1. "Hot Mess" by Cobra Starship
Still my guilty pleasure band. Just plain fun, and outrageous. Songs about dancing and girls and dancing with girls, and songs as jokes, whats not to like? Some of the best synthesizer music around, even if Gabe does stretch his vocal range a bit too far (just like when he was in Midtown). And "Living in the Sky With Diamonds" may be the catchiest dancepop song this year. Most played: "Living in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Move Like You're Gonna Die", though the album has about 20 plays this week.
2. "Hello Fascination" by Breathe Carolina
Friends of mine from Boulder. I almost went on tour with them last winter. And they kick out the electronic/dance/hardcore beats. The whole thing drips of happiness. My trio of most played just make you want to close your door and dance like a maniac in your room. And really what more can you ask for in life? Most played: "Dressed up to Undress", "Welcome To Savannah" (great sing-a-long chorus), and "Take Me To Infinity"
3. "Hideaway" by The Weepies
A late edition. Have that great 60s/70s pop sound with the fold attitude. Plus they were the music in some of those awesome Barack Obama ads. If the president like them should you? From poignant love songs to simple reflections on the past this rocks. Most played: "Can't Go Back Now", "Hideaway", and "Wish I Could Forget"
4. "Salvation is a Deep Dark Well" by The Builders and the Butchers
Imagine if Decemberists' singer Colin Meloy sang to the tunes of Murder By Death, with maybe a tinge of recent Brand New. It would sound like this. Amazing that is. Simple americana/folk music. Lyrics are great too "Nothing last forever in a god-forsaken town, the pocket books are empty 'cause the priest is back in town" Most played: "Down in This Hole" (lyrics above), "Vampire Lake", and "Devil Town" (most MBD like)
5. "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" by Phoenix
French alt-pop group, signed to Arts & Crafts (same label as Stars and anything related to the Broken Social Scene, which is about everything awesome in Canada). That alone should be enough for you listen to this. Butif you need more convincing, they make chill electropop, with a catchy bass line and soothing, staccato vocals. Definitely picking their previous albums soon. Most played: "Lisztomania", "Lasso", and "1901" (which has a very cool music video)
6. "Fantastic Playroom" by New Young Pony Club
A great running album as I learned this week, especially "The Get Go". I can run about 2 miles longer with this. Listening to it makes you want to bob your head and tap your feet. Sounds like the 80s all grown up. Most played: "The Get Go", "Tight Fit", and "The Bomb"
7. "Ocean Eyes" by Owl City
I feel lucky to call this guy a friend, in large part to me hearing his first album when he only had 3,000 views on myspace. He has over 9.5 MILLION now. This is his major label debut, for fans of the Postal Service. Most played: "Dental Care", "The Bird and The Worm", "Vanilla Twiight", and "Umbrella Beach"
8. "Myths of The Near Future" by Klaxons
I heard about their label denying their new record for being too experimental and psychedelic, so I traveled back to their first album. After some re-listening I can only imagine how insane that must have been. The quintessential New Rave album (think New Wave 2.0, with more indie/guitar parts). "Golden Skans" is still among the catchiest songs EVER (and based on a book, extra cool points). Most played: "Golden Skans", "Atlantis to the Interzone", and "Magick"
9. "Common Reaction" by Uh Huh Her
If Metric had the lesbian angle of Tegan and Sara, it would sound like this. Female fronted electropop, though sadly not from Canada, from Los Angeles (in the vein of Bird and the Bee). Most played: "Not A Love Song", "Common Reaction", "Explode" (most Metric sounding)
10. "LP" by Discovery
That really is the name of their LP about Japan basically. They only get a pass because it's so damn catchy. A supergroup of members from Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot, playing mainly on synthesizers. Most played: "Osaka Loop Line", "Orange Shirt", and "Swing Tree"
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Top Ten Album 08-10-09
1. "Digital Ash in A Digital Urn" by Bright Eyes
After the news of a final (tear) Bright Eyes album, I've listened to the electronic piece of his magnum opus a fair bit. Plus I'm making the best albums of the decade list, it made it FWIW. Most played tracks: "Light Pollution", "Easy/Lucky/Free", and (of course) "I Believe in Symmetry"
2. "The '59 Sound" by The Gaslight Anthem
Haven't listened to them in a while, once again feeling it though. Did I mention this was the best album of last year? Most played tracks: THE WHOLE FUCKING THING!!!
3. "Red of Tooth and Claw" by Murder By Death
Seeing them with Gaslight next month. Most played tracks: "52 Ford", "Coming Home", and "Rumbrave"
4. "I Get Wet" by Andrew WK
I was feeling a little down, and this is my pick me up album. With all that talk of party how can I be anything but totally pumped? Most played tracks: "Party Hard", "I Get Wet", and "Ready to Die"
5. "Fasciinatiion" by The Faint
Remember that whole faint phase I was talking about? Well I'm still in it. Their most recent, most produced album this time. Another classic dance-punk album, then again when you create a genre I guess everything you do is classic. Most played: "The Geeks Were Right" (duh), "A Battle Hymn For Children", and "Fulcrum and Lever"
6. "X Marks Destination" by The Whip
Easily the best dance-punk album this year, on par with anything the faint has done. "Trash" may also just be the best song ever. SERIOUSLY DOWNLOAD IT!!! And this one makes a great "mood walking" disc to pump you up. Most played: "TRASH", "TRASH", "TRASH!!!!", "Muzzle #1", and "Divebomb"
7. "Money Money 2020" by The Network (aka Green Day)
The masters to this got stolen and they made "American Idiot" instead, but released this anyway. It's not great, due to a lack of production in their solo effort, they are far better musicians than producers. But you can hear glimpses of their sound/structure on American Idiot and more recently "21st Century Breakdown" Most playedtracks: "Love and Money", "Hammer of the Gods", and "Hungry Hungry Models" (just because I like the old synths and Billy Joe saying "walking like a tiger") All these are actually worthy of the Green Day name (along with a couple others)
8. "Open Your Eyes" by Goldfinger
This album seriously changed my life. It's great without knowing that too. A great pop-punk/punk rock album with lots of hooks. The lyric work is amazing, especially on "Spokesman":
Most played tracks: "Spokesman", "Radio", and "FTN (Fuck Ted Nugent)"
9. ""Walk This Way" by The White Tie Affair
Pop/Electronic/New Wave type album. The lyrics are full of puns and innuendo, which I also love. Most played tracks: "Take It Home", "Allow Me To Introduce Myself...Mr. Right", and "Candle (Sick and Tired)"
10. "3" by Nouvelle Vague
French bassa nova/reggae fusion band covering 80s punk rock and new wave. Interested? I thought so. Most played tracks: "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" (originally Soft Cell), "God Save the Queen" (Sex Pistols), and "Master and Servant" (Depeche Mode)
After the news of a final (tear) Bright Eyes album, I've listened to the electronic piece of his magnum opus a fair bit. Plus I'm making the best albums of the decade list, it made it FWIW. Most played tracks: "Light Pollution", "Easy/Lucky/Free", and (of course) "I Believe in Symmetry"
2. "The '59 Sound" by The Gaslight Anthem
Haven't listened to them in a while, once again feeling it though. Did I mention this was the best album of last year? Most played tracks: THE WHOLE FUCKING THING!!!
3. "Red of Tooth and Claw" by Murder By Death
Seeing them with Gaslight next month. Most played tracks: "52 Ford", "Coming Home", and "Rumbrave"
4. "I Get Wet" by Andrew WK
I was feeling a little down, and this is my pick me up album. With all that talk of party how can I be anything but totally pumped? Most played tracks: "Party Hard", "I Get Wet", and "Ready to Die"
5. "Fasciinatiion" by The Faint
Remember that whole faint phase I was talking about? Well I'm still in it. Their most recent, most produced album this time. Another classic dance-punk album, then again when you create a genre I guess everything you do is classic. Most played: "The Geeks Were Right" (duh), "A Battle Hymn For Children", and "Fulcrum and Lever"
6. "X Marks Destination" by The Whip
Easily the best dance-punk album this year, on par with anything the faint has done. "Trash" may also just be the best song ever. SERIOUSLY DOWNLOAD IT!!! And this one makes a great "mood walking" disc to pump you up. Most played: "TRASH", "TRASH", "TRASH!!!!", "Muzzle #1", and "Divebomb"
7. "Money Money 2020" by The Network (aka Green Day)
The masters to this got stolen and they made "American Idiot" instead, but released this anyway. It's not great, due to a lack of production in their solo effort, they are far better musicians than producers. But you can hear glimpses of their sound/structure on American Idiot and more recently "21st Century Breakdown" Most playedtracks: "Love and Money", "Hammer of the Gods", and "Hungry Hungry Models" (just because I like the old synths and Billy Joe saying "walking like a tiger") All these are actually worthy of the Green Day name (along with a couple others)
8. "Open Your Eyes" by Goldfinger
This album seriously changed my life. It's great without knowing that too. A great pop-punk/punk rock album with lots of hooks. The lyric work is amazing, especially on "Spokesman":
What happened to integrity?
I don't see it on MTV
All I see is choreography
And I'll never be a dancer
What happened to puberty?
Bad skin and insecurity?
And who the fuck is Felicity?
Cuz I got problems of my own
Most played tracks: "Spokesman", "Radio", and "FTN (Fuck Ted Nugent)"
9. ""Walk This Way" by The White Tie Affair
Pop/Electronic/New Wave type album. The lyrics are full of puns and innuendo, which I also love. Most played tracks: "Take It Home", "Allow Me To Introduce Myself...Mr. Right", and "Candle (Sick and Tired)"
10. "3" by Nouvelle Vague
French bassa nova/reggae fusion band covering 80s punk rock and new wave. Interested? I thought so. Most played tracks: "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" (originally Soft Cell), "God Save the Queen" (Sex Pistols), and "Master and Servant" (Depeche Mode)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Top Ten Albums 08-03-09
1. "Far" by Reigna Spektor
Been waiting for this a while, and glad she stuck with the sound from "Begin to Hope". Just brillant. Most played: "Folding Chair", "Dance Anthem of the 80s", and "The Calculation"
2. "Swoon" by Silversun Pickups
Still great, like last week. Most played:"The Royal We", "Growing Old is Getting Old", and "Catch and Release"
3. "Appeal to Reason" by Rise Against
Come on, we all know they would show up here sooner rather than later. Plus I learned to play most of a previous album of theirs. Most played: "Historia Calamatatum", "Savior", and "From Heads Unworthy"
4. "Coeur de Pirate" by Coeur de Pirate
So I love French-Canadian chick singers, what of it? Most played: "Commes des enfants" and "Fondu au noir"
5. "Bayside" by Bayside
A great album from another favorite band. Dark but not too dark, with a snarly angst I love. Most played: "Half a Life" and "Blame it on Bad Luck"
6. "The Gleam" by The Avett Brothers
Same reasons as last time, same songs as last time.
7. "No More Stories/Are Told Today/I'm Sorry/They Washed Away//No More Stories/The World Is Grey/I'm Tired/Let's Wash Away" by Mew
Goofy, brilliant, dream pop. Some of the songs take a bit to build though (as most their older stuff). Also doesn't come out for a couple weeks, but super great. Beaches sounds like vacation. Most played: "Beaches", "Cartoons and Macrame Wounds", and "Silas the Magic Car"
8. "The '59 Sound" by The Gaslight Anthem
Duh? In part because I'm still working on a couple songs on the Silence Destroyer Most played: "Once Upon a Time" (bonus track), "Here's Looking At You, Kid", and "The Patient Ferris Wheel"
9. "Nothing Personal" by All Time Low
I feel ashamed to admit I love powerpop, but I can't deny my love of the synthesizer. Most played: "Weightless" and "Lost in Stereo"
10. "No One's First and You're Next" by Modest Mouse
Again not officially out, and had it a while, finally got a chance to listen to it. Some unreleased songs from their last two studio albums. Most played: "Satellite Skin" (maybe their best song ever), "King Rat", and "I've Got It All (Most)" (a spoof on another song...)
Been waiting for this a while, and glad she stuck with the sound from "Begin to Hope". Just brillant. Most played: "Folding Chair", "Dance Anthem of the 80s", and "The Calculation"
2. "Swoon" by Silversun Pickups
Still great, like last week. Most played:"The Royal We", "Growing Old is Getting Old", and "Catch and Release"
3. "Appeal to Reason" by Rise Against
Come on, we all know they would show up here sooner rather than later. Plus I learned to play most of a previous album of theirs. Most played: "Historia Calamatatum", "Savior", and "From Heads Unworthy"
4. "Coeur de Pirate" by Coeur de Pirate
So I love French-Canadian chick singers, what of it? Most played: "Commes des enfants" and "Fondu au noir"
5. "Bayside" by Bayside
A great album from another favorite band. Dark but not too dark, with a snarly angst I love. Most played: "Half a Life" and "Blame it on Bad Luck"
6. "The Gleam" by The Avett Brothers
Same reasons as last time, same songs as last time.
7. "No More Stories/Are Told Today/I'm Sorry/They Washed Away//No More Stories/The World Is Grey/I'm Tired/Let's Wash Away" by Mew
Goofy, brilliant, dream pop. Some of the songs take a bit to build though (as most their older stuff). Also doesn't come out for a couple weeks, but super great. Beaches sounds like vacation. Most played: "Beaches", "Cartoons and Macrame Wounds", and "Silas the Magic Car"
8. "The '59 Sound" by The Gaslight Anthem
Duh? In part because I'm still working on a couple songs on the Silence Destroyer Most played: "Once Upon a Time" (bonus track), "Here's Looking At You, Kid", and "The Patient Ferris Wheel"
9. "Nothing Personal" by All Time Low
I feel ashamed to admit I love powerpop, but I can't deny my love of the synthesizer. Most played: "Weightless" and "Lost in Stereo"
10. "No One's First and You're Next" by Modest Mouse
Again not officially out, and had it a while, finally got a chance to listen to it. Some unreleased songs from their last two studio albums. Most played: "Satellite Skin" (maybe their best song ever), "King Rat", and "I've Got It All (Most)" (a spoof on another song...)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)