#8 Album of 2009: Kemmler

The most rewarding part of having my own record label is putting out music that I am truly amazed by. Kemmler's Eleven Fifity-Nine is one of the two that I released this year, and I am happy to say that even after repeated listening, I am still amazed by this album.

"Shaq" by Kemmler

#8

Eleven Fifty-Nine
Kemmler

Even though this album came out in the Fall of 2009, I've been listening to the evolution of these songs since 2008, and when the final versions were brought to me, I was quite impressed with how much work had gone into the album. And like all good music, Eleven Fifty-Nine makes all that work exceedingly apparent while somehow making it look easy as well.

Alex Kemmler engineered the hell out of this album, and every time I listen to it I hear something new. Unlike many home-recording projects, this is an album that sounds good everywhere: on the big stereo in my studio, on crappy iMac speakers, in headphones, in the car... everywhere. As anyone who has taken part in something like the RPM Challenge knows, it is very hard to get a mix to work in different environments. Kemmler has done this, and it's impressive.

This is a well put together album, with intense highs and very groovy lows. It's got a sense of humor but still puts out a serious vibe. All in all, an album that I come back to time and time again.

I hope you don't find it gauche that I'm putting Sidedown Audio artists on my Top Ten list... if you are offended, I don't care. As I said earlier, the best part about having a label is putting out amazing music. If I had more money for promotion, Eleven Fifty-Nine would be on many more lists this year.

Tomorrow: French pop and the only thing related to Justin Timberlake that I own.