A little delayed...but my 6 concerts in 10 days covering three states and nearly 1500 miles took its toll.
1. Owen's At Home - WOW, WOW, WOW! My favorite new band this year!!! Possibly my album of the year. Plus I saw him last night at the Picador, it was a weird show..."Bags of Bones" and "Bad News" are so full of melodrama. If you don't listen to this album YOU ARE MISSING OUT!
2. Right Away Great Captain's The Eventually Home - Still such emotion,in nearly spoken songs. Every listen brings he closer to the conclusion that he and Conor Oberst are the same person. Then without warning the song breaks out to a near scream. The emotion is palpable in "Cutting off the blood" when he talks about walking in on a lover with someone else.
3. Rise Against's Appeal To Reason - Did I mention I saw these guys in concert? Un-fucking-believable. Still the best live show around. I couldn't move during all the pogoing. People carried me up and down. The album is even better live, with Tim swinging the mic around and jumping off amps. Historia is still my favorite song.
4. Charlotte Sometime's Waves and The Both Of Us - What is this April? For reason I felt like listening to this again, and was captivated like the first time. "AEIOU", "Army Men" , "Ex Girlfriend Syndrome", and "Sweet Valium High" are all brilliant. Plus she is hilarious in person, though nearly making out with her bassist on stage was strange. Maybe I'm biased by drinking coffee and talking with her on the ped mall until 1am.
5. The Killer's Day and Age "Human" with it's talk about being a dancer is good, but Spaceman is the gem of the album, probably a top ten hit. "This is Your Life" starts out with Lion King like chants and builds. Most of the album makes me think of the Clash, and full of such depth in the background, producer is a genius.
6. Of The Opera's Study Natural Law - I think this strikes me because this is a lot like what I make on my laptop, speaking of which I should call Giancarlo. A couple days ago I realized that 1909 is about Les Miserables, and we all know that is my favorite musical. And the start of "In 1868" is so much fun. One of the strongest middle of an album too.
7. Quietdrive's Deliverance - Pop-Rock in the vein of Anberlin, can't wait to see them with White Tie Affair on the 9th. Only a couple listens so far, but the clear stand out is "Birthday" that starts almost acoustic and transitions to a rock sing a long with this chorus I'm sorry I forgot your birthday, I'm sorry 'cause was shitfaced, I thought it was on a Wednesday, A Monday or a Tuesday I can tell they will put on a killer live show.
8. Swimming With Dolphins's Ambient Blue Another appearance my friend from Owantonna, Adam. One of his 7 CDs this year. Never fails to put you in a good mood.
9. Dustin Kensrue's Please Come Home - "I Knew You Before" and "Pistol" are damn good, but for some reason the rest of the album resonates less, too allegorical I think, although it is still is good. A line from "I Knew You Before" - But all I can say is I knew you before,You were beautiful back then, Before you grew up, before you gave in
10. Belle and Sebastian's the Life Pursuit - One of my favorite albums ever. Scots sure know how to make good music. "Blues are still blue" and "Funny Little Frog" are so fun to listen to
Last I am fairly sure the new Paul McCartney Album will make an appearance next week, but I haven't listened to it yet....didn't even know about until yesterday, rare for me.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Top Ten Albums 11-14-08
1. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head's "Glistening Pleasure" LCD Soundsystem, Communique, and Justice are all hinted at this my new favorite album. It takes a lot to knock of RA, and more to become my favorite electronica album in a year that the faint releases after 4 years. Even as I write this I am rocking in my chair. If only it was a rocking chair.... Bravo, Seattle! Hand claps!!!!
2. Rise Against's "Appeal to Reason It makes me sad to drop my all time favorite band from the top, but they did last a long time at the top. Especially for me.
3. Of the Opera's "Study Natural Law" Nearly spoken words, with humming in the background set to drum beats and acoustic guitar. Listen to "Buried Chorus", "1909" or "1868" and tell me I'm wrong, I dare you.
4. Right Away, Great Captain's "The Eventually Home" An absolutely fantastic folk album "What a Pity" is a true gem, but at less than 2 minutes I felt cheated.
5. Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" Every review I have read mentions this as contender for album of the year. This kind of album will grow on you, expect it to climb. You can hear the cabin creaking and "Skinny Love" is brilliant. Melodrama everywhere, as with any post-breakup winter in the woods album, but I love it still. Many songs are instrumental or just contains moans or hums, but those too shine.
6. Ingrid Michaelson's "Be OK" Imagine if Ani DiFranco made happier songs....Ta-da! Normally too many covers for me, but I just love her voice (think Feist or Sara Bareilles). Ukulele and finger snaps and all. "Let's get rich rich, and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance." (from You and I complete with stomps and group vocals)
7. Conor Oberst's "Gentleman's Pact EP" Given to me by a dear friend, tour only and limited to 1000 copies I feel so truly blessed. It would be higher, but it only has 4 songs. How could "Breezy" not have made that Self-Titled album? Oh and a BOB DYLAN COVER!!!!!!!! "Synesthete" is easily his darkest song since the days of "Digital Ash", so I see why it was left off, but damn it's good!!!!!
8. Magnet's "A Simple Life" Who says folk-rock is only for native English speakers? Thanks Norway! Wood block sounds, claps, stomps, and hums abound. Only the Omaha Bob Dylan could manage such brilliant orchestration. I'm bobbing my head just think about it.
9. Cash Cash's "Cash Cash EP" Electric Hearts, Party in your Bedroom, and Breakout so just plain fun. Another Synth band, sue me! "Throw your hands to the sky like your flying,Throw your hands in the air cause we'll shake it tonight, Hot hot like a fire, When electric hearts, collide"
10. The A-B Theory's "Illusions EP" The song "Fatal Flaw Attraction" reminds me of another band I love, but the name alludes. Catchy synthpop abounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHyo33XLP24
2. Rise Against's "Appeal to Reason It makes me sad to drop my all time favorite band from the top, but they did last a long time at the top. Especially for me.
3. Of the Opera's "Study Natural Law" Nearly spoken words, with humming in the background set to drum beats and acoustic guitar. Listen to "Buried Chorus", "1909" or "1868" and tell me I'm wrong, I dare you.
4. Right Away, Great Captain's "The Eventually Home" An absolutely fantastic folk album "What a Pity" is a true gem, but at less than 2 minutes I felt cheated.
5. Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" Every review I have read mentions this as contender for album of the year. This kind of album will grow on you, expect it to climb. You can hear the cabin creaking and "Skinny Love" is brilliant. Melodrama everywhere, as with any post-breakup winter in the woods album, but I love it still. Many songs are instrumental or just contains moans or hums, but those too shine.
6. Ingrid Michaelson's "Be OK" Imagine if Ani DiFranco made happier songs....Ta-da! Normally too many covers for me, but I just love her voice (think Feist or Sara Bareilles). Ukulele and finger snaps and all. "Let's get rich rich, and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance." (from You and I complete with stomps and group vocals)
7. Conor Oberst's "Gentleman's Pact EP" Given to me by a dear friend, tour only and limited to 1000 copies I feel so truly blessed. It would be higher, but it only has 4 songs. How could "Breezy" not have made that Self-Titled album? Oh and a BOB DYLAN COVER!!!!!!!! "Synesthete" is easily his darkest song since the days of "Digital Ash", so I see why it was left off, but damn it's good!!!!!
8. Magnet's "A Simple Life" Who says folk-rock is only for native English speakers? Thanks Norway! Wood block sounds, claps, stomps, and hums abound. Only the Omaha Bob Dylan could manage such brilliant orchestration. I'm bobbing my head just think about it.
9. Cash Cash's "Cash Cash EP" Electric Hearts, Party in your Bedroom, and Breakout so just plain fun. Another Synth band, sue me! "Throw your hands to the sky like your flying,Throw your hands in the air cause we'll shake it tonight, Hot hot like a fire, When electric hearts, collide"
10. The A-B Theory's "Illusions EP" The song "Fatal Flaw Attraction" reminds me of another band I love, but the name alludes. Catchy synthpop abounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHyo33XLP24
Friday, November 7, 2008
Top Ten Albums 11-07-08
Early posting since I will be working and then going to visit my brother. Again feel free to tell me how wrong I am, or mention a favorite of yours. Who knows it might make the list next week....
1. Rise Against's "Appeal To Reason" - Every time I listen to this album I something new strikes me, this is fill with so much depth lyrically that you cant but enjoy, plus my huge man-crush on Tim.
2. The Weakerthan's "Reunion Tour" - No one in the world can make talking sound more wonderful than John K. Sampson. This was my favorite album of 2007, with lines like this who can disagree? "I changed the oils and oiled the squeaks,
Patched the holes and fluid leaks,Left dusk beneath a diabetic moon"
3. Mêlée's "Devils and Angles" - In my mind the quintessential love album, thought I my be biased in that it came out around when my engagement was falling apart before my eyes.
4. Conor Oberst's "Conor Oberst" - The album signals a coming of age for a man once compared to Bob Dylan, he has earned those comparisons.
5. Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip's "Angles" - My favorite rap album ever. Beats Sage Francis hands down. "Letter from God to Man" and "Magician's Assistant" are quite powerful.
6. Owl City's "Maybe I'm Dreaming" - If gum drops and rainbows made music when dropped on the floor they would sound like this. "Designer Skyline" is one of my favorite songs ever, though not on this album. "This is the Future" anyone? Plus Adam is a good friend of mine, crazy to see him exploding now.
7. Kill Paradise's "The Effect" - My second optimism pick, blame that Obama guy....everything is catchy as hell. "Crystals", "Beautiful Colors", and "Radio Arcade" are the stand outs here.
8. The Color Fred's "Bend To Break" - This guy really was the brains and talent in Taking Back Sunday. Songs like "I'll Never Know" and "Hate To See You Go" prove this in spades, the former is one of the saddest love songs I ever did hear.
9. Say Anything's "In Defense of the Genre" - Dude is insane. Period. Taken individually each disc has weaknesses but together they find greatness, if I had to chose just one, I would take the first.
10.Anberlin's "New Surrender" - The best in mainstream rock with synths, "Breaking" and "Disappear" are amazing.
1. Rise Against's "Appeal To Reason" - Every time I listen to this album I something new strikes me, this is fill with so much depth lyrically that you cant but enjoy, plus my huge man-crush on Tim.
2. The Weakerthan's "Reunion Tour" - No one in the world can make talking sound more wonderful than John K. Sampson. This was my favorite album of 2007, with lines like this who can disagree? "I changed the oils and oiled the squeaks,
Patched the holes and fluid leaks,Left dusk beneath a diabetic moon"
3. Mêlée's "Devils and Angles" - In my mind the quintessential love album, thought I my be biased in that it came out around when my engagement was falling apart before my eyes.
4. Conor Oberst's "Conor Oberst" - The album signals a coming of age for a man once compared to Bob Dylan, he has earned those comparisons.
5. Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip's "Angles" - My favorite rap album ever. Beats Sage Francis hands down. "Letter from God to Man" and "Magician's Assistant" are quite powerful.
6. Owl City's "Maybe I'm Dreaming" - If gum drops and rainbows made music when dropped on the floor they would sound like this. "Designer Skyline" is one of my favorite songs ever, though not on this album. "This is the Future" anyone? Plus Adam is a good friend of mine, crazy to see him exploding now.
7. Kill Paradise's "The Effect" - My second optimism pick, blame that Obama guy....everything is catchy as hell. "Crystals", "Beautiful Colors", and "Radio Arcade" are the stand outs here.
8. The Color Fred's "Bend To Break" - This guy really was the brains and talent in Taking Back Sunday. Songs like "I'll Never Know" and "Hate To See You Go" prove this in spades, the former is one of the saddest love songs I ever did hear.
9. Say Anything's "In Defense of the Genre" - Dude is insane. Period. Taken individually each disc has weaknesses but together they find greatness, if I had to chose just one, I would take the first.
10.Anberlin's "New Surrender" - The best in mainstream rock with synths, "Breaking" and "Disappear" are amazing.
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