This Little Underground

All right, ya mooks, it’s that time again when This Little Underground recognizes the local superlatives that simply refused to get lost in my mountain of notes this year. I present to you the 2011 Undies! Dirty bar napkin please ...

The Undies

Best new local bands

Mr. Pussy – face-beating noise-rock supergroup.

Roadkill Ghostkill Choir – folk done with grace and grandeur.

Saskatchewan – gorgeously crafted dream-pop.

Maximino – a one-man psych-pop project that’s the city’s gold standard for solo possibility.

The Sh-Booms – finally, we have a straight-up classic soul band up in here.

Woolly Bushmen – rousing frat-rock straight from the garage.

Most overlooked band – Lone Hymnal

These arrestingly atmospheric twangsters absolutely belong in the above list, but their criminally low profile warrants its own category.

Most sonically misanthropic band – Fire in the Cave

Another band that belongs in the list above but demands their own category because they are a motherfucking volcano of black and doom metal.

Most punishing live band – No Qualms

How this hardcore band manages to focus a cosmos of energy into one room I don’t know. But, good god, what a physical experience!

Best roster tune-up – Hollow Leg

When this Jacksonville doom squad reloads with two additional members from savage area band Junior Bruce, the only thing that can result is pure murder.

Best Central Florida releases

Flashlights – I’m Not Alone (NK Tapes/Protagonist)

The Pauses – A Cautionary Tale (New Granada)

Khann – Erode (Blackmarket)

Sleepy Vikings – They Will Find You Here (New Granada)

Best calendar – Will’s Pub

While leading downtown clubs like the Social and Back Booth have kind of taken the foot off the quality throttle, it was a banner year for Will’s Pub due largely to smart new partnerships with the city’s brightest, most current promoters.

Biggest phoenix – Beacham Theater

What I just said about the ebb of the Social’s calendar is true, but it’s understandable, considering they’ve been busy shifting gears this year to fill this large downtown room, too. Getting a 747 like this off the ground is no small feat, and they’ve done a good job with some stunning, high-profile productions (M83, Glitch Mob, Ghostland Observatory). It’s beautiful to have this prime space restored to glory and respectability.

Best new venue – the Acre

Details are still scant on this place and its viability as a public venue remains to be seen, but this arty compound is one of the most distinctive event spaces around.

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