No. 347: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Before Today" (2010)

I came across a few reviews of this album around September last year and noted the big rap it was getting from some respected music publications, so out of curiosity I decided to track it down.
Ariel Pink, by all accounts, was a member of the outsider/freak-folk scene in LA who has been making lo-fi home recordings for years and playing them to anyone who will listen. A few years ago he formed a backing band called Haunted Graffiti and they eventually released this studio album last year: an eclectic collection of tunes covering genres such as garage rock, psychedelic pop and experimental new-wave.
Some parts just sound like The Cure too, which isn't a bad thing.
Another point in it's favour is it's not "over-produced". Despite being recorded in a proper studio it still mostly sounds like a home recording, which adds to the curiosity factor. Don't be put off by Ariel Pink's "freak" tag: this record is full of great songs and it's refreshing to hear a collection so musically diverse as this one is across its brief 45 minute duration.
I think its one of the best kept secrets of the last 12 months - if you're a music lover track it down ASAP. You freak.