard Nice Show
Otis Redding, Lonely & Blue
Soundtrack, Inside Llewyn Davis
Ty Segall, Fuzz + Sleeper
Altos, Earth film score at Milwaukee Film Festival
Leonard Cohen, live at the Milwaukee Theater
Alex Stafford, WMSE Loud Rock Director
WMSE DJ sub / Team Metal + The Rock Ride
Black Sabbath, 13
Carcass, Surgical Steel
Queens Of the Stone Age, Like Clockwork
Ghost, Infestissumam + If You Have Ghost EP
Motorhead, Aftershock
Buzz
Mondays 6pm – 9 pm / Buzz’s Garage
The Gories, The Shaw Tapes: Live in Detroit 5/27/88
Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds, Haunted Head
The Oblivians, Desperation
Gino & The Goons, Gino & the Goons
Neighborhood Brats, No Sun No Tan
Paul Cebar
alternating Saturdays, 9am – 12pm / Way Back Home
Vic & Gab, Love Of Mine
James Hunter Six, Minute By Minute
Ron Sexsmith, Forever Endeavor
Gregory Porter, Liquid Spirit
David Egan, David Egan
My alter-ego’s faves:
Charles Bradley, Victim Of Love
Joseph Kabasele (Le Grand Kalle): La Grand Kalle: His Life, His Music
George Jackson: Don’t Count Me Out
Family Atlantica: Family Atlantica
Nikki Hill: Here’s Nikki Hill
Dania
Thursdays 3am – 6am / Wave Tank
Frak, Erase
The Knife, Shaking The Habitual
Makina Girgir, Torment
Beat Detectives, Casual Encounters Of the Third Kind
DVA Damas, Nightshade
Christopher Twining
alternating Saturdays 3pm – 6pm / Milwaukee Rock Posters + Why My Head Hurts
Iggy and the Stooges, Ready To Die
Go Go Slow, Gravel Road singles
Paul Cebar, Fine Rude Thing
Victor de Lorenzo, Pancake Day
Mary Bartlein
Saturdays 6pm – 9pm / Instrumental Saturdays
Ludovico Einaudi, In a Time Lapse
Anything that Ludovico releases is beautiful; this is just one in a long line of exceptional piano CDs. You
can never go wrong with this artist. He could put out a CD of finger snapping and it would be captivating.
Cyberchump, Flutter and Flow
This, in my book, is the very best Cyberchump CD. I love the whole feel of this CD.
Marys Brother, Depression Almanac
Lots to pick from on this CD from local Milwaukee musician. 20 tracks from ambient to electronica all with the quirky Marys Brother twist.
Ulrich Schnauss, A Long Way to Fall
The latest – and I think the best – from this German electronica musician.
David Helpling and Jon Jenkins, Found
It is the last in a trio of CDs created by this most dynamic duo. I adore their sound, from the lush ambient pieces to their signature hard driving, soul shaking percussion pieces.
Rich Mars
the first three Wednesdays, 6pm – 9pm / The City Rock Showgram
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Push the Sky Away
Savages, Silence Yourself
Animal Magnets, Step On Your Neck
Crocodiles, Crimes Of Passion
Oblivians, Desperation
Pat Buckley
alternating Mondays 6am – 9am / The Happy Monday Show
James Blake, Overgrown
Foxygen, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
William Onyeabor, World Psychedelic Classics Vol. 5: Who Is William Onyeabor?
Kurt Vile, Wakin On a Pretty Daze
King Khan and the Shrines, Idle No More
Andy Turner
Fridays 12pm – 3pm / Zero Hour
Oblivians, Desperation
Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders, 14th and Nowhere
La La Brooks, All Or Nothing
Hickoids, Hairy Chafin’ Ape Suit
John Paul Keith, Memphis Circa 3 AM
Lovesores, Bubblegum Riot EP
Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, Dig That Savage Soul
Miss Chain & The Broken Heels, The Dawn
Ogres, The Acrid and Misanthropic Sounds Of…
King Salami and the Cumberland 3, Cookin’ Up a Party
Caryn
alternating Sundays 10:30pm – 12am / Female Focus
Joan Jett, Unvarnished
Chris Pureka, Chimera 2
Vic and Gab, Love Of Mine
Haim, Days Are Gone
Tegan and Sara, Heartthrob
Scott Lucey
Wednesdays 6am – 9am / Digital Dumplings in Analog Gravy
Volcano Choir, Repave
All Tiny Creatures, Dark Clock
Akron/Family, Sub Verses
Fatty Acids, Bolero
Hello Death, Hello Death
J.D’cell
Sundays 12am – 3am / Alternative Bliss
Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold
TV Ghost, Disconnect
Guided By Voices, English Little League
The Violet Hour, Not Haunted
Weekend, Jinx
Jonny Z
Fridays 9am – 12pm / The Chicken Shack
Barrence Whitfield and the Savages, Dig Thy Savage Soul
Tony Joe White, Hoodoo
Sturgill Simpson, High Top Mountain
Dan Baird and the Homemade Sin, Circus Life
Semi-Twang, The Why and the What For
Animal Magnets, Step On Your Neck
Son Volt, Honky Tonk
Yvette Landry, No Man’s Land
Jerry Lee Lewis, Southern Roots
Daniel Romano, Come Cry With Me
Sonia
Fridays 3pm – 6pm / The Blues Drive
Magic Sam, Live at the Avant Garde
Charlie Musselwhite, Juke Joint Chapel
Barrelhouse Chuck & Kim Wilson’s Blues All-Stars, Driftin’ From Town to Town
Jimmy Vivino & The Black Italians, 13 Live
Skydog, The Duane Allman Retrospective
bts.wrkng
Mondays 9pm – 12am / bts.wrkng
Vakula, You’ve Never Been to Konotop (Selected Works 2009 – 2012)
Steve Moore, Pangaea Ultima
Boards Of Canada, Tomorrow’s Harvest
The-Drum, Contact
Voigt & Voigt, Die Zauberhafte Welt der Andersen
Jenny Weber
last Wednesday 6pm – 9pm / The City Rock Showgram
Fuzz, Fuzz
Ty Segall, Sleeper
Unwed Teenage Mothers, Forever Until You Are Bones
Mikal Cronin, MCII
Shannon and the Clams, Dreams In the Rat House
Dr. Sushi
Tuesdays 9am – 12pm / Dr. Sushi’s Free Jazz BBQ
Various Artists, Long Story Short
The Rempis Percussion Quartet, Phlanx
Roscoe Mitchell, Duets
Frank Rosaly, Cicada Music
Pat Metheny, Tap: John Zorn’s Book of Angels Vol. 20
Timmy Jam
alternating Mondays 12am / Timmy Jam’s Theory of A Funk Opera
The Foreign Exchange, Love In Flying Colors
The Foreign Exchange, The Reworks
Janelle Monae, The Electric Lady
Zo!, ManMade
The Robert Glasper Experiment, Black Radio 2
Jeff Joy
alternating Wednesdays 3pm – 6pm / The Blues Drive
Buddy Guy, Rhythm & Blues
Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Lickety Split
Barrelhouse Chuck & Kim Wilson’s Blues All Stars, Driftin From Town to Town
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Made Up Mind
James Hunter Six, Minute By Minute
Brian Jay
Mondays 9am – 11:30am / World Music Mondays
Federico Aubele, 5
Alex Cuba, Ruido En El Sistema
Ravi Shankar, The Living Room Sessions Part 2
Carla Bruni, Little French Songs
Intended Immigration, La Demoiselle Du Fonque
Mickey
Mondays, 3am – 6am / The Wax Addicts
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
This was the album that was easiest to go back to again and again. Every track hits and will make you boogie in your seat when you listen to it.
Favorite track: “Lose Yourself to Dance”
Phosphorescent, Muchacho
This was the dark horse for me. It’s hard not to be drawn in from the enchanting sounds of the first track, “Sun, Arise!”. Soul-infused blues produced to take you on a mellow, harmonic journey.
Favorite track: “The Quotidian Beasts”
Earl Sweatshirt, Doris
The much-awaited second album was no disappointment from this OFWKTA member. His verses seem effortless despite maintaining crazy rhyme schemes. Earl definitely is one of my favorite emcees and a wordsmith worth checking out.
Favorite track: “Chum”
Young Fathers, Tape Two
Signed to Anticon and hailing from Edinburgh, this outfit melds together so many different sounds, it is difficult to attempt to categorize them. Some call it alternative hip hop while they describe themselves as a “psychedelic hip hop boy band”. Earlier in the year, they released Tape One; you want both of these.
Favorite track: “I Heard”
Ghostface Killah/Adrian Younge, Twelve Reasons To Die
Produced by Adrian Younge, this album is as funky and soulful as anything RZA has done for Ghostface. Younge also masterfully produced an album for Delfonics which gave him a little material to start work with Ghostface. Features from fellow Wu-Tang member, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and U-God help round out a vibe which has been heard before from these hip hop vets, yet they still somehow keep you locked.
Favorite track: “Rise of the Black Suits”
Other faves from the Year:
Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city
Tricky, False Idols
Run the Jewels, Run the Jewels
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, II
Ghostpoet, Some Say I So I Say Light
Suuns, Images Du Futur
Javelin, Hi Beams
Boldy James, My 1st Chemistry Set
Thundercat, Apocalypse
King Krule, 6 Fett Beneath The Moon
Local picks:
The Fatty Acids, Bolero
Sat. Nite Duets, Electric Manland
Fable & The World Flat, The Great Attractor
Faux Fir, Fashionable Life
Scallops Hotel, Poplar Grove (or how to rap with a hammer)
Kane Place Record Club, Kane Place Record Club
Like Like The The The Death, Cave Jenny
L&R, LandR
Kid Millions and the Sounds of Time, Kid Millions and the Sounds of Time
Hello Death, Hello Death
Craig Mertes
Tuesdays 6am – 9am / The Shape Of Rock
Myles Coyne and the Rusty Nickel Band, Take Things As They Come
The Hussy, Pagan Hiss
Hot Coffin, LAW
Whips, Year One
Hello Death, Hello Death
Hal Rammel
Sundays 6pm – 9pm / Alternating Currents
Rob Mazurek Pulsar Quartet (with pianist Angelica Sanchez), Stellar Pulsation
Rob Mazurek Octet (with Nicole Mitchell and Jason Adasiewicz), Skull Sessions
Nicole Miller, Nicole Miller’s Ice Crystal (with Jason Adasiewicz, Joshua Abrams and Frank Rosaly)
Roscoe Mitchell, Duets With Tyshawn Sorey and Hugh Ragin
Ahmad Jamal, Saturday Morning
Eric Von Munz
Tuesdays 3am – 6am / The Von Munz Vinyl Variety Show
Fuzz, Fuzz
We work late at the Factory screen-printing T’s and stuff. One Wednesday evening a DJ came on and played THE MOST FANTASTIC GARAGE SET. I was stoked. The DJ’s name was Jennifer. The station must have just put the CD out to air. She played a bunch of the disc. I bought the LP three days later. I saw Mr. Crawford’s mind BLOW as I aired “One”.
The Dirtbombs, Ooey Gooey Chewy Kablooey
Buzz posted a photo of this on the Friendster and I was rabid. The DIRTBOMBS?!? A NEW LP?!? MICK COLLINS?!? But I was broke. I heard SO MANY DJs play tracks from this LP. I NEEDED IT NOW. Finally I was able to save up enough allowance and it was on my ‘table! This is a Concept Record? Well, if solid booty shakin’ is a CONCEPT, count me in!
Oblivians, Desperation
Uh. YEAH. This record RIPS.
The Spyrals, The Spyrals
Okay. I’ll admit it. I don’t have the 2013 Spyrals LP. YET. But I do listen to Tom Wanderer’s set weekly. I also know that ACME does their best to keep it in stock. Their self-title 2012 release dropped my jaw, and if Tom says their new one is better…win!
Kid Congo and the Pink Monkeybirds, Haunted Head
Zero Hour spun “Dance Me Swamply” and I was hooked. This album is creepycool. Kid Congo Powers is a musician worth investigating.
Kevin Cannon
Saturdays, 9am – 12pm / The Blues Jam
Studebaker John’s Maxwell St. Kings, Kingsville Jukin’
Randy Brecker, The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion
Skydog, The Duane Allman Retrospective
Greg Koch Band, Plays Well With Others
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Made Up Mind
Gov’t Mule, Shout!
James Hunter Six, Minute By Minute
Buddy Guy, Rhythm & Blues
Faux Eyes
Mondays 12:30pm – 3pm / Armed Fauxes Radio
Queens of the Stone Age, Like Clockwork
Sugar Stems, Can’t Wait
Foxygen, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic
Delphines, Fear
Hello Death, Hello Death
The Good John
WMSE DJ sub / The Chicken Shack + The Rock Ride
Doghouse Flowers, Chasing the Sun
Sturgill Simpson, High Top Mountain
Ten Foot Polecats, Undertow
Fifth On the Floor, Ashes & Angels
Left Lane Cruiser, Rock Them Back To Hell
The Tillers, Hand On the Plow
John Paul Keith, Memphis Circa 3AM
Eric Strickland & The B Sides, I’m Bad For You
I Lick Any Sonofab**** In The House, Mayberry
Son Volt, Honky Tonk
Jon Blick
Thursdays, 12am – 3am / Overnight Sensations
AciD, AciD
Myles Coyne and the Rusty Nickel Band
Friendliest record of the year, if there is such a thing. If only all those ‘neo-folk-rock’ bands were this much fun. Catch them at a club around town, if you get a chance.
The 57s, 3 Of Swords
Powerful, rocking debut EP from Milwaukee garage popsters. I hope there is more to come, soon.
Jake Bugg, Jake Bugg + Shangri-La
Do we still have “new Dylans”? These albums remind me of the old Dylan’s best 60s work.
Superchunk, I Hate Music
This band is on a roll. A rockin’ roll.
Honorable mentions:
Calliope, Calliope
David Bowie, The Next Day
Purgatory Hill, Invisible Pilots
Buffalo Gospel, We Can Be Horses
Jim Jones Revue, The Savage Heart
Crocodiles, Crimes Of Passion
Those Darlins, Blur the Line
Lee Renaldo & The Dust, Last Night On Earth
Dinny Bulca, Ladies & Gentlemen
Rick Israel
alternating Wednesdays, 9am – 12pm / Urban Fantasy
Amir El Saffar, Alchemy
Roscoe Mitchell Quartet, Live at “A Space” 1975
Rob Mazurek Octet, Skull Sessions
Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter
Vlady Bystrov and Alexey Lapin, Trioloque
Tim Noble
alternating Saturdays, 3pm – 6pm / Milwaukee Rock Posters + Why My Head Hurts
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
Savages, Silence Yourself
Arctic Monkeys, AM
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Push the Sky Away
Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold
Shopkeeper Ken
alternating Thursdays, 9am – 12pm / The Five & Dime Show
Cian Nugent & The Cosmos, Born With the Caul
Chris Forsyth, Solar Motel
Idassane Wallet and Mohammed Issawat, Sahel Sounds
Mind Over Mirrors, When The Rest Are Up At Four
William Tyler, Impossible Truth
Re-issues:
Bob Dylan, Another Self Portrait (1969 – 1971): The Bootleg Series Vol. 10
Joseph Kabasele, Le Grand Kalle His Life In Music
Meridian Borthers, Devocion (Works 2005 – 2011)
Eduard Artemiev, Solaris: Original Soundtrack
Colomach, Colomach
Jason Ellis
Wednesdays, 9pm – 12am / Team Metal
Cathedral, The Last Spire
Grave Upheaval, Untitled
Cultes des Ghoules, Henbane
Temple Nightside, Condemnation
Satyricon, Satyricon
Cauchemar, Tenebrario
Honorable mention:
Void Meditation Cult, Sulfurous Prayers of Blight and Darknes
Dread Sovereign, Pray to the Devil in Man
Top 6 cassettes I have gotten this year:
Funeral and the Twilight, Lust
Pissgrave, Pissgrave
Mysophilia, Priestcraft
Atrum Inritus, Where Serpents Dwell
Nuclear Hellfrost/Tetragrammaton, split release
Tons of great stuff came out this year. Email me teammetal917@yahoo.com if you want a list.
Rose
Sundays, 10:30pm – 12am + Mondays, 12am – 3am / Female Focus + Rock & Blues
Janelle Monae, The Electric Lady
Electric high energy R&B from one of today’s most creative young artists. Just as good (or even better!) than Monae’s 2010 The ArchAndroid CD.
Tarja, Colours of the Dark
Fourth Solo CD from the symphonic metal soprano, Tarja is lyrical and filled with beautiful melodies.
Booker T, Sound the Alarm
Soulful blues and R&B from one of the great masters; features a number of guest vocalists.
Todd Wolfe Band, Miles To Go
Excellent blues rock music with a touch of psychedelia.
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Made Up Mind
Another strong blues CD from Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and company.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Unvarnished
More edgy rock music from Joan.
Gov’t Mule, Shout!
2-CD set of great blues rock music; 2nd CD features guest vocalists.
India.Arie, SongVersation
Positive, thoughtful and uplifting songs from acoustic R&B artist.
Vic & Gab, Love Of Mine
Talented Milwaukee duo exceptional CD of catchy and well-crafted, well-produced music.
Adam Wroblewski
WMSE DJ sub / various shows
MS MR, Secondhand Rapture
Clutch, Earth Rocker
Chic Gamine, Closer
Polica, Shulmith
Depeche Mode, Delta Machine
Cal Roach
Tuesdays, 6pm – 7pm / Local/Live
Forest Swords, Engravings
The Field, Cupid’s Head
Ceramic Dog, Your Turn
Alter Of Plagues, Teethed Glory and Injury
Death Grips, Government Plates
Zack Holder
WMSE Music Department volunteer
Bad Sports, Bras
Steve Earle and the Dukes (and Duchesses), The Low Highway
Jason Isbell, Southeastern
Daniel Romano, Come Cry With Me
The Sugar Stems, Can’t Wait
E-Form
WMSE DJ sub / various shows
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Push the Sky Away
Chance the Rapper, Acid Rain
Neko Case, The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Daft Punk, Random Access Memories
Janelle Monae, The Electric Lady
Grant
alternating Mondays, 6am – 9am / The Happy Monday Show
Tegan and Sara, Heartthrob
Neko Case, The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires In the City
Low, The Invisible Way
Paul Cebar, Fine Rude Thing
older (early-mid 90’s) releases:
Sugar, Copper Blue
Bjork, Debut
Liz Phair, Exile In Guyville
The Jayhawks, Hollywood Town Hall
Portishead, Dummy