#10 Album That Rocks My World 2011: Braids - Native Speaker
Audio: Lemonade
I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit of a late convert to this album. Back in June when I made my 10 personal picks for the Polaris Music Prize I neglected this album. Back in August when I made a list of 10 Albums That Rocked My World in 2011 (so far) I also neglected this album. But back on September 19th I watch the live gala of the Polaris Music Prize and they blown me away live (it was right up there with Austra for performance the night). So after that I decided to revisit the album again, and I was rewarded for doing so. Because the album is so layered and atmospheric you definitely need to listen to it multiple times to get the full experience (“Plath Heart” may be the only song on the album that would be considered immediately accessible). Each listen is like listening for the first time. It is the perfect headphones album. If you give it the chance you’ll find it to be a gorgeous album where the songs dramatically build towards the climax. It is one of the most satisfying new discoveries of the year.
